This Too Might Be Fate

I wondered if I'd misheard him. "Just summoning it and leaving it out makes it stronger?"

"Stronger might not be the right word. It's more accurate to say it regains its original power. That's a characteristic of spirits from the fifth realm of spirits—the divine realm."

"Fifth realm of spirits?"

It was an unfamiliar term. There must be a whole world known only to spirit summoners.

In my previous life, I'd given up on magic and superpowers early on, focusing solely on building up my internal energy. So I was basically clueless about spirits.

Alvin Taylor nodded deeply and explained. "The animal realm, fairy realm, spirit realm, illusion realm, and divine realm. Spirits live separated across these different worlds. The spirit realm is a bit special, though."

"What's the spirit realm?"

I could guess what the others were from their names.

"It's the world a spirit summoner who reaches the 11th stage of spirit arts and becomes a Meister can ascend to by sublimating their spirit and flesh into a spirit. We call those who achieve that realm Spirit Lords."

Suddenly, Alvin Taylor's eyes sparkled. "It's the dream of every spirit summoner, but historically, you could count the number of Spirit Lords on one hand."

"I see."

More unfamiliar terms, but I decided to let it slide.

"So what's your level?"

"I haven't been measured since 4th stage, 7th tier."

"Hmm..."

Alvin Taylor, a section chief-level spirit summoner, seemed around 4th or 5th stage. That meant the 11th stage was an impossibly distant realm for ordinary spirit summoners.

If he offered, I'd gratefully accept, but it didn't seem relevant to me, so I didn't pry further. Time to get back to the point.

"Anyway, my spirit belongs to the divine realm, and the longer it's summoned, the better?"

"Exactly."

I had no idea if Zhuque was really a spirit or connected to these five realms. But Alvin Taylor was an expert in what seemed like a related field, so I figured I'd trust him. Summoning didn't cost money, after all.

I drew the Sealed Sword and opened my mouth. "Time to come out and see the world, Zhuque."

I waited, but there was no response.

"Not coming out?"

When I spoke in a slightly ominous tone, Zhuque cried out in a flustered voice.

-Master! Give me a moment, please.

"A moment? How long?"

-Um... about a week.

"You're kidding, right? Or do you need more education?"

-Th-that's...

Alvin Taylor let out a sigh and said to me, "It seems your spirit is refusing the summons. Ask what's wrong first."

I did as he suggested. Zhuque replied,

-Do you remember when I responded to your summons before, Master?

"Of course."

That time at the training grounds, Zhuque had caused a commotion, and that's when Alvin Taylor approached me.

-You might not believe me, Master, but I didn't attack you of my own will.

"Naturally, I don't. You said something when I summoned you."

-Ugh. No excuse for that.

The guy had tried to kill me back then. I didn't see it as a joke. But we weren't getting anywhere like this, so I asked about the suspicious part.

"Not your will? Did you lose your reason, then?"

-Yes. Precisely, I hadn't awakened to the point ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠of having reason yet.

When I summoned Zhuque, it appeared in the form of a flame bird from the dungeon. There was some credibility to his claim, so I decided to hear him out.

"You're maintaining reason now, aren't you?"

-I think it's because I had awakened that far before being sealed. Right now, I can lend you the power of 4-stars.

It sounded plausible at first glance. It had been tiny when summoned. For now, I'd have to take Zhuque's word for it.

"But it can regain its original power? We can't give up on that."

-Tell them not to lump me in with their spirits or whatever. What does he even know?

True enough. Zhuque wasn't a spirit. Time for another check.

"Taylor. You're sure about what you said?"

"Absolutely. I stake my honor as a spirit summoner on it."

His tone was filled with conviction. There was only one answer, then.

"We'll find out if we try."

-...If you insist, give me a little time to prepare mentally.

"Fine. But just a bit. We decide today."

-Got it.

I could understand Zhuque's reluctance. Losing reason would be horrifying. Devolving from a wise being to a mere beast. I couldn't say since I hadn't experienced it, but it wouldn't feel pleasant. So I gave him time.

I asked Alvin Taylor, "What if it attacks me?"

"If you're worried, summon it where I can see."

"Mm."

Having an expert nearby was reassuring. Anyway, the military factory was on the Technical Information Department grounds, so we arrived quickly.

Employees from the Technical Information Department were staring at the military factory from around it.

"Must be fascinating."

Alvin Taylor nodded at my words. "It's the first time a whole building has come as a reward, so no surprise."

True. It wouldn't be just them—any department would react the same. But the employees were keeping their distance, just looking at the exterior.

"The department head put entry restrictions on the military factory."

"Because of me?"

"Probably."

Meaning we should talk somewhere quiet. Alvin Taylor continued, "So my guidance ends here. If you're interested in what I said earlier, I can wait. What'll it be?"

"No plans for today?"

"Nothing special. I was going to spend the day at the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠training grounds."

"Then we'll part here."

"Sure."

I had things to do, so I parted with Alvin Taylor for now.

Entering the military factory, I headed to the main system room. As expected, an employee was waiting.

"Welcome. Nice to meet you."

"Yes. Pleasure to meet you."

"Didn't expect to see someone from another department like this."

At that moment, layers of light scanned me, just like yesterday.

I turned to see the employee who'd received the same message. He gave a wry smile and joked, "No need to doubt your identity now."

I asked him, "Disappointed? That the military factory manager isn't from Technical Information."

"I'd be lying if I said no, but who could've known something like that was on Floor 14? Can't just mope about it. That's why I called you here."

I stayed silent, and the Technical Information Department head continued. "What's important is our relationship going forward—you and me, and by extension, Safety Planning Agency and Technical Information Department."

As expected, the department head was a reasonable man.

"Indeed."

"Before we get to business, let me introduce myself properly before it's too late. As you know, I'm the head of Technical Information—Cromwell."

"Kim Jeongha, section chief of Safety Planning."

"Call me Kim Section Chief."

"Yes."

He let out a short sigh. "Phew. Lots to say, but I have a meeting with the department heads after lunch, so let's keep it brief."

"Sounds good."

He reached ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠into his pocket and pulled out a key from his inner pocket, holding it out.

"I agonized over giving this to you or the agency director."

So he chose me in the end. As if reading my mind, Cromwell said, "Decided it's best to entrust it to the field man."

Whether it was the right call remained to be seen. I took the key and asked with a puzzled look, "What's this key for?"

It wasn't ordinary, that much was clear. I'd never seen him use such a key in my previous life or this one. Maybe for some secret purpose.

I hadn't seen every detail of his fights, but his answer confirmed my guess.

"It's a family heirloom passed down in my house."

"You sure it's okay to give me this?"

"No issue. My family's not tied to this company."

True. Cromwell continued, "Later, at your lodging, hold the key to a mirror. You'll figure it out. Note: limited uses, so don't abuse it."

Specifying "lodging" meant use it alone.

"A mirror?"

What did a key and mirror have in common? I looked puzzled, but Cromwell just nodded silently.

Well, I'd find out soon enough by trying. I pocketed the key and asked, "What do you want from me?"

There had to be a reason for the bribe.

He answered as if expecting it. "Not an unreasonable demand. Just respect our input when using the military factory."

Within expectations.

"Depends on what this key does and what 'input' means."

"As I said, nothing excessive. I promise."

"Let's check the military factory functions first."

"Right."

Cromwell moved to the monitor as if waiting for that. I'd started it up yesterday, but hadn't explored due to restructuring and the initial activation perk.

No ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠military factory in my previous life, so managing this was new territory for me.

Accessing the system brought up messages in sequence. I skipped the minor ones quickly.

1 and 2 were options from the perk selection. Back then, I chose 3—'Department Resource Rapid Charge'—so upgrades probably wouldn't have been instant.

Upgrading here would take time.

"Show descriptions."

Me too. Selecting one brought up details.

Next, 2.

Then 3.

I asked Cromwell, "Want to see department upgrades?"

"Yes."

Fair enough.

Department upgrades were more intuitive than factory ones. Cromwell glanced at his watch and clicked his tongue. "No time."

He had work, so he'd leave soon. Checking per-department would take too long.

I told him, "No need to think. AI enhancement first."

"Agreed. Let's do it."

Thoughts aligned, decision quick.

"Enhance Main System AI."

My call here. "Proceed."

Anyway, we'd need to coordinate manpower with Safety Planning and Technical Information. No running it immediately.

No instant magic change. Cromwell nodded. "That wraps things up here for now. I'll mention staffing at the meeting with your director."

"Understood. I'll stick around a bit."

"Alright."

A bit rushed, but AI enhancement was essential. The merit of "operation without manpower" was huge—even low efficiency meant 24/7 operation. Pure profit.

Cromwell left the main system room. I wanted to check the key, but had more to do here.

-Upper left.

I tapped my opposite arm with my crossed fingers, glaring at the spot Angelica indicated.

"Why not come out already?"

Swish.

As suspected. From the shadowed area, Sasaki Kasumi emerged.

"You really have a knack for seeing through my stealth."

Shing!

She drew her short sword and continued. "You're in my way, so die here. No helpers around."

I replied curtly. "I accepted the challenge, but didn't say you could kill me."

"Defeat means death for us. You're no different..."

I said what I'd prepared. "Let's make a bet."

"...A bet?"

"Loser grants winner's wish."

"...!"

I coveted her stealth technique. Badly wanted to learn it.