Solo Dungeon Streamer-I Am Overpowered

Chapter 112: Early Bird Interview

"So, why did you come here for just a simple interview?"

"Well, I wanted to see the people who might become my coworkers, right?"

It's the end of February, and while my classmates were still stressed out with their entrance exams, most of them had calmed down after the early admissions ended and were now preparing for graduation with a relaxed attitude. Of course, a few looked like they'd already lost hope, probably because things didn't go as planned for them.

While my peers were busy with their studies, I was here in Shibuya, organizing the office space I had leased near the station. I had to move in a bunch of furniture and shelves, as well as some office equipment to make sure the place was functional. Oddly enough, Asakawa-san was helping me out with it all, even though she didn't have to.

She always said she wanted to see the business take off and was always willing to lend a hand.

After all, this was a big step for me—this office would be the base for the new company I'd just started. The interviews today would be for dungeon streamers and staff, and I had a lot riding on this. Honestly, I was a little nervous, but I trusted my gut when it came to reading people. Besides, I wasn't interested in grilling the candidates with boring, formal questions.

I just needed a feel for whether they'd fit in or not.

At the scheduled time, I sat down in front of the computer, turned on the camera, and connected to the first candidate. The screen blinked to life, revealing a young man in his late twenties, dressed in a suit and looking extremely nervous. I had specifically mentioned in the email that casual attire was fine, but I guess wearing a suit for interviews is ingrained in Japanese culture.

"Hello, this is Tsukasa Kisaragi."

"H-hello... the real deal!"

"Yep, it's really me."

I mean, if a fake showed up, that'd be a different kind of interview, wouldn't it? I chuckled to myself.

"Can you introduce yourself briefly? I've got your resume here, so no need for the details."

"Ah, yes! My name is R-Rintaro Dobayashi!"

"...Panda?"

"P-Panda?! H-how did you know that...?"

I glanced down at his resume again. Rintaro Dobayashi was a 29-year-old dungeon explorer with a D-rank, which was pretty decent. His voice, though, sounded strangely familiar. I took a wild guess—based on the nickname I remembered hearing in dungeon streaming circles—and, lo and behold, I was right.

"So, Panda means you're the streamer Dodo Rinrin, right? I didn't expect an active dungeon streamer for the first interview!"

"Wait, I'm the first one!?"

"Yep. Honestly, I had a lot of applicants, so I cut a bunch of people based on their documents. I didn't want to waste time interviewing every single one."

To be honest, the sheer number of applications I received caught me off guard. I hadn't expected so many people to be interested in joining a small startup like mine. But by reviewing resumes and dungeon explorer licenses, I could get a rough idea of each candidate. If I ended up missing out on a great talent, well, that'd just be my responsibility.

Dodo Rinrin, also known as Panda, had been a dungeon streamer for a while now. He'd always joked on his streams about wanting to join a company, but I didn't think he'd actually apply. His real name was Rintaro Dobayashi, but viewers started calling him Panda because his streamer name, Dodo Rinrin, apparently sounded cute and cuddly like a panda.

The nickname had stuck, and now it seemed like part of his brand.

"Shall we continue with the interview?"

"Y-yes, please!"

"Are you okay with being called Panda by your viewers?"

"W-well, if it makes it easier for them, I guess it's fine..."

"Good to know. You're hired."

"Wait, isn't that a bit too fast?"

"Whoa!? Asagao-san is here too...?" Panda exclaimed, noticing Asakawa in the background for the first time.

I might seem hasty, but when it comes to someone with Panda's popularity and talent, there's no reason to delay things. His personality, willingness to adapt, and his established audience made him a perfect fit. Plus, he'd always been clear about wanting to join a company, so why not give him that opportunity?

"Dobayashi-san, I'd like you to continue working as Dodo Rinrin. Your current audience knows you as Panda, and you've always expressed a desire to go corporate, so there won't be any disconnect with your viewers."

"W-wow, you're really informed!"

"Well, I've done my homework on promising dungeon streamers."

Dungeon streaming is a competitive field. Many of the popular streamers focus on exploring the middle levels of dungeons, playing it relatively safe to build up their audience. But Panda was different. He liked to explore various dungeons, and he wasn't afraid to push the boundaries a bit. That, combined with his potential as a dungeon explorer, made him a strong candidate.

"Alright, we'll wrap things up here. I'll send you the paperwork. Do you prefer physical copies or digital?"

"P-physical, please..."

"Got it."

"Is it really okay for this to be so casual?" Panda asked, sounding unsure.

"For small offices like ours, it's usually like this. I don't see the need to drag things out longer than necessary."

"So this is what the new generation's like... you guys are too bright for an old man like me."

Panda was a genuinely fun person. He had a vibe that was different from anyone else I'd met so far, but I could see similarities to people like Aizawa-san, who I respected a lot.

After wrapping up the call, I felt good. Landing someone like Panda right off the bat was a big win, and it gave me a little confidence boost for the rest of the interviews.

"Is this how you normally handle interviews?" Asakawa asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Why not? I trust my instincts. Besides, I don't think my judgment is that bad."

"Your judgment isn't bad, but sometimes your perspective goes in unexpected directions."

"My thinking?"

"No, your viewpoint."

Maybe she was right. But I didn't see it as a flaw, so I shrugged it off.

"Alright, let's get to the next interview. Looks like the others are waiting."

"Do you always tell people immediately if they're hired?"

"No, I only did that with Panda because he's already established and I'm confident he'll be a great fit. For the other candidates, I'll send them an email later with the results."

With Panda on board, I now had four confirmed streamers. Ideally, I'd like to recruit another two or three people, preferably beginners who hadn't started exploring dungeons yet. While experienced streamers have their advantages, there's also value in nurturing new talent. It would be great if people started seeing our company as a place where they could grow into skilled explorers.

"By the way, what's with the company name?" Asakawa asked suddenly.

"What about it?"

"early bird? What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means 'early riser.' You know, like the saying: 'The early bird gets the worm.' It's a phrase I like."

It was a simple name, but I figured something easy to remember would help. Besides, I genuinely believed in the benefits of waking up early and getting a head start on things. Maybe I'd even make it the company's motto—"The early bird gets the worm."

It wasn't just a name; it was an approach to life and business.

By the end of the day, we had gone through multiple interviews. Each one had its own unique energy, but none quite like Panda's. I felt good about where things were heading, and despite the challenges that lay ahead, I knew we were building something special.

It wasn't just about me anymore—this company would soon be a place where dungeon explorers could thrive and share their adventures with the world. Read latest stories on mvl

With that thought, I closed my laptop and glanced around the half-furnished office. There was still a lot to do, but I felt a sense of accomplishment. This was the start of something big, and I was ready for it.