Chapter 100

The interview room buzzed with nervous energy as developers from across Jade City arrived, each hoping to secure a spot on the prestigious God of War project. Sam and Yuna sat side by side, their critical eyes scanning each applicant with a mixture of hope and skepticism.

The first candidate, a lanky developer named Marcus, spoke enthusiastically about his previous work on fantasy simulations. However, his portfolio revealed a lack of depth, and his understanding of narrative design seemed superficial. Sam and Yuna exchanged a subtle glance - another rejection was imminent.

"Tell us about your approach to character development," Yuna prompted, her voice calm but probing.

Marcus fumbled, providing a generic response that revealed more about his inexperience than his potential. Gail, seated at the end of the table, made a small notation in her notebook.

The morning progressed with a parade of candidates. A woman named Elena showed promise with her intricate world-building skills, but her mana reserves were too low to handle the complexity of a B-Rank simulation. Another developer, Alex, demonstrated technical prowess but completely missed the emotional core that Sam and Yuna wanted to capture in their God of War concept.

By lunch, frustration began to set in. Sam drummed his fingers on the table, while Yuna leaned back, her notebook filled with increasingly critical notes. Gail remained composed, her professional demeanor masking any hint of disappointment.

"We're looking for more than just technical skills," Sam explained to a dejected candidate. "This simulation needs to breathe. It needs a soul."

Each interview brought a new wave of candidates, each falling short in their own unique way. Some were too rigid, others too unfocused. Some had impressive technical skills but lacked creative vision, while others were brimming with creativity but couldn't translate their ideas into practical simulation design.

Yuna began to feel the weight of their search. "We can't compromise," she whispered to Sam during a brief break. "This project is too important."

Gail overheard and nodded approvingly. "Quality over quantity," she murmured, refilling her coffee cup.

The afternoon interviews continued, a blur of faces and resumes. Each candidate brought something to the table, yet something crucial was always missing. The perfect combination of technical skill, creative vision, and understanding of the God of War's narrative depth seemed frustratingly elusive.

As the day wore on, Sam and Yuna's initial excitement began to wane. They had interviewed dozens of developers, yet none seemed to truly understand the vision they were trying to create.

The interviews stretched across multiple days, transforming the conference room into a crucible of developer talent. Sam and Yuna sat side by side, their collective gaze growing more discerning with each passing hour. Gail managed the process with her characteristic precision, filtering candidates through a complex matrix of skills, creativity, and potential.

By the end of the third day, they had narrowed down the impressive pool to five promising developers. Each candidate represented a unique approach to simulation design, bringing something distinctive to the table.

Elena Rodriguez (27)

Background: A second-generation developer from the outskirts of Jade City, Elena grew up in a working-class family. Her mother worked as a hospital janitor, while her father repaired simulation equipment. She put herself through developer training by working night shifts and studying during the day. Her specialty was environmental design, with a particular talent for creating immersive landscapes that felt alive and breathing. Elena's mana reserves were modest but growing, and she had a reputation for being able to create intricate world details that most developers overlooked.

Calvin Chen (24)

Background: A prodigy from a wealthy family in Jade City's tech district, Calvin came from a long line of developers. His parents owned a successful simulation design firm, giving him access to top-tier education and training from a young age. Despite his privileged background, Calvin had something to prove. He specialized in character mechanics and had developed several innovative combat systems that caught the attention of mid-tier development studios. His mana reserves were strong, but he struggled with creative storytelling.

Aria Kim (29)

Background: A former Hunter turned developer, Aria brought a unique perspective to simulation design. She had spent five years in active field service before an injury forced her to retire. During her recovery, she discovered a passion for creating simulations that accurately represented combat and survival scenarios. Her experience gave her an unparalleled understanding of how to make a simulation feel authentic. Aria's mana reserves were unpredictable but powerful, and she had a reputation for creating brutally challenging simulations.

David Thompson (32)

Background: An independent developer who had worked on several niche simulation projects, David was known for his unconventional approach to game design. He had spent years traveling between different cities, taking on contract work and building a reputation for innovative problem-solving. His portfolio was eclectic, ranging from survival simulations to complex narrative-driven experiences. David's mana control was inconsistent but showed moments of brilliance that intrigued potential employers.

Sophia Laurent (26)

Background: A transfer from the European simulation development scene, Sophia brought international experience to the table. She had worked on several cross-cultural simulation projects that blended mythological elements from different traditions. Her background in comparative mythology made her particularly interesting for a God of War project. Sophia's mana reserves were carefully cultivated, and she had a reputation for creating deeply emotional narrative experiences that resonated with players.

Sam leaned back in his chair, a sense of accomplishment washing over him. The grueling interview process had finally yielded five exceptional candidates, each bringing unique strengths to the potential God of War simulation project.

Yuna turned to Sam, her eyes bright with excitement. "We did it," she said, her voice a mixture of relief and anticipation.

Gail approached their table, a subtle smile playing on her lips. "Congratulations on finding such promising talent," she said, setting down a folder containing the candidates' detailed profiles.

Sam stood up and extended his hand to Gail. "Thank you for your support throughout this process," he said sincerely. "We couldn't have done this without you."

Yuna nodded in agreement. "Truly, your guidance made all the difference," she added.

Gail waved off their gratitude. "I'm just doing my job," she replied. "And helping out a friend." Her tone was matter-of-fact, but there was warmth in her eyes.

"I'll be contacting the developers next week to start the project," Gail continued. She fixed Sam with a direct gaze. "I expect you to lead them well."

Sam straightened, meeting her look with determination. "I'll do my best," he promised.

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