Staffing Arrangements
Xiao Yu strolled through the streets of Hydra City, an ocean city located below sea level. The morning scenery was as beautiful and magnificent as ever. Sunlight pierced through the clear seawater, reflecting off the undulating city and refracting beams of light, making the ocean city appear so beautiful. Against the backdrop of coral and pearls, it created a dreamlike scene.
If Hydra City were developed into a tourist city, many people would surely be willing to spend money to visit. It would be much more beautiful than man-made attractions like aquariums and ocean parks. The immersive experience would be incomparable to ordinary real-world scenery. If tickets were sold, it would likely be a very profitable venture.
Thinking about this, Xiao Yu suddenly felt something was amiss. He realized he'd become increasingly greedy lately, thinking about money in everything he did. Xiao Yu couldn't help but chuckle self-deprecatingly. "Heh heh," he thought, "It seems I really have changed." But that was a matter for the future; he should focus on today's important business.
Besides healing Sgelari and taking him into the dungeon, he had another task upon returning to Hydra City: recruiting some Water Elemental players from the city to join his own workshop.
If it were just about creating a dungeon or attacking a city, he could easily manage it by himself with a group of NPCs. But now that he needs to manage a territory, especially one that involves dealing with players, he has a large and complex business, and one person can't handle it all. He needs to find some people to help him.
Therefore, he decided to set up a studio, not too big, just about twenty people would be enough.
Hydra City originally had nearly two thousand players, but with the end of the war, some died and returned to the Elemental Plane, while others chose to leave and explore other areas. Now, only a little over a thousand Water Elemental players remain in Hydra City.
The number of Human players who can log in during the day is less than 800.
Upon entering the Water Elemental Temple in Hydra City, Xiao Yu immediately issued a city announcement.
City Announcement: Water Elemental Lord Azathoth announces that he will be recruiting players to join his workshop and work for him. Those who join will receive a monthly salary ranging from 1000 to 10000 depending on their position. Interested players are welcome to apply. Interview location: Water Elemental Temple; Interview time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
The announcement immediately caused a stir. By issuing this announcement, Xiao Yu was practically blatantly telling everyone that he was a player. There was nothing he could do about it; as more and more people came into contact with him and learned about his player identity, the news was bound to spread sooner or later, so he might as well reveal it himself.
"Damn, I knew the boss was a player, and I was right."
"No way, our city lord is actually a player? Really?"
"Oh dear, the boss is recruiting studio members! No way, I have to sign up right away."
Throughout the streets and alleys of Hydra City, whether they were leveling up and fighting monsters or simply idly admiring the scenery, all the elemental creatures heard the system announcement. Then, many people went about their business as usual, since most people had jobs and playing games was just a pastime.
However, another group of people swam quickly towards the direction of the Water Elemental Temple.
In front of the Water Elemental Temple, a long line of over a hundred elementals had formed to apply for interviews.
Xiao Yu was quite pleased that so many people had applied, but naturally Xiao Yu couldn't recruit that many. His plan was to recruit only twenty people. He had the Water Elemental guards of the Water Elemental Temple guard the gate, and then Xiao Yu began interviewing them one by one.
The first one to enter appeared to be a level 27 Water Elemental, a normal character.
Water Elemental: "Hello boss, are you a member of the studio?" Because it's just a regular template, even the name isn't displayed.
Azathoth (Water Elemental Lord): "Of course, you want to sign up? So what are your special skills?"
Water Elemental: "I'm incredibly good at games. I've loved playing games since I was a kid. When I was in school, games were all I could think about. I think I was born for games, so I'm the perfect person to be your subordinate. I definitely won't let you down."
Xiao Yu watched the guy ramble on and on for a while, then rubbed his head in exasperation.
Azathoth (Water Elemental Lord): "Your mind was always on games when you were in school. That's not some kind of talent, it's just that you lack self-control. Besides, you're just a regular Water Elemental. Tell me, if you're really that good at games, why haven't you even reached the Elite level?"
Water Elemental: "Uh--this!" The guy was speechless. Xiao Yu was too lazy to waste words with him. --Next.
The second one to enter was a deep-sea elemental over three meters tall, azure in color, named Sewage Pit, an elite template, level 41.
Sewage Pit (Deep-Sea Element): "Hello boss, I'm here to apply."
Azathoth (Water Elemental Lord): "Do you have any special skills?"
Sewage Pit (Deep Sea Element): "This... I don't think so. I only play games."
Xiao Yu thought to himself, "At least it's not a blank."
Azathoth (Water Elemental Lord): "Based on your conditions, I can only offer you three thousand coins a month, plus bonuses for good performance. If you agree, then sign this contract."
He then sent over a contract.
The contract was quite formal. Xiao Yu had referenced the contract he had with the Defias Brotherhood. Once a player joined the studio, their character would be considered to have been bought out by the studio and become its property. Of course, an elite template character would only be worth a couple thousand yuan. After joining the studio, players had to work on time and follow the instructions of their superiors. Everything was no different from a real job.
Sewage Pit (Deep Sea Element): "Only three thousand?"
Azathoth (Water Elemental Lord): "You only became an elite at level 41, which means your skill level is only average. With your skill level, you can only be used as a basic staff member. 3000 is already quite a lot. Of course, if you perform well in the future, I can give you a raise. If you're willing, sign me."
After thinking it over, the Sewage Pit still signed the contract.
The third one to enter was a rare elite sea elemental, whose name was U571.
U571 (Sea Element): "Hello, Lord Azathoth, I'm here to apply for a job. What kind of people are you looking for?"
Azathoth (Water Elemental Lord): "What skills do you possess? What work experience have you had before?"
U571 (Sea Element): "I used to be a game planner. I participated in the development of a game called 'Magic Continent,' but unfortunately, the game shut down. However, I still have some game design experience."
So that's how it is. Xiao Yu did have some impression of this Magic Continent. Before the open beta of Sky World, there were many virtual fantasy games like this, and Magic Continent was one of them. Later, with the rise of Sky World, most of these games went out of business. However, this person still has some value. At least he should know about dungeon design and such. He wasn't afraid that the other party would deceive him. If a legally binding contract was to be signed, personal information had to be submitted, and then the truth would be immediately apparent.
Azathoth (Water Elemental Lord): "Five thousand a month, plus bonuses for good performance. If you agree, sign this contract." He then tossed over a copy of the contract.
One by one, by 11:30, Xiao Yu had recruited 20 people. Fifteen of them were ordinary game workers who only knew how to play games and had no special skills. They were considered basic staff and earned 3,000 yuan a month plus bonuses. Five of them were professionals who had some useful skills or were particularly good at playing games and earned 5,000 yuan a month plus bonuses.
As for the amount of the bonus, it was entirely up to Xiao Yu to decide. Xiao Yu estimated that the monthly salary would probably exceed 100,000 yuan. If Lost Island didn't make any money, he would be starving.
Looking at the large group of people gathered in the Water Elemental Temple, Xiao Yu nodded in satisfaction.
Azathoth (Water Elemental Lord): "Very well, welcome to my workshop. Now, I'll be assigning you tasks."
His gaze first fell on a sea monster, whose name was Lin Meili, and who used to be an accountant.
"That Lin Meili, right? Your next task is to prepare a financial statement, showing how many people are in this studio and how much salary is paid each month."
Then he looked at a water sprite next to him. This water sprite's real name was Feng Caixin, and she used to be a social investigator.
"Feng Caixin, right? I need you to investigate Hydra City and compile a list of all the boss-level elemental creatures Hydra City. Find out if any of them are willing to work under our studio as dungeon bosses, quest bosses, or something similar. Also, find out their salary requirements. After you've done the investigation, make a table and give it to me. If you need manpower, you can find people from our basic staff to help."
He then looked at the Sewage Pit.
"You're Li Feng, right? Your job is simple. Our guild is about to establish three dungeons on the Lost Island: Sgelari Lair, Naga Cavern, and Elemental Proving Ground. I need you to design the scene layout, bosses, dungeon mechanics, and so on for these three dungeons. Here's the basic information for the three dungeons. Get to work."
Being a leader is really great! You just need to delegate tasks to your subordinates and focus on managing the overall situation. It saves you a lot of effort.
After settling everything, Xiao Yu left Hydra City. He had another very important matter to attend to.
Near the Lost Island, on the Alliance's route, Xiao Yu stood in the water, watching the Alliance passenger ship approaching from afar, and sneered inwardly, "They really did arrive on time."
Behind him were Sgelari and his Hydra Legion, a full forty Hydras mobilized, their heads densely packed together, a truly spectacular sight.