Infamous Dealer (2)

"Oh…"

It sounded disappointed for Carpal and the rest, making it look like the man in front was gambling on whether Carpal would become a Governor or not.

But in the end…

"Deal."

Duke nodded before giving him the papers that he had prepared beforehand for them to see. They were slightly perturbed by how fast their suggestion of settlement came into Duke's hands. He didn't even leave the abandoned house.

But then again, they rethink, and only Carpal, who talked with the Infamous Dealer, somehow has a bit of idea as to how this dealing turned out.

'He knew I was running for the Governor spot for the next election. He based it on that? Does that mean he knew what we were going to pick?'

As Duke handed him a list of papers, with images and locations attached, his suspicions only became true.

'He also knew we're going to plan for a settlement… What a monster, at the same time, I'm glad to be able to pull off a deal with some reasonable guy like him.'

While searching for a place to move, the other four joined him. They voiced out their opinion on each place that all had a good location on themselves. The background of the place is nothing peaceful but it was doable for them.

'Did he own the underworld?' Monet mused, admiration appearing in his eyes as he kept taking quick glances at Duke.

After some time, almost an hour, they finally decided to pick a place. Trial and error happened and finally, the start of the change is going to occur.

"Sign at the bottom of the page."

Carpal rummaged through his suit and grimly looked at his cohort, "I've lost my pen. Let me borrow yours."

The four also rummaged through their pockets and found nothing. Face palming himself, he saw a hand dragging a pen towards him through the table and gazed at his front.

Due was handing him a pen.

"Number one unspoken thing to remember in the underworld. Always look through your pockets."

Carpal let out an awkward laugh, excused himself to use the pen, and began signing it, along with others who gave their thanks. Once the deed was done, everyone stood up and shook each other's hands.

"Now remember, you don't own the land yet unless I gave you its propriety. All that is left is one final step. Go to the Land Office by tomorrow and tell them your name. I have contacts there, working for tomorrow's shift. You'll get the propriety of land with your name on it in the next day after that and you can do whatever you want with that."

"What's propriety of land?" Owary asked, her voice hoarse.

"That's why I gave you time. You can do your research then. And, as for those offers you've given, prepare them after the crisis. It's dangerous on the outside currently so I advise you to stay in this world for one more week."

Duke grabbed the pen on the table before stopping right in front of the door, "One last thing. Buy a mask to ensure your anonymity. You'll know it when going through your research."

With that, he announced the deal was over with good results. He managed to acquire a hefty amount of reward that even a novice dealer would be able to pull off.

A settlement? It was a very common thing to ask in the underworld. But then again, Duke only gave the best locations he could acquire once he knew what Carpal wanted which might take days for novice dealers.

It was his job after all to give the best of the best options which only Carpal could find from the infamous dealer.

…

Entering one of the inconspicuous houses one could see, one might think it was abandoned. People might not even notice it since its neighboring houses are much more prominent. 

Once I entered, a lantern suddenly lit up at the receptionist's desk, and a man in his late forties, wearing a full black suit, a black hat almost covered his face entirely, and a black furry cat with yellow eyes were spotted.

Four eyes were silently observing me.

"It's me, Innkeeper."

The man was the innkeeper of our organization, since he kind of giving that vibes which he didn't really have much to say. And, obviously, this guy is nothing ordinary.

If I have to describe his prowess and rank in the gang… I would say he's second right after me.

I can confidently say I can defeat anyone in my cohort but for this guy… it will be troublesome, knowing how annoying his ability is.

Of course, if I had to fight him which wouldn't happen. I mean, this guy is as loyal as Maria. 

"To where, sir?"

"Back,"

The Innkeeper raised his hand, pointing at the same door I entered. Waiting for his procedure of transfer to be done, I asked a few things.

"How are you?"

"Never been better."

"How are family?"

"They are safe and sound and currently in shelter."

Nodding my head, I continued, "Bring them back from Neverest after this."

The Innkeeper slightly looked up, his brow raised, "A trouble in there?"

"Yeah, and I'm going to need people to help me. We have a job to do there and going to require manpower."

The Innkeeper lowered his head once more, caressing the black cat on his available hand as he replied, "I'll get them back."

He lowered his raised hand as he added, "All done, sir. Have a safe trip. And everyone is out in the meantime. Jobs that require our illegitimate business, all except Gabby."

Giving a curt nod, I turned around and opened the same door. Once again, the same massive entrance of our organization was viewed on my front.

"Your family, all right?" I said one last time before shutting the door off.

Now, I only had to wait for the three days to go by while looking out for answers, research, and articles that I could use. 

I'm still hoping to return back. And hoping still.

…

For the first time ever when transmigrating back to this body of mine, I found something that I could use.

My hands were shaking while looking through the research paper on my mind and couldn't help but breathe out a sigh of relief.

"Now this is something…"

Neatly placing the research paper on my desk, I calmly stood up, feeling delighted for today. I have a feeling that this could be a breakthrough.

I took a bath to prepare and put on an iron black suit, black coat, black hat, and black shoes after I was done before I headed out.

After walking countless hallways which eventually led to the massive entrance, I was met with my cohort who were nicely dressed as well on this journey. 

If unlike before where my group had destroyed the picky fifty gang, now I would join them. 

They were all wearing the same clothes as me. A tailored black suit followed up with a customized black coat, a durable black hat, and polished black shoes.

One had to take note that our attire was not very simple since it was considered a grade item due to its potency, adding the fact that it is made by the Dwarves. To my surprise after finding this out, all our suits were made by dwarven hands.

And when we're talking about them, they are just the best when it comes to this. 

Simple clothing that is armor on the outside with a featherless amount of weight hence you can pull off the same movements as what you were always doing.

It was very effective unlike clothes made by humans which are just for pure design.

"Are you ready?"

We're only five, including me, for this expedition but I think it would be enough.

There was Maria, who nodded gleefully. Sezter, who is not in her usual priest clothes in a suit form if I could gave a precise description of her attire. Heralton with his usual old benign expression. Last but the least, Vodry, our dark sorcerer, and very likely to cause mass destruction if he is given an order to.

And this is what we call a special team, consisting of veterans and experienced personnel. Well, after all, they were my officials, who were just slightly below me in terms of ranks in our organization.

"Well then, off we go."

With a knock on my door, I signaled the Innkeeper that we were ready. We waited for a few seconds before the door on my front opened on its own.

I was wrong on one thing though.

We're actually sixth. Our phantom sixth man will be our Innkeeper.

"Let's go."

…

"Hah, this is explicitly beautiful."

Inside the mountain ranges that stood as indomitable walls weren't dull as mostly described. On this starry night, lights embedded in the mountain itself were keeping the place lively as if it were just any other morning. 

There were houses and residences attached to those ranges as if they were vines stuck around the trees. The road, which was supposed to be empty was crowded with patrols roaming around the place. The temperature was warm and cold, all equal and fine.

There aren't even monsters attacking this nation as if they weren't affected by the thousand holes in the since the technology and artilleries placed were clearly directed above the surface.

They all focused on their defenses in aerial. Even if that's the case, they weren't idling around on their ground forces too.

I mean, this is where everyone who had a position, an officer from a high-ranking organization, or just simply rich resides in this place. Also, the outskirts weren't as bad as the outskirts of the other nation.

It was a perfect place to live in but also dangerous.

Since monsters of the same kind are your enemy. Humans in this place are the worst, most corrupt, and vile.

This is what this place is all bout.

This is Neverest.