145. Sewer Snake (1)
kyiririk-
As I opened the door, I heard a rustling sound from the rusty hinges.
It was a sound that made people frown, but Joe, Sam, and the big man didn’t show any reaction as they were familiar with it.
As I followed them into the house, I saw a dusty floor, a corner of the ceiling lined with cobwebs, and a desk standing alone in an empty living room.
On the desk, a map believed to be Area X was fixed with a knife, and beside it were a wanted letter from an officer of the Kell Freedom Independence Army, which Oliver had handed over to Joe, and the relevant documents.
It was given by Oliver at Joe’s request when they agreed to work together, and he gave it to him because he really wanted to work with him.
Also, Forrest said there was no big problem in lending materials.
‘As long as you catch the executives, the city won’t care who you work with. It’s a result rather than a process.’
So I handed over the data to Joe.
Oliver unconsciously looked at the X area drawn on the map.
Area X, which is quite large for a backward one, had a huge river behind it.
‘And there are Y and Z zones over the river. Looking at the map, I can see why Area X is the border between them.’
Oliver unconsciously engraved a picture of Area X on the map in his mind.
“You can’t look too closely.”
Joe spoke to Oliver scanning the map.
“Yes?”
“You seem to be familiar with the terrain, but you don’t have to. This map was made in advance based on the image after the development was completed, so it is of no use except for the rough terrain. Development stopped in the middle.”
“ah····. How are you?”
Double Pistol Sam interrupted.
“The city councilor in this district was dismissed for stealing the development budget, and after that, terrorism and accidents occurred one after another. Bad news overlapped, and the city council member who would represent the district became vacant, so development naturally stopped and it was like this. Originally, they were trying to create a decent industrial district in their own way.”
Hoo… It was interesting. There must be something like this in Area X, which I only knew as a backward place.
Sam answered with a cigarette.
“It’s a bleak world where you don’t even know who lives next door, so people in other areas don’t know about this. But, everyone in this town knows. Especially old people lament that it was good.”
Sam’s voice was a mixture of lamentation, regret, and irritation.
Oliver reflexively tried to ask if life was good at the time, but then Joe tapped the table to prevent the story from leaking.
“A story from the past that I can’t use is enough. First, focus on work. That’s why everyone got together, isn’t it?”
Sam nodded, smoking a cigarette, and Oliver nodded.
Joe was right. First, I had to focus on my work.
When the conversation took hold, Joe first explained the situation.
“First, I’ll tell you what I researched.”
Oliver nodded.
Instead of putting him on the job, Joe decided to take over the search for Area X.
Joe pointed to the wide mark with a red pen.
It was inside the X area adjacent to the river.
“I don’t know if you know this, but there are surprisingly a lot of fugitives from both domestic and foreign countries in Landa.”
“I know. I just learned it.”
It’s easy to hide because of the crowd, easy to get information, and above all, it’s the best place for fugitives to hide because there’s no search by outside forces, Forrest said.
“Well then, I’m glad. Usually the ones with the money and the right connections hide in Zone J. Because there are many people, it is good to hide, and there are many places to rest. A guy with no money, but with decent connections, hides on the outskirts of the workers’ quarters. There are a lot of foreigners living there, so it doesn’t feel awkward with anyone.”
Oliver nodded. Also, I didn’t know such detailed information, but I was impressed.
Then, I had a question.
“Then what if there is no money and no connection?”
“Then hide here.”
Joe once again pointed to the inside of the randa marked in red.
“It’s dangerous because it’s infested with poor people, assholes, traffickers and mutants, but the police aren’t here, so it’s a pretty good place to hide if you’re confident in your strength. There are gangs who even run small errands for a penny.”
“Oh, I see. The scope is wide though, did you find a hidden place?”
“uh·····. No, I found the ones I think I know exactly.”
“Anyone you know?”
“okay.”
As Joe answered, he pointed to a spot.
It was a factory located near the sewer.
“It’s the gangs who have a base here. His name is Sewer Snake.”
“A sewer snake?”
“Uh, it’s the name of the snake that lives in the sewer. That’s where it got its name. They’re dirty and cunning, and they even hide those who run away as a side job. Most likely, they know.”
“Why?”
“Recently, the groceries these guys buy have increased dramatically. Like canned food, bread, alcohol, cigarettes. The only general store that sells groceries in this area is this Lansky General Store, so this is solid information.”
Joe pointed to a huge warehouse building a few blocks away.
“Is there only one general store?”
“You said This neighborhood is rough. Do you think there are many people who can survive by opening a store here?”
“In the first place, Lansky was inspired by that street owner.”
Double Pistol Sam interrupted.
“Are you a street owner?”
“It’s nothing. That’s what we call people around us who can strain our necks.”
Oliver nodded.
“Anyway, ask these sewer snakes and you’ll probably find their tracks. As I thought, I wanted to find out up to this point, but I thought that there would be problems if I proceed alone…”
Joe looked at Oliver’s complexion, and his tail twitched.
He seemed worried that Oliver would be offended.
Contrary to Joe’s worries, Oliver was satisfied enough.
First of all, I have a place to ask.
“It’s good. So, can I move right away?”
“Uh, before that, let me introduce the manpower to work with. You have to put it together.”
With those words, Joe pointed to the Dual Pistol Sam.
“It’s Sam. Have you ever met him in the polluted area?”
“Yes, it’s been a while. Mr. Sam.”
Sam looked at Oliver for a moment, then nodded and greeted him in his own way.
“Yeah, it’s been a while.”
Joe nodded and introduced the next person and Oliver.
A dark-skinned young man younger than Joe and Sam, but bigger and heavier than the two combined. At best, he looked only in his late teens.
“This is Owen. This time he joined the Fighter Crew.”
Owen bowed his head politely, not befitting his size.
“Ah, how are you?”
“Yes, hello.”
Oliver greeted him and looked at him.
He looked anxious, and at the same time atrophied.
It wasn’t for Oliver to judge, but it didn’t seem like he was fit for a fight.
At least, he was the first person Oliver had ever fought with.
“As you can see, I’m still young and inexperienced, but I’m sure of one strength, so I don’t have to worry too much.”
Joe lied about half. He believed in Owen’s power, but he didn’t seem to believe in himself. It was a matter of character rather than ability.
‘Even the person himself is so anxious that he doesn’t believe himself.’
Oliver thought, staring intently at the man named Owen.
Joe asked Oliver, conscious of that.
“···If you are anxious, should I take it out? Dave is the strongest here, and you are the one who brought the work. I’ll do whatever you want.”
At that moment, Owen was startled and said in a loud voice.
“Bar, I’m sure it will help, so take me with you! I am confident in my strength!”
It seemed like there was something more urgent than being really confident.
A sticky mixture of fear, responsibility, anxiety, and courage simmered.
Oliver wanted to know. Why do you want to do this work together despite your fear?
When Oliver asked about it, Sam answered for Owen.
“What is it? Because of the money.”
“Money?”
“okay. You don’t need money to make a living. What did you feel when you came to this town?”
“Well·····. Are people hiding and watching?”
“No, that’s right, but not that…. There are no decent jobs in this town. If you want to earn money and make a living, you have to risk your life and work in this way. Especially the one with the family.”
Sam pointed to Owen at the same time as he said that.
“Well, don’t be sympathetic. Because if it’s a cub born in this town, that’s fate. shut up and follow You decide whether to take it or not. If it doesn’t help, talk about it, and it’s good for each other.”
When Sam cleared up the situation, Oliver was curious and looked at Owen. He looks at Oliver and gets nervous.
“Some of the people I’m trying to catch right now have attacked and killed dozens of soldiers alone, are you okay?”
Owen hesitated for a moment, then nodded as if he had made up his mind.
“it’s okay····. I have made up my mind.”
“Well then, that’s it. Let’s go together.”
As Oliver answered, Owen sighed in relief, while Joe and Sam put on their jackets and packed knuckles, pistols and pipe bombs in their arms.
Everyone seemed to be full of enthusiasm.
“Ah, I think there are not enough people like this. Wouldn’t it be better to get some more from somewhere?”
“Then when we share, our difficulties blossom. Considering the money, even if it is risky, this is just right.”
Sam asked, and Joe answered. Oliver intervened.
“Are there not enough people?”
“Of course. Going to get information from the gang, there are more than ten wanted bounties listed here. To be honest, the four are just too simplistic.”
“We need a few more.”
At Oliver’s question, Sam frowned, as if puzzled, hesitantly answered.
“Well····. If there are three or four more talented guys, it’s definitely safe.”
“ah····. okay. Can we have three?”
“uh? uh… Can someone bring me? But then, isn’t the distribution of profits twisted?”
Oliver shook his head as if it was okay.
“it’s okay. You can’t even share the profits.”
Oliver opened the leather case behind his waist with those words.
“Big Mouse. Can you help me?”
***
Oliver walked down the street with three people and three corpse dolls.
Most of the time when I was walking with someone, I was walking backwards or horizontally, but strangely, when I woke up, Oliver was walking in the middle.
There were Cho and his party dolls spread out on either side.
What’s even more strange is that Zorah, Sam, and Owen were a little nervous, looking at Oliver and the mortuary-the warlock, the sniper, and the rags that Oliver had pulled out.
For reference, these three corpse dolls were not so strange on the outside because their whole bodies were covered with long coats or hooded cloaks bought from an old clothing store.
‘maybe.’
Originally, I was going to make it look as human as possible with artificial skin and special paints, but Oliver’s skills were still clumsy and he couldn’t camouflage it properly, so he wrapped it up in clothes.
‘Still, it looks like there is no problem on the surface, but why is that? Is it awkward to walk?’
Oliver thought as he looked at the corpse doll as he stumbled.
Oliver turned and asked Joe.
“Isn’t that a bit too weird? Are you a puppeteer?”
Joe replied with a smirk.
“no. That’s not it. just what… Did you make it yourself?”
“no. I picked up a few from the contaminated area and repaired them. I have yet to make only one invoice doll.”
“ah·····. I see.”
“Yes.”
“········.”
“What do you have to say?”
“Are you… not.”
I tried to speak rudely. As Oliver was about to ask what was going on, Sam interrupted.
“What Joe wants to ask is me…. doll?”
“Warlock, sniper, rag.”
“ah····. Anyway, it’s not a runaway, is it?”
“Yes, they are good children, so they are quiet.”
As if responding to the words, the children who entered the corpse doll looked at this and shouted.
“Kurre…”
“Kya…….”
“Just- Just-”
It was really polite. However, for some reason, Joe, Sam, and Owen took a half step back in the opposite direction.
“Well, anyway, tell me not to talk too much. Don’t look down on the sewer snakes, but don’t threaten them too much. Anyway, our goal is to have a conversation.”
Joe said, holding an envelope in his arms with a bribe of Rs 5 million.
They usually hide the fugitives, but at least hundreds. They said that they would receive up to 10 million Randa, so this would be more than enough.
Moments later, an abandoned factory, home to a sewer snake, caught my eye.