Chapter 99

<99. Child, Funeral Doll (2)>

Rumble.

It was a night after sunset.

Three old trucks were driving on the road outside Randa.

Perhaps due to Oliver's efforts, the truck drivers eventually accepted Murphy's proposal.

Furthermore, they promised to end the strike if Oliver really managed to catch the truck robbers.

Afterward, Murphy informed Jimmy of this and negotiated further to secure the three trucks needed to catch the robbers.

They were barely functional heaps of scrap metal, but it was enough.

The trucks drove in a line, with Murphy and Oliver in the first truck, Arthur in the second, and Danny in the third.

Incidentally, Oliver had learned to drive for about half a day and could drive a truck, but when it came time to execute the operation, Murphy and Arthur decided to take Oliver out of the driver's seat.

They said it would be better for the black magician, Oliver, to be relatively free in case of an unexpected attack.

So, Oliver was now sitting next to Murphy, watching him drive.

He watched as Murphy shifted gears, pressed buttons, and turned the steering wheel.

It was very systematic and pleasing.

Isn't it neat?

"Are you still upset?"

Murphy, wearing a work uniform and driving, asked abruptly.

"No... I'm not upset, just a bit disappointed. I wanted to try driving."

"I'm sorry. But the black magician should focus on the robbers rather than driving... If you like, I can let you drive my car later. It's a new one, but if the black magician wishes, I can arrange it."

Oliver nodded in understanding.

Despite Murphy's overflowing confidence and ambition, he was particularly cautious around Oliver, and Oliver still couldn't understand why.

Oliver was just a black magician who could fight a bit.

From Oliver's perspective, Murphy was more interesting.

He had clear and definite goals, a competitive spirit despite his inferiority complex, and a grand plan that encompassed retired soldiers and their camaraderie.

His negotiation with the striking drivers was also impressive.

So, it was a bit puzzling why Murphy found him difficult to handle.

Maybe he was a bit stronger?

While pondering whether to ask about it, Murphy suddenly muttered.

"...By the way, will they come out? I'm worried that the truck robbers might not show up since this is a sudden operation. I find it difficult to keep doing this."

"Personally, I think we'll encounter the truck robbers today. If that happens, what will happen?"

Murphy thought for a moment before answering Oliver's question.

"...Then, it means there's a traitor within the family."

His calm voice was evidence that he had anticipated this.

"Does betrayal often occur within the family?"

"...I can't say it doesn't."

Murphy explained.

"In a crime firm, betrayal and power struggles are common. They don't happen every day, but they do happen somewhere. It's not just in crime firms; it's the same in any organization."

Oliver suddenly remembered his time with the Joseph family. It was a rather old memory now.

Joseph, the master, had sacrificed his disciples to demons to gain power and talent,

and Andrew, his second-in-command, had increased his influence within the family by gathering followers, surpassing Joseph.

It was common... perhaps natural. Everyone's survival and self-interest were at stake.

Oliver wondered if there were such people when he briefly took over as the master. It would be nice if there were.

He thought of Marie, Peter, and the other disciples.

"...If there is a traitor, who do you think it is, Mr. Murphy?"

Murphy glanced at Oliver.

"...There are quite a few."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, Mr. James, the former boss, was an excellent person, but his son, Jimmy, is not. When the leader can't prove their ability, the subordinates can't help but show their teeth. It's like the sun rising in the east."

"I see."

"And, black magician, to be frank, I don't think you should talk about such things lightly. It could be a dangerous question."

Murphy said, showing a mix of awkwardness and concern.

"Yes, I understand. But isn't answering also dangerous? Why are you answering?"

At Oliver's counter-question, Murphy flinched as if pricked by a sharp object.

"Well... it's because the black magician has helped a lot with this matter. If the black magician hadn't stepped in, we would still be negotiating or Jimmy would be fighting the truck drivers. As you know, that would be against my interests."

Murphy was lying. Of course, it wasn't a complete lie, but he was only telling the peripheral details, not the core.

However, Oliver didn't press the issue and simply said, "I see."

He didn't need to pry to get the answer he wanted.

Oddly, when Oliver backed off, Murphy became anxious and soon spoke.

"...But, because you're a black magician, I'm telling you. You're the dark horse of T-sector."

"What do you mean?"

"Exactly what I said... The reason I'm answering so readily is that you, a black magician, have captured four magicians on your own and constantly perform astonishing feats. In short, I want to maintain a good relationship with you."

Sincerity. Oliver thought as he looked at Murphy.

"If you find it distasteful, I'm sorry. But please understand. Maintaining a good relationship with a talented problem solver in this line of work isn't just for me; many others do it too."

"No, I don't find it distasteful. I'm helping Mr. Murphy because of the warehouse. Well done."

"That's a relief. Still, I'd like you to think well of me."

"...? I think well of you. I do."

"......"

"What can I say... Mr. Murphy's emotions are always burning brightly. Inferiority, competitiveness, ambition, will... I like that."

Murphy looked puzzled, as if he didn't fully understand Oliver's words, but also seemed to grasp something.

Then, as if making a decision, he said:

"I might be crazy from not drinking coffee and driving at night, but I'll say it anyway... I'll absorb the Hoffman family within a year."

"...?"

"Jimmy hasn't fully taken control of the organization. His father was more interested in drinking and women than in the organization until the end. As a result, Jimmy hasn't grasped the organization's affairs and hasn't earned the respect of the members."

Oliver recalled his first meeting with Jimmy.

He was shouting, gun in hand, that he would kill someone, but the people around him were desperately trying to stop him, and their faces showed disappointment and weariness.

"......"

"If our Kimbell family and the Hoffman family start a full partnership, we'll eat from the bottom up. First, the drivers, then the regular members, and next the managers... People naturally gravitate towards those who bring skill and profit."

His last words were imbued with a near-belief.

"If that happens, the Kimbell family could become the second-largest organization in T-sector after the board. That would bring me closer to being a big shot, and I could help the black magician more."

"Me? I'm grateful, but why are you helping me?"

"As I said, the black magician is an incredible talent. The reason I'm saying this is that I want your help in the future. For some reason, you always play a decisive role at the most critical moments... I'll repay you as much as you've helped me."

Oliver looked at Murphy. He was sincere, and it seemed like following Kant's advice was a good decision.

To keep one's word and do one's best in one's duties.

When Oliver nodded in agreement, Murphy sighed in relief and said:

"Phew... It's strange. I'm not usually the type to talk about such things."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, the black magician seems to have a talent for bringing out something from within people... Now, we're entering the forest road. You need to be careful from here. There are many attacks here—"

"—Drive slowly, please."

As soon as he finished speaking, Oliver grabbed Murphy's shoulder and said.

Murphy, sensing something, slightly reduced his speed and instructed the rear trucks to slow down via the communication device.

Regardless, Oliver focused his eyes on the road ahead.

He could see the emotions of about thirty people hidden in the forest in the distance.

They were waiting in silence, harboring murderous intent.

"Black magician?"

"Keep going forward."

Murphy drove as instructed.

A strange tension filled the air, and Oliver opened the window to extract the emotions.

The hidden people were centered around the upcoming road, all focused on a single point.

Oliver transformed the extracted emotions into three black magic spells, extended his arm out the window, and said:

[Hey Bullet]

Small hate-filled bullets, like a machine gun, quickly struck the road.

Small explosions occurred.

Bang! Bang—!

"Landmines?!!"

Murphy was surprised, but so were the hidden people.

Their reaction was delayed, and Oliver quickly targeted those he had identified and released black darts into the air.

In the darkness illuminated only by car headlights, the sound of sharp winds cutting through the air was followed by screams from all directions.

"Ah—!"

"My shoulder! My shoulder!!"

"What? What is it?!"

Some of the startled people turned on their flashlights, and Oliver, like a ghost, shot hate-filled bullets at them.

The sharp sound of wind cutting through the darkness was followed by screams.

"Ah—!"

"My shoulder! My shoulder!!"

"What? What is it?!"

Some of the startled people turned on their flashlights, and Oliver, like a ghost, shot hate-filled bullets at them.

The sharp sound of wind cutting through the darkness was followed by screams.

"Ah—!"

"My shoulder! My shoulder!!"

"What? What is it?!"

Some of the startled people turned on their flashlights, and Oliver, like a ghost, shot hate-filled bullets at them.

The sharp sound of wind cutting through the darkness was followed by screams.

"Ah—!"

"My shoulder! My shoulder!!"

"What? What is it?!"

Some of the startled people turned on their flashlights, and Oliver, like a ghost, shot hate-filled bullets at them.

The sharp sound of wind cutting through the darkness was followed by screams.

"Ah—!"

"My shoulder! My shoulder!!"

"What? What is it?!"

Some of the startled people turned on their flashlights, and Oliver, like a ghost, shot hate-filled bullets at them.

The sharp sound of wind cutting through the darkness was followed by screams.

"Ah—!"

"My shoulder! My shoulder!!"

"What? What is it?!"

Some of the startled people turned on their flashlights, and Oliver, like a ghost, shot hate-filled bullets at them.

The sharp sound of wind cutting through the darkness was followed by screams.

"Ah—!"

"My shoulder! My shoulder!!"

"What? What is it?!"

Some of the startled people turned on their flashlights, and Oliver, like a ghost, shot hate-filled bullets at them.

The sharp sound of wind cutting through the darkness was followed by screams.

"Ah—!"

"My shoulder! My shoulder!!"

"What? What is it?!"

Some of the startled people turned on their flashlights, and Oliver, like a ghost, shot hate-filled bullets at them.

The sharp sound of wind cutting through the darkness was followed by screams.

"Ah—!"

"My shoulder! My shoulder!!"

"What? What is it?!"

Some of the startled people turned on their flashlights, and Oliver, like a ghost, shot hate-filled bullets at them.

The sharp sound of wind cutting through the darkness was followed by screams.

"Ah—!"

"My shoulder! My shoulder!!"

"What? What is it?!"

Some of the startled people turned on their flashlights, and Oliver, like a ghost, shot hate-filled bullets at them.

The sharp sound of wind cutting through the darkness was followed by screams.

"Ah—!"

"My shoulder! My shoulder!!"

"What? What is it?!"

Some of the startled people turned on their flashlights, and Oliver, like a ghost, shot hate-filled bullets at them.

The sharp sound of wind cutting through the darkness was followed by screams.

"Ah—!"

"My shoulder! My shoulder!!"

"What? What is it?!"

Some of the startled people turned on their flashlights, and Oliver, like a ghost, shot hate-filled bullets at them.

The sharp sound of wind cutting through the darkness was followed by screams.

"Ah—!"

"My shoulder! My shoulder!!"

"What? What is it?!"

Some of the startled people turned on their flashlights, and Oliver, like a ghost, shot hate-filled bullets at them.

The sharp sound of wind cutting through the darkness was followed by screams.

"Ah—!"

"My shoulder! My shoulder!!"

"What? What is it?!"

Some of the startled people turned on their flashlights, and Oliver, like a ghost, shot hate-filled bullets at them.

The sharp sound of wind cutting through the darkness was followed by screams.

"Ah—!"

"My shoulder! My shoulder!!"

"What? What is it?!"

Some of the startled people turned on their flashlights, and Oliver, like a ghost, shot hate-filled bullets at them.

The sharp sound of wind cutting through the darkness was followed by screams.

"Ah—!"

"My shoulder! My shoulder!!"

"What? What is it?!"

Some of the startled people turned on their flashlights, and Oliver, like a ghost, shot hate-filled bullets at them.

The sharp sound of wind cutting through the darkness was followed by screams.

"Ah—!"

"My shoulder! My shoulder!!"

"What? What is it?!"

Some of the startled people turned on their flashlights, and Oliver, like a ghost, shot hate-filled bullets at them.

The sharp sound of wind cutting through the darkness was followed by screams.

"Ah—!"

"My shoulder! My shoulder!!"

"What? What is it?!"