On My First Day Undercover, the Organization Collapsed - Chapter 37
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
The Organization Collapsed on My First Day of Infiltration Episode 037
Black Market (2)
“3.5 million! 1.5 million!”
“Now 3.6 million! The moment I mentioned it, we’ve broken through 3.6 million!”
Just how high would it go?
Erso’s heart was pounding too.
The item he wanted most was that very ‘assassination sword’.
That sword, longer than a dagger but shorter than a regular sword.
It was one of the swords mainly used by assassins, and peculiarly, the Specter had accomplished several impossible missions with just that assassination sword alone.
The assassination sword itself wasn’t particularly special, but it carried the Specter’s premium.
But it was fake.
At least as far as Ziel knew.
‘I never used such a thing.’
Ziel preferred daggers over assassination swords.
Though he had learned swordsmanship, daggers were much more convenient to conceal.
“Now we have 3.9 million! Are there no more bids?”
The bidding eventually surpassed 4 million.
4 million.
It might sound like just 4 million, but that was enough money to buy a luxurious mansion in the capital.
Yet they were burning that money on ‘just’ a single sword.
“Well then, Participant 13 here has won the assassination sword used by the Specter for 4.2 million!”
Applause followed.
Probably some noble had won the bid.
Judging by the fragrance wafting from the cheering man, that was certainly the case.
“And please also take the ‘record sheet’ containing the assassination sword usage records. This might be even more precious than the assassination sword itself! After all, it’s internal security records from Black Sky!”
Records that were surely forged.
Someone seemed to be doing business by selling the names of the Specter and Black Sky.
It made sense, since Black Sky had collapsed, there was no one left to tell them it was fake.
‘So that’s how you make money.’
It was a moment when Ziel’s economic sense opened up.
“Senior, I’m so envious of the person who won the bid. Don’t you feel the same way?”
“Envious?”
“Yes! It’s something the Specter used! Of course I am. If only I had the money, I would have bought it. Ugh, millions are just too much…”
Ziel didn’t quite understand this fan devotion.
But at least he could tell that Erso truly admired the Specter from deep in his heart.
“I’ll give you another dagger when the job is done.”
“Ah… yes, thank you.”
He wasn’t grateful at all.
“And that’s not an assassination sword the Specter used.”
“What? What do you mean…?”
“I just know.”
Erso fell into confusion.
It wasn’t used by the Specter?
‘How does he know that?’
So that was fake?
“How do you know that?”
“I just know.”
“Just…”
If it were anyone else, he would have dismissed it as nonsense.
But it just had to be his senior saying this.
The confusion didn’t last long.
‘As expected, did he perhaps meet the Specter? So that’s why…?’
Meanwhile, another item was being introduced.
“Next is the second item from the ‘Specter Collection’. It’s the ‘Guide Compass’ used by the Specter. Advanced technology! Reliability that shows direction in any situation! Even amazing technology that locks onto targets! This is a very rare item that only the top-class assassins of ‘Black Sky’ used!”
That was something he had used.
Of course, the one Ziel had used was separate.
In the Edelwein Academy Faculty Dormitory.
Inside a bag that only he could open.
“Since this auction is running hot! To prevent overheating, this item will start at 2 million…”
“3 million!”
It seemed to be overheating as expected.
Ziel watched the process with interest.
Just because the name ‘Specter’ was attached to it, money that could buy hundreds of thousands of chicken skewers was being thrown around like that.
‘People in this world seem to have a lot of money.’
No matter how perfectly a mission was carried out, all the money was paid to the organization.
At least in Black Sky.
Since individual assassins were brainwashed to conform to the organization’s control, all personal desires were castrated.
Therefore, he has no need to spend money nor any desire to earn it.
‘Is this feeling of resentment?’
If he hadn’t been brainwashed.
By now, he would have had enough money to buy chicken skewers without any worry.
Right now, Ziel was contemplating various ways to save the salary he had received a few days ago.
“…Therefore, it has been sold for 5 million, 5 million cel!”
Well, even though it was frustrating, the auction itself was quite exciting.
During his brainwashed days, it was something that held no interest for him.
“Senior, is there anything you’d like to buy?”
“No. I’m not interested in the Specter’s belongings.”
“You don’t… dislike the Specter, do you…?”
Was he asking if he disliked himself?
Ziel pondered his answer for a moment.
“The auction is getting quite heated. With that in mind, let me introduce another item as a brief intermission.”
A new item appeared.
It wasn’t Belberg Wings.
“Actually, this isn’t really an item suitable for an intermission. It’s not related to the Specter, but perhaps the Specter might have used it! It’s a key engraved with the emblem of ‘Black Sky’!”
A key made of black, solid material was revealed.
“We don’t know what it’s used to open yet! But who knows! It might be a key to a storage containing incredible treasures! This item starts modestly at 100,000!”
Surprisingly, there were no participants.
It wasn’t something the Specter had used either.
Only a few people who considered it simply a collectible showed their numbers.
“Participant 5, 180,000. Participant 8. 190,000. Yes. Any more?”
That’s when it happened.
“Ah! Participant 60. 210,000!”
“I’ll make it 300,000.”
“300,000! Suddenly jumped up by 100,000!”
Erso’s eyes widened.
‘300,000 for just a key?’
Could Senior also be a fan of the Specter?!
No, if that were the case, he would have bought something else instead of that…
“Any more? Three, two, one… Auction closed! The key engraved with the Black Sky emblem goes to Participant 60!”
Ziel’s successful bid.
Erso asked cautiously.
“Um, Senior. What are you planning to use the key for…?”
“There’s something like that.”
The two items that came out earlier were fake.
However, that key is real.
‘To think I’d see that here.’
Just once.
He had seen the Black Sky leadership use it.
A key used to open a very secret space.
To think that would appear here.
‘I should visit there soon.’
Everything of Black Sky is contained within.
If Ziel’s prediction is correct, even during the subjugation, the space that key opens wouldn’t have disappeared.
Because it’s hidden in the assassin’s way.
Getting that for ‘just’ 300,000.
‘Does Senior also have a collecting hobby?’
Erso has no idea whatsoever.
Meanwhile, the item they had been waiting for finally appeared.
“Now. Next is… Belberg Wings! A very precious item! A rare medicinal ingredient that’s impossible to buy! The starting price is 200,000!”
Ziel decided to observe for now.
“300,000 is bid! 300,000! Now, next is… Ah! 400,000 over there. 400,000!”
The competition was more intense than expected.
The previous two items were generally useless objects.
But Belberg Wings, which only inhabit the jungle, are materials with many uses.
“500,000, over 500,000, from now on we’ll increase by units of 50,000. Now, 550,000 is bid! 600,000, 600,000 excellent!”
Before long, the price had skyrocketed from the starting price of 200,000 to break through 800,000, and 1 million seemed easily achievable.
However, at this point, only two people remained among those participating in the bidding and began competing.
“Two people left! Participant 15, excellent. 900,000! Ah, immediately 950,000! Ah! Participant 15 again, 1 million! From now on, bids will increase by 100,000!”
Belberg Wings.
They say supplies have been short lately, so it’s been a while since the price went up this much for just one piece.
“Things are heating up. Hmm. It’s worth that much.”
Erso also nodded and smacked his lips.
‘Senior probably isn’t interested, of course.’
Just watching the auction unfold.
Still with his arms crossed.
‘Then why did he come to the Black Market?’
That’s when it happened.
“1.3 million, we have 1.3 million!”
Ziel raised his hand.
“3 million.”
Erso’s mouth fell wide open.
The surroundings fell silent too.
“If there are no more bids, I’ll take it.”
There was no way there would be.
Participant 15 and Participant 24, who had been fiercely competing in 100,000 increments, looked toward Ziel speechlessly.
Like they were looking at some madman.
“S-S-Senior. 3 million is…”
Bang, bang, bang!
“3 million! Sold! Appearing like a comet with 3 million! Excellent!”
Ziel stood up from his seat and asked Erso.
“Where do I pick up the item?”
Ziel has no money.
More precisely, no cash.
But he has silver coins.
Dikelen Silver Coins are currency outside the system that circulates in the Underworld.
Their value is 200,000 to 300,000 Cel each.
Erso thought he was dreaming.
‘Real deal.’
A pocketful.
Silver coins were visible.
At least hundreds of them.
Two questions arose.
How does he have so many silver coins.
And how does he carry something so heavy around like it’s nothing.
“At today’s exchange rate… 15 coins will do.”
Ziel handed over 15 silver coins and received the box containing the Belberg Wings.
Click.
Opening it confirmed it.
“This one was caught in the Southernmost Jungle of the Continent.”
“I see.”
Erso marveled at Ziel as he took the box.
“Senior, you’re incredible.”
“What’s incredible about it?”
“Well… haha. I didn’t know you’d casually drop 3 million like that.”
Belberg Wings.
Certainly a precious item.
But not worth 3 million.
At most 1.5 million?
Participant 15 and Participant 24 who were competing with bids earlier probably thought the same.
But double that amount.
“Money isn’t important.”
His heart fluttered once again at Ziel’s response!
‘Damn cool.’
Hundreds of Dikelen Silver Coins!
That alone represents tremendous wealth!
The composure flowing from that!
‘I absolutely must win Senior’s favor.’
Actually, Ziel had no particular thoughts.
‘I got the wings, now I can go back.’
It wasn’t like he had anticipated this situation and brought a bunch of silver coins.
He just brought as many as possible to prepare for any unforeseen circumstances.
More precisely, to prepare for dealings in this kind of Underworld.
It was money he had prepared for emergency situations, after all…
At the time, Ziel simply didn’t have much concept of the value of silver coins.
Even now, he just paid the 15 coins because he was told to.
He called out 3 million because he thought doubling the bid would prevent wasting more time at the auction.
The problem was that all of this looked incredibly cool to Erso!
“Um, Senior. Then I’ll be going now…”
“Ah. Right.”
Ziel took out two daggers from his coat.
“Here are the daggers I promised.”
“Thank you!”
A different reaction from when he received daggers before.
‘Did he come to need daggers?’
Anyway, seeing him happy made Ziel feel good too.
“Are you leaving now?”
“I’ve obtained everything I needed.”
“I’ll guide you to the exit. Let’s go.”
Their business was finished, but the auction was still in full swing.
“Now, we’re back after the break. Again, these are items used by the Specter. Now, this item is…”
But Erso wasn’t particularly interested anymore either.
‘They’re too expensive to buy anyway.’
“A dagger! Now, isn’t this the essence and representative item of assassins?”
A dagger?
The ones Senior gave me are more valuable.
A pro among pros!
A man who possesses hundreds of silver coins!
“Oh, what? It’s Erso. Are you done already?”
“Yeah. Got everything I needed. Nothing unusual?”
“What do you mean unusual. But why did you get even uglier? You’re not wearing a Human Skin Mask, are you?”
“How do you say the exact same thing as the guy at the entrance?”
Erso grumbled, then suddenly grinned and patted the shoulder of The Man standing by the exit.
“Next time we meet, I’ll buy you a drink.”
“What nonsense are you suddenly spouting?”
“There’s something like that. There’ll be good news soon, so wait for it.”
“Are you dying?”
“Damn it.”
A job change!
A new life that would unfold after leaving Red Shadow.
Erso’s heart was pounding.
“The exit is this way.”
The two walked out to the exit.
“Is the mission over now?”
“Yeah. It’s finished.”
“Thank you for entrusting me with it. Please come find me anytime.”
No matter how he thought about it, he had done well.
But it was too easy.
Just guiding through the Black Market.
‘Maybe it’s a taste test at first and they’ll gradually increase the difficulty.’
The misunderstanding was growing, but it was good for Ziel.
“Are you heading back now too, Senior? If you have anything else for me to do, please call me anytime…”
There was no answer.
When he turned his head, Ziel was looking in a completely different direction.
“There are people waiting for us.”
“Pardon?”
As soon as he finished speaking, five or six people walked out.
They were all wearing robes, but the smell of oil and the sound of armor couldn’t be hidden.
‘Nobles?’
Erso tensed up.
Could they have come to crack down on this Black Market?
Lately, after Black Sky’s destruction, the atmosphere in the Underworld had been ominous, could it be?
The person standing at the front then asked Ziel.
“I understand you won the bid for Belberg Wings, is that correct?”
“That’s right.”
Ziel answered calmly.
“We’ll pay double the winning bid amount. Hand over the Belberg Wings.”
And Ziel answered just as calmly.
“No.”
The other party fell silent, perhaps flustered by the merciless rejection.
However, they soon asked again with a voice suppressing anger.
“It would be a good deal, wouldn’t it? Double would be 6 million. That’s an incredible amount.”
Ziel tilted his head.
“Then couldn’t you have just bought it at the auction with that money?”
It was pure curiosity.
“…There were circumstances.”
“Is that so?”
The other party asked, wondering if they were getting through to him.
“That double amount, I will definitely pay the price. So hand over the wing. This is important business.”
Ziel’s answer was the same as before.
“I refuse.”
“…”
The other party fell silent.
But soon—
“I’m sorry. It seems I’ll have to draw my sword.”
Just as he said this to another person standing behind him and was about to draw the sword at his waist—
“Stop it, Sir Relio.”
A very solemn voice restrained him.
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————