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Truly an odd spectacle was laid before their eyes. One man had dared to venture alone into the enemy’s stronghold, yet he now stood in their midst, defending them with all his might. It seemed almost surreal.
Despite the oddity of the circumstance, the Fighter Crew had gathered around him, spellbound by Oliver’s words.
“I believe it’s wise to maintain a certain standard, even in our line of work. Let’s not engage those without the will to fight… Let’s not harm those who have no relevance to our job… Is there not some dignity in that?”
“Dignity? People will scoff and call it bullshit if they hear that.”
“That may be true… but that’s precisely why it’s so valuable. To hold firm to our principles even in the face of ridicule and criticism… Isn’t that what we all desire?… Isn’t it?”
Oliver spoke with genuine sincerity, and although his comment may have seemed trivial, the members were left in a state of confusion, murmuring in agreement.
In that instant, their desires, passions, confusion, and fears dissipated, allowing them to reconsider their choices and the path they had chosen.
Even Cook, who had been watching from a distance, couldn’t help but emit an awkward laugh.
“At first I thought you were crazy, but now I see you’re crazy like a fox. You know how to talk your way out of things.”
“Um, sorry if I gave the wrong impression. I’m not saying I’m right about everything, I’m just sharing my thoughts. I’m not blaming anyone or trying to defend anyone…”
Oliver paused for a moment.
“I’m just saying, some people don’t want to get involved, so can you please not force them?”
“Oh, so you came here alone just to take me down? And to assist the poor souls?”
Cook inquired with displeasure. Perhaps he believed he was being mocked, so his feelings were colored with anger.
“No, I didn’t think that far ahead. I just wanted to ask you not to pressure any Fighter Crew members into joining your fight.”
“Hahhahahahahahahhahahahhaa!.”
Cook burst into laughter.
However, a distinct displeasure and anger were concealed behind his amusement.
“So should I let them leave if they want to?”
“Oh, that would be much appreciated.”
“Hahaha, you’re crazy! You actually think you can take what I’ve built my whole life?”
“Sorry, Mr. Cook, I’m not trying to take anything from you. I’m just here because…”
“That’s exactly what it sounds like. Everyone here is mine, you know that as a Warlock.”
“Ah…”
Oliver himself recollected the Law of the Warlocks, a lesson he hadn’t contemplated in some time.
The law stated that a teacher who imparted enough knowledge for a student to surpass them would always remain their master’s property.
And thus, despite his own progress, Oliver still regarded Joseph as his master.
However, the Fighter Crew members were surprised to hear this revelation for the first time.
Joe’s angry outburst exemplified this, “Did you guys hear that? He thinks he owns us. But listen, do you really wanna risk your life going up against the Crime Firm? It’s not our problem, it’s this guy’s issue. If a war breaks out, everyone in this area will be in danger!”
“Oh, look who’s talking about injustice. When I taught you guys black magic, I was a saint, but now that I need your help, you bail on me,”
“You’re damn right. We paid a fair price for your help, and now you put us in this mess,”
Joe’s firm words brought those who had been lost in confusion back to reality.
He roared once more, “We live for ourselves! We’re not just gonna do whatever someone tells us to do! What about you guys!?”
Addressing the other Fighter Crew members, he posed a question that left the doubters silently nodding in agreement.
Cook’s irritation grew as he listened to Joe’s words. However, he managed to compose himself and continued the conversation.
“Okay, fine. Let’s say you’re right. But even if I leave, do you really think the Crime Firm will just let you go? Everyone knows what’s going on. Even if I’m out, you won’t be safe. It’s better if you come with me…”
“…Actually, I think I can fix this,” Oliver raised his hand, interrupting Cook.
Cook’s expression soured, “You never quit, do you?”
“I thought they needed help. Besides, I know two people at the Crime Firm, and I’ll try to explain to them that it’s a misunderstanding. It’s Mr. Cook’s fault alone.”
“You really think two people can solve this mess?”
“Um, we should at least try, right?”
Cook turned to the others with a mocking tone, “I ask you guys, do you really want to entrust your fate to this fool?”
“I trust him,” Joe replied with sincerity. “I trust him with my life. I’ll vouch for him… He’s incredibly strong, but he treats us like human beings.”
As Joe’s words were about to unite the Fighter Crew, Cook interrupted them with a shocking offer, catching everyone off guard.
“I’ll pay one billion cash and offer a guaranteed position as my official disciple in the Black Hand to whoever kills Joe and that imbecile Solver,” Cook proclaimed.
The unexpected proposal stunned everyone, and while some were tempted by the promise of riches and power, others remained unmoved.
“Do you really think things will end well if I disappear? I’m the one who started the Fighter Crew. If I’m gone, the Crew is gone, and so is your chance to learn black magic. Do you really want that?” Cook argued.
“It may be presumptuous, but my thoughts are a bit different.”
Oliver, passing by the group, interjected with a different perspective.
“I heard from Joe himself how the Fighter Crew came to be… May I excuse myself for a moment? Thank you,” he said, making his way toward the newly renovated multi-story building.
“I learned that Mr. Cook taught black magic for free and defeated anyone who opposed him in creating the Fighter Crew,” Oliver continued.
“And your point is?”
“Um, it means Mr. Cook was wrong. Thanks to you, the Fighter Crew came to be… but isn’t it a little much to say the whole organization will fall apart if Mr. Cook leaves?”
Cook’s eyebrows furrowed in irritation at Oliver’s words, feeling that his hard work was being undermined.
“I apologize if my words came off as disregarding the importance of the Fighter Crew. But aren’t you disregarding the fact that organizations are made up of more than just one person?” Oliver replied, gesturing toward the 200-plus members of the Fighter Crew.
Cook was clearly not satisfied with Oliver’s response. “Are you trying to provoke me by ignoring my existence?” he asked.
Oliver quickly clarified, “No, that’s not my intention at all. I’m simply speaking from my own experience, and in my experience, organizations don’t collapse just because one person leaves.”
As he spoke, Oliver couldn’t help but think of “Marie” and her group, the “Chosen Ones.”
He had shared his knowledge with them, but ultimately they were the ones who had taken it and built upon it, creating something even greater.
Of course, the form was not desirable, but Oliver acknowledged that they had achieved something remarkable.
However, Cook seemed to disagree.
“What experience do you have? You’re barely over 20 years old! Do you think I haven’t created an organization like the Fighter Crew before? Are you really going to trust someone you don’t even know instead of me? Choose!”
Several of the weaker-minded Fighter Crew members approached Oliver, hesitating due to Cook’s angry outburst.
When Joe attempted to intervene, Oliver reassured him and invoked a spell using the original black magic that Marie had used in the past.
[Bless]
Placing his hand on the building, he chanted, and a surge of dark energy in the form of fog swept through the entire structure, causing the bricks, cement, and steel to separate and levitate in the air.
Crack… Crack… Rumble…
“Huh? Huh??”
The incredible sight left everyone stunned, not just those who were approaching Oliver. It was not a matter of choice but a primal reaction.
“Everyone, back away! Retreat!”
Joe’s shout acted as a signal for the Fighter Crew members to disperse away from Cook and Oliver, realizing that it was best not to get involved any further.
In just a few moments, the building, which could accommodate over a hundred individuals, had been dismantled into countless individual pieces of bricks, cement, and steel, all floating in the air.
The sight was surreal.
With his fingers, Oliver manipulated the debris, experimenting with it as if he were conducting an experiment.
“Was this how she did it? Ah, I see now.”
Oliver caught on quickly, moving his fingers as the individual pieces began to assemble into seven enormous piles.
Whewyyyyy.
“Huh? Wait a minute. Huh huh??”
“Fuck!”
“Get out of the way!!”
“Run! Run!”
The Fighter Crew members jostled and shoved one another, causing the piles to fall in a circular shape and wreak havoc in the surrounding area.
—Bang!! Crash!! Quang! Crash!! Quagwang!!
The destruction was immense as roads were overturned and buildings collapsed, raising dust that filled the air and made people cough.
Cook spoke up amidst the chaos, brushing off his clothes in frustration.
“Do you even realize how much time and dough it took to put this fortress together?” he exclaimed.
“I apologize, but it was not appropriate to use this kind of magic on other buildings and cause unnecessary harm,” replied Oliver.
Although it was a meek response given the uproar that he had caused, no one bothered to argue.
As Oliver retreated to the confines of the stone pillar and surveyed his surroundings, he felt relieved that no one had been hurt.
Cook and the Fighter Crew were also within the boundary, dispersed among the debris.
To his relief, most of the individuals had given up their desire to challenge him.
Oliver seized the opportunity and asked, “May I speak now, Mr. Cook?”
“I had no idea you were all about flexing your muscles like that,” Cook replied sarcastically.
Oliver explained, “I prefer conversation, but Mr. Victor said that strength is important to have a proper conversation.”
Cook was silent for a moment before Oliver continued, “If you want to wage a war against the Crime Firm, you will have to fight me directly rather than ordering your subordinates. How would you like to proceed?”
Oliver’s words rang true, and the Fighter Crew members realized that Joe had a valid reason for his actions.
Cook was aware that to establish his dominance over the fighter crew, he needed to show his strength. This was a tactic he had employed in the past, shortly after arriving at this location.
A sinister grin spread across his face as he emitted eerie laughter that reverberated throughout the area.
“Haha, I must’ve looked pretty dumb. It’s good that you’re confident you can beat me. Screw the plans, rewards, and all that crap, let’s just fight it out.”
“No, it’s not that I’m confident. I’ll try to win, but I’m uncertain. I know that Mr. Cook’s actual abilities are not ordinary. If you go now, I won’t…”
Oliver’s words were cut short when Cook hurled the steak knife he had been clutching directly at him.
The blade, potentially infused with dark magic, zoomed through the air like a bullet.
Oliver, drawing upon his vast experience, narrowly avoided the attack.
Not only that, but he also successfully deflected the subsequent real assault.
Clang!!
The French knife clashed with Oliver’s quarterstaff, prompting Cook to abandon his facade of politeness and reveal his demonic rage.
“That staff of yours ain’t got no black magic in it, but it can block my knife. What’s the deal with that enchanted item?” he sneered.
“I don’t know. It just seems to be very sturdy,” Oliver replied.
“Really? Let me test it out!” Cook swung his knife, but Oliver deftly blocked the attack with his quarterstaff, leaving no damage.
Shwaraarang!!
“Nice one. You’re not like those other guys who just rely on their tricks. That’s how it should be. Ooh, you’ve ticked me off. I like it!!”
With those words, Cook extracted the emotions from his body, processed them with black magic, and imbued them into his physical body.
In an instant, his muscles bulged, causing his skin and nerves to turn a blood-red color.
Although it initially appeared to be a typical manifestation of disease-type magic, Oliver quickly realized that this was no ordinary technique. Cook had compressed his elongated muscles to maximize their efficiency, resulting in an incredibly skilled and nuanced maneuver.
“Did you exhaust all of your emotions in the earlier attacks? A lot of people use that excuse after they lose,” Cook questioned.
“I used a little too much, but I have some extra…”
—Clang!!
As Oliver spoke, a sudden crack formed on the ground beneath Cook, which then shattered into pieces.
[Black Suit]
[Shadow Tentacle]
Ping—Kalararang!!!
Taking advantage of the recoil from the ground he had just kicked, Cook swiftly closed in on Oliver and swung his knife towards Oliver’s neck.
However, Oliver managed to evade the attack by turning his body sideways and activating the Black Suit.
He then conjured a defensive barrier made of Shadow Tentacles, which barely managed to block the sharp knife’s attack, albeit being shredded to pieces in the process.
“That’s a cool move you got there. Your black magic skills are on point too… Can I have ’em if I eat you?”
With his fang-like teeth and slender, flickering tongue, Cook of the Black Hand Human-meat Chef faction inquired with an air of predatory menace.
“I’m not sure about that.”