Even behind the counter, which was currently the least crowded space in his store, the constricting feeling became more and more unbearable.


    some point.


    Then again, having that inconspicuous looking box sitting there on his counter, he understood, would drastically change a lot of these peoples’ lives.


    Ignoring the more unforeseeable consequences that would only be apparent given enough time or to people smarter than him, some of the most far-reaching implications were obvious even to an outsider like him.


    Severin’s thoughts wandered to the video-games of his past, where people on the regular changed their classes and specializations, either to adapt to the specific challenges they were about to face, or simply for variety’s sake.


    It was just a matter of time until his customers would also come up with this hitherto unknown concept of multiclassing.


    And he had a lot of dreams.


    The expansion of his store, for one, which, given its recent raise in popularity, now felt insufficiently small.


    Or to browse certain sections of his System’s integrated store with its prices so exorbitantly high, he had never dared to check out more closely; surely somewhere in there had to be something, either some sort of device or some piece of equipment, that could help raise his [Employees’] productivity or could otherwise take some load off their shoulders.


    And thinking about equipment, Severin had yet to replace the ring that had saved an oblivious Emily from being shredding to pieces by some big cat.


    dungeons, was the very epitome of an adventurer’s life.


    The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.Fifty-thousand gold each meant even just a handful of activations would be enough to alleviate most of his monetary troubles and make those dreams come true.


    Envision a bright future, Severin felt a stupid grin forming on his face.


    “


    The request was so unexpected, so out-of-place, that Severin didn’t immediately know how to react.


    Where did this come from?


    “I know your employees help you with all kinds of work. Including crafting. Which means you are teaching them your techniques.


    That’s why I want you to hire me,” said the woman, which Severin recognized as both as Samuel’s supposed mentor as well as the old hag who, at times for hours on end, was creeping around his other two devices in the back and the training dummies outside.


    So she was after his secrets. At least that made the decision easy.


    ““I have not forgotten, my dear,” Mylana replied and took a meaningful look at the device sitting between them.


    Maybe her age?


    But why make excuses in the first place? He could just simply tell her off. No need to justify himself.


    ‘Or… I could just hire her, anyway.’


    After all, he was currently in dire need of an additional pair of hands.


    And what did it matter that he couldn’t trust her, as long as he could trust the System? To protect its own interests, that was.


    Especially should he ever decide to expand his business into a more self-determined and autonomous direction, one that would make him less reliant on the System’s support and its demanding tasks.


    “In that case, I don’t see any reason not to hire you,” he said with a smile. “There are still some specifics we need to work through, though. And a contract to sign. Just to make sure those techniques you are so interested in remain confidential. I am sure you understand.”


    “Oh? And you are confident that could stop me from simply making off with that knowledge?” Severin wasn’t quite sure if the woman was teasing or challenging him. It didn’t matter.


    “Yes, I am,” he answered without a thought.


    Hahaha, the woman laughed an almost youthful laugh. “Interesting. Now I am even more intrigued. I can hardly wait. So let’s get on with it.” With these words, the woman expectantly held out her open palm towards Severin. Causing him to raise his eyebrow in confusion.


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