Chapter 177
Chapter 177
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 177
Chapter Title: Believer (1)
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Subrepto Metropolitan Museum Director's Office.
A few men had gathered there.
Most of them were between middle age and elderly, and while they had no official ties to the museum, their unofficial involvement ran deep.
Deep enough to treat the director's office like their own living room.
"Hoo... I'm exhausted."
Someone spoke up.
It wasn't a remark loaded with any special meaning.
With the major annual event canceled on the very first day amid all the chaos, it was a perfectly understandable sentiment.
They all appeared calm on the surface, but these were men who had rolled in the back alleys for years.
Each one silently tallied their losses.
"Hmm... The damage is severe."
Another man chimed in. He was a bald elder missing one eye.
A silence of agreement served as the reply.
And rightly so. The raid had not only tarnished the Crime Firm's reputation but would also require silencing rumors, compensating VIP clients for their losses, and expending no small amount of money, effort, and mental strain.
It was enough to give anyone heartburn.
Especially now, with the magicians and the city growing stronger.
It was profoundly ironic.
The Crime Firm was a massive criminal syndicate wielding influence across the entirety of the Selland continent, and the Randa branch was its most prestigious arm. Yet within Randa itself, the Firm's position was relatively weak compared to its fame.
It couldn't be helped, though.
The Magic Tower and the city were even more thuggish than the Firm.
And that wasn't all—there were districts like X, Y, and Z that were far too wild to touch.
The Firm had hidden this reality well with its unique organization, capital, and vast network spanning both light and shadow. But lately, its foundations were starting to show cracks.
This auction house raid was merely a harbinger.
"...Let's all try to look on the bright side."
In the midst of the gloom, someone suddenly spoke up.
It was none other than Gordon Goodheart, former director of the R District branch.
"Look on the bright side?"
"Exactly that. The damage is bad, but it could have been far worse. We managed to wrap it up with losses this minimal."
It was the kind of statement that might earn a sharp rebuke of nonsense, but it wasn't entirely wrong.
Since it was only the first day, fewer people were present. The raid had damaged the auction house's prestige, but with no major losses, they could at least save face.
Above all, they hadn't lost the most valuable auction items.
"So, what do we do?"
"Let's sacrifice some profits. Halt the auction for now."
"You're saying we back down because of some punk with a kitchen knife?"
"That punk with the kitchen knife is rumored to be from the Black Hand."
Silence fell over the room as they gripped their words.
"It bruises the ego a bit, but we must avoid clashing with them at all costs. We're a match for them in scale, but as everyone knows, our foundations are different. They're far more dangerous."
No one dared contradict him.
The Crime Firm and the Black Hand—both massive criminal organizations, but worlds apart in their essence.
The Firm was a corporation first and foremost, pursuing profit above all. Violence was just one tool in its arsenal. The Black Hand was different. For them, violence was daily life, and sometimes an end in itself.
They knew little solid intel, but the Hand was known to commit self-destructive acts of madness when needed.
Tangling with such people meant massive losses, win or lose.
"Seamus says the raiders are most likely from the 'Cannibal Chefs.'"
"The ones who eat human flesh?"
"Given the disease-based black magic, the kitchen knife, the impulsiveness, greed, and brutality. As you all know, the Cannibal Chefs operate mainly in Galos. Even if we wanted to fight, they're across the sea—we couldn't properly engage them."
"Then?"
"Let's request mediation through other channels. They're half-mad, but some of them can be reasoned with."
No one doubted the suggestion. Rumors had it that Gordon, who dealt in corpse trade, had ties to the Puppet faction among them.
If reconciliation was the goal, Gordon was the man for it.
"Having to bow our heads to those black magic riffraff really sticks in my craw."
The bald one-eyed man muttered aggressively. He was wise enough to accept reality, but that didn't stop the anger from boiling.
"I feel the same, but this is our best option. Unlike the Black Hand, the Crime Firm draws its power from money. If we let pride drive us into a fight, win or lose, the damage would be immense. Maintaining the Families' current positions would be impossible at minimum."
His calm, logical explanation silenced the room.
These men were hidden power players in Randa, but plenty more inside and out eyed their seats.
Contrary to their image of shooting first and asking questions never, the Firm's true weapons were patience and cunning.
This was a time to endure.
"What about the goods?"
"We're distributing them to secret vaults via space-faction magicians named Albas. Even if raiders come, they won't get them all. Postpone the auction, and handle the priciest items first. Buyers for those are limited anyway. If we play it right, we can get full value."
It wasn't ideal, but they all agreed.
Pride mattered, but so did business in the Firm.
Battered pride could be reclaimed later. A shaken enterprise meant losing ground in the hierarchy—and that was the end.
Still, humiliation was humiliation. One middle-aged man muttered,
"We really need to prepare some countermeasures ourselves."
Those countermeasures? Armed force.
Sad but true—in the world's richest city, money alone wasn't enough to survive.
Childish yet lethal violence was required too.
"Not just scouting one or two here and there—we need a large force of properly trained warriors."
"How about recruiting some heavy hitters from the fixers or unaffiliated gangs?"
"I'm against blind recruitment. We don't want another Seamus. That lunatic even shakes down fellow Firm members. No respect for rules."
"Fair, but then how do we find them?"
"What about the rejects kicked out of the Magic Tower? Young pups good at books but clueless about street life?"
"No good. Too prideful and stubborn—they won't listen. Might even try to sit at the top."
"Would any of those types listen in the first place?"
"At least they need to be reasonable. Ah! Gordon, what about that guy? The one who helped us today? Dave, was it? Can we scout him?"
"Hmm... Let's watch him for now."
"What?"
"He doesn't seem like a simple fixer. We'll observe."
Gordon replied, recalling Dave from his meeting with the Filterette broker.
A dark night sky with a blue moon hanging high.
In the heart of J District, amid towering skyscrapers.
One man and two women stood in front of a car.
"So, the job's done then?"
"Yes, with the auction essentially over. We'll pay your fee as promised, of course."
"Understood. It was a quick payout for me, but a loss for you, miss."
"No, I couldn't afford those items anyway given my finances. Most of my assets are in real estate, so cash is tight. I'm satisfied, actually. Plus, Mr. Gordon promised a nice item or two as thanks."
Indeed. Jane hadn't done much herself, but since Oliver had averted the worst, Gordon decided to show goodwill to her for bringing him.
Not certain, but that item might forge a connection with Miranda.
"Must be tough."
"Life is."
"Hope things go well for you."
Jane stared intently at Oliver's words.
"If you're free, care to grab a meal? Nothing fancy, but I'd like to treat you."
"Sorry, something came up."
A blatant, unbelievable excuse. But Jane chose to accept it.
He was that kind of person.
"...Important?"
"Hmm... Yeah, probably."
"Can't be helped then... Let me know if it works out."
"Yes, thank you."
"No trouble."
As Jane and Oliver wrapped up, Coco interjected.
"I bought the book safely. I'll get it soon and pass it to you via Forrest."
"Thanks."
"And thank you for this job. I expected great things from Mr. Dave, but you always exceed them... If you need info, come to me. Reasonable rates."
Oh, quite the offer. The Sisterhood wasn't known for easy deals.
"Appreciate that."
"Hee hee... I'll teach you makeup too. The girls will love it."
"Sure."
After exchanging words, Jane and Coco drove off.
Oliver watched the departing car blankly for a long while before speaking.
"Thank you for waiting."
"Not at all, Master."
From the pitch-black darkness emerged the Filterette broker... no, Marie, bowing deeply from the waist.
"......"
Oliver gazed silently at her.
Master... He didn't know what to say. It had been just a year and a half since she left, yet she still called him that. After a moment's thought, he spoke.
"If it's alright, could we move somewhere to talk?"
Deep into the night. Two cars raced toward Randa's outermost edges, restricted from development.
Common F-Series models—still pricey enough for those with means.
Inconspicuous yet respectable.
Soon, they pulled off the outer road into an uninhabited forest and stopped.
Click—
With the signature F-Series door sound, people stepped out.
Oliver and Marie. And a bunch of black magicians who seemed to be her subordinates.
A mix of men and women, all appearing well-trained.
'And they don't like me.'
Oliver thought, eyeing Marie's subordinates from the second car.
"Master..."
Marie, out of the car, was already on her knees, forehead pressed to the ground in profound bow.
"Ah..."
Oliver sighed involuntarily. He couldn't pinpoint why. It just... felt off.
"Marie..."
"Yes, Master."
"Could you stand, please?"
"How could I possibly..."
Oliver had no idea why she was acting this way, but he focused on getting her up first.
Watching someone kneel and bow to him made his skin crawl.
"Please. Stand up."
Only at his plea did Marie finally rise.
Oliver pulled out a mana-filled vial, extracted it, and lit a fire to illuminate the surroundings.
A few gasped in surprise, but Marie simply watched him calmly.
As if it was only natural for Oliver.
Oliver, too, stared silently at the maskless Marie.
She looked... different from his memories. More vibrant, somehow.
Her hair had grown lush and long; her pale skin was far cleaner and glowed with luster.
She smelled of perfume, and overall, she had dolled up like the ladies at the angels' house or the auction.
So changed he struggled for words—then Coco's lesson came to mind.
"...You've become beautiful."
At those words, tears streamed down Marie's face as she replied,
"Thank you so much, Master."