Chapter 608: Contaminated Zone

Elizabeth Unner.

She was Mother Bathory’s disciple and adopted daughter, who was killed by Oliver, and the current head of the Bathory Family.

Her reason for coming to Randa was to seek refuge and avenge, but through various incidents, she is now affiliated with the Blood Magic Sub-School under the Life School at the Tower of Magic.

As the owner of the Bathory Family, the originators of Blood Magic, she passed on Blood Magic knowledge to the Sub-School, which relatively lacked such expertise, helping it establish a foothold within the Tower. Graciously, she used that foothold for Oliver’s benefit.

“It seems what Lady Unner said was true.”

In the backseat of the vehicle, Marie, who sat right next to Oliver, dressed in a shirt, pants, suspenders, and a cape, spoke up.

“She really pushed off the Contaminated Zone onto Sir Dave.”

Marie’s voice seemed calm, but Oliver could tell there was anger beneath that calmness.

It wasn’t something he couldn’t understand.

The Contaminated Zone in F-District was problematic for various reasons, but it was ultimately a headache so severe that even the Tower of Magic and the City couldn’t address it.

Yet, the Tower had asked Oliver to clean up that Contaminated Zone.

By cleaning, they didn’t mean regular maintenance; they meant a permanent clean-up—removing the zombies, mutants, and contaminated creatures along with evicting illegal residents from the Zone, and bringing the area back under the Tower’s control.

The exact reason for suddenly assigning this task was unknown, but Unner speculated that it was a plot by those who were hostile towards Oliver.

“It seems the rumor has spread.”

“Are you talking about the one about Sir Dave establishing his own School within the Tower?”

“Yes, the Head of Administration mentioned that the Tower was in turmoil over it. They were debating whether it was right to incorporate Dark Magic into the Tower and whether to officially accept me as a member.”

“How arrogant.”

Marie didn’t voice her disdain, but her emotions expressed it. From her point of view, it was a perfectly natural response.

While it was true that the Tower held significant authority in Randa, Oliver’s influence was now far from insignificant.

Within the Fixers, he was arguably the best. He was the effective owner of a business dominating an entire district, and among some Dark Magic users, he was even called the New Finger.

Beyond that, Oliver had unofficial alliances with the City, extensive connections within the underworld through Crime Firm, Millieu, and Bean City, and was even dealing with the Templar Priests.

So, for Oliver to be tested by the Tower? It could drive some folks to feel beyond anger, to outright fury.

But Oliver didn’t feel that way.

“I’m actually thankful. Whatever the case, they’re seriously considering me founding a School.”

Despite his achievements, Oliver maintained his humble attitude.

While people might find it frustrating, Marie, who was already used to it, didn’t. She merely felt a bit disappointed. So, she confirmed.

“Sir Dave, does that mean we can establish the School once we clean up the Contaminated Zone?”

“No, we can’t.”

“What?”

“The Head of Administration said that a single task wouldn’t be enough to make that possible.”

Yes, when the Tower officially requested Oliver to clean the Contaminated Zone, the Head of Administration, Burke Post, told him that even if he succeeded, it wouldn’t guarantee the establishment of a School.

Before Oliver could even ask, Burke had already told him the truth.

“Establishing a School is a monumental task, even within the magical community. Solving just one problem won’t get it done. Although I understand it’s not a trivial one.”

Even though Burke knew how challenging it would be to reclaim the Contaminated Zone, he didn’t make any false promises that it would solve everything. He merely tried to persuade Oliver.

He explained that establishing a School isn’t something that could be achieved just by getting a few key figures within the Tower to agree. He would need to prove himself gradually.

“As unjust as it seems, there’s no helping it. The world doesn’t always work as it should; sometimes, your efforts don’t yield results, and you don’t get what you pay for. I won’t force you. The risk is high if you fail, but I can’t promise a huge return if you succeed either. Some people will surely look to diminish your success. So, would you still accept?”

“Did you accept despite that?”

Marie asked after hearing the Head of Administration’s words from Oliver.

“Yes, because if I don’t accept, there might be no opportunity at all.”

“Even so, it’s not fair.”

Marie complained. However, it wasn’t because she couldn’t control her emotions.

Marie hadn’t uttered a word of complaint when she ran ‘The Selectors’ or ‘The Selectors’ Organization’.

Raised in the slums, oppressed, and spent 6 years as a temporary disciple in the Joseph Family—her resilience wasn’t so weak as to crumble at this.

But the reason she voiced such a complaint was to express the frustration on behalf of Oliver.

With his enhanced vision, Oliver could see Marie’s emotions and comforted her.

“There are also positive aspects to this. For one, the Head of Administration sees me in a good light. He told me the truth, not because I can see emotions, but because he wanted me to know the facts.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, I could see it in his emotions.”

Marie, who had been doubtful, dropped her skepticism. She might not trust the upper echelons of Randa’s magical society, but she trusted Oliver’s eyes.

“And the fact that they’re giving me a test means they aren’t dismissing my words altogether, so that’s not bad either. Honestly, founding a School is challenging.”

Indeed, properly establishing a School was a monumental achievement that could immortalize one in history.

Naturally, few dared to try, and even those who did often didn’t even earn a mockery, let alone recognition.

But the fact that there was a debate within the Tower? That alone was a great achievement.

If they played their cards right, maybe they wouldn’t be able to establish a School, but at least receive tax benefits from the Tower.

Even that wouldn’t be bad. After all, the reason they wanted to found the School in the first place was to receive those tax benefits.

“So, let’s not overthink or look too far ahead. Let’s focus only on what’s in front of us.”

Oliver said, looking at the scenery of F-District through the car window.

Adjacent to G-District, an area for the upper class, F-District was full of unique buildings, befitting its reputation as a research hub with numerous research facilities.

However, it was only for a short time. As they approached the Contaminated Zone, the unique characteristics began to fade away, replaced by gray scenes like concrete walls, barbed wire, and soldiers armed with personal firearms.

When the world had turned entirely gray.

Knock, knock.

The car stopped, and a soldier holding a gun knocked on the window.

With a whirring sound, the car window rolled down, and the soldier verified Oliver’s face.

“We’ve received your documents. Welcome, Mr. Xenon Bright.”

Acknowledging the soldier’s greeting, the vehicle carrying Oliver and the five cars following behind him proceeded through the checkpoint.

They had entered the Contaminated Zone.

***

The Contaminated Zone of F-District was a restricted area controlled by the City, and its origin was not precisely known.

Some said it was due to a failed magical experiment, others claimed it was evidence of a catastrophe not fully cleared away.

One thing was certain—it was a dangerous place that required the City’s control.

Because periodically, swarms of contaminated creatures and zombies would increase and cause harm to the surroundings.

This was partly due to many illegal dumpers who disposed of corpses, discarded experiment subjects, and waste in the Zone. But the danger didn’t end there.

In fact, the city had practically given up on the Zone, making it a hideout for many criminals or refugees.

“You could say it’s like Y-District and Z-District.”

Inside a space prepared within the walls surrounding the Contaminated Zone, Oliver spoke while looking at Marie, Joe, and the followers who came with them.

Altogether, there were thirty people—fifteen from The Selectors and fifteen from Fighter Crew. All of them were Dark Magic users.

Most of them were acquainted with Oliver, and some were even more familiar.

On Marie’s side, there was Lawrence, who was her disciple and also had feelings for her.

From Fighter Crew, there were Sam the Dual Pistols and Owen the Iron Club. Both had previously worked with Oliver.

All of them were skilled individuals within their organizations.

After looking around at those who came to assist him, Oliver spoke again.

“Naturally, like Y-District and Z-District, many dangers are awaiting us—runaways, criminals, refugees, Dark Magic users, and so on.”

However, none of them were particularly rattled by these explanations.

It wasn’t that they took Oliver’s words lightly, rather that they knew enough already. Living in Randa’s underworld, they couldn’t help but know of the Contaminated Zone. The fact that they weren’t fazed showed their confidence.

The Selectors had not only recovered from the damage dealt by the Holy Knights after moving to Randa, but they had also grown in power.

Fighter Crew had also become strong through Oliver’s hellish training and were now recognized as a formidable group in Randa.

In fact, the two organizations had united under Oliver’s influence, forming a strengthened organization known as the Redevelopment Union.

Therefore, they weren’t particularly afraid of a place that was a mere shadow of Y-District and Z-District.

Though Oliver, who was the source of this confidence, didn’t view their attitude positively.

“It’s good to be confident, but please still be cautious.”

Everyone flinched. While Oliver wasn’t the one who created The Selectors and Fighter Crew, his influence exceeded that of their creators.

“Aside from the zombies, contaminated creatures, and illegal residents, we may also encounter diseases or polluted substances. This is still the Zone where Puppet once had his nest.”

Oliver looked at Joe and Sam, who had grown visibly tense and remained silent.

It was understandable, as they had both been attacked by Puppet’s zombie army and nearly died when surrounded.

“While the City’s defense forces concluded that Puppet has disappeared, I’d like for you all to stay on alert since, as he vanished suddenly, he could also reappear without warning. While I may need your help, I don’t want any of you to get hurt.”

Despite the Tower’s demands, Oliver received no support for cleaning up the Contaminated Zone.

Joe raised his hand.

“Boss. In a small way, it’s a mission for the Tower, but in the bigger picture, it’s also for our Redevelopment Union. Plus, everyone here volunteered to come.”

Joe spoke sincerely, and everyone, including Marie, echoed their agreement through their emotions.

“So don’t worry about trivial things. Focus solely on the mission. That’s the right stance for a leader of an organization.”

Joe’s advice was correct, and Oliver nodded and gathered his resolve.

“Thank you for your words… We all remember the purpose of visiting here today, correct?”

“Scouting.”

Oliver confirmed again, and they all remembered.

Although the Tower had given them the mission to clean the Contaminated Zone, they didn’t specify a period, so Oliver decided to take his time handling it.

Though handling it quickly would be better for various reasons, considering the size of the Zone and the numerous forces entrenched there, he decided against it.

Rushing might lead to unnecessary casualties.

“So our first goal will be to scout the Zone, familiarize ourselves with the layout, and identify the various forces, like illegal residents, contaminated creatures, criminals, and Dark Magic families. Did everyone receive the maps?”

Everyone took out the maps of the Contaminated Zone from their pockets in response to Oliver’s question.

The map was detailed in certain areas, though not entirely complete, and it had been drawn by Eve.

Upon receiving the mission to clean the Zone, Oliver had requested Eve to draw the map using the sections covered by the World Tree, and she handed it over to him.

“There may be encounters with illegal dumpers or Tower-related personnel, but do not engage in hostilities.”

“What if they attack first?”

Someone asked.

“If they’re criminals, Dark Magic users, or contaminated creatures and you believe you can win, engage. If not, retreat or request support. We’ll set up a camp as a central point for the search range, so we’ll provide immediate support.”

Hearing that Oliver would provide backup reassured everyone, and they nodded.

“And if they’re just refugees living illegally?”

“Hmm, for now, just observe. Since the goal was just to scout the area anyways.”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

With that final check on the mission, Oliver, Marie, Joe, and the other thirty people entered the Contaminated Zone.

Inside, the Zone looked exactly the same as it did a few years ago when Oliver last visited.

It felt like a ruined version of Randa.

Damaged roads and pavements were strewn about, with barely standing buildings visible. Despite it being daytime, the area was desolate, truly a place abandoned.

It gave a sense of déjà vu—not just the scenery, but the atmosphere as well.

There was an eerie, desolate atmosphere with no signs of life.

It was strange. While the Zone was indeed abandoned and had a bleak landscape, that didn’t mean there weren’t people there.

Because there were those who couldn’t survive in Randa and made nests in alleys, buildings, and even underground.

It was true that many existing forces had been wiped out after Puppet visited, but after he disappeared, new forces had taken their place. Considering that, it was quite odd.

It was as if another external force had taken over the Contaminated Zone.

To confirm this, Oliver kept walking, and it didn’t take long for him to discover that his hunch was correct.

“They’re down there killing outsiders indiscriminately. We barely escaped.”

***

Deep underground beneath the Contaminated Zone.

The clanging sound of pickaxes echoed, as if they were in a mine.

The echo was due to the actual use of pickaxes, though the peculiar thing was that they were mining away entire walls rather than minerals.

But that wasn’t the only unusual thing. The people wielding the pickaxes were not children or slaves but sturdy men dressed in woodland-patterned pants.

These were former members of unaffiliated gangs who used to live in Randa and had now turned into warlords in nearby small towns.

They were once quite formidable.

But now, they were working underground, without a ray of sunlight, swinging pickaxes like slaves.

And they were doing so under the watchful eyes of men dressed in pink suits.

One of these pink-suited men approached an old man.

The old man was also clothed in a pink suit.

“Master Won.”

“I told you. I’m retired. Call me the Manager now.”

“My apologies, Manager. I have a report.”

“What is it?”

“Outsiders have appeared on the surface.”

“Outsiders? Who?”

“Dave. The loudest in Randa.”

The old man knew who he was, having heard the name even during his time when he was affiliated with the traditional schools, focusing solely on his own achievements.

“You mean the one they call the New Finger?”

“Yes, it’s a joke, really… What should we do?”

The old man thought for a moment, though not for long.

“Leave them be. Our mission is to retrieve the research records here. Unless they come underground, don’t bother with them.”

Upon understanding the clear order, the man nodded.

As the man stepped back, the old man unleashed a faint but sharp magical energy and urged the men mining with pickaxes.

“Hurry up, youngsters. If you want more support, that is.”

His tone was oppressive, yet the sweaty men working with their pickaxes didn’t even frown.

They had seen the old man’s power once. So, they merely increased their pace, silently harboring their doubts.

They all wondered what was so special about this wall with strange markings that made these people act so desperate.