The Power Ignites

Robert wiped the sweat beading on his forehead with his sleeve.

"Phew... What an incredible magic artifact."

I took the Feather Fan from him and asked, "How on earth did you do that?"

"You assimilate the inherent properties of the magic artifact with your mana, making them as similar as possible. That way, you can draw out the artifact's power with tremendous efficiency."

The world of magic was truly mysterious and profound. I felt a strong urge to learn it myself, but I kept it to myself.

Robert continued, "A grand archmage who has reached the pinnacle can achieve high-efficiency activation without chanting spells, but even for me, it's not easy."

He spoke humbly, but that alone showed how impressive it was. His words reminded me of the Iron Fan Immortal wildly swinging her iron fan without restraint.

High-efficiency qi utilization! She was a sorceress on par with me in realm, but as an immortal, she retained her enlightenment. That's why she could unleash spells endlessly with minimal mana.

The difference was that Robert had to chant long incantations to force it.

He slumped to the floor and said, "Whew. I need a short break. I'll keep the mana cycle running here, so please find that precious item."

"Got it."

The magma was almost gone. Looking down inside, the crater formed a structure of circular terraces stacked layer upon layer, like terraced rice fields.

I nodded and hopped down to the next terrace.

Thud!

The gaps between terraces were quite high, so I had to use qi to protect my knee joints. I looked up. The crater's entrance far above looked like a tiny dot.

"...Come to think of it, how am I getting back up?"

Ah, whatever. No turning back now that I've started. I'll figure it out later. Robert must have some idea since he followed me in.

Thud, thud, thud!

As I descended terrace by terrace, a thought struck me.

"I need lightness skill."

It was even more apparent recalling the magic Robert had cast on me earlier. If I could move that nimbly, it'd be a huge boon in combat too.

Zhuque chimed in then.

-Tsk tsk. You should've awakened me to at least six stars.

"Shut up."

If I'd let him awaken to six stars back then, the outcome was obvious.

Zhuque kept nagging afterward, but I threatened that I'd eat the Flame Spirit Divine Crystal myself if he kept being noisy. He promptly shut up.

Hmm... There is definitely something fishy.

'After finding the Flame Spirit Divine Crystal, the master must absolutely, absolutely not eat it.'

The more I thought about it, the more it seemed he wasn't just saying that for no reason.

I had no intention of eating it anyway. The stronger Zhuque got, the stronger I became.

I couldn't shake off the growing suspicion.

After descending a few more terraces, I finally reached the bottom.

Bubble bubble.

Robert had blown away most of the magma with the Feather Fan, but not all of it.

"Can't be helped."

I swung the Feather Fan once more.

Whoooosh—!

Qi rapidly drained from me. I immediately swallowed a prepared Qi Recovery Capsule.

If my qi hit zero instantly, it could even drain my True Origin True Qi. That foundational energy allows martial artists to wield inner power. Once lost, it can never be regained.

Or worse, I'd fall into qi deviation. I didn't want to bite Robert's throat here.

Moments later, the fan's wind cleared all the magma, revealing a clean floor.

But no inner core in sight anywhere.

"Zhuque. Where's the Flame Spirit Divine Crystal?"

-Look closely at the walls. There should be a small hole.

I walked around the circular wall. Then I stopped at one spot.

Sure enough, a round hole as he said.

I stuck my hand in right away.

"Hm..."

I shoved my arm in up to the shoulder, groping the inner surface everywhere.

"Can't see... Hm?"

At the very top end, another hole fist-sized.

"They really hid it thoroughly."

I wriggled my fingers in there, and sure enough—

Fwoosh!

"Ack, hot!"

Magma residue? But the moment that thought crossed my mind—

I felt something small and round.

This was it—Zhuque's inner core, the Flame Spirit Divine Crystal.

I carefully pulled it out. Hot, but not burning.

Flicker.

"Oh..."

A lustrous orb, round and white, wrapped in flames. Like a white candy on fire.

Zhuque's voice came urgently.

-That's it, that's it! Master! Summon me quick!

He was unusually excited.

"Alright."

As I began chanting the summoning spell—

"...?"

A message floated abruptly before me. I waited a bit, but nothing else appeared.

The first sponsor deity to speak to me was the Southern Seven Mansions—Zhuque. Suspicious.

Zhuque, sensing something off, said:

-What's wrong? Master.

"Huh? Nothing. Nothing at all."

In that brief moment, countless thoughts raced through my mind. Then I reached a decision.

"Yeah. Let's eat it."

-Yes. Eat i—what?!

I nodded firmly and placed the Flame Spirit Divine Crystal in my mouth.

Gulp.

-No, don't! Masteeeeer!

-I knew this would happen!

I'd crossed the river of no return. Whether I could handle this power called divine ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠power. Whether I could wield it. Let's find out.

Even if it costs my life!

That's my way.

Thump!

My whole body burned hot. Sizzle! My skin reddened and steamed.

Then my heart pounded like it would explode. ZZZing! Tick! Tick! Tick! Tick! Tick!

I activated a barrier, but it shattered instantly.

"Haa..."

Fwoosh! Just exhaling, flames burst from my mouth.

I wasn't in my right mind. I collapsed face-down, staring at the sky, and flipped off the watching sponsor deity.

My eyes slowly closed.

Kaboom.

Something burst inside me. My heart exploding.

Back to square one again?

"Ahaha..."

My seventh death soon followed.

* * *

First thing upon waking, smash Kim Hansu's head... "Huh?"

A familiar ceiling. Soft, fluffy bed, blankets, and pillow. Someone's sweet scent and shampoo tickled my nose.

"...This is the Director's room."

I muttered unconsciously, and Angelica reacted.

-Had a nice time, did you? Master.

"..."

Confused, I sank into thought. It wasn't my first day at the company. I'd regressed to yesterday—before entering Floor 15 underground.

I'd slept in Director Madric Blood's room exactly twice. The one time she wasn't there when I woke was today.

Why? Why this day?

...A penalty on regression?

If so, I need to be more cautious from now on. No telling how long this Reincarnator trait will last.

Of course, I'd never heard of a Gift vanishing suddenly. That's why I'd staked my life so readily on dangers till now.

...Damn it.

No answers no matter how I thought. Couldn't consult anyone either.

As frustration built, the door burst open.

"Awake, are you?"

I replied calmly. "Yes. I'm heading to the Welfare Department on dispatch. Need to meet Manager Cherubim."

"Hm...?"

Director Madric Blood suddenly faltered.

"R-right. Go ahead."

I ate quickly in the cafeteria, then headed to the Operations Control Room.

Opening the door, I said to Manager Cherubim, "Welcome...!"

"Thanks to you, another peaceful day. Manager Cherubim, mind if I take Section Chief Lee Jun-yeol on today's expedition?"

"G-go ahead!! I was ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠actually going to say that!!"

"I'll bring back some useful monsters too. If there are any."

There weren't on Floor 15. Couldn't bring cannibals to the company anyway.

"Great!! That's the spirit!!"

She flapped her wings excitedly. I'd said everything she wanted to, so she seemed thrilled.

"Tech Info Department will want to see me soon, so I'll head out."

Surprise flickered in Manager Cherubim's eyes.

"K-Kim Jeongha, do you have a mind-reading Gift or something?! You nailed exactly what I was going to say!!"

"See you."

I gave a light bow and headed straight to the Military Factory.

For some reason, my body felt lighter than before. Curious, I opened My Info.

"Divine Power..?"

My eyes widened. A special stat I'd had no connection to for 20 years had appeared. And its name, rank, limit— all extraordinary. A-rank with a question mark.

The Flame Spirit Divine Crystal had brought me tremendous fortune. That Zhuque guy... Thanks!

I wanted to summon him and plant a kiss on his face.

But one problem...

...How do I use it?

My lower dantian held the same qi as before. Middle dantian mana unchanged. I tried the upper dantian in my head, but as expected, nothing.

I glanced around. No sense of becoming some great being. No transcendent aura of a Super Apex expert towering over all.

With Gongryeok still B, that was expected, but...

After much pondering, I realized only Zhuque could answer this. But the lighter body sensation was real. Something had definitely changed.

Handle the immediate tasks first, then casually probe Zhuque.

Soon, at the Military Factory, I entered the main system room. Chatted with waiting Cromwell, greeted Sasha.

"Hello. Manager Kim Jeongha. First time meeting you. I'm Sasha, the augmented reality AI for the Military Factory."

"Uh, Sasha. Nice to meet you. I'm the manager."

Sasha's eyebrow twitched slightly as she asked cautiously, "You... aren't surprised, Manager?"

"Surprised by what? You just explained. Augmented reality AI."

"W-well, yes, but..."

Sasha looked a bit down. She did have some emotions, however slight.

From there, it matched my previous life.

"Looks like we need another meeting. I'll head out first."

"Please do, Manager Cromwell."

Next, I received the manager suit from Sasha and ordered 90 artifact suits produced.

Then Kasumi, I think. About to ask Angelica her location, I chose another way.

Whirr.

Circulating Blood Cycle, a red vortex swirled. I drew qi from my dantian to my eyes.

Vampire Vision.

Hadn't used it much—no dark places, and prolonged use burned like eye strain. Hadn't trained it since, but no issues now.

Scanning with Vampire Vision, there—a woman's silhouette glowed white.

Kasumi crouched in a corner, hood pulled low, hands in seals, huddled.

Hiding like that? I glared at her with a hint of pity.

"...!"

She reacted, scanning around frantically, then pointed at herself.

I nodded.

Shh.

Kasumi revealed herself, face shocked. "...H-how did you spot me this time? You pinpointed my exact position. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠It's different from before!"

"Slept like a log and woke up with some enlightenment in inaction."

"D-don't mess with me!"

"More importantly, Kasumi. Uniformize your ninja suit, and I'll up your wish coupons."

"Eek! T-two, two more times...?"

Whenever wish coupons came up, she hugged herself, face flushing. Like she couldn't contain her excitement.

Maybe she just loved dangerous stuff? Made sense—she's an assassin.

I figured that was it. Kasumi nodded.

"Got it..."