A Loan Against the World Tree
"…So you're saying you want a loan using the World Tree as collateral."
"Yes."
I asked again, wondering if I'd misheard, but the elf nodded as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
World Tree, collateral, loan. It was a combination of words I'd never heard before. What the hell was a World Tree? As an ordinary human raised on Earth, all I could picture was the massive tree from novels, comics, or games. In myths, it was some colossal tree propping up the entire universe itself.
But using that as collateral to borrow money? What kind of nonsense was this? Uprooting a family's main pillar brings ruin to the household. So what happens if you uproot the roots of a World Tree? My limited brain couldn't even begin to imagine.
The elves wouldn't default, forcing the bank to seize and sell the World Tree, causing the universe to collapse or something ridiculous like that, right? Setting something grandly named the World Tree as collateral meant they were after an enormous sum. Could the bank even handle funds on that scale?
"……."
It sounded absurd. Logically, their "World Tree" was probably just a fancy name for a large, rare tree.
"Is the loan possible?"
I wasn't sure if this was within my handling capacity, but I needed to hear more.
"…I'll escort you to the second floor."
I rode the elevator with the elves to the consultation room on the second floor of the outpost.
I still didn't know if this was a personal or corporate loan, but collateral meant big money. Better to chat on the plush sofas in the spacious upstairs room than at a counter with just two chairs. Coming from another dimension, their story would likely drag on longer than usual—and there were several of them, not just one.
"Kim Jian, sir. Here you go."
As I sat and prepared paper for notes, two of Pluto's clones opened the consultation room door.
"Oh, thanks, Pluto."
With expressionless faces, they placed simple refreshments and drinks at the elves' seats, bowed curtly, and left.
…Nothing for me?
Apparently, she'd made two extra clones beyond the teller one. The more I saw it, the more amazing her ability seemed. I wondered if there was a limit to how many clones she could create, but that could wait.
"I'm Kim Jian, handling today's loan consultation. Nice to meet you."
"I'm Donjubara Palri, accounting manager at Cappelino di Driade Limited."
We exchanged business cards. The thinly sliced premium wood bore a gold logo, name, and contact info.
"Your card is really pretty."
I'd seen wooden cards before—companies dealing in timber or eco-brands often used them. But none felt this luxurious or smelled this good.
"We recycled scraps from our production process."
"I see. And what products do you…?"
"Cappelino di Driade is a historic artisan collective specializing in solid wood furniture from select timber."
"Impressive."
A furniture maker. That explained it. Elves had that nature-loving vibe, so handmade wooden furniture fit perfectly. With their long lifespans, they probably had master craftsmen galore.
But why would a furniture company pledge a tree as collateral? Especially one grand enough to call a World Tree.
I couldn't show ignorance about it, or I'd seem unreliable. No googling on my smartphone either. So first, check the loan amount, intended use, and such via the pledge setup.
"Corporate loan reviews rarely reject collateral deals. If you're okay with it, tell me the funding amount first."
For the outpost's first half-year, we only handled dimensions using base currency gulden—no forex shortages. Furniture firm? Probably expanding facilities. Even generously, a few hundred million gulden—totally within my purview—
"1,300 billion gulden."
Yeah, no way.
"Excuse me a moment."
I got Palri's permission and bolted to the branch manager's office.
Thud!
"I need to consult."
I slammed the desk to grab his attention, then put on my most serious face. Otherwise, he might not help.
"I didn't put you at the loan counter to ditch clients and whine here."
"I figured you'd be in trouble without consulting."
"Explain properly."
"Furniture makers want 1,300 billion."
Elama's eyes and bald head gleamed.
"1,300 billion loan?"
"Yes."
"First-time clients know we can't do unsecured credit that big. Collateral?"
"Yes."
"What collateral?"
"The World Tree."
Elama pondered arms crossed, then stood.
"Definitely beyond an assistant manager. I'll join. But first—"
Creak.
He yanked open a huge cabinet, pulling out a sleek blonde wig and plopping it on.
"What are you doing? Let's go."
"……."
Can I really trust this guy?
* * *
Long story short, Elama said he needed time to review Palri's documents and politely sent them off.
"Regarding the 1,300 billion gulden loan, we can't commit today—please understand."
"Of course. We know 1,300 billion is no small sum."
"We'll coordinate with HQ for an on-site collateral inspection soon. We'll talk details then."
"We'll await."
Palri and the Cappelino di Driade elves bowed deeply and headed to the right exit.
"Kim Jian."
"On it."
Company was Cappelino di Driade. I watched Palri's retreating back and activated my Job Authority.
"…Hm?"
Above his head appeared the familiar goddess statue from Goddess Judgment, but the scale in her hands gleamed smooth silver—unlike the usual bronze.
"……."
Now I got it. Why my banker badge glowed right at 9 AM. First official day as assistant manager—my Job Authority had upgraded.
"What do you see?"
"One sec."
I fully parsed the info before the elves fully crossed dimensions. Like my initial awakening, new uses popped into my head naturally.
"Got it."
The old scale showed near-future earning potential and moral means. The silver one revealed far more.
For example.
"1,300 billion gulden—looks repayable. Collateral value seems huge."
The winged white orb tipping right suggested collateral exceeded the loan amount.
"Certain?"
"Yes. But—"
Like the bold red "SOS" scrawled on the orb's surface.
"Without our active involvement, who knows what happens."
Stuff like that.
* * *
After the elves left, I handled preferred-rate fixed deposit promo clients for a while. The outpost's promo quota sold out just before closing—despite the generous limit meant for days.
Unbelievable popularity.
"Yeah, as an innovative branch, we'd look bad failing this much."
Post-close, Elama nodded indifferently at the tallied performance.
Razma the ectopl and Bishuti showed no excitement either, but checking their numbers, I knew their insanity.
Moments later, outpost empty save security gramps and us.
"How many suckers in just 7 hours."
"Agreed."
Lowest regular rank Isaac, stuck with cash handling, muttered while hauling stuffed teller drawers. Couldn't let my peer suffer alone, so I helped.
"That's it. Vault shut, head home."
Razma's private banking sign-ups today were staggering. Assets transferred? Digitally dwarfing normals. Even after the 1,300 billion pitch, it shocked me—"Personal" wealth?
"Falling for faceless banker's words? Makes you doubt they're real rich. Shouldn't they be more cautious?"
Recalling their emotionless faces despite the haul irked me into snide words.
"True. Assets smaller than expected. Didn't think private banking was all middle-class."
"……."
Right, this guy's a super trust fund kid.
"Bishuti's side crushed too. No clue how, but upsold extras to every promo client."
Embarrassed alone, I shifted topics—unwittingly inviting luck.
"No clue? Study up."
Isaac pulled a pen, pressed the cap.
"I'll recommend a retirement pension suited to your situation. With low rates and steady inflation now, DC-type yields higher returns—"
Pen speaker blared Bishuti's sales mastery recording.
"This dangerous?"
Client convo, so personal info included.
"Figured you lack the guts to misuse. Borrow a copy if needed."
"Training center notes paid off."
"Never happened."
"Did too?"
We greeted security, exited, downed vending machine coffee one-shot, lit smokes. Quiet fatigue-shedding time. First thought: boss-bashing.
"Thought about it. Others are beasts, but Elama does zilch. guD ace? Total bullshit?"
He recruited me, so people skills yes—but ops? Fast riser not from guE, youngest deputy vibes hidden talent. What, though?
"I see different."
"How?"
"Even innovative branch—no way HQ approves insane promo limits."
"…He pulled the quota?"
"Likely."
Never crossed my mind, but yeah. Elama's specialty? Making impossible possible, no holds barred.
guD faction for internal harmony, yet spars rival aces. His scheme? No clue.
Whatever—later. Focus on my job first. Faction buffer or not, nail loan counter duties.
1,300 billion collateral loans don't drop daily. Involves HQ corporate lending and board, but my performance credit guaranteed.
Obvious for success.
"Early night. See ya."
Bid Isaac farewell, hurried to dorms.
"Early rest" to him? Lie, obviously. Home, changed, straight to PC.
"Finish research before site visit…."
Job Authority ace or not, collateral ignorance disqualifies a banker.
Tap tap tap.
Searched "World Tree," scanned docs—disappointed fast.
"Dimension 33 info this scarce…."
Just blurry distant B&W pics. No solid descriptions—sure it's the tree? Size unknown.
Rare net fails, but knew who to ask.
"Dark elves are elves too."
Elf queries to elves. Thumb already hit Mira's name in contacts.