A Dark Fantasy Spy

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□ Quasi-Military Operative

The Quasi-Military Operative conducts covert operations and gathers necessary foreign intelligence for national security policy decision-makers.

As an expert, you will shoulder demanding responsibilities, take considerable risks, and bear the consequences of your actions.

Full-time position.

Starting salary: $70,491 – $116,788 (more for experienced candidates)

Bachelor’s degree.

□ Minimum Qualifications.

Recognized four-year bachelor’s degree.

Experience serving in the U.S. military.

High level of physical fitness to successfully complete required military training.

Strong will to serve in dangerous environments abroad.

Impeccable mental and moral integrity.

Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, regardless of conditions.

A mindset devoted to serving the CIA and DO.

□ Preferred Qualifications.

At least 8 years of active duty service.

Service as an officer.

Experience in operational execution.

Experience in overseas deployments.

Note.

Quasi-Military Operatives spend “most” of their time conducting short-term and long-term operations abroad.

-CIA CAREERS, Quasi-Military Operative.

Episode 9 – Old-Fashioned

The Disciplinary Committee finally got down to business. It was a meeting disguised as a disciplinary hearing. Perhaps it might even be an interview.

I could instinctively tell that my future would be decided here and now.

“I’ve read your materials. Newspapers, magazines, academic journals… you’ve subscribed to various sources.”

One of the members seated at the center spoke up. The thin man with glasses waved a scrap of paper nonchalantly while throwing out a question.

“What do you think is the most lethal threat to our security?”

“In the past, it was war. Military threats directly linked to national defense posed the greatest danger.”

“And now?”

“There are many.”

The member continued.

“How would you define terrorism?”

“I don’t believe I’m in a position to discuss that.”

The member removed his glasses and held them in hand. Clutching the frames, he bit the end and leaned back. His shoulders relaxed. An encouraging sign.

“According to recent definitions established by academia, terrorism refers to groups or individuals that utilize violence to threaten in order to achieve political objectives. We also consider organizations related to current events in No Man’s Land to fall under that category.”

“The Minister of the Interior will give a speech in Parliament next week. He intends to highlight terrorism as one of the threats faced by the government and formally request legislative amendments and budget allocations through the Parliamentary Special Investigation Committee and relevant standing committees.”

One of the threats ‘in’ question.

It seems there’s something else behind that straightforward statement.

As expected, a warm-looking member approached me. He was a member from the Special Investigation Bureau.

“Information Officer, do you know how much narcotics were smuggled into Abas from abroad in 1989?”

“No, I don’t.”

“Seven tons. And last year, the total weight of drugs seized by our authorities was 56 tons. Do you know how much it is this year?”

“…….”

“112 tons.”

The member stated.

“This year, the number of drug offenders prosecuted increased by 50% compared to last year, and the weight of seized narcotics has nearly doubled. More drug offenders have been apprehended this year than in the last three years combined. The amount of seized narcotics is at least quadruple that.”

“Narcotics aren’t the only problem.”

A member from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs chimed in. She, with her short bob hairstyle, had been silently gazing at me with an emotionless face.

“The civil war in Mauritania has escalated year by year. Conflicts at the tribal level, intertwined with religion, culture, history, and ethnicity, have spiraled into civil war. Currently, a significant number of governments have lost control.”

“…….”

“Tribes based in the provinces have transformed into warlords. With little hope of relying on the central government, they are effectively performing the role of local governments. Some prominent tribes are absorbing local armies and initiating secessionist movements. I’ve even heard that some tribes are approaching foreign governments to establish independent diplomatic relations.”

A slightly hoarse voice continued.

“Of course, that’s not all.”

The members began to take turns speaking. Although most of it was professional and localized content, I had no trouble understanding it.

It was a topic related to me.

“When the assassination plot against the Information Officer took place, a Royal Intelligence Department employee operating in the Mauritania region had an accident. He was an intelligence officer overseeing the armed forces in his designated area. While gathering intel on dark magic items being traded on the local black market, he was attacked in his hideout. We suspect that those items are connected to the recent terrorist events and believe that a foreign intelligence agency is behind the ambush on the Information Officer, yet we have failed to track the exact culprits due to uncooperative local authorities.”

“Several months ago, there was a case where foreigners who illegally crossed the border into southern Abas were apprehended. The Border Guard discovered and arrested the illegal immigrants during coastal patrols, and after interrogation by the Military Intelligence Agency, Special Investigation Bureau, and police, it was identified that terrorists and rebels were mingling among the refugees. However, through overseas channels, it was determined that the smuggling route had been utilized through foreign brokers for the past two years, and by the time the investigation began, the number of foreigners who had passed through that route was so great that it was impossible to ascertain the exact figure.”

“The Advanced Military Magic Research Institute. I imagine you would be familiar with it since you’ve been there. When a spy sent from the Magic Tower was leaking secrets related to weapon systems and medications in development at the Advanced Military Magic Research Institute, on the same day, the Special Investigation Bureau was able to thwart attempts at leaking industrial technology that a domestic conglomerate was researching. Compared to military secrets, it was a minor technology.”

“…….”

“The funny thing is, the estimated damages that would occur if that technology were leaked are around several hundred billion shillings. If it had been leaked, not only would we face economic losses, but we also would have lost our technical edge in the global market, making it difficult to estimate the extent of that loss. Of course, this is excluding actions from other foreign intelligence agencies. There’s no need to mention them.”

“…….”

“This is the problem.”

The member said.

“Terrorism, leakage of industrial secrets, international criminal organizations trafficking in narcotics and counterfeits, conflicts, diseases, refugees, food, resources… the things we once didn’t consider threats are now emerging as new threats.”

Beyond traditional security threats, there are unprecedented threats faced by numerous intelligence agencies since the end of the Cold War. The member quietly recited in a calm voice.

“How much longer do you think this situation will last?”

It wasn’t a question. The answer was already known.

“Fortunately, the government has devised measures to address the new threats we face. Strengthening inter-agency cooperation, hiring more personnel, implementing training and education for expertise, and expanding exchanges with foreign governments.”

“……”

“Of course, there will also be a major organizational restructuring. It may take some time for each agency to finalize their restructuring and stabilize the organization and this committee.”

“…A committee?”

“This place where the Information Officer is sitting is the newly established committee. It comprises personnel dispatched from major agencies, addressing the new threats and national security issues faced by our government.”

Quite a sudden revelation.

The member, who had laid out unexpected information, was staring at me intently with an unreadable expression.

“To be frank, sitting there dazed could lead the country to ruin. Times are changing, and people must change accordingly.”

“……”

“In that sense, we hope that the Information Officer will join this newly established organization.”

“What organization?”

“A task force. It is expected to consist of experts drawn not only from the Ministry of Defense and Intelligence but also from various sectors, including Diplomacy and Security.”

“Why me specifically?”

“Well, because you are the right person for the job.”

As one member lifted a stack of documents, someone quietly stood up from the corner and handed me a file.

Inside the file were various graphs and charts, with the emblem of the Cabinet Security Office prominently placed in the center.

“Since the beginning of this year, there has been a several-fold increase in activities from foreign intelligence agencies and unusual trends from terrorist organizations compared to previous years. Particularly concentrated in recent months. Specifically, from the moment the person staying with you was summoned by our Abas.”

“……”

“We’re still determining the exact correlation, but we believe the series of events that have unfolded this year are related to the appearance of the Hero. You are well aware, aren’t you?”

I didn’t respond. And that silence was an answer in itself.

I stayed quiet, and the member softly smiled.

“I understand. Anyone would covet a wizard who can summon battalion-level firepower without even proper training or skills. The Academy of Magic believes that she could reach a level comparable to an Archmage. Just like those legendary wizards who triumphed in battles against cults.”

“……”

“You comprehend what I’m saying, right?”

It was a voice suggesting that since someone like Camila had arisen, I should secure her before anyone else snatches her up. Be it for the state, an organization, or an individual.

Quite an elaborate plan for a hit job.

“Two individuals have recommended you as a Quasi-Military Operative.”

Upon hearing the member’s words, I turned to look at those sitting in the corner. Colonel Clevenz subtly averted his gaze, while Leoni watched me with her ever-determined eyes.

I sighed softly and blinked quietly. My head was hurting, and I wanted to wrap things up quickly. So, I asked.

“If I become a Quasi-Military Operative, what will happen to me?”

“If the Information Officer accepts the proposal, you will assume related duties in the TF along with other information officers. Normally, you would receive a period of training before being deployed to the field, but… unfortunately, there’s no room for that right now.”

In other words, straight to the action.

“What if I decline?”

“That’s alright. You will continue your work at the embassy as you are, without any repercussions.”

However.

“Since you’ll be working at the embassy under the scrutiny of foreign intelligence agencies, you won’t be able to take on field assignments as before.”

“……”

“Having spent a considerable amount of time in the field, you know well how things run, don’t you?”

The member ended with a soft smile. Simultaneously, the elderly man who had tightly sealed his lips finally spoke up.

The Chairman.

“I’m not saying you have to decide right now. We’ll give you ample time to contemplate. You mentioned you have a month’s leave, correct? That should suffice. I hope to hear a positive response.”

“……”

“Have a nice vacation.”

*

When you step out into society for work, you naturally develop an instinct for observation. People call that social skill.

And once you start drawing a salary from the government through an intelligence agency, you instinctively gain the ability to read the room. An intelligence agency is still considered a workplace, after all.

The higher-ups are telling me to become a Quasi-Military Operative. Two superiors even recommended me, and they’re planning to throw me into the field without any proper process. At this point, it’s practically a threat rather than an offer.

Given the nature of the job, their eagerness to drain me completely is evident. If I dared say, “Is it possible for me to stay in administrative work instead? I’m feeling a bit unwell these days…,” it would surely lead to me shedding the military uniform and relaxing at home for life. The notion of giving me time to think could be seen as a subtle way of telling me to prepare myself mentally.

In the end, I had to make a choice. It was either prepare to die or just follow their commands without question.

“Haa…”

“Why are you sighing so much? The ground is going to collapse.”

Veronica, poked me in the side while grumbling from beside me. With her sunglasses perched on her nose, she looked less like a saint and more like a tourist.

But anyway, that’s not the important thing right now.

“Saint…”

“Did you eat something bad? You’re not normally like this with that long face.”

“Indeed…”

“Just hurry up and unload the baggage.”

Following Veronica’s instructions, I pulled out the bags from above and tossed them into the corridor. As I placed the bags down, Camila, Lucia, and Francesca approached with quick steps to pick up the luggage and darted back and forth on the platform.

As Veronica set down her suitcase, she took a deep breath and smiled brightly.

“Phew! This feels a bit like a vacation. Staying cooped up in a hotel, I felt like I was going to die.”

“It’s December soon. Why are you coming to a beach holiday? Just stay in the hotel…”

“No way! We came all the way to Abas, known for its mild climate all year round. Does it make sense not to visit that southern paradise?!”

“Then it makes sense for you to abandon your duties to stay here?”

“I… can’t argue with that.”

“Oh dear…”

I exhaled deeply as I carried a heavy bag filled with items to the platform. I spotted Camila waddling ahead like a penguin. As I was about to call out to her, the wind that had come from somewhere whipped my bangs right into my eyes.

The air felt warm.

As I pushed my hair aside with my fingers and squinted my eyes, I saw before me the picturesque coastal city under the clear sky, lined up in a row.

“Wow. The southern region of Abas is truly wonderful, right, Colonel?”

“……”

Instead of responding, I nodded and joined Veronica and the group.

It was the beginning of a long-awaited, proper vacation after several months.