On My First Day Undercover, the Organization Collapsed - Chapter 300

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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First Day of Infiltration, The Organization Was Destroyed Episode 300
Final Evaluation Preparation (5)
“Test Subjects? That massive thing? You said it was enormous.”
“No. We’ll eliminate that one. There’s another Test Subject currently undergoing experimentation inside.”
“Oh… Will there be any issues taking it with us?”
“Depending on how we raise it, we can develop it in different directions.”
“…Is it perhaps a dog?”
“You’re saying strange things, Gilbert.”
I couldn’t help but speak nonsense.
After all, he was talking about it like we were just bringing home a puppy.
“Won’t it be dangerous to take that with us? We can’t even approach something at that level…”
“Depending on how we raise it, we can keep it from being dangerous. There will be many uses for it later.”
“Understood. Then what will you do with that massive one?”
“According to the research materials, it’s a failed experiment. In the end, it consumed all the village residents. We’ll eliminate it before we leave. That way, the Final Evaluation can proceed.”
Certainly, once that massive shadow creature disappeared, there would be no more threats in this place.
Except for that Unknown Group using the Emblem we just saw.
“Is there no possibility they’ll come looking for us?”
“Based on the research materials and your journal, they visit this place on a six-month cycle. Since they were here recently, there shouldn’t be any problems for a while.”
“I see.”
A laugh suddenly escaped from Gilbert’s lips.
“Why are you laughing?”
“No, nothing. I was just thinking about how surprised they’ll be when they come back here.”
“I suppose they will be caught off guard.”
How shocked would they be if, after all their hard work conducting experiments, the Empire suddenly showed up to excavate the site?
Regardless of what those people were doing, one Boss’s actions were completely derailing their plans.
“Still, if they’re conducting experiments at that scale and giving the Village Chief that much money, they must be an incredibly wealthy organization. I wonder if such a group even exists…?”
The first organization that came to mind was Black Sky, but Black Sky had already been destroyed, and they didn’t use Emblems like this. Ziel knew that better than anyone.
So the conclusion was simple.
“Not interested.”
“Ah.”
“We focus on our own work.”
“Yes, understood, Boss.”
Ziel always had clear objectives and moved according to them.
A trait of a former Assassin!
National conspiracies, threats from mysterious organizations—such things were beyond Ziel’s concern.
What mattered was whether the objective was achieved.
That was all.
“Since the Magical Beasts have disappeared, we’ll change the test format. We can set Traps throughout the Ruins.”
“Should we do a Breakthrough from end to end?”
“No. Since the Magical Beasts are gone, we’ll substitute a different type of Combat. We’ll split into two groups and conduct a 50-versus-50 Team Battle.”
“Team Battle…!”
With the Magical Beast gone, I needed to replace the Combat assessment with something else, and I came up with another amusing idea on the spot!
“The kids will be shocked when they find out. Don’t you think so, Kelvin?”
“Th-their Competitive Spirit will absolutely explode.”
They’d competed by groups or individually before, but never split directly in half to fight amongst themselves.
It promised to be a fascinating spectacle.
“I’ll establish the plan as we proceed.”
“Understood.”
With that, the two dispersed again to select locations for setting Traps for the Final Evaluation, and I descended back beneath the Clock Tower.
“Guuuuh….”
An experiment conducted by the Unknown Group in this Isolated Village.
As a result, a living creature was born that could absorb everything touching its Shadow, confine it within itself, and expel it at will.
Of course, I felt little emotion about it.
I hadn’t suffered any harm.
Others might have called it a monster, but I, free of prejudice, thought differently.
“If it can change its form freely, that would be extraordinarily efficient.”
And one thing more.
An inexplicable emotion blossomed within me.
Witnessing this failed Test Subject, my chest ached slightly, felt constricted.
‘Regret? Disappointment? Or pity?’
I recalled the definitions of emotions I’d read in dictionaries one by one, arriving at a single conclusion.
“Compassion.”
That was it.
I was feeling compassion for this Test Subject’s tragic birth and the fate of death it would soon face.
“Guuuuh….”
The failed Test Subject had no name.
If anything, the Research materials labeled it “Subject Zero.”
It seemed to denote a prototype of sorts.
And the Test Subject now contained within this Glass Container was designated as Subject One.
“Efficient naming indeed.”
But that didn’t mean I approved of it.
A more fitting name seemed to be emerging in my mind.
“Guuuh….”
I approached Subject Zero first.
According to the Research materials, it was scheduled for disposal, and it frequently couldn’t control the Rampage of its power.
The cycle was six months, so they came to check on it once every six months.
In my compassion, I swung my Sword and severed the Iron Bars—
Whoosh.
With my Mana-infused Ether River Sword, I cleaved the Test Subject in half.
“Guuh….”
The remaining shadow writhed, then slowly approached beneath Ziel’s feet.
Ziel did not evade.
It posed no threat.
Something different emanated from it.
‘An indescribable emotion.’
As the shadow beneath his feet seemed to transmit emotion, Ziel’s heart trembled slightly.
At least it did not feel negative.
Moments later, the shadow dispersed like wisps of smoke, pouring an enormous quantity of bleached bones and corpses into the Iron Cage.
Finally, what lay within had been liberated.
“Is it over?”
Ziel had felt many emotions today.
Though he had not yet consciously recognized it, he was now experiencing a sense of bitterness.
A life artificially created.
A fate where even the purpose of its own existence remained unknown, and it could only end like this.
Ziel was gradually becoming someone who understood other beings.
Click.
Setting aside the bitterness, Ziel returned to the Secret Space within the Wall, gathered the research materials, and then turned his gaze toward Subject One.
It resembled a small lump of tar moving of its own accord.
Through the research materials, he had confirmed that if this grew incorrectly, it would transform into something like Subject One.
In any case, the writhing within the Glass Container was grotesque.
At least to ordinary perception.
But Ziel thought differently.
“Cute.”
The writhing form, no larger than a fist, appeared quite adorable to Ziel’s eyes.
“Does it receive nutrition this way?”
Having secured what appeared to be culture medium, Ziel also disassembled and collected several experimental instruments on the spot.
It was thanks to the remarkably detailed research materials.
The person who wrote those materials likely never imagined an outsider would utilize them in such a manner.
In truth, without Ziel’s level of observation, intellect, and analytical ability, such a task would be difficult even with the most meticulous documentation.
In other words, the author of these research materials had inadvertently handed over their entire research achievement directly to Ziel.
Ziel transferred the culture medium into a portable Glass Container and placed Subject One inside.
The writhing form pleased him greatly.
“I’ll need to cultivate it once I return.”
With this, all business at the Clock Tower was concluded.
Ziel set fire to everything as a final act.
It was an offering for the departed.
Simultaneously, it served the purpose of incineration.
Whoosh.
As the flames rose, he did not close the door below.
Air needed to flow for the fire to burn.
By the time Gilbert and Kelvin returned, the entire Clock Tower was engulfed in flames.
“We can classify it as a fire of unknown origin.”
“You’re always good at coming up with excuses.”
For Ziel, who didn’t yet understand the necessity of deception, it was quite a remarkable thing.
“I’ll continue handling such matters going forward, Boss.”
“Understood.”
With that, the Ruins Exploration came to an end.
“By the way, Boss. What does that Test Subject you collected look like?”
“Like this.”
Gilbert was startled the moment he saw the Glass Container.
“It’s… wriggling.”
“D-disgusting.”
Kelvin was equally horrified.
But Ziel couldn’t understand their reaction.
“Isn’t this what people call cute?”
“With all due respect, aside from being small, there’s nothing remotely cute about it….”
“No. It’s cute.”
Ziel genuinely believed it was cute.
“I’m going to take it with me and raise it.”
“You’re speaking as if you’re raising a puppy.”
“I read in a book that companion animals and companion plants provide peace of mind.”
“That’s… a companion….”
Gilbert wanted to object.
In any case, matters here had been settled.
Whatever might happen later, all threats had been eliminated and preparations were complete.
Now came the Final Evaluation.

* * *
The announcement for the Second Year Final Evaluation had been delivered.
“So we’re splitting into two halves… and going at it 50 versus 50, right?”
“What even is a territory control battle…?”
A 50-versus-50 Blue-White Battle.
And the format was territory control.
“You must capture each zone that appears on the map. Both teams start with one fixed stronghold, and you’ll capture nine neutral zones designated as such. Ultimately, when time runs out, the team controlling more territories wins.”
There was one more victory condition.
“And if you seize the enemy’s fixed stronghold and hold it for twenty minutes, you’re immediately declared the winner.”
In other words, this Final Evaluation placed tremendous emphasis on strategy and tactics.
“The assessment criteria will evaluate cooperation and speed, as well as your ability to counter traps and make sound judgments in critical situations. Injured students may be withdrawn from the territory control battle at the discretion of myself and the other two teachers.”
All students would enter this Final Evaluation wielding practice swords.
However, injuries were inevitable, and depending on circumstances, some could be quite severe.
This rule existed to ensure no student’s skull would be split open during the Final Evaluation.
Naturally, any team losing members to injury would suffer a corresponding loss in combat strength.
“Traps are installed throughout the Ruins. Be cautious of them. Additionally, magical beasts from outside the Ruins may breach the perimeter. Stay alert.”
“Magical beasts too….”
I had cleared all the magical beasts inside the Ruins, but that didn’t mean I’d eliminated them as a variable.
“That concludes my briefing. Any questions?”
“Teacher, how will the teams be divided?”
I answered as if I’d been waiting for that question.
“Your existing practical training groups will remain intact, Maris Sopen.”
“Oh!”
“Awesome, so we’re with the leader again?”
It was a decision made in consideration of the coordination we’d built up so far.
However, it was 50 versus 50.
Which meant—
“Each Team Leader, come forward and draw a number. Number one is the Blue Team, number two is the White Team.”
Five groups would be randomly combined so that one side became the Blue Team and the other the White Team!
“Leader! Draw well!”
“But if it works out that way, won’t the team with Delev and Celia win?”
“Not necessarily. As long as Yurio doesn’t end up on their side.”
During practical training, the top-tier students hadn’t served as Team Leaders.
For example, there was Group 1, where Kus was the Team Leader while Delev and Celia were members.
“Does it matter? Either way, if it’s territory control and a team battle, things change. Strategy is what matters, strategy.”
“Right. Swordsmanship is important too, but for something like this, strategy is definitely key. In that sense, our Team 6 has nothing to worry about!”
The Team Leaders came forward and drew their numbers.
Fortunately, the feared outcome didn’t occur.
Group 1, which included Delev and Celia, was assigned to the Blue Team.
Group 4, which included Yurio and Maris, was assigned to the White Team.
As a result, all eyes turned toward Team 6 instead.
Though constantly overlooked, Quantus was undeniably one of the strongest students!
“Ahem!”
Quantus savored the concentrated attention as he drew his number.

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