Chapter 15

15. Eve (1)

"Uh... Should we call it a 'Cling Spider Web'?"

Oliver said this and approached the attacker bound in spider silk.

The attacker, bound in black spider silk, was frozen in the posture of unfolding a scroll, unable to even speak, as if time had stopped.

Except for his eyes.

"U... Uh..."

The attacker looked at Oliver with eyes that seemed about to burst into tears.

Oliver checked the attacker's condition once, as if uninterested, and then ignored him.

"Now... What should we do with this?"

Oliver turned to Peter and asked.

Peter still had a dazed expression, filled with a mix of fear, awe, and confusion.

He finally regained his senses and spoke with difficulty.

"We, we have to take him to the Master. Well, something to knock him out... "

While Peter looked around, Oliver picked up a brick lying on the road and hit the attacker's head with it.

The spider silk that bound the attacker disappeared easily with the external impact, but fortunately, the attacker fainted, so there was no problem.

Oliver looked down at the fallen attacker and said,

"I knocked him out."

"Ah... That's right."

"... But, how do we take him?"

It was a ridiculous question, but not an unreasonable one.

The attacker was a well-built adult male, while Oliver was thin.

"Maybe we can carry him together?"

Peter, who had a better build, lifted the upper body, and Oliver lifted the lower body, but they had to put him down after a short distance, exhausted.

"It's harder than I thought."

"... Excuse me, can you answer my question?"

"Huh? What?"

"The question I asked earlier. Are you in danger?"

"..."

Peter fell silent again. It was ridiculous that he was still trying to gauge the mood of Andrew and his faction after almost dying.

After about five seconds, Oliver spoke.

"If you don't want to answer, you don't have to. I'm sorry for asking a pointless question."

"..."

"Why did you help me just now? When the attackers were attacking."

This time, it was Oliver who fell silent.

Peter asked again why he helped him.

Black mages were about the survival of the fittest. Those weaker or less useful could be easily discarded. That's why only the lower disciples died in the previous attack.

Oliver answered.

"Uh... Because you taught me about the life of a lower disciple and answered my various questions? So I helped. I felt I owed you something?"

His answer, with a question mark, seemed uncertain, but it felt more sincere because of that.

As expected, his intentions were hard to read, and his attitude made Peter's heart complex.

"... You asked if you were in danger?"

"Yes."

"Uh, right. You are in danger."

Peter answered without hesitation.

"You know, black mages are about power, which is also the order and justice. So, if a strong person suddenly appears, they must be revered as a senior. Because of this, those at the top are extremely wary of capable individuals, as they might threaten their position someday."

Oliver listened silently, with no change in his expression or eyes.

"In that sense, you are more guarded than anyone else. You killed a lower disciple and took his place within ten days of joining. And that disciple was part of Andrew's line."

"Line?"

"Faction. It means he was close to Andrew."

Oliver tilted his head, not understanding. Peter explained further.

"Being close to each other brings benefits. Andrew can secure his position, and those below him can protect their positions with a strong backer. This has been going on for a long time."

"... Then, aren't other capable black mages in danger?"

"Not really. But, as I said, a capable black mage isn't always welcome to another black mage."

"But the Master...?"

"The Master? What?"

Oliver started to answer but shook his head, saying it was nothing.

But it was strange. He clearly said his goal was to raise a strong black mage, yet there was a strange discrepancy with reality.

Peter spoke again.

"So, be careful... No one knows if the lower disciple who made your position really died of food poisoning. That's all I can say."

Peter cut off, as if he had repaid a favor. He felt a strange sense of satisfaction, as if he had done something.

I've done my part. Just as he thought this, Oliver spoke again.

"Thank you."

"Huh?"

"Thank you for answering my questions... It was helpful."

"Oh... Yeah, I'm glad."

"Shall we get back to work now?"

Peter and Oliver lifted the attacker again.

It was heavy, but Peter's mind was still filled with Oliver's words. Thank you...

***

"It's been a while. You wouldn't have come without a reason. What's up?"

"I came because I have something to say."

In the basement of Joseph's sausage factory.

There were several spaces like an ant's nest, and in the most luxurious reception room, two men were talking.

One was Joseph, the king of this place, and the other was a pharmacist, one of his clients.

To be precise, not just a client, but his biggest client.

He consumed all the products Joseph produced and supplied the raw materials.

Even Joseph, a renowned black mage in this area, was cautious around him.

"Would you like something to drink?"

"No, it's fine. We're both busy, so let's get to the point."

"I like that. What's the matter?"

The pharmacist leaned forward slightly and spoke carefully. His eyes behind the gold-rimmed glasses were sharp.

"Have you been attacked recently? While gathering materials?"

"... How did you know?"

The pharmacist, who confirmed the fact, leaned back and answered.

"I guessed. Both the Anthony family and the Dominic family were attacked. By the way, I was also included. A truck delivering to Randa was attacked and looted."

Joseph's eyebrow raised.

The pharmacist, who looked like a gentle person, was actually a terrifying figure, not inferior to Joseph and other black mages.

He pretended to be a solid businessman running a pharmacy, but in reality, he was a major figure in the city, controlling all transactions with black mages.

There was no one in this city who could oppose him.

So, his truck was looted? Then, there was only one conclusion.

"Are bugs crawling in from outside?"

"Perhaps. With Randa's rapid development, the losers in the survival competition there are spreading to the surrounding areas. Isn't that it?"

"Hah!"

Joseph laughed. Not only were they eating away, but they were also defecating.

"Who are they? Ordinary gangsters? Or black mages?"

"I don't know. I just came to explain the situation so that we don't misunderstand each other."

Joseph nodded.

He was the one who mediated when black mages fought over this small city, almost leading to mutual destruction. However, since then, he felt strangely led by this man.

"Anyway, thank you for telling me. I'll search as quickly as possible to find out who the culprit is. If I need help, can I ask for it?"

"Yes, of course... After all, they are our enemies too. If we find any clues, I'll let you know."

At that moment, a knock was heard.

Knock, knock.

"What is it? I'm talking to a guest. If it's not urgent, talk later."

A flustered voice came from the other side of the door.

"Sorry, Master. But there's something I must report."

The pharmacist nodded, and Joseph said,

"What is it?"

"That... Oliver brought someone in."

"..."

"Oliver brought in the person who attacked us."

"..."

"..."

Joseph and the pharmacist looked at each other silently.

***

Oliver and Peter brought the unconscious attacker with combined effort.

Unable to carry him, they each grabbed a leg and dragged him, leaving his back scraped.

"Huff... Huff... Huff..."

Oliver and Peter, panting and wiping sweat, took a short break near the main gate. Soon, temporary disciples, lower disciples, and even intermediate and senior disciples gathered.

"Wow... Is this real?"

"Did they really catch him?"

"Seems so?"

However, as soon as Joseph and the pharmacist appeared, the children who were swarming around Oliver and Peter like flies scattered.

"You caught the person who attacked us?"

"Ah... Yes, Master."

Peter, exhausted from the move, stood up and answered. At that moment, the pharmacist, who followed, exclaimed in admiration.

"Really, you caught him. I thought I was mistaken, but you really did... What great disciples. Who caught him?"

Peter glanced at Oliver, and the pharmacist, understanding the meaning, laughed loudly again.

"Kukukuk... Kukukuk! Is it this boy again? I've seen him recently, a new disciple, right?"

"Yes."

"Really, you brought in a great boy. I knew he was special from the moment he extracted life force, but to this extent... How old is he? 13? 14? And he's this good. He doesn't fall behind even when compared to other families' children. Everyone will be envious."

"Thank you for the compliment."

Despite his words, Joseph's expression was not good. However, the pharmacist continued without caring.

"Is this the attacker?"

"Yes. We caught him when he tried to escape with a scroll."

"What?!"

Joseph and everyone else were surprised.

After all, a scroll was an expensive item made by mages.

Especially a teleportation scroll, which was very difficult to make, was extremely expensive.

A proper item cost hundreds, thousands, or even tens of millions, depending on safety and distance. Even illegal items made in the black market cost tens or hundreds.

The pharmacist, who had been listening quietly, interjected.

"Hmm, a scroll, a scroll... Joseph, if it's okay, can I take this attacker?"

"Why?"

"An attacker trying to escape with an expensive scroll is suspicious. As a maintainer of this area, I want to find out who is causing trouble. Please allow me. I'll tell you everything within a week and repay you properly."

Joseph thought for a moment and nodded.

The pharmacist had never lied like this before. Besides, he was already behind on his work and couldn't afford to tangle with the attacker.

With his permission, the pharmacist smiled and ordered his bodyguard to put the unconscious attacker in the car.

He