This Might Be Fate Too
Still just a rookie with no legends or anything to his name yet. But I had no doubt he'd be useful in keeping Jo In-ho in check.
I asked Lee Jun-yeol casually, “So, what's your Gift like?”
“I can't tell you that. You know how it is.”
As expected, he had the basics down. He'd already lived in a world where Gifts truly existed. No way he'd fall for something like that.
Well, I already knew anyway. I shrugged.
“Just checking.”
“But... once the rank determination's done, does that make you my boss?”
“We'll see after you take the test.”
“One more thing. Why am I the only one from our department getting a rank determination?”
It was a perfectly natural question. How could I make him understand easily? I pondered for a moment, then remembered he was a battle-hardened veteran and answered bluntly.
“The other employees might die tomorrow, that's why.”
Rank determinations were only for promising candidates, to avoid wasting manpower, time, and resources on the pointless ones. In the company's early days, things were a bit haphazard due to shortages everywhere.
“I see.”
“Yeah.”
It was then.
“We're here.”
We'd already arrived at the Technical Information Department grounds. I asked Alvin Taylor, “Rank determination first, right?”
He nodded. “We're short-staffed training new hires anyway, so you're busy. That much time should be fine.”
“Then let's go.”
“Mm.”
We were just about to head to the testing area when—
“Hey there.”
Someone approached with graceful, mystical steps. It was the Plum Blossom Sword Master.
I asked him, “Awake already?”
“Hm? You saw that?”
“I was there too. Everyone saw it.”
“Damn it. I showed an unsightly side. Forget you ever saw it. More importantly, do you know where this testing area is?”
As I suspected. He was here for a rank determination too.
“Perfect timing—we're headed there ourselves. Care to join us?”
“Mm, if you would.”
And just like that, we teamed up with the Plum Blossom Sword Master by chance. As we walked, he gave a brief self-introduction. His name was Lee Gun, and he had tremendous pride in himself. At a young age, he'd risen to the top among the Plum Blossom Sword Masters, so it was warranted.
Everything here was believe-it-or-not, but I was curious how the top Plum Blossom Sword Master rated Director Seon Ga-hee.
Lee Gun's eyebrows twitched. “That director fellow? Hmph... tsk.”
He clicked his tongue once, then spoke in a displeased tone.
“Hate to admit it, but he seemed on par with our Mount Hua Sect's sect leader.”
“And what's that sect leader's level?”
“A clear-cut Super Apex master.”
Super Apex by Murim standards, with “clear-cut” thrown in—probably mid-to-upper tier. About what I'd figured.
Gwak Do-cheol had said I'd reached Peak enlightenment. How long until that “Super” prefix?
Soon, Alvin Taylor pointed to the glass-walled area inside.
“That's the testing area. You've been here before, Kim Hunter.”
Lee Gun looked puzzled. “I don't see anything. Is it some kind of sparring?”
I answered his question. “There's an employee simulator inside. It recreates virtual monsters or specific scenarios.”
“...What do you mean?”
“You can fight beasts through mechanisms and illusions.”
“Fascinating.”
“You first.”
“Very well.”
With that, Lee Gun entered the testing area. The Technical Information Department's setup wasn't huge yet—similar to the sim Kim Hansu and I had done.
“Hah!”
He clashed with the rotating sawblade, cloaked in the violet sword aura I'd seen earlier.
Creeeeak.
Sparks flew as metal met metal. His blade held firm—befitting a Plum Blossom Sword Master.
“Hm.”
Alvin Taylor seemed impressed too, gauging his prowess.
As we watched his virtual battle—
Vrrr.
The Sealed Sword vibrated.
Who could it be?
—Hey, Master.
It was Angelica.
“Yeah?”
—Someone's hiding nearby.
“Where?”
—Behind that pillar.
I stared at the space behind the pillar as Angelica said.
“Who's there?”
Nothing. What the—? Did she trick me?
The thought had just crossed my mind when—
Shhht.
A translucent silhouette appeared. It solidified into a ninja in tights.
The rookie from this morning.
Lee Jun-yeol and Alvin Taylor turned at my voice. The ninja approached me.
Alvin Taylor spoke first. “You got here early too. Why hide?”
“Do I owe you an answer?”
Right—they were from the same department.
Alvin Taylor glanced at Lee Gun in the tester, then nodded. “Soon enough.”
Shing!
That made the ninja draw her wakizashi.
“Big talk.”
Her intent was clear: she wouldn't obey the weak.
Alvin Taylor chuckled. “Neat trick. But you think you can take us all?”
“...?”
I never said fight?
But I had to draw my sword.
—Master. I sense killing intent.
As Zhuque spoke, the ninja lunged at me with her blade.
“Why me?!”
She replied flatly. “Kill the weakest first. Textbook.”
“...”
True intent or bait? She seemed to target me—the sword-bearer—over the enigmatic Alvin Taylor, testing the waters.
No backing down now. Honestly, I wanted to cross blades.
Clang!
I shoved hard against her parrying sword.
Managed that fine. My strength edged hers out. Not Peak master level, at least. Probably Section Chief like me.
But she had an ace.
Shhht.
Hand seals—and she vanished again.
Then—
“Spirits of water!”
Whoosh!
The summoned water spirit sprayed everywhere.
“Invisibility's useless now.”
As Alvin Taylor said. Water droplets traced a human shape darting about.
“...Hmph!”
The ninja dropped stealth and retreated.
Scouting, but I wouldn't let her.
Alvin Taylor agreed. He conjured water spears in the air.
We exchanged glances and struck together.
...Or tried to.
Bang! Thud! Crash!
Her blade shattered, clattering across the floor with metallic rings.
“...”
Pssht.
Smoke trailed from Lee Jun-yeol's sniper rifle barrel.
He spoke dryly. “Not a miss. Move, and your head's next.”
The ninja glared at him. Her mask twitched.
“...Impressive weapon. But not ideal up close.”
Click!
Lee Jun-yeol racked the bolt.
“Test it if you want.”
“...”
She raised her hands in surrender.
Classic Lee Jun-yeol. The Bullet Master indeed.
The ninja grumbled, “Fine, you're strong. But 3-on-1's unfair.”
I sheathed the Sealed Sword and approached.
“Ninjas I knew weren't so chatty.”
“...Tch.”
Losers stay silent!
Standing before her, I eyed the mask over her lower face. Just wanted to see it.
“Should've brought poison...”
Stunning beauty. Her tights hugged every curve—art in human form. Shame she'd switch to a suit soon.
Soaked through, eyes wandered.
—Sigh...
Why Angelica sighed, who knows. Anyway, I replaced the mask. Her face was flushed.
Humiliating to lose without a fight.
“Huh, not doing anything?”
I raised a brow. “Why would I?”
“Th-that's... N-never mind!”
Her ears turned red. Mercy from foes stung that deep.
Tsundere ninja vibe. Lone wolf too.
No real enmity, though. Technical Information would train her fine.
I nodded at her. “What's your name?”
“No reason to tell you.”
Alvin Taylor answered. “Sasaki Kasumi, she said.”
“You bastard!”
Alvin Taylor frowned. “Kim Hunter's another department, but still your superior. Show respect. Same to me.”
“Tch...”
I added to Kasumi, “Chain of command's the rule here. Ninjas know that.”
“...Understood. If.”
“If?”
“If my rank's not below yours?”
I shrugged. “Rematch anytime. If you want.”
“I'll remember that.”
I never assumed she'd be under me. None of us detected her stealth. Not even Plum Blossom Sword Master Lee Gun.
He'd cleared the Section Chief sim flawlessly. Soon after, the door opened. Sweating buckets but cocky, he demanded higher—but got refused.
“No. Tomorrow if you insist.”
“Mm... fine.”
Next: Lee Jun-yeol. Sniper-suited, targets at varying distances. Nothing like standard military ranges. Shields, vanishing/reappearing, even targets turning monstrous mid-charge.
Tailored to evaluate Hunter Stock Company duties.
Bang!
Alvin Taylor, watching, remarked, “Saw yesterday too—that gun's devastating. If every soldier in his world had those... wars would be apocalyptic.”
Curious, I asked, “No need to fear them, right?”
“I'd manage, but spirit mages like me were rare there too.”
“Hm.”
Section Chief+ were scarce anywhere. And this was Branch 17—talent split 17 ways. Three in a day? Solid haul.
Both Lee Jun-yeol and Kasumi passed as Section Chiefs.
Lee Jun-yeol said to me, “Expected rage, but you're calm.”
“You saw you can't take us all.”
Probably pick us off one-by-one later.
“Oh, right. Same rank now—how should I address you?”
Speech? Whatever felt natural.
“Mutual respect.”
“Then, sunbae-nim? Okay?”
Sunbae? Here? Unexpected.
“Fine.”
“Got it, Kim Jeongha sunbae-nim.”
In my past life, I'd revered him like the sky. Now he called me sunbae. Fresh feels.
“Then I'll head out.”
Lee Gun returned to HR. Kasumi vanished—stealth again.
Alvin Taylor brought up item two. “Time to see the Department Head?”
“Yeah.”
“Probably at the military factory tour.”
“Mm.”
As we walked, Alvin Taylor changed topics. “How's that spirit? Still bad?”
Zhuque, obviously. Pure curiosity: “Why ask?”
“You don't summon her usually.”
“No need.”
I shrugged. But Alvin Taylor said something unexpected.
“Hm? What do you mean? That spirit's special. Just summoning strengthens the bond.”