Chapter 152
Chapter 152
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 152
Chapter Title: A Bigger Score (2)
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Bwoooong... squeak.
As Forest had instructed, after waiting about thirty minutes, six vehicles pulled into the X District sewage outlet yard.
Three of them were packed with mercenaries armed to the teeth with rifles.
The rest must be for hauling the wanted criminals, Oliver thought.
True to their dealings with the Broker Union, all the mercenaries wore the same combat gear—only the styles varied slightly.
There was a clear sense of organization and discipline about them.
"You're Dave, the fixer from T District 27th Street?"
Oliver nodded.
"Yes, that's me."
The mercenary who seemed to be the leader greeted him confidently yet with proper respect.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Paul of the 'Safety Guard,' hired by the Broker Union. I'm here to take custody of those wanted criminals you mentioned. Where are they?"
Oliver probed the man's emotions. They were genuine.
When Oliver replied that they were under the outlet, Paul swiftly divided his team—some to secure the perimeter, the rest to follow with the restraints.
Unlike the gangs, every member moved with zero wasted motion, finishing preparations three or four times faster than average.
"Please lead the way."
With preparations complete, Paul said to Oliver.
Oliver nodded and headed straight down into the sewage outlet.
As they ventured deeper, their footsteps splashed through the pooled water—splish, splish—and soon they spotted Jo's group, Arthur's crew, the corpse puppets, and the Kell Free Independence Army fugitives.
The moment he confirmed them, Paul spoke into his stick-like communicator.
"Comms. Comms. We've located the twenty-nine wanted criminals as requested by the Broker Union. Securing and heading back. Over."
A burst of static crackled from the device, followed by a few words, then it cut off.
Finishing the call, Paul turned to Oliver.
"Where are the disease-specialty black mage Damon, contaminated organism summoner Alistair, and magic hacker Hewitt? They're the priority."
Oliver pointed to the three bound and lying side by side next to Jo.
To be precise, two people and one corpse.
"This is Hewitt, this is Alistair... They're not dead, right?"
"Just knocked out and suppressed with black magic. They'll wake up in a day or two."
Paul nodded.
"Then this must be Damon?"
"Yes. We smashed his face a bit during the takedown, but it's him. Any issues?"
"No, none. We can ID him even with a mangled face. The bounty'll just be a little lower."
Oliver nodded in understanding, and Paul set to work diligently.
He had his men fit new restraints, then hauled them out one by one.
"Good work, Mr. Dave. From here on, we'll handle the handover per the Broker Union's request. Claim your bounty from them."
Oliver nodded.
"That aside, impressive."
"Pardon?"
"No one's pulled off results like this. Nearly thirty at once, small fry included... and three real heavyweights among them. Half the rep in this business is hot air, but yours seems legit."
Paul of the Safety Guard pulled a gleaming metal case from the pouch on his combat vest.
Click.
The case popped open, revealing business cards inside. He handed one to Oliver.
"Like any merc group, we're always looking for top talent. Swing by whenever. I won't promise you'll get rich quick, but we offer stable work and protection from outside harassment."
Oliver silently accepted the card.
He had a rough idea what "outside harassment" meant. He hadn't experienced it himself yet, but black mages were objectively societal weaklings. Still, he wasn't particularly interested.
"Thank you for the offer."
Oliver replied politely, and Paul, giving a casual nod of acknowledgment, led his team away.
Their movements were as swift on the surface as below, leaving only Arthur's group and Oliver's underground.
Arthur approached, his hands fitted with golem prosthetics.
"So, what about my proposal?"
"I'm thinking positively about it, Arthur... Mind if I pass the details through Forest?"
Arthur grinned.
"That's plenty."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
After parting with Arthur's group, Oliver grabbed Jo and collected Owen and Sam before heading out.
For reference, Alistair's spider packer had been put into deep sleep and stored separately via a corpse puppet.
Alistair had claimed their long bond meant Oliver couldn't control it, but since he planned to dissect it for study anyway, it didn't matter.
Oliver took Jo to an unlicensed doctor in X District and left Owen and Sam there.
Fortunately, neither was seriously hurt.
Owen had bad bruises and fractures; Sam, a concussion and some internal injuries.
The doc said they'd need at least a few weeks' full rest, but Jo shook his head. He'd get them recovered ASAP and asked Oliver to let them join Arthur's big score.
Oliver accepted immediately, and Jo's face lit up with relief.
It was basically heading into danger, yet he was thrilled.
When Oliver asked about it, Jo replied:
"Gotta earn big while we can."
It was a simple, resolute answer. Oliver followed up.
"But the doc said a few weeks' rest. You sure that's okay?"
"No sweat. Splash some cash at the Gray or Black Market, and we can get potions. Good ones are trickling in lately. Must be true about that secret deal with the Magic Tower."
Potions... huh, Oliver mused.
"Speaking of, could you front the bounty cash? We're out of ammo."
"Ah, got it. Should be ready tomorrow or the next day—I'll pass it along then. Want to pick it up, or should I deliver?"
Jo pondered Oliver's question.
"...If it's cool, could you bring it? To that gym we met at before?"
"The gym? Sure, no problem."
"And one more thing... Sorry to ask before the job, but could you teach me again? Black Suit, I mean."
"Ah... yeah, of course. But why?"
"Realized I need it for real now... I'll pay if the price is right."
Oliver was about to say no need for payment when a spark lit in his mind.
"Money's fine, but if possible, could I get something else in return?"
"Something else? Like what?"
"Teach me some training. What I'm doing now's hitting its limit."
Jo stared at Oliver with utter bafflement.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Ah, right on time."
A day after parting with Jo, Oliver visited Forest.
"Yes, you said around this hour."
"Right. Wanted to call you for lunch or dinner and treat you, but work's piled up, so I picked this awkward time on purpose. Bear with me. Especially since..."
Forest paused, pulling something out.
Two black briefcases with sealed edges.
"Hard to eat with this much cash around. Check it—packed with 100,000-Landa bills. Each bag's 320 million Landas; total 648 million. That's 720 million minus the 10% fee."
Oliver raised one eyebrow.
"Sorry, Forest, but something feels off. I rough-calculated—the bounties top out at 600 million, right? Less since Damon's dead."
"That's the math. Damon down about 100 million, Alistair 110, Hewitt 300. The other twenty-six small-timers? Generously, under 600. So you got over 1.2 times that."
True to his broker life, he laid out the exact figures.
"Why the extra 1.2 times?"
"You made the City happy. They've been under heat from the Central Council over this. You deliver big, they toss a bonus. Lights a fire under the other fixers too."
Not entirely satisfied, Oliver nodded. It didn't feel like they'd just hand over 1.2 times for good work.
"That's all?"
"Mm... Take the money first. Then I'll explain."
At Forest's words, Oliver produced two glutton pouches.
He placed the wallet-sized ones—made of human skin, eyes, and teeth—over the stacks. They blinked open one by one and greedily devoured the bills.
"Eat only your own share."
The pouches nodded. Forest watched silently, then spoke up.
"Got a human-sized glutton pouch by any chance?"
"Yes. Big Mouth."
"Even named it."
"It asked me to... But how'd you know? I haven't shown it."
"Rumors. Fixer Dave from T District hauls a man-sized glutton pouch that eats his enemies alive."
"...Ridiculous."
"This world's full of wild rumors."
"True. Glutton pouches can't eat the living. Corpses, maybe."
"...Was that a joke?"
"...? No."
"Good. Your sense of humor would be beyond horrific otherwise. Gave me chills—don't say stuff like that."
Oliver didn't get what part was bad but nodded.
He felt a bit down. Did he really have no talent for jokes?
"Anyway, some folks recognize you through that pouch. Stay sharp. Exposure first can lead to bad spots or danger."
"Got it. But ID'd by a pouch? Kinda weird."
"Man-sized ones are rare. Speaking of, that Big Mouth okay? They turn on owners at that size."
"Not at all. The maker said the same—it's a good kid."
"Impressive. Handy items, but restricted to make and use. Tame a big one like that, Black Market production might scout you."
"Production?"
"Big corp bullying. They force talented artisans into their workshops with carrots and sticks."
"Ah..."
Oliver let out a deflating sigh.
If true, he'd need to hurry. Pouches were running low; time to order more and ask about learning the craft.
Gulp.
The two pouches finished their loads—several times their own bulk. They looked very satisfied.
Oliver pocketed them and sat across from Forest.
"Now, answers?"
Forest shoved the empty cases aside.
"The City's hoping you'll team up with Arthur."
"Arthur?"
"Yeah. Told you he had City backing?"
Forest explained via comms: Arthur and crew were in a City official's project, took this gig to prove themselves, got City gear too. Not a bad pick.
Project details fuzzy, but quasi-official status meant City dog duties but support too. Pay might dip vs. fixer work, but not peanuts.
Low pay for replaceables; unique skills got good money.
"So why?"
"No big deal. Just want to plant the idea that joining via this job's smart. They're offering gear if you do."
Oliver was lukewarm. No interest in projects; hadn't felt gear needs yet.
"Ah, so Arthur proposed collab to score extra gear from me?"
"Yep. Bigger jobs, bigger support. Especially nabbing Willes."
"The Willes you mentioned."
"Yeah, big shot. Kingdom's headache. Not sure he's even in Landa, but catch him and the City shakes off pressure—maybe even negotiates with Central Council."
Oliver nodded, listening closely.
"...Why's the Northland Kell Free Independence Army fighting so hard? Papers mention mines and labor, but nothing clicks."
"Mm... Details mean digging into history. Takes time."
"History?"
"Yeah. Better read books—Northland and Kingdom histories. Both sides for perspective."
"Thanks for the tip."
"No sweat. So, teaming with Arthur? Risky given the target, but great for pay and putting your name out to the City."
Oliver pondered, then nodded.
No reason to refuse.
"Yes, I'll take it."
"Good. I'll notify Arthur's broker and the City. They lead since they pinpointed him, but pay splits fair."
"Understood."
"Any requests? I pulled strings—not too tough, I'll help."
Oliver thought, then replied.
"Mm... Any chance of scoring some potions?"