June 1st, Tuesday, Columbia's official Children's Day.
Weather: Overcast
8:00 AM
Rhine Lab, Defense Department.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Jeston, your resume is excellent, but I'm afraid I don't believe your abilities are sufficient to become a member of the Defense Department."
The weather outside was exceptionally gloomy, with whistling winds hitting the glass. In the Head of the Defense Department's office, Saria's expression was calm as she pushed a resume back across the desk to the man opposite her, leaving the confident black-haired man dumbfounded.
"Wh—Head Saria, are you joking? My physical assessment was all excellent! The only accepted candidate's Originium Arts adaptability is much lower than mine, so why can he pass the assessment? And why only him?!"
The scar on his face crinkled with agitation. Jeston, who was convinced he would join Rhine Lab, get promoted, raise his salary, and reach the Peak of his life, couldn't believe the result. He directly slammed the new employee roster he was holding onto the desk in front of Saria.
The information for the sole new employee was that of a man named Goki, who, during his photo, made a barely perceptible silly face at the camera.
"Pfft, ahem, I said that the work of the Defense Department requires more than just combat ability—you are too content with the status quo and lack perseverance. My subordinates don't need such people. I'm sorry, but please seek employment elsewhere."
After seeing Goki's silly face, Saria almost couldn't help but let out a soft laugh, but she quickly composed herself and, with a serious expression, told the rejected applicant the reason for his rejection.
"Furthermore, please do not casually judge people you don't understand, Mr. Jeston. Goki's tenacity is beyond your imagination."
Although Goki usually seemed a bit casual, Saria knew that beneath his perpetually smiling expression lay an exceptionally resolute Soul.
Among other things, even Saria herself would involuntarily let out a low groan of pain when injured, but Goki possessed an Originium Arts that would burn him.
During every training session, Goki would burn his arms to a minor degree, yet he never made a sound and could still converse cheerfully.
The first time she sparred with him using a Spell, Saria was startled by Goki and immediately stopped the training, using a medical gun to heal his body—Terra's medicine might be powerful, but it couldn't withstand such abuse!
"I'll return that sentiment to you, Head Saria, you also don't understand my strength—I challenge you!"
Unable to tolerate being underestimated by the woman in front of him, Jeston clenched his hands, and a solid substance with a black metallic luster immediately covered and formed on his arms and body, transforming into a sturdy armor.
"My Originium Arts are very similar to yours, Head Saria—I have a slight doubt as to whether you are truly stronger than I am."
Looking at the somewhat delicate-looking woman in front of him, a sinister smile appeared on Jeston's face.
If he could defeat the Head of the Defense Department, perhaps the Director would think highly of him, or even replace her... "Heh—"
But then, Jeston suddenly noticed that Saria, opposite him, whose icy, unchanging expression had been there for ages, suddenly showed a hint of a smile.
"Controlling iron elements... that's quite enviable. If used properly, the ingenious applications of this Originium Arts surpass mine—but you must know, first, Rhine Lab prohibits the unauthorized use of force; second, all Materials are conductive; and third, your perceptiveness is also insufficient to be a member of the Defense Department."
"Wh—"
Zzzzt——————
Accompanied by a surge of electric light, Jeston's previously defiant eyes rolled upwards, and his body convulsed before collapsing to the ground.
And then, a smiling Goki emerged from behind Jeston, tucking the electrified stun baton back into his waist.
"That's a righteous backstab—Yo, Saria, good morning. I didn't expect you to have a guest."
Goki raised an eyebrow, looking at the man sprawled on the ground, eyes rolled back, who seemed somewhat familiar yet not quite. Whether in the story or the game, he was the weakest boss, instantly defeated.
No matter how skilled you are, a stun baton can bring you down. When he didn't notice Goki opening the door and appearing behind him, he had already lost.
"Rhine Lab isn't a good place; I suggest you go to Sargon and become a mercenary—Everyone, please deal with this guy; he tried to attack our Head."
Dragging one of Jeston's legs, Goki casually tossed him out the door—passing colleagues would help clean up the mess.
Perhaps in the future, this assassin might collaborate with Rhine Lab's Energy Department, adding a bit of trouble to the prison break event six years later, in which Silence and Saria are involved.
However, considering how truly weak Jeston was, Goki decided not to bother with him—after all, this guy was useless wherever he went, completely without dignity as a boss.
"It would be best to learn from me and become a steadfast Saria-stan. Then perhaps you wouldn't be eliminated—a firm inner resolve is very important."
Closing the door, Goki smiled at Saria.
"My respect and affection for you are the reasons you recruited me, aren't they?"
"Stop with the strange talk and get to work—I really thought you were a serious person before I recruited you."
Saria rolled her eyes at Goki, her face flushing slightly before quickly regaining its composure—it was all Silence and Ifrit's fault; she had been thinking strange things all last night!
"Today, the Structure Department will have a new experiment, and the Director might also participate. Head Muelsyse / Muir Sais of the Ecology Department will also personally attend, and Researcher Silence is responsible for the execution of the experiment. I don't know the specific details—Goki, I need you to go to the warehouse in advance to retrieve the experimental Materials. Get the key card from Ptilopsis. Be quick, understand?"
Taking out her pre-prepared lines, Saria, as usual, assigned Goki a very normal daily task.
"Yes, Head—aren't you going to wish me luck?"
However, Goki knew that this was her telling him that now was the best time to go to Rhine Lab's secret data archives to obtain information.
As for technical problems... Goki had pretty good connections, and for this operation, he had received help from several acquaintances.
Nevertheless, even though this was important work concerning the truth of Rhine Lab, Goki maintained a relaxed attitude, pointing to himself at Saria.
"Just consider it a reward for an excellent subordinate—of course, better welfare rewards are also acceptable~"
Reward method?.jpg
"Ha, you... I wish you a smooth work day, is that enough?"
Saria's horns were slightly red, but after a moment of hesitation, she still whispered.
"Then I'm off—Oh, by the way, this is a gift for the children. Happy Children's Day! Mother of my children~~"
Goki nodded with satisfaction, picked up a bulging gift bag that had been at his feet, slammed it onto Saria's desk, and then turned and ran.
"Hey! You, don't talk nonsense!"
Before Saria could get angry, Goki darted out of the office with a nimble stride.
Before the operation began, he needed to find the small team he had temporarily assembled with his good connections during this period.
After Goki left, Saria opened the large bag Goki had given her and pulled out three plush toys from inside.
One was an owl with one eye closed, one was a very serious-looking Dragon, and the other was a smaller, exceptionally cute chibi demon.
They had no tags and were not exquisitely made, clearly hand-stitched.
This was one of the countless crafts Goki had learned in Yharnam, his versatility comparable to Conan, who had studied with his father in Hawaii.
Of course, when making Children's Day gifts at home, Skadi and Kafka, those overgrown children, also clamored for Children's Day gifts, and Goki naturally gave them their share—Kaltsit also got one, but she, of course, very primly declined it...
"Heh, always playing little tricks."
Saria snorted disdainfully, but in the end, she couldn't help but curve her orange eyes into crescents and let out a soft laugh.
It had to be said that although Goki was still an old virgin, these somewhat old-fashioned tactics were quite effective on these female academic elites who had never been in love since childhood.
"Ha... I hope everything goes smoothly."
Silently putting away the plush toys, placing the largest Dragon toy on the desk, Saria sighed.
Saria knew that Goki would surely discover something on this trip.
However... she was also somewhat afraid that Goki would truly uncover some truths that she found difficult to accept.
Today, Saria had a bad feeling.
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