Just as Sam Li was thinking about finding a guest consultant job, he happened to spot a recruitment ad for the Hare's House.
If he remembered correctly, Anby—the person he met in the Hollows today—was a member of this so-called "Omnipotent Firm, Hare's House."
Without hesitation, Sam Li tore the job ad off the wall and asked a passerby for directions.
His actions immediately drew attention.
"Young man, you're not seriously thinking of applying to the Hare's House, are you?"
"Don't be fooled by that job ad! No qualifications needed? No work experience required? Promotions and raises? Ha! Dream on! That place is drowning in debt and on the verge of shutting down!"
"The boss of the Hare's House? That guy's stingier than an iron rooster! He won't part with a single coin!"
"Applying there now is like heading to the Old Capital right before a Zero Hollow outbreak—it's basically a death sentence..."
"Young man, you're good-looking. Don't go and suffer at the Hare's House. Why not work at my host club instead? I'll pay you double—no, triple! Guaranteed to be way better than whatever they're offering!"
"Don't listen to their nonsense. While you're still young, the best choice is the Public Security Bureau! That's a stable job for life…"
...
As soon as people heard Sam Li wanted to apply to the Hare's House, the crowd erupted into chatter.
Some badmouthed the agency, others offered job advice…
Some were even shameless enough to try tricking him into becoming a host just because of his looks.
Fortunately, he still Nekomataged to get directions.
"Well then, I'll be on my way."
With an empty birdcage in his left hand and the job ad in his right, Sam Li turned and left.
...
After weaving through several streets, he finally arrived at his destination.
The first thing he saw was an exquisitely designed office building, with professionals constantly coming and going.
"Not bad. Feels a little like being back on Earth."
Ideally, he'd land a comfortable position—a guest consultant role where he could spend his days strolling around, sipping coffee, and listening to audiobooks. Just the thought of it felt relaxing.
Carrying the birdcage, Sam Li stepped into the building and made his way to the front desk. He placed the job ad on the counter.
"Hello, I'm here to apply."
The receptionist looked at him with a puzzled expression.
"You're here to apply… to the Hare's House?"
"That's right!"
"Sorry, sir, but the Omnipotent Firm, Hare's House, is next door…"
Sam Li: "…"
Well, that was embarrassing. Some random passerby had sent him to the wrong company.
Not a big deal, though.
After that little mishap, he walked out, birdcage in hand, and headed next door.
There, he finally saw it—a low, run-down two-story building that had been completely hidden by the taller office complex.
A second-hand SUV sat parked out front.
A tattered sign hung from the second floor, with most of its lettering faded or peeling off. He could still vaguely make out the words "Home of Tenderness."
Wasn't this place supposed to be called the Hare's House?
With its tightly shut doors, the whole place didn't look like a proper business at all.
Sam Li walked up and knocked.
"Excuse me, is anyone there?"
Just a few knocks in, suddenly—
The door cracked open.
A sharp-dressed figure in a red jacket squeezed through the gap.
Or rather… a robot.
"Welcome, welcome! Welcome to the Hare's House! What can we do for you? Need a rescue mission in the Hollows? Treasure hunting? Rebel intel gathering? Lost item recovery? As long as the Dennies is right, we'll take on the job!"
The robot waved its hands dramatically, rattling off services like a merchant listing his wares.
Once it finished, Sam Li calmly pulled out the job ad.
"I'm here to apply."
The robot—Billy—instantly deflated like a popped balloon.
He had been expecting a client, only to get… a job applicant.
But then again, according to Nicole's plan, hiring new employees would naturally bring in new business.
Just like that, Billy perked up again.
"Ohhh, so you're here for the job! Why didn't you say so earlier? Come in, come in! You've got a great eye for picking the Hare's House! Boss Nicole said we're one of New Eridu's Top 500 Omnipotent Firms, and it's only a matter of time before we make it big!"
Sam Li: "…"
Yeah, not buying it.
Sam Li couldn't help but wonder—did New Eridu even have 500 all-purpose agencies in the first place?
...
Meanwhile, Billy was already opening the door.
"Come in, come in! Boss Nicole has been waiting forever! The ad's been up for so long, and we finally got ourselves a big sucker—cough, I mean, an outstanding candidate! Boss Nicole is going to be thrilled to see you."
As if afraid Sam Li might change his mind and run, Billy quickly ushered him inside. The moment Sam Li stepped in, Billy spun around, slammed the door shut, and—just for good measure—pulled out a lock from behind him and clicked it into place.
The whole sequence was smooth, almost like it had been rehearsed.
Honestly, if Sam Li didn't know better, he might have mistaken this place for a rebel hideout.
...
Inside, two people were sitting on the sofa.
One was fully armed, casually snacking away—it was Anby, the person Sam Li had met in the Hollows.
The other had pink hair styled with two upward-pointing hairbands, resembling rabbit ears. Her smug expression, combined with the sharp glint in her eyes, made her look like a fox in rabbit's clothing.
This had to be Nicole, the owner of the Hare's House.
As soon as Sam Li walked in, both of them turned to look at him.
Anby's reaction was one of surprise—she clearly hadn't expected Sam Li to be the applicant.
Nicole, on the other hand, lit up.
Handsome, well-mannered… Just from a glance, she could tell this guy was normal—exactly the kind of employee she was looking for.
Of course, as a shrewd businesswoman, she wasn't about to let her excitement show. She quickly composed herself, putting on the calm and calculated expression of a boss ready to negotiate.
"Handsome, come sit over here! Anby and I are your interviewers!" Nicole covered her mouth with a soft chuckle, her voice warm and welcoming. "Billy! What are you standing around for? Go get our handsome guest a cup of coffee!"
Billy rummaged through the cabinets. "Boss Nicole, you already drank all the coffee!"
Nicole paused, visibly awkward. "...Then just pour a glass of water."
Since there had been zero prior preparations, the interview ended up taking place right there in the agency's main hall.
Candidate: Sam Li.
Interviewers: Nicole and Anby.
Quickly, Billy brought over a chair, setting it down across from the sofa.
"Everything's set! The interview begins now!"
"Alright, let's get started. Anby, bring out the interview plan we prepared."
"Got it," Anby said as she placed the recruitment plan on the table.
At first glance, it actually looked quite professional.
But when Sam Li took a closer look, he noticed something odd.
The company name on the cover wasn't "Hare's House"—it was from the company next door.
The passersby had warned him that the Hare's House was full of tricks.
So... what kind of nonsense were they pulling this time?
Sam Li chuckled. "Did you guys grab the wrong one?"
At his words, both Nicole and Billy turned to the recruitment plan—only to see the neighboring company's name written on the cover.
For a moment, they froze, completely embarrassed.
But Anby remained utterly calm.
"No mistake," she said smoothly. "Boss Nicole told me to borrow the interview plan from next door. That way, we'd look more professional."
Billy: "..."
Nicole: "..."
Regret.
So much regret.
If she had known this was going to happen, she never would have let Anby handle the hiring process.