An Anomaly Occurs

Even someone like Seon Ga-hee or Madric Blood might be able to do it without the Manager Badge. But without it, I wouldn't have even dreamed of trying.

That said, having the badge and its shield meant I could make good use of it. But it wasn't something I could rely on leisurely.

Tick! Tick! Tick! Tick! Tick!

The shield's glow was fading rapidly.

Pop!

Soon enough, the shield vanished completely.

"Stop!"

As I shouted, Zhuque halted the transfer of power.

"Hm."

The shield could hold for about 6 seconds. That meant if I decided to use Zhuque's power, I'd have to settle things within those 6 seconds!

I tried to attempt it again, but a message popped up, leaving me crestfallen.

An 8-hour recharge meant I could use it exactly three times a day if all three charges were full.

Zhuque spoke up.

-You. You possess quite the peculiar treasure.

His words made my eyebrow twitch.

"This came from the military factory you were guarding. You didn't know about it?"

-I was unaware even of the military factory's existence. This main body has slumbered in the crater since separating from the core.

"What about the monsters there? Weren't they under your control?"

-Do you think this main body would waste time playing soldier with lowly vermin?

"I see."

I figured the god who built this Hunter Stock Company had tossed Zhuque in for the stage's theme.

"A Vermilion Bird born from within the crater. Gotta admit, it's pretty cool."

-Kuhuhu!

While waiting for the next shield cooldown, I decided to test one more ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠thing.

"Zhuque. As the master of the sealed soul, I command you. Appear!"

Vmmm.

The Sealed Sword began to resonate.

In truth, this was the real power of the Sealed Sword, but I wasn't expecting much. If it couldn't even summon Angelica, how could it handle Zhuque?

But Zhuque said something unexpected.

-Hm? For some reason, it feels like I could go outside!

"What? For real?"

-Hehehe... Hahahaha! Stay right there! This main body will step out and reduce you to ashes down to your bones!

Whoosh!

Flames soon erupted from the blade, forming a single orb.

"This is..."

The sun I'd seen on Floor 14! Right here, Zhuque was awakening.

But it was smaller. Much smaller than before.

Crack!

The creature inside let out a cry.

-Piiiik!

Flap flap.

It flapped its wings furiously.

-Piiiik...?

I muttered as I stared at the puzzled Zhuque.

"Fire bird?"

It looked exactly like the monsters from Floor 14. Cute enough to fit in my palm. It had even lost its ability to speak.

-Pii, piiiik!!

Unable to contain its rage, it flew at me and started pecking my head with its beak.

-Peck, peck, peck, peck, peck!

"Ow!"

That was when salvation arrived.

"Uh?!"

"Huh?"

"Whoa!"

Splash! Clang! Thud!

From all around, daggers, water jets, spells, and magic flew in, striking Zhuque.

-Piiiieeeek!

Fwoosh...

Zhuque let out a death cry and the summoning ended.

"What happened, Hunter Kim?"

I straightened my clothes and spoke calmly to the gathered employees.

"Just a little commotion. Sorry about that."

"Did you learn spirit arts?"

"Uh... something like that."

"Fire spirits are known for their fierce tempers. You need to train them properly from the low ranks so they don't bite their master. If you need advice, I ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠can help."

"..."

I nodded. The one who'd spoken was Alvin Taylor, a section chief spiritist like me. He could wield all four great elements: water, wind, earth, and fire. He'd survived a long time in my previous life, so he stuck in my memory.

But why was he being friendly? He wasn't even in the Safety Planning Department.

The training grounds belonged to Safety Planning but were open to all employees, like the medical office in Health and Welfare.

Anyway, I didn't need his help right now, so I politely declined.

"I'll ask if I need it later."

"Whenever you're ready."

The employees soon dispersed to their duties. I gritted my teeth and spoke to the Sealed Sword.

"What the hell was that, Zhuque?"

-...

It stayed silent.

"Hah. Fine, playing it like that, huh?"

I raised the Sealed Sword high.

-Gasp! I was just thinking! When this main body emerged, I lost my reason. But I don't know why.

Clang!

-Argh!

"Don't bullshit me! I heard everything you said during the summoning."

-Th-that's when my reason started slipping. Maybe it'll improve with repetition.

"Fix it next time."

-I'll try.

"Alright, let's try summoning again."

-No need. I think I know why I can't manifest my full power.

I had a hunch myself.

"My capabilities as the summoner are lacking?"

-More precisely, I can regain my power to the extent of the constellation you've awakened.

I grinned at the unexpected news.

"So I can use that constellation power too?"

-Try it yourself. But this time, endure as long as you can, even without the shield.

"Got it."

I signaled, and it transferred power again.

"Shield."

Skipping the process, about 5 seconds into maintaining the shield...

One second left. I sensed an unprecedented power surging within me. I instinctively knew how to use this constellation's power.

Southern Seven Mansions (Zhuque Chapter) 1st Star, Well Lodge.

Fwoosh!

In that instant, flames enveloped my body as I charged forward at an insane speed that would make even lightness skill masters gasp.

I closed the 20-meter gap in a blink and swung my sword at the training mannequin.

Slash.

"...!"

This mannequin was designed to withstand a full-power strike from a manager-level employee. Even if Cherubim hurled an angel ring, it wouldn't slice clean like this.

I forgot the intense pain from the fading shield. My mind was cool enough to appreciate the result.

"Impressive."

I couldn't help but exclaim.

Zhuque ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠spoke in a proud tone.

-Speed is power! That is the ability of the first star.

His words reminded me of Einstein's E=MC².

Then, memories of facing Zhuque on Floor 14 flashed back—the time it tried to impale me with this power. Without Robert, I'd be dead. I should thank him sometime.

Zhuque continued.

-Anyway, now I have no choice but to cooperate with you, like it or not. Tsk tsk tsk.

"Obviously."

I had to awaken the constellations for him to regain his full power. This forced his full cooperation, which was great for me.

As I was about to store the Sealed Sword, I realized I'd almost overlooked something important.

"By the way, Zhuque. The second try succeeded in 5 seconds. What's the difference?"

-Hmm... Indeed peculiar.

"It's your power. You don't know?"

-I provide the power, but the medium transmitting it is this sword you've never seen before. If you didn't make the Sealed Sword, ask its original owner.

"Hm."

I wanted to. The original owner was Lubrid, but he showed no signs of waking inside the sword.

I tried rousing him, but no response. Wasting a seal slot like this.

"We'll figure that out later. First, let's settle your title properly."

-Hm?

I raised the Sealed Sword skyward. Couldn't have my loyal subordinate calling me "you" like that.

-Gasp!

Sorry, Angelica, but... I'd treat her better from now on.

Clang!

Tough sword, as always.

"Huff, huff."

I wasn't about to dismiss Zhuque's advice lightly. Even if perfect mind-body-spirit unity was distant, I couldn't skip trying.

As the saying goes, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

I decided to start the body training Zhuque mentioned.

As I sat and stood in place repeatedly, Zhuque commented.

-An excellent exercise, Master.

For better results, I switched to one of the big three: 5,000 squats!

Angelica called it unseemly, but Gwak Do-cheol lit up and joined in immediately. He'd grasped the greatness of the big three like Zhuque.

"Oh! Such an efficient external martial training method. Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"Uh... I didn't think you needed it, Mr. Gwak."

"Nonsense! From now on, 3,000 daily."

Bodyweight 5,000 wasn't hard for me. Even without qi back then, I could do 1,000 in an hour. As a section chief now, 5,000 was easy.

But time was limited. What's the point if a day ends before finishing? Unless I used deep qi for speed or had time-stop powers.

Image training for placebo might let me train while walking.

Lost in thought, I muttered.

"...Mind, technique, body."

\The will that holds goals firmly in mind (\Heart and Spirit\).\

\The skill to approach goals with qi or abilities (\Technique\).\

\The stamina to persist through blood and sweat (\Body\).\

Thus, harmony of mind, technique, body!

A sudden epiphany hit me. Not under a waterfall like some sage, but mid-squat. I realized I was modern at heart, despite learning martial arts.

Vmmm.

Energy swirled around me, then calmly seeped in. It happened in an instant.

"Haha. Congratulations, young Kim."

I dusted off my pants and asked Gwak Do-cheol.

"Did I grow?"

He nodded heavily.

"That realization broke the wall. Your qi will accumulate quickly now. A day or two of meditation, and you'll reach Peak smoothly."

I scratched my head. One step up, but no great joy—just itchy skin. Craved it from below, but now it felt meh.

"Can I learn all Black Moon Tyrant Sword forms now?"

"Of course. Rest up, then we'll start."

Swordplay needs basics, but at Peak, qi crushes flaws.

I bid Gwak Do-cheol farewell and headed to my quarters. Meditation aside, I needed rest. No one would believe I'd been training after nearly dying recently—but here I was.

As I left the training grounds, a message appeared.

"Ah."

Time already? Guess I'd swing by the factory.

But the messages continued.

"Huh?"

"What?"

"What's going on?"

"A message from... the 'upper floors'."

"Department war declaration?"

"Nah, no way."

Employees reacted variably. But I was the most shocked. This never happened in my previous life.

What the hell?

There were a few reasons for company-wide assemblies.

"The military factory maybe?"

I muttered, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠but no certainty.

One thing was sure: I'd changed history, so the future changed too.