On the Ark.

“We don’t need this anymore.” The flames slowly consumed the report paper, and before it was completely charred, Kal’tsit threw it into the trash can. Then she looked at Lin Ye and said softly, “No matter what your past is like, you are the ‘partner’ we need now. So, Dr. Lin Ye, from now on, welcome to Rhodes Island. This is official.”

At this moment, Lin Ye felt a very strange feeling in his heart.

It felt like all the hard work had finally paid off, like a long journey had finally reached its destination.

This feeling of relief made him chuckle softly, "Thank you."

“We’re the ones who should be saying thank you, we and you… well.” Kal’tsit propped her head up with her hand. “Leave those mushy words to Amiya. I really can’t say them, and Amiya will be back soon anyway.”

Lin Ye nodded and then took the new backpack from Kal'tsit's hands.

It's not too light, not too heavy, just the right weight.

“Your profile card has also been updated,” Kal'tsit said. “You can check it again when you return to Rhodes Island. I don’t know much about this kind of thing.”

"So what is my job?"

“It’s the same as during your internship, only with a few more things,” Kal’tsit said. “And as a formal department, there’s something you, as the person in charge, need to consider as soon as possible.”

Lin Ye asked, "What is it?"

“Of course, we need to recruit people.” Kal’tsit crossed her arms, rested her chin on her hands, and said calmly, “Even though it’s a new department, you can’t just be a lone commander forever.”

Author's BB:

I owe seventeen chapters for the bounty so far, and after paying back two, I still have fifteen left. However, the private thread is currently closed, so there's not much point in updating frequently... I'll wait until the private thread reopens before paying back.

Chapter Sixty-Six: Promotion

"Recruit people?" Lin Ye was somewhat surprised. "Do I still have that authority?"

“Of course.” Kal’tsit picked up her cup, took a sip of her black coffee, and frowned slightly because of the bitterness. “Each department head has the authority to recruit people, although the final approval needs to go through Amiya, the Doctor, or me. But as long as they are people from Rhodes Island, this step is just for show.”

Lin Ye didn't quite understand: "How can people within Rhodes Island be considered recruited? Don't most of them already have positions?"

“You said it yourself, that’s the majority of people,” Kal’tsit said calmly. “Besides, Rhodes Island’s positions aren’t fixed. Everyone can choose a job based on their strengths. And Rhodes Island allows part-time work. For example, before you came, Zilan worked part-time as a human resources officer and a psychologist. There are many similar examples. As long as the operators think they can handle it, they can choose to do many jobs at the same time.”

Lin Ye nodded.

In its previous life, Rhodes Island would definitely be considered a representative of the heartless companies that exploit their employees.

“Of course, besides people within Rhodes Island, you can also recruit your assistants from outside, if you think it's necessary,” Kal'tsit added. “However, people recruited from outside will also have to go through the same vetting process as you.”

Lin Ye shook his head and casually said, "I don't think I need any assistants, and it's not a very difficult job."

Kal'tsit said with a half-smile, "Are you sure?"

Lin Ye fell silent.

He thought of two demons who were really giving him a hard time, and realized that his job might not be so simple after all.

“If you really think you can do all the work on your own, we certainly won’t force you,” Kal’tsit said. “But I must remind you that the Rhodes Island you saw before is not the complete Rhodes Island. When you first join, more than 70 percent of the operators will be out on missions and assignments. And among these operators, there may be quite a few who need your help, at which point your workload may increase significantly.”

...Two demons aren't enough, will there be more demons?

Thinking this through, Lin Ye took a deep breath and said, "Then can I recruit a few assistants?"

“I’ll give you three spots for now,” Kal’tsit said, holding up three fingers. “You can start recruiting once you return to Rhodes Island.”

Lin Ye nodded: "Thank you."

“No need for thanks.” Kal'tsit shook her head. “The reason we’re willing to give you, a newcomer, such great authority is because we recognize your abilities. And recognizing your abilities means we hope you can shoulder more responsibility. Shining probably told you before you joined that Rhodes Island has many people suffering from ‘mental illnesses,’ but it’s not outwardly apparent because no one can open their hearts. But you can. Your abilities make you a natural savior in certain areas. I hope you can save more people, just like you saved Nightingale.”

Kal'tsit's words immediately made Lin Ye feel that the burden on his shoulders was much heavier, as if a great responsibility was about to be entrusted to him.

It reminded him of when he was in Chernobog, and his pet owners looked at him with pleading eyes, saying, "Doctor, please save my dog, it's constipated/in heat."

Uh, isn't this analogy a little off?

"I will try my best." Lin Ye nodded. "So when will I return to Rhodes Island?"

“No rush.” Kal’tsit took another sip of coffee and said unhurriedly, “You’ve only been in Lungmen for less than three days, haven’t you? Yesterday’s experience may have frightened you a bit…”

"Actually, it's alright."

Kal'tsit nodded: "Then there's even less of a rush. There have been a lot of things going on lately, and they've all been quite troublesome, disrupting my original plans. But there are still some things that need to be done. I need to examine Nightingale's body in more detail again. And Ifrit will need you to take care of her for a few more days until Himer returns, right?"

“Okay.” Lin Ye remembered something else and asked, “By the way, the potion you gave Nightingale before…”

"She's already used it?"

"Yes, last night." Lin Ye hesitated for a moment. "After she used that potion, she seemed to have changed completely."

"You've become more rational and calm, haven't you?" Kal'tsit asked.

"Ah."

“That’s the original Nightingale,” Kal’tsit said calmly. “Although I haven’t found a way to restore her memories, I can stabilize her extremely unstable mind with medication, thus turning her back into her former self. Although I don’t know if this is good or bad, my initial intention is simply to give her the ability to protect herself and others in times of crisis. If possible, I don’t want to use medication on her, because her body is already…”

Kal'tsit didn't finish her sentence, but Lin Ye already understood what she meant, and immediately felt a lot heavier.

"So, we'll have to rely on you for Nightingale's treatment, Physician Lin Ye," Kal'tsit said. "I hope you can protect her."

"I will."

"Well, that's all then." Kal'tsit finished her coffee and put the cup aside. "I should get back to work."

Lin Ye nodded, and just as he was about to leave with his backpack, Kal'tsit called him back.

“Oh, by the way, Lungmen invited us to a cocktail party,” Kal'tsit said. “If you’re bored, you can come along.”

Lin Ye asked, somewhat puzzled, "A cocktail party?"

“Yes.” Kal’tsit was already getting ready to work when she said calmly, “After doing something like this, they should at least explain it to us.”

"Okay." Lin Ye felt he didn't understand this kind of thing and was about to refuse, "I won't go. I need to keep an eye on Nightingale and Ifrit..."

“If you can manage them, you can take them with you,” Kal'tsit said. “Ifrit might not mind, but Nightingale should be looking forward to it, right?”

Lin Ye thought about it and felt that it seemed to be the case, so he said somewhat helplessly, "Okay, I'll go ask Nightingale."

"Ah."

Kal'tsit put on her white lab coat and officially began her work. Lin Ye waited for a while, and after confirming that Kal'tsit had nothing more to say to him, he left with his backpack.

Recruit people, recruit people.

On the way back, Lin Ye kept thinking about this. Then, at the elevator entrance, he saw a familiar figure, remembered something, and immediately chased after him.

"Yato, wait for me."

Chapter Sixty-Seven: Even Veterinarians Want to Learn Swordsmanship

Yato, who was waiting for the elevator, heard Lin Ye's voice and turned to look at him.

"Dr. Lin Ye?" The elevator arrived, but Yato didn't get in; instead, he stood there waiting for Lin Ye. "Is there something you need?"

"Uh." Lin Ye walked up to Night Blade and asked first, "Is your injury alright?"

Yato nodded: "Yes, it wasn't a very serious injury, and it was healed quickly."

"Did that person named W really run away?"

“Yes,” Yato replied. “She was very strong, and I couldn’t stop her. When she injured me, she blew up an escape route and left on her own.”

"She ran away alone?"

“Yes. There was absolutely no intention of taking anyone else with them,” Yato replied. “Those people were probably abandoned from the beginning, and all they had to do was complete the mission. And those people seemed to know that too. When the Guard Bureau attacked, they desperately covered the retreat of the guy named W, and in the end, the Guard Bureau couldn’t catch up with W.”

"...That's definitely a crazy organization." Lin Ye scratched his head. "Thank you."

"What are you thanking me for?"

"You saved us. If it weren't for you, we would have died at the hands of that crazy woman named W."

Yato shook his head: "There's nothing to thank me for. Warriors should stand in front of doctors. But you, who are not combat personnel, fought to the last moment. That surprises and impresses me."

Lin Ye felt a little embarrassed by what Ye Dao said. He had been beaten to death by the thugs until the very last moment, but it was being regarded as a glorious thing.

"Well, maybe."

Lin Ye actually wanted to ask Ya Dao something, but now he hesitated and didn't know how to bring it up.

Yato saw through Lin Ye's thoughts and asked directly, "Is there anything else you want to tell me?"

"Yes, I do." Lin Ye glanced at the black sword hanging at his waist and finally decided to ask, "I see your swordsmanship is very good, so I wanted to ask where you learned it. If possible, could you teach me?"

Lin Ye's words surprised Ye Dao: "What did you say?"

"Uh, am I not clear?"

“No, no.” Yato shook his head. “I’m just a little surprised… You mean you want to learn swordsmanship from me? But aren’t you a medic?”

"I'm just a veterinarian at best, although I'm currently working as a psychologist." Lin Ye coughed twice. "But I still, uh, want to learn more things, after all, it's always good to have more skills."

Yato looked at Lin Ye. Because she was wearing a mask, Lin Ye couldn't see her eyes clearly, yet he felt as if he were being seen through by a ghost, which made him very uncomfortable. However, out of politeness, or perhaps to show his attitude, Lin Ye did not look away.

After a long silence, Yato chuckled softly, "Is that so? You want to learn swordsmanship, huh? But why did you come to me?"

"Because I've witnessed your swordsmanship," Lin Ye said. "It's very strong."

That's because you haven't met other people yet.

"Well, that might be the reason, but I've heard you're one of Rhodes Island's most senior operators."

"On Rhodes Island, seniority is not the same as ability."

Lin Ye was at a loss for words.

Yato continued, "Rhodes Island doesn't lack warriors, it lacks talent like you. I've heard about your abilities from Kal'tsit, and if that's true, then sooner or later you'll become an indispensable figure on Rhodes Island, without needing to fight with a sword."

I was rejected...

Lin Ye felt extremely frustrated, but he still forced a smile: "Now that you mention it, it seems so... well..."

“But,” Yato suddenly changed the subject, “when a person wants to pick up a sword, no one, nothing, and no reason should stop him.”

Lin Ye was stunned.

Clang.

Yato drew his sword from his waist; the black and gold longsword with a light blue border seemed capable of cutting through the wind.

"Do you really want to learn swordsmanship?" Yato asked. "I'm asking you seriously, not joking."