25. I Am at the Peak
I reveled in this peak sensation. I am at the Peak. I am at the Peak. I channeled my momentum and charged toward the next Flame Drake.
There was no need to worry about the miscellaneous monsters like Lizardmen nearby.
Bang! Bang! Thwack! Rat-tat-tat-tat! Splatter-splatter-splat.
The Lizardmen swarming around me were being sniped by Section Chief Cherubim.
Choi Heejeong looked puzzled as she said,
"Didn't you say it was manual control? It seems like multiple turrets are activating."
What did it matter if it was this way or that?
"Just aim well."
"That's true."
"How about we split into two teams?"
"That sounds fun. Heh heh."
"C-can we do that?"
"Call me if it gets dangerous."
At some point, we'd started acting separately. With my current strength, I figured I could handle a Flame Drake solo.
And my prediction was spot on.
Kraaaargh!
My initial moves weren't fully perfected yet, and I lacked a proper footwork technique, so it was tough. Still, I could overwhelm it with my seemingly bottomless inner energy. I still had one barrier left, so no worries there.
That was around when the Safety Planning Department racked up about 2,800 points.
"……."
"Huff, huff."
"Haa. Is it finally over?"
The arena fell silent. No more monsters appeared.
Snap! Snap! Kim Hansu flicked his fingers repeatedly.
He smirked and said,
"Way easier than this morning. They said the difficulty was ramped up."
"Of course. Every department was defending together back then."
We'd both entered Floor 14 back then—the Safety Planning Department and the HR Innovation Department. With both directors safe in the lobby now, there was no need to use ultimate skills.
Soon, a message appeared visible to all employees.
Downsizing has ended.
Employees who worked hard for the company, thank you for your efforts.
Please do your best again tomorrow.
"Jeez. It's not like anyone's mocking us."
"Feels like a total dog."
Everyone glared at the message, clenching their fists. But there was nothing we could do. No target to vent on right in front of us.
I shifted my gaze to the scoreboard. The rankings were finalized.
The Safety Planning Department took first with 2,816 points—nearly double the HR Innovation Department's score in second place.
"Grr……."
I glanced at Director Seon Ga-hee, who was gripping her fist tightly. She looked frustrated. Fair enough; if she'd been in decent shape, the gap wouldn't have been this wide.
Soon, each department head gathered their subordinates. That's when a transmission came from Section Chief Cherubim.
"Why don't you come yourself, Section Chief Cherubim? The situation's over."
"……."
Crackle. The comms cut off immediately.
Choi Heejeong groaned.
"Ugh…… We don't have to move all this, do we?"
"We're still getting resource supplies. Can't you and Kim Hansu handle it?"
"My head's starting to hurt."
He'd used his ability a lot.
"Then we'll get the other employees to help."
We couldn't move three Flame Drakes by ourselves.
I relayed the request to Madric Blood.
"You want me to move their corpses?"
"Yes. To the command center."
"No need to move the employees. 'Tis a simple task."
She gestured in the air, and pools of blood formed in various spots. The Flame Drake corpses were sucked right into them.
Come to think of it, Madric Blood could do stuff like this. I'd forgotten since we rarely crossed paths.
Moments later, after absorbing all the corpses, she said,
"I'll deliver them to the command center."
"Thank you, Director."
"Heh heh."
Madric Blood let out a soft chuckle and looked up. Following her gaze, the plaza's large monitor flickered on. The branch manager appeared again.
— Wow! I didn't expect you'd block it this easily? Should I have asked the shareholders to make it harder? Kuh hah hah hah.
"What about the promised rewards?"
— Oh, that? Don't worry. I don't lie. I've prepared suitable compensation. I'll send it over soon—divide it up yourselves.
The branch manager seemed a bit psycho, but true to his word, he didn't lie. If he promised, the rewards were guaranteed.
— The reason I'm showing up again is because the listing review for Hunter Stock Company looks very positive. Our 17th Branch played a pivotal role. The shareholders' full involvement has been moved up significantly.
The branch manager paused for a beat before continuing.
— Who knows? You might meet them sooner than expected. Look forward to a bright future, everyone. Kuh hah hah!
Crackle-crackle. He vanished faster than before.
Choi Heejeong sighed and said,
"I wanted a shower ASAP, but good thing."
"Me too."
It really had been exhausting today. With Section Chief Cherubim's resource supply cut off, my body felt like lead.
Director Madric Blood was supposed to teach me Blood Impact tonight, but we'd postpone to tomorrow. Rest and building inner energy via Blood Cycle came first.
With everything wrapped up, employees headed back to their departments. On the way to the Safety Planning Department, Choi Heejeong suddenly asked me,
"What do you think happens if this company goes public?"
It didn't seem like she expected an answer, but since I was thinking the same, I gave a hint.
"Who knows. Maybe the shareholders will start watching. Our company life."
A good number of shareholders were probably eyeing the 17th Branch by now. Whether department head-level powerhouses or promising prospects below them, they'd approach standouts.
No—they definitely would.
Truth be told, I was a bit excited about that. In my previous life, the shareholders never found me. But now?
They'd come for sure. No doubt.
Arriving at the Safety Planning Department grounds, a massive supply crate sat there.
Riiip. Director Madric Blood sliced open the packaging with her nails.
The employees' eyes widened at the contents.
"Booze!"
"Whoa…… I was dying for a smoke."
The branch manager's reward was none other than luxury goods. Cases of booze, smokes, and all sorts of snacks piled high.
"Take what you want, according to your conscience."
Meaning, take only what matched your contributions from the downsizing.
Everyone grabbed what they wanted. With the director overseeing, they all showed plenty of restraint.
High-scorers could hug armfuls.
"Uahaha!"
One dashed off, grin ear-to-ear, clutching like someone might snatch it away.
This company lacked stress-relief outlets, so these were precious.
Meanwhile, Choi Heejeong, biting her nails, muttered,
"Wonder if there's coffee?"
"You like coffee?"
"Yeah. Get anxious if I skip a day."
No wonder she'd started nail-biting when the branch manager appeared. She didn't even realize she was doing it.
Her face lit up soon enough.
"Ah, there is! Want some coffee, Jeongha?"
"Nah. Craving something sweet."
"Total baby taste buds."
"Y-yeah."
I scanned the pile, pretending to ponder while heading to the back.
"Found it."
Spotting my target, my eyes sparkled. A small wooden box, small enough for my palm. Cleverly hidden among the crates—easy to miss without looking closely.
I snatched it quick and pocketed it. Then grabbed some fruit juice and sodas.
As I turned to leave, Madric Blood said,
"Is that really all? You deserve more. Everyone would agree."
I glanced around. Some envious looks, but no objections.
"In that case, I won't hold back."
I grabbed a few snacks.
"You can take more."
"This is enough."
"I shan't offer thrice."
"Yes, ma'am."
They looked relieved, hiding it well. Probably fretted I'd clean out the haul.
Luxuries served as employee currency, but weren't essentials. I'd already snagged the real reward.
With duties done, I returned to my dorm.
"Home. Sweet home."
Twenty years since joining this company. This was basically my house now.
Back in my room, I showered and sat on the bed. Then pulled out the wooden box from my pocket.
The branch manager often hid these in supply drops.
"This is the real reward."
Service snacks, essentially.
— Master. You know you're a real greedy guts, right?
"Why?"
— You've been hogging all the stage rewards so far. Share a little. You grabbed it quick so no one'd see, huh?
"Gotta save myself first. Means getting stronger."
My life was precious.
— Sigh. If only your sister could see you like this.
I stowed the Sealed Sword under the bed and opened the box.
Wonder what was inside.
The contents revealed themselves.
"Capsules."
One red, one blue.
"Check info."
◈ Recovers internal and external injuries to the body.
◈ Recovers energy needed for martial power, mana, or superpowers.
"Not bad."
Actually, pretty great. Consumables, sure, but just one each was like carrying spare lives.
Hard to get even with solid achievements—the branch manager must've been in a good mood.
I tucked the capsules back in the box and lay down. Time to prep for tomorrow.
Morning has arrived.
All employees, please perform your duties.
The third morning since my regression dawned.
On the way to wash up and head to the cafeteria, I ran into Kim Hansu and Choi Heejeong.
"Good morning, Jeongha. Not sure if it's appropriate here, though."
Who could be "good" after being dragged into this company? Still, no better greeting.
"Good morning, Heejeong."
I turned to Kim Hansu.
"You're up surprisingly early."
"Huh? I always wake early. Makes naps sweeter. Heh heh."
"I see."
I went to the cafeteria with them.
No sign of Gwak Do-cheol there either. Probably up at dawn, ate early, and now training.
He spent most days there. I needed training too, but wanted to savor breakfast leisurely.
Choi Heejeong spoke up.
"Do we have to raid stages again today?"
I shook my head.
"Safety Planning Department will lay low for a bit. Even with priority, hogging clears would rile other departments."
She patted her chest in relief.
"Good. Honestly, I want a break."
Same here—more like securing time to refine my martial arts.
Kim Hansu changed topics.
"Jeongha hyung. Seen the new hires from yesterday?"
New interns arrived every morning. Numbers varied, but with daily deaths, it was routine.
"Huh? No. Why?"
"Saw some interesting ones. Come check with me."
"Hmm……."
New hires from my own onboarding batch. Truth be told, I didn't know who was who back then. Struggling to adapt left no room for that.
No time to wonder about daily newbies either.
So I nodded.
"Sure."
You never know. Might be someone I recognize.