Awakened the Spirit Pill Stage

In that instant, despair clouded Village Chief Geum-jong-gi's eyes.

"Th-that's too much. Please, reconsider."

Then Kim Hansu stepped forward.

"Hey, chief. We could just kill you and take it all. We're showing you enormous mercy here. Got it?!"

"I-I understand... I'll give you everything. Just spare my life."

I shrugged.

"Well, whether we let you live or not depends on the villagers. Anyway, where's the loot?"

"...Follow me."

With that, I trailed behind the chief into another room. He unlocked the vault door and pulled out everything inside.

"Here it is. Take it all."

"You've hoarded quite the pile."

"Not anymore."

I smirked and swept the chief's wealth into the mirror. His eyes widened like saucers as he let out a groan.

"Urgh... It was you? The one who robbed the underground prison."

There was no reason to answer.

"To think you'd cross someone who wields divine objects and supernatural powers... Maybe this was all fated."

Regret now was meaningless. The deeds, land titles, gold bars, jewels—all mine now. As expected, the chief was the richest man in the fairy village.

He hesitantly spoke up.

"What do you plan to do with me now?"

"Hand you over to my colleague for now."

I'd send him to Head Stella. She'd handle the messy parts.

The chief hung his head and was dragged limply from the house.

That was when it happened.

This place didn't auto-teleport us out. There was still work to do. Once the cleanup was done, we'd claim our real rewards.

Suddenly, the chief turned to me.

"You all... shouldn't think this is the end. The Rakshasas are craftier than they look."

"Huh? What's that supposed to mean, old timer?"

"A great plague might hit the village soon... You might be better off leaving. Heh heh..."

That was when—

"Sunbae-nim."

It was Section Chief Lee Jun-yeol. I turned toward the voice and saw him standing there, dragging a corpse with a bullet hole between its eyes—his handiwork, no doubt. He dropped the Rakshasa body in front of us and continued.

"I was overlooking the village from the mountain earlier and spotted a quick-footed Rakshasa trying to slip away."

"And?"

"This."

"Good work."

I glanced at the chief—his eyes were shaking wildly.

"What was that you just said, chief?"

"...N-nothing."

I couldn't help but chuckle.

I headed straight to Parachao Pavilion and explained everything to Head Stella. She nodded after hearing me out.

"I see. Tragic circumstances, but... as you said, Section Chief Kim Jeongha, it's best to leave judgment to the villagers."

"Send the patients back to the fairy village for now. This is Nam Bi's place."

"Got it."

The women rescued from the underground prison ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠were now dressed in suits provided by the staff. A messenger had returned to the company with the news, and another employee had brought fresh suits from the military factory.

"Anyway, glad it's wrapping up smoothly. With you here, Section Chief Kim Jeongha, everything falls into place."

"Just got lucky."

And we had. Who could've guessed we'd save Nam Bi and train in her inner chambers? If I ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠hadn't called the shareholders just in case, I never would've reached Thunder Cloud Heart Knot 4th Star so fast.

"You can head back anytime now. My team and the Health and Welfare staff will handle the rest."

"Mind if I drop by Health and Welfare more often?"

Stella smiled warmly at my question.

"Always welcome. Especially you, Section Chief Kim Jeongha."

Looked like I'd earned her full trust.

"I'll be off then."

"Take care."

Still work left here, but I couldn't keep Zhuque waiting forever. I went to fetch Kim Hansu and Section Chief Lee Jun-yeol.

"Heading back now, sunbae-nim?"

"Yeah."

"Sweet. Let's bounce, bro. This heat's killing me."

And so we returned to the company.

Back at the company, everyone knew Floor 15 was cleared. That's why they were watching us arrive. Plenty of new faces too—rookies, judging by their outfits.

"What's with those looks?"

As Kim Hansu said, the newbies' stares weren't friendly. Some sneered. A gang of five or six, looking like they'd lived rough.

They sauntered over with cocky postures. The leader, scarred around the eyes, smirked.

"Redhead pretty boy, one yellow sprout, and a guy with a long iron rod weapon. Just like they said."

I frowned.

"Who the hell are you?"

"Gold Diamond Fist Tae Ja-seok."

I got the picture. It happens sometimes. High-rankers away conquering stages for days get challenged by low-rankers. They can't accept the promotion results and pick fights with superiors. Section Chief was perfect—not too high, not too low. Looked beatable.

This company was survival of the fittest, ranks by strength. Didn't happen in my previous life. Guess staying longer on 15 this time drew attention.

"Never heard of you."

"Heh heh. I'll make sure you remember today."

"You with Safety Planning Department?"

"Yeah. That department head's face ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠and figure were hot, so I—"

Whoosh!

I drew power from Zhuque and stabbed my blade into Tae Ja-seok's right eye.

Sizzle!

"Gaaahhh!"

"Finish that sentence. I'll roast your tongue nice and slow."

"Y-you bastard!"

"Kill him!"

His lackeys rushed in.

Then—

Bang!Splat!

A leg flew from a high-caliber shot.

"Argh! My leeeeg!"

Hummm!

Kim Hansu's domain activated, a giant palm swatting the remaining four.

Crack!

"Pffft!"

I told them, "That's enough."

Section Chief Lee Jun-yeol lowered his gun, and Kim Hansu snapped his fingers again.

I grabbed Tae Ja-seok's hair and hauled his torso up.

"What's your rank?"

"Urgh... If you knew my father, you'd know you won't get away with—"

"Huh?!"

Kim Hansu scowled and kicked his face.

"Answer the damn question. Wanna die that bad? I'll grant your wish."

"...R-regular employee."

Thud! Thud! Thud!

"Watch your tone, regular scum."

"Y-yellow hair, you're regular too, I heard—guh!"

I held Kim Hansu back.

"Tae Ja-seok."

"...Yes."

"Know you can regrow that eye at Health and Welfare right now?"

"...R-really?"

"Really."

"Can I go then, section chief-nim?"

"No."

"Pardon?"

"Live as a cripple forever."

"Wh-why?!"

"Insulting the director and mouthing off to me. Two crimes, but losing one eye is mercy."

Tae Ja-seok nodded reluctantly.

"Urk... Understood."

I nodded at the sprawled lackeys.

"Them? Old pals?"

"...No. Guys I beat into submission."

"I see. Strong dad?"

"Very."

His lip twitched up. He fixed it at Kim Hansu's glare.

"He here now?"

"No."

"Then why act tough on daddy's rep? You're not him."

Kim Hansu chimed in. "Right?"

"Y-yes. I overstepped. My apologies."

"So how you gonna act from now on?"

"Pledge loyalty to you, section chief-nim!"

I nodded, satisfied.

"Take your goons to medical now. Move!"

"M-move!"

When a bully shows a shred of kindness, it hits harder. Tae Ja-seok looked grateful, like I'd saved his life. He hoisted two or three goons over his shoulders, tears welling as he bowed.

"Sniff! Your immense grace, section chief-nim—I'll never forget!"

"Yeah. Go."

"Sir!"

His blood-dripping sprint was pitiful. Had I gone too far?

That thought crossed my mind when—

"Sunbae-nim is merciful."

"You think so?"

Section Chief Lee Jun-yeol nodded firmly.

"This place is perpetual wartime. Insurrection's a capital crime. I'd have shot him."

"Might happen more; can't kill 'em all."

"Fair point."

Then—

Clap, clap, clap, clap.

Applause and a familiar voice.

"Not bad, Kim Jeongha."

"Director Seon Ga-hee?"

She'd been here.

"Since when?"

"When you stabbed his eye. Anyway, congrats on clearing the stage."

"Thank you."

I glanced around her. "No committee chairman?"

"Just out for a drink alone. Got stuff to discuss. Cool?"

She eyed my two subordinates.

"Of course."

They spoke up.

"Gonna check promotion exams now. Kekeke."

"Go on."

He'd make section chief, probably.

"I'll report to Manager Cherubim for you, sunbae-nim."

"Thanks."

"Yes, sir."

I was at the company cafe with Director Seon Ga-hee. They served ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠coffee, cookies—rarities only for mid-ranks and up. Employee welfare spot, naturally on Health and Welfare grounds.

Sitting across, she poked my cheek with her index finger.

"Disciple."

Private time, she called me that. So I played along.

"Yes, master."

"Heh. Keeping department discipline too? Thought you couldn't squash a bug at first."

I shrugged.

"Company's rough. Safety Planning's the worst."

"True. Tough job, huh?"

"No big deal."

"Would you have done the same if it was Madric Blood insulted?"

"Obviously. She's my master."

"Hee hee. Smooth talker."

She poked again, 'you rascal.'

"Didn't expect you so casual, master."

"Oh? Grown bold? Wanna test your progress?"

"Go ahead."

"Good. Turn around."

I did. She placed a hand on my back, sending her energy through me. She opened her eyes, impressed.

"Whoa... Thunder Cloud Heart Knot already at 4th Star. Just as I thought."

"As you thought?"

"Yeah. You're a genius."

"Hm..."

Everyone teaching me calls me that. Never know what to say.

I changed topics. "Tracking arts now?"

"Yes. But one step left."

"Ugh. Another?"

"Tsk. Sword forms have stances; spells have mudras and chants."

"Memorize both?"

"Tracking's mudras only, but learn both."

She paused, then added.

"Well, if you've even awakened your Spirit Pill Stage, you might not need that either."