World Occult Usage Guide

Chapter 28 Let's Talk About Compensation

"Sigh, clerical work, clerical work, utterly worthless!"

The minister swallowed a nitroglycerin pill with ice water.

An hour had passed since Spriggan went out of control, and the group, led by the minister, walked through the corridors of St. Anilov.

Unlike its slightly retro exterior architecture, the facility's interior is highly modern.

Take the elevator to the third floor, where you'll find the offices of the clerks.

Unlike traditional office buildings, this place offers a wide view, ample underfloor heating, and beautiful music playing.

Each employee has a private "pod" space of about 5 square meters, which serves as a private office. It is transparent on all sides and has good natural light.

Some people keep flowers, fish, and hamsters inside.

The surrounding corridors are paved with curved glass panels, allowing ample light to stream in from the courtyard, where lush local trees such as fruit trees, olive trees, and birch trees are planted. The central pavilion is coated with sun-protective material, and the words "Fitness Center" can be vaguely seen.

If employees want privacy, they can draw the automatic curtains. When Lin An passed by those cubicles, he could only hear faint typing sounds coming from inside.

According to the clerk, St. Anilov has four floors: the first floor is the service hall, the second floor is the logistics department, the third floor is the clerical department, and the fourth floor is the general area.

The healing center, reception room, and president's office are all on the fourth floor. On the surface, it is a spa and meditation base, and it is still serving some wealthy clients.

The deep underground is where this facility hides its secrets.

Judging from the out-of-control alarm, there are at least two basement levels.

Passing through the office leads to the third-floor restaurant, recreation room, and juice bar. The alarm has temporarily made it deserted. The clerk told Lin An that unlimited free food and drinks are provided, and in the evenings, one can play billiards, poker, and throw darts.

Putting aside the "nature of the work" in St. Anilov, this kind of office environment is absolutely every worker's dream.

Every part is a testament to the wisdom of technology and industrialization.

Hearing the minister's complaint, Lin An, who was looking at the paper contract, looked up.

"If it weren't for the high mortality rate, most people in the United States would love to become office workers here."

"Five social insurances and three housing funds... monthly salary of $1... talent settlement allowance... $5?!"

Before she could finish speaking, Mishi, who was sitting in the other chair, jumped up, her hands gripping her phone trembling slightly.

"Is this...this kind of treatment something I deserve?!"

“There’s a $2000 bonus for completing each mission…” Barry muttered to himself, “A signature…where do I sign my name?”

Even though they had just experienced a thrilling battle, the moment they saw the contract, they immediately put the danger out of their minds.

For nothing else.

They gave us so much!
The minister was not entirely surprised by this; aside from a few difficult individuals, most people would have chosen to join St. Anilov without hesitation the moment they saw the contract.

They'd do anything to keep their jobs, let alone sign a few confidentiality agreements.

Most people...

He glanced at Lin An and took a deep breath.

"After you sign the papers, we will arrange a comprehensive physical examination soon. If the process goes smoothly, you can go home tonight to take care of personal matters and say goodbye to your family and friends."

The minister's stern voice startled the two men, and Mishi and Barry quickly nodded.

"Because when you report next week, once you get your 'Direct Contact Department' black cards, unless there are special circumstances, it's best not to leave this facility."

Just as the two picked up the electronic pen to sign, Lin An suddenly spoke up.

"Wait, Minister."

"Any other questions?" The minister had a bad feeling.

"On the day of the interview, we were subjected to a life-or-death attack, which was caused by the organization's mismanagement. This made me very uneasy. Do you usually experience things like this?"

"Of course not, this loss of control was purely accidental. To tell you the truth, sir, there have only been three similar incidents in St. Anilov's history, all of which were dealt with within two minutes and never resulted in any casualties."

"If you die today, wouldn't that set a record?"

"..."

The minister's forehead veins bulged as he struggled to suppress the twitching of his face.

"The research department has already begun investigating the cause of this loss of control, and we will have the results within a week, ensuring that it will not happen again."

“I have faith in St. Anilov’s competence,” Lin An said, twirling his pen. “But being attacked so soon after starting the job left an indelible psychological scar on my young mind.”

The minister stared intently at Lin An, who nonchalantly played with the antique fountain pen in the minister's collection.

The other two also realized what was happening, and put down their electronic pens, silently standing on the same side as Lin An.

After a long pause, the minister sighed heavily.

"I'm sorry, it was my oversight. Because of our mistake, you were put in a dangerous situation, and we are willing to compensate you." He said through gritted teeth, "Is there anything we can do?"

Damn it, if you weren't a mystery guy, I'd throw you out the window right now!
“I want cash,” Barry said.

“I want to choose something from the points system of the departments I work with directly,” Lin An said.

"No problem, Mr. Barry. In addition to the $8 settlement fee, we will give you an additional $5 in compensation. This money will be sent to the branch nearest you within 3 to 5 business days. Please or your family member can redeem it with the voucher."

"I want a raise!" Mishi said.

“I want to choose something from the points system,” Lin An said. “Ms. Melissa, of course. The back office will send a new contract to your email later, raising your salary to $1.2 a month. What do you think?”

"Let me buy it for free!" Lin An insisted.

The minister cleared his throat, maintaining his composed high-level demeanor.

"Mr. Lin, we will select an item that will satisfy you as much as possible, based on your access level."

"No, I want to go to the warehouse myself."

"You haven't unlocked the corresponding permissions yet."

"As far as I know, St. Anilov is an organization that specifically serves the mystics. The highest authority is the president, followed by the direct-department staff, whose benefits are much better than those of clerical workers. Isn't that right, Minister?"

The minister clenched his fists tightly, otherwise he feared he might not be able to resist pulling out his pistol and emptying the magazine at Lin An.

“We are looking forward to the addition of new colleagues. However, now is now, and later is later. I regret to inform you that I cannot do this until you become a full-time employee.”

"Is being a mystery worker a mandatory requirement for joining the direct confrontation department?"

"Yes."

"Will all the mystics working in St. Anilov be assigned there?"

"Yes."

Lin An leaned back in his chair and said with a half-smile, "Then tell me, am I a mystery person or not?"

Since he brought up the topic, the minister seized the opportunity and asked him questions.

"I want to ask you, Lin, what was your state of mind when you blocked the attack? At that moment, did you feel any strong emotions such as anger, fear, or disgust?"

"So that seems to be true."

"Oh, what emotion is it?"

"I'm very worried about you." Lin An blinked sincerely.

The minister blushed slightly, coughed politely, and continued, "You mean, you activated a mysterious energy out of 'protection'? Do you remember what kind of power it was? Could you briefly describe its possible functions?"

Lin An was lost in memories.

The crazed treasure-guarding fairy roared, and its mountain-sized hand reached out to grab the minister.

"System, check the entry 'Provide Defense' from the book 'Encyclopedia of Magic II: Alchemy and the Philosopher's Stone - The Metal That Creates Life'."

"Three solutions that meet the criteria were found—"

Which one consumes the least amount of media?

"Consume 'God of Truth x1', 'Seeker of Knowledge x1', and 'Lord of the Earth x1' to use [Summon Basic Amulet]?"

"use."

Mysterious energy burst through the air, and a rectangular barrier made of iron and gold appeared in front of Lin An, with the words "Araba Omel alifal Cuttar uden et amoen Trol Coblamot Fasteanus" written on it.

The inscriptions, passed down from ancient times, contain distorted Latin words that are difficult to decipher and are said to protect against assassination and most physical injuries.

The word "amulet" comes from the Latin word "amuletum," which means "defense mechanism." It is a protective spell used to ward off misfortune, accidents, diseases, and the legendary evil eye.

In Western Alchemy, formed gemstones, iron, gold, and copper all possess amulet properties. Alchemists inscribe spells or prayers, as well as the names of gods and angels, on their surfaces, asking them to protect them with their benevolent power.

In Chinese culture, amulets are usually made of a string of copper coins that have absorbed the spiritual energy of heaven, earth, and man. The person seeking the amulet becomes one of the five ancient emperors and recites "I am here by order of the Supreme Lord Laozi" to consecrate it. Alternatively, peach wood and peach stone can be used instead.

The primary amulet collided with Spriggan's giant hand, producing a dull thud that sent sound waves rippled outwards.

"By using mystical arts, the radiation value of the [Mystic Encyclopedia] has increased by 0.2%."

As the notification sounded, Lin An saw through the chaotic and blurry amulet the moment Spriggan was cleaved in two by a longsword.

Every time Lin An used his mystical arts, he could only feel a special energy descending from the sky, accompanied by some vague hallucinations, achieving the effect described.

As the radiation level reached a whole number of 1%, he gradually saw the "physical entity" of the energy, and the "image" conjured by the mysterious power became clearer and clearer.

Concealing his alchemy skills, Lin An recounted his experience in a half-truthful, half-embellished manner, moving the minister to tears and prompting him to grasp Lin An's hand.

"I never expected that you would be willing to stand up for a complete stranger, knowing that you were no match for him, yet you still held firm to your principles and faced that terrifying, out-of-control mysterious creature alone. Lin, I haven't seen such a noble and courageous young person as you in many years."

The minister wiped away tears, deeply moved.

"It is because of such great contributors that human civilization has been able to achieve its brilliance!"

"Minister, you flatter me."

"I want to proclaim this glorious deed to the entire St. Anilov, so that they may know that the organization's latest member is a noble person who sacrifices himself for others!"

Lin An also grasped the minister's hand in return, and the two looked into each other's eyes.

“Dear Minister.”

"What's wrong, dear Lin?"

"I want to choose something from the points system."

"..."

(End of this chapter)