From the moment the Society involved itself in this matter and as it became certain that his ever-unpredictable System had unleashed something other than just a means to get rid of a person’s class, Severin felt things spiraling out of his control.

The store was overcrowded like anything, and every single one of those people seemed fully intend to push and pull in directly the opposite direction of the person next to them. All while shouting their lungs out.

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

His feeling of helplessness grew by the minute; trying to make himself heard and ask the crowd to shut up, let alone fall in line or even leave, would most definitely be futile. And the only other alternative he could think of to get a handle on things-that was blacklisting the whole bunch-wasn’t really an option either.

As for Krill… as probably the only classless person currently in this room, the oldtimer was even more overwhelmed by this sudden development than him. Much less being of any help resolving this situation, Severin was just glad the man hadn’t suffered a heart attack and, while largely unresponsive and with his eyes wide open, was safely hidden behind the counter next to him.

Severin stood there similarly helplessly, figuring the mob surely would have to calm down at 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.

What had historically been a consumable object had now turned into a tradable, and therefore resalable, product.

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.

Disregarding the more concrete consequences this would have on the classbearers themselves, what this meant for Severin was very simple:

Money.

All the money he could ever dream of spending.

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.

Not to forget all his other plans, which he had been forced to put on hold exactly because of his lack of funds. Such as building his very own inn, which, in Severin’s mind, together with the concept of dungeons, was the very epitome of an adventurer’s life.

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

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.

Looking at things from that perspective, Severin’s mood greatly improved. The chaotic mass of people, with each one of them now representing a small fortune, suddenly had become much more bearable.

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

Until it was replaced by a blank mask of incomprehension, when he was torn out of his daydreams by the strangest request that came from an old woman that had suddenly appeared in front of him.

“I want to work for you.”

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.

Hearing her explanation, Severin almost wanted to laugh at her candor.

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

“I-I only hire classless people,” he said in an attempt to brush her off, but, realizing the foolishness of his words even as they left his mouth, he involuntarily stuttered.

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

Severin ignored the heat spreading all over his face, and, to avoid further embarrassing himself, now considered more carefully.

But the longer he considered, the less convincing his arguments sounded even inside his head.

Her relationship with Hanvia? Or that with Samuel?

Maybe her age?

All made for horrible excuses.

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.

In fact, someone like Samuel’s mentor, someone with actual real-world experience, unlike Bandur, whose experience, due to his unusual circumstances, was more theoretical in nature, would definitely prove invaluable in one way or the other.

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.

Given that right now, many such opportunities presented themselves, Severin’s mind was churning at a high speed as he was formulating a loose plan.

When he turned his attention back to the old woman, it was with renewed confidence.

“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.

"Well? Surely the extraction-fee must be considered a recruitment cost."