On My First Day Undercover, the Organization Collapsed - Chapter 76

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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 076

 

 

 

 

 

It Might Not Be Like That From Now On (2)

 

 

 

 

 

Scratch, scratch.

 

 

 

The evaluation committee’s pens moved frantically.

 

Practical training evaluators!

 

Everyone could only vaguely guess their identities, but they were people who could never be seen during the training.

 

These people were—

 

 

 

‘Escaping from the intelligence department makes things so comfortable.’

 

 

 

Because they belonged to the Imperial Intelligence Department.

 

An organization shrouded in mystery, with only rumors of recent rapid growth, its scale, members, and even activities all veiled in secrecy.

 

They had been deployed as evaluators for this Academy field training.

 

One might wonder if the Imperial Intelligence Department would really be deployed for such a trivial mission, but it wasn’t actually surprising.

 

Because Edelwein Academy itself was an academy established under Imperial leadership.

 

 

 

‘It’s a shame there are only two days left.’

 

 

 

Rather, this was one of the missions the intelligence agents welcomed most.

 

All they had to do was hide and evaluate the students without much worry.

 

It was perfect timing since they’d been busy with work pouring in after the ‘Black Sky’ assassination group’s destruction.

 

No one was as qualified as they were.

 

Being part of the intelligence department made them safe from external temptations.

 

Because there was no one who knew their identities and could approach them in the first place.

 

Moreover, they were skilled in stealth, an essential requirement for deployment after training, and could adequately handle threats like monsters.

 

Of course, this was only possible because the Imperial Family backed Edelwein Academy.

 

 

 

“The Arcane School first years… this won’t be easy.”

 

 

 

Intelligence agent ‘Agent 9’ assigned to the Arcane School first years clicked his tongue.

 

These first years had been a mess from the start.

 

While the evaluation officially began upon reaching the campsite, he had been watching the entire process from before then.

 

 

 

‘The golem broke down so they couldn’t pack properly, the students are exhausted, and the professor went to subjugate monsters without any real solution… what a mess.’

 

 

 

The most important parts of the evaluation criteria were monster subjugation and ruins exploration.

 

But other qualitative evaluations like preparedness and cooperation also held considerable weight.

 

In that sense, cooperation was hard to find among the Arcane School first years, and their preparedness was naturally a disaster.

 

 

 

“Here, support this way… Aaaahhh!”

 

“Injury! We have an injured person!”

 

“My, my arm! My arm fell off…”

 

“It didn’t fall off! It’s just scratched!”

 

 

 

Chaos and confusion.

 

There was no formation, no strategy, no tactics.

 

At first it seemed like they were doing what they’d practiced, but the students’ physical condition was too poor.

 

 

 

‘They spent the night shivering, so it’s inevitable.’

 

 

 

With their condition in shambles, they couldn’t show even half of what they’d prepared.

 

 

 

“Are you okay! Fall back!”

 

“P-Professor! At this rate we’ll all…”

 

“You won’t die, so fall back!”

 

“Y-yes sir!”

 

 

 

At least Professor Emeric was fighting hard, so it didn’t look like the students would be seriously injured.

 

But in Agent 9’s eyes, this was enough to roughly picture the future.

 

 

 

‘Starting off this messy, the rest is obvious without even watching.’

 

 

 

Scratch, scratch.

 

 

 

Score assignment was at the evaluator’s discretion.

 

In other words, they could give points or deduct them.

 

Therefore, the Arcane School first years’ scores were being mercilessly deducted.

 

The professor was at least passable, but unfortunately, the professor’s evaluation wouldn’t have much influence.

 

And the evaluators had one more role.

 

Protecting students in emergency situations.

 

 

 

Swish! Thwack!

 

 

 

Agent 9 threw a dagger at a monster that Emeric hadn’t noticed.

 

The Tepik monster that had been thrusting its claws toward a student collapsed on the spot.

 

 

 

“Gasp, huff!”

 

“Hurry and get away!”

 

 

 

The student ran away frantically without even knowing what had happened.

 

This too was reflected in the score.

 

A penalty was imposed for situations requiring evaluator intervention!

 

 

 

‘These monsters aren’t that threatening when grouped together, what a shame.’

 

 

 

Small monsters like Tepiks had weak individual combat power but traveled in groups.

 

In other words, if the opposing group was larger, they often wouldn’t dare attack and would get scared.

 

Simply put, if they had just grouped together and made threats, this chaotic battle wouldn’t have happened.

 

 

 

‘At this rate, ruins exploration will be difficult too.’

 

 

 

Agent 9 moved his pen diligently along with his cold assessment.

 

Meanwhile.

 

Following Agent 9, there was Agent 8’s side handling the Sword School first years.

 

 

 

“Flawless.”

 

 

 

Agent 8’s pen moved much faster and busier than Agent 9’s pen.

 

Because all the students being evaluated performed exceptionally well.

 

Strategy.

 

Tactics.

 

Cooperation.

 

And even individual situational response abilities.

 

Everything was excellent.

 

Especially the strategy of dividing into groups, taking on individual roles, and charging at the magical beasts was superb.

 

 

 

‘They’re wisely choosing not to fight the Tepiks deliberately. Smart.’

 

 

 

The Tepiks outnumber their group, and with fire added to the mix, they absolutely cannot charge in.

 

And look at that fire.

 

 

 

Whoosh!

 

 

 

Unlike ordinary torches, it burned fiercely, making the Tepiks unable to even think of charging.

 

While utilizing this behavior pattern—

 

 

 

“Ground vibration! Count to three and roll!”

 

“Left or right!”

 

“Right!”

 

 

 

Watching them systematically roll across the ground after identifying the attack pattern of the Peckworm, a magical beast that dwells underground, made him chuckle.

 

Could first years really be this organized?

 

Peckworms are extremely troublesome regardless of their numbers.

 

If you misjudge their emergence point, they’ll burst out and devour everything on the ground.

 

Moreover, their retreat speed is also very fast.

 

Fortunately, they’re not particularly large and aren’t highly aggressive, but still, for rookies just entering real combat, they’re not easy opponents…

 

 

 

‘That instructor trained them well.’

 

 

 

Agent 8’s gaze turned toward Ziel.

 

The instructor watched the students with an indifferent and cold gaze, arms crossed.

 

Agent 8 of the Intelligence Department had heard about it too.

 

Edelwein Academy Sword School.

 

Something about how the newly appointed Liberal Arts Instructor there was quite skilled.

 

 

 

‘I didn’t expect this level.’

 

 

 

Worth keeping an eye on.

 

Actually, besides student protection, the intelligence agents had one more role.

 

Infiltrating as evaluation committee members like this to identify any unusual circumstances.

 

The reason was simple.

 

The Intelligence Department belonged to the Imperial Palace, and the Imperial Family and nobles always kept each other in check.

 

In other words, there was also a reason for information gathering.

 

 

 

‘Hmm?’

 

 

 

In the midst of this, Agent 8 suddenly felt a gaze.

 

 

 

‘Am I mistaken?’

 

 

 

A gaze that was definitely looking this way…

 

 

 

‘Huh?’

 

 

 

What was that?

 

 

 

‘No, that can’t be.’

 

 

 

Intelligence agents’ disguise and stealth are perfect.

 

Until now, no intelligence agent who had taken on the role of evaluation committee member had ever been discovered while completing their mission.

 

However.

 

 

 

‘He keeps watching.’

 

 

 

Ziel had already noticed that presence from the moment he entered the campsite.

 

He hadn’t paid much attention to it.

 

That existence was outside Ziel’s practical training plan from the beginning.

 

Good performance meant good scores.

 

Poor performance meant bad scores.

 

It was such an obvious fact that he focused only on doing well.

 

 

 

“Kieeeeeeeek!”

 

 

 

In the midst of this, the most formidable enemy among the magical beasts, the ‘Swordbird’ that had been hiding in the trees, finally took flight.

 

Named so because the edges of its wings are sharp like swords!

 

Its attack of slashing while flying at full speed is very threatening.

 

 

 

‘This will be the real evaluation ground.’

 

 

 

Agent 8 forgot his earlier doubts and straightened his posture.

 

Right at that moment.

 

 

 

“Group 1, Group 2. Moving to support.”

 

“Yes!”

 

 

 

Despite being the strongest forces, Delev and Celia’s groups, who had been waiting in the rear, finally stepped forward.

 

Tepiks.

 

And Peckworms.

 

A surprise attack from the Swordbird while dealing with two groups of magical beasts could be fatal.

 

But Groups 1 and 2 came out holding weapons they had prepared in advance instead of swords—

 

 

 

“Spears up!”

 

 

 

Clang, claaang!

 

 

 

He raised his spear high instead of a sword to block the Swordbird’s approach and deflected its attack.

 

 

 

“Whew!”

 

“We, we blocked it!”

 

“It works just like we trained!”

 

 

 

A battle between ground and air.

 

Naturally, the aerial side would hold the initiative.

 

So the solution Ziel proposed was ‘range’.

 

When all 40 members of Group 1 and Group 2 spread out widely and clustered together with spears, even Swordbirds couldn’t approach carelessly.

 

 

 

‘An excellent strategy.’

 

 

 

Scratch, scratch.

 

 

 

Agent 8’s pen moved busily again.

 

Swordbirds were definitely threatening.

 

That’s why you should never try to catch them by confronting them head-on.

 

In other words-

 

 

 

‘The Swordbird’s habits.’

 

 

 

He knew well the Swordbird’s habit of quickly retreating when they judged their prey wasn’t easy.

 

If you focused only on defense, the Swordbirds would give up and leave on their own.

 

The more he watched, the more impressive it was.

 

Third Years or Fourth Years might be one thing.

 

But for First Years to execute such strategy and tactics and calmly engage in real combat.

 

Above all, that teacher who seemed to have prepared all these strategies.

 

Ziel Steelheart was the most impressive.

 

To think he could control and command nearly 100 First Years so perfectly while creating such a magnificent spectacle.

 

 

 

Scratch, scratch.

 

 

 

The pen moved busily in the instructor evaluation section as well.

 

Meanwhile, the First Years’ subjugation was quickly coming to an end.

 

 

 

Thud, crack!

 

 

 

“Got a Peckworm over here!”

 

“There are still two more underground! Be careful!”

 

“Swordbird! A Swordbird is flying this way!”

 

 

 

They caught the Peckworm.

 

 

 

Screech!

 

 

 

They blocked another Swordbird attack.

 

 

 

“Tepics are coming! Fire, fire!”

 

“Over here! Keep waving it!”

 

 

 

They periodically threatened and drove away the Tepics that had been lurking and circling around.

 

 

 

Thud!

 

 

 

“That’s the last Peckworm, right?”

 

“We got them all!”

 

“All the Swordbirds flew away too!”

 

“The Tepics are running away now too!”

 

 

 

And finally, the subjugation ended.

 

 

 

“Did we win?”

 

“There’s nothing left now!”

 

“Waaahhh!”

 

“Subjugation complete!”

 

 

 

The second day’s subjugation was finished.

 

There were naturally no deaths and barely any injuries occurred.

 

 

 

“Wow, that was really nerve-wracking. How did we win?”

 

“It’s because we all worked together!”

 

 

 

‘There’s nothing more to evaluate.’

 

 

 

All the First Years.

 

Even if there were more outstanding students, there wasn’t a single student who failed to do their part.

 

Excellent.

 

Especially if he had to pick the most outstanding students, it would be the team leaders of each group.

 

They stood at the front, most calmly encouraging and directing their team members to achieve results.

 

If Ziel created the strategy and tactics, it was those team leaders who actually performed on the field.

 

 

 

“Ann, hmm. I hate to admit it, but you have the qualities of a leader. You’re next after me.”

 

“What are you saying, Quantus. Go pick up that sword that fell over there. And I’ll handle the casualty count.”

 

“Got it, leader!”

 

 

 

They checked for injuries, patted the backs of friends who had collapsed from exhaustion.

 

Then they didn’t forget the cleanup, gathering the corpses of the defeated Peckworms in one place.

 

 

 

‘A fitting performance.’

 

 

 

Agent 8 finished his evaluation.

 

Second day, first mission.

 

The overall evaluation of the Sword School First Years was ‘perfect’.

 

 

 

“Are you injured?”

 

“Yes, I got slightly caught in the Peckworm attack earlier…”

 

“Did it touch your jaw?”

 

“No. When it burst out, I just got knocked around by the impact and rolled.”

 

“Then you should be fine. Disinfect it and wrap it with a bandage.”

 

 

 

The follow-up handling was perfect too.

 

Ziel personally inspected the injured students while organizing the situation, then instructed the team leaders to prepare for departure.

 

 

 

“We don’t know when the Swordbird will return. Rest while maintaining the perimeter, then depart immediately. Make sure to consume enough dried rations and water during the rest.”

 

 

 

Rest and calorie intake were essential.

 

Meanwhile, Ziel briefly looked at the Peckworm corpses the students had gathered together and came up with a good idea.

 

 

 

Thunk.

 

 

 

Ziel approached the Peckworm’s corpse and stabbed his dagger into it.

 

And then he pulled something out…

 

 

 

“Wh-what is that?”

 

“Ugh. The smell!”

 

 

 

It spread a terrible odor in all directions.

 

 

 

“It’s the Peckworm’s scent gland.”

 

 

 

In other words, the organ that emits smell.

 

 

 

“B-but why that?”

 

“It can prevent monsters from approaching. At least monsters weaker than Peckworms won’t come near.”

 

“B-but it’ll prevent us from approaching too…”

 

“We can reduce the smell.”

 

 

 

Ziel took out his water bottle from his waist and washed the scent gland.

 

Then he put it in an empty leather pouch and sealed it tightly.

 

The smell subsided a little.

 

 

 

“Take it.”

 

“Ugh, Teacher.”

 

 

 

Celia stepped back in horror.

 

Celia, who had always used only the finest perfumes!

 

This was torture.

 

 

 

“If you carry it, you’ll have less need to fight.”

 

“B-but!”

 

“Won’t you take it?”

 

“…”

 

 

 

Celia endured it.

 

 

 

‘I need to show him a good impression so he’ll accept being my bodyguard!’

 

 

 

Celia accepted it while lost in vain dreams.

 

The other team leaders also received the pouches containing scent glands with tearful expressions.

 

 

 

“Why do I have to carry monster innards…”

 

“Wouldn’t it be better to just fight…”

 

 

 

Even Delev, who now believed everything Ziel said, was holding the pouch containing the scent gland with a disgusted expression.

 

He had never imagined something like this.

 

 

 

“Team Leader, don’t come here. Don’t come this way.”

 

“Ugh, the smell.”

 

“Team Leader smells!”

 

 

 

It was utterly depressing to see the team members who had been praising them just moments ago now avoiding them.

 

But humans are creatures of adaptation!

 

 

 

‘It’s bearable.’

 

 

 

After washing it and putting it in the leather pouch and sealing it tight, it seemed to become somewhat tolerable.

 

 

 

“But how did you know this, Teacher? It wasn’t even in our Monster Manual.”

 

 

 

Celia asked with a tearful expression.

 

In reality, few people knew that Peckworms had scent glands.

 

There were few people who studied monsters in depth, and there wasn’t an environment for such research.

 

 

 

“I used it during training.”

 

“Ah…”

 

 

 

Celia nodded in understanding.

 

Because it was Teacher Ziel.

 

Of course, she couldn’t imagine it was assassin training.

 

Beings who would utilize everything that exists in the world for assassination!

 

Ziel had encountered all sorts of foul-smelling things during the process of training his five senses.

 

 

 

‘Just who trained Teacher Ziel?’

 

 

 

It must have been someone even more monstrous.

 

Meanwhile, Agent 8’s eyes caught even the scene of using the Peckworm’s scent gland.

 

 

 

‘Even the upper classmen probably wouldn’t know that. To know that Peckworms have scent glands.’

 

 

 

Information gathering that brought both admiration and puzzlement.

 

 

 

‘Does he have extensive knowledge about monsters?’

 

 

 

Scratch, scratch.

 

 

 

Of course, this was also reflected in the evaluation.

 

 

 

Flap.

 

 

 

Right at that moment.

 

A different bird from the one sent earlier flew over to Agent 8’s side.

 

 

 

‘What’s this?’

 

 

 

A message slip tied to the bird’s leg.

 

When he carefully untied it and examined it, there was somewhat puzzling content written on it.

 

 

 

-Fur and droppings presumed to be magical beast traces discovered near Zone 9. Caution required during mission.

 

 

 

‘Zone 9?’

 

 

 

Zone 9 was the practical training location for the Arcane School First Years.

 

It was definitely a place where magical beasts could appear.

 

 

 

‘But why did they send this?’

 

 

 

Agent 8 tilted his head with a puzzled expression, then suddenly realized.

 

The Sword School First Years had started moving.

 

Agent 8 quickly tucked away the message slip and began following them.

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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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