Chapter 79
Chapter 79
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 79
Chapter Title: Preparation (1)
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Afterward, Oliver listened to Forest's additional explanations about the contaminated zone and the cleanup operation before rising from his seat.
Five days ahead.
This was more than enough time to make all sorts of preparations.
Just as he was about to leave the office, Forest pulled a small communication device from his drawer.
"What's this?"
"A secret communicator I bought through a vendor. It lets you contact me directly."
Oliver examined the beetle-like device and said,
"A communicator?"
"That's right. It's something I give only to the top performers among the fixers I've contracted with... I should've given it to you sooner, but there are procedures to follow."
"It's fine. I'm just glad to receive it now."
"Good to hear. Contact me through that if anything comes up."
"Yes... Can it be used inside the contaminated zone?"
"Hmm... No, that might be difficult. For some reason, communications are restricted in contaminated zones. It works occasionally, but mostly it won't... The cleanup assembly point will probably be set in two or three days. I'll contact you then."
"Understood. Then, if you'll excuse me."
"No, wait—just one more thing."
"Pardon? What is it?"
Forest didn't answer right away. He took a sip of his liquor before speaking.
"...Before heading into the cleanup, the fixers will likely gather briefly. The city explains the mission to them before deploying the fixers."
"I see."
"At that time, some of the fixers will approach you. A few might even name-drop me."
"You, Sir Forest?"
"Yes... It's your decision, of course, but don't trust anyone too easily. Remember what I told you?"
Of course he remembered. It had only been moments ago.
"You said to watch out for zombies and contaminated creatures in the zone, but also for mercenaries and fixers."
"Exactly. I'll be in touch."
After leaving the office and politely bidding farewell to Al, Oliver exited the restaurant and headed straight for the Gray Market.
There were five ample days until entering the contaminated zone, but preparations were always better done sooner, right?
Oliver planned to visit both the traditional Gray Market that Forest had mentioned and the underground Gray Market that Murphy had told him about to stock up on necessities.
Those necessities were black magic tools like appraisers, life force extractors, and Eater Pouches.
From what Forest had said, the contaminated zone wasn't just a place overrun by contaminated creatures—it was a lawless wasteland where looters and black magicians had also set up shop in considerable numbers.
Oliver intended to scour such a contaminated zone for anything useful.
After all, black magician families were likely to have black magic books or texts on demons.
That was why he'd so readily accepted the cleanup job.
"Do you have any larger Eater Pouches by chance?"
"Huh? Larger ones?"
"Yes."
Oliver asked a black magician who had set up a stall in one corner of the Gray Market.
He looked so old it seemed difficult for him even to walk.
"This size is plenty—why look for something bigger?!"
The old man snapped irritably. He wasn't wrong, really.
The people who sought black magic items in a place like this were mostly gangsters, pickpockets, and thieves.
For them, a wallet-sized Eater Pouch was sufficient.
They'd only need to store stolen watches, rings, or bills at most.
But Oliver wanted more than that.
He needed one that could easily swallow books, surgical tools, work instruments...
So, a larger Eater Pouch was ideal.
Oliver obliquely explained his situation and asked if the old man had anything else, but the man told him to scram if he wasn't buying.
He checked with other black magic vendors afterward, but they all shook their heads like the old man.
How should he put it... The people here seemed utterly lacking in enthusiasm.
It wasn't an illusion from just a couple of visits. Then, a man interjected.
"Hey! You there!"
Oliver turned toward the voice.
In the worst spot at the back of a stall, a plump man was cautiously eyeing him. Their eyes met, and the man grew excited.
"Yes, you!... Over here!"
Oliver approached as the man beckoned.
Not just because he'd been called, but because the man piqued his interest.
Despite his rotund build and forced jovial smile, the man was trembling fiercely inside.
Even now, he endlessly questioned himself: Did I say something wrong? Am I being too pushy? Yet he desperately mustered courage and spoke nonchalantly.
"I've been watching, and it seems like you're looking for a large Eater Pouch, right? I mean, yes?"
His voice shook oddly as cold sweat poured down his face.
Oliver ignored it and explained what he wanted, just as he'd done before.
After listening for a bit, the plump man pulled out a notebook.
"Could you explain again? More specifically—what exactly do you want?"
"An Eater Pouch that can hold books or work tools. The more it can carry, the better, and it'd be great if it folds up for easy carrying."
The plump man jotted down Oliver's requirements in elegant handwriting, like a professional.
"Specifically, how big?"
Size, huh...
"About the size of a person?"
Oliver said without much thought, figuring that would suffice.
But the plump man looked up in surprise.
"...You're serious?"
"A person-sized one seems like it could hold plenty... Why? Is there a problem?"
"No, you just seem clueless about it."
"Pardon?"
"You don't think an Eater Pouch is just a convenient magic bag like a storage pouch, do you?"
The rotund man dropped his artificial demeanor and spoke more naturally.
"...Isn't it?"
"Of course not! That's why newbies are no good... Listen, an Eater Pouch at wallet size isn't dangerous because it's weak. But at person size? It's extremely dangerous."
Hoo... Oliver showed interest.
None of the books he'd read mentioned anything like this, so he wanted to hear more.
"Why is that?"
"An Eater Pouch is close to an artificial lifeform with its own ego. That's why it moves on its own... When it's wallet-sized and weak, it obeys orders. But when it grows to human size, do you think it'll still follow commands?"
Oliver recalled a past incident.
After first meeting Forest and becoming a fixer, when he'd stayed at the inn.
To plan his future, he'd ordered his Eater Pouch to spit out money.
The Eater Pouch had briefly rebelled, saying no.
He'd thought it insignificant, but it turned out to be more intriguing than expected.
"...You know quite a bit. Impressive."
Oliver said sincerely.
"Naturally! I make my living off these—it's basic knowledge."
The plump man said so, but he didn't seem displeased inwardly.
His initial salesman facade had vanished completely.
"Then, let's talk details. I'll accommodate you as best I can. I have some skill in crafting magic tools, you see... Ah! I can make one the size of a baby that'll stay docile. But at child size, the rebellion intensifies. What size do you want?"
"Adult human size."
Oliver replied with even more conviction than before.
"You're serious?"
"Yes. Is that not possible?"
"It's possible... but it's really dangerous. Plenty of Eater Pouches have devoured their owners."
Given their greedy appearance swallowing bills, it was entirely plausible.
An Eater Pouch... He'd thought it was just processed human skin and teeth with an appraiser, but it might be even more fascinating.
"Yes, that's fine."
At Oliver's unwavering attitude, the plump man sighed. He seemed to have given up persuading him.
"Fine... But crafting something like this takes time and money. How much do you have?"
"How much is needed?"
"Let's see... Materials, my labor, hazard pay included... Three thousand—no, at least four million rand. And that's factoring in that I haven't made many, so quality might suffer—don't haggle a single coin."
The plump man was utterly firm in that moment. Pride in his work and confidence in his skills shone through.
Four million rand... A hefty sum that would take three or four fixer jobs to earn.
But it was a necessary item, and it satisfied his curiosity, so well worth it.
Decision made, Oliver pulled out his Eater Pouch, shoved his hand into its maw, and extracted two hundred ten-thousand-rand bills.
As he did, the Eater Pouch let out strange noises and shed tears.
Guek...! Gugugrrr... Kkuuuek...!
"Half as a down payment, and the rest upon completion?"
"For real?! I—I mean, sounds good."
"When can I expect the item?"
"Including gathering materials and crafting... about a week?"
"I need it within five days. Can't you do three or four?"
"No, I have other work. Can't rush it."
"What if I add ten million rand upon completion?"
At that, the plump man shot up from his seat and began packing his stall.
Oliver watched and asked,
"What are you doing?"
"What else? You need it fast, so I have to make it fast!"
Time passed after that.
Fortunately, the plump man kept his promise. On the third day, when Oliver visited, he greeted him with hollowed eyes.
He'd crafted a person-sized Eater Pouch to Oliver's specs, complete with a leather case and belt for folding and carrying it. Grateful for the thoughtful gesture, Oliver handed over the promised thirty million rand balance.
It was a significant expense, but he didn't regret it.
This was what he'd saved for, after all.
Before leaving, the man warned him about his creation.
'As expected, it's a vicious thing. At human size, its strength matches a person's, but it's far more ferocious. I restrained it with iron chains beforehand, so no issues, but be extra careful when using it. It's stubborn now—might swallow items and refuse to spit them out. If so, regrettably, slit its belly open. I've warned you.'
Oliver nodded and expressed his thanks.
Touching the Eater Pouch, folded repeatedly inside its leather case, he indeed felt considerable defiance and ferocity.
It didn't seem like something he could use casually.
The plump black magician added,
'Be careful. I don't want to hear that my first customer got eaten by my product.'
Oliver nodded again, said he understood, and headed to the promised meeting spot Forest had mentioned.
"Is this the place?"
Oliver said, standing before an entrance near the contaminated zone.
F District, as a hub of research facilities, had many large and wondrous buildings, but they paled near the contaminated zone.
From five hundred meters out, the city defense forces guarded the perimeter. Unlike the shiny F District, the iron fences and soldiers armed with personal firearms made it look extremely grim.
"From the Brokers' Guild?"
Someone appeared at the controlled zone entrance and spoke.
His uniform marked him as a soldier. Oliver nodded and presented the business card from Forest.
The man checked it, then opened a small side door and practically dragged Oliver somewhere.
"Where are we going?"
"Where the fixers gather. Follow quietly."
Passing cement barricades, watchtowers, iron fences, and barbed wire, they arrived at a building.
This structure seemed to have abandoned aesthetics for pure defense—like a bunker. Inside were numerous presences. Fixers.
"Go in."
The soldier told Oliver, who opened the door as instructed and entered the building.