New Year in Dimension 6-2
Dimension 6-2 welcomed the new year. My name was on the personnel announcement posted in early January.
"Jian, congrats on making deputy!"
In the West Podoks Branch's staff cafeteria. As soon as we finished lunch, Fred hyung set down some drinks on the table. Not our usual coffee, but a limited-edition premium one. A thousand gulden pricier.
"First early promotion from our branch I've ever seen."
"Isn't it the first time anyone's jumped straight to deputy ahead of everyone else?"
"That's gotta be a huge deal, then."
Looking around, my branch colleagues were gathering. They were all wearing party hats, tellers and bankers alike, and in the distance, I spotted Branch Manager Del Monte smiling our way. He'd prepared and handed out the party goods, huh. Looked like he'd been paying close attention since the promotion notice dropped today.
"Thank you. I just got lucky."
"Come on, Deputy. Humility's a virtue, but don't overdo it."
"Seriously, congrats. Mind if we take a pic together?"
It had only been a month, but the West Podoks family celebrated me finishing probation and hitting deputy ahead of my peers like it was their own win.
"Deputy, you single? I know a sister who's free right now—"
"Sorry, I'm still too busy keeping myself together..."
A teller I'd gotten close with pulled out her smartphone and showed me a photo. A total stunner that'd make your eyes pop. But I politely declined. No matter how gorgeous, a two-meter-tall ice giant half-breed with a baseline body temp of 4°C was a physical no-go.
Stepping out to the rooftop for a smoke, I checked my smartphone. The trainee group chat was flooded with congrats.
I skipped Irool's wall of text unread. Dude gives off major butler vibes in writing—is that standard for angels? Feels like he's gone off the deep end since starting in Audit. Might need to call him out for a check-in next time.
Isaac was burning with rivalry for some reason. Pretty sure he was branch-bound too, but I hadn't seen his face lately. Teasing the rich elite isn't an everyday chance, so I figured I'd poke him.
Surprisingly, the bait didn't land. His scoff made it seem like he was hiding something. Not that I cared what.
"Whew."
The cigarette smoke drifted into the sky. West Podoks sat atop a hill, giving a full view of Podoks City from the roof. Tomorrow, I'd leave for another city. Time to move into the outpost dorm too.
"..."
Among the capital region's cities, Podoks was the biggest and most vibrant. The only self-sufficient one, not a satellite of Linden. Spending five months here learning the ropes was a huge blessing.
Sure, I couldn't remember every client's face. But the know-how from dealing with them would fuel my banking career for years.
"If I make it big, I'll come back."
I made the promise to the rooftop wind, to the city that raised me these five months. Next time, I'd return as a higher-up banker, worthy of everyone's respect.
Heading to the outpost's cutthroat competition and grind? To come back stronger and tougher.
That night, summoned by Branch Manager Del Monte, I headed to a restaurant on the outskirts of Podoks City.
I arrived first and gave my name; the staff led me to the innermost room. Oriental-style decor. Tatami chairs and tables of premium wood. Beyond the open window, a serene garden.
Dramas always had big deals go down in fancy spots like this. Being the one in the scene felt surreal.
-Slide
Lost in thought, the sliding door opened, and the shoeless branch manager appeared. I stood immediately, bowing deeply.
"No need to stand on ceremony."
He tugged his tie knot loose just a bit, grabbed the liquor bottle. His clockwork face stayed stoic, but after five months together, I could tell he was in high spirits.
"Thank you."
I raised my glass as he poured, then filled his in return.
"We're doing a send-off tomorrow morning, but I wanted a word alone with you, Deputy Kim Jian."
Slowly, as one banker to another, he shared what I needed to know. My unique edge, even in a flagship new branch. Types of bankers and clients to watch out for.
Most memorable: the three factions in the Dimensional Credit Vault.
"You probably suspect, but the multidimensional outpost is a battleground where faction bankers vie for results. You know about the three factions, right?"
"Yes."
Born from mergers during the economic crash, when banks gobbled each other up. Pay scales, customs, even systems differed—natural factions formed by origin.
"Dis Pater Credit Bank, Interdimensional Neptune Bank, Erasmus Fairy Bank?"
"Spot on."
From training, I'd heard they're called guD, guC, guE from initials. No clue why Neptune stuck as guC.
"GuC and guE pull no punches checking President Okerus's guD power."
"I see."
"But the president hates faction fights. Guess why outposts get even faction splits?"
A new branch was prime real estate, a fat steak. Spreading bankers evenly? The boss's peace-loving call.
So—
"An attempt to ease faction tensions?"
He nodded.
"Yes. We're staying neutral. President's goal is to end the rifts."
Our didn't include me—just his guD crew. So where did he see me?
"I'm the one wildcard who can move freely between factions."
Chatter calls me the president's plant, but I'm unaffiliated. Joker nice, side dish nasty.
"GuC and guE see it different. Rumors say you're a parachute drop."
"As the guy in question, it's pretty bewildering. Never even met her."
Not met—don't even know her face. No pic on the site.
"Prove it, and you'll move freer."
I got his drift. Didn't want me tangled in outpost faction politics.
"Recommend keeping distance from Slick Ellama."
Not pulling me to guD—straight survival advice, man to man.
"Meaning, stay smooth with other factions' bankers."
"Tightrope stuff, I know. But I believe in you, Deputy Kim Jian."
Tall order for a five-month rookie. But I sensed what guD, Del Monte included, expected: me as buffer in the faction war's new front, Outpost 4.
He knew I lacked the chops now.
"On second thought, not the talk for a fresh deputy."
Meaning, build position first, then task me later.
"A small gift, gratitude for your work."
From under the table, a silk pouch. "Open if trouble hits at the outpost."
Del Monte's face smiled warmly, yet carried unyielding dignity.
"Congrats on the promotion. Expecting great things."
Next morning. After a brief but lavish send-off, I rode to the airport with half-day-off Fred hyung.
"Thanks for the ride, hyung."
"Thanks? Hit up Podoks or Linden for drinks—your treat."
"Obviously."
"Right, no promotion shots yet?"
"Deputy's chump change. Grill's fine."
"Whatever. Text on arrival. Gotta confirm your crash-landing plane didn't nosedive."
"Will do."
"Yeah. Stay safe."
Final goodbyes, boarded. Destination: Kikiwai Island, Great Huuriten's overseas subtropical territory.
[Ladies and gentlemen, we'll be landing shortly—]
Four hours later, Kikiwai basked in afternoon sun—a resort paradise. Endless tourists, blue seas, sandy beaches. Roads lined with palms, mangoes, pineapples.
Rental car loaded, raced the coast to the dorm. No rest. Quick unload, shower, summer suit, straight to outpost.
Prelim meeting at 5 for tomorrow's plaque ceremony.
"Don't wanna be late."
Taxi dropped at 4:54. No tardy. Sprinted staff path to conference room.
"Pardon the intrusion."
Slick and two unknown bankers already seated. GuC and guE aces?
"HQ rule: 30 minutes early, Deputy Kim Jian."
"Understood."
Bowed to Slick's jab, took seat.
"Here."
A cute bob-cut teller passed plaque attendee lists. Casual from jump, why?
-Thud
Then, familiar face set water and cup at my spot.
"..."
Eye contact confirmed: metal-rimmed glasses, slitted pupils, elite aura bipedal lizard.
"Well, if it isn't Isaac 'Sergeant' himself."
Isaac, richest of Fall 2021 special hires, parachute squad.
"...Damn it."
Boss, one more side dish here!