On My First Day Undercover, the Organization Collapsed - Chapter 107

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Organization Collapsed on My First Day of Infiltration Episode 107

 

 

I’m a Liberal Arts Instructor

 

 

Ziel confirmed the bounty reward deposit at the Imperial Bank.

The bounty criminal who had turned on the Sopen Family, causing his bounty to skyrocket to 300,000 cel!

Thus, after deducting 22% in taxes, the total amount deposited was 234,000 cel.

 

‘This feels unpleasant.’

 

He was the one who caught the bounty criminal, so why were they taking taxes?

No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t understand.

An instinctive aversion to taxes!

Having lived with suppressed emotions for so long, Ziel was very slowly regaining his feelings.

So unlike others, even the slightest emotional disturbance would make Ziel immediately use the Polar Night Breathing Technique.

To regain stability in situations like this.

Taxes.

Something so terrifying it could make even Ziel feel bad!

 

“Customer, are you perhaps a bounty hunter?”

“No. I’m a liberal arts instructor at the Academy.”

“Wow, that’s impressive. This amount of bounty reward is incredibly large…”

 

Ziel asked in response to the employee’s words.

 

“Is it a very large amount?”

“Usually it’s in the ten-thousand range at most. Hundreds of thousands are quite rare. The ‘Specter’ has 200 million on his head, but… who could catch that person?”

 

Ziel agreed.

 

“That’s right. No one can catch him.”

 

They would never be able to find him.

 

“Exactly, right? Anyway, I’m envious. With this much, even if it’s not enough to completely turn your life around, at least you won’t have to worry about making ends meet.”

 

The employee sighed as if genuinely envious.

 

“Customer, do you have any plans to invest this money or purchase something specific?”

“I haven’t decided yet.”

“Then this works out perfectly! We have a great investment product, would you like to hear about it? This could be an excellent opportunity for you!”

 

An employee who doesn’t miss opportunities!

But Ziel’s reaction was somewhat different from other customers he’d dealt with so far.

 

“Why are you lying?”

“Excuse me?”

 

The Polar Night Breathing Technique he had activated due to the tax issue.

Thanks to that, he detected the other person’s lie.

 

“L-lying, you say. Our Imperial Bank always works for our customers’ profitability…”

 

Fluctuating heartbeat and changes in breathing.

There was sufficient evidence to infer it was a lie.

 

“Now, look here. If you look at this product description, by investing in these bonds you can make a profit of at least 0.5 to 2 times-“

 

Ziel doesn’t know much about investments.

He simply doesn’t have much related knowledge.

During his assassin days, there was no need to know such things.

But his thoroughness and keen eye are exceptional.

 

“I don’t see any clause guaranteeing profits.”

“Well… naturally all investments carry risks, but this is very safe…”

“What does this clause at the very bottom mean?”

 

The clause Ziel pointed to read:

 

[Imperial Bank takes no responsibility for any investment failures. Investment failures are the individual’s responsibility.]

 

It was written in very small text.

The kind of text that most people would pass over without even knowing it existed.

 

“If you don’t guarantee profits, why should I sign up?”

 

Well, because of performance quotas.

But this was the first person to question things this thoroughly and examine each clause one by one.

 

‘Wh-what should I do?’

 

The bank manager had said so.

For premium customers with deposits of 100,000 cel or more, make sure to sign them up for at least one product!

So he had recommended something suitable, but…

 

‘This will be trouble if it continues like this.’

 

This person named Ziel before him was a premium customer with a deposit of 200,000 cel!

He couldn’t let him slip away.

 

“Ah, oh my. I brought out the wrong one. It wasn’t this, it was actually this!”

 

Something he had saved for super premium customers.

The employee quickly pulled out two new product description sheets.

 

‘Can’t help it, damn.’

 

“What I just showed you by mistake has lower profitability, but this one has higher stability. It’s an investment in a recently discovered gold mine that’s been recognized for its profitability. We guarantee a 1% return every month. Calculated this way, that’s 12% per year based on the principal!”

 

Just investing 50,000 cel would become 55,000 cel after one year!

Simply put, it’s for people who want to grow their assets steadily, and in such cases, the more investment money, the better.

 

“The risk is also guaranteed by the Imperial Bank. If principal loss occurs, the Imperial Bank guarantees up to 300,000 cel. Since your current deposit is just over 200,000 cel, it’s a perfect product!”

 

This time it didn’t seem like a lie.

There were no strange points in the terms either.

 

‘Not bad. Since I have no immediate plans to buy a house, it would be good to invest in advance.’

 

But meanwhile, another product description caught his eye.

Reading it, it was the same mine bonds.

However, the risk was incomparable to the previous one.

 

“Ah, customer. That’s a rather dangerous product. We made it after receiving an investor proposal, but…”

“It’s a magic stone mine.”

“Yes. This is literally gambling. We don’t even know if there are magic stones there. If there are, it’s a jackpot, but if not, well…”

 

Magic stones!

That strategic resource whose market price fluctuates wildly.

Naturally more expensive than gold of the same weight, it’s a rare resource that often experiences international shortages.

Essential supplies for magical tool production and magic experiments.

Even suspected that mage factions intentionally control its supply!

Therefore, when a magic stone mine is discovered, all kinds of people flock there…

 

‘This is a bit different.’

 

The problem is that there are many cases of people making a fuss about discovering a magic stone mine, gathering investors, then disappearing!

Therefore, this was also clearly written:

 

[The Imperial Bank takes no responsibility for any investment failures. Investment failure is individual responsibility.]

 

But Ziel chose this without hesitation.

 

“I’ll take this one.”

“Pardon?”

“I’ll invest the entire bounty reward.”

“R-r-really?”

“Yes.”

 

The employee was flustered.

Normally he should be happy about selling such a product that carries no responsibility…

 

‘No, earlier he was pointing out details asking if it wasn’t a lie?’

 

He’s signing up for a product several times more dangerous than what he rejected earlier?

 

‘No wait, if he wants to do it, there’s no need to stop him.’

 

“Understood. Customer, after reading thoroughly, please sign here-“

 

Swish, swoosh.

 

Ziel finished signing and stood up from his seat.

 

“I’ll visit again.”

“Ah, y-yes. Understood.”

 

The dazed employee.

After greeting Ziel as he left.

 

‘Great. I sold one! This is worth at least 4 units of performance!’

 

He cheered inwardly.

Unable to hide his joy in his expression, a nearby employee asked.

 

“Why? What happened?”

“I sold this.”

“Huh? No way, really? There’s a cust… I mean, a customer who invests in this? This is either jackpot or total loss.”

“Most are total losses and only a few hit jackpot. And it’s even 200,000. What a commission!”

“You’re so lucky. Sigh, why don’t I get such customers?”

 

The other employee was envious.

It was an incomprehensible investment, but such people exist from time to time.

People who invest money as if possessed by something.

 

‘Thanks to such people, we make a living.’

 

Thanks to this, this month’s performance quota was met.

No, it’s definitely over-achieved!

 

“If it’s 200,000 cel, how much incentive falls to our commission? Wow, I’m jealous. So jealous.”

 

Meanwhile.

 

“I might end up buying a house soon.”

 

Ziel, who left the bank, had considerable expectations.

High-risk investment product.

Such a product that the Imperial Bank doesn’t guarantee the principal at all!

Magic stone mine investment product whose popularity waned as more people claimed to be scammed.

Ziel’s reason for investing was simple.

 

‘It’s a place I’ve actually been to.’

 

The mine information written in the product description exactly matched the information of the mine Ziel had visited for a mission.

The dispute with a rival organization over the mine.

There, Ziel had definitely recovered high-purity magic stones.

The problem was that the Black Sky Assassination Group no longer exists in this world.

All related documents were also incinerated.

It was only natural that the mining company that Black Sky had been secretly operating also went under.

But it seems it wasn’t forgotten and someone newly discovered it and is gathering investors.

 

“Up to 100 times or more depending on shares.”

 

Even though he had invested all of the substantial bounty reward, Ziel wasn’t worried.

It was a sure investment he had seen with his own eyes.

And relatively recently at that.

A commission that had taken place just one month before the organization’s destruction.

 

‘I should visit the bank again soon.’

 

Unexpected profits!

Ziel put aside his anticipation for now and headed to today’s final destination.

 

“Bed inventory.”

 

Erso said there was something he wanted to buy, but given the current situation, he was worried about exposing his identity and couldn’t go himself.

So Ziel had agreed to check the bed inventory for him instead.

It was apparently such a hard-to-find item that you had to make reservations in advance.

Though he hadn’t known it would be this kind of place.

 

“Quite flashy.”

 

Mortis Boutique

Even the sign was the epitome of flashiness!

This was the 2nd District.

The wealthiest of wealthy districts!

And even there, the most eye-catching building.

It was the boutique directly operated by Mortis, the Empire’s greatest designer.

Mortis was the one and only person who had been appointed as a special knight in the Empire based on design alone.

Ziel didn’t know much about it, but apparently Mortis would sometimes appear in person, making weekend wait times reach up to 6 hours.

He naturally had no idea it was this kind of place.

When he heard about buying a bed, he thought they were just going to a furniture store.

 

“He must have a lot of money.”

 

Since he was just asking about inventory on behalf of someone who couldn’t go out right now.

As Ziel opened the door and entered, an employee approached with a gentle smile and asked.

 

“Welcome, customer. I’m sorry, but there’s a wait required. Your current number is… 30.”

 

Ziel paused at the mention of waiting and asked.

 

“How long do I need to wait?”

“About 5 hours. Please note that purchases require consultation and qualification verification.”

 

Consultation was one thing, but qualification requirements?

Since he wasn’t actually buying anything, it didn’t matter.

He was thinking he should explore the restaurants Celia had mentioned in the meantime when.

 

‘Hmm.’

 

Another employee inside spotted Ziel at the entrance.

 

‘That mask looks good on him.’

 

With looks like that, he wouldn’t be out of place as a model at a collection reveal.

At first glance, there was an overflowing aura about him that captured attention.

He didn’t think he’d seen someone like that before.

He couldn’t just let him leave like this.

 

“Welcome, customer. A spot just opened up. I’ll guide you.”

 

The man with a stylishly groomed mustache approached with a very pleasant smile.

 

“You said you were looking for a bed? We just released a new collection. I’ll guide you this way.”

 

New collection!

Words that would make anyone who frequently visited Mortis Boutique drool.

However, Ziel’s purpose was clear.

 

“Rather than that, do you have inventory for single beds from the ‘Eve Collection’?”

 

Rather than that.

At those words, the guiding employee’s eyebrows twitched momentarily without anyone noticing.

 

‘What’s with this person? Rather than that?’

 

The new collection was hard to even see once, let alone make reservations for.

You’d have to be very lucky to even see the display items – that was Mortis Boutique’s new collection.

But this handsome customer seemed completely uninterested.

He had even ignored the reservation order and come to guide him personally!

 

“For the Eve Collection, fortunately we have inventory remaining. But if you see the new collection first, you might change your mind.”

“What I need is inventory information for Eve Collection beds.”

 

Erso’s request went only that far.

Checking bed inventory.

He planned to make the reservation himself.

That was exactly it.

But not knowing this situation, or even if he knew, he wouldn’t have understood.

 

“…Then how about this?”

 

This was a matter of pride.

No matter how snobbish the boutique, this was the first time someone showed not even a bit of interest like this.

From the boutique’s opening until now, everyone from royalty to grand lords had come with bags of money begging them to please sell to them – that’s what this place’s luxury goods were!

Furniture, bags, accessories, and clothing.

Even purchasing just one item becomes a source of pride and bragging rights for customers—that’s exactly what Mortis Boutique’s products are about….

 

“It’s a necklace.”

“That’s correct. We’ve appropriately matched premium diamonds and blue sapphires, weaving them together using the Wanded Pattern. Mortis’s craftsmanship and precise crafting technique will complete an elegance meant only for you, our valued customer.”

 

How about that.

By the way, this necklace received an enthusiastic response at this season’s new collection preview!

Its name is Serenitas.

This time it’s a unisex collection, so it captivates the attention of people regardless of age or gender….

 

“It’s a necklace.”

“….”

“Ah.”

 

No way.

Did he recognize it?

 

“It’s a necklace that uses a lot of gems.”

 

The bank employee despaired.

 

‘Does he have absolutely no threshold for beauty?’

 

Stubbornness arose.

None of the people who had ever entered Mortis Boutique had shown such a reaction.

Plenty of people pretended not to care while harboring desire afterward.

But in this man’s eyes….

There was absolutely none of that to be seen.

 

‘This one will be different.’

 

“Could you wait just a moment, sir?”

 

A short while later.

The attention of all the employees and other customers in the boutique focused on them.

 

“This is the Origin Masterpiece Collection.”

 

Origin Masterpiece!

Mortis Boutique’s highest-grade collection.

The very collection that’s only sold to specifically designated VIP customers.

Among those items that are never revealed to outsiders unless they’re those VIPs—

 

“Among them, this ring boasts the highest price. Its name is ‘Eternal Vow.'”

 

He showed the most precious product.

 

“The center features Mount Ergo premium emerald, with the sides set with white diamonds. The subtitle is ‘Your Vow to Be Eternally Engraved.’ The perfectly pure emerald’s green light, which cannot be defined by any words, reveals a profound presence at your fingertips. This rare gem, born carrying hundreds of millions of years of time, has been prepared exclusively for you, our valued customer.”

 

The bank employee finished his explanation in an elegant and beautiful tone.

This time, he thought it would surely be different.

 

“It’s a ring.”

“….”

 

Trembling hands.

Had there ever been such humiliation?

Then Ziel asked.

 

“I merely asked about bed inventory, so why are you showing me necklaces and rings?”

“Perhaps… aren’t you interested?”

“I’m not.”

“But it’s the new collection and the Origin Masterpiece Collection?”

“What’s that?”

 

The bank employee crumbled in a single blow.

 

“Are you requesting an evaluation?”

 

An evaluation!

Who would dare evaluate Mortis Boutique’s products?

There had been praise, but never criticism or critique.

That’s exactly what Mortis’s products were!

 

‘He’s just some guy who wandered in because something caught his eye.’

 

He tried to think that way.

 

“I don’t know about necklaces and rings. But if you’re requesting an evaluation….”

 

Until the man, Ziel, pointed to some item in the corner and said this.

 

“That looks better than the necklace and ring you just showed me.”

“Which one are you referring to?”

“That bracelet in the corner.”

 

The place Ziel pointed to was a corner spot inside the boutique.

It was a bracelet displayed there but in a place where people’s gazes rarely reached.

The very item that was less flashy than other products and could even be called rather crude.

 

“That bracelet…you mean?”

 

The bank employee seemed shocked.

Like someone who had heard something they shouldn’t have heard.

Ziel nodded regardless of such a reaction.

 

“Yes. That’s how it looks to my eyes. More than anything else visible here.”

“…!”

“Well then. I’ve confirmed the inventory, so I’ll be going.”

 

And so Ziel left.

And a silence settled in.

Everyone was looking at one person.

They were all staring at the employee who had just guided Ziel.

 

“….”

 

Left alone, staring blankly at the door through which Ziel had exited, that very person was—

 

“Um, Lord Mortis….”

 

The owner of this boutique.

It was Mortis.

Everyone knew this fact.

Except for Ziel.

Ziel had never seen Mortis’s face, and he usually had no interest in such matters.

But setting that fact aside, the reason Mortis was shocked was precisely….

 

“That guest doesn’t know any better, so please don’t mind it too much—”

“You’re the one who doesn’t know any better.”

 

Mortis said to the employee who had approached to comfort him.

Mortis pointed to the crude bracelet that Ziel had indicated earlier.

 

“That’s an item from my first collection.”

“…Ah.”

“But as you know, no one paid attention to it. Even though it bore the name of Mortis. Even….”

 

That bracelet was a product Mortis had designed with the most affection.

But now, after more than ten years had passed.

Finally, one person had shown interest in it.

The very man who had shown no interest in the collection he had confidently displayed had pointed it out.

Saying it was better than anything else here.

 

‘Was I not wrong after all.’

 

Mortis stood there for a long while, lost in thought as if nailed to the spot.

For a moment, it seemed there was moisture glistening around his eyes.

Then Mortis suddenly asked urgently.

 

“Do you know who that person is?”

“Uh… I don’t know. I’ve never seen him before either… With a face like that, there’s no way I could forget.”

 

Indeed.

Just then.

 

“Um, Lord Mortis.”

 

An employee approached.

It was an employee who had been looking for inventory in the storage.

 

“Our warehouse staff seems to know the person who just left. You know, that employee who comes to work part-time while attending the academy?”

“Ah. You mean Miss Karen Aswan.”

“I heard her muttering to herself just now and asked her… She says he’s a teacher at Edelwein Academy.”

“A professor?”

 

There was such a young professor at the academy?

 

“No. She says he’s a liberal arts instructor.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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