CHAPTER 133: WHO WILL BE HIRED?

Joel was the first to answer.

He straightened slightly in his seat as if trying to collect his thoughts before speaking.

"I’ll be honest, sir," Joel began, his voice calm but a little rough around the edges. "If I don’t get the job, I’ll just keep looking."

He gave a soft chuckle, almost self-conscious.

"It’s what I’ve always done since my store closed. Sometimes it takes weeks. Sometimes months. But eventually, I know that I’ll find something."

He glanced down for a second, rubbing the back of his thumb along the edge of his other hand.

"But this one felt different. I’d be lying if I said the stability and the pay didn’t matter, but for me, it’s really about the people. I really like the atmosphere of this company."

Since this was supposed to be a conversation, Joel thought it was better to keep his answers true to himself.

After a second, he looked back up, meeting Gray’s eyes.

"I’m not desperate, sir. But I’m tired of jumping from place to place. I was hoping this would be the last time I’d have to start over again."

As Joel finished, Gray felt something shift before his eyes.

The amber halo surrounding Joel flared. It became brighter and warmer. It didn’t just glow anymore. Tiny golden specks began to flicker through it, like sparks of light rising from a flame.

[The person has good intentions, Host.]

He meant every word...

Gray swallowed quietly. His chest felt tighter. But it wasn’t just from pain or heaviness. It was also because he was relieved that the man was true to his words.

After Joel, Gray turned toward Clarisse.

She had been listening carefully. Throughout, her face remained calm and unreadable. But as Joel’s voice faded and the silence returned, she inhaled softly and lifted her chin.

And then—

The smoke surrounding her shimmered again.

Gray narrowed his eyes as he watched.

Different from Joel, the smoke on Clarisse’s body turned darker.

"I’ll answer too," Clarisse said, her voice still controlled and smooth. "If I don’t get this job..."

She paused, just long enough for everyone to wonder what came next.

"...then I’ll just come back and help with our family business. It’ll be disappointing, of course. But I’ll be fine."

Her eyes flicked toward Joel for the briefest second before returning to Gray.

"I’ve always been practical. I don’t let setbacks stop me. If this doesn’t work, I’ll take what I learned and move forward. That’s how I’ve gotten through life."

She smiled politely.

"I appreciate being here. And if I don’t make it, I still appreciate the opportunity to be considered."

Gray didn’t answer immediately.

He didn’t need to.

Because the smoke surrounding her darkened again.

The white was still there, buried underneath. But it was being pulled under by something heavier—something faintly greyish.

[The person has a malicious intention, Host.]

"..."

Gray slowly blinked and deactivated the skill.

[Deactivating Skill: Eye of the Beholder.]

[Severe fatigue applied.]

Gray’s vision dimmed as the last remnants of the glow vanished. The flickering halos were gone, but the effect still clung to his eyes as if he were still seeing things.

When everything faded, a sharp throb echoed behind his temples, pulsing with each heartbeat.

He blinked slowly and shifted in his chair, suppressing the grunt that almost left his throat.

His limbs felt heavy, and a slow, creeping fog began to wrap around the edges of his mind.

It wasn’t painful, but it wasn’t comfortable either.

It felt like his entire body had just been drained of its energy.

He rested his forearms on the table and clasped his hands together, just to prevent himself from slumping forward.

Caesar’s voice cut through the silence.

"Is that all?"

Gray didn’t answer right away.

His eyes were still on the two across from him.

The fatigue didn’t just press down on his body. It also dulled his thoughts. But he couldn’t let it show.

"Yes," he replied finally, his voice softer than usual. "That’s all."

Marcus raised a brow but didn’t speak.

Joel looked between them, a trace of unease flickering across his face.

"Um... should we...?"

Gray forced a nod, his shoulders stiff.

"You may go. Thank you for coming back so quickly. You’ll know the result soon."

Joel stood first, offering a polite bow.

"Thank you, sir. Whatever the outcome, I appreciate the chance."

Clarisse rose too, as if not wanting to be outdone.

"Me too, sir," she said, smiling. "I’ll wait to hear from you soon."

The two exited the room soon after. They nodded politely toward Ms. Lopez, who held the door for them once more. The door clicked shut gently behind them.

And the moment it did—

Gray leaned back, shut his eyes, and exhaled slowly.

His body felt like it had just run a marathon on no sleep.

"Are you okay?" Marcus quickly asked.

Gray didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he lifted one hand and pressed his fingers against his temple, massaging slowly.

"I’m fine," he muttered, though his pale complexion and the beads of sweat near his forehead said otherwise.

"But Gray..." Caesar stood and crossed his arms, frowning slightly. "What the hell was that?"

"That... was a confirmation," Gray replied, barely above a whisper.

Marcus tilted his head. "What do you mean?"

Gray opened his eyes and stared up at the ceiling for a moment.

He didn’t have the strength to explain everything. Not now. But he knew he should give them something.

"I saw what I needed to see," he said. "Joel’s genuine. Clarisse isn’t."

Caesar and Marcus exchanged a glance.

Marcus pulled out his pen again, tapping it idly against the pad.

"You’re sure?"

Gray let out a breath and nodded once, firm despite the weight dragging at his spine.

"I’m sure."

Caesar arched a brow. "Based on a feeling?"

Gray didn’t answer that. Not directly.

"Nope," he said. "But for now... I’ve made my decision."

His voice dropped slightly.

"Let’s hire Joel."

Marcus stared at him for a moment, then gave a faint nod. "Alright. I’ll get the paperwork ready."

Caesar, though skeptical, didn’t argue. He sighed through his nose, then turned toward the window with a mutter.

"I was also leaning toward him, so I guess it’s no problem for me."

"Thanks..." Gray responded in a low voice.

Only now did he realize just how much the skill had taken from him.