Murphy took Oliver to a warehouse near the factory area. It was quite deep, and there were a lot of other warehouses around, so the warehouse couldnt be seen easily.

It was like a tree hidden in the forest.

Looking at Olivers expression Murphy asked.

Its pretty quiet, isnt it? Mr. Warlock.

Yes.

Its actually a quiet place. Some of the warehouses here are owned by gangs, and a few people, including myself. We collect money and give them to the cops on a regular basis, so they dont usually come in. Of course, its a different story when there are a lot of cases.

I see.

Yes. But usually, they dont even come close. Of course, even if that happens, it might be for some petty thieves, you dont have to worry about it. Security is tight around this area, so even thieves dont come often.

Oliver understood the meaning behind Murphys words security is tight as he looked around. It was not often seen, but he did see some security guards and warehouse workers, who dont look like one, loitering around the place.

The place looked perfect for Oliver Separated from the outside, even neighbors dont care about each other. It was perfect for doing black magic research.

Its here.

Murphy stopped in front of a building.

It was a shabby two-story house in the corner, and it was not conspicuous, but it was a building whose first floor was arbitrarily demolished and converted into a warehouse.

Oliver went inside and looked around.

It was crude and narrow but he didnt think it was that bad.

On the contrary, it even looked good.

How should I make it a place to do experiments?

As Oliver was figuring out how to turn this place into a laboratory, Murphy spoke up.

Mr. Warlock?

Um, yes?

Oh, Im sorry. Did I interrupt you?

Oh no, I was just thinking about how to use this space.

Here? This is the highlight feature. Come this way.

Oliver didnt know what he meant, but he soon understood the meaning behind those words.

As they exited through the narrow byway of the passage up to the second floor, Oliver saw a secret entrance going down, and below it was a refreshingly spacious basement.

This?

This is the real warehouse. The entrance is narrow, so its hard to see, and I think its a good place for Mr. Warlock to use.

Oliver nodded his head.

It was spacious, and there were three large tables that could be used as a laboratory table and a bookshelf shelf to put things on.

I can use this.

Do you like it?

Yes. I really like it.

Oliver said what he thought as words.

The environment was comfortable enough, and the surrounding location was not bad.

He didnt know anything about real estate prices yet, but from what he had been picking up, it seemed like a place that would be very expensive.

But he wanted this warehouse.

Um. May I ask you a few questions?

Yes, tell me.

If you had a request, you could have done it through Mr. Forrest. Why are you talking to me about it yourself?

I hope you dont misunderstand, Mr. Warlock. Im not trying to do anything strange here. I just wanted to get some help from Mr. Warlock, so I said it myself.

?

Its been a while since we last met, and Mr. Warlocks reputation has grown even further. Well, its not something I dont understand. Ive seen Mr. Warlocks skills . And, since there is a high probability that my request will be rejected, I took the liberty of talking to you directly.

Um I dont understand This is a problem of the Hoffman family, why is Mr. Murphy trying so hard for it?

Because helping them with this might increase the profit of my business.

Profit?

Yes. Currently, the Magic wines Im producing are not only sold in our pub but its also sold in other places.

I see.

For the places in this district, I make a deal myself, but for selling to a district or city other than here, I sell it through Crime Firm since I dont have a sales network.

Because it goes through an intermediary, the profits get reduced, and the quality also gets disturbed because there are some people who play with things during the distribution process. This affects my business motto.

So you want to help the Hoffman company?

Yeah. If I try to create a sales network by myself, it will be difficult and risky, but its much safer if an intermediate organization like the Hoffman family is involved.

An intermediate organization?

Its the organization thats right below the director of the Crime Firm who manages this district. Its also above the sub-organizations like mine. In short, they have quite a bit of a say in District T.

Murphys voice grew stronger.

To make this work, I need the help of Mr. Warlock.

It seemed like a far-fetched story, but Murphys words were sincere.

Not only was he richer than before, but his ambitions were also even more blazing.

And, it didnt seem bad in Olivers eyes.

Although it was a little different, it was a beautiful light similar to the early Marie, Peter, and Rosbane.

He seems to have some other reason as well.

Murphy asked with a slightly nervous look.

Mr. Warlock?

Um, thats fine.

What?

I think the conditions are fine. Ill help and get a warehouse.

Oh, thank you.

Can I also add a condition?

? Yes, tell me.

Please set a reasonable fee and commission it via Mr. Forrest. Then, I will accept the request.. Its not a big deal, but Im just scared.

Scared, Murphy didnt seem to believe Olivers words, but he nodded.

And I dont want anything to do with the general public. It wont be good if I end up meeting the city officials and Paladins once again.

Murphy was about to say something, but then he withdrew. Instead, he asked.

.Okay. However, if you think they will use violence during negotiations, can you protect me?

Yes, I will.

Thank you. Then Ill tell them that If we have to put a formal commission request to Mr. Forrest, it will take some time

It was like Oliver heard. In the case of Forrest, he formally investigates the commission he receives.

Kent said that it was a cumbersome process and some brokers skip it, but Forrest doesnt. Thanks to that, it was said as a Broker Forrest was safer even if he was inefficient.

It will take two or three days at the earliest, is that okay?

.To be honest, its a waste of time, but its not a waste of time either.

Um, may I ask you a favor?

Please?

Um, can I use this warehouse from now on? There were some things I wanted to do, but the situation didnt work out. Maybe itll help with the job..

Four days after his conversation with Murphy, Oliver was sweating in the underground warehouse.

He took off his jacket, wore jeans and work gloves that he bought from a secondhand clothing store, and wrestled with the Corpse doll on the table.

Olivers experiment failed on the first day, but now he has learned some tricks thanks to his repeated practice without sleeping.

Oliver thought, rubbing his sleepy eyes.

Sorry, Mr. Kent. You told me not to skip meals and sleep, but I couldnt stop this because it was fun. Please understand.

Oliver repaired the Warlock and Sniper Corpse dolls to some extent, and after that, he looked at the Rag and the Swordsman Corpse dolls, which had been half-renovated.

All of these were Puppets corpse dolls, which Oliver picked up. There were several other Corpse dolls besides this, but most of them were completely dismantled as materials to fix the [Warlock], [Sniper], [Rag], and [Swordsman], and it was not a waste.

It was clumsy, but it was Olivers own corpse doll.

And I was able to do a fun experiment.

Oliver thought as he looked at the test tube near the corpse doll.

Inside the test tube, there was something like a black sphere. It looked like a minion, but in truth, it was not an ordinary minion. It was a minion made by mixing Life-force and emotions.

Oliver took out a flask of emotion and Life-force and fed the Minion in the test tube. The Minion gleamed with a faint emotion of joy and devoured the emotions and Life-force.

Interesting. I was just mimicking Mr. Puppets artificial Soul never thought something like this would come By the way, how should I name this? I cant differentiate if I keep calling it Minion. What should I use? Um Its not disposable, so I think there needs to be a proper name.. Lets just call him [Child].

Oliver pondered for two seconds and came up with a name, and at that moment, he heard a beeping sound in his ear.

Oliver picked up the communication device that Forrest provided from the workbench.

It was his first time using it. Oliver pressed the green button on the device and took it to his ear.

Hello.

Yes, its me. Can you hear me ?

Yes, I can hear you, Mr. Forrest.. How have you been?

No, Im not doing fine. Thanks to you, I suddenly have a job. I would have just ignored it if it wasnt for what happened in the contaminated zone.

Im sorry. And you dont have to feel that way. It was not Mr. Forrests fault. Even if it wasnt for the Contaminated zone I know Mr. Forrest would have kindly helped me. Even if Im ignorant, I know that much. Thank you.

..

Forrest was silent.

Oliver couldnt see the emotions because it was a conversation through a communication device, and for some reason, Forrest seemed pleased.

Soon, Forrests voice was heard again.

First of all, the investigation is over. Most of what Murphy said is true.

Oliver didnt really respond. Because he knew from the conversation that most of what he said was true.

For the most part.

Why did he talk to me directly? If he was giving me a warehouse, I think I would have accepted even if he gave it through Mr. Forrest.

I did some research on that, too. Its not entirely false to say that he did it in the fear of rejection, but the most important reason for doing it this way was showmanship.

Showmanship?

Rather than hiring you through me, what would others say if he were to come forward and hire you himself. It would look as if he has a closer relationship with you.

? I dont understand.

To put it simply. He could say to his colleagues [Hey look here, I know a great Warlock whos the talk of the town and I can personally ask him for a favor].. It seems like Murphy wants to imprint this impression on the Hoffman family and higher-level organizations within the Crime Firm. People with a powerful force behind them are respected everywhere. Its a shallow trick, but its not a bad one to work with.. Are you uncomfortable with it?

No.

Oliver answered the truth. He had seen and experienced more like this in the orphanage and Mine, so it wasnt entirely alienating one for Oliver.

And above all, he could use a warehouse, so he had no complaints whatsoever.

Forest once again asked.

Are you serious?

Yes.

Sometimes I dont know if youre nice, or stupid, or scary. Whatever it is, its up to you.. So, are you going to officially accept the job? Theres no problem if you refuse now.

No, Ill accept it. Ive already benefited a bit.

Well, then okay Now, moving on, Murphy wants you to come now. He said Jimmy Hoffman was running out of patience.

Whos Jimmy Hoffman?

The young boss of the Hoffman family who runs the transportation company. Murphy asked you to come as soon as possible. It seems like theyre going to have a fight with the drivers. There are also Solvers protecting the drivers, so if you do something wrong, you will only bleed for no reason.

Oliver wiped the sweat from his body and hurriedly put on his clothes.

Do you know anything about the Solvers who are protecting the truck drivers?

Yeah. Well, it wasnt that difficult, its Arthur from District N and other veterans-turned-solvers Come to think of it, havent you guys already met?