[11…37…63…84...99…100]

The initialization of the binding process progressed just as quickly this time as it did the last time.

The same was also true for the immediately following actual binding process itself.

[Commencing to bind with the target.]

[7…23...39...47…53...75…93…100]

The moment the progress bar was filled, just a couple of seconds after Bandur’s accepting of the terms, one of the white dots on Severin and Emily’s minimap changed color and was now blue.

At the same time, several lines of notifications popped up. They were largely the same as when Emily was first hired, though this time no warning regarding inadequate attire was among them.

[Binding completed successfully.]

[New [Employee](Special) hired.]

[Please assign a suitable residence to [Employee] Bandur.]

[Total of currently hired [Employees]: 2/3.]

Reminded by the System, Severin’s immediate reaction was to turn towards Bandur and to ask him for his preference regarding the two available housing options.

But the previously very composed dwarf, who, judging by the short recount he had given of his past experiences, was at least double Severin’s age, didn’t pay him any attention right now. Instead, he had a silly smile on his face and was fully absorbed scrolling through a bunch of bluish menus, confirming and double-checking as much as possible that all previously made claims had actually been true. Even more than that, as Bandur explored the various features he had now access to, he found that there even were some that had not previously been mentioned.

After making himself familiar with the most important features, namely the minimap and the blacklisting features which would both act as his safety net, the one thing that caught Bandur’s attention the most were the two System integrated shops.

If the absentminded remarks he mumbled into his beard were anything to go by, this discovery managed to dispel even the last shreds of doubt, entirely convincing him that he had made the right decision.

Hearing these remarks that ranged from simple comments like ‘no wonder’ over to half sentences that predicted the possible future of this at this point still rather desolate looking, piece of rock, into something that would ‘change everything’, made Severin positively beaming.

Until he saw the dwarf using his impressive beard to dab his moist eyes. Witnessing this had the exact opposite effect on his own eyes, making him tear up physically cringe.

And still, at this moment, Severin was just as contented as Bandur.

Because of all this, Severin couldn’t bring himself to interrupt the dwarf. Especially not for some trivial matter. He instead decided to give the man all the time he needed to settle down and process all the new impressions and information while enjoying the man’s sporadic exclamations from the sideline.

In the end, Severin simply assigned to Bandur one of the two available apartments at random; they very pretty much identical, anyway.

Only after the better part of an hour had passed did the new [Employee] shift his attention to a different matter. But that different matter still didn’t involve his new boss. He was ignoring Severin, who was still sitting next to him.

The latter was perceptive enough though to know that this wasn’t a slight done out of maliciousness; the dwarf had simply lost track of time and his surroundings in general. Severin was convinced that this absentminded behavior was an exception and only due to the unique circumstances the man found himself in on this day.

So because of that, Severin didn’t mind the situation all too much-otherwise, he would’ve already intervened. It also helped that no actual customers were currently demanding their attention.

Just as Severin was having these thoughts and wondered whether he should go outside and check on the others, the situation suddenly changed.

“… how does this…” Bandur was again muttering to himself when he discovered yet another feature he hadn’t been aware of until then.

>

>

No sooner had the words left his mind, did a loud squeal suddenly ring in the heads of the two men. Neither one of them could keep themselves from flinching and look at each other.

Yet the voice didn’t stop there and continued by unleashing a barrage of questions and excited exclamations.

<Are you with us now!? I mean, you must be-I saw the notifications! What exactly will you help us with? Crafting potions? We might still have a small alchemical workstation in the inventory. Have you checked it out already? The inventory I mean. It’s where I put your pizza. Aaah! You still haven’t tried it yet?!>>

> Severin couldn’t take it anymore.

On the other hand, he was surprised that the girl had managed to hold herself back for so long, since, as she had said herself, she too had seen the notifications that announced Bandur’s recruitment. Severin strongly suspected that this much restraint on the girl’s part was only possible due to her previous blunder down in the Society’s basement; that and Severin’s notice not to disturb them while inside the store.

But now that the radio silence had been broken by someone else, she took it basically as the go-ahead to join in and make her presence known; an assessment Severin didn’t even disagree with.

> After processing the initial shock, Bandur even appeared to be delighted by Emily’s antics; his last statement was clearly directed towards Severin. He then continued,<

I have to say, after hearing your high praise, I can hardly wait to try it myself. So why don’t you show me the ropes and let me see how I can receive something from that inventory you speak of? I haven’t eaten anything yet, so I…>>

The dot that had been walking up and down in front of the main store’s entrance for the last twenty minutes or so came rushing inside just in time to witness the dwarf’s strange expression, as he had a sudden realization.

“I don’t feel… hungry anymore?”

“Amazing right?!”

He was more disturbed than amazed by that fact. Before he could sort through his thoughts on that matter, he couldn’t help but ask, “wouldn’t it be better to just stop eating then?”

Emily looked down at the man in front of her as if he was an idiot.