Jackal Among Snakes

“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.

of

laughed. Argrave thought the process was going rather nicely, but Durran’s demeanor quickly became serious and the

Human does in his

dreaded curveball came, catching Argrave off guard. He took a beat to compose his answer

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

what you mean by ‘like divine?’”

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

You think spirits are vaunted existences?” Melanie

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

admission you cheated in university, Argrave?”

you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it's taken without the

right hand. “I plead the

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

Argrave exclaimed excitedly. “I would also promote family members regardless of their skill. Fortunately, they just happen to be

set down his papers and nodded at Argrave. “You’re going to start your role as

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with him?!” Elenore insisted

had slumped against the table and fallen to the floor. Everyone had moved quickly—Anneliese quickest of all, who held Argrave in her arms—but rather than unconscious, Argrave seemed to be in

something as he chewed on the golden fruit. His eyelids flickered, alternating between open and closed. The hand which held the Fruit of Being continually raised it back up to his mouth, taking fresh bites out of it as he zoned out. The movements were more like sporadic spasms, and his mutterings somewhat sounded like groans and coughs beneath his mouthfuls of food… but Anneliese saw neither pain nor disgust on his features. Still, the oddity of it all made her

you see with your [Truesight]?” Orion asked her, calm yet insistent. “Need we pry the golden fruit from his

was as

else sufficiently. “Rather, it’s growing in brightness, in intensity. Most notably,

the gray eyes on his head glowing green as he called upon [Minor Truesight]. “It’s fascinating. I’ve never seen spirits behave in a way

us is

obstacle for him in the

he needs to go through it all at once.” She looked at Raven, and fearlessly said, “Did you have to encourage him so?

Argrave, and picked him up. In his trance-like state, he was much easier to carry—his arm even slid around her neck, like it

without undue stimulus to interrupt the process.” She looked around. “I shall find a bed for him to rest in, for now.

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