Chapter 117: The Interview

Ding!

The soft chime of the elevator echoed, followed by a song as it steadily made its way up.

"Uhmm... Lisa?" Aoi muttered quietly as she tapped on the earbud. That was the code name Reiji told her to call him.

"Don’t worry. Everything is in motion. I just need you to relax, answer a few questions, submit your resume, and if everything goes well, you’ll start immediately."

"You didn’t tell me that."

"It’s just a couple of hours of work. You’re going to be alright."

"You know my qualifications are fake, and if I’m told to present something or do something I can’t, then what?"

"You think I wouldn’t think that through? Have faith in me and straighten up. You’re not an illiterate. I mean, it’s not like you were an Adventurer all your life." Reiji said with a little teasing in his voice.

"Don’t worry. The manager is a very nice woman. Once you’re hired, you’ll know what I mean." Reiji added reassuringly.

"Okay." Aoi said as she took in a deep breath.

Ding!

The elevator ride came to a stop at the sixty-seventh floor. As the doors opened, Aoi stepped out and made her way towards the manager’s office.

---

Reiji removed his clothes and went into the bath with a laptop in his hands, busy typing away.

If a professional hacker entered the bathroom by accident, they would be floored by what Reiji was doing. He was using highly advanced hacking skills to bypass the company’s security system.

’A firewall. How pretty.’

Reiji stared at the screen with a smug smile.

’I told Mom I could handle this thing before, but she didn’t want to trouble me. Though this firewall is strong enough to stop a beginner to mid-level hacker with a few years of experience, for me, this is child’s play.’

Reiji was, after all, one of the best when it came to hacking. Even the app he had built to wipe all his browser history, including the ones involving AI, was so heavily encrypted that it would take a global hacking team to break through it. He made sure to double the security on his AI history.

"Done." Reiji muttered to himself as he took a sip of the soju Aoi had bought.

He immediately grimaced.

"Who would’ve thought my first time drinking alcohol would be in the bathroom?"

Reiji’s gaze shifted back to the laptop screen.

Displayed across it were multiple live camera feeds, showing the security cameras throughout the company.

"Butter Biscuit, before you go in, act natural and tense up slightly." Reiji said as he tapped the earbud in his ear.

Aoi could only grit her teeth as she stood in front of the manager’s office door and spoke softly.

"I hate that code name. And shouldn’t you be telling me to relax?"

"You’re too relaxed for someone who wants to apply for the role of Assistant Manager in this company, where a position such as this is highly sought after by many. Ahhh..." Reiji said as he took another sip, only to grimace slightly before setting the cup down.

"Shouldn’t my confidence also be a factor for my success?"

"I’m just telling you the manager has a weird kink. So just pretend to be a little tense during the interview, alright?"

"Fine." Aoi muttered as she pushed the door open. She didn’t know why, but she felt that Reiji was messing with her. Still, she didn’t care. As long as she got this done, she could return home to Reiji.

’What are you even thinking? Focus!’ Aoi slapped her jaws slightly as she entered.

"Excuse me."

Inside the office, the manager, Miss Mayumi, glanced at the blonde-haired girl who had just stepped in. Seeing her slightly tense body, a small smile played on her lips.

"Have a seat. You’re here for the role of my assistant, right? I’m Yamada Mayumi, by the way."

She removed her glasses and stared directly into Aoi’s eyes, making Aoi a little flustered. She didn’t expect the woman’s gaze to be that strong. It felt as if her secrets would be exposed in no time.

"Umm... Yes. I’m Tachibana Aoi. Here’s my resume." Aoi said as she retrieved the file before handing it to Miss Mayumi.

Miss Mayumi took the file and began going through it quietly.

Aoi sat there with her hands placed on her lap as she tried to remain calm.

’Why is she taking so long?’

She glanced at Miss Mayumi, who continued reading every page carefully.

Meanwhile, Reiji watched everything through the laptop screen while taking another sip of his drink.

’She’s checking everything. Just as I expected.’

He tapped the earbud.

"Relax. Don’t look so nervous."

Aoi’s lips twitched slightly.

’Easy for you to say.’

She took a deep breath before looking back at Miss Mayumi.

After a few more seconds, Mayumi finally placed the resume on the desk.

"Your qualifications are quite impressive."

Aoi blinked.

"Really?"

"Yes. Your previous work experience is also quite good." Mayumi adjusted her glasses as she looked through the file again. "Though I have to say, you seem a little young for this position."

Aoi froze for a moment.

’Here we go.’

Reiji’s voice suddenly came through the earbud.

"Don’t panic. Just answer naturally."

Aoi subtly nodded before speaking.

"I understand. But I’ve always been someone who learns quickly. I believe I can handle the responsibilities."

Mayumi remained silent for a moment, studying Aoi’s expression.

Aoi resisted the urge to shift in her seat. She wasn’t sure whether the woman was testing her confidence or simply trying to determine how easily she could be intimidated.

"Handling responsibilities isn’t always about experience," Mayumi said calmly. "Sometimes, it’s about knowing how to adapt when things don’t go according to plan."

Aoi nodded.

"I agree. That’s why I try to stay prepared for unexpected situations."

Mayumi stared at her for a few seconds. Then a small smile appeared on her face.

"Quiet confident. I like you already."

Aoi smiled awkwardly. "Thank you."

"However..." Mayumi picked up another document from the desk. "There is one more thing."

Aoi’s expression became serious.

"What is it?"

Mayumi placed the document in front of her.

"I want you to explain how you would handle a situation where one of the company’s departments suddenly loses a key employee."

Aoi stared at the question.

’What the hell?’

She could practically hear Reiji laughing in her ear.

"Don’t worry. You can answer this one yourself."

’You bastard.’

Aoi clenched her fist slightly before thinking about the question.

After a few seconds, she began explaining her answer.

Mayumi listened without interrupting.

Then, after Aoi finished, the woman leaned back in her chair.

"Interesting."

Aoi swallowed.

Mayumi smiled.

"I think you might be exactly what I’m looking for."

Aoi’s eyes widened slightly.

Meanwhile, Reiji’s lips curled into a small smile.

’Perfect.’

But just as he was about to take another sip, his eyes suddenly narrowed.

One of the camera feeds on his laptop had changed.

Someone had entered the hallway outside Mayumi’s office.

Reiji stared at the screen.

’Who the hell is that?’

The figure stopped directly in front of Mayumi’s office.

Reiji’s eyes narrowed as he watched the person raise their hand.

Knock! Knock!

Aoi turned towards the door.

Mayumi’s expression also changed slightly.

"Come in."

The door slowly opened.

Reiji leaned closer to the laptop screen.

’This wasn’t part of the plan.’