CHAPTER 34: MORE MEMBERS

"Now, about those potential recruits," I said, pulling up another interface. "Let’s see who we have."

Damian consulted his notes. "A pair of twins of rogues, currently working for Adrian but unhappy about it. An alchemist who was expelled from the Alchemy Guild. A combat mage who watched your duel with Adrian. An information broker. A defensive specialist. A bard who uses music magic. And an accountant."

"Eclectic group." I activated the Analytical Eye on the first name. "Send in the twins first. They’re the riskiest recruitment."

"Because they work for Adrian?"

"Because they work for Adrian and are smart enough to spy on us." I smiled. "Which means they’re exactly the kind of people I want."

Damian shook his head but went to fetch them.

And five minutes later, two identical young women stood before me. Purple hair, green eyes, lithe builds designed for stealth. They moved in perfect sync, even their breathing matched.

I shook my head. The writer did know how to write their characters. And name them!

Kira and Mira Shadowbrook. The system helpfully provided information.

```

[ANALYTICAL EYE: KIRA SHADOWBROOK]

Age: 18

Rank: B-rank (Stealth), C-rank (Combat)

Skills: Infiltration (A-rank), Information Gathering (B-rank), Twin Tactics (S-rank)

Loyalty to Adrian: 30% (coerced employment)

Recruitment Potential: 65%

Motivation: Freedom, fair treatment, respect for skills

Risk: Currently Adrian’s agents

Recommendation: Recruit but monitor in initial period

[ANALYTICAL EYE: MIRA SHADOWBROOK]

Age: 18

Rank: B-rank (Stealth), C-rank (Combat)

Skills: Infiltration (A-rank), Information Gathering (B-rank), Twin Tactics (S-rank)

Loyalty to Adrian: 25% (coerced employment)

Recruitment Potential: 70% (slightly more trusting than sister)

Motivation: Same as sister with curiosity about you.

Risk: Same as sister

Recommendation: Twins are package deal. Recruit both or neither.

```

"I know you work for Adrian," I said directly.

They froze. Kira’s hand moved slightly toward a hidden weapon.

"Which means you’re here to spy on me," I continued calmly. "So let’s skip the pretense and talk honestly."

Mira’s eyes widened. "You....."

"Knew immediately. Yes." I leaned back in my chair. How can I not know? I read the book...well, some parts of it. "The question isn’t why you’re here. The question is whether you want to actually join me, or if you want to keep pretending to spy for someone who treats you as disposable tools."

Kira’s defensive posture relaxed slightly and she sneers. "And you’re different how?"

"I pay better. I treat people as teammates, not tools. And most importantly....." I met both their eyes. "I give you the choice to leave whenever you want. No contracts binding you against your will. No threats and no coercion."

"Why would you offer that?" Mira asked suspiciously.

"Because loyalty earned through choice is worth infinitely more than loyalty extracted through force." I pulled out two documents. Seriously, why do the writer make all of Adrian’s subordinates like this?

"These are employment contracts. It’s fair pay, clear expectations, mutual respect. Read them. Take them to a lawyer if you want. Then decide."

They exchanged one of those twin looks that communicated volumes silently.

"What’s the catch?" Kira asked.

"No catch. But if you join then you’ll have to make a clean break from Adrian."

"And if we say no?"

"Then you walk out that door and we never speak of this again. I won’t force anyone."

Another silent twin communication.

"We need to think about it," Mira said.

"Fair enough. You have twenty-four hours." I stood. "But Kira, Mira? Whatever you decide, decide for yourselves. Not because of what Adrian wants or what you think you owe him."

They left, taking the contracts with them.

```

[RECRUITMENT ATTEMPT: IN PROGRESS]

[KIRA SHADOWBROOK: 65% → 68%]

[MIRA SHADOWBROOK: 70% → 73%]

[HONESTY APPROACH: EFFECTIVE]

[ESTIMATED DECISION TIME: 18-20 hours]

```

The next six recruits came in rapid succession.

FELIX GOLDLEAF. The alchemist was easy. Nervous and desperate for work, skilled but blacklisted. I offered him a fully equipped workshop, unlimited materials budget, and fair pay. He accepted before I even finished the pitch.

```

[RECRUITMENT SUCCESSFUL: FELIX GOLDLEAF]

[LOYALTY: 70%]

[SKILLS ADDED: Alchemy (A-rank), Potions (A-rank), Medicine (B-rank)]

[NEW DIVISION UNLOCKED: Alchemy Department]

```

DRAKE IRONWARD. The combat mage wanted to learn tactical fighting. I challenged him to a quick sparring match, demonstrated how tactics could overcome raw power, and offered to teach him. He accepted enthusiastically.

```

[RECRUITMENT SUCCESSFUL: DRAKE IRONWARD]

[LOYALTY: 70%]

[SKILLS ADDED: Battle Magic (B-rank), Offensive Spells (A-rank)]

[COMBAT DIVISION: STRENGTHENED]

```

ELIZA THORNWHISPER. The information broker was purely transactional. She wanted protection and payment for her services. I offered both, with clear terms and professional arrangement.

```

[RECRUITMENT SUCCESSFUL: ELIZA THORNWHISPER]

[LOYALTY: 60% (Transactional)]

[SKILLS ADDED: Information Trading (A-rank), Blackmail Material (B-rank)]

[INTELLIGENCE DIVISION: EXPANDED]

```

GARETH STONE. The defensive specialist wanted honorable work after being dismissed unfairly. I offered exactly that with no tricks, just straightforward employment as faction guard.

```

[RECRUITMENT SUCCESSFUL: GARETH STONE]

[LOYALTY: 75%]

[SKILLS ADDED: Shield Work (A-rank), Protection Magic (B-rank), Bodyguard (A-rank)]

[SECURITY: IMPROVED]

```

LYRA SONGWEAVER. The bard wanted freedom to practice her art without restriction. I offered her a place where music magic was valued, not dismissed as frivolous or waste of time.

```

[RECRUITMENT SUCCESSFUL: LYRA SONGWEAVER]

[LOYALTY: 65%]

[SKILLS ADDED: Support Magic (B-rank), Morale Enhancement (A-rank), Performance (S-rank)]

[SUPPORT DIVISION: ESTABLISHED]

```

THOMAS GRAY. The accountant saw a growing organization that needed professional management. He wanted stable employment with growth potential. Match made in heaven.

```

[RECRUITMENT SUCCESSFUL: THOMAS GRAY]

[LOYALTY: 80%]

[SKILLS ADDED: Accounting (S-rank), Logistics (A-rank), Resource Management (A-rank)]

[ADMINISTRATION: PROFESSIONALIZED]

```

By the time the last recruit left, it was evening. With confirmed members and two pending (the twins).

```

[RECRUITMENT SPREE COMPLETE]

[NEW MEMBERS: 6 (+ 2 pending)]

[TOTAL FACTION SIZE: 13 (+ 2 pending = 15)]

[VILLAIN SCORE: +500]

[ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED: Recruiter]

[FACTION DIVERSITY: Significantly Improved]

```