Chapter 57

<57. Fixer (2)>

Time passed, and snow fell.

Oliver learned a lot from Kent.

He learned what it meant to be a fixer, the workings of the underground, the types of people, what to be cautious about, basic knowledge, and so on.

And more than that...

Click, click. Kent swung his quarterstaff and said,

"But it's been 10, 20 years since I retired... Honestly, I don't know how much has changed."

Click, click. Oliver swung his quarterstaff and replied,

"Is that so?"

Click, click. The two of them swung their quarterstaffs together.

"Yeah, it's a merit-based market, and Randa has developed, so the underground has probably changed a lot. I don't know how useful the knowledge I taught you will be. Especially, you're not just trying to make money in a gray area like me, but aiming for something higher."

Kent's words were true.

A fixer who operates in the black market without being affiliated with any organization.

Kent couldn't even grasp what kind of reputation or network one needed to build.

He had heard of such beings, but they were all legendary figures.

However, funnily enough, Kent thought that a fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy sweating in front of him might just be possible.

He didn't know why. Outstanding dark magic skills? Or perhaps, unexpectedly high learning ability?

No, there was a more fundamental reason.

He couldn't explain it concretely, but this kid, different from others, gave him an unfounded confidence that he could achieve anything if he wanted to.

It was the first time Kent felt such emotions when looking at someone, and he couldn't explain it further.

"Ha... Alright, let's stop here."

Kent lowered his quarterstaff and stepped back. Oliver followed suit, stepping back in the same posture.

Just three months ago, he was a scrawny kid who didn't even know how to hold a staff, but now he had transformed and mastered the basics.

To the point where he could sync with Kent.

Of course, Kent had adjusted his strength, but even then, it was a terrifying learning speed.

"How was it, Mr. Kent?"

"...Not at the level where you'd get hit by a passerby. But don't get complacent, and keep practicing as I tell you. Pay attention to your diet and don't skip exercise."

Like a parent nagging, Oliver nodded.

"Yes, I understand."

After replying, Oliver wiped his body with a towel and started to put on his clothes.

Brown cotton pants and a khaki coat, specially bought second-hand clothes for this day.

"Are you leaving now?"

"Yes, I said I would."

Oliver answered while slinging his backpack.

"Good... There's strength in your voice. A strong voice is important for work. It gives confidence... If only you could do something about your facial expression."

"Sorry, I'm not good with my face."

"Well, can anyone be good at everything... Can you stand in front of me for a moment?"

At Kent's request, Oliver stood right in front of him.

He wasn't too stiff or slouching, exuding a natural and confident presence.

"Why do you want to use the black market?"

"To obtain books related to dark magic."

"Are you interested in books about demons?"

"Not yet."

"Good. Excellent... Even in this line of work, those who show interest in demons are suspicious. Just keep your answer at that level. But, don't deny it too strongly. It might look more suspicious. Deny it to an appropriate extent."

"Um, yes, I understand."

"Also, don't ask too many questions. No matter how curious you are, if it's not the right time, hold back. In this line of work, you have to be careful with your words. Asking too many questions will expose you, and people will try to use you. No matter how curious you are, wait until the right situation comes. Then, the opportunity will come. As a black mage of your level, it will definitely come."

"I understand... But, when is the right time?"

"When they fear you or desperately need you. Then, you can naturally and easily get the answers you want."

"Yes, I'll keep that in mind."

Hearing the answer, Kent handed Oliver a letter.

"What is this?"

"A letter of introduction. It's for the intermediary I mentioned. It's sealed, so don't open it. If it's opened, they might suspect tampering. He's a picky guy, but not a bad first client. He has a strong sense of professionalism."

Kent spoke sincerely.

Oliver nodded and put it in his pocket, then headed out of the beggars' den.

"Before you go to the intermediary, what will you do?"

"Put on a leather mask."

"Right, he's a decent person, but don't reveal your identity. It's safer and less burdensome for your activities."

"Yes... Then, I'll take my leave."

Outside the beggars' den, with the snowfall as a backdrop, Oliver said.

"That's right... Here, take this."

"What is this...?"

Oliver asked, looking at the quarterstaff Kent offered.

"It's a gift. I received a lot, so I don't feel right sending you off empty-handed."

"A gift?"

"Yes, it's an old quarterstaff, but it's the most precious thing to me. Please, take it."

"......"

Oliver looked at the quarterstaff in silence.

It was worn and shiny, and the bandage wrapped around the middle was tattered from age.

Most importantly, having spent a lifetime with it, it faintly carried Kent's emotions.

"...Don't you want it?"

"Are you really giving it to me? It's a precious item."

"Yes, that's why I'm giving it to you."

Oliver took the quarterstaff with a sterner expression than usual.

At that moment, Kent said,

"Remember one thing. You're not strange or broken... You're different. Just remember that and live."

"...Yes, I'll remember."

Oliver answered and left the beggars' den. Kent waved until Oliver was out of sight.

***

Squeak!

A gloomy gray taxi stopped roughly on the roadside.

On closer inspection, the car was rusted and dusty, in poor condition.

"T District, 27th Street. We've arrived, sir."

The driver, dressed in plain clothes, said while sipping a bottle wrapped in a brown paper bag.

"Here it is. Thank you, sir."

Oliver handed over the bill and greeted as he had practiced.

Fortunately, it seemed natural, and the driver smiled and waved.

"You're welcome. Have a good day."

The taxi took off as soon as Oliver got out.

It was a good start.

Oliver first slipped into a deserted alley, took out the leather mask from his bag, and put it on.

It was obtained from the puppeteer Glib. After confirming that his hands had also changed, he took out the note and looked around.

At T District, the residential area for Randa's working class.

It certainly looked better than X District or W District, though it was more rundown than the city center. The streets were crowded, and most buildings were in use.

There were no strange graffiti or totems visible.

Oliver started walking along the main road from the entrance of 27th Street, following the map on the note.

A short while later, he came to a T-junction.

"Definitely... Ah."

Oliver's gaze stopped at a restaurant with a "Forest" sign.

Ding!

Opening the door, a simply dressed staff member approached. Uniquely, he had red skin, and a name tag reading "Al" was pinned to his chest.

"Welcome, sir. Are you here alone?"

"I heard you're hiring staff."

"Ah, I'm sorry, sir. We've filled all the positions."

"I came with a recommendation."

"Recommendation?"

"Yes, here."

Oliver took out the letter of introduction from Kent and handed it over.

The staff member received the letter with a gentle smile and examined the cover.

"...I'm sorry, but could you wait a moment?"

"Sure, of course."

"Thank you. I'll be back as soon as possible."

The staff member bowed and headed somewhere.

After a short while, he returned and guided Oliver.

"If you don't mind, could you follow me, sir?"

Oliver nodded and followed.

They crossed the restaurant and bar, entered the staff passage, and stopped in front of a door.

Knock, knock.

"Boss, I've brought him."

"Bring him in. Got it."

The staff member opened the door and gestured for Oliver to enter.

Oliver nodded to the staff member and went inside, where an elderly gentleman with a half-gray beard was seated.

He was well-dressed in a suit vest, pants, and gloves, and looked quite robust.

He was the first robust old man Oliver had ever met.

"Hello... My name is Dave."

"Dave?"

"Yes."

"Pleased to meet you, Dave. I'm Forest. Excuse me for asking, but could you show me that staff?"

Forest asked, looking at Oliver's quarterstaff.

"This one?"

"Yes, that one. Please, Dave."

"...Here it is."

Oliver handed over the quarterstaff given to him by Kent.

"Ah... This is really Kent's quarterstaff. I didn't think he was still alive. But, I'm even more surprised he sent a letter."

The old man held the letter lightly.

"Since I dislike wasting time, I'll get straight to the point. You're here to become a fixer, right?"

"Yes."

"A black mage? And a skilled one?"

Oliver recalled the conversation with Kent.

"I think I have a decent foundation."

"Well, good... Anyway, it's meaningless to talk about it yourself. Would you mind taking a test?"

"A test?"

Oliver asked.

Kent had said he would be accepted immediately with the letter of introduction.

Understanding his confusion, Forest explained kindly.

"I hope there's no misunderstanding. I'm not testing you or trying to use you for free. I'll pay you. However, this line of work has changed a lot since Kent's time."

"Has it?"

"Yes, competition in the magic tower has intensified, and eventually, mages have entered this line of work. There are even quite a few enhanced humans with strengthened bodies. Retired soldiers from the colonial wars... It's overflowing with people. So, we have to be selective in who we take on."

Forest spoke sincerely.

Oliver nodded.

"Yes, I understand."

"I appreciate your understanding. There are some who don't get it."

"Could you tell me more about the test?"

"You're a polite one. I like that. First, I'll give you a simple task. There's no penalty for failure. Catch a criminal, retrieve stolen goods, or... Ah! Let me ask again. Are you really confident in your skills?"

Oliver recalled Kent's advice and answered.

"Yes."

"Then, bring me an animal."

"An animal?"

"Yes... It's called an animal, but it's more like a beast or a monster."

Forest took a file from the cabinet and handed it to Oliver.

Oliver opened the file and saw tiny text and a black-and-white photo.

"An interesting animal."

"...? Of course, it's interesting. It's a chimera... You must have just come out of underground training."

Oliver looked at the animal in the photo without much comment.

It was a giant dog with various animals stitched together, with chicken-like wings on its back and raptor claws on its front paws.

But the most noticeable feature was the thorns protruding from its side.

"It's a chimera created by the Magic Research Institute Martel, which escaped during an experiment into the sewers. The institute has secretly put a bounty on it."

"Will I have to catch it?"

"Yes, but don't kill or injure it. It's an important sample, and if it's damaged, they'll hold you responsible."

"I see."

"The current bounty is 42 million Randa. It's quite high. It's been almost two weeks since it escaped, and no one has caught it. It's cunning and strong, and the thorns on its side make it difficult to handle."

"..."

"Despite being inexperienced, four fixers have died, and in the process, it has tasted human flesh and started attacking civilians. The area it's rampaging in is the slum V District, but if this continues, the police will get involved. That's why they're anxious... Will you try it?"

"..."

"...If you don't want to, I can give you another task."

"No, I'll give it a try."

"Are you serious?"

"Yes. But I have one question."

"Go ahead."

"Do I have to bring it back here after capturing it?"

"I forgot to mention. You don't need to. There are institute personnel waiting near where the chimera is active. Once you get there, find them and give my name. They'll explain the necessary details for tracking and other specifics."

Oliver nodded. Forest spoke sincerely.

"Let me ask again. Are you sure you're okay with this? I'm not underestimating you, but it could be dangerous. I'm saying this because you're a friend of Kent's."

"Um... I don't want to die, but I think I'll be fine. Besides, I want to see what a chimera looks like."