"You wish to get me an advanced job? No way, so you're after my body all along?!"
"Words, Marie-senpai. Words!"
Of course, it was a joke. I could tell since Senpai was having her usual grinning expression. Still, it's a lifesaver no one was here to hear her.
"Sheesh, Mister, you really do know how to jab. Well, after all the trouble I've caused, you can cut me some slack, can't you?"
"Then I'll be taking the recipe back—"
"Let's not mix personal jokes with business!"
As I approached, Marie-senpai clutched the recipe again. It was as if she was saying she'd never let go. It looked like she had already accepted the terms.
However, it seemed she was still taking her time to fully process what I'd said. She looked like she was trying to gloss over it and somehow come to terms with the situation. That's when I pressed on.
"So, Marie-senpai, will you accept it?"
"I mean, are you serious? I.. and advanced job? Better yet, Mister, do you even understand what it means to give someone an «Advanced Job Ascension Ticket»?"
"It's not a bad deal when you think about the future, is it? It's a win-win for
both of us."
"Not a bad deal, my foot! Do you really understand what this means?! We're talking about THE «Advanced Job Ascension Ticket»!"
Marie-senpai shrieked.
Well, yeah. I was putting in all the work to have her make equipment for us. I was assured she would prove to be a valuable asset in our guild's journey. And if she agreed to terms, that means ««Eden»» would always get the priority in requests.
Typically, with an exclusive contract, she should not be taking request from anyone but ««Eden»», but I wouldn't go that far. Our requests would be more of a super high priority. In other times, she would be free to work independently. And when turning down other requests, she could simply say she was exclusive to «Eden».
Well, I do plan to make sure other requests don't come rolling in. The sheer amount of equipment we need might mean she won't have time to craft for anyone outside of ««Eden»», but there was no need to mention it right now.
«Eden»'s guild members will get high-stat advanced equipment this way and venture into advanced dungeons. Everyone wins!
However, you might wonder why I'm outsourcing, and why not just recruit a good "Seamstress" type job into the guild. But as we discussed earlier, a C-rank guild house simply doesn't have enough space. Currently, just setting up Hannah and Aruru's top-grade workshops took up a considerable amount of the room. There's no space to set up a workshop for another production job.
But Marie-senpai's guild, «Wappen Seal Sticker», was centralised on «Seamstress» category job holders, so naturally, they had a massive, top-tier workshop. In that case, outsourcing is more efficient.
Once we hit the B-rank or higher, the guild house will expand, and then «Eden» will want to bring in other production classes. The three production jobs were, needless to say, the minimum essential for conquering advanced dungeons and beyond. it's not that we didn't need other production classes at all. Given the limited space in the guild house, I was hoping to prioritize efficiency.
Besides, this wasn't a bad deal for Marie-senpai either.
"Please, Marie-senpai, I would be so glad if it's you."
"Ugh, here comes your sweet whispers. —Well, I'm happy you chose me. Hannah-san has already proven that having an advanced job means you can craft advanced equipment without failure, after all."
Marie-senpai put her hands to her chest, trembling slightly.
She wasn't wrong. It was a common sight for produced equipment to have sub-par stats, or simply end up with a fumble if a basic job tackled on advanced-grade equipment or item.
If anything, it would almost always be a fumble outcome. Advanced materials were meant to be processed fully with advanced skills, and trying to do so with basic job skills was bound to be fumble.
The only reason they managed to succeed by the skin of their teeth was because they're using a lot of intermediate materials. The recipes for advanced equipment and items found in this world were drops from intermediate-high dungeons. This meant the materials the recipe would want you to use were also primarily from intermediate-high dungeons, with a little bit of advanced-low dungeon materials mixed in. That's why they barely succeeded, even if the performance was lower.
However, a similar approach with plenty of advanced-grade materials would be a disaster typically. The basic job skills were simply unable to process them completely.
Well, during the inter-class competition, Hannah made quite a buzz. She supposedly made a perfect advanced-grade potion using only advanced materials. And in front of a huge audience, no less. She succeeded in a combination that should have resulted in failure, and what's more, the item was certified high quality, a grand success.
That's Hannah for you.
This had resulted in consideration for an advanced version of the production job apparently. But, as of yet, Hannah was the sole advanced production job holder. It's a small circle, but that's just perfect, isn't it?
"Marie-senpai, think about the aftermath of it. You will be like the stone that brought in ripples on lakes. Many more will see the importance of advanced production job and try to bring them out, advancing the clearance of advanced dungeons and more!"
"But that's just your dream, isn't it?!"
Woah, Marie-senpai was giving me narrow eyes stern-glare! What a Super Ultra Rare pull! Damn it, now would've been the perfect time to take a screenshot!
"Alright, alright, I get it. Fine, I'll play along with your scheme, Mister. Whether you want me to be your exclusive crafter, or take on an advanced job, I will do it! Phew, I guess I'm finally on the side of absurdity, too."
"Yay!"
Marie-senpai finally nodded! My plan worked!
"Just as I expected from Marie-senpai, you're a woman of understanding!"
"Then let's get down to specifics while we're at it. Since you're giving me something as precious as an «Advanced Job Ascension Ticket,» I understand you want me to do more than just a run-of-the-mill favor."
"Mhm-mm. As I said earlier, I want you to be «Eden»'s exclusive crafter. We, «Eden», are going to challenge advanced dungeons from now on. Using those materials, I want you to craft a ton of advanced equipment for us!"
"You know, it sounds like a rambling of a fool, yet it's strange how I feel like you can make it happen."
"What are you talking about, Marie-senpai? You're part of this framework too, you know? So, first things first, let's practice with that advanced recipe written there. Let's start your rank up right away!"
"Whoa, hold on a second, Mister. Rank up... right now?!"
"Of course!"
How else would she be able to work on advanced-grade equipments otherwise.
And so, I immediately took Marie-senpai's hand and headed to the measurement
room.
