Chapter 66: The Suffering of Enver
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 66: The Suffering of Enver
Blackdog.
That organization also appears in the game.
Which means it wasn't originally an organization created by Possessors.
In the game, their concept was something like Goldmoon from the movie New World. [A powerful corporate crime syndicate that brings its own brand of order.]
Originally, the back alleys of Sohen, a city with poor public security, were rife with all sorts of dirty businesses like gambling dens, black markets, drugs, and prostitution. Blackdog was the organization born from unifying that underground economy and imposing order upon it.
They openly told Sohen’s Public Security Headquarters, “You don’t have what it takes to clean up this district, so just leave it to us,” and in return, received official appointments as a vigilante corps, complete with commendations. And they did, in fact, manage crime.
Specifically, any crime that didn't have their permission.
Surprisingly, order was established in Sohen’s back alleys with remarkable speed.
The gambling dens, black markets, drugs, and prostitution still flourished, but now, you no longer heard stories about people getting scammed, fights breaking out, someone getting pickpocketed, a murder occurring, the drugs turning out to be flour, or calling for a lady to your bed only for a man to show up.
It was all because of Blackdog’s thorough management.
Using the enormous profits earned from their underworld businesses, they began to venture into legitimate industries one by one.
First, they established the Blackdog Bank. Then, they expanded their horizons to logistics, trade, and construction, and later, even to magic stone processing, manufacturing, and heavy industries on the scale of urban planning.
Their scale grew uncontrollably, and now they’ve even extended their reach into Sohen’s political circles, becoming a legitimate corporate giant.
“But the foundation of that organization is still criminals!”
Enver, his face pale, tried desperately to stop me.
“They’re criminals!”
He was right.
This is what you’d call a corporate crime syndicate.
As an organization with its roots in the back-alley underground economy, the influence of the business owners from those alleys was strong.
To represent their interests, Blackdog committed all sorts of crimes, like blowing up new companies or businesses that went against their order, setting fire to buildings, threatening CEOs, or assassinating officials in Public Security or politics.
“It’s incredibly dangerous! Caleb!”
Enver fidgeted restlessly, stomping his feet, before finally revealing a crucial piece of information.
“A constable even went missing there!”
“Was he captured?”
“P-Probably?”
“Then what happened to him?”
“I don’t know…”
Enver swallowed hard.
The case of the missing constable was the job Neko had asked me to look into.
The agent had gone missing while infiltrating Blackdog to investigate a few things, and she wanted me to let her know if I heard anything.
Of course, this wasn't the kind of request you make to a civilian.
It would be difficult to come across that kind of information by visiting any of their legitimate businesses, like the Blackdog Bank.
But Neko speculated that I might be able to approach Blackdog’s leadership.
Her reasoning was fairly sound.
First, Blackdog was constantly recruiting for its executive ranks. They had suffered immense losses during the Labyrinth Eruption 12 years ago, so they were always short on manpower.
Second, I had a murder conviction. I already possessed the kind of resume an organization like Blackdog would love.
Third, I was an outsider. If any problems arose while I was working for Blackdog, the Sohen Public Security Headquarters wouldn't have many leads, relatives, or connections to track.
Fourth, I was a highly skilled Labyrinth adventurer. Blackdog often used the Labyrinth as a conduit for its shadier business dealings.
So, wouldn't Blackdog be tempted to test the waters with someone like Caleb?
That was Neko’s speculation, and I could add one more point to it.
Fifth, I possessed an enormous amount of knowledge as a Possessor. My exploits had likely reached Blackdog’s ears, one way or another. If Enver was right, the Possessors in Blackdog were also coveting that knowledge.
However, my history of killing a Possessor would also make them cautious. This part was similar to the Enver Club.
“H-He’s probably dead…” Enver said, swallowing again.
To be honest, I didn't much care whether the constable was alive or dead.
I felt bad for him, but isn't that how it is for most ordinary people?
I’m no brave hero who would throw himself into a high-crime area on a mission to rescue a stranger who isn't even family.
My reason for going to Blackdog was purely to learn about the Possessor organization within it.
The Enver Club’s goal is to clear the Labyrinth. Not by entering it themselves, but by sending in players like Isel.
They want to recruit me as one of those players.
What about Blackdog?
How has Blackdog adapted to this world, and what are its goals?
Are the Possessors in that organization safe? Could they be my friends? Or will they become my enemies?
These were things I needed to find out as soon as possible, because I was already drawing attention in Sohen.
Unlike the Enver Club, which held cards like Isel and Enver, I had no idea what kind of scheme Blackdog might be plotting against me. So, I was going to strike first.
Which meant…
“Professor Enver.”
Cut the useless chatter and give me something productive to work with.
“There are Possessors inside Blackdog too, aren't there?”
Thud.
Enver, who had been trailing behind me, stopped dead in his tracks as if nailed to the floor.
“What kind of people are they?”
“…”
“Are they a threat to Sohen?”
*
‘I have to be careful.’
Enver repeated the words over and over in his head.
I have to answer carefully.
I can't just blurt out anything. One wrong word could trigger an all-out war with Blackdog.
But…
‘Fuck, how am I supposed to know how much this bastard knows?!’
What in the world was he supposed to say?
Enver quickly reviewed a few possible answers in his mind.
1. Possessors in Blackdog? This is the first I’m hearing of it! Where did you hear such a thing? Play dumb.
‘Oh. So you don’t know.’
A look of cold disappointment would creep over the young wizard’s cunning face.
His trust in Enver’s organization, which lacked even that level of intelligence, would hit rock bottom, and Caleb would go off to meet the Blackdog Possessors.
That much was certain.
Why?
‘Because he was already on his way to Blackdog.’
He had his own information, though the source was unknown. Maybe that fox from Wyndham gave it to him.
He already knew about the Blackdog Possessors, and his question to Enver now was just to reconfirm that fact and gain additional information.
‘If I play dumb here, I’ll just end up looking like an idiot.’
Caleb would think there was nothing to be gained from him. And once he lost that trust, all the confident pronouncements he’d made at the Assembly a few days ago would become empty boasts.
And an even bigger problem.
‘If I say I don’t know, I can’t stop him!’
He didn't know exactly what Caleb planned to do by contacting the Blackdog Possessors, but if he went, the Enver Club would have no choice but to sit on its hands and wait.
He absolutely could not let that happen.
In that case…
Answer number 2.
‘Caleb. There are no such things as Possessors there.’
Could he persuade him with such a foolish claim?
Of course not.
‘How do you know?’
That wide-eyed question would be a one-hit knockout.
How would a university professor know whether or not there were Possessors in such a massive organization?
It wasn't like he’d gone over there with lie-detection magic and vetted every single employee.
Then, number 3…
“Professor?”
Caleb pressed for an answer.
There was no more time to think.
His expression had already soured. If he remained frozen in this mental breakdown for even a moment longer, it would be over.
This was the last chance to play dumb. But if he did that, it was over—
“Y-Yes.”
Enver had crossed the bridge of death.
“There… there are Possessors there.”
Cold sweat poured down his face.
“In their leadership?”
“Th-That’s right…”
Enver had just violated the most important and sensitive clause of the treaty between the two organizations.
Mentioning the other organization’s Possessors to an outsider was an absolute taboo.
And then.
“My goodness!”
Caleb suddenly gasped, his eyes wide with shock.
“There are really Possessors in Blackdog!?”
“What…?”
“Wow. That’s truly surprising.”
“D-Didn’t you already know?”
“No. I’d just heard a rumor somewhere, but I see it was true.”
Fuck.
Seeing that smooth, devilish smile, Enver realized he’d made a fatal mistake.
“I’m glad I asked ‘Professor Enver.’ Thank you.”
This is insane!
“Don’t worry. I know how sensitive Possessors are about their identities.”
“…”
“I won’t go around telling people I heard this from you, Professor Enver. The Possessors would target you if I did.”
Enver was as confused as if he’d been hit with several mind-affecting spells.
He couldn't get a handle on anything.
‘What the hell is this kid?’
Did he really only know about Blackdog from a stray rumor?
No. Absolutely not.
The look in his eyes earlier was one of certainty.
If he had answered that he didn't know, it would have inevitably led to the first scenario he’d imagined.
‘He was baiting me.’
His purpose was unclear, but it was certain that the situation was getting twisted.
One single, misplaced word had led to this bizarre state of affairs.
And since he didn't know how much the kid knew, there was no easy way to fix it.
“Do you know who those Possessors are?”
“…I don’t.”
Enver didn't answer.
He had to watch his words.
From now on, he couldn't carelessly give out any more info—
“Then isn’t this a huge problem?”
Caleb asked with a grave expression.
“If those people don’t enter the Labyrinth for more than two weeks, Sohen will face another massive catastrophe, won’t it?”
“…”
“I don’t think we should just kill all Possessors on sight like Professor Meldini does. But shouldn’t we at least know who they are? That’s the only way we can watch to see if they’re entering the Labyrinth, and the only way to guarantee a minimum level of safety for everyone.”
Caleb said.
“That’s why I was planning to investigate Blackdog.”
The situation was spiraling further and further out of control.
“Anyway, thank you for your help, Professor. I’ll let you know what I find out.”
“W-Wait a minute.”
Enver urgently grabbed Caleb as he tried to leave.
“I know…”
Enver said, his voice like he was coughing up blood as he gritted his teeth.
Is this some kind of quiz show from hell?
This was truly the worst-case scenario.
But he had no choice.
‘I can’t let Caleb go.’
If this kid would just go to Blackdog and rampage like he did back in Wyndham, like another Meldini, that would actually be fine.
Blackdog would kill him.
But if he went there saying, I’m here to find out who the Possessors are, let’s have a little chat, you are entering the Labyrinth regularly, right? then it was all over.
Blackdog would launch an offensive to recruit Caleb. If he was absorbed into their ranks, that alone would be a huge loss for the Assembly, but in the worst-case scenario, it could get even worse.
‘If he tells them everything I blabbered on about.’
Enver’s imagination leaped to a dizzying conclusion.
Blackdog would lodge a strong protest with the Assembly, and perhaps the White Lion, as an apology and an example for this incident…
‘He might even have me executed.’
Fuck.
‘You idiot!’
He wanted to go back in time three minutes and kill his past self.
“You know who they are?”
“Yes… I do. They are being managed well. Caleb… there’s no need for you to go there.”
“Who are they?”
“…”
“I need to know, too. My life is on the line as well.”
“That… I can’t say. That’s a secret…”
At some point, Enver’s psyche had been reduced to a state of near-begging.
Please, just stop here.
But this wicked wizard showed no signs of backing down.
“Professor. I don’t like leaving something as important as a Labyrinth Eruption in the hands of others and just blindly trusting them.”
Enver learned a few more things he hadn't known about him.
“If you won’t tell me, I’ll find out for myself.”
This kid was a psychopath.
A control freak with OCD.
A monster who wouldn't be satisfied unless everything was perfectly under his thumb, proceeding only according to his meticulous calculations and plans.
And to achieve that, there could be nothing he didn't know.
Especially something like the Possessor organization within Blackdog.
“I’m heading to Blackdog. Thank you for your time.”
He couldn't stop him.
But he couldn't just let this psycho walk away after saying his goodbyes, either.
He had to be there to supervise and clean up whatever nonsense he spouted.
‘Fuck, seriously.’
Swallowing the bitter pill, Enver followed Caleb.
He knew, of course, what kind of situation this would lead to.
‘A member of the Assembly, barging into Blackdog’s headquarters without any notice!’
He thought he finally understood how Meldini must have felt when this madman had screamed “I! Am a Possessor! Happy now?!” in the university lobby before collapsing in a fit.
‘I think I’m going to lose my mind!’
*
In the back alleys of Sohen, there was a massive casino.
It was originally an illegal gambling den, but as it grew enormously alongside Blackdog, it acquired an ambiguous status of “decriminalized” after showering the Sohen council and nobles with massive bribes.
At the same time, its name was changed to the “Sohen Casino.”
Though most people still just called it the gambling den.
“What the hell are you talking about?”
Krom, an Orc Berserker who was one of Blackdog’s executives and the manager of the Sohen Casino, frowned at the absurd news.
“Who’s coming to the back alleys?”
“Professor Enver is here.”
A member of the ‘Abyssal Assembly of the Labyrinth’ from the magic university.
“What’s he doing here all of a sudden without any notice? Fucking annoying.”
Krom let out a weary snort and rose from his seat.
Picking up a giant two-handed axe, he asked.
“Did he come alone?”
“They said he has a young wizard who looks like a student with him.”
Caleb had made quite a name for himself, but people like the casino employees in the back alleys didn't know him yet.
“A student?”
“Yes.”
“…Why’d he drag a poor student to a rough place like this? Tsk.”
In reality, the student was the one dragging the professor.