Chapter 1: Joining the Job

“Hello, here are my onboarding procedures.”

In the lobby marked “Black Tower Office,” Su Kui handed over her qualification report.

An hour ago, the testing center called her to inform her that she had passed the onboarding evaluation and could come pick up the necessary documents to begin her employment. Su Kui quickly changed out of her pajamas and rushed over by car.

Because she had been lying in bed all morning, her hair was a bit messy. The report she had just received was still warm, and the bright red stamp on it smeared slightly when she accidentally brushed it.

Su Kui wiped the red smear off her thumb and handed the report over.

Miss Lei Meng at the office filled in her information and smiled at her, saying, “Congratulations on passing the Guide onboarding evaluation. Darling, from today on, you are a member of the Black Tower. I told you you’d pass. The test was just a necessary procedure.”

Her gaze toward Su Kui carried a touch of envy. “Darling, can you share your little secret on how you awakened as a Guide?”

The girl in front of her appeared youthful and innocent, still with baby fat on her cheeks, showing a shy smile. She scratched her head, “Sorry, Miss Lei Meng, but I’m not really sure how I awakened. I just woke up one day and felt different, and my spirit body suddenly appeared. It surprised me too.”

“Well, not everyone is as lucky as you.”

“I believe Miss Lei Meng will become a Guide one day too.”

Miss Lei Meng took the report, sealed it along with Su Kui’s other personal information for safekeeping, and backed it up on the StarNet—double protection.

Once confirmed, Su Kui’s identity on StarNet was updated as well. Her status changed from “Unemployed” to “Official Employee of Black Tower, D-Level Guide.”

She handed over the badge representing a D-Level Guide of Black Tower and said, “As a D-Level Guide, you’ll receive about 4000 Contribution Points monthly after tax, with accommodation and meals provided. You’ll have weekends off and holiday benefits.”

“Contribution Points… aren’t those Star Coins?”

“Dear, Star Coins are for regular people. Guides like you, of course, use Contribution Points. However, if you want, you can exchange them for Star Coins.”

“No, no, this is fine. I’ll take the Contribution Points.”

Who would have thought? Before she transmigrated, she worked hard on Earth but couldn’t even become a civil servant. Now, after awakening a spirit body, she was directly employed by a government organization!

She now has a career, a regular schedule, and weekends off!

Miss Lei Meng was amused by her.

The work at the Black Tower office was always very relaxed, and not everyone could get in. Besides being excellent herself, Su Kui had some background, though she didn’t quite understand why, Su Kui was happier to hear about these trivial things than learning she had awakened as a Guide. Still, she was infected by the joy in the atmosphere, and her voice softened:

“Starting tomorrow, you’ll be officially onboard. Rest well tonight. Also, you can take your badge to receive your work uniform and recovery fluid. The Black Tower’s requirements for D-level Guides are not too strict. As long as you complete one calming task every day, your sponsor will arrange a suitable sentinel for you. If you exceed the required number, you will receive additional pay.”

All this was written in the contract, which Su Kui had read carefully. She thanked Miss Lei Meng for her thoughtful explanation and invited her to dinner when she had the time.

“Since I’ve been here, I’ve been really grateful for your care, Miss Lei Meng. I’d like to treat you to a meal to celebrate my successful employment.”

Facing Su Kui’s hopeful eyes, Miss Lei Meng immediately nodded, “Okay. Wait until you’ve adjusted to your work duties. We’re not in a hurry.”

Finally, Su Kui asked a crucial question.

“When do the three meals start being served? Can I go eat today?”

“Of course.” Miss Lei Meng looked at her, holding the badge like a treasure, and couldn’t help but think back to the background she had found during the routine checks.

Su Kui had been born in a small clinic’s maternity warehouse. When she was a teenager, her genetic donor died in the insectoid invasion. The planet became an insect nest, and she was forced to wander to Lunzuo Star. She lived on 120 relief coins a month, struggling to survive, even getting food poisoning and being hospitalized. She had just been discharged a few days ago…

Miss Lei Meng, who had been carefree and never lacking in food or clothing, felt a pang of sympathy. Looking at Su Kui’s frail shoulders, she spoke softly, “Your information has already been recorded in the Black Tower’s headquarters. Every Black Tower on every planet is now open to you. Even if you lose your badge, it’s fine. As long as your genetic information is still there, you can eat as much as you want.”

Su Kui didn’t think much of it. After all, she had only just arrived. She was just happy she could enjoy a free dinner tonight.

After bidding Miss Lei Meng farewell, she exchanged her badge for three identical uniforms and some so-called recovery fluid. Su Kui, holding the items, cheerfully headed to the dormitory she had been assigned.

Employees who joined the Black Tower, aside from those like Miss Lei Meng who were wealthy and influential ordinary people, included a small number of Guides.

In the interstellar era, to fight the common enemy of humanity—the Insectoids—super powerful sentinels, whose mental domains were prone to collapse, and high-mental-powered but physically fragile Guides had evolved.

Generally, those born in maternity warehouses undergo an initial test, and those who awaken as sentinels or Guides in the first test are more powerful.

A second test is performed upon reaching adulthood, and though it’s rare, some still awaken during this period.

Su Kui didn’t belong to either group.

Her situation was a bit special. She was a transmigrator who awakened. But externally, even the Black Tower’s tests classified her as a late awakening at adulthood. That was because she happened to be 22 years old when she transmigrated. In the interstellar world, humans live longer, and 22 is considered adulthood.

The original body had only lived to this age.

It died from food poisoning due to consuming expired nutritional fluid.

Su Kui opened her eyes, not yet understanding what was going on. She had no memories of the original body; all she felt was an overwhelming hunger. Turning her head, she saw a sea anemone next to her head, wriggling, which startled her so much that she flew up in shock.

Coincidentally, since she hadn’t left her house for a few days, the landlord, concerned about her possibly dying in the apartment and making it difficult to rent out, called the police. The officers broke down the door and, upon their first glance, saw Su Kui lying on the ground, weak and fragile. Their second glance, however, landed on the sea anemone—Su Kui’s spirit body.

They immediately showed a shocked expression, and while sending Su Kui and the sea anemone to the hospital, they also called the Black Tower to report their discovery of a wild Guide.

The Black Tower obtained the Guide, the police received a reward, the landlord got a congratulatory banner, and Su Kui got a golden opportunity.

Everyone had a bright future ahead.

…

The dormitory was a warm yellow building. Unlike the clear, quiet, and sterile space of the Black Tower, the dormitory assigned to precious Guides was cute and cozy.

“1300.”

Su Kui read her room number.

One unit per floor, and the entire 13th floor was hers.

She held a bag containing small items, all provided by the Black Tower for free. Shoes, socks, hair ties, and accessories that matched her uniform. Su Kui also found the latest model of a light brain inside.

It was the size of a wristwatch and a custom version, with her name engraved on the back.

Ding—

The elevator opened.

Su Kui stepped inside, gasping in awe.

This penthouse! The furnishings were complete, with matching furniture and a modern design!

“Welcome home, Master. I am your house spirit. You may give me a cute name, my precious Guide.”

The lively mechanical voice turned on the lights and fragrance in the room, and soft music played in the living room.

This… is this really called an employee dormitory?