Chapter 11

11. Material Procurement (1)

Behind Joseph's sausage factory, several children had gathered.

They were roughly between 16 and 19 years old, dressed in a variety of outfits, but none of them were particularly well-dressed.

Their clothes were either out of fashion or ill-fitting, as if they had just picked up some old clothes. In reality, they were quite similar.

However, the children were already used to it and chatted with each other without any concern.

"It's been a while since we've done material procurement."

"Master went on a trip, and the schedule got delayed."

"We'll have to walk around for a while, I guess?"

"Well, it's not bad, right? We can legally walk around outside."

"Yeah, that's true."

"If we're lucky, we might even have some money left over to eat something delicious. I want to try ice cream. It's popular in Randa these days."

"Is there a place around here that sells it?"

The crowd was noisy, and two room leaders who were checking the number of people suddenly shouted.

"Ah, damn it! What's going on? One person is missing! Who is it?"

Room Leader A said irritably. Material procurement was a menial task, but it was a fundamental part of the family business. A junior disciple being late was unacceptable, and he was furious. If a mid-level disciple found out, they would be in trouble.

Room Leader A raised his voice even more irritably.

"Who's late? Everyone, stand properly! Let's check!"

Then, Room Leader B interjected.

"Calm down, I know who's late."

"Who is it? That good-for-nothing brat."

"Um..."

"What?"

"It's him."

Room Leader A, who had been getting worked up, suddenly calmed down.

Recently, there was only one person referred to as "him." He had become a formal disciple in just over ten days, and in the process, he had literally caused someone to die from a beating.

He was not a gentleman, but when his story was told, he appeared. Everyone fell silent.

"Hello, I'm here."

Oliver walked up and greeted everyone. The junior disciples who were already there all shut their mouths.

Normally, the youngest should have been scolded for being the last to arrive, but no one did.

On the surface, they pretended not to, but the impression from the last duel was too deep...

Still, there were always brave ones. Room Leader B, who was in charge, finally mustered the courage to speak.

"Why are you so late?"

Oliver looked at the watch on his wrist and said,

"Didn't we agree to meet when the short hand is at 1 and the long hand is at 6?"

The room leader checked his watch and said,

"That's true, but the youngest should come out earlier. You're the youngest, after all."

"Oh... I'm sorry."

Oliver immediately bowed to ask for forgiveness. It wasn't particularly significant, as this was a daily occurrence in the orphanage and the mine. However, the room leader felt his authority was maintained and smiled faintly.

"Well, be careful next time..."

Just as things were about to end smoothly, a third voice interjected.

"Be careful next time? What for?"

Everyone turned their heads toward the direction of the voice. There were mid-level disciples there.

"Oh..."

Smack.

"What do you mean, 'oh'? Tell me, what should you be careful about next time?"

The mid-level disciple slapped the room leader's cheek and asked.

"That's... I'm sorry."

"When did our family's discipline become so lax? If I were here, even a slight delay would have meant a beating. Like this!"

The mid-level disciple kicked Oliver in the chest as he said this.

"I'm curious, are you always this soft? Or just soft with him? Surely you're not scared, are you?"

The mid-level disciple who kicked Oliver interrogated. The room leader almost looked like he was about to cry, but then another mid-level disciple intervened to mediate.

"Come on, that's enough. We have work to do today, so let's stop here."

Only then did the mid-level disciple who kicked Oliver stop.

The mediating mid-level disciple changed the atmosphere and briefly explained the day's schedule, then extended a hand to the fallen Oliver.

"Are you okay?"

Oliver looked at him. A man with a friendly face and chestnut hair. Though he was anything but.

"Yes, thank you."

Oliver answered, taking his hand.

***

Material procurement involves collecting emotions and materials needed for the family business, a task carried out by mid-level and junior disciples together.

One mid-level disciple and two junior disciples form a group of three, each assigned to a specific area. In practice, the mid-level disciple does the actual work, while the junior disciples learn by observation and handle miscellaneous tasks.

"Understood?"

Oliver and the room leader, who was helped by the mid-level disciple... no, Rasso, said.

He not only helped the room leader and Oliver, who were being scolded by another mid-level disciple, but also personally designated himself as an assistant for this material procurement task.

The room leader, grateful, bowed.

"Thank you so much for helping us."

Oliver also bowed.

"I'm really grateful too."

Rasso modestly waved his hand.

"No, no. I designated myself to make things easier. Peter is known for his diligence, and Oliver is... quite famous these days. Are you okay where you were hit?"

Oliver nodded.

"Yes, I'm fine. Thank you for helping me."

"No, no. Really, it's fine. If you succeed later, you can pay me back. You seem quite talented."

Rasso said this with a light-hearted tone. However, Oliver continued to bow to avoid drawing attention to himself.

"Hmm... Let's start, then. Everyone else has already left. The schedule isn't tight, but just in case. Have you packed everything you need?"

The room leader immediately confirmed and answered.

"Yes, I have the bag with the test tubes and the money. I also have the mask."

Rasso checked the bundle of money in the sling bag, secured it firmly to his arm, and said,

"Then let's all put on our masks."

Peter inspected the leather masks, handed the best-looking one to Rasso, and the other to Oliver.

Oliver examined the leather mask and soon noticed something strange. It wasn't just a leather mask; it was a human face that had been peeled off.

"What is this...?"

"Just put it on."

Oliver looked at the mask and then put it on his face without hesitation.

A surprising sensation followed. He felt the leather mask not just on his face but all over his body.

Oliver involuntarily looked at his hands. The pale, emaciated arms were gone, replaced by tanned ones.

Out of curiosity, Oliver pressed his arms.

It felt similar to the mask, a bit strange but not uncomfortable.

"This is a black magic item called 'False Face.' When you put it on, it changes not just your face but your entire body. It's more like putting a mask over your whole body."

Rasso's kind explanation piqued Oliver's curiosity. To think black magic could do such things. It was fascinating.

"Is this a product?"

"Product? Well, to some extent, but it's not our main product. False Face is expensive, so bank robbers or gangsters sometimes buy it for a big score. We have a main product."

"What is it?"

Oliver asked again. Peter tried to stop him, but Rasso smiled and gestured.

"No, it's fine. To become a black magician, you need that level of curiosity. Just be cautious, as not everyone sees it positively."

"Yes, I understand. I understand."

Peter bowed on Oliver's behalf. Despite this, Oliver wanted to hear the answer. Rasso thought for a moment and then spoke.

"Um... We have work to do. It's not appropriate to talk about it here, but I'll tell you while we work. How about that?"

Oliver bowed and said he understood. Rasso seemed pleased and smiled.

"Good, follow me."

Oliver carried the bag with the test tubes and followed.

He didn't know where their assigned area was, but it was quite a walk. Midway through, Peter approached Oliver and whispered,

"Know that you're lucky."

"Huh?"

Peter glanced at Rasso's back and repeated softly,

"Know that you're lucky. Normally, junior disciples can't even speak to mid-level disciples. Rasso is just being nice. Don't do it again."

Nice... Oliver looked at Rasso. No, more accurately, at his emotions. Hmm... nice?

"But why can't we speak to them freely?"

"Because it's the rule. Our family values hierarchy and order. Subordinates must obey their superiors."

Oliver nodded. It was the same in the orphanage and the mine. However, unlike then, he had many questions he wanted to ask now.

"What are you whispering about?"

Rasso, walking ahead, said. Peter quickly replied that it was nothing, but Rasso just smiled.

"Ha ha, don't be so tense. Think of it as a casual walk."

"Ah, yes, yes."

"Anyway, Oliver. I said I'd tell you what our main product is."

"Yes, that's right."

"It's hard to explain right away. Let's do a task first."

Rasso said this and pulled out a notebook from his pocket to inspect it.

"Let's start here. Let's see... 112A Paul Street."

Rasso muttered and inspected the messy inn, then entered a specific room. It was a small, dirty place, and as soon as they entered, an unfamiliar stench hit them.

"Who is it?"

An old woman, presumably the innkeeper, came out and said. She had a lot of age spots around her