The life of an adventurer is costly. They fight dangerous monsters, damage their weapons, and cause property damage. Thankfully that;s where people like me come in. I, Yoho Zhang, am a Financial Advisor for adventurers. Though, sometimes, I feel like a General Advisor with the way my clients bring all their problems to me.
Most of my coworkers are lazy and incompetent but that doesn't stop me from enjoying their company.
My schedule consists of waking up early in the morning to catch my train to work. My job is about half an hour away and a leisure walk at the station before my job gives me a brief reprieve. On that short walk I take the chance to buy myself a coffee. Pure black, no sugar.
'If I remember correctly…' I began my mental to do list whilst sipping my black gold.
The first issue on today's ledger would be a consultation with the new big shot. He's the grandson of the Chairman. I need to make sure he doesn't face any of the traditional red tape whilst making sure I keep him in line. Absentmindedly helping the old lady next to me across the street, I took another sip of my liquid nirvana. Once I was sure she had gotten across I took a step in the opposite direction before stopping.
Feeling the wind brush against my hair, I could see a few of my black locks obscure my vision. Right where I would have crossed multiple pieces of debris zipped through the area. A huge chunk of reflective glass zipped through my field of vision. It gave me a clear view of my hazel eyes and pale skin before crashing into a nearby building
'This is the third infestation this week. What's up with all these Ferobeasts?'
Ferobeasts are the most common type of monster species in this world. They're pretty easy to take down, honestly. One hit to their lungs or heart with enough force and they're dead. Although the blood is annoying.
Ignoring the chaos around me, I continued my commute with nothing of interest happening before I arrived before my place of work. Craning my neck upward, I gazed disinterestedly at the plaque above the entrance. Below that plaque was a green and blue hanging sign that irked me due to how optimistic it was in writing.
[Adventurer's Bureau: Financial Assistance & Insurance Building]
[Springtime Loan Forgiveness Now Available!]
Without another word or action, I entered the world's first ever gateway to hell.
Many of my coworkers from the first floor greeted me. I was quite popular at work due to my diligence and how efficient I was.
"Yoho! Good Morning!"
"Mr. Zhang, could you help me with these insurance forms later?"
"Yoho, are you free today after work?"
Senior and junior employees alike often came to me for varying reasons, be it tax forms to insurance for weapons or adventurers. Some would come to ask me if I was free after work, it felt nice to be appreciated. That's what I wanted to believe but I knew that all of these idiots only kept good relations with me to use me! It's honestly tiresome.
"Good morning everyone!" I greeted with a strained smile.
While I could decline doing the work of everyone who asks, each task they ask of me is so simple it makes me question why they need my help in the first place. There was one who was a repeat offender, though. She was a nuisance who knew nothing of personal boundaries and never deigned to do her own work..
"Good morning, Yoho!"
Speak of the damned and she shall appear. Standing before me, her smile made my stomach twist in a way that was indescribable. It was like an intense heat that began from my gut and made its way to my heart. Looking into her cold-violet eyes reminded me of the winters I went flower picking.
She had this stupid smile that provided a clear view of her teeth. It was a perfect smile. Every time I stared at her my heart would skip a beat and I could never know why. This woman is Arka Sahn. In my eyes, she's the most annoying person to ever exist. Her black hair that somehow glows without the sun complimented the depth in her eyes.
"Good morning, Ms. Sahn." I greeted her.
She's the epitome of immaturity and beauty in one. I can't stand it. I quickened my pace hoping to get to my office before she could drop her work on me. Whenever Arka came to me, no matter the time of the day, she would always drop all of her work into my lap. Hearing the sound of footsteps behind me, I glanced. She was following me. Why can she smile so shamelessly?!l We both know what she's going to ask!
'She's not going to give up, damn.' I cursed whoever had given me such an annoying coworker.
It wasn't unusual for Arka to want something from me—she would always do this thing where she followed me until I gave in—usually it would involve me taking up her responsibilities.
"Do you need something, Arka?"
Her smile seemed to grow even more once I finished my question.
"Yes actually," She replied happily to shirk her responsibilities. "The chairman needs someone to handle the consultation case that recently came up. It's a big case with the children of a foreign leader"
"And why exactly can't you do it?"
I knew exactly why she couldn't do this assignment. I was just waiting for her to admit it. This woman was the biggest procrastinator I knew. Her work ethic was just horrible.
"I still have my paperwork I forgot to fill out last week, and the week before that, and the week before that week…"
I didn't even deign her with an answer. I thought back to the last time I saw her desk, filled with over eight stacks of papers that towered over her. Each case having a backlog of all the cases she refused to hand over. She only handed over the truly important cases because she knew angering such important people with a wait would cause even more paperwork.
"Please!" She begged, making sure to accentuate the end of the word, truly proving the request to be dire.
Gazing blankly into her forehead, I debated whether I should take this assignment off her workload. I only had one case today. I follow the motto of do it quickly and end it with precision. Due to that belief I rarely had a high workload and I often left work early if I didn't take someone else's case. Part of me seriously wanted to deny her request. I wanted to say no. But…
"Fine." I relented.
I could never say no to her. No matter how much she annoyed me I would always help her out. As if already expecting my acceptance of her case, the files came from behind her back. After acquiring them I decided to review the case.
'What a hassle.' I couldn't help but despair just from reading the first part of the first page.
The case dealt with the heir to the throne of Andreste and his sister. Sakvis and Sallevis Erdi were renowned for their strength. Both awakened their latent power as Syhl class adventurers. The young prince was known for his kindness, whereas his sister was known for her haughty attitude. Dealing with them meant I would have to do a lot of grovelling since their mother was known as The Cruelest Creature across the globe.
"No wonder you dumped this on me…"
Arka looked somewhat guilty but that didn't stop her from pushing this onto me. It's my fault anyways. I keep on coddling her and she keeps on coming to me for help. Time to get to work. Straightening out my work clothes, checking my watch for the time, and waving goodbye to Arka were the first three things I did before entering my office.
'It seems that their mother isn't allowing them to use any royal funds because that would be coddling.' I recounted before going over the requested loan amount. The loan package they were requesting had an annual percentage rate of thirty percent. The requested amount is twenty-two million and the loan term is…?
"Five hundred years?!" I did the mental calculations in my head and even then it seemed surreal.
They would have to pay back five-hundred and fifty thousand Nokt a month. Even with our new customer promotion that only starts collecting payments six months after, they would have to stay consistent with this payment for six thousand months. Are they insane?! Then again, elves live for hundreds of thousands of years.
'No, that's not the point!'
A knock on my door alerted me to new presences. There were only four people from what my mana sense detected. Calming myself I sat the papers on my desk and sat down in my chair.
"You may come in!"
Following my permission, all four people entered the room. It was Arka with three elves who all wore expensive looking clothes and beautiful jewelry. Arka sent me an apologetic look before leaving the room while my elven guests took seats in the fancy chairs our bureau had bought with our expanded budget from last month.
Their expressions already told me that my scream could be heard from outside the room. They must have been near when I had that outburst. This was going to be one of my more challenging cases. I would not falter though.
This loan could not be allowed unless they provided acceptable proof that they could handle such a burden.