Contract

Hao Ren had a dream.

He wanted to become a wandering hero, wielding power beyond mortal reach, roaming the world to punish evil and protect the innocent, unafraid of the powerful as he guarded the four corners of the land, earning the gratitude of countless people, and becoming a great hero who stood proudly in the world.

Oh, he had been nine that year—and it had happened a long time ago. Besides, the "four corners" of the world in his mind had been limited to the two blocks around South Suburbs Elementary School, while the upper limit of "the powerful" had been his homeroom teacher.

Over the past two years, Hao Ren's lofty ambitions had, like those of most people, turned into something much more realistic: earning an above-average income every month, marrying an above-average wife, having one or two above-average children, and not worrying about a house because he already had one. That was the entirety of life—for now.

Now, the turning point of his life was within arm's reach. Hao Ren felt he could almost see an entirely different future unfolding before him. He looked at the woman in front of him who claimed to be a goddess but clearly wasn't quite right in the head, and nodded hard. "All right. I agree."

Raven 12345 didn't look surprised in the slightest, as though she had seen this scene countless times and had known all along how Hao Ren would answer. She merely nodded. "Mm. Then, starting today, you're a grassroots probationary examiner for the Time-Space Administration Bureau. Before becoming a permanent employee, you'll receive the benefits of an off-establishment apprentice-level temporary worker..."

Hao Ren: "...Please don't go into so much detail. It took me a lot of effort to work up the courage!"

Raven 12345 seemed to smile. She could tell that Hao Ren was still somewhat nervous and bewildered. "Don't worry. We're not some evil organization. We maintain world peace—just listen to how noble that sounds. In other worlds, when I look for an assistant, the locals practically come flooding in. It's just that Earth has already entered the stage of developing without gods, and it seems to be progressing pretty quickly, so I never interfered. Now, even if I recruit an assistant, I have to keep a low profile. Don't think your job is something shameful just because of that..."

Hao Ren muttered, "You don't sound much like a goddess to me. Are gods really like this?"

"Hey, don't tell me about it—I'm not used to it either." Raven 12345 waved her hand, her carefree tone leaving Hao Ren stunned. "We changed our official classification a few years ago. We weren't called gods before. Oh, and if you're not used to that term, you can call us Xiling Apostles instead. That's our species name. Goddess is just our job."

"Xiling Apostles?" Hao Ren chewed over the strange-sounding term. "It doesn't sound very human either... So what should I call you normally? Your Goddessship?"

Hao Ren suddenly felt both amused and exasperated. This woman claimed to be one of the gods, so he really ought to call her "Your Goddessship." But why couldn't he feel it at all? The atmosphere when he chatted with Raven 12345 was practically the same as when he chatted with the big sister at the small supermarket on the street corner. This was a goddess?

Could you at least flash a halo behind you? Or, if that's too much, stop picking at your fingers while you talk?

Raven 12345 seemed even less concerned about the question. She nodded at Hao Ren while playing with her fingers. "I'm not used to being called that. Just call me by my name, or call me 12345."

Hao Ren: "...That sounds even less like a human name..."

Raven 12345 then began explaining the details of his future "job" to Hao Ren. In truth, there wasn't much to explain. He would simply continue receiving those strange tenants. Since there was already a Werewolf and a Vampire in his home, Hao Ren figured he could handle more abnormal creatures—as long as the newcomers were as easygoing as the two already living there.

"You can rest assured about that." Raven 12345 patted her chest in assurance. "We care a great deal about our employees' lives. We won't drop you into a dangerous environment. Everyone we send you has passed some kind of 'test,' so they're guaranteed to be safe and reliable. All you have to do is make sure they eat well, drink well, and live well, without affecting the lives of ordinary people. That's your current job. Other matters will be handled by other people, so you don't need to worry about them for now. As for other situations... we'll discuss them when you encounter them. Any other questions?"

After hesitating, Hao Ren finally asked about the matter he cared about most. "Um... what exactly is Lily's deal? She really wasn't arranged by you?"

"No. I told you, only the new tenants who come to your home in the future will be arranged by the organization. That Werewolf... you can think of her as fate. It was precisely because she sought you out—and because you seemed to adapt to her so well—that I chose you. Ordinary people don't have such a strong capacity for acceptance. And I happened to need an assistant with firm values who could withstand this kind of shock."

"I only need to take care of the lives of those future 'clients,' right? Then how do I determine whether I've taken good care of them? Am I supposed to serve them like ancestors?"

"Not to that extent. As long as they don't cause trouble, it's fine. The ultimate goal of every mission is to let human civilization develop normally. Humans mustn't come into contact with things that conflict with their current direction of development, because those things would give them an incorrect understanding of the laws of their universe. Human lifespans are short, and that shortness means that the mistaken beliefs of one or two generations could destroy centuries of progress, creating equally far-reaching effects on the future afterward. Judging by your expression, I'd say you're already confused, so I'll skip the rest of the explanation." As she spoke, Raven 12345 pulled a stack of papers from the desk drawer. "In short, you're only a grassroots employee right now, and a temporary one at that. You're not allowed to know anything too complicated yet. Even if you did know, you couldn't handle it. I'll tell you more when the time is right. Don't worry, I mean you no harm, because there's no need for that. Now come over and sign the contract..."

Hao Ren felt that she was still hiding many things from him, but he had no way to do anything about it. Although Raven 12345 was easy to talk to, she seemed to have principles: if something shouldn't be said, she absolutely wouldn't say it. Hao Ren also knew that some matters couldn't be rushed. It was better to be cautious when he knew nothing.

Hao Ren vaguely felt that he had somehow boarded a pirate ship, but he didn't have the courage to jump overboard—he was certain he couldn't beat any living thing in this place, including that fog-like creature from earlier.

Hao Ren stared blankly at the contract in front of him. The words on it were quite easy to understand, but the contents left him at a loss. The title, in large letters, read "Xiling Empire Time-Space Administration Bureau Probationary Examiner Employment Agreement." Beneath it was the subtitle "Xiling Pantheon Affiliation Agreement." Beneath that was the true subtitle: "Relevant Documents for Temporary Workers in the Empire's Civil Affairs Department." Further down, in tiny regular script, was a line that might or might not count as a title: "One Hundred and Sixth Revision, Re-revised Edition, Revised Again Edition, Final Edition, Absolutely-Not-to-Be-Changed Edition, Even if Ordered by the Imperial Mistress, No One Is Allowed to Change It Casually Again—Personal Edict of the Imperial Regent; All Offices Shall Obey."

The main body of the contract followed. It explained, in plain and easy-to-understand language, various employee guidelines and attendance regulations. It stated that new employees, upon joining, would be equivalent to a regional-level Holy Son, a candidate for regional-level bishop, a regional-level prophet, a regional-level Street Cadre, a regional-level patrol officer, and a whole host of other identities. A note afterward explained that these titles depended on the form of civilization the new employee belonged to, and were provided to help new employees accurately understand their own position.

After that came an even more worldview-shattering benefits system. The supreme Goddess of the Xiling Pantheon had explicitly decreed that newly initiated examiners who converted to the local supreme deity—in some civilizations, prophets or the first awakened proselytes of a race—were entitled to employee benefits. These included rice, flour, cooking oil, and other essentials during festivals; New Year goods; and a monthly spending-card allowance. Depending on the local civilization, the responsible local deity would arrange the above benefits...

Hao Ren looked at the contract with tears streaming down his face. He vaguely felt that the thing looked familiar. Extremely familiar...

"What do you think? Our organization's benefits are pretty good, right?" Raven 12345 leaned over with a strange look. "I know you were too embarrassed to ask about our benefits just now. I've met plenty of people over the years, and most newcomers are very strange. They seem to think that working for a god should be unpaid labor. But our organization definitely doesn't do that. This contract was drafted by several experienced leaders above us. They said it fit the customs of the Mortal World rather well. If you have no objections, just sign it."

Hao Ren: "..."

He decided that he would never believe television or novels again for the rest of his life!

(First update =.= Please send lots of recommendation votes! I feel I still have a chance of reaching second place on the new-book rankings! Also, everyone, please go to Xiling Empire and cast lots of completed-book satisfaction votes. They're free, after all.)