"Hello, this is my resume."
A slightly trembling voice echoed in the room as Chino glanced at the man in front of him, whose sleeve hung empty.
He casually picked up the resume, gave it a glance, and then set it aside. Meanwhile, Tom examined it carefully, flipping through the pages with a serious expression.
"Mr. Connors, why don't you buy a limb regeneration potion?" Chino asked.
Connors touched his missing arm and let out a bitter chuckle.
"Sir, I've been unemployed for a long time. I can barely afford food, let alone a potion," he said, his voice heavy with helplessness and frustration. In this world, without an Oscorp equivalent, no one wanted a disabled researcher.
"Mr. Connors, your resume states you've been researching limb regeneration technology. You should know our company already sells a finished product, right?" Tom questioned, his expression stern and professional.
"Yes, but my research is based on lizard regenerative genes," Connors replied, his face darkening and voice sinking.
"However, your project has not succeeded, and your resume also mentions you've been dismissed by several companies," Tom pointed out, pausing as he observed the disheartened scientist. It was clear to him that Connors was here on a desperate gamble.
Connors' eyes grew even dimmer. He knew what would come next—a polite dismissal: "Please go home and wait. We will contact you within a week, whether you are selected or not."
However, to his surprise—
"Mr. Connors, you're hired. Report to work tomorrow," Chino declared.
Connors' eyes widened in disbelief. Was he really hired?
"Regarding your salary, since you haven't produced successful research, it will be twenty thousand dollars per month. You'll also have access to employee housing, which you can move into at any time," Chino continued.
"...Why?" Connors asked after a moment of silence. Although he had obtained the job he desperately needed, his curiosity demanded an explanation.
"Probably because of the unwillingness in your eyes. I want to see if your research holds any surprises," Chino said calmly.
"...Thank you for believing in me," Connors responded gratefully.
"You may leave now. I have the next interview to conduct."
After Connors left, Tom couldn't help but question, "Boss, even if his research succeeds, it won't benefit us much."
"Then it will be a decoration," Chino replied nonchalantly. After all, he couldn't tell Tom that, in another world, Connors became the infamous Lizard.
The next candidate to enter was a man with a bowl haircut. Chino took the resume and glanced at it briefly.
"Otto Gunther Octavius," Chino read. What kind of luck was today? Even Doctor Octopus had shown up.
Otto opened his mouth to introduce himself—
"You're hired. Report tomorrow. Your salary and benefits..." Chino interrupted.
Otto stood there, mouth agape, unsure how to react.
"Any questions?" Chino asked.
"...No," Otto muttered in confusion. Was his resume really that impressive?
After Otto left, another confident applicant strode in and began speaking enthusiastically.
"If a disabled man can get hired, I definitely have a shot," he thought to himself.
Tom glanced at his boss. Seeing no objection, he began reviewing the resume. Halfway through, he tossed it directly into the trash.
"You can leave," Tom said coldly.
"Why?" the applicant protested.
"Cruz University shut down fifteen years ago. If you truly graduated from there, you'd be at least twenty-nine years old. Your resume says you're twenty-six. Next time, hire a professional to fake your credentials," Tom stated.
"It was a printing mistake! I'm actually thirty-six," the applicant tried to argue.
"Deadpool, get him out of here," Tom ordered, unwilling to listen to further nonsense.
"Alright, buddy, let's have a little chat outside," Deadpool quipped, dragging the man away like a sack of potatoes.
Chino no longer interfered with the interviews, only glancing at the resumes occasionally to check for familiar names. Tom, on the other hand, remained professional and thorough, carefully evaluating each candidate.
By the end of the day, only two other applicants besides Connors and Otto were accepted.
"Next," Tom called.
The door slowly opened, and in walked a young woman with green hair. Her hands were empty—no resume in sight.
Tom frowned. To him, this seemed like an unprofessional attitude. Nevertheless, he proceeded as required by protocol.
"Please introduce yourself," he requested.
The green-haired girl stared directly at Chino with wide, unblinking eyes.
Tom's frown deepened. He suspected she was just another person trying to seduce the boss for a position, a scenario he'd seen far too often.
"My name is Lorna Dane. I never attended school, and I'm a mutant," she stated plainly.
A mutant?
Chino's interest piqued. Although their job advertisement welcomed mutant applicants, Lorna was the first to show up. The X-Men hadn't arrived yet.
"Can you demonstrate your abilities?" Chino asked curiously.
Lorna's green hair lifted as if alive, swaying gently in the air. She raised her hands, which became surrounded by a shimmering green glow. The metallic objects in the room trembled and floated as though they were dancing to an invisible melody.
"Magnetokinesis? What is your relationship with Magneto?" Chino inquired.
"I don't know him," Lorna answered coldly, her expression darkening at the mention of his name.
"Alright," Chino said, not pressing the matter further. A delighted smile appeared on his face. Today had indeed been a rewarding day.
"Your monthly salary will be fifty thousand dollars, and you may move into the employee dormitory. Do you have any other requests?" he asked.
"I want to stay by your side," Lorna declared firmly.
Chino blinked in surprise at the unusual request. Tom, however, furrowed his brow, sensing something unusual about the girl's intentions.
Lorna, however, stood her ground, her gaze unwavering and determined.
"Why? Don't tell me it's love at first sight—I don't believe in that," Chino said, narrowing his eyes.
"You forgot. In the alley," she replied quietly.
The room fell into silence as Chino's thoughts drifted back.
Tom, meanwhile, was already preparing to pack his things. Clearly, this wasn't an employee—this was the new boss's girlfriend.
"The alley?" Chino murmured to himself. He had only been to an alley twice: once when he found Pamela and once when he rescued a mutant.
"You're that mutant. Why didn't you go to Xavier's School?" he asked, his curiosity resurfacing.
"I don't trust them," Lorna answered simply.
"Sometimes, the most valuable talents come from the most unexpected places."
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