Outer: Return of the Tenth Commander

Hearing the amount Case needed, Edwards nearly choked.

Case hadn't even mentioned it to his parents, nor explained why he needed the money at all.

Edwards already expected that the transactions at WBC are large, but even so, borrowing this kind of money is not something he or their family could pay in their lives.

A million dollars was too much.

The dealer, however, wasn't fazed.

Hearing that kind of amount isn't new to him. In fact, he heard a lot more outrageous amounts out there that a million dollars was merely laughable.

But upon seeing that he wasn't dealing with Edwards, the father, but his son, Case made the dealer become interested in prying further.

The dealer slightly chuckled and said.

"I forgot to introduce myself. The name's Sean,"

He extended his hand forward, which Case received.

"Case. Case Kellys,"

Sean lightly nodded, "I see. Mr. Case. The World Bank Center will not mind lending you that kind of amount. However, we have rules, and there is paperwork that needs to be done and signed."

"I understand," Case said flatly with confidence.

Seeing how well-mannered Case has been, Sean's lip slightly curled upwards before adding.

"I can't tell you all the rules, but there are two things you should at least remember, and it is something that you'll read once you see the contract."

Sean raised a finger.

"First, the allotted time. We strictly adhere to what our company has agreed to with a client. We don't take it lightly either, but we gave leniency in case there are certain problems, something we can talk about after the allotted time is up. Of course, it wouldn't pose a problem the moment you pay your debt. May I know when you'll be paying? To make things progress smoothly."

Case pondered for a moment before answering.

"A month from now,"

Sean was surprised that the time he would pay his debts was just a month from today, as if he was sure they would come to a consensus.

The confidence and calm Case projected were enough to make Sean continue without question.

"The second important rule to remember is, why are you borrowing the money in the first place? You see, we have seen cases where people borrow money from us just for them to buy drugs and guns. That money then got traced to us until the WBC was in headlines, yet in a bad spot."

Sean slightly paused.

"Yes, we don't tread those lightly that ruin the reputation of our bank. Now, tell me with very honesty, Case. What are you going to do with the million dollars?"

As if he were prepared to answer that question, which he should be, Case replied with a flat tone.

"Starting a business that I can assure will be revolutionary,"

Sean wanted to try to pry the depths of this 'business' he was creating by catching glimpses of emotions from Edwards.

'What the…'

Yet the only thing visible in Edwards' face was shock and bewilderment, and that told Sean all he needed to know.

His father didn't know it.

It could also mean one thing.

Case might be the only one aware of this ongoing business he had in mind.

Well, Case indeed was the only one.

But the business part was a straight lie, and being revolutionary isn't true either.

The money was meant to sustain him and his family for a month since he would procure some food and necessities after receiving the money.

It was for survival; nothing about it is groundbreaking.

'It seems to be working though,' Case mused inwardly as he watched the face of the dealer Sean being convinced by his reason.

There was no need to be worried about it once he saw it.

Case knew he had duped him.

"Okay…"

Believing in the child's reasoning and enticed by the promising return if Case were successful, Sean finally made his choice.

"Stay here for a bit while I get the contract and the funds for your business. By the way, I have high expectations for you, Case."

Case could only offer a slight nod, unsure how to respond to that voice filled with anticipation.

'Hmm, thanking someone who fooled you? Well, welcome? Though I slightly regretted it. I might recruit him if there's a chance since he seems to be experienced enough in this kind of deal.' Case mused inwardly before waiting silently in his chair.

It wasn't long before the contract and a briefcase full of cash were placed on the table.

Case signed everything that needed signing right away, without even glancing at the terms and conditions.

"Thank you,"

Case stood up from his seat, leaving the contract behind and bringing the case in his hand to leave the establishment with his father.

"Wow, I didn't know it was that easy." Edwards voiced out with a slightly surprised tone.

Case smiled, "I didn't know as well, but I'll begin using this money right away, Pops."

"You mean the business?" Edwards asked back.

'You still believe that?'

Case thought inwardly before retorting. "Yes. For now, we should go to different stores to buy food and necessities. I made lists when we're on the house, and I think it's something we'll be needing… when the time comes."

Edwards cocked his head to the side, clearly unsure about Case's business idea, but eventually agreed.

As of now, he couldn't comprehend his son's train of thought, but he believed one thing: Case would only do this for the sake of their family.

Case might not show it, but Edwards can feel it as a father of the household and a parent of their son.

And that's what they did.

"Confidence is indeed the key."

…

"My goodness…"

Seeing three trucks in front of their house almost made Rose think of the contents inside, but she soon realized it was nothing but stacks of food and essentials.

As she watched the boxes of supplies pile up and nearly overtake their home, Rose couldn't help but think they were preparing for an apocalypse, about what was to come.

"What's brother thinking?" Yelena also couldn't voice out her astonishment.

Soon, they spotted another set of trucks moving in towards their street as if a big event was transpiring near their area, in which they couldn't help but sigh.

Both of them landed their eyes on the one spot where Case was talking with the foreman responsible for the delivery of truck supplies to their house.

"This is the payment."

Case gave the foreman ten thousand dollars, an overly generous payment that the man was more than happy to take.

"Thank you, boss."

Case nodded once as he slowly approached his mother and sister and said calmly.

"Mom, Yelena, I have something to do. Please handle those for me. Sorry for bothering you."

Rose shook her head, "It's okay. Just do whatever you want."

Yelena, on the other hand, used this chance to grab a payment by saying her part, "If I do this, give me a salary. I'm broke af, right now."

"Yelena, language…!"

Case glanced at his sister and lightly nodded, "If you do everything due diligence, I'll pay you ten grand."

Yelena grinned from ear to ear as she stepped into the house and began organizing the supplies already inside, with Rose following closely behind.

Case entered the house as well, but instead of helping them, he headed straight to his room to focus on something he should have prioritized long ago after he went back.

Now that he was done with the survival part, it's time to put his focus on himself.

[Eternal Deceitful Eye]

Something has been bothering him since he regressed back, and that was his eye, which seemed normal at first, if not for the fact that its real form solely reveals itself to Case.

'So this is an Authority?'

Case kept seeing a screen in front that showed the name of the eye he received from the Dishonest One.

That was just it, though.

'I should click it, right?'

Without hesitation, Case clicked on the name of the eye, and details about it appeared at once.

And his eyes widened in astonishment.