Topaz & Numby

Topaz, Senior Manager of the Strategic Investment Department in the Interastral Peace Corporation, and leader of the Special Debts Picket Team. Already a member of the "Ten Stonehearts" at a young age, Topaz's core stone is the "topaz of debt retrieval." Her partner, the Warp Trotter "Numby," is also capable of acutely perceiving where riches are located. It can even perform jobs involving security, debt collection, and actuarial sciences. Presently they are traversing the cosmos together, chasing down various debts and liabilities that negatively influence the IPC's commercial ventures.

"Destor, have you seen this resume?" "Which one do you... Oh, it's her — She just finished her internship at the marketing research team, and made quite a stir there — Ah, in a good way." "She's already finished the internship? Ah..." "Is there something wrong, Mr. Dvorski?" "Nothing. Just curious. After all, the age at which she started her career is the youngest recorded in this department... Besides, her resume is so stunning. Let me see... Oh! She even signed a "lifelong contract"? I didn't expect us to pick up a talent like this from such a despondent planet..." "I've already checked with our colleagues. Everything in her resume is true. She didn't even write her employment exam results in — Apparently she got a high mark in actuarial sciences, micro- and macroeconomics, intergalactic finances, and management sciences. Even her physical exam was nearly perfect. The only topic she failed was..." "Hmm? What was it?" "... It's business etiquette. She didn't even turn up for that test. 'I absolutely hate formalism' — apparently that's what she said."

"Say... You —" "Hmm? What's wrong, Uncle Dvorski?" "...You know pets are forbidden at the office, right?" "Of course! Row 144 from paragraph 86 of the employee pamphlet — It is strictly forbidden to bring any form of organic pets on-site to any of the Interastral Peace Corporation's offices." "...So you remember it very well. Then, can you explain yourse—" "— But I think this rule is useless and doesn't need to be obeyed at all. To be honest with you, sir — with these cute little things around, my work efficiency went up by twenty-seven percent!" "...I won't question the numbers coming out of your mouth, but..." "See? This little one — up you get — it's called Numby! Don't treat it just as a normal Warp Trotter. It's really sensitive to the scent of money! Now I bring it with me wherever I go abroad for business. It's basically become my lucky star~" "I never thought I'd see such creatures at the office. Seriously... cough Anyways, I'll pretend I didn't see it. Just remember, the next time the director comes for a visit — Ah! Ahhh! What's going on!? D-Don't bite me! Q-quickly! Get it away —"

Reporter: Francisco Dvorski Reportee: Jade Report Content: Team Lead Work Report Madam Jade: This should be the last time I send you a work report through the system. Time flies. In the blink of an eye, I've already worked for half an Amber Era at the Strategic Investment Department, and only managed to climb to my current position through many trials and hardship. I may not be able to call myself distinguished, but I have at least gathered enough wealth for the next few generations of my family. I desire nothing else. Here, I would like to specifically thank the phenomenal support you've constantly given to Marketing Team 166, Madam Jade. I will not spend any time to present the recent deliverables and outcomes completed by Marketing Team 166 in this work report. Those results can be seen from the monthly job report filed by the team. The only purpose of this report is to recommend a particular member of my team to you: ███•████. I trust that you have heard of ███•████'s experiences and achievements in some fashion or another. I have attached in the system her work report documents and the 360-degree feedback file conducted by multiple personnel in the team for your perusal. Though she is still young, ███ has shown outstanding work capacities, management thinking, and ability to perform under pressure. I have no doubt that, if she were to assume the leadership responsibilities of Marketing Team 166, this team's profits and project success rate will be significantly elevated. I also believe that ███'s career will most certainly not stop here, not with the potential she has shown so far. She will definitely rise to bigger and better things in the future. Therefore, once I retire to the backlines, I hope you would be able to look out for ███•████ — We Strategic Investment Department have always believed that talent is the best investment, and I trust that you already have had your eyes on her. Marketing Team 166, Strategic Investment Department Francisco Dvorski

"Destor..." "What's wrong, Mr. Dvorski?" "Maybe... you can start with the food? I don't think anyone is coming." "It's okay. I'm not hungry yet. This is your farewell party, after all. Let's wait for a bit longer." "Haha... I know what these brats are like. All of them only think about working and earning money... They've probably forgotten about their old leader ages ago." "...I'm very sorry, Mr. Dvorski. I originally thought that at least Jelena would..." "...Hey, don't use that name. Now you need to call her 'Topaz.' Honestly, I never imagined that she would become one of them..." "You've gotta acknowledge her achievements, Destor. Stubborn old bones like me won't get anywhere near that position even if I worked here for a few more life times. She's already a part of a different world. How would she possibly have the time to come to this small party?" "You're being too humble. I feel that... Ah, there's a knock on the door! Stay where you are. I'll get it." "...Who is it, Destor? My eyesight is getting worse in my old age. I can't even tell who they are even if they're standing right in front of me..." "I'm so sorry, sir. No one came... It was just a letter being delivered." "Oh... I see. Who's the letter from? Such formality. They could have just sent an electronic message..." "There's no name written on the envelope. Hold on. I'll read the letter to you —" "Dear Mr. Dvorski, Thank you for your constant support and help over the years! I would definitely not be where I am today without your care and nurture. I offer my deepest apologies for being unable to attend your retirement farewell party — I am currently working abroad at Taikiyan. Once this project is over, I will definitely take a whole day off and go visit you. Also, I seem to recall that you are into Roboball — So I'm going to bring back some souvenirs for you from Taikiyan. Yours Faithfully Forever, Jelena." "..." "Mr... Dvorski? Are you... crying?"

Hello! Allow me to introduce myself. My name's Topaz — I work in the IPC's Strategic Investment Department. I've heard about the many great feats of the Nameless and the Astral Express — it's truly a pleasure to meet you. Oh, hehe, and this is my little second-in-command — Numby! Say hi to everyone, Numby!

I used to think creatures from different ecosystems would be incapable of living together, so I divided my home into different ecological zones, but now... Look! Look how well these two are getting along! They're obviously from different planets, but they're best friends now! Isn't that amazing!?

Every family has its problems, this I understand. But if everyone were to stop repaying their debts, the whole system would collapse... If that time comes, what was once thought of as a trivial matter would become a hardship for the world.

They've always liked shiny things — gold coins, gems, you name it. They're like a big fat investment account accruing interest... Guess I should've just named them "Piggy."

In the IPC — no — even just the Strategic Investment Department — there are plenty of unsavory characters I don't care for. They may be my colleagues, but we're not the same. Take Aventurine, for instance... I sincerely hope you never have to deal with him.

The supreme guardian of Belobog... Well, she's an impressive little girl well beyond her years in maturity... Huh? You're saying I'm about her age? No, no, no, totally different circumstances, no comparison at all...

I've heard about Himeko of the Astral Express — my colleagues were gossiping about how beautiful and knowledgeable she is. If I ever get the chance, I'd love to meet her.

The most mysterious character on the Astral Express is that conductor — the one who looks like a little creature... Their reputation precedes them. If they're as interesting as the rumors suggest, I'll definitely have to meet them sooner or later! And hopefully, I'll get to pet them too!

Lady Asta! Now that's a real lady if I ever saw one. You'll never guess just how wealthy she really is!

Stellaron Hunters? We aren't acquainted. Never worked with them on any projects. Supposedly those guys are hard to get in touch with, but they have an unexpectedly good credit record — which I value far more than any groundless conspiracy theories.

Lady Jade is like nobility to me, beautiful and capable. She is always so kind and willing to guide and support the younger generation! When I think about the first time I met her, I still get nervous... Time does fly.

Long time no see! How have you been? Clocking in a lot of overtime?

Looking bullish! Which is why we should keep a cool head.

Awesome! Let's ride the wave!

Don't be complacent — good investors always think long-term.

Nice to have in the portfolio.

Himeko! I'm sure I can learn a lot from you.

What's the latest, Bronya? Remember to rest — don't go taking after me.

Lady Asta! How's your mother been? We should hang out more!

Looks like we're working together on this one... I suppose an extra pair of eyes won't hurt.

Just leave this to me, Lady Jade.

Ugh, why do they have to call me for such a trivial matter... Sorry, something just came up at work, I've got to get going!

How does that song go again? "The place you can't go back to is called home." Well, that might sound dramatic, but I really haven't been back home for a long time... and frankly, I don't want to.

Protecting the interests of the vast majority of people is the reason I chose this career path. The IPC has given me an excellent platform to pursue my goals... and for that, I have nothing to complain about.

It's a bull market.

Gotta know the risks...

Let the asset valuation begin.

Easy, Numby! Easy~

The market always fluctuates. Whenever you're ready~

Still no repayments?

Smash them up, Numby!

Liquidation!

Don't forget the interest!

There are so many tricks for dealing with people in the workplace that I can't even list them all. But I always believe that the most important part is to remain sincere — whether it's with coworkers or with customers. That's my bottom line.

Assets confiscated!

Steady...

Better cut our losses...

The market is unpredictable...

Huh? Right! Investing in victory... means playing the long game!

Didn't file... leave application...

*yawn* ...Time for overtime.

Pretty good perks~

Project wrapped!

Hard work pays off~

Do you know what year it is? Who works for money these days? Money is a means, not an end. Work should make you happy... That's the most fundamental principle.

Ooh, free stuff!

A little extra for the quarterly bonus⁓

Just a little test.

Another project over the finish line!

Hey, you! Time to check your books.

Time for a break. Silent mode activated!

The vast starry sky, the billions of cute, magical critters... Even if only for them, I've gotta work hard.

The trouble with being too good at math is that everyone treats you like a human calculator. So yeah, that's why I rarely talk about my expertise in that area.