Karl who was standing behind Arlan almost lost his footing when he heard this. 'Ten million pesos?! I didn't even get that much from the boss... No. I received something more valuable from him...' He muttered as he thought about the serum that significantly improved his physical abilities.
"If you work for me, I promise that I won't mistreat you guys. Your monthly salary will start at 80,000 pesos and this will increase depending on your performance. Other than that, I will also provide you guys with accommodation and you can bring your family to live with you. And these are just the basic benefits, I will also give you some incentives if you complete a task. What do you guys think?" Arlan scanned everyone's faces.
"I will work for you!"
"Boss, I will also work for you!"
"I'm also willing to follow you, boss!"
Most of them immediately agreed and offered their allegiance to him. The benefits that Arlan stated were something that they would never earn in their lives.
Among them, twelve people hesitated, including Conrad.
"What kind of work do you want us to do? I don't believe you will offer that much money to just hire us as bodyguards." The person who asked was a middle-aged man in his early forties. He was wearing a pair of glasses and he looked skinny for a veteran soldier. However, he was one of the highest-ranking soldiers among the fifty people invited by Karl. He was a Major, which was one rank higher than Conrad!
"Correct. You guys won't be working as mere bodyguards. You will be working as my soldiers!" Arlan muttered.
"If the job includes killing innocent people, then I can only respectfully decline your offer. It might be tempting, but killing civilians is against my principles." Muttered a middle-aged man in his late fifties. He was the highest-ranking soldier among the fifty people. He was also a former commander of a Special Forces Brigade and the direct superior of Karl during his time in the army, Colonel Gregorio de Leon. Despite his advanced age, he still looked like someone in his forties. This was because Gregorio was very strict and disciplined with his diet and workout.
"You don't have to be worried. I have no plans to kill innocent people." Arlan shook his head. "To be honest, I provoked a very dangerous person recently and he attempted to take my life numerous times. I believe you guys have already heard of his name..."
"Leandro Manzano..."
Everyone's eyes widened when they heard this name coming out of his mouth.
"Your enemy is actually Leandro Manzano? In that case, I will work for you!" Strangely, the first one to speak up was Conrad. His eyes were filled with hatred when he mentioned Leandro's name. Arlan was perceptive enough to notice this and he guessed that this person must have some grudge against Leandro.
"Hahaha! To think that there's actually someone who would provoke that madman... You've earned my respect. I am also willing to work for you!" The former Colonel, Gregorio de Leon said.
The others hesitated. Not all of them were willing to become enemies with Leandro. However, after some internal struggles, they also decided to work for Arlan. The benefits he stated were something that they couldn't pass up. Although there were some serious risks involved, they were confident in their skills as former members of the army.
"Good! Thank you for trusting me, everyone! Please follow me inside the villa to sign some paperwork." Arlan invited them inside the villa.
Everyone was in a good mood and they felt even happier when they saw the stacks of cash inside the briefcase given to them by Arlan.
Soon, Arlan handed them their contracts and they all signed it eagerly. "Everyone, someone will take your measurements later. This is for your uniforms."
"Yes, boss!"
"Yes, Sir!"
"Yes, Sir!"
Some of them still retained their habits as former soldiers and it would take some time for them before they could adjust to their new status.
While someone was taking their measurements, Karl whispered to him. "Boss, are you sure about taking all of them?"
"As long as they don't betray me, I will treat them well." Arlan gave him a short answer. He was in dire need of men so he couldn't afford to be picky this time. Besides, they could be trained into elites once Winter completes the Virtual World.
Arlan briefly chatted with his newly hired soldiers and he sent them off before evening arrived.
***
In the dining room, Karl, Khalon, and Winter dined together with Arlan.
"Boss, who is that person?" Karl asked as he sneakily looked at Winter who was sitting adjacent to Arlan.
"A new person I hired. Don't underestimate her. She might not look like it, but I think she's stronger than you." Arlan chuckled as he replied.
Karl was taken aback when he heard this. His boss wasn't someone who liked to joke around, but his words were a bit too hard to believe. 'This woman looks frail and weak. Is she really that strong?' He thought to himself. After injecting the Body Enhancing Serum, he was now more confident in his skills.
"You don't believe me?" Arlan chuckled when he saw Karl's expression.
"Boss..." Karl was at loss for words.
"I can let you guys have a quick spar later, but don't blame me later." Arlan grinned.
"He can't beat me." Winter suddenly said.
"You! What did you say?" Karl's eyes twitched at Winter's confident words.
Winter stared indifferently at him and muttered. "You can't beat me..."
Her arrogance almost infuriated Karl. If not for her beautiful face, he would have already punched her when she said those words.
"Let's see if you can still say the same words later. I won't be lenient with you just because you are a woman." He wanted to prove to Arlan that his strength was only second to Khalon.
Winter didn't even bother to reply.
Arlan only smiled at the side as he looked at their verbal confrontation. In truth, he also wanted to see the extent of Winter's combat abilities.
New n𝙤vel chapters are published on f(r)e𝒆webn(o)vel.com