01-20 · 005

Chapter 5: Delivering 1.5 Billion Yen (Wrapped in 100-Yen Store Packing Material)

A message from the winning bidder arrived right after the auction ended. I nervously checked its contents.

'ID: ■■■■ (S-Rank)

'I'm glad I won the bid. It's an amazing sword.

'Actually, I really want to use it on tomorrow's expedition.

'Would you be able to deliver it to me now if I give you my address?

'I know it's an unreasonable request, so if you can do it, I'll pay an extra 100 million. It's fine if you can't, but I'd appreciate it if you'd consider it!'

…An extra 100 million?

I rubbed my eyes. Even 1.5 billion was beyond my capacity, and now they were adding more on top. It was like their sense of money was glitched.

But that wasn't the issue. The issue was the "deliver it to me now" part.

Normally, items in online auctions are sent using anonymous shipping services. The advantage is that you can trade without revealing each other's addresses and names. But if I delivered it in person, there was a risk my identity would be exposed. If that happened, the bluff I'd pulled with the account name Master_Eye would be ruined. Worst case, I'd lose credibility and everything would be for nothing—

“…But, 100 million yen, huh.”

I swallowed hard. I'd almost become numb to it from the 1.5 billion, but with 100 million yen, you could build a house. The buyer was casually offering that as a "shipping fee." It seemed too wasteful to refuse.

Besides, the buyer was an S-Rank explorer. If that was the case, showing good faith and doing them a favor might be better for my future, right?

Between the risks and the immediate 100 million (and confirmation of the 1.5 billion deposit), I didn't need to weigh the options.

“…I have to do it. I just have to not get caught, that's all.”

I sent a reply of acceptance with trembling fingers. Immediately, a map app URL and an entry passcode were sent to me.

The location was… a luxury high-rise condominium in Minato Ward, “Babylon Tower.” It was said to be a fortress where only the few S-Rank explorers in Japan and top corporate executives could live.

“Alright, time to disguise myself.”

I tore through my closet. A black hoodie I'd used during my explorer days that didn't stand out. A black mask to hide my face. And a cap I could pull down low.

I looked in the mirror. What stared back was, by any standard, a suspicious person.

“…If I get stopped by the police, I'm done.”

But I had no time for hesitation.

Next, packing the item. I didn't have a case to put a National Treasure Level holy sword in. I picked up the roll of bubble wrap from the corner of my room.

Wrap, wrap, wrap, wrap.

The holy sword Excalibur got wound in cheap plastic. Finally, I shoved it diagonally into a delivery bag I'd used for a part-time job before.

The hilt stuck out a bit, but from a distance, it could pass for a baguette.

“Alright, perfect.”

I hoisted the 1.5 billion yen baguette onto my back and dashed out into the night.

◇

One hour later.

I stood in front of the penthouse, on the top floor of “Babylon Tower.”

At the entrance, when I showed the security guard the passcode I'd been sent, he snapped to attention with “My apologies!” The influence of an S-Rank was incredible. The elevator was even larger than my run-down apartment room.

And now, in front of me was a heavy door. My heart felt like it was about to leap out of my mouth. Beyond this door was that “winning bidder.”

“…Phew.”

I took a deep breath and pressed the intercom. Ding-dong.

A few seconds later.

With a click of the lock, the door opened.

“Hii, you're quick!”

Appearing before me was a person I'd only ever seen on TV screens.

Long platinum blonde hair. Jewel-like blue eyes. And an incredibly refined face.

S-Rank explorer, the “Sword Saint,” Seira Jinguji.

But that wasn't the only reason I lost my voice. It was her outfit.

She wasn't wearing the armor I'd seen on TV. Instead, she had on an oversized T-shirt and shorts. Her hair was still slightly damp, and a sweet scent of freshly washed hair drifted from her.

(Isn't this way too casual!? She had no idea who was coming!?)

I forced myself to suppress my shock and pulled my hood down deeper. I was supposed to be the mysterious seller, “Master_Eye.” I couldn't act suspicious.

“…Delivery.”

I made my voice low. Seira didn't seem surprised by my masked face; instead, her eyes sparkled with interest.

“So you're Master_Eye? You're younger than I expected. I thought you'd be some stubborn old blacksmith.”

“I'm just a proxy.”

“Hmm? Well, let's see the item.”

I pulled the bubble-wrapped, stick-shaped object from the bag on my back.

“This is it.”

“…………”

Seira's smile froze. Silence fell. On the top floor of a luxury tower, a 1.5 billion yen transaction item was being presented wrapped in 100-yen store bubble wrap.

“Ah, um… this is it, right? This is the sword?”

“I guarantee the contents.”

“R-Right! What's important is what's inside!”

She took it with a wry smile and carelessly tore off the bubble wrap. With a pathetic rrrrip sound, the silver blade was revealed.

At that moment.

The air in the room changed.

“…!”

Seira's expression shifted completely. The face of an explorer. In one fluid motion, she raised the sword and lightly swung it through the air.

Swoosh!!

A sharp slicing sound rang out, and the shockwave made the potted plant in the room sway. Just a swing. Without even imbuing it with magical power. And yet, this power.

“Amazing.”

Seira stroked the blade, her expression enraptured.

“I was surprised when I saw the photos, but the real thing is even better. The balance is perfect, without a single warp. And this magical conductivity… I can't believe there's a craftsman in Japan who can make something like this today.”

Excited, she stepped closer to me. The pleasant scent of her freshly washed hair made me instinctively step back.

“Hey, did you really do the maintenance on this? How did you perform this 'seal release' formula? Was it ancient language magic?”

“Uh, ah, no…”

I couldn't exactly say “I washed it with kitchen detergent.” I fumbled for words.

“T-Trade secret.”

“Mmm, stingy. But I have to admit, it's a great job.”

She nodded, satisfied, and pulled out her smartphone.

“As promised, the winning bid of 1.5 billion plus 100 million for delivery, total 1.6 billion yen. I'll send it now.”

Ping.

My phone vibrated in my pocket. I didn't need to check the notification. But I couldn't help myself.

====================
[Deposit Notification]
Sender: Seira Jinguji
Amount: ¥1,600,000,000
[Balance]: ¥1,600,000,632
====================

(O-One point six billion…!)

There were so many zeros, for a moment I thought it was spam mail. But this was real. Today, at this very moment, I had become a billionaire.

“I've confirmed it. The money's there.”

“Good, it was a good transaction. Thank you.”

Seira smiled brightly—and then suddenly fixed me with a serious gaze.

“By the way, about that ‘proxy’ story, that was a lie, right? Why did you lie?”