After observing Gojo Satoru's domain and Jogo's domain, Hayashi realized that he still had a long way to go.
Although he could now unleash his own domain, the concentration was far from being able to completely cover Jogo's domain. It was an instinctual understanding.
However, if you were to compare Jogo's Coffin of the Iron Mountain with his Amaterasu Tsukikage domain, Hayashi's was undoubtedly of a higher caliber. It was just that he had only recently mastered domain expansion, so the density couldn't yet surpass the scope of Coffin of the Iron Mountain.
Given time, the next time he faced Jogo, perhaps Jogo wouldn't be able to withstand it.
"Where have you been? We were just discussing tomorrow's team dinner. Now that we're flush with funds, we can afford to indulge a little," Jie Zhiyong greeted Hayashi with a smile as he returned.
He found that it was easier to talk with Hayashi. Not because Hayashi was especially talkative, but because at least Hayashi responded to him. If Jie Zhiyong tried talking to Zhang Yiyi, she might only reply once out of every five questions. Sometimes, if she was in a good mood, she might respond twice. If she was in a bad mood, she'd just say, "Get lost!"
Even though Kong Yue usually humored him with some small talk, lately he had become too obsessed with gaming. Now that Kong Yue was injured, he spent all his time gaming and didn't even bother chatting anymore.
So, only Hayashi would patiently listen to his complaints. Indeed, recruiting Hayashi into the organization had been the wisest decision.
However, there was one strange thing. Ever since the high-level curse spirit incident in Hokkaido, both Zhang Yiyi and Kong Yue had treated Hayashi with an unusual level of respect.
Jie Zhiyong, though not the sharpest, wasn't dumb. It obviously had something to do with Hayashi saving them. Could it also be because Hayashi was good-looking?
"I just went out for a walk," Hayashi casually replied, then added with some surprise, "We should have plenty of money now, right? Why just a small celebration? Weren't you guys surviving on instant noodles before? Now that things have improved, you should splurge a little."
Jie Zhiyong was about to speak when Zhang Yiyi, who was lounging on the couch sucking on a lollipop, beat him to it. "It's not that simple. No matter how much we earn from a mission, we have to give 40% to the headquarters. The remaining money is divided—some goes into daily expenses, and the rest is split based on contributions."
"Yeah, so she's right. A little indulgence is perfectly fine," Kong Yue chimed in after finishing a game.
Hayashi found this absurd. "What kind of messed-up organization is this? You complete dangerous missions and still have to give up 40% of your earnings? Might as well let the organization take care of you until you're old. Missions are already risky with a chance of death. If that's the case, why not just take on smaller, safer jobs? This organization will go under at this rate."
"Hahaha, you're not wrong. But we're not fools. The organization has its benefits. If we get injured on a mission, they cover our medical expenses and provide compensation. If we die, they give a decent payout to our families. All in all, it's not too bad. This is just how we make a living; you turn a blind eye to certain things," Jie Zhiyong explained, helping Hayashi understand that no job was that simple. Who knew whose pockets that 40% was going into?
Decisions made by those at the top were shouldered by those below, and those at the very bottom bore the real burden. The lowest tier had it the hardest.
"I can't stand those guys at the top. If I ever become a Special Grade Sorcerer, I'll definitely change these rotten rules," Zhang Yiyi said, biting through her lollipop with a force that made both Hayashi and Jie Zhiyong wince in sympathy.
Hayashi took a sip of water, smiling at Zhang Yiyi. "You're still young; you've got a good shot."
Becoming a Special Grade Sorcerer wasn't just about raw strength. Experience, abilities, talent, contributions, and mission completion rates all played a role. Of course, without raw power, none of that would matter.
"Well said," Zhang Yiyi raised an eyebrow at Hayashi. Sometimes, she forgot how old Hayashi actually was and assumed he was around her age. After all, he was tall and handled situations with a calm demeanor, making him seem like a seasoned sorcerer.
"Our Tokyo branch is low-ranking, which is why we have to give 40%. If we were to level up, we'd only have to give 20%," Kong Yue said, glancing at everyone meaningfully.
Suddenly, all eyes turned to Hayashi, even those of Yan Dao, who had been quietly working on some paperwork. Their gazes were full of hope, and Hayashi felt like he was about to be devoured by a pack of wild beasts.
"Why is everyone looking at me like that?" Hayashi felt uneasy. These people looked like they were ready to pounce.
"Hahahaha!" Yan Dao suddenly laughed, startling Hayashi. He put down his papers and walked over, saying, "Kong Yue is right. I almost forgot—if we include you, we might be able to raise our branch from Grade Two to Grade One. That way, we'd save 20% of the funds, and headquarters would provide additional support!"
"Why only 'might'?" Hayashi asked, confused. Wasn't his strength enough to make the difference?
"Because you'll have to go to headquarters, undergo an evaluation, and the results will determine everything," Zhang Yiyi said, stretching. "But as long as you're willing to go, it's practically guaranteed."
"Exactly! If you go, we could save a lot of money. We'd give you the biggest share," Jie Zhiyong said excitedly. He was fed up with their previous poverty and eager to improve their situation.
He couldn't do it on his own, but Hayashi could.
"This doesn't feel right. Do I really have to go all the way to China? Can't I take the evaluation here? Isn't there more than one branch in Tokyo?" Hayashi wasn't too keen on the idea. While he doubted the Jujutsu High would interfere, he wasn't ready for this kind of commitment. It was one thing to accidentally join the Night Owl organization, but traveling to headquarters?
"There's more than one branch, of course. Tokyo is full of curses. We're just stationed in the outskirts, so you can imagine what that means for our rank," Kong Yue said, clearly hoping Hayashi would step up. He had underestimated Hayashi before but changed his mind after the Hokkaido incident. Hayashi's talents were exceptional.
After facing off against a Special Grade curse and coming back relatively unscathed, while Kong Yue and Zhang Yiyi were near death—that said it all. If Hayashi also knew how to expand a domain, there was no doubt he'd become a Special Grade Sorcerer.