The Pawnshop (after battle)
Ain't ya too many visitors at once? The shop's cramped as is…
So, which one do y'all prefer to test your luck on? Trumps? Mahjong?
As we entered the shop, we were met with the gruff greeting of an old pawnbroker.
What's that blighter on about?
... Am I the only one here who read up on J Corp.? Vergilius gave us a pamphlet to peruse before we left.
Well, I vaguely remember checking out the cover...
Here, you get loaned different amounts depending on your fortune for the day.
Drawing "Great Fortune" rewards you with bonus cash, but the closer your draw is to "Misfortune," you'll be paid far under the pawn's value.
Ah~ That reminds me, my family had hired dedicated fortune tellers before.
They divined a Great Fortune for me before I left. That must've been a sign that I would join all of you wonderful people on my journey.
Wow, good for you. Must've been nice enjoying the high life with fancy pastimes in that mansion of yours. That come bundled with a silver-spoon fortune? Maybe I should start praying for that kind of luck in my next life, if there's even one.
I'm good. It's well-off gits like him that tend to play dirty.
Hmm, you might be right, actually. I didn't like to get along with my younger sibling when I was little. Always tried to cheat and grouch if things didn't go as desired.
No, that's NOT what I meant by "playing dirty!"
So you wanna get your fortune told or not?!
Actually... Forget fortunetelling, Did you people even bring anything to pawn? I'm not seeing any glowies on ya…
The pawnbroker glanced over each Sinner with a dubious look until his eyes landed on me.
Oho… That clockhead might fetch a good sum.
How much do you think it'll sell for, old pal?
<Uh, Rodya… Why are you even asking him that...?>
As you were likely contacted in advance, we are from Limbus Company, and…
Unfortunately, neither the Sinners nor the pawnbroker was paying any attention to Faust's words.
Oh, I did bring this handkerchief with me when I left home…
Oho… A dragon embroidered on silk. That's some meticulous needlework, which might net… let's see, 7 million… Ahn?
A crummy piece of cloth is worth that much?! You'd better check them eyeballs for cataracts, ya old geezer!
Wha? Don't you recognize the quality in this craftsmanship? Hah, no wonder - guess that explains why you're parading around that ratty ring on your finger like it's real treasure... Tsk-tsk.
... What did you just say? Oi, outta my way. I'm gonna - Oi!
Geez, cut it out! Hey, Dante~ Shut them up or something~
You had us worried, Faust.
Amid the racket of the pawnshop's chaos, I could make out a remarkably kind and gentle voice carrying through.
You're 15 minutes late to our agreed-upon rendezvous time at 4. Surely you haven't forgotten how to read a clock?
I certainly haven't, but I was also not the one charged with driving the bus.
Aha, is that why you're letting this clock human tag along with you? I suppose they didn't come with a timer function.
Following the gentle voice was the snide remark of a man who didn't even attempt to hide his disdain.
<Hey, that's a bit harsh. Let's at least try to leave better first impressions…>
I know my voice won't be heard by anyone other than the Sinners, but I still can't help but get upset whenever people are rude to me.
Oh, so it was you? You guys are the team that botched the Golden Bough retrieval last time?
Folks had high expectations for your team, what with some of the smartest people in the City being on it.
No wonder… That explains the look on Miss Faust's face.
My facial expression has remained unchanging.
Ey, this bloke's also the brainy sort - don't brush him off. Aren't you gonna say anything?
Heathcliff gave Yi Sang a sideways glance, only to be met with a lukewarm response.
I shall not, as that would be a hollow vaunt.
Huh, remember you bein' a lot chattier in that basement. Who am I dealin' with now, an odd lookalike or somethin'?
You deal with what I deal with - the congenital, selfsame reflection of my mirrored self.
What's that about "I deal"― *sigh* Forget it.
Our first mission was devised with failure in mind.
We needed an opportunity to see what sort of potential each Sinner had.
... Wait, so that's what it was?
An operation with failure as its objective? That hardly qualifies as a mission.
By the way, is Mister Vergilius here? I volunteered to assist with the operation mainly for a chance to get to see him.
He must've been embarrassed to be in their company. Imagine having to babysit people like them.
Tch… Is that why that sod dropped us so far away from the entrance? Because he was ashamed of us?!
... These two are the ones insulting us. Why are we getting mad at someone who isn't even here?
In any case, if they're not going to introduce themselves, we have zero reason to give a damn about their grandstanding.
These two will be our cooperators for this mission. They're from the Limbus Company Clearance department, also known as the LCC.
Please add "Before Team" there, if you don't mind. Ah, I'm Saude, and this here is Effie.
So what? Are you expecting us to burst into applause or...
Wonderful! It's a pleasure!
Hong Lu was the only person on the team who welcomed them with total sincerity - he almost even gave a standing ovation.
As the rest of the Sinners stared at the Before Team duo with either cold hostility or wary glances, the awkward introduction session finally came to an end.