Kang Min sat on a cold plastic chair in the lobby.
In his hand was a thick packet of papers.
"Porter's Code of Conduct and Employment Contract."
He flipped through the pages, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the bullet points.
'Let's see what I'm getting myself into.'
---
[Porter Regulations]
1. Non-Combat Status: Porters, whether Awakened or not, are strictly prohibited from engaging in combat, hunting monsters, or participating in the clearing of Dungeon Bosses unless in an absolute life-or-death emergency.
2. Resource Collection: Porters are forbidden from gathering, mining, or pocketing any resources, herbs, or monster parts found within the Tower's floors or Dungeons.
3. Reward Ownership: 100% of all items, artifacts, and rewards found during a raid belong to the Guild. Pocketing even a single low-grade mana stone is considered theft.
4. Payment Structure: Porters shall not receive a share of the loot. Compensation is a fixed daily wage wired directly to the registered bank account, plus potential bonuses decided by the Lead Player.
5. Violations: Any breach of these rules will result in an immediate fine, calculated based on the market value of the hoarded item (multiplier of x10), immediate termination, and potential blacklisting from the Walker's Organization.
---
"Shit..."
"That's just great."
He leaned back, staring at the ceiling.
His original plan was simple: join a guild, go to high-level floors, and secretly clear high-value trials on the side to rake in the rewards.
But these rules were designed to turn a porter into nothing more than a pack mule with no rights.
'They really have this locked down.'
He cursed inwardly.
'A fine of ten times the value?
They'll sue me into the ground before I even get to the next floor.
This ruins my plan of getting rich off the guild's leftovers.'
He flipped the paper over, looking for any more "gotchas."
His eyes scanned the fine print at the bottom.
'Wait...'
He read it again.
Then a third time.
'It says nothing about streaming as a porter.'
A small, dangerous smile played on his lips.
The guild prohibited hunting and looting, but they hadn't said a word about recording.
'But how was I going to do it?'
'I want the thrill.
And there's nothing more entertaining for an audience than watching an insignificant porter clearing monsters with ease while the heroes struggle.'
"Welcome to the White Stars Guild!"
A loud, cheerful voice snapped Min out of his thoughts.
A man in a crisp black suit walked up to him, holding a tablet.
"I'm Manager Kim Ji-Seok.
I'll be showing you how things work around here.
This is the staging area where porters stay before being dispatched.
Since you're new, it'll take a few days to get you on a team.
Use this time to get to know the company."
Manager Kim stopped, looking at Min's file on his tablet.
He frowned.
"I see here you awakened as a B-Rank Player.
That's... impressive for a new awakening.
Why is someone like you working as a Porter?
You could easily join a mid-tier guild as a combatant."
Min didn't miss a beat.
He had his excuse ready.
"I have a phobia."
Min said, putting on a fake look of shame.
"I awakened with high stats, but the moment I see a monster's face, my legs freeze up.
I figured if I worked as a porter first, I could get used to the atmosphere of a dungeon without being on the front lines.
I need the money, but I'm too scared to fight yet."
Manager Kim's expression softened into one of pity.
"Ah, 'Dungeon Shock.'
It happens to the best of us.
Well, at least as a porter, you'll be safe behind the tanks.
Follow me."
He led Min into a large common room.
It was filled with about twenty other people, some stretching, some sleeping, and others checking their gear.
"This is the breakroom.
Get comfortable."
Kim said before heading back to the offices.
Min scanned the room, looking for a quiet corner.
But his eyes stopped on a familiar figure sitting on a bench, scrolling through a phone.
Min walked over and sat down on the bench opposite her.
She looked up, her eyes widening in total shock.
"Are you stalking me?"
Min asked, his voice flat.
Woonhee jumped, her phone almost slipping from her hand.
"What?! No! I work here!
I've been a part-time porter for White Stars for months!"
She huffed, crossing her arms defensively.
"If anything, I should be the one asking if you're following me.
How did you even get in here?"
"I applied."
"Then what about you being with those loan sharks?
If you work for a big guild like this, the pay should be good.
Why get loans from shady gangs?"
Woonhee's face went pale.
She leaned in close, whispering urgently.
"Hey! Keep your voice down!
It was hard enough reporting myself to the authorities like you told me to.
I'm on probation!"
She sighed, her shoulders slumping.
"It's complicated, okay?
My summon... she's a special grade, but she requires incredibly expensive 'Mana Crystals' just to stay manifested.
The guild doesn't cover 'Summon Maintenance' for part-timers.
I got desperate.
I thought I could pay it back with one big haul, but..."
She trailed off, looking miserable.
It was a classic trap.
She had a high-potential power but lacked the capital to fuel it.
"I need money."
Min said, looking at his own phone.
"Just like you and everyone else."
Woonhee blinked.
"Right.
Everyone in this tower is chasing the bag."
She paused, her curiosity getting the better of her.
"By the way... did you ever go to the Walker's Org for your evaluation?"
Without saying a word, Min reached into his pocket and pulled out his black Player ID card.
He held it up right in front of her face.
[Rank: B]
Woonhee's eyes practically popped out of her head.
She stared at the card, then at Min, then back at the card.
Min didn't even look at her and just kept scrolling through his phone while holding the card up like a fan.
'This bastard...'
Woonhee thought, her jaw twitching.
'He's totally flashing and flaunting his card on purpose.
He knows exactly how high a B-Rank is for a rookie.'
'But... only B-Rank?'
'With the way he handled those loan sharks... and that time in the Tutorial... he had zero mana presence.
Even now, I can't feel a thing from him.
How did he survive in the tower for so long?
At first to me...it looked like he'd been living there or was trapped.'
A wild thought crossed her mind.
'Could he be a Returnee?'
She shook her head.
'No, those are just internet theories.
No one has heard of them.'
"..."
'What is she thinking about so intensely?'
Min asked himself, noticing her staring at him with a glazed look in her eyes.
"If you're thinking of selling me off again... or any other person... don't."
Min said, finally putting his card away.
"Because I won't spare you a second time."
"What?! No! I wasn't... that's in the past!"
Woonhee squeaked, her face turning red.
She looked down at her boots, hesitating for a long time.
"By the way..."
She said softly.
"I wanted to say thank you.
For taking care of those... those animals.
You lifted a load so heavy you have no idea.
I can finally breathe again.
So, truly... thank you."
Min looked at her for a moment.
He saw the genuine relief in her eyes.
"Just treat me to some food or drink some time."
He said, turning back to his phone.
"I-I will!"
Woonhee promised, her energy returning.
Suddenly, her phone let out a loud, chirping alarm.
"Oh my! I completely forgot!"
She tapped a button on her phone.
Instantly, a system window appeared beside her head.
In the top left corner, a red circle began to blink.
[•LIVE]
Woonhee immediately changed.
Her posture straightened, and a bright, idol-like smile plastered onto her face.
"Hi everyone! Pink-Hee is back!"
She chirped, looking directly into the invisible camera floating in front of her.
"I'm so sorry for the long break.
Things have been a little crazy lately, but I'm okay now!"
Min watched from the corner of his eye.
'I guess this is normal here.
They're all used to it.'
'Who could've guessed she's a streamer?'
But then again it's hard to know.
I won't lie though...the idea and concept she's using is cunning....but clever.
She's a part-time porter, but I bet she's making it look like she's a top-tier White Stars regular on her stream.
It's a great catch for viewers.'
Min opened the Bnet app on his own phone.
Sure enough, right there in the "Recommended" section was a stream titled:
"[Pink_hee] - A Day in the Life of a White Star Employee (Vlog Style!)"
He tapped it.
On his screen, he saw Woonhee walking around the guild building.
She was being incredibly talkative, pointing out different valuables, items and weapons kept in glass cases along the hallways.
"Look at this, guys!"
Woonhee said to her 2000 viewers.
"This is a Fire Drake's Fang found by the 1st Team on the 19th floor!"
As she looked at the item, a window tab opened beside it on the stream, showing its stats and rarity for the viewers to see.
[Chat Box]
* TowerSimp: WOAH. The rarity is 'Epic'?!
* GoldDigger99: White Stars really is on another level. Look at that shine.
* NoobKiller: Hey PinkHee, show us the S-Rankers! Is 'Steel Wall' Choi there today?
* MemeLord: I'll throw in 500 coins if you take off the casing and hold it! lol.
* Floor1Survivor: Is today the day? Are we going to the tutorial so you can finally reach Floor 1?
Woonhee laughed nervously at the last comment.
"Not today, guys!
I'm bound by some 'special tasks' here at White Stars today.
But think of this as a special vlog! A day in the life of PinkHee!"
Suddenly, a small puff of smoke appeared on top of Woonhee's head.
When it cleared, a small, bright pink slime was sitting there.
It made a cute "Ku-kyu!" sound and bounced, its jelly-like body wobbling.
---
[Chat Box]
* KawaiiDesu: THE SLIME IS BACK!
* MonsterLover: It's so cute! Is that your only summon?
* Hater101: It's crazy luck she got into White Stars when she can't even clear the tutorial trials.
* LuckMax: That's the type of luck I'm moving with this year!
---
'So she's a summon-type player.'
Min noted.
'Yet she can't even ascend a floor?'
He watched the stream for another minute.
A thought struck Min.
"That's how I'll debut."
Min whispered to himself as he smiled.