Surviving in Blue Archive Chapter 160 80: Customer Support Agent Maqi at Your Service

Once again, I experienced firsthand how easily online reviews could be manipulated.

Even though it was a secondhand phone, I had still chosen a shop with good ratings on a major online marketplace to give Sora a better experience.

I thought buying from a legitimate platform would be safe. I never expected to run into a seller faking reviews. One could only marvel at the pure and liberal comrcial spirit of Kivotos.

"This is the shop, right?" Chihiro frowned as she read aloud. "Octo Mobile… judging from the na, it looks like they specialize in secondhand phones."

Hare speculated beside her. "Could they be running a large scale scam this way? Normally, even if a phone gets hit by ransomware, people wouldn't suspect the seller unless they traced it with hacking."

Kotama nodded. "And they target custors with weaker finances, the sort who can't afford to hire a professional hacker just to chase a small ransom."

Maki made a disgusted face. "Ugh… that ans they don't even need to spend money developing viruses or maintaining servers. That's seriously vile…"

With just a few exchanges, the girls of Veritas pieced together the most likely scenario based on their extensive experience dealing with cybercriminals.

There might be minor inaccuracies in the details, but the general truth was already clear.

I said nothing. I simply narrowed my eyes slightly, my thoughts swirling around a single idea.

If Veritas was right, Sora wasn't the only victim. If the total amount they had scamd was large enough, how many years could the culprits be sentenced to?

But we still needed solid evidence to file a case with Yayoi. At this ti of year, the police force was stretched thin. They couldn't act on re possibilities.

There was one more option, but it would an owing a favor to a certain Prefect President, and I would have to go on another date selling my charm to pay her back.

That would also cause trouble for Kanna and the other students in Public Security.

I could picture how Kaya would bark orders at her subordinates with that arrogant, unreasonable attitude of hers.

"To find the shop's full registration details, we'd have to break through the platform's security defenses. It's not impossible, but it would take a lot of ti. More importantly, the registration info for Octo Mobile is probably fake. Since they're already committing cris, using false information would be normal."

Chihiro explained, "So I plan to use a simpler thod. We'll directly locate their IP address."

Oh, justice speedrun. Show the true identity behind the mask!

I asked eagerly, "Then what cos next? A real world confrontation?"

Chihiro stared at in surprise. "Huh? No… we're going to hack them and extract every piece of evidence of their cris."

"Oh…"

For so reason, I felt a little disappointed.

"Anyway, while we're locating them, could you pose as a new custor and keep them occupied?"

I agreed imdiately. "Of course. I'm the one asking you for help. I've been sitting here watching you all work so hard, and I've been feeling guilty. If I can contribute even a little, that's perfect. Except…"

I shifted topics with a puzzled tone. "If we do that, won't the IP we track belong to the custor support worker? The support agent might not be the seller."

"That's right. But even if the agent isn't an accomplice, they're still connected. We can follow any traces they leave behind… and of course, we won't pry into personal information without cause. Ethical hackers must act with restraint, using their skills only to uphold justice and eliminate wrongdoing, never for personal gratification."

Chihiro could clearly see what worried .

The three other Veritas girls nodded firmly behind her, their expressions full of righteous determination.

"I see… that makes sense."

"Good. I also happen to use this platform from ti to ti for electronics purchases. Please use my account."

The honest, justice minded hacker Chihiro typed in her userna and password with practiced ease, then handed it to .

I glanced at the userna: pale yellow bunny. My eyes drifted to the pale yellow rabbit plush hanging from Chihiro's waist pouch. Right at that mont, a delicate hand quickly covered the plush's face.

Chihiro glared at , cheeks tinged red. "W-what is it?"

So she did have a cute, girlish side in private.

Feeling deeply satisfied by this new discovery, I kept a perfectly calm expression and shook my head.

"Nothing. Let's begin. Otherwise the support agent might get off work."

I entered the shop page and selected the option to chat with custor support. Since it was already late at night, I didn't have to wait long.

Support Agent No. 4: Hello dear, welco to Octo Secondhand Mobile Store∼

Support Agent No. 4: This is Maqi from custor service∼ How may I help you today?

pale yellow bunny: I want to ask about one of your products.

Support Agent No. 4: Sure thing∼ Maqi will do her best to help you∼

So far, the shop's custor service attitude was indeed impressive.

pale yellow bunny: I want to ask. Are your products guaranteed in quality?

Support Agent No. 4: Yes dear∼ Our secondhand smartphones are all used by female students and kept in ninety percent new condition. Quality is strictly controlled∼

pale yellow bunny: Can the price be lowered?

Support Agent No. 4: That's not sothing Maqi can decide dear∼

pale yellow bunny: Oh.

pale yellow bunny: Then can you transfer to soone who can make that decision?

Support Agent No. 4: Ah… sorry dear∼ custor service doesn't have that authority∼

Support Agent No. 4: Our products are sold at nearly cost price with small profits and quick turnover∼ There's no cheaper shop with better quality on the market∼

pale yellow bunny: So no matter what, you can't lower the price?

Support Agent No. 4: That's right dear… but you know what they say, you get what you pay for! Maqi uses a phone from our shop too∼

pale yellow bunny: Oh.

pale yellow bunny: Then what if the product I receive isn't actually ninety percent new?

Support Agent No. 4: Eh?

Support Agent No. 4: …Sorry dear, Maqi isn't sure what you an?

pale yellow bunny: For example, say I had it checked professionally after receiving it.

pale yellow bunny: And if the hardware loss exceeds ten percent, then it's not ninety percent new, right?

pale yellow bunny: In that case, can I claim ten tis compensation for false advertising?

Support Agent No. 4: …

Support Agent No. 4: Dear, ninety percent new is a flexible term…

Support Agent No. 4: That is… even though we do have strict quality control, individual products vary…

Support Agent No. 4: But the quality is definitely guaranteed! Maqi uses one too∼

I could tell the support agent was genuinely trying her best to give a satisfactory answer.

Unfortunately, my role was to be a sharp tongued custor with ulterior motives, stalling for as long as possible.

I glanced toward the busy Veritas girls. Chihiro noticed and silently mouthed, "Almost done."

I nodded. It was ti to go all out.

pale yellow bunny: Oh.

pale yellow bunny: So in other words.

pale yellow bunny: You're doing false advertising?

pale yellow bunny: I can report your shop to the platform, right?

Support Agent No. 4: …

Support Agent No. 4: Sorry… the platform won't accept that kind of complaint…

pale yellow bunny: Oh.

pale yellow bunny: Then.

pale yellow bunny: What if I report you personally?

Support Agent No. 4: …Eh?

Support Agent No. 4: W-what do you an?

Support Agent No. 4: That kind of joke isn't funny…

pale yellow bunny: I'm not joking.

pale yellow bunny: Since the shop isn't falsely advertising, then it must be your personal actions that hurt the shop's reputation.

pale yellow bunny: I wonder what punishnt you'll face.

Support Agent No. 4: …

Support Agent No. 4: What exactly do you want?

pale yellow bunny: So.

pale yellow bunny: You really can't lower the price?

pale yellow bunny: As an employee, you should at least be able to offer a small discount, right?

It seed we were circling back to the beginning of the argunt.

I leaned back in the chair and let out a small yawn, waiting for the next reply.

But what ca was not sothing I expected. After a brief silence, the support agent suddenly exploded.

Support Agent No. 4: Aaaaah! I've had it! I'm completely done with people like you who keep pestering and pushing!!!!!

Support Agent No. 4: I said I have no authority! None! Do you not understand?!

Support Agent No. 4: I'm only a part ti support agent!

Support Agent No. 4: People like you think only about yourselves!

Support Agent No. 4: Can't you think about others even a little? You threaten soone's paycheck just to save a bit of money for yourself?!

Support Agent No. 4: I'm short on money too, okay?! I use a secondhand phone soone else tossed out!! Why do you think I'm working this late?!

Support Agent No. 4: I'm seriously, seriously at my limit!!!!!!

Support Agent No. 4: Who said custor support is an easy job?! Every day I have to deal with people like you!

Support Agent No. 4: I have school during the day and work at night. I don't even have ti to see the person I like. And I endure all this frustration just for a small paycheck?!

Support Agent No. 4: If you want to complain, go ahead! I quit!

Her tone was explosive. The swarm of ssage was painfully sad.

And yet, why did it feel strangely familiar…

While I was still staring in stunned silence, a cheer ca from behind .

"Oh! We've got the location! Let's see where this IP leads…"

Maki blinked and sounded surprised. "Huh? Abydos Region? That's pretty out of the way…"

…Abydos? Support agent Maqi?

All at once, I understood. My expression twisted slightly.

Maki, completely unaware, said cheerfully, "Okay∼ now let's check the traces left inside the device and leave a little ssage∼"

Hare nodded. "Good idea. Let's mark it with ASCII so they know it was Veritas!"

Kotama added, "Let's also leave a backdoor for monitoring."

…Hold on. Wasn't Veritas supposed to be the misunderstood justice oriented hacking group?

"Hey, this is not the ti for that."

The ever reliable deputy director Chihiro frowned and stopped them. "We need to confirm whether the person is actually the culprit first."

I quickly spoke. "Wait, before anything else, I need to confirm sothing."

Seeing the confusion on their faces, I added, "This custor support agent… might be soone I know. Just let check first."

Chihiro blinked, confused. "Huh? Not sure what you an, but alright."

So I took out my phone, hesitated for a second, then directly dialed a video call.

It connected almost imdiately.

On screen was a cat eared girl forcing a smile. Her brows were turned upward, her face was flushed, and her breathing was heavy. She looked very much like soone who had just finished shouting in anger.

Serika… so it really was you.

"Sensei? Why are you video calling so late?" Serika asked when I didn't speak. "Did you tap it by accident?"

"…Serika, let ask. What are you doing right now?"

"Huh? I was just about to go to bed."

That, at least, was true. She was wearing pajamas, and behind her was a clean bedroom. On a shelf sat the wind up music box I had given her.

I dropped the pretense. "Serika, are you working part ti as an online custor support agent?"

"Eh? Sensei, how do you know?"

Serika, it really was you.

But thinking about it carefully, it wasn't surprising. Sohow, this was exactly the kind of situation Serika would fall into.

As for the cat eared girl's personality, I knew it by heart.

Pure. Kind. A little short tempered. And easily tricked.

This ti, too, she had mistaken this for a normal job and had unwittingly beco involved with a criminal group.

Still unaware of the situation, Serika let out a heavy sigh and grumbled, "But I'm quitting. Sensei, listen to . Just now I t the most annoying—"

"That person was ."

"…Huh?"

Her expression went blank, then shocked. "That pale yellow bunny was you?! W-what is going on?!"

Just as I trusted Serika, she trusted completely.

It didn't take much effort to explain everything to her. Serika listened, her expression darkening with righteous fury. Even her eyes grew sharp.

"So that's what happened." Serika spoke coldly. "Then, Sensei, what can I do to help?"

"Do you have the shop manager's contact information?"

"Yes. I'll send it to you on momotalk."

Serika clicked her tongue in frustration. "I can't believe I unknowingly beca an accomplice to criminals… I'm so mad! I'm definitely quitting!"

"This isn't your fault, Serika. It's the fault of the people doing wrong."

"I know that. Then… Sensei, I'll hang up now?"

"Alright. But one more thing." I stopped her just as she was about to end the call. She looked at questioningly as I smiled. "In that case, you'll have ti to see in a few days, right?"

This was my answer to custor support agent Maqi, who had lanted she couldn't et the person she liked because of work.

Serika froze, then her pale cheeks flushed pink. She bit her lip and tried to sound tough.

"W-what are you saying…"

"I feel the sa, you know."

At that, Serika's rose colored eyes shimred, and her face grew even redder.

"U-um… I I see… I… oh, co on! I'm going to sleep! You finish your work and go to bed too! Good night!"

With that, she hung up the call.

Almost imdiately, momotalk chid. A string of numbers and mixed symbols arrived, along with notes.

Her momotalk ID, phone number, email, everything.

I replied with a short thank you, nothing more.

Mainly because I didn't want Serika to get too excited to sleep.

I showed the Veritas girls the information displayed on my phone. A smile crept onto my face without realizing it.

"With this, we should be able to find it, right?

"The culprit's identity."