Demonic Pornstar System novel Chapter 753

Chapter 753: Rewarded Loyalty

"Are you sure about this?" Kaiden asked.

Tessa leaned back in her chair, crossed one leg over the other, and gave him a look that was equal parts amused and exasperated.

"Let me get this straight. You’re sitting across from me as the guild leader of an organization run by the Shadow Monarch, backed by the most talked-about team in the country, with a founding roster that could field a small army, and you’re asking if I’m okay with joining?"

"I’m asking if you’re okay with dissolving Nova Circuit."

The amusement dimmed. Tessa looked at the table, then back at him.

"I’m going to tell you something, and I need you to hear it as the compliment it is, even though it’s going to sound like I’m insulting myself."

He waited.

"I am not a good guild leader."

Talia, seated beside Tessa with a steaming mug between her palms, made a quiet sound of agreement that she did not bother to disguise.

"Not a hint of disagreement from either of you, huh..." Tessa murmured with narrowed eyes.

"No, why would I disagree? For once you’re speaking sensibly," Talia chirped.

"..."

Tessa ignored the woman and turned back to Kaiden. "Nova Circuit is a low-tier guild with no resources, no pipeline for new talent, no infrastructure, and no future. We don’t have youngsters coming up through the ranks because there are no ranks to come up through. I couldn’t retain a single promising recruit aside from Vaelira, Sasha, Jack, and... poor Leon."

The swordsman had died, because Vaelira sacrificed him so that they could take the boss monster down.

"Aside from those four, everyone left after they became powerful enough to be recruited by a guild that could actually pay them properly."

She paused.

"Speaking of the only A-tier rookie I managed to keep... I couldn’t even control her. A rookie walked over me for months, blackmailing me with the possibility of her leaving if I didn’t let her do as she desired. It was you who had to step in and handle it."

"Oh, yeah!" Tessa perked up suddenly, and the self-deprecation fell off her face like a mask. "Vaelira has been an angel ever since."

Kaiden kept his face neutral. "Has she."

"An absolute angel. I don’t know what you said to her exactly, but ever since you visited her in the hospital, she’s been punctual, respectful, and follows orders without arguing." Tessa shook her head in wonder.

"Hm." Kaiden nodded thoughtfully. "Sometimes people just need a good talking to."

"Whatever talk that was, I need to learn it. The woman is a completely different person." Tessa’s eyes were shining. "Honestly, it was the clearest sign I could’ve gotten. I spent months trying to manage that situation with authority, with official warnings, with everything a guild leader is supposed to do, and nothing worked. You spent a few minutes with her alone and she was reformed."

Kaiden felt a mild itch at the back of his skull where his conscience lived, but it was a very small itch and he had gotten quite good at ignoring it.

’Does she really think I had a heart-to-heart with her?’ he mused. ’What I actually did was closer to a war crime. I should be behind bars, serving a life sentence.’

"Anyway." Tessa waved a hand, physically dismissing her old life. "The point is, I know what I’m good at and I know what I’m not. Leading a guild isn’t it. Fighting is. And now I get to do the fighting without worrying about payroll, paperwork, sponsor meetings..."

She trailed off, and a visible shudder ran through her shoulders.

"Vespera," she said quietly. "Have you ever been in the same room as that woman when she’s unhappy?"

"...What do you think?"

"Right. Right." Tessa rubbed her arms. "Well, if any bitchy blonde rookies get the idea to act out and throw their weight around, they can take it up with the Shadow Monarch now. Something tells me the conversation won’t last long."

Kaiden merely nodded.

"So yeah." Tessa grinned at him, wide and unburdened. "I’m okay with it. I’m more than okay with it. I’m thrilled."

"Good." Kaiden leaned forward. "Because I actually have something specific in mind for you."

Tessa’s eyebrows rose.

"Eclipse needs a Recruitment Director."

She blinked. "A what?"

"Someone who finds new talent, evaluates them, and brings them in. Scouts report to you. You review the footage, the data, and when you see someone worth pursuing, you make the pitch."

Tessa stared at him.

"You found me," Kaiden said simply. "Your scout found the footage, yes, but you’re the one who watched it and decided I was worth giving a chance. A low level, F-tier nobody that every other guild in the country would’ve walked past, and you reached out."

"That was just..." Tessa started.

Kaiden knew the circumstances, but he did not care. "That was judgment. That was an eye for potential. And you’re going to do it again, over and over, except now the recruits aren’t joining a low-tier guild with no resources."

He watched the idea land.

"You know the field. You’ve been fighting for a long time, you’ve been to Association events, you know what real potential looks like versus someone who just stats well on paper. And you’re..." He gestured at her. "You. You’re easy to talk to. Recruits are going to be scared, especially the very young ones. They need someone approachable at the front door, someone who makes them feel like they belong. It needs to be a responsible, charismatic adult who can get things done in a timely and professional manner but retain her air of approachability at the same time, and I think you’re perfect for the job."

"And then if they cause problems?" Tessa asked, the grin creeping back.

"You’re only responsible for recruiting people and ensuring they feel welcome in this place. Miss Guild Regent will deal with the dissidents."

Tessa laughed.

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