13 New Office

The following day, due to our deal with Rhodes Island, Zhongli decided that Ark Holdings wasn't an appropriate company to sign the contract, so I created a subsidiary called Ark Security for the purposes of security contracts, separate from the parent company whose role was to hold other companies' shares.

After we signed our deal with Kal'tsit, we were surprisingly given dormitories in the landship since we were technically considered operators. We also had a mandatory combat and health test due in a few weeks, which was worrying for Rimuru, who was a slime. However, I decided that it would be a problem for us in the future. Additionally, we were given roles. Me and Jinwoo were Snipers, Zhongli was a Guard, and Rimuru was a Supporter.

"We're here," Jinwoo said, knocking me out of my inner monologue. I stepped out of the taxi and thanked the strangely familiar driver with a tip before I turned my attention to a small storefront on the outskirts of Lungmen. Despite the ticking timebomb of the quest from the system, we decided to spend the day away from combat. We needed a break, and the combat fatigue was wearing us down.

"So, this is the office Ch'en gave us. Not too bad, but the location isn't ideal," I muttered as I looked at the empty store embedded in a concrete building. We were in the commercial district of a city on the outskirts of Lungmen.

"The glass isn't needed, but it adds a nice atmosphere. I guess it's time for renovation," I muttered with my hands on my hips. It was only me and Jinwoo here because Rimuru was needed at Rhodes Island's medical facilities, and Zhongli said he wanted to explore the landship.

"Do we have anything to renovate?" Jinwoo asked, which made me realise that we came empty-handed.

"This is a minor miscalculation," I exclaimed as I quickly pulled out my phone to search for a moving company and my landlord's number.

Three hours later, I managed to move everything from my apartment to the new office. Ch'en gave us a nice payday of 300,000 LMD, so we were able to afford what we wanted. If worse came worse, we could take a loan from Rhodes Island.

"I'll try to set up the internet. Jinwoo, could you reassemble the computer?" I asked as I pried through the cardboard boxes. Lungmen was extremely efficient, I had expected it to take the whole day to move everything from my apartment, but paying for express services reduced it to three hours.

"Shouldn't we move the table inside first?" Jinwoo asked as he pointed at the table in front of the store. The new office was fairly small, consisting of three rooms. The back room was made the bedroom, the front was a reception room and the one in the middle was a workspace. However, there wasn't enough space to fit everything inside, so we decided to leave the largest object, the table, outside as we made space.

"Hey, anyone here?" As I was about to reply to Jinwoo's question, an unfamiliar voice from the front of the store appeared. Since I was the closest, I just indicated to Jinwoo to continue taking the PC out of the box as I parkoured past the cardboard boxes to greet our guest.

"Are you the owner of this property?" A tall man with a flat cap, lederhosen and a pair of brass knuckles asked.

"Yes, we're a new business here. Ark Holdings LLC, private venture," I replied with a professional smile. As a businesswoman, I instinctively knew the art of advertisement at every opportunity possible.

"Well you see, businesses in this area are recommended to pay a weekly 3000 LMD protection fee to get out of trouble with the Mafia around here. I'd advise you to buy it because this area is prone to gang wars, especially with Penguin Logistics," The man advised with an equally professional smile. I see that this is another businessman who advertised his services in his warning.

"Sure, here you go," I replied as I handed over 3000 LMD from my wallet. Although we were capable of fending off mobsters, it would be troublesome to deal with vandalism whilst fighting negative rumours like Penguin Logistics. I could tell that nobody wanted anything to do with them due to their fight with the Mafia. It was a miracle that clients still dealt business with them.

"Thank you for your business. If you ever get in trouble with the mob, contact us and we will guarantee reparations. Have a good day," The man waved goodbye after he gave me a business card. They were very professional, and the price wasn't too expensive. If this was a scam, I could just call Exusiai to help me a get refund.

"Clukay, I've finished setting up the PC!" I heard Jinwoo shout from the back of the shop as I waved goodbye to the mobster.

"Come to the front and help me bring this table inside!" I shouted back as I positioned myself to lift the large office table.

"Don't worry, I've got this," I heard a familiar voice from behind me as a blue figure dashed past me and picked up the table with ease. Rimuru has finally finished his work on Rhodes Island.

"Clukay!" I heard another familiar voice as I was jumped from behind. When I turned around, I saw that Rimuru brought company. It was Texas and Exusiai.

"We've finished our job with Rhodes Island, so we're free right now. With nothing to do, I asked Rimuru to go see your new company," Exusiai excitedly explained as she stopped embracing me and rushed inside the office.

I followed along with a troubled Texas, and Rimuru, who tried to find a way to geometrically fit the table through the front door.

"This is surprisingly empty…" Exusiai muttered with some diminished excitement when she entered the shop filled with cardboard boxes.

"We just moved in today. While you're here, how about you help us set up?" I asked as I gave a nearby cardboard box to Exusiai, who looked at me like I had just kicked a puppy.

"This area should be a hotspot for mafioso. Have they troubled you?" Texas asked as she looked around the store.

"Ah yeah, I paid a 3000 LMD protection fee earlier. It was cheap insurance," I nonchalantly replied as I tried to manoeuvre past the towers of cardboard boxes.

"They did? It seems that it's time we remind them not to mess with us, Texas," Exusiai menacingly said with a wide smirk.

"Wait, don't!" I shouted as I tried to stop Exusiai from running out of the shop. I didn't want any part in the gang war between Penguin Logistics and the Lungmen Mafia!