Chapter 44

44. The Beggar Gang (1)

After introducing himself, Oliver went to the beggars' den with Cantor and his companions. It was inside an abandoned building with few people around, and it seemed not everyone was welcoming him.

"Why did you bring such a half-baked guy here?!"

A short, stocky man with a thick build shouted. Known as King Fist, he looked fierce despite his beggar's attire. Cantor, however, smiled shamelessly and tried to calm him down.

"Well... Why not? I felt good today because the income was decent, and I happened to meet him. If either of these hadn't happened, I wouldn't have brought him. Isn't this the will of God?"

"God... We already have too many useless mouths to feed. Why do you want to add more?"

"Don't get so worked up. I'm just following the senior's wishes. If you have complaints, tell the gentleman who left a message for me. I don't like it either."

"Then why don't you just not do it!"

"Ah, my friend. How can I so easily break a promise I made?"

"A promise... It was just a request."

Cantor rubbed his cheek. After a long silence, he took out a bundle of money from his pocket.

"Alright, let's stop the complaints here. I'm tired from just getting back. Aren't you curious about how much we made today?"

Money has a magical power. The words Joseph taught him held true here, and King Fist's anger subsided as soon as he saw the money. He reached out as if hypnotized, but Cantor took the money back.

"Ah..."

"By the way, I'm the one who brought in the money, but the ones who found the valuable trash were them. The ones you called useless mouths..."

King Fist shut his mouth tightly, but it seemed he still had something to say. Greed and dissatisfaction were evident in his eyes, and Oliver saw it all.

"You also brought me in, didn't you? Now I'm the one you rely on the most... This guy can also earn his keep if he tries."

Cantor patted Oliver's head and said.

In the end, King Fist reluctantly spoke.

"...Yes. I'm sorry. I spoke without thinking."

"Thank you for understanding. Here's the money. Check it together and bring it back. We'll put it in the communal safe."

"Yes, I understand... But what's the kid's name again?"

"Oliver. Oliver. He's from Wingham and has no parents. Do you understand the situation?"

"Sure."

"Oliver?"

"Yes?"

"Say hello. These are the cudgels who protect our beggar gang."

"Cudgels?"

"Yes, cudgels. It's a slang term for those who protect the beggar gang they belong to."

"Ah... Hello."

Oliver bowed, but the sturdy beggars, including King Fist, didn't look at him kindly. Their eyes were filled with wariness and the discomfort of having a new burden.

What can I say... It was similar to, yet different from, when Oliver first went to the Joseph family.

"..."

"..."

"Alright, then. Since the introductions are over, I'll show you around the others. Follow me."

Oliver followed Cantor as he led the way. There, he saw the red-nosed man, the blond boy, the blind old man, and the girl he had met on the way.

"You know these two, right?"

"Yes... The red-nosed man and the harmonica player..."

The red-nosed man burst into laughter.

"Being called 'sir'... I don't know how long it's been since I've been called that. You're quite polite despite being a bit creepy!"

"Thank you for the compliment."

After the conversation with the red-nosed man, Cantor spoke again.

"This is the old man, and this is his grandson... Just call them the old man and the grandson."

"...Grandson?"

"Yes."

"But she's a girl, why is she called a grandson?"

Everyone looked at Oliver with slight surprise. The red-nosed man spoke first.

"This kid... I thought he was just a simpleton, but he has a good eye?"

"How did you know?"

Oliver shrugged.

By roughly gauging the emotions, he could tell if someone was a man or a woman, but he couldn't just say it outright.

"Um... Just a guess?"

Cantor looked at Oliver for a moment before speaking again.

"...Yes, the grandson is a girl. But don't say such things carelessly. The streets are a tough place for women. If you speak carelessly, you'll get a beating."

Oliver nodded, knowing Cantor was serious. There was worry for the child, not just anger.

"Hmm... These are professional beggars. The harmonica player plays the harmonica, and the red-nosed man sells matches with his unique charm. The old man and the grandson beg together on the streets."

Oliver nodded mechanically.

Cantor, curious if Oliver understood, didn't bother to explain again.

"These beggars regularly bring in income for our gang. They are precious to us, so treat them with respect while you're here."

"Yes, I understand."

Cantor looked at Oliver silently. After a moment of silence, he led Oliver to a corner of the abandoned building. There, a makeshift shelter with a tent and old furniture was visible.

There were about a dozen beggars, including a few old people, women, and children. The most noticeable feature was the piles of trash on both walls.

"These are the general beggars of our gang... They don't have fixed roles, but they are no different from those you met earlier. They are our gang members."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, they beg when needed and fight together if intruders appear."

"Intruders?"

"Yes... Randa isn't kind to the poor. It's the same elsewhere, but it's worse here. Don't worry, though. Nothing has happened recently."

"Recently..." It sounded like an unsettling word.

"Hmm... That's all the explanation. From now on, you'll work with them. You've joined our gang, so don't complain. You don't know, but joining a gang isn't easy. Try your best to earn your keep."

Oliver knew it was true. There was no deceit or cunning in Cantor's emotions.

"Yes... I'll do my best. But, what exactly should I do?"

"Well, there's a lot to do. Scavenging, receiving charity, getting used clothes, running errands... Since you're new, I'll start with the easier tasks."

"Yes, I understand."

"Any more questions? I took you in because I was in a good mood, but you have to do your part."

"Yes, I'll do my best."

"Hmph, good attitude. Let's see how long it lasts."

As Cantor was about to leave, Oliver called him.

"Ah, wait a moment. Mr. Cantor."

"Yes?"

"You said to ask if I had any questions... Why are you helping me so much? Really?"

"..."

Cantor looked at Oliver without saying a word, and Oliver looked back, eager for an answer.

After a short silence, Cantor spoke.

"...When you become a valuable member, I'll tell you."

Sincerely. Oliver nodded.

"Yes, I understand. I'll do my best."

***

After that day, Oliver's unintended beggar life began.

Although it wasn't what he intended, it wasn't bad.

He had a vague purpose but no compass or map.

He thought it might be a good opportunity to learn about city life.

Even though it was a beggar's life, he could learn something, right?

And it wasn't a wrong thought.

"Hey, wake up... What? You're already up?"

A fellow beggar, who came to wake Oliver, was surprised to see him already prepared.

"Yes, you said to wake up early..."

"Ah, that's right. Still, it's rare to see someone up so early... Impressive?"

"I usually wake up early... Now, what should I do?"

"We need to go to the church's charity house. They're giving out bread today. Finish getting dressed and come out."

"Yes, I understand."

Oliver answered and immediately put on the rags he had received after joining Cantor's gang. They weren't particularly useful, but they definitely made him look like a beggar.

Without washing his face, Oliver followed the senior beggars to the charity house.

Among them, a beggar a few years older than Oliver mumbled.

"Ugh... I'm so sleepy. The sun hasn't even risen yet. Hey, new guy. Aren't you tired?"

"Um? Ah... I'm tired."

Oliver said this, but it was a lie. Although the conditions for sleeping, eating, and washing were much worse than when he was with the family, he didn't find it particularly uncomfortable.

He didn't know why. Maybe it was because he was used to harsh conditions from the orphanage and the mine, or maybe he didn't care much by nature.

Whatever the reason, Oliver wasn't interested in it, so he didn't think about it deeply.

The only thing he missed was not being able to wash, but he got used to it after a while.

Thus, Oliver didn't find his beggar life particularly uncomfortable or unsatisfactory.

On the contrary, he felt he was gaining a bit of knowledge every day, which he considered a small gain.

"Is this the charity house?"

Looking at the brown brick building with dusty windows and a rusted iron cross, Oliver asked. The building looked like three boxes stacked together, and there was a black iron fence around it.

However, what stood out more than the bleak building were the many beggars waiting near the fence.

"Yes, this is the charity house. There are so many people."

"Ah... Indeed. They're all unnecessarily diligent."

"Well, it's the hungry season... Don't daydream and get in line."

At the urging, Oliver lined up with the other beggars. It was more like standing near the door than a proper line.

Everyone wore worn-out clothes, clutching their hungry stomachs, waiting for the charity house to open. Oliver, feeling curious, asked.

"Why does the charity house give out bread and money for free?"

An older beggar raised his finger and said.

"The Father in heaven considers charity to the poor a virtue."

"Oh..."

"But we have to humbly say we love the Father in return."

A younger beggar interjected sarcastically.

The older beggar continued.

"But why are you curious about this?"

"Ah... It's my first time coming to a charity house."

"Oh, right. You've only been scavenging and sorting trash so far?... But, is there no charity house in Wingham?"

"Um... I didn't pay attention back then."

"Tsk tsk... That's why kids these days. They live carelessly and end up like us. Your parents won't take care of you forever. You need to look around and learn how to live."

"Yes... I'm starting to realize that."

Oliver said sincerely.

He didn't realize how little he knew when he was in the orphanage and the mine, but after going through the black magic organization and coming out into the world alone, he