"W-what did you say?" The manager of the bank, Gustavo, faced a peril he had never before in his life. After signing loan over loan in joy of the money that kept coming his way from his collectors, a new problem showed up.
"Sir. Not a single caravan has reached us."
"T-those bandits? It is those bandits Mr. Sohn talked about?"
Holding both ends of his mustache in frustration.
"Sir… there's no caravan from any route. The entire country stopped sending money to us."
Gustavo almost ripped his hair out.
All of it. The entire damned country had stopped sending money after bringing in so much cash. He screamed and sent his soldiers down south to the office that managed the moving of the funds, but it was already empty.
A war.
Gustavo had heard that the family was trying to fight against some enemy underground. It could probably be that, he thought. It was likely that all the money went to them instead of him.
But, Gustavo was still in a peril.
He reached into his drawers and pulled out a contract. Today, he had to pay out the largest sum he had yet to the clothing store that had opened up near the castle of Daiban Canmo. The reckless store and its stupid veiled manager had created a good place but were running in a loss. It was a prime specimen of a very profitable business that he had to take over.
But unfortunately, he had already loaned out every single penny.
He couldn't refuse the shop either. It was impossible, not after he had already reported to all the higher ups and his peers that he was going to usurp all the big businesses in his greed for a promotion. The worst of all was that if he told them he had killed this business in greed, his head would soon be on display.
"S-send people!" He told his secretary. "Send them to collect from the people we have already funded."
The secretary nodded and set off. He himself left to go and ask Mr Sohn and the lady to repay some money in hopes to hand it out to the shop.
His efforts were all in vain.
No one could make a repayment mere days after getting their money. Half of them shrugged his word off as a joke and told him to expect the payments after a week had passed, as was their agreement.
With no other choice, he reached into his drawer once more.
There was another money lending business operating in the town, it had started almost at the same time as the clothing stop. One that worked with the scum of the society.
These were two different dealings, but he could still work.
Even if it was a small amount meant for scum, he could pay it to the store now and the rest when he got some money. That would be the best case scenario. He had to do whatever he could to keep this business running or he'd lose his life.
And so, he left. He made his way for the nest of the criminals, donning long coats and hats to hide himself.
Guided through the alleys and sewers he found himself in the underground of the Daiban Canmo street. What an irony it was.
A man donning glasses guided him into a dark room inside.
Sitting there, on a seat of black, was man in a golden mask.
"Gustavo Misk, the owner of the biggest bank in all of the south," the masked man spoke. He had known his identity before Gustavo could introduce himself!
"Ohoho…" Gustavo cackled. "It seems the owner is a wise man."
"Speak your purpose."
Gustavo thought that man could cut some slack on the snappy words, but he was in a hurry too.
"I needed a small loan…"
"We don't do those."
Gustavo was left blinking.
Don't do small loans? In a slight hope of shading the man, he spoke an amount higher than he had intended at first.
"I-it isn't as small as you think… about, seventy thousand gold?"
That should be the limit such a new business could afford. It would only put him a third of the way for the money he needed, but—
"Too small. Do not waste my time for such trifling matters,"
The masked man shocked Gustavo.
"T-then… how about… 1 hun—"
"Too small. Gustavo Misk. I know of your reputation, but you don't know of mine." The masked man leaned ahead, tapping the table between them.
"Two hundred thousand is the lowest I will go for you."
Gustavo gulped.
Two hundred thousand?
Two hundred thousand? Was this guy crazy!? Did he think he was Gustavo Misk? How could he throw such an amount as if it was a joke—
Gustavo's line of thought was interrupted. A thick bag of cash the size of his belly was placed on the table. And then another.
"One hundred thousand in each of them." The masked man said.
Gustavo gulped.
He was in need of that very money.
His mouth watered at the sight.
"I…" Gustavo muttered. "I'd like about… Two hundred and ten thousand…"
The masked man broke into a loud cackle. He reached into his pockets once more and placed another pouch on the table.
"I'll throw it in for free, Gustavo Mask."
Gustavo was stunned.
"You have to make payments every week. I'll be kind and only charge interest on the two hundred thousand. Two percent a month."
Gustavo licked his lips.
The masked man came ahead.
"This business is just as legal as your bank, Misk," he said. "I hope you would be smart enough to not test me."
The man suddenly grabbed Gustavo's collars, pulling him close.
"I will be sucking up thrice the amount if you fail the installments. But that's just on the surface, because I love my money." His whispers sent shivers down Gustavo's spine. "And if I don't get my money back, I will torture every single person you've ever known."
Gustavo pulled back and nodded.
"I'll do it," he said. Half in fear and half in greed, only thing rang in his mind, and that was the fact that he was set receive repayment from all the loans in less than a week.
It was going to be perfect.
"Be my guest."
Visit freewe𝑏(n)ovel.co(m) for the b𝘦st novel reading experience