Chapter 100

<100. Moving (1)>

"Hey, hey- Gahaaaaa-!!"

In the Hoffman Family's office.

Hilton, the black mage who had an exclusive contract with the Hoffman Family, screamed.

As soon as he saw the evidence Murphy brought, he denied it and struggled, then tried to extract emotions to attack, but Oliver used Shadow Tentacle first to subdue him.

By combining Vine Shadow and Shadow Spike, he could both capture and attack, and Oliver's shadow tentacle pierced Hilton's arm and grabbed his neck, subduing him instantly.

Hilton, a skilled black mage who earned hundreds of dollars a week, made choking sounds.

Even Jimmy, the boss of the Hoffman Family, and the other members felt fear at the scene.

Murphy pressed on and persuaded him, like a wolf on the attack.

"Look here. Mr. Jimmy... This is the truck transportation schedule and list of goods found at the hideout of the truck robbers. It's an inside job, and the culprit is Hilton."

Murphy added a handwritten note containing the attack instructions.

Someone muttered that it was Hilton's handwriting, but Hilton, choking, denied it.

"....N-no, sir. I... Choke! Why...? Such a... choke..."

"After interrogating the captured truck robbers, they complained that they no longer had a reason to stay in the family. Especially, they said their pride wouldn't allow them to work under a young boss."

Murphy had just lied.

He had said it was a young, incompetent brat.

But it seemed the meaning was understood, as Jimmy's face, the young boss of the Hoffman Family, turned red and pale.

He was still confused but almost believed it.

After all, there was clear evidence right in front of him.

"....Where is the informant?"

In response to Jimmy's question, Murphy signaled outside.

Arthur brought in three truck robbers, each held by one of his hands.

He threw them to the ground, and they all trembled in fear, especially of Oliver.

"....What the hell is this guy?"

Jimmy asked, looking at the man who looked like jerky.

Hilton seemed to know him too.

"Bar, Baron...! How... choke...!"

"This jerky-looking guy told us. Hilton was the insider. He said he wanted more money."

With that, Jimmy seemed convinced and slowly began to show his anger.

"....Mr. Black Mage."

"Yes."

"Break this bastard's limbs."

"Understood."

At Oliver's response, a crack! sound was heard.

"Kaaaaaaaah-!!!"

Hilton, in his neat suit and beard, fell to the ground crying like a baby, and everyone watched silently.

Well, except one person. Jimmy.

He picked up a shotgun from the corner and started beating Hilton, who couldn't move with his limbs broken.

Shame, betrayal, anger, and anxiety were visible, and his emotional state seemed quite cornered.

It seemed the pressure of being a young boss was significant.

Thud! Thud! Thud! The sound continued for a while, and when Hilton's face and the floor were stained red, Jimmy stopped.

"Huff. Huff... Lock this bastard and those bastards up. I was thinking of selling them to a lab."

With a serious voice, Jimmy ordered, and the Hoffman Family members followed his instructions.

A red line appeared on the floor, and Oliver instinctively felt his job was done.

Things went better than expected.

"...Thank you, Murphy."

Jimmy said, lighting a cigarette.

"No, I'm glad I could help."

Jimmy looked at Murphy with a subtle gaze.

He was genuinely grateful, but at the same time, he felt wary of Murphy.

"...Where is the hideout?"

"Yes, I confirmed the location and have someone on our side there. I'll guide you as soon as you're ready."

"Good... Do you have the goods?"

"Yes, we do. Not all of them, but some are left unsold."

"Money?"

"...We secured it. It's not much, as it was stolen goods, but it's enough to reduce the damage somewhat."

"Good."

"However, there's one thing I need to mention."

"What is it?"

Murphy looked at Oliver and Arthur.

"Mr. Jimmy, half of the money we found was taken by Mr. Black Mage and Mr. Arthur."

"What? Who decided that?"

"It's a common practice. Solvers take a portion of the items or money they obtain during their work. Otherwise, you'd have to pay more to hire them to find the money... It's my fault."

As Jimmy was about to say something, the old caretakers, including Frank, stopped him.

Since they had solved the problem for free, it was fair to give them a reward.

Jimmy reluctantly accepted the fact, and the conversation was coming to an end.

'Now I can move. There's a small living space above the warehouse. I need to prepare to move there.'

Just then, Jimmy suddenly spoke to Oliver.

"Excuse me."

"...Me?"

"Yes. You... You seem to be a quite skilled black mage. Do you need a job?"

"...?"

"By chance, we have a position open. How about it? If you want to work in T-Zone, it would be better to work with us. How about joining our family? We'll treat you well."

What can I say? He was decisive. However, the timing was not good.

"Sorry, but I respectfully decline."

"...Why?"

"I'm fine with my current life. Besides, I don't like being part of an organization."

"Don't give me that cliché. What do you want-"

"Wait a moment. Mr. Jimmy."

Murphy intervened and whispered in his ear.

Whatever he said, thanks to his good persuasion skills, Jimmy's boiling emotions gradually calmed down.

"...Alright. Then, I hope we can maintain a good relationship in the future."

"Yes."

Oliver answered without much thought.

The atmosphere eased, and the conversation ended. Oliver, Murphy, and Arthur left the office.

Now it was really over, and Murphy spoke to Oliver and Arthur.

"Thank you both for your help. Especially, thank Mr. Dave. I was prepared to get hurt, but it was easier than expected."

That was true. Oliver had dismantled the trap, used Black Dart for a wide-area attack, and the corpse puppet did the rest.

However, Oliver denied this.

"No, thanks to Mr. Arthur, the negotiation went smoothly, and I also got to test the corpse puppet, which wasn't bad."

"Well, me too. Thanks to you, I got a nice side income. This should cover the cost of a new golem prosthetic."

The money the truck robbers had collected was quite a lot, and it seemed the golem prosthetic was quite expensive.

Well, even to Oliver, who had no knowledge in that area, it looked like a complex structure, so it didn't seem strange.

'Sustained magical maintenance of a golem, synchronization with the user, powerful force... I'd like to learn this field when I have time. Is there a book about it in the bookstore?'

"Mr. Black Mage. I'll finish the paperwork and transfer the payment within three days at the latest."

"Yes, thank you."

"Then, I'll take my leave. I'll be busy from tomorrow. Would you like a ride?"

Just as Oliver was about to answer, Arthur put his hand on Oliver's shoulder.

"If it's okay, I'd like to talk to this friend a bit... I have something personal to discuss."

Murphy looked at Arthur and then stepped back.

"Yes, I understand. Mr. Black Mage. See you next time."

Murphy tactfully stepped back, leaving Oliver and Arthur alone.

Arthur paused for a moment, then reached into his coat and pulled out a small business card.

"What's this?"

Oliver asked, looking at the card. It had the word "Labor Union" in a rigid font, and below it, workers were depicted holding hands. The slogan of unity was impressive.

"It's an organization I'm half-employed with. A group that helps oppressed workers in this city, to a small extent."

"Do you get paid?"

"A little... I have to eat, after all. If you need a job, come by. Of course, you probably won't lack for work, but you don't have to deal only with Mr. Forest."

"Hmm... I'll think about it."

"Good, that's enough... And as a fellow solver, can I give you some advice?"

"Yes, please."

"That corpse puppet... You said you found it in the Contaminated Zone. It's a Puppet's corpse puppet, right?"

"I don't know... I just found it lying around. Maybe it's a failed experiment?"

Arthur's expression showed doubt, but he didn't press the issue.

"Well, it's none of my business. Just don't abuse it in broad daylight or crowded places. Whatever it is, using a human corpse can get you in trouble. Especially, a corpse puppet can lead to various misunderstandings... Use it wisely."

It was a sincere concern, and Oliver expressed his gratitude.

"Thank you for the advice."

"No problem. Thanks to you, I saved my life and got a nice side income. And people are kind to capable friends. I thought you might benefit from it."

"Is that so?"

"Very much so. See you next time."

***

"Hmm... It's a shame. Really."

The innkeeper where Oliver stayed said.

"You paid on time and weren't particularly... well, you were a bit unusual, but you were fine."

"Thank you for saying so."

Oliver, who had finished his moving preparations, replied. Well, the preparations weren't much; he only packed one bag.

"I mean it. I saved up money in my youth to buy this