"—Welcome to the real [Astronomy Club]!"
These words left Eriri thoroughly confused. Fortunately, as a seasoned otaku, she quickly regained her composure under Utaha's explanation and grasped the situation:
"So... I've joined a mysterious organisation called the 'Astronomy Club'?"
"You could add the word 'nascent' before Astronomy Club."
As he spoke, Luo Shu walked to the refrigerator, thought of cola, and upon opening it, found a 500ml can of cola placed inside.
'It really works...'
He mused internally while retrieving the cola, popping the tab, and taking a sip – the familiar taste confirmed it was genuine:
"Due to special circumstances, I established the Astronomy Club. Currently, you and Utaha are the first members."
Hearing Luo Shu's explanation, Utaha shot him a slightly reproachful look, as if blaming him for revealing the actual situation to Eriri.
But for Luo Shu, honesty often held more value than deception.
After all, once Eriri became part of his Familia, they would share a bond closer than family – partners who would prosper or perish together.
Under such circumstances, Luo Shu naturally had no intention of concealing basic information.
Of course, this was also to prevent Eriri from misjudging the strength of the 'Astronomy Club' if she encountered trouble, which could lead to a tragic outcome.
"A newly established secret organisation, and I'm among the first members..."
Hearing this, Eriri felt her head buzzing as her worldview shattered into pieces.
"Can I quit?" Eriri's words didn't come as a surprise to Luo Shu.
If someone else had dragged him into a newly established, unpromising organisation without even a clear purpose, he would have refused, too.
However, having anticipated this, Luo Shu naturally had a prepared persuasion plan.
Holding a cola, he sat on the sofa in the centre of the living room and said to Eriri, who was squatting on the floor in poor posture:
"Don't you want to hear about the benefits we offer?"
A flicker of curiosity flashed in Eriri's eyes, as if Luo Shu's consistently friendly demeanour had given her a bit more confidence:
"Isn't your organisation just starting out? What benefits could you possibly offer?"
Hearing this, Luo Shu didn't bother with empty talk and went straight to the point:
"Formal members receive a free ability awakening, fifty internal 'points' per month, and minimal interference in private lives outside of mandatory missions."
"In other words, if there are no missions, even if you slack off for seven days a week, the organisation won't consider it absenteeism."
"Additionally, we provide medical check-ups every six months, free trial use of shared items within the organisation, and cover all medical and equipment expenses during missions."
"As for unexpected income from missions, the organisation will offer points for recovery, though you can also keep it for personal use."
"These are the basic benefits for now."
"Wait a minute."
At this point, Utaha Kasumigaoka temporarily interrupted the conversation, pulling Luo Shu's hand and lowering her voice:
"Are you insane?"
"Can you actually afford all this? Just the energy expenditure alone would be troublesome, wouldn't it?"
During the conversation, Utaha instantly understood that the so-called 'points' were actually Energy Points. Precisely because of this, she found Luo Shu's promise of fixed monthly payments exasperating.
"I'm not being reckless."
Luo Shu lowered his voice. Thanks to both of them having abilities now, their heightened senses allowed for somewhat covert communication.
After all, speaking softly meant Eriri couldn't hear clearly, while Luo Shu and Utaha could understand each other perfectly.
"According to my 'God's Servant', after gaining a Familia member, it can provide me with 100 Energy Points every month."
"Based on that, this income alone covers the fixed monthly Energy Point expenditures for both you and Eriri. Not to mention, once Eriri becomes part of the Familia, I'll gain another fixed monthly income."
"As for the free ability awakening, that's an inherent benefit of joining the Familia—it doesn't require my input. As for mission-related medical and equipment costs, aside from essential medical care, with fifty points per month, how high-quality equipment could you even buy?"
"Besides, aren't we the ones setting the prices for items and abilities in the shop anyway?"
Luo Shu subtly hinted at the 'pricing' issue, attempting to draw Utaha Kasumigaoka into the capitalist logic he had constructed.
Hearing Luo Shu's explanation, Utaha's expression became slightly uncomfortable.
She never expected that after becoming a Familia member, she could actually provide Luo Shu with Energy Points. Fortunately, this energy came just in time; otherwise, the current situation would have been challenging to handle.
"If calculated this way, you can indeed afford to provide this kind of benefit..."
With this thought, Utaha Kasumigaoka released Luo Shu's shoulder, sighed, and stepped aside.
Just as Utaha was persuaded by Luo Shu, Eriri glanced at them and raised her hand:
"Wait, I have a question. Can those points be bought with cash?"
"Huh?"
Hearing this, not just Utaha but even Luo Shu now had subtle expressions.
'Could points be purchased with money?'
'Rich girl, are you trying to reveal your hand to us now?'
Though this thought flashed through his mind, considering their current meagre points, Luo Shu gritted his teeth and said:
"Currently, that kind of exchange isn't supported."
"Is that so..." Eriri noted with deep regret.
Clearly, Eriri wasn't a fool. For an organisation like the Astronomy Club that dealt with supernatural powers, points issued as salaries must have extraordinary uses.
For example, purchasing magical supernatural items, extending lifespan, enhancing beauty—miracles like these. With her extensive reading of anime and manga, Eriri could easily guess such possibilities.
It was a shame Luo Shu didn't allow exchanges. Otherwise, she would have happily bought some points at a rate of 10,000 yen per point.
Although the money she earned from selling doujinshi at conventions was in her mother's managed account, she could still easily access between 20 and 30 million yen in cash.
"Seems like you're quite satisfied with the benefits..."
Seeing Eriri's disappointed expression, Luo Shu inwardly sighed in relief.
Though he'd never actually established an organisation or company before, he understood the principle of 'discussing money with employees, not emotions.'
From the start, he believed that economic incentives were essential when building an organisation. One couldn't expect to freeload just because the other party was his Familia.
Thus, Luo Shu had set a fixed monthly salary of 50 points, calculated based on Utaha's monthly output of 100 Energy Points.
In Luo Shu's estimation, 1 point equalled 1 Energy Point, so 50 points meant 50 Energy Points per month.
At first glance, this seemed like a 50-50 split—one Familia member supporting two people. But Luo Shu knew that in the Astronomy Club's early stages, expenses like bases, equipment, and medical costs would take up at least 20-30%.
In other words, his actual profit from one Familia member might only be around 20%—a ratio that could almost qualify him as a philanthropist among capitalists.
Of course, since the output was essentially provided by the system, Luo Shu wasn't really losing much. In fact, once the organisation grew, he might even have a surplus.
Given this, as an admittedly unprofessional exploiter, Luo Shu felt that squeezing more from his Familia would be somewhat unethical.
Though he still felt a twinge of pain over the Energy Points, since the current members were all girls he'd had a soft spot for in his past life, he didn't mind being generous.
After all, it was free money—would he really feel bad giving it to the girls? Of course not. But if it were cash, yen, or dollars? That would hurt like hell.
Because he was genuinely broke.
Hearing Luo Shu's teasing, Eriri didn't seem particularly embarrassed but instead asked curiously:
"But what exactly can the points be used for? Could you explain?"
Upon hearing this, Luo Shu modified the system's explanatory introduction slightly:
"You can use them to purchase superpowers or items with special abilities through internal channels (the system's ability store). Of course, advancing abilities also requires spending points to buy corresponding materials."
"But that's only after you join, Sawamura-kun. If you decide not to join, I can still provide something like those memory-erasing gadgets from manga that work with just a snap."
Hearing this, Utaha Kasumigaoka leaned in again and whispered teasingly: "You'd really let her leave?"
"Snap to erase memories, then ask again if she wants to join. It's not that difficult. I've checked—500 points per attempt. She can't possibly refuse over a dozen times, right?"
Luo Shu's shameless reply made Utaha burst out laughing.
Glancing at Utaha, whose shoulders were shaking from suppressed laughter, Luo Shu turned back to Eriri and asked:
"So, Sawamura-kun, what's your answer? Can you tell me now?"
"My answer..." Eriri blinked, then flashed a sly smile.