98. Child, Invoice Doll (1)
“This is so… It’s fun, but it’s also frustrating.”
A parking lot full of many trucks. Arthur, whom I met there, said:
“hello? Mr. Arthur. Nice to meet you too.”
Oliver saluted Arthur politely and looked around.
In addition to trucks, there were a lot of truck drivers around the parking lot, all of them holding bats or blackjacks in their hands.
I thought it would hurt quite a bit if I got hit, but I think I can see why the Hoffman family couldn’t control it prematurely.
loud buzzing sound.
Arthur spoke again.
“Is this the first time since the contaminated area? Were you hired by Hoffman?”
“Actually, I was hired by Mr. Murphy. Did you get a new prosthetic arm?”
Oliver asked, pointing to the new golem prosthesis.
It looked stronger than I had seen before, but I could tell by the amount of magic that was flowing.
“Yeah, unfortunately. Thanks to you, my debt has increased… But what’s even more sad is that I met you now. Jimmy Did that kid tell us to scold us?”
“No, I-”
“-Wait. It’s not like that.”
Murphy interrupted.
He seized the opportunity like a fox, biting and drooping like a wolf.
“We are here to negotiate. So, we all put down what we’re holding and let’s have a conversation. Aren’t we all Landa people?”
“The conversation ended in the fucking evening……. If you wanted to talk, you shouldn’t have broken Huff’s arm.”
Let someone tell you, you’re right here and there! a sound came out.
Oliver asked Jimmy’s subordinate Frank.
“Who is Huff?”
“····I am one of the staff here. I broke my arm while talking to the boss.”
“ah····.”
I could understand the people’s anger, but there was no atmosphere for conversation.
I wanted it to end like this, but then, Arthur helped.
“now····. Let’s all calm down a bit and have a conversation.”
“uh? What did you do now? Arthur! Did you forget what these guys did?!”
“Okay, no conversation until we agree to our first terms!”
“You said you’re negotiating and it’s obvious that you’re going to gossip like the last time, but why are you doing it your way?”
But Arthur’s reaction was only calm. He said, pointing to Oliver.
“At that time, I didn’t have that friend… I’m here to help, not to fight for my life.”
At that time, a young man of the same size as Arthur approached. He also exudes the unique atmosphere of a person who lives on violence.
“You look like a kid, but why are you acting like a coward? disappointingly.”
Coward. Arthur responded to that word.
“Listen to me, you fucking bastard. When you crossed arms and grabbed a form in the union, I killed a native in the New World and practiced boxing with that corpse. Then he was sent to the Touhou Corporation and planted your fucking flag on top of an unknown kingdom. If you call me a fucking coward just one more time, I’ll tear your bare jaws apart, so just trust your uncle and don’t flirt. Did you understand?”
Arthur, who had been saddened, raised his voice and growled, dismaying the young man, as well as the other solvers and truck drivers.
Everyone was silent, but Arthur slowly came out and spoke to Oliver.
“Hey, Dave.”
“Yes, Mr. Arthur.”
“Now that I have saved your face, please do me a favor. We’ll listen, but if it’s outrageous, we’ll turn it down. Promise me that you’ll go back then and don’t make a fuss. Is it possible?”
“Yes, of course. From the beginning, I didn’t intend to offend the people here. It was just a security car visit.”
“Okay then. Follow. I will guide you.”
***
Arthur was guided to a place that looked like a building on one side of the parking lot, which was literally a board office.
It was difficult to breathe even if only three people went in because the inside was narrow, but at least five people got into it.
Jimmy Huffman’s negotiating agent, Murphy, his watcher Frank, and his bodyguard Oliver.
And Denny, the driver’s representative, and his bodyguard, Arthur.
They were so close that they could hear each other’s breathing.
“nice to see you.”
“Nice to meet you too.”
Murphy and Denny greeted first, followed by others.
Everyone kept their manners, but they were busy estimating each other’s intentions, and this was similar to a battle, only in a different form.
It was Denny, the truck driver’s representative, who struck first.
“Let’s break it down and get straight to the point. What are you here to negotiate? I’m sorry, but we’ve already said the terms.”
“Yeah, I know, too. Double the compensation that drivers who died during truck deliveries were originally entitled to. And after that, wages will improve, right?”
“There are a few other little things, but those two are the most important.”
Then Frank intervened.
He was in a cold sweat and busily gestured. As if to represent the feeling of nervousness.
“Look at this, Denny. Nonsense. It’s double… I don’t know if it’s 65 percent.”
A voice rose in the narrow space.
Frank said that 35 percent of insurance premiums are customary by employers, and Denny called it a bad habit, and shouted that they should be paid twice as much as compensation for cheating them.
The voices grew higher and higher, and it seemed that there was no consensus at all, and then Murphy intervened.
“Everyone, calm down. Let’s try to find an agreement.”
“Agreement?”
“Yes, it is an agreement.”
“It sounds like you’re seeing it for the first time, so listen carefully. The agreement was immediately crossed. Jimmy, when that kid stole more than half of our insurance and broke Huff’s arm… That insurance cost was also limited from our wages.”
“If you don’t work like this, won’t you lose? Will the cost of living go down from next week?”
Danny paused for a moment, as if he had pinpointed the pulse correctly.
As Forrest tells us, the workers in this city are a week old.
They said that if they were pushed back even once a week, they could be kicked out of their house as well as rice.
Murphy pushed.
“Now, what about next week’s rent and living expenses? Aren’t you supposed to feed the kids?”
“If you fasten your belt-”
“I will starve to death. Of course, there must be a premise that Jimmy-san will leave you alone until then.”
“Are you threatening us? Fuck you yeah! The union is looking after us!!”
“Even if they look after you, you will bleed…. Do you really think they really care and help you? They’re essentially the same guys as the Pink Man. One of the things I’ve learned while living in the world is that there’s only one person who is for you. Pretending to help now, but will you sneak out if there’s a risk or a bigger profit? ····Accept Jimmy’s terms. 65% compensation, 5% increase per day. It’s outrageous. Especially in this city. Of course, this will not fill the castle. So I will compensate you further.”
“What do you mean?”
Murphy pulled out a silver cigarette case and took a cigarette. Then he recommended one to Denny.
“·················ogue.”
“It’s expensive. Let’s smoke one.”
Danny hesitated and picked up a cigarette, and Murphy continued, lighting a cigarette.
“Once this turmoil is over, the Hoffman and our Kimbells will do business together. Distributing magic wine all over the country. Have you ever drank?”
“····exactly. It tasted pretty good.”
“thank you. I have faith in my products. I don’t create trash just to make an extra penny. That’s just the pennies or the bastards who want to touch it. I will make the right product. To the extent that everyone wants to drink my magic wine… There will be huge sums of money.”
Murphy rubbed his thumb and forefinger. Suddenly, everyone but Oliver fell in love with the story.
“But in order to do that, we need to pay attention not only to the product but also to the distribution. You guys are great delivery guys, so we’ll give you an incentive based on the amount of magic you deliver every week.”
“incentive?”
“Yeah, Jimmy and I decided to split 4-6 each, and I’ll give it my share. As your business grows, your insurance payouts can be ridiculously high.”
“…are you serious?”
“Or why do you think I am doing this here? Although I am not close with you, I am also a veteran of the war. I speak for the honor of being a soldier, but never, I never lie… Think for yourself that you have tried my products. Will this business fail or succeed?”
Murphy’s words made a lot of sense. Thoughts and silence were evidence of that, Denny was still hesitating.
“Wait a minute… I think we should discuss it with the union.”
“I’m sorry, but I don’t have time. I’ve barely persuaded Jimmy to come… And, of course, isn’t it obvious that the union will tell you not to fall for such cowardice? If we make an agreement, they won’t get anything.”
“…we are in trouble too. If I agreed with you like this, the union wouldn’t help us anymore. What if I go there and break my promise? We should have at least a safety net.”
“Do you think I will lie?”
“You are not the only one talking. Jimmy is also included. We know his personality, and we will definitely get revenge.”
“If that’s the case, I’ll help. I put the safety and interests of the partners I work with first.”
“I’m sorry, but you know how the floor works. As long as you belong to a crime firm, if Jimmy pushes you out, what you can do is limited, right?”
Murphy was about to say something, but then he shut his mouth.
He was confident he could stop Jimmy, but he didn’t seem to be able to say it out loud, and the meeting fell into a stagnation again.
There was a sense of embarrassment and frustration for everyone, but if it went on like this, it seemed like the meeting would be over.
If that happens, the warehouse will collapse.
‘I got an ID and a warehouse, and Murphy seems confident enough to stop Jimmy… Well.’
Oliver quietly raised his hand.
“there····. Then how about I help you?”
“…?”
Everyone saw Oliver.
“I’m talking, and I’m sorry to interrupt. But I think I can help with that.”
“Who is that person?”
“Dave. He is a solver who is making a name for himself in Area T.”
Arthur whispered to Denny.
“Help… What do you mean?”
“If Mr. Murphy or Mr. Jimmy break their promise and retaliate against you, we will help you free of charge. A couple of times?”
“················ogue.”
Everyone was silent and looked at Oliver. Their facial expressions were also very subtle.
Like a clown visiting the funeral home.
Murphy grabbed Oliver’s hand and whispered in his ear.
“Black Mage. What are you doing now?”
“I thought it would be difficult to negotiate, so I wanted to help. Aren’t you going to keep your promise?”
“I think I will keep it.”
“Then that’s it…. Or should I stop?”
Murphy looked around for a moment and said.
“no. Please continue.”
said Denny.
“Are you serious now?”
“Yes. Any problem?”
“Of course it’s a problem… Arthur acknowledges your skills, but honestly I don’t know who you are. I don’t like being a warlock… No, let it go! During the trench warfare, he was nearly killed by a warlock who came to pick up the body. Sprinkling rats with black magic almost killed them all in filth! I’ve been through something like that, but if I told you to trust the Warlock, would you believe it?!”
It was a sensible thing to say.
In my experience, trust with people was important whether money was involved or how much people knew.
However, it is only natural that Oliver, whom he sees for the first time, is less persuasive when he says something like that.
Oliver was worried. how to persuade
“Well·····. So, how about making a formal contract through an intermediary?”
“yes?”
“You are signing a formal contract with me through my broker. If I don’t keep my promises, it hurts the broker, so I have a reason to keep my promises. Then what about it?”
Again everyone was silent. Everyone looked incomprehensible.
“Are you serious?”
“Yes, I also have something to gain from this, so I want to finish it as well as possible.”
“Still, your skills are-”
“-I guarantee my skills.”
“Arthur. I believe in you, but our survival depends on it too, can’t we just trust you and do that?”
At that moment, a good idea flashed in Oliver’s mind.
“Then, how about taking down the robbers who are attacking trucks to prove your skills? It’s a problem that needs to be solved anyway, but I think it would be convenient for each other to solve it together. Denny will follow you too. You can check it yourself.”
Seeing Oliver chattering as he went, everyone gave an absurd expression on their faces.
“Arthur, is this friend really like this?”
“I didn’t even know it was like this… Dave, I’m sorry, but that’s a bit tricky.”
“Why?”
“The raiders are quite talented and come and go. Already, twelve drivers have been hit… To be honest, this friend is the father of a family. I can’t go to a place where I might die.”
“ah·····. Can’t I protect you?”
“No, that’s not what the fuck matters…. Above all else, there aren’t enough people to do it alone. In order to bring out the raiders, you need three or four trucks, but you can’t drive them all by yourself, can you?”
“If you learn . . . can you not drive one?”
“It’s a big deal. I can’t speak… What about the other three?”
“If Murphy, Arthur, and Denny are driving, wouldn’t it be a perfect match?”
“Yes? Me?”
“Fuck it, I’ll turn.”
“Are you really someone you can trust?”
Something was going on, but there was a tiring conversation that didn’t engage, but Arthur continued the conversation desperately.
“Whew…. God, be patient with me… Alright driving, but we need manpower to fight the raiders. Four talented people who can do at least one share. How are you going to procure this? From Hoffman’s side?”
“I think I can provide that.”
Oliver said it was a simple matter. And before he could argue, he took the people outside.
“Could you please follow me for a moment?”
“Why outside?”
“I can’t show you because it’s narrow inside.”
Saying so, Oliver pulled out a very large bag of gluttons from the leather case.
The gluttonous pockets, which opened one by one, swelled up like bread dough, and Denny and Frank retreated back in fear, fearing that there was no resistance to this.
Sweater Pouch rolled his eyes and looked at Oliver.
“Food pockets. Can you take it out?”
Reluctantly, he began to force his hand into his mouth as ordered.
My stomach rumbled with him and I started to vomit something.
Replying to @Jackson
Replying to @Jackson
Quee!
Quee!
The gluttonous bag spit out 4 corpse dolls.
Everyone was startled, and then Arthur mumbled as if he had noticed.
“Hey, is this?”
“I brought a few with me when cleaning the contaminated area. I repaired the broken one, but I forcefully put other parts in it, and my skills are a bit clumsy. Please understand.”
“Did you take this in that situation?”
“Yeah, it’s too bad.”
With those words, Oliver pulled out four test tubes that he had kept in his arms.
There was a piece of paper attached to the test tube, with the words First, Second, Third, and Fourth written on them, respectively.
“This?”
“It was made by imitation.”
“What?”
Oliver skipped an answer and opened the entrance to the test tube.
“Come out. Child.”
With that said, a child similar to a minion, but definitely different, came out.
Everyone was nervous at the alien sight, but Oliver didn’t mind and ordered Child to do his part.
As soon as the command was given, Child approached the corpse doll’s head and went inside through the hole Oliver had made.
With him, something similar to life began to appear in the doll’s eyes.
creaking….
creaking….
Queek….
Queek….
just….
just….
Living invoice dolls.
said Oliver.
“In this case, each person will do their part. How is it?”
Everyone was silent.