Chapter 56

< 56. Fixer (1) >

When Oliver returned, the beggars' union was in the middle of a party.

Dozens of beggars were fighting over items ranging from small things like clothes to larger items like watches and valuables.

However, this was only for a moment. As soon as Oliver appeared, the commotion subsided as if by magic, and everyone fell silent, bowing their heads.

"Ah... Master Necromancer."

A few beggars took off their hats to show respect and made way for him.

Oliver nodded slightly in acknowledgment and moved forward.

At the end of the passage, he could see Cant and the other leaders of the beggar gangs.

They seemed to have found the Mole's secret vault, as they were dividing a considerable amount of cash among themselves.

"Good. This much should be enough, right?"

"Yeah."

"Me too."

"Is this what the Mole was making such a fuss about?"

"Right... Huh? Master Necromancer!"

Whether they were burly, small and cunning, or pleasant-looking, all the beggars stood up and greeted Oliver.

They held him in awe.

After all, despite being outnumbered and out-equipped by the Mole's gang, they had won so decisively thanks to Oliver.

Without Oliver, they would have suffered heavy losses at the hands of the old man and the armed beggars at the entrance of the passage and fled.

Then, the next day, they would have been ambushed by the Mole's gang and finished off.

Thanks to Oliver, they had escaped unscathed, or as good as dead.

Cant stood up and asked, "Did you take care of the necromancer who was backing the Mole?"

"Yes."

Oliver nodded and showed the glutton's bag he had taken from the necromancer as evidence.

An item made from flesh, teeth, and the emotion of greed.

It seemed to be enough proof, as everyone nodded in relief.

Then Cant looked behind Oliver and asked, "Good job. But who are the people following you...?"

Oliver looked behind him.

"Oh... They were people captured by the necromancer."

"Captured?"

"Yes, they were going to be sold somewhere."

"I see. But—"

"—You're really amazing, Master Necromancer! You took down the necromancer who was backing the Mole... Ah! Here, take this."

Someone interjected. It was Bip from W District, 2nd Street.

He pointed to a pile of cash with a cheerful gesture.

"This is your share, Master Necromancer."

Oliver's share... For a moment, Oliver didn't understand what he meant.

After all, he had only helped for Cant's sake, so it was only natural.

However, he didn't refuse the offer. He needed some money.

"Thank you."

"No, no, thank you... But, by the way, do you do other jobs?"

Bip immediately got to the point.

"There's a pimp we're fighting with over territory. If you don't mind, could you show your face? Just your appearance would—"

Oliver, who wasn't interested, answered with silence. Bip quickly shut his mouth.

Everyone tensed at Oliver's strangely changed attitude.

"Um... If it's not too much trouble, could I have a word with Mr. Cant?"

"Huh? Oh... Oh! Yes! Yes! Hey, everyone, step back."

The leaders, who had been tense, nodded happily and moved away.

Thanks to this, only Oliver, Cant, and the people rescued from Glip remained in the former Mole's den.

"Mr. Cant."

"Yeah, what is it?"

"First, I have a question. These people... Will you take them in?"

"Huh?"

"They were captured by the necromancer and have nowhere to go. Do you think you could take them in?"

Cant's expression darkened.

There were nearly twenty of them, including women and children, which was a significant number.

Even with the money they had taken from the Mole, it would be a burden.

"Why did you bring them to me?"

"They were locked in a cage. If I left them, they would have starved to death. They were going to be handed over to the Black Hand... You're the only one who might help. Should I just leave them?"

At Oliver's words, Cant closed his eyes in anguish.

"Ah... Well, we'll figure something out. I'll take them in."

Hearing this, the beggars who had followed Oliver sighed in relief.

If Cant had refused, they would have been forced onto the streets to starve.

Oliver asked them to wait outside for a moment and then called Cant again.

"Mr. Cant."

"Do you have something else to say?"

"Yes, a little. I have a question... Could you spare me a moment?"

"Of course... What is it?"

"Thank you."

Oliver took off his hood and bowed.

Cant, sensing something serious, asked tensely, "What is it?"

"By any chance... Could you tell me what you know about the Black Hand?"

"The Black Hand?"

"Yes, I suddenly became interested. I'd like to know more."

"...It's a powerful organization in the underworld, dominated by necromancers. One of the major forces."

"Yes, I remember. I also heard that it deals with many forbidden secrets and is the dream of all necromancers... Is there anything more detailed?"

Oliver's question was hard to read, but there was a different kind of pressure this time.

"...I don't know much. I only know what I've heard. Is that okay?"

"Yes, of course."

"...From what I know, it's an organization founded by powerful necromancers. It's almost a legend in this world."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah. They deal with everything from life potions, mercenaries, illegal surgeries, and crime syndicate support to demon worship, but no one has ever seen their true form. Yet everyone fears them."

"Why is that?"

"According to rumors, the Black Hand has many high-risk criminals as members."

"High-risk criminals?"

"The worst criminals defined as evil worldwide. They are called criminals because there's no better word. They can be killed without trial and have huge bounties on their heads. They are enemies of the world."

"Who are they?"

"The Puppet of Immortality, the Piper, the Eternal Child Fan, the Human Flesh Chef... They are also almost legends in the underworld, like Grandpa Womb and Grandma Devil."

"Hmm... I see."

"Sorry, but why are you interested in such things? It's a bit scary."

"Oh, I'm sorry... The necromancer who was backing the Mole made me an offer."

"What kind of offer?"

"To join the Black Hand with him. He said he would provide what I want if I did."

Cant's expression was calm, but inside, he was confused and afraid.

"...What was your answer?"

"I refused."

"Ah... Sorry for the intrusive question."

"No, it's fine. Actually, I considered accepting it."

"......"

"I have many questions, and I thought I could learn a lot by joining. They have a lot of knowledge and access to the black market."

"...But why did you refuse?"

"Hmm... For various reasons? I don't really like the idea of joining an organization... By the way, could you tell me about the black market?"

Cant answered readily again.

"The black market... It's almost a legend like the Black Hand."

"Is that so?"

"At least to me... It's a place where you can get anything except what can't be obtained."

"How do you use it?"

"Sorry, but ordinary people can't use it. If you try to find it, you might not even see its shadow, and in the worst case, you could die."

"Ah... Really? That's not good. Do you know how to use it?"

"...I know one way, but I'm not sure."

"Could you tell me?"

"Before that, why do you want to use the black market?"

"Hmm... I want to know something."

"What do you want to know?"

"About necromancy, demons, and beautiful emotions."

"Beautiful emotions?"

Cant's confusion deepened, and a sense of fear crept up, but he tried to remain calm and objective.

"Ah... As a necromancer, I understand your interest in necromancy, but why demons? Do you know what demons are?"

"I'm not sure... Are they beings who make deals with necromancers?"

"Yes... But they demand more in return. They ask for sacrifices to threaten the human world, incite crimes, and in extreme cases, command to summon them."

"I see. But why do demons threaten the human world?"

"...Because they are demons. They rebel against God and envy and hate humans."

"......Is that all? Just because they are demons?"

"Is there more to it?"

"I... don't understand. Just because they are demons, they threaten the human world? How can that be a reason?"

"It's like rain falling from the sky and fire burning everything. Do you need any other reason?"

"That's why I want to use the black market."

"...Why do you want to know?"

"Because I'm curious. I want to know."

Cant looked at Oliver blankly.

It was the same look others had given him.

They couldn't understand him and saw him as something alien.

However, curiosity was stronger than disgust or fear.

"......Can I ask one more question?"

"Yes, of course."

"I haven't been retired for long, but I haven't seen many necromancers as talented as you."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, I mean it... But why did you follow me? And why did you let those guys who were bothering you go? You could have finished them off easily."

".....I don't particularly like killing people."

"....."

"I would if necessary, but I don't like just killing people..."

"...Then, why did you follow me?"

"Out of curiosity. You helped me for no reason... I wanted to know why. I've resolved it to some extent, though not perfectly."

"......You are really strange."

"Is that so? Well, someone said I was broken."

"Someone?"

"Joanna, someone I met in the past. She offered to help me, but things didn't work out, and I refused. She said I was broken and told me to meet and mingle with people, so I came here."

Surprisingly, Cant felt a sense of guilt. Oliver didn't understand why.

"...I'm sorry. I made a mistake by helping you."

"Huh? What...?"

"You're not strange. You're not broken... You're just different."

"......I don't really care."

"I do... I'm sorry for speaking out of turn."

"......It's fine."

"Hmm... I'll answer your previous question. Become a fixer."

"Huh?"

"How to use the black market. Become a fixer. A great fixer."

"A great fixer?"

"Not just a back-alley gangster, but a fixer sought after by capitalists, factory owners, politicians, and crime syndicate leaders. The better the fixer, the more they are sought after. Through connections and reputation, you can use the black market. But I'm not sure. I didn't reach that level."

"......That's enough. But how do I become a fixer?"

"I'll introduce you to a broker. It's a place I used to work. It's not a bad start. He's a good person."

"Ah, thank you."

"But there's a condition."

"A condition?"

"Yes, a few weeks of training with me."

"Training?"

"If you're going into that world, you need to know the basics and the right attitude. Otherwise, you'll be used or betrayed and die. I know you're skilled, but it's a dangerous world. I'll teach you everything I can... including quarterstaff. The more skills, the better. How about it?"

Oliver thought for a moment. It didn't sound bad. Thinking about the trouble he had with Glip's puppet dolls, learning quarterstaff might not be a bad idea.

"...Yes, I'll do it. Thank you."

"No, I should thank you. You took care of the Mole and the necromancer."

"Well, that's nothing... Then, can you start teaching me now?"

"Can you wait a bit? I want to help you right away, but I have a lot to do. I also need to think about the people you brought."

"Oh, right. Mr. Cant."

Oliver called Cant and handed him a glutton's bag.

"Huh? What's this?"

"Money from the necromancer's vault."

"Money?"

"Yes, there's quite a bit. You can have it."

Cant looked surprised.

"Wh-What...?"

"I have money now. I don't need this."

Oliver pointed to the cash he had received from the beggars.

An amount that would last for months. However, compared to the money he had taken from the puppeteer, it was pocket change.

"Suddenly, what...?"

"Don't you need it?"

"It's not that, but this is your money. You earned it alone."

"I don't need it right now... You use it."

Cant looked at Oliver as if he couldn't understand.

"Why are you doing this? I knew you weren't interested in money, but this is your money."

"I want to see."

"See?"

"I want to see what you do with this money. So just take it."