Genius Warlock

Oliver took a taxi to District X.

Until just yesterday, he had been living in a mansion on a hill, but Merlin unilaterally evicted Oliver because he was busy with preparations to enter the Magic Tower.

He was a little sad to leave the mansion with the library, but he wasn't disheartened.

He read all the books he almost needed, and he took a few books on the way out.

It wasn't his intention, but he decided to sort things out as Dave, thinking as positively as possible. It was important to balance your life.

“Who is this? Isn’t it the Solver who stopped contacting me after working out diligently?" the rough but pleasant voice asked.

Oliver turned his head towards the sound and saw Dean Cleary, the gym director, approaching him with a drink of his special health supplement. His muscles seemed more developed, perhaps thanks to the drink, but it wasn't just a matter of size. They felt more solid, and his Life-force had increased more than before.

“Hello, Instructor. You seem to be in good health,” Oliver greeted him politely.

“Does it seem like I’ve just gotten better?!” Dean Cleary asked, showing off his muscles that seemed to rip off his skin and pop out. He showed strong pride in his muscles.

"I've become stronger, and this explosive presence proves that…. I'll ask you again. Are you here to work out?" Dean Cleary asked.

In order to adjust the schedule related to the magic tower, Oliver focused on the solver request for several days, and as a result, he could not come to the gym, which he judged to be of relatively low value.

Dean Cleary was clearly angry, asking as if, ‘Is exercise a joke?’ But what can't be helped is what can't be done.

When Oliver talked about the situation and said he would continue to pay his membership fee, Dean Cleary finally understood.

"Well, work comes first! Of course!!" Dean Cleary exclaimed, understanding Oliver's priorities.

On the contrary, he also said that he would wait until Oliver came back to the gym, and it didn't seem like he was lying.

The feeling of being greatly pleased to see Oliver was the proof.

Regrettably, Oliver had to disappoint him once again.

"Yes, I am here to exercise today, but I think it will be difficult to come to the gym regularly in the future,"

"Ah, damn it. Why? I've heard that you're busy with the Solver's job, then that’s all the more reason for you to take care of yourself," Dean Cleary replied with a tone of concern.

“That’s right. However, there are personal circumstances," Oliver answered vaguely.

“Personal circumstances? ..…What, is it important?” Dean Cleary asked, taking off his rude attitude momentarily and revealing a more considerate side.

This was the character of this person.

In this place, where he showed off his muscles, shouted all the time, and was full of gangsters, he acted like a gangster more than anyone else, but he knew how to be considerate and listen to others when necessary.

In fact, quite a few members, including Joe, talked to him and asked for advice when they needed help.

Maybe it was only natural. He was kind of a businessman who supplied players to illegal martial arts competitions in District X.

"Um, I can't go into details, but it's important to me."

Dean Cleary nodded understandingly. "Well, then we can't help it… but there's no discount. The members are to blame for the decrease in the number of appearances."

"I know. So I'm going to pay you a few months' membership fees in advance," Oliver offered, pulling out a bundle of money from his pocket. It was only the thickness of a fingernail, but considering the high amount of bills, it was no small sum. Especially in District X.

When he received a bunch of clean bills, Dean Cleary sniffed ecstatically and said immediately.

“… .Did I say I love you?”

“Um… no.”

"Remember from now on. I love you," Dean Cleary declared before putting the money in his pocket.

"Then, let's calculate until the day you can't come. Shall we do a quick workout? First of all, let's work on your back," Dean Cleary suggested.

Oliver nodded and took off his jacket to exercise.

There was no heating or cooling equipment in the gym, so Oliver felt cold, but he didn't mind.

“… By the way, Instructor. Can I ask where Joe is? He would usually be here, but I can't see him," Oliver asked, looking around.

“Joe? He didn’t come because he has a match today. A martial arts match…. Why? Are you interested?” Dean Cleary asked with a grin.

? ? ? ? ? ?

The sky darkened as Oliver wiped himself down with a damp towel after his workout.

Shortly after exercising, Oliver felt muscle pain that made it uncomfortable to move, but instead of resting, he changed his clothes and got ready to go out.

"Are you ready?" Dean Cleesey asked while wearing a long, fur-lined coat.

Being short and wearing a long coat caused part of it to drag on the floor like a cape, but his confident demeanor and muscular build made it look fashionable.

"Yes. I'm ready."

"You did well even though you've skipped a lot. As expected, successful people have reasons for being that way."

"Thank you."

"It's not empty talk. I don't know how to put it… Hey you guys, I'm heading out. You guys should clean up after yourself.” Dean shouted to the gym staff as he and Oliver headed toward the inner part of District X.

"Do you know anything about the martial arts competitions here?"

"I only know what Joe told me. It's a lucrative business in District X,"

Dean chuckled. "You're not wrong. It's the most lucrative business in this damn town. Of course, illegal fighting isn't any better outside of District J or other districts."

It was true. Even outside of District J, there were several small-scale illegal fighting arenas, and the same was true of other Districts.

“But in terms of scale, District X is the largest,” said Dean, his words brimming with confidence.

“Why.”

"Why? It's because it's the most fun. Even though this city looks like a dump, it still has some standards. In other districts, where the police force has more control, illegal fighting can't cross certain lines."

"…Does that mean District X can?"

"It's faster to see for yourself. Follow me,"

As they walked towards X-Center, the heart of District X, they passed by several large buildings. Despite being underdeveloped, some buildings had been constructed.

Oliver remembered the story Sam had told him. The development of the district had been halted due to corruption among city council members, resulting in a series of terrorism and accidents that stalled its progress. As a result, District X remained underdeveloped.

Looking at the large building built in the center of the district, it didn’t seem to be a lie that they were trying to create a decent industrial district.

However, more than half of the buildings were abandoned mid-construction, leaving behind a dreary and forlorn ambiance.

"This is where the match takes place. Follow me," Dean Cleary said, abruptly leading the way down an alley.

After winding through a narrow but well-maintained passageway, they found themselves standing before a steel cage with a small door-like opening.

Dean Cleary fished around in a corner for a buzzer and pressed it. A soft buzzing sound could be heard.

Out of the door stepped a bald, chubby man.

"What the hell!…Mr. Dean Cleary?" the man exclaimed, his furrowed brow quickly morphing into a welcoming expression.

"What brings you here?" he asked.

"I came to watch the fight. Why else would I be here?"

"If that's the case, you should have come through the main entrance. Why use the staff passage?"

"It's too crowded in the other direction, and I don't want my coat getting trampled," Dean explained as he shook his coat.

It would certainly have been cumbersome to walk without his coat getting stepped on in a crowded place.

"Oh, I see…but still, you shouldn't have come this way."

The chubby employee grumbled but eventually relented, opening the iron bars.

"Sorry about that. I wasn't planning on coming, but a customer wanted to watch the fight," Dean apologized, gesturing to Oliver with his thumb.

The chubby man squinted at Oliver before turning back to Dean. "This is the only time I'll let it slide. Don't bring anyone else through the employee passage," he warned.

"Got it. Hey, if you ever want to come to the gym, I'll give you a hand with your workout. Just drop by," Dean offered.

"I hate exercise," the man replied.

With that, the chubby man led Dean and Oliver through the back door. The waiting area was full of gangsters wielding everything from axes to guns, a testament to their dedication to security.

Dean greeted them nonchalantly and brought Oliver inside.

When they entered, Oliver saw a hallway where several people were walking around, and he heard a mix of cheers and shouts coming from somewhere.

"You hear that electrifying cheer? This is the only profitable fighting business in District X. Several communities around here work together to operate it, so remember that as common sense."

"Communities?" Oliver asked back, as it was an unusual word. He thought it was run by a gang, but they called it a community.

"Hmm… did you see the police on the way here?"

"No, I didn't."

"That's no surprise. This town is halfway abandoned by the city. So, the poor who couldn't get out of this place felt the need to protect themselves from thieves, robbers, and murderers…… So, the neighbors who lived nearby got together and formed what we call a community."

"Um… okay."

"Now, half of them are like gangsters. Everyone who lives in District X is now directly or indirectly affiliated with the community."

It was certainly a convincing story. If you want to live in a neighborhood without security, you will have no choice but to arm yourself.

As they spoke, they walked down the hallway and stairs and arrived at a room where over a hundred people were loudly cheering and looking at a stadium.

Above the arena, a muscular man with a ragged mask on his face and a bearded hunk were fighting each other.

However, they weren't just fighting; they were wearing something in their hands

"Glass and… Glue?" Oliver muttered, shaking his head.

"Actually, they put glue on their fists and then stick broken glass shards on top. That's why District X is more popular than other fighting matches. People bet more money when they see blood."

In fact, a lot of money was changing hands at the gambling table set up on one side of the stadium. Additionally, some people were broadcasting the game somewhere with the black magic item [Watcher's eye].

"We have partnerships with some gangs and broadcast the matches outside of District X. It is quite profitable."

“Then why do you live here?”

Dean Cleary was taken aback by the sudden question.

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"I mean the community. With that much money, you could set up shop outside District X."

Oliver was genuinely curious. He understood why people would live in District X when they have no money, and he understood why they would form a community for it.

But the moment they earned that money, the story changed. With that amount of money, they could leave District X and live a different life.

All of them were in contrast to living here inevitably.

"Oh, there are a lot of mouths to feed. Even if they look like they have a lot of money, it won't be much when divided."

"But there must be people who benefit greatly, and among them, there should be people who have amassed considerable fortunes, haven't they?" Oliver asked, considering his experience in the back alleys. When a business is successful, there are people who make a lot of money.

Dean Cleary took a moment to ponder before responding to Oliver's question. "Because they've accumulated enough money and assets that they no longer feel the need to leave here. It's an ironic situation," he said with a serious tone.

"I don't quite understand?"

"As you saw on your way here, the nobles who run this stadium are struggling in their own way in this town. They have money and power, so there is no reason to leave anymore. Rather, ask yourself. After finally being able to stand tall here, what can you do if you leave? A factory worker? A store owner?"

Oliver was at a loss for words. He couldn't think of a good response.

"That's how people live. If you leave here, your life will be more tiring, so what's the point of leaving? Isn't that why you keep working as a Solver?"

"Me?"

"Yes. If you had made a name for yourself as a Solver, you would have made a lot of money. Why are you still taking risky tasks as a Solver? It's difficult for people to change the way they live. Especially when they're doing well,"

‘Um…’

It was quite an interesting theory and seemed like it made sense.

Of course, Oliver wasn't just working as a Solver for that reason alone…

‘….. No. Maybe… Wouldn’t that be a reason for me to insist on this method?'

Lost in thought, Oliver accidentally collided with someone in the bustling crowd.

"Oops! I’m sorry, bruh," the man apologized, dropping his ticket in the process.

Oliver also apologized and bent over to pick up the ticket, and that's when he came face to face with the person he had collided with. They both made a surprised noise.

"Ah?" Oliver realized that it was the chubby man from the gray market, the Warlock who made the glutton bag – Big Mouth.

(To be Continued)

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