Chapter 56
Chapter 56
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 56
Chapter Title: Fixer (1)
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Oliver returned to find the Beggar Alliance in the middle of a full-blown party.
Dozens of beggars were quarreling over everything from clothes to watches and valuables.
But that didn't last long. The moment Oliver appeared, the commotion died down as if by magic, and everyone fell silent, bowing their heads.
"Ah.... Black Mage."
A few beggars doffed their hats in respect and parted to make way for him.
Oliver gave a slight nod in acknowledgment and strode forward.
At the end of the passage stood Cant and the other beggar gang leaders.
They had finally uncovered the Mole gang's secret vault and were dividing up hefty stacks of bills.
"Good. This should be enough for everyone, right?"
"Yeah."
"Me too."
"This must be why that Mole bastard was kicking up such a fuss."
"Right.... Huh? Black Mage!"
The burly beggar, the sly little one, the friendly-faced one—they all jumped to their feet and greeted Oliver without exception.
They held him in deep awe.
And rightly so. Outnumbered and out-equipped by the Mole gang, their overwhelming victory was thanks to none other than Oliver.
Without him, they would have been routed at the passage entrance by the old dog and his gun-toting beggars, suffering heavy losses before fleeing.
And the next day, the Mole gang would have counterattacked, wiping them all out.
Thanks to Oliver, they'd come through unscathed—but they had essentially died once already.
Cant stood and spoke.
"Did you take care of the black mage backing the Moles?"
"Yes."
Oliver nodded and held up the glutton pouch he'd looted from the black mage as proof.
An item crafted from envy, teeth, and feelings of greed.
It was convincing enough; everyone nodded in relief.
Then Cant glanced behind Oliver and asked,
"Good work. But who's following you...?"
Oliver looked back.
"Ah.... These are the people captured by the black mage."
"Captured?"
"Yes. Apparently, they were being sold off somewhere."
"I see. But—"
"—You're truly amazing, Black Mage! You took down the black mage who was backing the Moles.... Ah! Please take this."
Someone interrupted. It was Vip from Sector W, Street 2.
He gestured cheerfully toward a pile of bills on one side.
"This is your share, Black Mage."
Oliver's share.... For a moment, Oliver didn't grasp what he meant.
He'd helped only for Cant's sake in the first place, so in a way, it was only fair.
Still, he didn't refuse. He needed some money, after all.
"Thank you."
"No, no. Thank you.... By the way, do you take on other jobs?"
Vip got straight to the point.
"There's a pimp fighting with our crew over some girls. If it's not too much trouble, could you just show up? Your presence alone would..."
Oliver, uninterested, answered with silence. Vip, quick on the uptake, promptly shut his mouth.
Everyone tensed at Oliver's subtly changed demeanor.
"Um.... If it's all right, could I speak with Cant alone?"
"Pardon? Ah.... Yes! Yes! Hey, everyone, clear out."
The tense leaders nodded eagerly and vacated the area.
Soon, the former Mole den held only Oliver, Cant, and the people rescued from Glip.
"Cant."
"Yeah? What's up?"
"First off, I have a favor to ask. These people.... Could you take them in?"
"Huh?"
"They're the ones captured by the black mage, and they have nowhere else to go. Would you consider it?"
Cant's expression darkened slightly.
There were nearly twenty, women and children included. It was a lot.
No small number, even with the money looted from the Moles.
"Sigh.... Mind if I ask why you brought them to me?"
"They were locked in cages. Leaving them would mean they'd starve to death. The black mage said he was handing them over to some group called Black Hand.... You're the only one I could think of to help. Or should I just let them go?"
At Oliver's words, Cant agonized and squeezed his eyes shut.
"Hah.... We'll manage somehow. I'll take them."
Hearing that, the beggars who'd followed Oliver sighed in relief.
Rejection from Cant would mean being cast out to starve on the streets.
Oliver told them to wait outside, then called Cant back.
"Cant."
"Something else?"
"Yes, a bit. I have some questions.... Could you spare some time?"
"Of course.... Shoot."
"Thank you."
Oliver removed his hood and bowed.
Sensing something serious, Cant tensed and asked,
"So, what is it?"
"Do you know anything about the Black Hand organization? Could you tell me what you know?"
"Black Hand?"
"Yes. I'm suddenly interested. I'd like details."
"....As I mentioned before, it's an underworld organization dominated by black mages. One of the major powers."
"Yes, I remember. I heard they handle vast forbidden knowledge, the dream of every black mage.... Any more specifics?"
Oliver's question was inscrutable. Yet it carried an unusual pressure, unlike his usual demeanor.
"....I don't know much. Just rumors I've picked up. That okay?"
"Yes, of course."
"....From what I know, it's an organization born from powerful black mages banding together. In these parts, it's half-legendary."
"Is that so?"
"Yeah. They operate in everything from Filterettes and elixirs of life to mercenaries, illegal procedures, sponsoring crime syndicates, even devil worship. Vast scope, but they've never been exposed. And yet, everyone fears them."
"Why is that?"
"Rumors say Black Hand harbors numerous high-risk criminals."
"High-risk criminals?"
"The worst offenders the world brands as evil. 'Criminals' is just the word for lack of worse. They can be killed without trial, with massive bounties. Think enemies of the world."
"Oh.... Like who?"
"The Puppeteer of Eternal Life, the Pied Piper kidnapper, the Eternal Child's Fan, the cannibal chef.... These guys are half-legendary in the underworld too. Like the Ragman Grandpa or the Witch Hag."
"Hm.... I see."
"Sorry, but why the interest? It's a bit scary."
"Ah, no offense.... The black mage backing the Moles made me an offer."
"What offer?"
"Join him and enter Black Hand together. He'd provide whatever I wanted."
Cant's face stayed calm, but inside he was rattled—confused and afraid.
"....What did you say?"
"I refused."
"Hah.... Sorry for prying."
"No, it's fine. Honestly, I considered accepting."
"......."
"I have so many questions, and it seemed like I'd learn easily there. Lots of knowledge, access to the Black Market too."
"....Then why refuse?"
"Hm.... Just felt off? Joining an organization didn't appeal.... Mind telling me about the Black Market?"
Cant obliged again.
"Black Market.... Half-legendary, like Black Hand."
"Really?"
"To me, at least.... Anything you can't get legally—books, drugs, animals, plants, magic stones, info, people, manpower—you name it."
"How do you access it?"
"Sorry, normals can't. Poke around clumsily, you won't even glimpse it. Worst case, you die."
"Ah.... Seriously? That's a problem. Know any way in?"
"....Not sure, but I know one method."
"Oh, will you share?"
"First, why do you want in?"
"Hm.... Things I want to know?"
"Like what?"
"Black magic, devils. Beautiful emotions too."
"Beautiful emotions?"
Cant's confusion surged again, laced with creeping fear. Still, he fought to stay composed, viewing Oliver objectively.
"Hah....... You're a black mage, so black magic makes sense. But why devils? Know what they are?"
"Not sure? Beings who deal with black mages?"
"Right.... But they demand more in return. They ask for sacrifices to threaten the human world, incite crime, or worse—order their own summoning."
"Ah, got it. But why do devils threaten the human world?"
"...? Because they're devils. They defy God and envy, hate humans."
"......Is that it? Because they're devils?"
"What more reason?"
"I.... don't buy it. Threatening humanity 'because devil'? How's that a reason?"
"Like rain falls from sky, fire burns all. What more reason needed?"
"That's why I want the Black Market. To learn that."
"...Why learn that?"
"Curious. Want to know."
Cant stared at Oliver blankly.
The same expression others wore.
Unable to comprehend him, seeing him as something alien.
But curiosity outweighed disgust or fear.
"......One more question?"
"Yes, of course."
"I'm retired not long, but I haven't seen many black mages as skilled as you."
"Really?"
"No flattery—dead serious.... So why follow me? Or before that, why let those punks who picked a fight with you live? You could've ended them in seconds...."
".....I don't particularly like killing."
"....."
"If necessary, sure. But just killing? Nah...."
"...Then why follow me?"
"Curious. You helped me for no reason.... Wanted to know why. Mostly satisfied now, though not fully."
"......You're really weird."
"Am I? Well, she said I was broken too."
"She?"
"Joanna, someone I met before. Offered to help, but it didn't align, so I refused. She said I was broken. Told me to meet people, mingle. That's why I'm here."
Surprisingly, guilt rose in Cant's emotions. Oliver didn't know why.
"...Sorry. I took your help, then messed up."
"Pardon? What...?"
"You're not weird. Not broken.... Just different."
"....I don't mind."
"I do.... Sorry for speaking out of turn."
"..…It's fine."
"Hm.... Answer to your earlier question. Become a fixer."
"Pardon?"
"Way to use Black Market. Become a fixer. A top-tier one."
"Top-tier fixer?"
"Not some alley thug—fixer for capitalists, factory owners, politicians, crime firm heads. They seek the best. Use that rep and connections for Black Market access. Not guaranteed, though. Never reached that level myself."
"Hm..... That's plenty. How do I become a fixer?"
"I'll introduce a broker. Place I worked before—not bad start. Good guy."
"Ah, thank you."
"One condition."
"Condition?"
"Yeah. Train under me a few weeks."
"Train?"
"Heading into that world, you need basics: common sense, etiquette. Otherwise, used, betrayed, dead. I know your skill.... But skill alone won't save you. I'll teach you everything I can... quarterstaff too. More tricks, the better. Deal?"
Oliver pondered briefly. Sounded good. After struggling with Glip's golems, quarterstaff training appealed.
"..…Yes, sounds good. Thank you."
"No, thank you. For handling the Moles and black mage."
"Eh, that was nothing... Can you teach now?"
"Can you wait? Want to help right away, but swamped. Gotta sort the people you brought too."
"Ah, right. Cant."
Oliver called him and handed over a glutton pouch.
"Hm? What's this?"
"Money from the black mage's vault."
"Money?"
"Yes. Quite a bit. Take it."
Cant looked shocked.
"Wh-what...?"
"I got my share already. Don't need this."
Oliver pointed to the stack from the beggars.
Enough for months. But pocket change compared to the puppeteer's haul.
"What's this all of a sudden...?"
"Don't need it?"
"I do, but this is your money. You earned it alone."
"Don't need it now.... Use it."
Cant stared, utterly baffled.
"Why? I know money doesn't interest you.... But it's yours."
"Wanna see."
"Huh?"
"What you'll do with it. So just take it."