"Heww…… Hey, handsome."
Coco said as she looked at Oliver who came in wearing a suit.
Forrest, who sat over the desk, also responded in a similar way.
"Dave, It looks good on you."
"Good? I think I can take him to the party as a partner. The suit looks damn cool on you, Dave."
Coco meant what she said.
Oliver himself didn't seem to know, but he looked very good in a suit.
He felt like he should at least thank Jane for choosing this suit.
"Thank you for the compliment."
"I mean it. That's pretty smart by the way. But…I thought you wouldn’t roll that way.”
"Pardon? What do you mean?"
"Oh, isn't that the reason for wearing a suit? I thought it’s kind of a uniform for projecting you as a capable Solver in Landa."
Oliver wondered if wearing a suit had anything to do with being a capable Solver.
Forrest, who understood Oliver’s plight, explained,
"When a Solver’s name gets widely known, high-ranking people flood in with requests, and usually around this time, the Solver starts working on his clothes and appearances to match his reputation. Even though the face has nothing to do with one’s talent, at the end of the day, it's a business. We have to give our customers a reliable image."
"Um…"
As Oliver learned a new fact, he asked.
"I see. So, do I have to do that from now on?”
"I don't mean it that way. There are quite a few who don't… However, it’s effective to negotiate smoothly and establish a friendship with the client. It's a kind of courtesy."
"That's right. Dressing well is a form of good manners."
Coco shrugged and agreed.
The words themselves were not logically strange.
Thinking about it, the Pink Man named Jonathan was also on the polite side of the people Oliver had met so far and was in a neat suit.
In order to get acquainted with the various big names and learn about the black market, Oliver thought it would be best to wear a suit.
"Thank you. I'll pay attention to my outfit from now on."
Forrest nodded satisfactorily, and Coco pulled out a business card from between her chest.
"If you need clothes, visit here."
Oliver accepted the business card.
The business card was inscribed with the words [For the Gentleman].
"It's a store that sells suits for men. It's a little expensive, but it’s worth it. Don't get me wrong, I'm not getting paid for recommending this place."
Oliver examined the business card and put it in his purse, along with the trade union business card he received from Arthur.
"I don't know much about clothes, is that okay?"
"Of course. It's fine. They’re getting paid for doing that instead of you. If you tell them it was me who recommended them, they’ll take special care of you.”
"Thank you."
"If you're thankful, please spend some money. If the rich spend the money well, the poor will eat well. This was a recently established theory, what was that again..?”
"Trickle-down theory. It's a theory that advocates, the taxes for the rich should be lowered for the welfare of the economy."
Forrest replied, even though he doesn’t seem to agree with it.
"Now, let's stop with the light greetings and start talking about business. It's the most important part.”
The important part was getting paid, and Coco held the luggage next to her as if she did not deny it.
"Yes, of course. It’s time for the harvest. Well, Dave, if you don’t mind, how about taking a seat?”
Nodding, Oliver took his seat.
Coco held out a small box wrapped in a ribbon.
"What's this?"
"Open it yourself."
Oliver received the box and opened it as he was told.
It was quite light and when he opened the box, there was a bankbook and a seal inside.
"It's an anonymous bank account. Goldsmith Bank can be used anywhere, and the funds' source cannot be tracked. It's as good as cash, so feel free to use it."
Bankbook.
Oliver had heard of it, but this was his first time seeing one.
It was because Oliver had no idea how to make a bank account, and he mostly used cash instead.
It was a natural decision, as most of his money was safely tucked away in his glutton bag.
However, thinking about it now, Oliver felt it would not be bad to have a bank account.
"Um?"
Oliver exclaimed as he found something strange while looking at the bankbook.
"What's wrong?"
"The amount is strange.”
The amount written in the bankbook was only one line, but the amount exceeded his expectation.
£400,000,000
"I felt the same way and asked Mr. Rock, but he replied the amount is correct. He said…. Ah… He said he didn't want to be in debt."
Oliver recalled his conversation with Edith Rock.
The conversation ended with Edith Rock not being able to answer the last question asked by Oliver.
Even though Oliver said it was okay, he seemed to be bothered by it.
"You're pretty good."
"Pardon? What do you mean?”
"Mr. Rock seems to like Dave quite a bit. He doesn't pay like this. Oh, for your information, he paid the brokerage fee separately, so you can keep the whole amount.”
Oliver turned to Forrest, who nodded as if agreeing with Coco’s words.
"Now, next present."
Once again, Coco held out a box decorated with ribbons.
When Oliver opened, there was a signed business card.
"It's a place where there's a black market and a ticket to get in there. It's mainly a place that deals with drugs."
"Drugs?"
Forrest looked at Oliver with a slight surprise.
"This is a shock. By any chance, do you take any drugs?"
"No, I just want to find out something."
"Oh, something sounds interesting. I can't believe you have something with a black market selling drugs… What is it?"
Oliver saw Coco. She was genuinely curious, and so was Forrest.
"Um… Can I say that later? It's a little personal."
Personal. They were more interested as soon as they heard the word but they didn't bother to dwell on it anymore.
"Then, there's nothing we can do. We have to respect each other's personal space to be a proud Landaner. Then, shall we go back to business?”
Oliver nodded, putting the business card and bankbook in his pocket.
Unlike other boxes, the box that Coco handed him this time looked pretty ominous.
It was a black box with a black ribbon.
There was an air of caution.
"…it's the book."
"If it's the book….. It's that book."
Oliver said, avoiding the word Demon on purpose.
All Demon-related items were taboo items, and trading or owning them was considered a serious crime.
"Yes, I'm sorry, but could you check this item later when you're alone?”
Oliver nodded.
Not just from a legal standpoint, but also from a superstitious one, books about Demons are bad.
"You don't have to worry about it, the thing is certain.”
Oliver believed the word. Edith Rock did not seem like a person who would break a promise, though he was a little unusual.
"Yes. Thank you for bringing it here."
"Oh, what a delight. There aren't many people who say that to me. They just grumble or complain about the low pay."
"I… They can't help it because they’re risking their lives. I… They’re always nervous and afraid, so I… they have to be sensitive."
Forrest said in a voice that sounded as if he couldn't help it.
Oliver agreed to some extent.
The interesting thing about emotions was connectivity.
Opposite or seemingly irrelevant emotions actually had a close influence on each other.
There was disappointment because of expectations, inferiority turns into anger, and fear has a profound effect on alertness and aggression.
It was like a spider's web.
Thinking about it now, Oliver felt there were too many cases like that.
For example, it was easily seen in the orphanage and mine where Oliver spent most of his life.
The manager of the orphanage was always more violent than anyone else because he was afraid that his place would be threatened
The mine supervisor tried to get a taste of superiority from children like Oliver to relieve the fear, and inferiority he received from his boss.
Maybe that was why if you extract a particular emotion excessively, not only the certain emotion but also the entire emotion bottoms out.
Amidst Oliver’s thought, Coco continued.
"Then, Dave must be braver than anyone else. He's always been polite without ever being scared or angry….. Oh, I saw something like this in a novel. Is that the composure of the strong?”
Oliver tilted his head at Coco's question.
"What does that mean?"
Coco smirked at Oliver's reply.
"It's nothing. Anyway, thank you very much for your help this time. We know how much Dave worked hard for us. I thank you from the bottom of my heart."
"I just did my job."
Coco got up from her seat. Then, she put her hand between her chest again and held out a business card.
The business card was engraved with the words [Black Cat].
"It's a store run by Sisterhood. If you have any thoughts, please come."
"Great. You’re making an offer in front of the broker in charge.”
Coco laughed at Forrest's sarcasm.
"Please understand, Forrest. A little brazenness is the charm of a woman, right? Or, come with Forrest. If you two come together, the store staff will give you a hot service.”
"If you say it like that, then I guess, I have no choice."
Coco smiled at Forrest's answer and tried to step back.
But at that moment, Oliver asked, holding her.
"Ms. Coco."
"Yes, do you have anything to say, Dave?"
"What's this hot service?"
"……."
⏩ ⏩ ⏩ ⏩ ⏩ ⏩
"It's your fault."
Forrest lashed out at Oliver for the last word which ruined the meeting with Coco
When Oliver asked what the hot service was, Coco hesitated to answer and left, shaking her head.
Oliver did not know what he did wrong, and he did not even get an answer.
"What did I do wrong?”
"That kind of joke can be made by a woman to a man, but not by a man to a woman."
"I wasn't joking."
"Man, you specifically asked what it was. What were you aiming for?"
"I wanted her to be specific about the service."
"Ha… I quit. Anyway, control yourself. I didn't know you were such a dude."
Oliver could not understand the meaning behind Forrest’s words, but he nodded for the time being.
He felt like the topic would get more complex, rather than becoming simple if he continued talking about it.
"By the way. I'm just asking to make sure, are you going to work?"
Oliver pondered for a moment.
"No, I'm going to take a break. Is there anything wrong?"
"Not at all."
Forrest nodded.
"It's normal to rest after doing a big job. To recover your condition, heal injuries, and enjoy entertainment in the meantime. But I didn't think you're on that side.”
"No, I've something similar. I'm going to take a break and do some experiments and study. I also have something to look into personally."
"Looking into…, is it about the black market thing?"
"Yes."
"I see. I won't ask. It sounds personal. But be careful."
"Careful?"
"It’s true that the black market is maintained by Crime Firm and other forces, but that is not a traditional market. I don't know if you're buying something, but they won't like it if you have an atmosphere of digging something. You know what I mean?”
Oliver nodded. In other words, don't make a fuss.
"Yes."
"It's expensive, but for the information, there's a way to ask the Sisterhood, and if it doesn't work out, I can ask World Tree hackers Heimdal on behalf of you. I'm just saying it, so if you change your mind, tell me."
It was true. Forrest didn't have any ulterior motive, and he meant it sincerely, trying to help Oliver.
"That's kind of you. Thank you."
"Kind? That's not it. You don't have to thank me….. Did you feel anything before coming here?"
"Um, I felt like people were looking at me.”
"It's going to get worse in the future."
"Um?"
"Things that happened in the contamination zone are spreading. In the first place, secrets are rare in this line of work."
"I heard that from Mr. Al."
"Then you know that killing Duncan will make the rumors spread even faster. It's forgotten now, but he was a recognized Solver when he was active. In particular, he was famous for his persistence in winning somehow."
Oliver understood what Forrest meant.
Duncan was quite a strong man, but he was like an awl – not ostentatious, but optimized for taking the other person's life.
On top of that, he was so persistent and meticulous that he even brought items containing Holy Magic, which can be said to be the natural enemy of the Warlocks.
In the first place, it might have been Oliver who would have died if he hadn't pulled out the mana.
"Other than that, you also responded to the betrayal of Magic Gun Nina and Druid Scott… Dave, Can I ask you a question?"
"Question? Yes."
"When you fought Duncan… did you really extract his mana?"
(To be Continued on Dec 19 {MON})
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