Chapter 21: Boss, Which Demonic Cult Are You From?
'She's strong, sure, but isn't she a bit too young to be an employee?'
[Host, the Dimensional Convenience Store only requires the employee to meet the cultivation realm requirement. Age is irrelevant.]
'Haiyaahhh...'
'Isn't this basically child labor?'
[Host, don't set your standards based on your previous world.]
"..."
'So what, next time a baby in diapers reaches Heavenly King Realm, you're telling me I have to put them behind the counter?'
The system remained silent, which somehow made him feel even worse.
'That's... uhh. Fine. Whatever.' Hao sighed, dragging a hand down his face.
'I guess when you can punch through mountains, normal rules don't apply to you.'
"Welcome." Hao greeted.
"Looking for something, kid?"
For a split second, Mo Xixi's expression soured in irritation. "Ki–" She cut herself off, sparing Hao a glance. "Food."
Before Hao could reply, Mo Xixi continued. "I'll take a look around myself. Don't bother helping."
Hao's face twitched.
'Damn.'
Was this a genius thing? Did hitting Heavenly King Realm at thirteen automatically come with an attitude?
'System, can I check this kid's background?'
[Host, this request will cost 1 crystal. Your current balance is 0.3 crystals.]
Hao's face twitched. He had almost forgotten - the system took 90% of the profits!
'One to nine profit-sharing ratio... I'm literally a minimum-wage worker in my own store.'
Still, Hao needed to know what kind of situation this girl was in.
'Can I take a loan, system? It's for a good cause, you know. Understanding my potential employee and all that.'
[First-time request approved. Loan granted. Future loans will not be permitted. Host, your current balance is now -0.7 crystal.]
A floating screen appeared before him.
[Mo Xixi – Background]
Once the heir of the Ashen Curse Cult, a demonic sect that fell due to internal conflict. Rival demonic cults took advantage of the chaos, wiping out her family and sect members.
She was forced to flee to Sovereign City, where she had been surviving alone. With no money and no understanding of how normal society works, she has relied on stealing food while constantly staying on guard against potential pursuers.
Hao looked at Mo Xixi with pity.
'She's basically a stray cat that can one-shot most people in the city.'
Meanwhile, Mo Xixi wandered over to the shelves where the cup of instant noodles were displayed.
"Chicken-Flavored Instant Noodles."
'Noodles? Inside this?'
She grabbed a cup, shaking it lightly, as if expecting something magical to happen. But all she heard was the faint rustling of dried contents.
"..."
Her gaze landed on the price tag.
One crystal.
Mo Xixi froze.
She blinked, rubbing her eyes and massaging her temple. Maybe hunger was messing with her vision?
Nope. It was still one crystal.
Her head snapped toward Hao. She glared at him.
Although Mo Xixi didn't know much about how things worked outside, she did know how valuable a crystal was.
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Especially in her situation, where she had to scrape by just to survive - one crystal was practically a fortune!
At the very least, a single crystal was worth five gold coins.
How many pieces of bread could she buy with that?
Her fingers tightened around the cup as she stared at it in disbelief. It was so small. So small.
And yet this tiny thing cost a whole crystal?!
"Boss... are you robbing people in broad daylight?"
'Is the store owner a demonic cultivator in disguise?'
With prices like this, he might as well be a demon!
'Boss?'
'Isn't she from a demonic cult?'
'Where did she even learn that?'
Still, Hao didn't take her words to heart. It was a natural reaction for someone who didn't know the true value of instant noodles.
He kept his best trustworthy storekeeper smile in place. "Everything in this store is priced fairly."
Mo Xixi squinted at Hao like she had just heard him claim the sky was green.
"Boss, you expect me to believe that?"
"Yes." Hao nodded with the confidence of a man who had done nothing wrong in his life.
Mo Xixi's suspicion deepened. She clicked her tongue.
"Boss."
"Which demonic cult are you originally from?"
Hao almost choked on air.
'What do you mean demonic sect?! I'm just a mortal!'
He stared at Mo Xixi, who was studying him as if he were some evil mastermind.
And why the hell does she keep adding 'boss' to everything?!
Before Hao could complain, Mo Xixi took a deep breath, seemingly debating something in her head.
"Boss, how about this?"
"Lend me one. I'll pay you back in the future."
Hao: "..."
Mo Xixi spoke as if she were granting Hao a favor rather than asking for one. Arms crossed, chin raised.
Inside, though, her thoughts weren't nearly as composed.
'It's not technically lying. I will pay him back in the future... Not sure how long that'll take... or if I'll even still be in this world by then.'
Her lips curled into a bitter smile, but quickly masked it, returning to her usual haughty demeanor.
Hao was about to immediately refuse, fully prepared to tell her this isn't a charity, but he caught a glimpse of her expression.
Tired. Hungry.
For all her attitude, she was still just a kid who had been surviving alone.
Hao exhaled.
'System, what's the process for hiring an employee?'
'Do I need to interview her or anything?'
[You only need to offer the position, host. If she agrees, she will automatically be registered as an employee.]
[Host simply needs to ask. No interview required, as she already met the minimum qualification. If she accepts, she just needs to sign the contract.]
'That's it? No trials? No hidden conditions?'
[None, Host. She will receive a starting salary of 2 crystals per day for a 6-hour shift. Salary adjustments will be discussed based on performance and store upgrades.]
[Additionally, as an employee, she will receive three free meals per day from the store.]
'Looks good enough.'
'What about lodging? If she becomes an employee today, can she stay in the store building?'
[Indeed, host. However, even if she agrees and officially becomes an employee today, the store expansion reward will only be implemented after business hours.]
'That's fine.'
Hao glanced at Mo Xixi, who was still standing, waiting for his response.
Since the expansion wouldn't take effect right away, she wouldn't have a proper place to sleep yet. He thought about it for a moment and made a decision.