/n/jackal-among-snakes-1520/c-607
chapter-606

“So… Argrave of Vasquer.”

The lead interviewer scrutinized Argrave from behind his glasses, golden eyes moving calculatingly. Despite the suit he wore, he sported many tattoos. It spoke to an accommodating workplace, or a poor one.

“That’s right,” Argrave confirmed cordially.

“You’re applying for the position of Upper-Level Human.” The man looked to the other interviewers, on his right and left. They all wore fancy C-suite suits, with luxurious black fabric and gold buttons. “That would place you at upper management, here with us. I’m Durran, and this is Anneliese and Melanie. Our chief executive officer, Elenore, will still have the final say, but we thought this interview might provide us something to present her.”

“Nice to meet you all. Some of you I already know. All three of you, in fact. Upper management is something I’ve long looked forward to,” he answered cordially, bearing a hint of familiarity.

“Alright.” Durran shuffled some papers, taking one in hand. “Let’s start with your educational history.”

“Sure.” Argrave shifted on his seat. “As you know, I studied with Professor Erlebnis, majoring in Everything in the Known Universe, with a minor in Somethings in the Unknown Universe.”

“Professor Erlebnis in Germany, right? His thesis on Everything in the Known Universe is quite renowned.” Durran’s finger traced the paper he held until it stopped near the bottom. “But we couldn’t find any information about your educational background before that.”

“Ah.” Argrave scratched the back of his head. “I had a name change.”

“A name change?” Anneliese spoke up. “Was it due to any controversial or infamous event that could compromise the company?”

“No, I just got transported to another world. Nothing significant,” Argrave explained.

“Okay, that’s understandable.” Anneliese nodded, contented.

“You came up through the sales department. People there had nothing but positive things to say about you, from your demeanor to your performance.” Melanie looked through some papers, then focused on Argrave. “What other roles have you had before our company?”

“Well, I was the King of Vasquer, managing a population in the millions. After that, I became the Commander-in-Chief of the Expeditionary Force Against the Barbarians of the Great Chu. I’ve also been acting as the de facto leader of the Blackgard Union, managing several high-level deities with large portfolios of divinity.”

“So, you’re already well-accustomed to dealing with people that have rather inflated egos,” Anneliese said positively.

“Indeed,” Argrave nodded. “Some of them are here today.”

The joke landed, and the interviewers laughed. Argrave thought the process was going rather nicely, but Durran’s demeanor quickly became serious and the man leaned in.

“What do you think an Upper-Level Human does in his or her day-to-day? What are their responsibilities and abilities?”

The dreaded curveball came, catching Argrave off guard. He took a beat to compose his answer carefully, and the interviewers all waited in silence.

“Well, naturally, they’re immortal. That’s one of the largest perks, but also the largest responsibility. Old age can’t claim them. Any wound that they receive can be recovered from. Aside from that, it comes with a tremendous advantage against divinity. They’re sort of like… like an envoy for humanity. Not divine, quite, but like divine. A guardian, a protector. Not just a protector of humans, either—human-like mortals, too.”

“Could you elaborate on what you mean by ‘like divine?’” Durran fixated on that.

“Well, ordinarily…” Argrave scratched his chin. “If a mortal uses spirits, it’s either in one of two ways—with magic, or by strengthening the flesh temporarily by injecting it inside the body. While they’re both effective adaptations, it’s not really ‘using spirits.’ It’s jury-rigging divinity. But being an Upper-Level Human, we can finally utilize those vaunted existences properly. In a way, it could be said to be better than they use it, as I’d have a great many of the perks without the responsibilities and restriction that true divinity brings.”

“Interesting. You think spirits are vaunted existences?” Melanie probed.

“What else can I call them?” Argrave shrugged. “Magic has rules, limitations, boundaries. S-rank is the peak. Even using spirits to enhance it, there’s only so much that one single spellcaster can do. The gods, though… with the Domain of Law, I can slow time. It might be a very small amount, but it can be done. Is there magic that can achieve such a thing? Sataistador was a one-man-army in more than one sense of the word. Raccomen can open portals throughout the world, and Elenore has a cellphone in her head thanks to Lira. Erlebnis even implanted knowledge directly into my mind!”

“Is that an admission you cheated in university, Argrave?” Durran questioned.

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Argrave raised his right hand. “I plead the fifth.”

“I see. Well…” Durran once again shuffled through the papers in front of him. “As we established, most of this information is something we already know. You have quite the resume, Argrave. And fortunately for you, we here at Being Co. are quite nepotistic.”

“Me too!” Argrave exclaimed excitedly. “I would also promote family members regardless of their skill. Fortunately, they just happen to be extremely skilled. Does this mean that I get the position?”

“Indeed you do.” Durran set down his papers and nodded at Argrave. “You’re going to start your role as an Upper-Level Human as soon as possible. It should be a relatively painless adjustment period.”