On My First Day Undercover, the Organization Collapsed - Chapter 35

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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 035

 

 

One Dagger Will Be Enough

 

 

Harmatan was once a prestigious family.

Up until about 200 years ago.

Using Swift Swordsmanship as their foundation, they defeated countless challengers and even challenged for the position of great lord of the Northern Region.

However, the challenge failed, and as a price, they were pushed to the Northern Outskirts.

Conflicts between noble families are common.

It’s just that the losers fall greatly.

The Harmatan Family was the same.

Yurio was truly a talent among talents born after a long time in the Harmatan Family.

The problem was his congenital illness.

That very illness tormented Yurio relentlessly.

His lack of confidence.

His weak disposition.

And even his defeatism.

If he hadn’t met Ziel, Yurio might have been seriously considering dropping out by now.

That’s how much that illness of unknown name had pushed Yurio deep into darkness.

 

“My… illness?”

 

Fortunately, thanks to Ziel, he had partially modified his breathing technique to make his mana flow smoother.

But that was exactly the limit.

Unless his congenital illness was cured, limitations would inevitably come.

 

“Yes. Student Yurio Harmatan’s illness.”

“No one has been able to cure my illness…”

 

The Head of Harmatan had searched for doctors, even disposing of their meager possessions one by one to cure Yurio’s illness.

Sometimes he even sought out famous mystic arts practitioners.

Father was sincere enough that even Yurio himself could feel the family tilting again.

But now, going to examine the illness?

 

“I know a doctor.”

“But all the doctors our family consulted knew nothing about my illness…”

 

Sometimes there were doctors who pretended to know.

Naturally, they were all quacks.

However, Ziel still answered calmly as usual.

 

“That doctor will know.”

 

Unbelievable.

If it weren’t Ziel saying this, he definitely wouldn’t have believed it.

 

‘If Teacher Ziel says it like that…’

 

Teacher Ziel was the person who changed his Academy life and future.

It was worth believing.

 

“Student Yurio Harmatan. You need to cure your illness.”

“That’s… right.”

“Though modifying your breathing technique made it a bit better, that’s not enough.”

 

Ziel was right.

Thanks to the breathing technique modification and his natural talent, he had somehow made it this far.

But he couldn’t guarantee what came after.

Especially situations after leaving the Academy level.

Even now, he could feel his irregular heartbeat himself.

 

“Because of me, at this late hour…”

“There’s another reason too.”

 

Another reason?

 

‘Do you have business outside?’

 

“And it’s someone who can only be met at night.”

 

Yurio, as if entranced, put his sword back in place and prepared.

 

‘Someone who can only be met at night?’

 

He couldn’t guess at all, but Yurio followed along for now.

He had just finished training and felt tired and exhausted enough to collapse, but it didn’t matter.

 

“Um, but Teacher. It’s almost curfew time, is it okay to go out like this?”

 

At the suddenly remembered question, Ziel turned around abruptly and answered like this.

 

“I’m a teacher.”

“Ah.”

“If you’re with a teacher, there are no penalty points.”

 

This reassuring feeling!

Was it because it was Teacher Ziel?

Was it because he was freed from penalty points that every Academy student feared?

 

“Let’s go.”

 

Ziel and Yurio thus passed the auditorium and headed outside the Academy.

 

‘This is my first time going out since enrollment.’

 

At the Academy, going out to have fun every weekend was routine.

But not for Yurio.

Because he had no money.

The allowance his father sent him wasn’t enough to handle the expensive prices of the capital streets.

Commoners think nobles always live glamorous lives, but that depends on the noble.

In barren lands like the north, unless you’re a great lord, everyone lives frugally and saves money.

Especially the Harmatan family in a remote corner of the north.

 

“Teacher, you seem kind of excited.”

“Why would I be excited?”

“Because we’re going outside the academy?”

“That’s exciting for students, I see.”

“These days everyone goes out to have fun on weekends. But Karen and I don’t have money…”

 

Karen’s family was poor in a different sense.

 

“You mean student Karen Aswan?”

“Yes.”

“I see.”

 

A teacher would normally ask for the reason, but Ziel didn’t particularly do so.

 

‘He’s being considerate of us.’

 

Another misunderstanding that arose naturally.

But Ziel…

Just didn’t ask.

There was no particular reason.

 

“But teacher, did you really make that textbook yourself?”

“Yes.”

“Have you written books before?”

“No.”

“Then how did you manage to…”

“I referenced other books to make it. It wasn’t difficult.”

 

It was truly unbelievable, but the person who made it was Teacher Ziel.

He had now established himself in Yurio’s mind as someone who could make anything seem possible.

The two walked and walked until they passed through the academy main gate. Since he was with Ziel, there was no interference from the security guards.

 

“It’s really simple going out with you, teacher.”

“Is it difficult for students?”

“The security guard uncles stop us. We absolutely can’t get out. Even climbing over the wall badly would get us caught, right?”

 

Wall?

Ziel looked at the wall surrounding the entire academy.

It was somewhat high and mana flowed through it overall, but it didn’t seem impossible to climb over.

 

“I’ll need to consider additional teaching methods.”

“Huh?”

“Climbing over that isn’t a difficult task.”

 

A chill ran through Yurio.

Did I touch on something I shouldn’t have?

 

“Um, that is, it’s not that we can’t climb over it…”

“I’ll add leaping and wall climbing training soon. Keep that in mind.”

“…”

 

It seemed like hardship would come after the exchange tournament ended.

 

‘I mean, we’re not thieves or assassins or anything…’

 

The academy is located on the capital outskirts of Edelwein Academy.

So you have to walk a bit to get to the capital streets.

The night streets were extremely quiet.

Though a few people were visible, it was far from the liveliness he had seen when passing through during enrollment.

 

‘It’s really quiet and scary.’

 

Before leaving for the capital.

The butler had said.

Even if you go to the capital, never wander around secluded places, not just at night but even during the day!

Especially as you get farther from the capital center, security gets worse, so you must be careful.

 

‘It feels like a ghost town too.’

 

Step, step.

 

It was so quiet you could hear all the footsteps.

It was at least a bit better when passing places like inns where light leaked out through windows.

 

“This way.”

 

In the midst of this, Ziel very skillfully took the lead and turned into some alley.

The moment they entered, foul smells including the stench of urine wafted over.

 

“Ugh.”

 

Where on earth is he going?

This was even a place where beggars just lay down and slept anywhere.

 

“Come closer and follow me.”

 

At the sight he was seeing for the first time, Yurio continued following Ziel with a tense expression.

They stopped in front of some door at the entrance of the alley.

Ziel then turned his head toward Yurio.

 

“Student Yurio Harmatan.”

“Yes, teacher.”

“Forget everything you see and hear tonight.”

“Huh?”

“If you don’t forget, I’ll make you forget. Understood?”

 

A chill ran through him.

Yurio found himself nodding without realizing it.

 

“Yes, yes….”

 

He didn’t know why, but it felt like he absolutely had to do so.

 

“Don’t use honorifics with me. Just answer with yes or no.”

“Yes… I understand.”

 

Knock knock.

 

Ziel knocked on the door.

There was no response from inside.

Then he knocked three more times.

 

Knock knock knock.

 

Then came a response.

 

“We’re closed for business.”

 

What does that mean?

 

“I have a silver coin.”

 

What does that mean either?

After a moment.

 

Click.

 

The door opened and a decrepit old man appeared, extending his wrinkled hand.

 

“Show me the silver coin.”

 

Ziel placed something on the old man’s palm.

The old man examined the silver coin for a moment, then let out a sigh.

 

“Damn, ‘Black Sky’ collapsed and I thought I could finally rest, but someone with this thing shows up. Just you?”

“There’s one more.”

“Does that kid have a silver coin?”

“One should be enough.”

“You’re no fool. Come in.”

 

Click.

 

As they entered, an unexpected scent wafted through the air.

 

‘Disinfectant scent?’

 

It was a scent Yurio had naturally come to know as countless doctors had visited him over the years.

The interior was quite cluttered.

Countless medicine bottles and instruments of unknown purpose.

Even a wide table that was clearly an operating table.

 

“Hah, ‘Dikelen’s Silver Coin.’ Never imagined I’d see that. Where did you get it?”

“Have you forgotten the rules.”

“I know, I know. Ask nothing of those who possess that silver coin and provide them aid.”

 

He couldn’t understand what they were talking about at all.

 

‘What kind of person is Teacher?’

 

Just as all sorts of questions arose in Yurio’s mind.

 

“Remember what I told you earlier.”

“Ah, I understand.”

 

Could he read minds?

 

“So, what brings you here with a silver coin?”

“I’d like you to treat this boy’s illness.”

“Illness?”

 

The old man tilted his head.

Suddenly he approached Yurio and felt around his entire body.

 

“Nothing particularly wrong seems to be… hmm.”

 

His hand stopped near the heart area.

 

“Irregular. Strange. It wouldn’t be odd if he’d died in childhood.”

 

The old man asked.

 

“Kid. Is this something you were born with?”

“Y-yes, it is.”

“And you don’t know what illness it is?”

“I asked doctors and… even priests, but they all said they didn’t know….”

“You only asked quacks. Those guys only learned textbook medicine. Their skills are obvious.”

 

Among them were even doctors from the Imperial Family.

They couldn’t be quacks.

 

“Let me examine you a bit more. Kid. Extend your arm.”

 

As Yurio reluctantly extended his arm, the old man brought a needle from somewhere.

 

“This will sting.”

“Ugh!”

 

It wasn’t just a sting—it hurt.

Blood slowly flowed out and was collected in a small ampoule.

 

“Wait a bit. I can’t serve you tea. I’m going to be busy from now on.”

 

Yurio clutched his stinging arm and waited in a daze.

He looked at Ziel, but the warning came to mind.

 

‘He told me not to speak.’

 

He couldn’t understand what was happening now.

When Ziel said they were going to examine his illness, he thought they’d show it to some doctor…

But he never expected it would be such a strange doctor.

After a moment.

 

“As I thought.”

 

The old man returned.

 

“Looking at the blood, it matches the old records.”

 

Did he know the name of the disease?

 

“It’s a very rare disease.”

“What kind of disease is it?”

“It doesn’t have a name. It’s just a heart-related disease. The heartbeat is irregular and the heart muscle is very weak, you see? It’s something you’re born with.”

“I see.”

“I’ve only seen it twice in my life. The first time was over there in Renata.”

 

Renata.

A kingdom that borders the Empire.

 

“What happened both times?”

“They died. Before they even turned ten years old.”

“…”

 

Yurio froze.

 

“But those kids were destined to die anyway, even without this. They weren’t in any condition to learn Mana Breathing Technique. But looking at this little one… it seems like he was raised quite preciously?”

 

It was as good as saying Father’s efforts hadn’t been in vain.

 

“But he won’t last long. Even if you somehow support the heart area with mana, you ultimately can’t prevent heart damage.”

 

Heart damage.

Just hearing it made him feel eerie.

Being born with a weak body and having death reserved were different matters.

Yurio’s body trembled.

 

“To explain roughly… it’s this. One part of the body’s metabolism is different from others. Because of that, the heart’s metabolism is weak. The heart will inevitably break down.”

 

The old man tilted his head as if finding it strange.

 

“When I took the blood sample, I saw his hands and it looks like he’s learned swordsmanship. Did he learn the sword with this body?”

 

Ziel interrupted then.

 

“Is there a method?”

“There is one. But it’ll be quite difficult.”

“Why?”

“Poison is needed. You have to forcibly change part of the body’s metabolism with poison. Simply put, you’re changing a person’s body.”

 

He said it simply, but it was naturally a difficult task.

 

“So… poison mixing is the most important part. The problem is I’m not quite at that level. It’s an extremely delicate operation. In other words, a specialist is needed.”

 

Ziel answered calmly to those words.

 

“That’s not a problem.”

“…”

 

The old man was about to ask something but soon gave up and brought up another topic.

 

“Even so, some materials are needed. Unfortunately, I don’t have them.”

“What materials?”

“Five Edelin roots and Belberg Wings. I have the last ingredient, so we just need those two types.”

 

Edelin.

Belberg Wings.

Both were materials used when making deadly poison.

Edelin was one thing, but Belberg was a truly rare insect, so it wasn’t easy to obtain.

 

“Belberg Wings probably won’t be easy. I’m not sure if there are any for sale in the black market. Or you could visit that Derza fellow, but I’m not sure if he’s doing business these days. He’s someone who sells things at ridiculously high prices.”

 

But Ziel simply nodded.

 

“I’ll be back within 3 hours.”

 

Ting.

 

Ziel took out another silver coin from his chest and flicked it to the old man with his finger.

 

“Make sure to finish preparing for the treatment.”

 

The old man’s eyes widened.

 

“This is…”

“It’s an advance payment for the treatment fee.”

“Oh my, you didn’t have to bring all this…”

 

In an instant, the old man’s face froze.

A wave of fear washed over him.

Two of these precious Dikelen silver coins?

That meant.

 

‘I must cure him no matter what.’

 

That’s what it meant.

An extra one because he was in a good mood?

That was impossible in this business.

Everything came with a price.

That was the iron rule of this industry.

 

‘What kind of person is this?’

 

With the assassination group collapsed, he thought he could rest a bit with no work coming in, but suddenly someone shows up and hands him silver coins.

Telling him to treat some kid’s illness.

But what was more frightening than that was those eyes.

 

‘It can’t be the Specter.’

 

According to reliable sources, the Specter had already fled overseas.

With the Imperial Family searching frantically for him, he’d have to be insane to still be here.

Of course, even if he had seen him, the old man wasn’t the type to tell anyone.

If he were that kind of person, he wouldn’t have lasted this long as an ‘Alley Doctor’ in this business.

The silver coins in his hand felt unusually heavy.

 

“I’ll be back.”

 

Ziel left the ‘hospital’ and moved quickly.

 

‘The Black Market.’

 

The fastest way to obtain those two ingredients.

They were rare materials, but not impossible to acquire.

Before entering the Academy under a false identity.

The Dikelen silver coins he had prepared in advance would be sufficient.

And even aside from those two ingredients…

As he had told Yurio earlier, he had other business to attend to.

At the Black Market.

 

“Hmm.”

 

However, entering the Black Market like this carried some risk.

It wasn’t that he couldn’t get in, but the security of this Underworld’s Black Market was more thorough than expected.

You couldn’t enter just because you had money – you needed to prove you belonged to some organization.

If that wasn’t possible, you had to find a companion whose identity was guaranteed.

And Ziel was no longer a member of The Organization.

So he couldn’t know where the Black Market, which changed locations every time, was being held.

It wasn’t impossible to find out, but considering time constraints and convenience…

He needed a ‘companion.’

There was one guy who came to mind.

 

“This time’s payment… one dagger should do.”

 

Caw, caw.

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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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