Why isn’t anyone applying?

Not even that guy who practically owed me his life left a comment.

He said he’d repay me!!

I pouted my lips and uploaded a new post.

[Why is no one applying?
Author: Main Admin
– Isn’t being a sub-admin a good thing?
Why is no one applying?]

“…Ah.”

And only after reading the comments did I realize why.

(Comments)
– Unpaid graphics-card-cleaning slave ← Who the hell would do that?
ㄴ> For real, lol.
ㄴ> No one would do it unless they got hit in the head with a fireball;;

– Would you want to do that yourself?
ㄴ> Author (Main Admin): Well, I am doing it;;
ㄴ> So you became Main Admin without even knowing what it was, huh lol.
ㄴ> Author (Main Admin): Correct;;

– Why no one applies? Wrong question. Why do you think anyone would apply? Correct.
ㄴ> Yeah, that mindset needs changing.

– Main Admin, would you want to do this?
ㄴ> Author (Main Admin): Hm;;

After reading through everyone’s opinions, I noticed a pattern.

“Unpaid graphics-card-cleaning slave.”
“Unpaid slave.”
“Unpaid grandma-post eraser.”
“Unpaid mining slave.”

Every single one had the word “unpaid” in it.

And the other problem—was that they had to keep facing those cursed tactical nukes.

If they had to keep deleting posts for free, of course they’d hate it.

But you know what?

“Then why not just pay them?”

Instead of a salary, I could pay them with the most precious resource of the apocalypse—“food.”
Food so delicious they’d have never tasted anything like it.

From the start, I’d planned to properly pay for their work.

To make someone work without pay?
That kind of corrupt boss might exist on Earth, but that’s not me.

I deleted the previous notice and uploaded a new one.

[Announcement: Recruiting Sub-Admins (+Additional Info)
Author: Main Admin
– Applicants accepted regardless of race, age, origin, or gender.

Everyone keeps saying it’s unpaid, but obviously, I’ll be paying a salary.
You’ll be compensated with the food of your choice.

I plan to recruit two people, but depending on the situation, I might hire more.]

(Comments)
– Food of our choice? What’s that mean?
ㄴ> Like, you’ll actually give us meat or something?
ㄴ> Author (Main Admin): Yeah, if you want it, I’ll give it.
ㄴ> ?
ㄴ> ??

– I’m not doing it;;
ㄴ> Me neither. Food’s tempting, sure, but it’s just… food;;
ㄴ> What are you, rich? Still just food lmao.
ㄴ> But imagine doing grandma-eraser duty for a month just to get a meal? Sheesh… lol;;

– Should I try it?
ㄴ> Author (Main Admin): Really?
ㄴ> Yeah right, lol;;
ㄴ> Author (Main Admin): Banned.
ㄴ> Sorry, lol.

“Sigh… Guess I can’t find anyone right away, huh?”

Maybe I should give it a few days.

No, wait—why am I even trying to recruit volunteers?

Maybe I’m still trapped in my Earth mindset.

In another world, follow the laws of another world.

In the gallery, follow the laws of the gallery.

“Can’t I just conscript them myself?”

Now that’s gallery thinking.

If I don’t get at least two applicants by tomorrow…

“I’ll just draft two good-looking usernames then.”

I closed the post and was about to go delete some more nukes when—

– WorldTreeGuardian) I’m applying for sub-admin.

“Oh?”

An elf-looking guy had applied for sub-admin.

The Elven nation of Arphelheim, with the World Tree standing tall at its center.

The source of life, the mother, the spiritual pillar, and the deity the elves worshipped.

To call the World Tree merely a large tree was an insult.

And those who dedicated their lives to ensuring its safety were the World Tree’s Guardians.

This year marked the 570th birthday of Adrian—me.

Among the golden-haired elves, I alone bore silver hair.
My skin was pale as snow, and my eyes shone with bright sky-blue light.

My long limbs granted me overwhelming advantage in battle.

And, embarrassingly enough, countless tales of my valor had spread among young elves like legends.

Even the guard standing before the chamber must have heard my stories until his ears ached.

That I once slaughtered dozens of monsters alone.
That during the war with humans, I stormed the fortress and opened the gate by myself.

All thanks to the World Tree Mother’s blessings—it wasn’t difficult at all, nor worthy of praise.

Just as I reached for the chamber door, the guard nervously stopped me.

“…Please surrender your sword and bow.”
“I’m only seeing the Elder for a moment.”

I spoke as kindly as I could so he wouldn’t get scared.

But apparently, that had the opposite effect.
The guard gulped hard and stammered.

“R–rules are rules. Even for you, Sir Adrian, the Elder’s orders cannot be ignored.”

I looked at the elf with an indifferent gaze.

It was a habit I had when analyzing an opponent.

Eyes darting as if uncomfortable facing me.
Eyelids trembling ever so slightly.
And clenched teeth at the end.

Definitely afraid.

“…Understood.”

I obediently handed over my sword and bow.

The sword was longer than the guard’s arm,
and the bow was larger than his entire body.

They were custom-made weapons that only I, standing 178cm tall, could wield.

“…You may enter.”

Creak…

The chamber door opened.

Unlike what you’d expect from the leader’s office of Arphelheim, it was quite small.

Dark wooden shelves and a table buried under mountains of documents.

That was the entire decor.

Thud.

As the door closed, I knelt on one knee.

A gentle voice brushed against my ears.

“Adrian.”
“Yes, Elder.”

The sound was like leaves of the World Tree rustling in the wind.

“Do you know about the Gallery?”
“…Yes. I’ve heard of it.”
“Then become a sub-admin.”
“…Excuse me?”

A stupid sound slipped out of my mouth.

Did I hear that right? A sub-admin?

Between the piles of papers, the Elder’s crescent-shaped eyes gleamed.

“Elves are far superior to other races.
Our lifespans are long, our minds are sharp,
and we are born skilled in martial arts, magic, and spirit arts.”
“……”

My long ears twitched slightly.

“So how could we let other races take our place?
Though we failed to seize the admin role, you will become the first sub-admin of the gallery.”
“……”

To be honest, I couldn’t agree with the Elder at all.

Elves superior to other races?

That’s only thanks to the World Tree Mother’s blessing,
not because we’re inherently superior.

But still—

‘There’s no need to say that in front of the Elder.’

Adrian kept his lips tightly shut.

Sub-admin? Honestly, I didn’t want to do it.

Deleting disgusting posts in that gallery one by one?

I barely had enough time for sword and bow practice as it was.

“…Understood.”
“Good. A wise choice.”

Yet what left my lips was agreement.

Obey your superior’s orders.
Do not question.
Do not doubt.

That is the way of a Guardian.
That is the way of a soldier.

Thud.

After leaving the chamber, I retrieved my sword and bow.

Then, the moment I exited the Elder’s residence,
I left a comment on the Main Admin’s sub-admin recruitment post.

I decided that having a nickname—an official handle—would help me get chosen.
So I created one: WorldTreeGuardian.

– WorldTreeGuardian) Applying for sub-admin.
ㄴ> Author (Main Admin): Oh! Finally!
ㄴ> WorldTreeGuardian) Since no one else applied, does that mean I’m in?

While waiting for the Main Admin’s reply, I was heading home when—

I sensed someone approaching and instinctively drew my sword, only to stop midway.

“Whoa, whoa. Relax, Adrian.”
“…Termine?”

He was an elf, like me, a fellow Guardian of the World Tree.
Unlike me, who served in the frontlines,
he specialized in assassinating enemies from behind.

He was also talented at seducing human women through charm,
extracting information, and dissolving hostility.

“You looked serious, so I rushed over. What’s wrong? Something happen?”
“…The Elder gave me an assignment.”
“Assignment? Monster hunt?”

I shook my head.

Termine’s brows furrowed.

“If not that, then what?”
“…He told me to become the gallery’s sub-admin.”
“…Wait. So that crazy person who applied for sub-admin was you?
Hold up, since when did you even have a nickname?”
“I just made one. I figured it’d help me get accepted.”

Termine looked at me with a tired expression.

“So typical of you.
Think you’ll actually make it?”
“Since I’m the only applicant, unless the Main Admin cancels the recruitment, it’s a sure thing.”
“Really? Well, the Main Admin just posted a notice saying if no one else applies, he’ll start drafting people.”
“…What?”

I quickly checked the gallery.

And sure enough, there it was—a new post from the Main Admin.

[Announcement
Author: Main Admin
– If there aren’t at least two applicants by tomorrow,

‘I’ll start conscripting.’
No objections accepted. The end.]

An unexpected development.

– WorldTreeGuardian) So, am I officially a sub-admin or not?
ㄴ> IWillBeTheStrongestHuman) Do elves not even know what sub-admins are?
ㄴ> HammerAndAnvil) Haha… volunteering to be a sub-admin? Pathetic.
ㄴ> Actually, dwarves fit the sub-admin role better than elves~
ㄴ> HammerAndAnvil) What nonsense are you spouting!!

“……”

There’s nothing I can do now. I just have to trust the Main Admin’s decision.

He’s probably thinking deeply about who to choose.

Munch, munch.

“Whoa! This place’s pig’s feet are insane.”

And with a sip of cola—haa~~

“This is crazy good.”