Genius Warlock-Episode 145
Let’s go together 一
When I opened the door, an ear-scratching sound rang from the rusty hinges..
It was a sound that made me frown, but Joe, Sam with the dual pistols, and the big man seemed familiar and showed no reaction..
As I followed them into the house, I saw a dusty floor, a corner of the ceiling covered with cobwebs, and a desk standing alone in an empty living room..
On the desk, a map presumed to be Area.
When they agreed to cooperate, Oliver handed it over at Joe's request, and he gave it to Joe because he truly intended to work with him..
Forest also said there was no problem with lending materials..
‘As long as you catch the executives, the city won't care who you cooperate with. It's a result rather than a process.’
So I handed over the data to Joe..
Oliver subconsciously looked at Area X drawn on the map..
District.
‘And Y and Z areas are located beyond the river. Looking at the map, I can see why Area X is their border..’
Oliver unconsciously engraved the image of Area X drawn on the map into his mind..
“You don’t have to look that closely..”
Joe spoke to Oliver, who was looking at the map..
“yes?”
“It looks like you're trying to familiarize yourself with the terrain, but there's no need for that. This map was created in advance based on images after the development was completed, so it is useless other than the rough terrain. Development stopped in the middle.”
“ah.… . What happened??”
Dual Pistol Sam intervened and said..
“A city council member in this district was caught embezzling development budget and was kicked out of office, and after that, a series of terrorist attacks and accidents occurred. Due to a combination of bad news and a vacant seat on the city council representing the district, development naturally came to a halt, resulting in this situation. I heard that they originally tried to create a decent industrial district in their own way..”
Ho... . It was interesting. I never thought there would be such a situation in Area X, which I only knew as an underdeveloped place..
Sam answered, putting a cigarette in his mouth..
“It's a dreary world these days where you don't even know who lives next door, so people in other districts probably don't know about this. But, everyone in this neighborhood knows. Especially old people lament that they liked those times..”
Sam's voice was a mixture of lament, regret, and irritation..
Oliver was about to reflexively ask if life was good back then, but then Joe banged on the table to prevent the story from leaking out..
“Enough about the unusable past stories. First, focus on work. That's why everyone gathered together?”
At those words, Sam nodded while smoking a cigarette, and Oliver also nodded..
Joe was right. First of all, I had to focus on work..
Once the conversation got underway, Joe first explained the situation..
“First, let me tell you what I researched..”
Oliver nodded..
Instead of joining the work, Joe decided to take over the search of Area X..
Joe pointed at the broadly marked area with a red pen..
It was inside Area X, adjacent to the river..
“I don't know if you know, but surprisingly, there are a lot of fugitives from not only domestic but also foreign countries in Landa..”
“I know. I learned it a while ago.”
Forrest said that it is the best place for fugitives to hide because there are a lot of people, it is easy to hide, it is easy to obtain information, and above all, there is no search by outside military forces..
“Well then, that's a relief. Usually, those with money and proper connections hide in Area J. There are a lot of people, so it's good to hide, and there are plenty of places to rest. A guy who doesn't have money, but has decent connections, hides on the outskirts of the workers' quarters. There are a lot of foreigners living there, so it doesn't feel awkward no matter who is there..”
Oliver nodded. I didn't know this much detailed information, but I was impressed..
Then a question occurred to me.
“Well, no money, no connections.?”
“Well then, hide here..”
Joe once again pointed to the inside of the land marked in red..
“Although it's dangerous because it's full of poor people, gangsters, human traffickers, and mutants, the police won't come here, so it's a pretty good place to hide if you're confident in your strength. There are gangs that run small errands for little money..”
“Oh, I see. Still, the range is wide. Are you looking for a hiding place??”
“uh..… . No, I found people who seemed to know exactly..”
“These guys seem to know?”
“okay.”
Joe pointed to a spot while answering..
It was a factory located near a sewer..
“These are gangs based here. The name is a sewer snake.”
“A sewer snake.?”
“Uh, it's the name of a snake that lives in the sewers. That's where it got its name. They are dirty and cunning, and they also hide those who run away on the side. Most likely, they know.”
“Why??”
“Recently, the amount of food they purchase has increased dramatically. Things like canned food, bread, alcohol, and cigarettes. The only general store that carries groceries in this area is Lansky General Store, so this is solid information..”
Joe pointed to a huge warehouse building a few blocks away..
“There is only one general store.?”
“I told you. This neighborhood is rough. I think there are many people who can survive by opening a store here.?”
“In the first place, Lansky said that because he was the owner of that street..”
Dual Pistol Sam intervened and said..
“Are you a street owner??”
“It's no big deal. That's what we call people around there who can stretch their necks.”
Oliver nodded..
“Anyway, if you ask these sewer snakes, you'll probably be able to tell their tracks. I thought I wanted to figure this out on my own, but I thought problems would arise if I proceeded alone.…..”
Joe frowned, examining Oliver's expression..
He seemed worried that Oliver might be offended..
Contrary to Joe's worries, Oliver was quite satisfied..
First of all, I now have a place to ask questions..
“It's good. Then, can we move right away??”
“Uh, before that, let me introduce the people who will be moving together. I need to add it up.”
With those words, Joe pointed to Sam with his dual pistols..
“It's Sam. I met you in a contaminated area?”
“Yes, it's been a while. Mr. Sam.”
Sam looked at Oliver for a moment, then nodded and greeted him politely..
“Yeah, it's been a while..”
Joe nodded and introduced the next person and Oliver..
A dark-skinned young man who is younger than Joe and Sam, but taller and heavier than them both combined. He looked to be in his late teens at most..
“This is Owen. This is the guy who joined the fighter crew this time..”
Owen bowed his head politely, befitting his size..
“Oh, hello.?”
“yes, hello.”
Oliver greeted him and looked at him..
He looked anxious and withdrawn at the same time.
It's not for Oliver to judge, but he didn't seem to have a personality suited to fighting..
At least this was the first person Oliver had ever fought with this type of personality..
“As you can see, I'm still young and an inexperienced beginner, but I'm sure of my strength, so you don't have to worry too much..”
Joe half lied. He believed in Owen's power, but he certainly didn't seem to believe in himself either. It was a question of personality rather than ability..
‘Even he seems to be so anxious that he can't trust himself..’
Oliver thought as he stared at the man named Owen..
Joe became aware of Oliver and asked.
“.…Should I take it out if I’m anxious? Dave, you are the strongest person here, and you are the one who brings the work. I'll do whatever you say.”
At that moment, Owen was startled and spoke loudly..
“Well, it will definitely help, so please take me with you! I am confident in my strength!”
It seemed like there was something more urgent than being really confident..
Fear, responsibility, anxiety, and courage were all mixed together and seething..
Oliver wanted to know. Why do you want to do this together even though you are scared?.
When Oliver asked about this, Dual Pistol Sam answered for Owen..
“What is it? It's because of money.”
“Money?”
“okay. You don't need money to make a living. I didn't feel anything when I came to this neighborhood.?”
“hmm..… . People are hiding and watching.?”
“No, that's true, but other than that... .. There are no proper jobs in this neighborhood. If you want to make a living and make a living, you have to risk your life and work like this. Especially those with families.”
Sam said that and pointed at Owen..
“Well, don't sympathize with me though. If you're born in this neighborhood, that's your fate. Just shut up and follow. You just decide whether to take it or not. If you don't think it's helpful, talk about it, it's good for both sides..”
After Sam summarized the situation, Oliver became curious and looked at Owen. He gets nervous looking at Oliver..
“Among the people I'm trying to catch now, there's a person who attacked and killed dozens of soldiers by himself. Do you mind??”
Owen hesitated for a moment and nodded as if he had made up his mind..
“are you okay… .. I have made up my mind..”
“Well, that's it. Let's go together.”
As soon as Oliver answered, Owen sighed in relief, and Joe and Sam put on their jackets and packed knuckles, pistols, and pipe bombs in their arms..
Everyone seemed full of motivation..
“Ah, but I think this number of people is a bit lacking. Wouldn't it be better to get some more from somewhere??”
“Then, when we share, difficulties bloom. Even if it's risky considering money, this is perfect..”
Sam asked, and Joe answered. Oliver intervened..
“Are there not enough people??”
“of course. I'm going to get information from the gang, and there are more than ten wanted criminals listed here. Honestly, the four are too easy to handle..”
“How many more people do we need?.”
Sam frowned in confusion at Oliver's question and answered hesitantly..
“well.… . It's definitely safe with three or four more skilled guys..”
“ah.… . okay. Is it okay for three people??”
“uh? Uh... .. Is there anyone you can bring? But then, wouldn’t profit distribution be messed up??”
Oliver shook his head as if it was okay..
“are you okay. There is no need to share profits.."
With those words, Oliver opened the leather case he wore behind his waist..
“Big Mouth. can you help me?”
***
Oliver walked down the street with three people and three corpse dolls..
Most of the time when I walk with someone, I tend to walk backwards or sideways, but strangely enough, when I came to my senses, I saw Oliver walking in the middle..
Joe and his group and the corpse dolls were spread out on both sides..
What was even more strange was that Joe, Sam, and Owen looked rather nervously at Oliver and the dolls that Oliver had taken out - the warlock, the sniper, and the rag..
For reference, these three corpse dolls didn't look that strange because their entire bodies were covered with long coats or hooded capes purchased from a used clothing store..
‘maybe.’
Originally, I was planning to decorate him as human-like as possible with artificial skin and special paints, but Oliver's skills were still so poor that he couldn't camouflage himself properly, so I wrapped him in clothes like this..
‘Still, it looks like there is no problem on the outside, so why is it like that? Is walking awkward??’
Oliver thought as he looked at the wobbly walking corpse doll..
Oliver turned his head and asked Joe a question..
“Is this a bit too strange? It's a corpse doll.?”
Joe replied with a start..
“no. That's not it. What can I say... . I made it myself?”
“no. We picked up a few pieces from the contaminated area and repaired them. I've only made one invoice doll so far..”
“ah..… . I see.”
“yes.”
"......."
"Do you have anything to say??”
"Are you... no?.”
I tried to speak in an uncharacteristic way, but ended up saying nothing. When Oliver was about to ask what was going on, Sam intervened..
“What Joe wants to ask is... .. doll?”
“Warlock, sniper, rag..”
“ah… .. Anyway, I'm not going on a rampage.?”
“Yes, they are good kids and quiet..”
As if responding to those words, the children in the corpse dolls looked in this direction and made noises..
“Crrrrr…."
“Wow..…"
“Just- just-”
He was really polite. But for some reason, Joe, Sam, and Owen took half a step back in the opposite direction..
“Well, anyway, please don’t talk too much. You shouldn't underestimate the sewer snakes, but it's also not good to threaten them too much. Anyway, our goal is dialogue.."
Joe said, holding an envelope containing 5 million Randa to give as a bribe in his arms..
They usually hide fugitives, at least a few hundred. They said they would receive up to 10 million Rand, so this would be more than enough..
After a while, an abandoned factory, home to the sewer snakes, came into view..
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