Chapter 85

<85. Puppet (1)>

"Damn... When did you figure it out?"

At the same time, Shelly... no, the unknown black magician using the name Shelly, jumped up and quickly extracted emotions.

The emotions, which were drawn out like threads from a flask, immediately turned into beautiful black magic in his hands.

It was as natural as if it were alive, and fortunately, Oliver was no less quick.

[Hay Bullet]

[Hay Bullet]

Pabang———!

The bullets of hatred collided and exploded in mid-air.

The power was considerable, and everyone around was startled and retreated, but Oliver could see Shelly's expression of admiration, muttering, "Oh... Impressive."

He was extremely composed.

"Not bad... Not bad at all."

Shelly mumbled as if savoring something, shot a Hay Bullet, and with his other hand, created a Black Javelin.

Oliver, calculating in his head, shot a Hay Bullet to block Shelly's first attack again.

Just as Shelly was about to throw the Black Javelin with a smile, his hand stopped.

"Huh?"

Oliver's Bind Shadow had grabbed Shelly's arm.

"Wow... Beyond expectations."

Shelly said, his eyes shining with admiration.

Then a clicking sound was heard, and his hand fell off like a lizard's tail.

Just like the puppet of the puppeteer Grep in the past.

As the arm fell off, a blade filled with green liquid emerged and aimed straight at Oliver.

'As expected...'

Without panicking, Oliver shot Hay Bullets like a machine gun.

The first Hay Bullet shattered the blade, the second shattered the shoulder, the third and fourth half-destroyed both knees, and the fifth created a large hole in the abdomen.

With a *crack* sound, processed skin, flesh, machinery, and gears were scattered on the floor, all happening in an instant.

Thud! Clack! Thud. Clang! Roll...

Everyone in the basement was too shocked to react, just staring blankly at the scene before them.

It was as if they couldn't believe what they were seeing.

"......"

"......"

"......"

"......"

Everyone was silent, and ironically, the culprit of this situation broke the silence.

In a voice that was incredibly bright and cheerful.

"Hahaha...! This is unexpected. I didn't think I'd meet such an interesting friend in such a place. It's beyond my expectations... Well, such surprises are the charm of life, you know."

Shelly, who was half-destroyed, spoke leisurely.

Or rather, more than that.

His voice, tone, and atmosphere were completely different from before.

"Doesn't it hurt?"

In response to Oliver's question, the broken Shelly answered.

"Not really... I thought you knew a bit about puppets when I saw you fight, but I guess not?"

"Yes, I've only seen one, and I don't really know much. I haven't learned it... Do you really not feel pain?"

"Yeah, if the senses are synchronized, pain can be simulated, but I'm not that kind of pervert."

It was a truly bizarre scene.

The two people who had just been attacking each other with the intent to kill were now calmly conversing.

It was both bizarre and natural, making it even more chilling. Then, the mercenary leader Hugh interjected.

"Hey... Who are you?"

"Hmm? Ah, my apologies. I should have introduced myself earlier. Understand, as one gets older, both memory and manners fade. Let me introduce myself properly. I'm called Puppet. I'm an old black magician. Nice to meet you, young friends."

Everyone's mouths dropped at the word 'Puppet.'

Oliver also knew the reason to some extent.

A high-ranking officer of a major organization called the Black Hand, and a high-risk criminal designated worldwide.

What was it called specifically? The Immortal Puppet?

While everyone was in shock, one person denied it.

"Lie. If you're Puppet, you died a few years ago..."

Puppet laughed.

"Every hundred years or so, there's a story that I've died. Sometimes I do get caught, but I never die. That's why I'm called the Immortal. By the way, I don't care whether you believe me or not, young friends. Think what you will. Reality doesn't change no matter what you believe."

His self-centered and composed attitude left everyone speechless.

It seemed everyone now believed that the person before them was really Puppet.

Naturally, Oliver believed it too. While he couldn't see everything, he could tell that Puppet was sincere.

"......"

Everyone was too frightened by the sudden appearance of a notorious villain to speak, but then Joe spoke up.

"Are you really Puppet...?"

"Yes, a half-black magician of the Fighter Crew. Do you have any questions?"

"Do you know about me?"

"Of course, I know almost everything. I have eyes and ears everywhere."

It was partly bravado, but his confidence was genuine.

Despite being in a state where movement was difficult, he was controlling the people here with just a few words.

It was a composed attitude and a few words, not just a name.

It was an attitude worth learning from.

Oliver continued to observe Puppet.

"Are all the zombies outside this building your work?"

"Yes, do you like them? I specially prepared them for the young friends, though it was a bit troublesome, it was quite fun."

Joe interjected.

"Why are you doing this to us? None of the people here have any grudges or favors with you."

Puppet burst into laughter.

For a moment, everyone except Oliver shuddered at the sound of his laughter.

"Grudges...? Hahaha... Excuse me, but it's just too funny."

"What's so funny?"

"Well, it's funny to see people who make a living off human flesh talk about grudges and favors... They act as if they're good people. As butchers of humanity."

Blatant humiliation.

He spoke with all sincerity, and it made the listeners feel a rage that could momentarily forget their fear of a powerful person.

Regardless, Puppet continued to mock.

"If you're offended, I apologize, young friends. But it's the truth, isn't it? And the truth is even more infuriating... Anyway, I'll answer your question."

"Question?"

"Yes, you asked why I'm doing this, right? It's simple. I need people like you... like pigs for ham. Do you understand?"

"......"

"Looks like you don't understand. It doesn't matter. Death isn't something that requires understanding... But since you've entertained me, I'll make a proposal."

"...?"

"A proposal where only some of you die and the majority live. How does that sound? Pretty good, right?"

"......"

"I've already handed over many other problem solvers, so I've almost met my quota. So, if some of you come with me and die, I'll let the rest go. Safely... How about it?"

"It's a lie."

Someone muttered. Puppet responded.

"I don't care if you believe me or not, young friends... I can destroy this shabby building anytime. If you doubt it, go back up and see. You'll see the zombie army has grown several times over."

Sincerity.

"If you don't like it, say so now. I'll prove my power to you right away. I'm making a proposal that at least some of you can survive. I mean it. For both our sakes, will you reduce my effort?"

It was a truly bizarre scene.

For renowned problem solvers to be intimidated by a person who couldn't even stand up, a puppet.

And quite a few were indeed intimidated.

The fear in their eyes, the trembling, and the cold sweat on their foreheads were proof.

The initiative had somehow shifted to Puppet.

The only thing problem solvers and mercenaries could do was choose.

Then, someone asked in a trembling voice.

"Who do you want?"

"Ah, now we have some smart friends. That guy and that guy. And about ten others. Just don't kill them, bring them alive."

Puppet pointed to Oliver and Arthur.

Oliver could feel the many eyes on him.

Arthur tensed, ready to fight, and the others also tensed, ready to move at any moment.

Most of their emotions were fear, terror, self-justification, and a bit of hope. Only Joe seemed to maintain his composure.

A tense situation where allies might fight each other.

Then, someone walked up to Puppet.

It was Oliver.

"By any chance... Can I make a different proposal?"

"A different proposal?"

"Yes, if you allow it."

Everyone looked at Oliver in surprise, even Puppet.

"I don't know what to say. I haven't seen anyone make a counter-proposal in a hundred years... Go ahead. I'm curious to hear what you have to say."

"I think you want me and others to go somewhere, preferably in good condition... How about I go myself and fight you?"

"Fight me?"

Puppet repeated, amused.

"Yes, if I win, you let us all go. If I lose, you can do as you please with the people here. As you said, you have the power to do so. Besides, you were planning to kill us all anyway."

The atmosphere turned cold at the last words.

"Hahaha...! Did I show my hand a bit too much?"

"I just noticed."

"Just...? Damn! I made a mistake. I apologize! A person of your caliber deserves better treatment. But believe me, most people fall for such obvious lies. When they see an overwhelming power and a bit of hope, they deceive themselves. For a moment of hope and relief. Isn't it foolish?"

"Maybe... I'm not in a position to judge... But how will you accept my proposal? If you don't, I'll run away now. I think I can escape if I put all my effort into it."

Puppet stared at Oliver.

"...You're serious. I never expected to be threatened like this. Well, how about a bit more hope? Come to the basement below. If you somehow beat me, I'll let everyone go. It's refreshing to meet such a provocative friend..."

Oliver, hearing the answer, reached out and placed his fingers on Puppet's temple.

"Alright. Then, I'll take this first. Since I won."

"Oh, I like your attitude."

With that, Oliver shot a small Hay Bullet, piercing the puppet's temple.

The light in its eyes went out like a broken thread, and it fell to the ground.

Everyone was silent, and Oliver opened a leather case on his waist, taking out a neatly folded Glutton's Bag.

It was the first time he actually took it out, wasn't it?

Someone asked.

"T-That is...?"

As he spoke, the folded Glutton's Bag began to inflate like bread dough.

He had cast a spell to make it the size of a person, and it was slightly larger due to the inflation.

Along with the size, the bag's self-awareness was strong, and it seemed a bit confused by the sudden change.

"Glutton's Bag."

At Oliver's call, the Glutton's Bag turned towards him.

It moved clumsily, far from agile.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Dave, your owner. Could you swallow that for me?"

Oliver pointed to Puppet's puppet, 'Shelly.'

The Glutton's Bag seemed reluctant, as it was said to prefer valuable metals and money.

After staring at the puppet for a while, it finally picked it up and swallowed it whole.

It looked like a snake with limbs, but the puppet's creator was skilled, and it didn't show any signs of resistance.

Rather, it was quite obedient.

After swallowing the puppet, the Glutton's Bag shrank at Oliver's command, and he neatly folded it and put it back in the leather case.

After putting it away, Oliver asked the people standing there in shock.

"Is anyone willing to fight Puppet with me?"