Chapter 610: Contaminated Zone

“So let me explain my proposal again…”

Oliver, a fixer in Street 30 of T-District and co-chair of the Redevelopment Union in X-District, who some refer to as ‘Finger’, politely explained something to a dirty, shabby old man who even had blood running down his head.

“…”

The people around watched silently, as if it was arranged.

It wasn’t strange. Despite people proclaiming it was the golden age of humanity, the back alleys were still ruled by the law of the jungle.

In fact, it wasn’t just unofficial; even officially, this law dominated. Otherwise, explaining the existence of so many colonies would be impossible.

Either way, everyone present was silenced by Oliver’s presence.

This wasn’t just due to his reputation. No matter how great one’s reputation, it doesn’t affect those who haven’t personally witnessed it.

What truly silenced them was the unknown pressure Oliver emitted and his performance of snapping Guylim’s neck right before their eyes.

That cold, overwhelming, and terrifying scene made everyone stay silent, fearing they might meet the same fate.

Among them, Marie and Joe were especially silent.

“…”

“…”

It wasn’t that they were scared; they were just shocked by how Oliver effortlessly broke Guylim’s neck, as if flicking away dust. They couldn’t specifically explain why.

From the underworld’s point of view, breaking Guylim’s neck was a perfectly rational act.

After all, criminals in the Contaminated Zone were problems that needed solving sooner or later, and in the current situation, killing him right away made many things more convenient.

Guylim was a hindrance to the task, and a quick execution of the leader would show the difference in strength, calming down the Warlocks who had just finished a battle.

Moreover, Guylim was a wanted criminal guilty of theft, murder, rape, pillage, and kidnapping.

So, there was no issue with Oliver killing Guylim by snapping his neck as soon as he saw him. It was rational, both professionally and personally.

However, despite that, Marie and Joe had complex emotions they couldn’t describe when they saw it.

It was somewhat like the paradox of a flawed adult telling a child to become a fine adult.

Of course, Oliver wasn’t a child. Despite that, Marie and Joe felt this way.

They might have started by snapping Guylim’s neck themselves, but seeing Oliver do it made them uncomfortable. It stirred illogical, contradictory, and selfish feelings.

An unconscious sense that something wasn’t right.

At that moment, Oliver’s voice reached Marie and Joe’s ears.

“What do you think of my proposal?”

Thankfully, the question wasn’t directed at Joe or Marie. Oliver was speaking to the shabby old man in front of him.

The old man wiped the blood from his face with the handkerchief Oliver gave him and asked,

“So… You’re saying… If we help you, sir? No, wizard? Or should I…”

“…Call me Xenon. You don’t need to add ‘sir’.”

“Ah… So, if we help you, Xenon, you will protect us and also pay us?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

Oliver nodded.

“While I clean up the Contaminated Zone, I ask that you lend me a hand. For example, by getting other refugee camps to cooperate with us. In return, I’ll protect you and compensate you based on the work done.”

It was a reasonable proposal. The refugee camps in the Contaminated Zone needed protection, and Oliver also needed their cooperation. However—

“…When the cleanup is over… What will happen to us?”

The old man, who looked foolish due to his shabby appearance, asked a sharp question. Perhaps it was natural he did.

Surviving in the Contaminated Zone, without strength, where they couldn’t expect protection from anyone, indicated he had replaced power with wisdom.

The old man used that wisdom to grasp what had been hidden in Oliver’s words.

“If we follow your words, Xenon, then the Tower of Magic will reclaim the Contaminated Zone. Does that mean we will have to leave?”

It was a valid point. After all, the reason Oliver had come here was because of this.

It might sound arrogant, but for Oliver, the act of cleaning the Contaminated Zone itself wasn’t that difficult.

Whether it was the Mutants, the Warlocks, the criminals, or the Polluted Creatures, they were all things Oliver could handle on his own given enough time. Especially if he used his Zombie Puppets. The real issue was the refugees.

The refugees who couldn’t bear the harsh life in Randa and fled here.

It might seem strange for the lowest beings on the Contaminated Zone’s food chain to be a problem, but to Oliver, they were indeed a problem.

Even though it was hypocritical, Oliver didn’t like the idea of forcefully driving out people who had come here desperately trying to survive.

In this context, Oliver now had a chance.

An opportunity arose where he could properly negotiate and resolve the situation. And the village headman didn’t miss Oliver’s true intention.

“…Everyone here escaped because they couldn’t withstand life in Randa.”

“I know. That’s why I proposed this.”

Oliver responded calmly. Though rational and composed, there was a firm decisiveness in his tone that allowed no room for negotiation.

Hearing this word, the headman understood the situation. They had no choice.

“Ah… I’m sorry for… It wasn’t my intention to defy the will of the Tower’s Magicians. But—”

“…Are you resentful?”

Oliver, having read the headman’s emotions, asked directly. The headman, who had survived the Contaminated Zone by his wits, instinctively tried to deny it, but was so struck by how accurately Oliver had pinpointed his feelings that he missed the chance to say so.

Oliver continued speaking.

“I understand your resentment. A bunch of Warlocks suddenly showed up and destroyed your settlement, then an outsider came through and flaunted his strength, making unreasonable demands. Truly, the situation is even worse because I’m exploiting your difficult circumstances. So your resentment is probably justified.”

Everyone listened silently to Oliver’s words.

His words, though shameless, carried an air of sincerity. It was clear that he understood the mess he was making, regretted it, and felt sorry for it.

“However, please understand. I desire something, and this is necessary for it. I truly apol…”

Oliver trailed off.

“…In return, while assisting, I promise I’ll ensure your safety and compensation.”

Oliver abandoned what he initially intended to say and concluded with a conventional sentiment.

The headman of the camp, seeing that they didn’t have many options, could only nod in agreement.

Having completed his business, Oliver stood up and walked over to Joe and Marie to discuss the next steps.

“Marie, Joe. How long do you think it will take to secure the safety of this refugee camp?”

“We can’t do much right now. We didn’t bring enough supplies for this many people. We’ll have to go outside and get more.”

Listening to Joe’s report, Oliver took Big Mouth out of the leather case strapped to his back.

Big Mouth, which had been folded like a blanket, swelled up like bread dough and started producing the items Oliver had asked for.

Military rations, calorie bars, water, tents, and deployable barricades, among other things.

Shocked by the sudden arrival of such a large volume of supplies, Joe stood there with his mouth agape, while the people in the Contaminated Zone were stunned beyond words.

Some even started to show signs of reverence along with their fear towards Oliver.

After all, power and wealth were universal languages that commanded respect.

Oliver actively ignored those gazes and asked again.

“How long do you think it will take?”

“I’ll have it done within an hour.”

“I’m counting on you.”

“Yes. Hey!”

Joe moved briskly, almost like a soldier. Marie also tried to help Joe build the camp, but Oliver called her over.

“Marie.”

“Yes, Leader.”

“I have a question. Is there any place in X-District that could accommodate these refugees?”

Although the question was abrupt, Marie answered immediately, as if she had anticipated it.

“I’m sorry, Leader. Even if it’s just these people, we can’t accommodate them, let alone everyone from the Contaminated Zone. In terms of space, and the economic interests that have built up, it would be difficult.”

Marie, seeing where Oliver’s thoughts were heading, spoke. As she expected, Oliver nodded.

“Well, that’s understandable. Hmm… Since we have some time… Marie.”

Oliver murmured as if pondering something, then called out to Marie again.

“Yes, Leader.”

“Would you be able to take care of these refugees for a little while, like you do for The Selectors?”

“It’s possible.”

“And… Uh, hmm… Could you also look out for anyone interested in learning Dark Magic?”

“Dark Magic, you say?”

“Yes, or anything else. Like reading, or even shoe-shining. Anything. The Contaminated Zone cleanup won’t just happen overnight, so why not let them learn something in the meantime.”

“I understand what you’re saying.”

“Good. Thanks.”

“Leader.”

“Yes?”

“…Couldn’t you have said that yourself?”

Marie asked Oliver. She wasn’t implying it was a hassle to take on the task; she was simply wondering why Oliver didn’t say such a kind thing directly rather than through her.

Oliver’s response was simple.

“Because I’m bad at it.”

“…What?”

“Helping others by staying close to them. I might be able to help out for a moment if they run into difficulties, but I can’t consistently support them like you do.”

Oliver spoke based on his conversations with Celine and the other members of The Selectors.

They all loved and respected Marie. Her dedication of heart, time, and effort had earned this affection.

Marie’s selfless devotion, even if it was for Oliver’s sake, couldn’t be denied.

Oliver didn’t possess that kind of skill.

Even when he temporarily helped Rossburn and the children at Martell, he ultimately left their care to Merlin.

Without Merlin, he probably would have just given them some money and sent them away or left them at an orphanage.

“That’s why I asked you to take care of it. It’s like I’m shoving my responsibilities onto you. I feel a little bad about it now that I’ve said it.”

“Don’t feel that way…”

Marie trailed off, flustered. She hadn’t expected Oliver to say such things… She was somewhat pleased.

“Besides, isn’t it funny for me, who’s taking away their home, to be saying these things? Actually, this whole situation is kind of funny. In the end, I’m just doing this to ease my own mind.”

Oliver’s eyes showed a complexity they hadn’t before.

The confusion of not knowing his own heart, a feeling any human might experience. It was the emotion that stemmed from being a weak individual, and Oliver was feeling it now.

Marie didn’t know what to say in response to this strange behavior of Oliver.

As Marie missed her chance to speak, Oliver spoke first.

“Marie, Joe.”

Marie responded, and Joe returned to Oliver.

“Yes, Leader.”

“I’m thinking of taking a look around on my own. Can I trust you two to maintain order here? Joe, secure the perimeter and protect the people here. Marie, help these people and also handle what I asked you earlier.”

Oliver suddenly announced his intention to leave the area he had just worked to secure. However, Joe and Marie didn’t question his decision.

Having worked with Oliver, they knew he wasn’t leaving to slack off or push work onto others. It was, in fact, the opposite.

“Of course. You can go.”

“Yes, Leader. Don’t worry.”

“Thank you.”

A calm conversation took place, like the stillness before a storm. Oliver packed up Big Mouth after folding it back up and prepared to leave.

“Oh. Wait a second.”

“Coo?”

“Just in case, leave two of those out before you go.”

Understanding Oliver’s intention without needing to ask, Big Mouth quickly retrieved the two items.

“Squueeak!”

***

Tap. Tap.

After parting ways with Joe and Marie, Oliver wandered alone through the Contaminated Zone until he entered an abandoned building.

Once inside, he tapped the tiny communication device attached inside the collar of his shirt with the tip of his finger.

“Eve?”

A short moment later, there was a response from the tiny communication device.

[Yes, Dave.]

It was the most indifferent voice among the Eve (Pandora, Eve, Lilith) trio that Oliver had encountered. However, she wasn’t entirely emotionless; there was a hint of fatigue in her voice.

“Are you okay?”

[Helping out with various tasks at the Moirai School has made me a little tired. But don’t worry too much.]

Moirai School… Speaking of which, Oliver had heard a few times about how Eve was assisting with leading projects in the City.

It was a massive project that involved processing all of Randa’s administration through the World Tree. Even someone as powerful as Eve would understandably feel weary from such a large-scale operation.

“Sorry to summon you even though you’re busy.”

[If I had difficulty coming, I would have excused myself, so don’t worry.]

“…”

[Why do you ask?]

“I’m just moved by how sweet you speak.”

[… ]

This time, Eve remained silent.

[…Don’t joke.]

“Understood.”

[…]

“But I was truly touched.”

[Just get to the point.]

Perhaps it was just his imagination, but Eve’s tone seemed to have turned a bit colder.

It was similar to when Child announced the start of a 16-hour special work schedule. Drawing on that experience, Oliver decided to jump straight to the point.

“Could you take a look at the Contaminated Zone for me?”

[I’ve already relayed information about the surface.]

“No, underground.”

[Underground?]

Eve asked back. This was because Oliver had previously told her she didn’t need to investigate underground.

“Yes, I said that. The underground of the Contaminated Zone is complicated like an ant nest, and its scale is too large. That’s why I initially asked you to only check the surface.”

[Moreover, the underground of the Contaminated Zone is covered with various security spells and Dark Magic like a spider’s web, which restricts your view. The World Tree’s power is also weaker there.]

As Eve spoke, Oliver opened the Warlock’s Eye and focused his vision.

The usual landscape disappeared, and the world turned into an abyss of darkness.

Within the darkness, lights like stars existed.

Lights formed from people’s life force, magic, and emotions.

Deep underground, centered around Oliver, countless lights were scattered.

There were easily hundreds of them. They were probably external forces who had driven out Dark Magic users and set up base underground.

The considerable life force and magic visible here and there explained this.

“Yes, I’m aware. But could you check it out? Things have changed a bit. You don’t need to inspect everything; just see what some of them are doing. I want to confirm if my suspicions are correct.”

[Understood. Please wait a moment.]

Eve politely asked for patience. Her moment of delay was literally that: a brief moment. In less than a few seconds, she spoke again.

[I couldn’t see everything, but they were digging through the wall.]

“The wall?”

[Yes, there were letters and symbols carved into it.]

It was as Oliver suspected. His doubts now turned into certainty.

For reasons unknown, those underground were here to unearth traces related to research or transactions involving demons beneath the Contaminated Zone.

Realizing the situation, Oliver quickly drew upon the magic he had stored within his body and pressed his hand against the floor.

Whoosh!

Following the ritual inscribed, the bricks opened up like cogs in a mechanical device, and Oliver dropped dozens of meters underground.

Thump thump.

Once Oliver reached the underground, he saw a group of men holding pickaxes and chipping away at the wall.

They were all well-built and wore pants bearing a woodland pattern.

“Hello, everyone. So you’re the Shield Brotherhood, right? Who’s in charge here?… Ah, that man over there?”

Seeing their instinctual glances and their emotions as he asked questions, Oliver identified who their leader was, deep within the underground, and descended further.

A voice echoed from far above.

“Quick, everyone! The lumberjack is here!”