57. Solver (2)
Time passed and it snowed.
Oliver learned a lot from Cant.
I learned what the job of a solver is, the principle of how the floor works, the group of people, points to be aware of, and basic knowledge.
Besides that…
Tick-tick- said Cant, swinging the quarterstaff.
“But I retired 10 or 20 years ago… To be honest, I don’t even know how it would have changed.”
Tick-tick- Oliver answered, swinging his quarterstaff.
“is that so?”
Just- right- they both swung the quarterstaff together.
“Yeah, it’s a skill-oriented market and Landa has also developed, so the floor must have changed a lot. I do not know how useful the knowledge I have taught will be. In particular, you’re not trying to make money in an erratic place like me, you’re going to a higher place.”
What Cant said was true.
A solver who can use the black market without being affiliated with an organization.
Even as a cant, he did not have a sense of what kind of reputation he should build and what kind of network he should build.
I’ve heard of such existences, but they are all legendary beings.
Interestingly, however, Cant thought that it would not be impossible for a boy around 15 or 16 who was sweating in front of his eyes.
He didn’t even know why. Excellent black magic skills? Or, surprisingly high learning ability?
Taken from n̲o̲b̲l̲e̲m̲t̲l̲.̲c̲o̲m̲
No, there was a more fundamental reason before that.I can’t explain it in detail, but I had a baseless conviction that this kid, who was different from the others, could get his hands on anything he wanted.
It was the first time he had ever felt this kind of feeling when he saw a person, so he couldn’t explain it any further.
“under····. All right, let’s stop here.”
Cant lowered the quarterstaff and stepped back. Following those words, Oliver stepped back in the same position as Cant.
Just three months ago, the guy who didn’t even know how to hold a cane and was a skinny poker had changed and even had the basics.
That’s enough to match yourself.
Of course, it was moderately controlled, but it was a scary learning rate nonetheless.
“How is it? Cant.”
“… it’s not at the level of getting hit by passing. But don’t be vigilant and keep practicing as I tell you. Be mindful of what you eat, and don’t forget to exercise.”
Taken from n̲o̲b̲l̲e̲m̲t̲l̲.̲c̲o̲m̲
Nagging like a parent. Oliver nodded.“Yes. All right.”
After answering, Oliver wiped himself with a towel and began to get dressed.
With brown cotton pants and a khaki overcoat, it was the old clothes I bought specially for this day.
“Are you going now?”
“Yeah, because I said I was going.”
Oliver answered, carrying a suitcase.
“great···. There is power in your voice. Your voice is important to work. give me faith… I wish I had done a little more on the facial expressions.”
“sorry. My face is not good.”
“Well, can people be good at everything…? Would you like to stand in front of me for a moment?”
At Cant’s request, Oliver went right in front.
It was neither too stiff nor hunched, so it felt natural and relaxed.
“Why do you want to use the black market?”
“In order to obtain books related to black magic.”
“Aren’t you interested in books about demons?”
“I am not interested in that yet.”
“great. great…. No matter how low it is, anyone who has an interest in the devil will be on the lookout for. Just keep that answer. However, there is absolutely no strong denial. I’d rather win more. Denial on a reasonable level.”
“Um, yes. All right.”
“Don’t ask too much again. No matter how curious you are, be patient unless the time is right. On the floor, you have to be surprisingly careful with your mouth. If you ask a lot of questions, you will be exposed, and there will be people who want to take advantage of you. No matter how curious you are, be patient until the right situation arises for you to ask. Then the chance will come. Any warlock like you should definitely come.”
“All right···. But when is the right time?”
“When they feel afraid of you or when they desperately need you. Then, naturally, you will be able to get the answers you want more easily.”
“Yes, I will keep that in mind.”
Hearing the answer, Cant sent a letter to Oliver.
“This?”
“Introduction letter. This is a letter of introduction for the broker I mentioned. It’s sealed, don’t open it. If it has been opened, it can be suspected that it has been tampered with. He’s a picky guy, but it won’t be bad for his first job. He has a great sense of work.”
Cant said sincerely.
Oliver nodded and put it in his arms. Then he headed out of the beggar’s den.
“What do you do before you go to the broker?”
“Put on a leather mask.”
“Yeah, he’s a nice guy, but don’t reveal your identity. There is no burden in terms of safety and activity.”
“Yes····. Well then, we have to break up.”
Oliver said, leaving the beggar’s den with the snowy sky in the background.
“right····. Now, take this.”
“This···?”
Oliver asked, looking at the quarterstaff extended by Cant.
“It’s a gift. I have received so many things that I don’t like to just send them back with bare hands.”
“A gift?”
“Yeah, it’s an old quarterstaff, but it’s the most precious thing to me. Please, accept it.”
“················ogue.”
Oliver looked at the quarterstaff without a word.
His hands were stained and shiny, and the bandage in the middle was tattered from how old it was.
More than anything else, it was something that we shared our whole life with, so there was a faint feeling of Cant.
“…don’t you like it?”
“Are you really giving it to me? Is it something precious?”
“right. That’s why I’m giving it to you.”
Oliver caught the quarter staff with a more blunt expression than usual.
Then, Cant said something.
“Keep in mind one thing. You’re not weird or broken… another place. Keep that in mind and live.”
“Yes, I will keep that in mind.”
Oliver answered and left the beggar’s den. Cant waved until he couldn’t see Oliver.
***
Quick profit-!
A dreary gray taxi came to a rough stop on the side of the road.
If you look closely, the exterior of the car is rusty and dusty, etc.
“Street T, 27th Street. Im here. Guest.”
The plain-clothed driver drank from a bottle wrapped in a brown paper bag and said.
“Here it is. thank you Knight.”
He handed the bill and said hello as Oliver practiced.
Fortunately, it was natural, he smiled and waved his hand.
“It is me. Have a good day.”
The taxi leaves as soon as Oliver gets off.
It was a good start.
Oliver first slipped into a sparsely populated alley, pulled a leather mask from his bag and put it on his face.
It was captured from the puppeteer Glip, and after a while, after confirming that even his hands had changed, he took out a note and looked around.
Area T, the residence of the working class in Landa.
It certainly looked better than Zone X or W, and although it was inferior to the center of Landa, there were many people on the street, and most of the buildings were in use.
There were no strange graffiti or totems.
Oliver started walking along the main road, starting at the entrance of Street 27, following the map drawn on the note.
After a while, a three-way intersection appeared.
“certainly····. ah.”
Oliver’s gaze stopped at one place.
It was a restaurant with a sign for Forest.
rattle-
As soon as I opened the door, a simple-dressed employee approached me. He had a distinctive red skin color and had an egg tag on his chest.
“hello. Guest. Did you come alone?”
“I came here after hearing that they were looking for an employee.”
“Ah, sorry. Guest. All the staff have been saved.”
“I have been introduced.”
“Introduction?”
“Yes, here.”
Oliver pulled out the letter of introduction that Cant had given him from within and held it out.
The employee handed the letter with a gentle smile and looked at the outside.
“Sorry, could you please wait for a moment?”
“Yes, of course.”
“thank you. I will come as soon as possible.”
The employee said hello and went somewhere for a while.
For a moment he returned right away and guided Oliver.
“If it’s okay with you, would you like to come with me? Guest.”
Oliver nodded and followed him.
I entered the staff aisle across the restaurant and bar and stopped in front of a door.
smart-
“president. I brought you.”
“Let me in. egg.”
The waiter opened the door and beckoned him to go inside.
Oliver greeted the waiter lightly and went inside, where an old gentleman half-white sat inside.
He was pretty well dressed in a waistcoat, pants and gloves, and he looked pretty sturdy too.
At least he was the first old man Oliver had ever met to be so strong.
“hello···. My name is Dave.”
“Dave?”
“Yes.”
“Nice to meet you. Dave. I call it Forest. Excuse me for the first time, can you show me that wand?”
Olive looked at his quarterstaff and asked.
“This one?”
“Yeah, that. please don’t Dave.”
“Here I am.”
Olive handed the quarterstaff he received as a gift from Cant.
“this····. You’re the real Cant’s quarterstaff. I’m not dead yet, I’m still alive But sending the letter is even more surprising.”
The old man glanced at the letter.
“I don’t like wasting time, so I’m asking straight-forward. Does coming here mean you want to be a solver?”
“Yes.”
“A warlock? Are you good at it too?”
Oliver recalled a conversation he had with Cant.
“I think I have some basic skills.”
“Well, okay…. There’s no point in talking with your own mouth anyway. Can I give you a test?”
“A test?”
Oliver asked.
Cant said he’d take the letter of introduction and he’d take it right away.
Whether he understood such a question, Forrest kindly explained.
“I hope you don’t get me wrong. It’s not like I’m thinking about it or trying to eat it for free. You will pay the price. However, this floor has changed a lot since Cant worked.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah, the competition in the tower has become fierce, so wizards have already advanced to this floor, and there are even stronger human beings who have strengthened their bodies. From colonial wars to retired soldiers… overflowing with people So this floor is also covered by people.”
Forrest’s words were sincere.
Oliver nodded.
“Yes, I understand.”
“Thank you for understanding. I have friends who can’t speak.”
“Can I ask what the test is specifically?”
“A polite friend. Do you like it. First, let’s start with simple things. Even if you fail, there is no penalty. Catch the bounty, retrieve the stolen item, or… ah! Ask again. Are you really confident in your skills?”
Oliver replied, reflecting on Cant’s advice.
“Yes.”
“Then, bring me some animals.”
“An animal?”
“okay···. It’s a good animal. It’s more like a beast or a monster, though.”
With those words, Forrest pulled out a file folder from the cabinet and held it out.
Oliver opened the file folder and checked it, and he could see clear text and a black-and-white photo.
“It’s a strange animal.”
“…? of course not funny It’s a chimera… It looks like you came out after only training in the basement.”
Oliver hesitated to answer and looked at the animal in the picture.
All kinds of creatures were woven from a giant dog as a base, with something like chicken wings on its back and claws of raptors on its front paws.
But the thing that stood out the most was the thorn on his side.
“A chimera made by the Magic Lab Mattel, who escaped into the sewer during an experiment. The lab secretly placed a bounty.”
“Can I take this?”
“okay. However, you must not kill or injure them. It’s an important sample, so if I hurt you, I’ll hold you accountable.”
“okay.”
“Currently, the reward is 42 million. It’s pretty high. It’s been almost two weeks since we escaped, and no one has caught it because it’s a biological weapon. He’s cunning, strong, and he’s picky when he shoots thorns on his side.”
“·····.”
“Even though it’s an inexperienced kid, four solvers have died, and in the process, they know the taste of human meat and are touching civilians. The area that is running rampant is Area V of the slum, but if it goes like this, the police department will also smell it. So I’m nervous… Would you like to?”
“········.”
“If you guide me, I can do other things.”
“no. Let’s do it.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yes. But I have a question for you.”
“Tell me.”
“Do I have to pick it up and pick it up and bring it all the way here?”
“I forgot to explain. You don’t have to. Researchers are on standby near where the Chimera is currently working. First of all, once you get there, you just have to find them and give them my name. Then I’ll explain the fur and other details we need to track it down.”
Oliver nodded. Forrest’s words were sincere.
“Ask again. Are you really okay? It’s not that I’m ignoring it, but it could be a big deal. I cant tell you that I am an acquaintance.”
“Well·····. I hate to die, but I think I’ll be fine. Above all else, I want to see a chimera.”