Work was a completely new experience for the people of Nagaryll. Nearly half of the residents had never held a formal job, only doing odd, occasional labor. They had never participated in any systematic work, so everything felt fresh.
The short-statured leader, accompanied by a cadre, arrived at a recruitnt center to apply for jobs—an unfamiliar process for them. As they inquired, a young man approached and asked, “How many of you are applying?”
The leader hesitated but then said, “Two of us.” The young man handed them two forms and a pencil. “If you can read, fill these out yourselves. If not, go over there—soone will help you.”
Many Nagaryll people, especially from the lower class, were illiterate, so filling out forms was difficult. After Asel consulted Lynch, the forms were simplified so applicants only needed to write their nas; the rest were checkmarks or crosses, and finally a fingerprint from both hands.
Lynch understood human nature well despite his unfamiliarity with Nagaryll. If the benefit of losing a finger outweighed their perception of its value, people wouldn’t hesitate to sacrifice a finger for more gain. Even if contracts bore their fingerprints, those missing fingers would make such docunts aningless. This could beco a dangerous precedent, potentially turning Lynch and the Federation’s reputation into finger rchants.
So from the start, Lynch left little room for negotiation. If they believed the deal—trading their ten fingers and future for uncertain returns—was worthwhile, he wouldn’t oppose it. His loss was just money; theirs was their whole life.
After filling the forms, the applicants moved to the large room for physical exams. The disinfectant sll made them sneeze as they entered. A doctor impatiently ordered the leader to undress completely, which shocked him, especially with others present. The doctor, annoyed, warned him that refusing would an paying 450 Valier for the hospital exam, but here it was free thanks to Lynch. “Are you a woman to be shy about undressing?”
The leader’s cadre angrily protested, accusing the doctor of humiliation. Noticing security approaching, the doctor quickly dropped the act and began a thorough physical, including a reproductive health check, since many Nagaryll suffered from hygiene-related diseases. Those with infections would be rejected to prevent outbreaks among workers.
After finishing, the doctor handed the leader a health card and advised him to choose jobs with growth potential rather than simple labor, which paid slightly more now but had limited future prospects.
The leader, called Akumari, thanked him and left with his cadre to a large hall with dozens of recruitnt agencies, each crowded with hopefuls. Akumari felt a strange mix of amusent and hope, thinking the posters were right: hard work could change one’s fate.
They explored most job options and finally chose to beco drivers. Though not considered good jobs because they required learning traffic rules, driving skills, and basic repairs—unpopular among the largely uneducated population—Akumari saw potential. In a future struggle, vehicles would be vital for transport, and he could later teach these skills to others in their group.
After submitting their applications, they stood among many who also chose driving. A recruiter ca forward to explain that they would first undergo training before starting work, answering questions patiently.
“When do we get paid?” soone asked.
“Only after you learn to drive,” the recruiter replied. “During training, you’ll have free lodging and food for three months. If you can’t master driving by then, you’ll have to leave and try another job.”
“If you master driving skills, you will imdiately have a job, and the pay won’t be low.”
“At first, your wages will be daily, starting at a minimum of 150 Valier, and will increase over ti.”
“The longer you work here, the higher your pay will get. Eventually, you might earn a daily wage of five or six hundred Valier!”
“As long as you work hard, a happy life is within reach!”
The person who asked the question and the others cheered. Although five or six hundred Valier a day was only a possibility, such an incentive was more effective than any empty promise.
Right now, they might not even earn ten Valier in a day, but after training, the minimum was 150 Valier daily. In just one week, they could earn a thousand Valier—more than many families made in an entire month.
Even the short young man montarily lost focus.
If everything really were this good, would people still hate foreigners?
He felt confused. They were doing all this to improve lives, yet others were already doing it.
Was the Youth Party, the so-called awakening, still necessary?
And… the market?
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