[Current Balance: 14.5 Points]
I stared at the number on my phone screen and touched my heart, which was still pounding wildly.
The oppression brought by that paper effigy ghost just now hadn't dissipated. That despair of having my soul frozen and body immobilized made me realize a profound truth:
Specialization is key.
I have an axe and a reactor, but I lack a "Bodyguard" who can hold the fort. Faced with those dirty things that don't follow the laws of physics, a half-assed warrior like me can only wait to die. If a more powerful vengeful spirit comes next time, my newly opened little broken hotel will turn into a murder house.
"System, open the Talent Market."
I took a deep breath and clicked on the icon labeled [Employee Recruitment].
The interface unfolded, glittering with gold, filled with the stench of a "Pay-to-Win Gacha Game" that I hated.
[Official Certified Employee List (Safe, Compliant, Plug and Play)]
The employees displayed on the front page were all famous names that made me drool.
[Item: T-800 Terminator (Mass Production Type)]
Type: Physical Security / Heavy Trooper
Price: 2,000 CP.
Note: Perfect physical defense, fierce firepower, comes with sunglasses and leather jacket. However, survival rate in supernatural dungeons is extremely low; lacks Spirit Vision and cannot see ghosts.
[Item: Uncle Ying's Apprentice (Wencai/Qiusheng Random Ver.)]
Type: Junior Exorcist / Master-Pitting Specialist
Price: 5,000 CP.
Note: A famous master produces high-level apprentices. Possesses certain ghost-catching abilities but has an extremely unstable personality. Warning: Strictly forbidden from contacting beautiful female ghosts; otherwise, high probability of triggering the "Human-Ghost Romance" passive, leading to aiding the enemy and screwing over the employer.
[Item: Geralt of Rivia (White Wolf)]
Type: Professional Witcher / Gwent Master
Price: 6,500 CP.
Note: Superb swordsmanship, proficient in potions and signs. But after hiring, he might get addicted to playing cards in the lobby or attempt to have "super-friendly relations" with various non-human female creatures.
[Item: Combat Android 2B (YoRHa Unit)]
Type: All-Round Combat / Visual Appeal
Price: 12,000 CP.
Note: Exploding combat power, pleasing to the eye. But maintenance costs are extremely high. Not only can she not catch ghosts, but she might also be hacked, leading to an inability to distinguish friend from foe.
[Item: Sadako (Redeemed/Docile Ver.)]
Price: 8,888 CP.
Note: Resentment removed. Now she just wants to stay quietly in the TV and binge-watch dramas.
I expressionlessly closed the "Official Certified" page.
This isn't recruitment; this is clearly a luxury exhibition. For a poor ghost like me who started with only an axe, these powerful employees are like limited edition sports cars in a showroom window—I can look, but I can't touch.
"Aren't there any cheaper ones? On sale? Defective goods are fine too!"
Refusing to give up, I typed "Price Low to High" in the search bar.
The page refreshed. The things that popped up this time were simply a disaster scene.
[Item: Skeleton Soldier (Loose Bones Ver.)] — 50 Points. (Note: Drops bones while walking, negative IQ, turns into a pile of calcium powder with slightly too much force.)
[Item: Goblin Peon (Lazy Nature)] — 30 Points. (Note: Apart from stealing food and sleeping, it knows nothing. Also carries a stench that can't be washed off.)
[Item: Slime (Cute Pet)] — 10 Points. (Note: If you need a green jelly as a mascot, this is the right choice.)
I looked at the slime bouncing around on the screen, then thought about that terrifying paper effigy ghost just now. Why buy this thing? To feed the ghost some jelly?
"I'm done for."
I slumped in the chair, covering my face in despair.
I can't afford the strong ones, and I look down on the weak ones. The legitimate channels are completely blocked. am I destined to guard this place alone until I die?
"No... there is another way." "Since I can't afford a regular army, I can only go to... the Black Market (Dump) to scavenge for hidden gems."
My gaze landed on a gray button at the very bottom of the interface.
[Regional Scan / Wild Entity Capture]
Description: Search for nearby wild abnormal data. You can attempt to convert them into employees through communication, contracts, or physical submission.
Risk Warning: Wild entities are extremely dangerous, and loyalty is not guaranteed. Failure in contracting may lead to being killed by the target.
Scan Cost: 10 Points/Time.
Wild Capture. Put simply, it's going to pick up "Discarded NPCs" thrown away by other dungeons.
Although the risk is high, unstable, and they might even turn on their master. But it has an undeniable advantage: Cheap.
Spend 10 points on the scan fee, and the rest relies entirely on skill (Sweet-talking).
This is a high-stakes gamble. But I have no choice. Tonight it was a paper effigy; tomorrow night it might be something even more terrifying. If I don't gamble, it's a slow death.
I glanced at my balance. 14.5 Points. Deducting 10 points, I'd have 4.5 points left.
"Let's do it."
I pressed the button.
[Deducting 10 Computation Points.] [Guiding Block Radar (Low Precision)...] [Scanning abnormal signals within 500 meters...]
The phone screen turned into a green radar grid. Countless dots of light emerged.
Gray Dots: Massive amounts of junk data. Zombies, rats, severed limbs. These have no IQ and can't work. Pass.
Red Dots: Three. One deep inside, dark red, probably that Pig Head Monster. Two are moving, those mechanical hounds. These are too dangerous, touch and die. Pass.
My gaze filtered quickly across the screen. What I'm looking for is a target with Potential, but currently at a low point. Preferably the type... abandoned due to some defect, but with a powerful core ability.
Just as the scan was about to end.
In a remote corner at the edge of the dump behind the hotel. A faint, unstable Yellow Dot flickered.
[Target Captured] [Codename: Unknown] [Error Type: Texture_Load_Fail] [Status: Unstable / Crying] [Psionic Response: Medium]
"Texture Load Fail?" I froze for a moment.
Does that mean this guy might be a "Faceless Monster" or look very abstract?
And... [Crying].
An anomaly that can cry. Crying implies emotion, implies it feels pain, has logic, and maybe even obsession. Compared to zombies that only know slaughter, this kind of emotional monster, although troublesome, also implies the possibility of Communication.
Most importantly—[Psionic Response: Medium]. This means it can fight ghosts!
"Has emotions, means it has weaknesses." "Texture error, means it might be ostracized for being ugly, psychological defenses are weak." "Crying, means it is helpless right now, urgently needing a... Savior."
Isn't this the perfect Recruitment Candidate? I don't even need to pay wages; as long as I can solve its problem, or give it a little "warmth," there's a high probability it will come with me.
"You're the one."
I stood up and patted the dust off my clothes.
I glanced at the "Old Buddy" fire axe leaning against the counter. Hesitating for a moment, I didn't take it.
First, physical attacks are ineffective against spirits; carrying it would only add weight. Second, I'm going to recruit, not to fight. An unarmed manager looks more harmless and approachable (even if it's an act).
I adjusted the tie of my tattered suit. Although it was stained with grease, I tried my best to look like a... Respectable Boss.
I looked at that yellow dot on the phone screen and took a deep breath.
This isn't a suicide mission. This is a "Business Negotiation."
"Wait for me, Crybaby." "Your new boss is coming to take you home."