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Oliver proceeded towards the massive street tree in District Z, precisely as Ewan had instructed, with the intention of liberating the bandaged man.
As he drew nearer, Oliver once again felt the commanding presence of the tree he had brought into existence. It possessed no discernible eyes, nose, or mouth; nevertheless, its sheer size and distinctive dark-red hue bestowed upon it an extraordinary air of intimidation.
Its sole endeavor had been to absorb the life force and emotions of the bandaged man.
It feels familiar Ive felt this before Ah, Mr.Puppet.
Oliver reminisced about his initial encounter with Puppet within the contaminated area.
A ti when he found himself encircled by a legion of zombies, descended into the depths, and engaged in combat with Puppet.
Puppet had overwheld Oliver and attempted to consu him.
-This is the entrance to hell. Ill swallow you as a whole.
He remained uncertain whether it was a genuine portal to hell, but the aura emanating from the tree bore so resemblance to his previous experience.
Quite intriguing.
Are you alright, sir Ah, you are.
Oliver spotted the bandaged man ensnared amid the contorted branches of the colossal tree.
The man had been impaled by tree roots throughout his body due to Olivers assault.
Logically speaking, his survival seed implausible, yet Oliver harbored no great surprise.
If he had sought astonishnt, it would have been upon realizing the extent to which he had siphoned the life force and emotions independently.
Oliver possessed limited knowledge about the anti-developnt committee, but one thing was clear: they were not bound by conventional reasoning.
Are you okay?
Oliver inquired as he placed his hand on the inner surface of the tree.
As though comprehending Olivers genuine sentints, the tree ceased its relentless absorption of the hosts life force and emotions and willingly withdrew its roots, releasing the host.
Thank you.
In a display of gratitude to the tree, which appeared to possess telepathic understanding, Oliver extended his hand to assist the bandaged man.
The bandaged man courteously declined Olivers offer and posed a query,
Youre not going to finish off?
Um should I?
I could attack you again, couldnt I?
Will you attack again?
I just attacked you monts ago.
But you didnt hurt , even though you could have.
Oliver answered, rembering the bandaged man who attacked the black suit without destroying it. The man had possessed the capability to inflict a fatal blow upon Oliver, yet had abstained.
Are you not angry about my actions?
Well, considering my line of work, I cant really complain about being attacked suddenly. Since neither of us got seriously hurt, how about we reconcile here?
Oliver proposed a ceasefire, prompting the bandaged man to et his gaze.
As expected, youre kind too kind, O Supre Being.
My na is Dave. Im a solver from Street 30 in District T May I ask your na?
Its Bartholow.
***
After exchanging pleasantries, Oliver and Bartholow, the bandaged man with whom he had recently engaged in a fight, strolled away from the colossal tree as though nothing had occurred. It was an astonishing sight, but it had unquestionably transpired.
Are all of them part of the anti-developnt committee? Oliver inquired, noting the presence of dozens of bandaged individuals encircling them. Each of them was ensconced in bandages akin to Bartholow and the sword-wielding bandaged man, and they all displayed a notable interest in Oliver.
Yes, they are here to see the Supre Being
Amazing. Slightly insane, too. You two reconciled in the anti? Your actions say otherwise, but youre quite amiable! Ewan interjected, addressing Bartholow.
As anticipated, Ewan appeared to be acquainted with Bartholow and the entire anti-developnt committee. The atmosphere didnt quite align with Ewans enthusiastic tone, and it was evident that they were accustod to his peculiarities. Their reactions indicated that they were accustod to his antics, which, for Oliver, was a fortunate turn of events.
After all, Olivers primary reason for being there was Ewan.
It seems so, Mr. Ewan.
Oh, aint you calr than I thought. IFigured youd grill with questions for deceiving you.
To be honest, I am curious. However, I have more pressing matters.
More pressing matters? Like what?
Ewan genuinely appeared unaware and inquired further.
Oliver revealed the communication device he had received from Ewan, a compressed, desiccated fragnt of a human skull.
Didnt you say the item I ordered was completed? Could I see it if its okay with you?
Big deal.
Pardon?
I consider myself a madman and take pride in it, but lookin at you, feels like I got a long trail ahead. Can a phony outshine the real thing?
I dont quite understand what youre saying.
Not understanding is the real proof that youre crazy. Sad Wait a mont.
Ewan delved into his voluminous cloak, which was laden with assorted trinkets, creating a cacophonous rustling. It was a marvel how he managed to carry so many items within it. Shortly thereafter, the rustling ceased, and Ewan extracted sothing from the depths of his cloak.
It was a vest crafted from the stitched-together faces of several humans.
Is this the item I requested?
Yes, Ewan replied, adopting a notably more solemn tone than before. Such seriousness was to be expected, as he had introduced himself as a skilled artisan, and when it ca to his craft, he treated it with the utmost gravity. Although he had displayed playfulness when accepting the commission, he consistently delivered a ticulously crafted item when the transaction was underway.
For instance, he had promptly completed and provided a pair of tonfas that Oliver had ordered in exchange for the at hamr.
Ewan began to elucidate as he unfurled the vest.
As per your request, this item can store a heap of fresh blood. I used my natural knack and fashioned it into a wearable form for easy carryin. Aint you grateful? Ewan inquired.
Yes, thank you. Oliver replied. He had rely outlined the functionality he required without specifying the form, and a wearable garnt seed practical in many respects.
From my reckonin, this vest can hold bout 60 to 72 liters of blood. Bout a dozen folks worth. Ewan added.
Oliver inspected the vest, which coincidentally appeared to be composed of around 12 faces, with at least six on the front.
Your craftsmanship is exceptional, Oliver complinted as he examined the face-adorned vest. It was eerie, with all the eyes stitched shut, yet it possessed an astonishing lifelike quality, even featuring gums and teeth that made it seem as though it could co to life at any mont.
Good materials make all the difference. There are many quality scamrs in Landa.
Scamrs?
Yes, those that suck blood. Ideal for craftin sothin like this. Ewan explained.
Ah
Oliver grasped the concept without requiring further elaboration.
I also mixed different blood types haphazardly, but cant rightly say if itll work to your likin. Youll have to put it to the test. Ewan cautioned.
Yes, I understand. Thank you for making this. Oliver expressed his gratitude sincerely. He was already more than content with the result. While the vest couldnt increase the production of the Blood Elixir, storing the blood of 12 individuals would unquestionably be imnsely valuable to Corpse doll-Bathory, given her proficiency in blood magic. Considering the Corpse dolls functionality and the volu of blood required, having such an item was far more advantageous than artificial blood injections through tubes.
Just as Oliver reached out to take the face-adorned vest, Ewan swiftly withdrew it, as if to signal not so fast. Perplexed by this unexpected action, Oliver tilted his head, prompting Ewan to speak.
We had a deal, didnt we?
Ah I apologize. Oliver conceded, realizing that he had forgotten their arrangent. He retrieved Bigmouth from a leather case behind his waist.
As Bigmouth unfurled, it expanded like rising bread dough, sprouted limbs, and opened its eyes. Oliver then made a request to Bigmouth.
Bigmouth, could you please bring that out?
With a gulp, Bigmouth expelled a thick brown bag.
Gruaak!
The bag contained nothing other than a copied observation journal of Child. As a condition for acquiring the item, Oliver had promised to provide the observation journal of Child as paynt. Ewan received the journal and promptly began perusing the contents of the bag.
Oliver confird that Ewan wasnt rely looking but also comprehending the contents through his gaze and emotional state.
Indeed, Ewan appeared to be well-versed in various aspects of black magic.
Is there anything interesting? Oliver inquired, curious if Ewan found it satisfactory and hoping to gain so insights.
Lets see, Ill have to look at it in more detail Anyway, the deals sealed. Here you go. Ewan replied, tossing the face mask vest to Oliver.
Oliver caught it instinctively. As the face mask vest ca into Olivers possession, each of the faces in the vest distorted before returning to their previous expressions.
Well, thats sothin. Even among the items Ive made, that one had a nasty temperant, Ewan remarked as he placed the copied diary into his cloak.
Is that so?
Yes. Like other black magic items, my stuff is finicky. But it performs well, just like . You, on the other hand, seem quite agreeable for those items.
Oliver recollected when he had acquired the at hamr. Indeed, while others might have been severely injured, Oliver erged unscathed, and the item even cooperated with him.
I dont know why, but fortunately so.
Really? Ewan asked with a aningful tone, and Oliver responded as usual.
Yes, Mr. Ewan, if its alright with you, may I excuse myself for a mont? Theres sothing else I need to do.
I dont rightly know what it is, but go on. Sounds interestin.
With Ewans permission, Oliver turned and addressed BigMouth.
He had nurous questions for Ewan, but there were other priorities, and personal curiosity took a backseat to his current tasks.
BigMouth, could you please get that out?
At Olivers request, BigMouth disgorged another item.
It was a neatly packaged bottle of wine and a cake.
The peculiar items puzzled everyone, and Oliver approached Bartholow, with whom he had recently been fighting, and courteously offered him the wine and cake box.
This action prompted even more head tilting from the onlookers.
What is this, O Supre Being?
Its cake and wine. Its a housewarming gift.
Good Lord, did you set up camp in this here dump in District Z? Ewan inquired, genuinely surprised.
Its actually District X. And I didnt move, but my friends did. Its a long story.
I see that. Got yourself so friends? Ewan joked, and Oliver apologized before turning to Bartholow again.
I had intended to greet you more formally, but this is how it turned out. Could I ask a favor of you? If thats alright, of course.
Go ahead. Bartholow replied as he accepted the wine and cake from Oliver.
As I ntioned, my friends have settled in District X, but the building is still unfinished. Cent dust finishing is needed. Could you possibly allow that?
Recalling Forrests warning about the Anti-Developnt committee interfering with construction in District X, Oliver made his request.
Ill allow it. We wont dare interfere with whatever you do, O Supre Being.
It was a satisfactory response, but one word troubled Oliver.
Thank you, Mr. Bartholow But could I ask what you an by O Supre Being? It seems youve misjudged.
I may be a humble sinner, but I do recognize greatness.
A sinner?
Thats correct.
What sin have you committed that you call yourself a sinner?
The sin of being born a sinful human.
Bartholow spoke with firm conviction, reminiscent of Maries attitude, which Oliver found unsettling. Normal conversation didnt seem effective.
Can you tell what you an by O Supre Being? Im confused.
I apologize, but thats not sothing we humble beings can express. Youll have to realize it for yourself.
It didnt appear that he was evading the question, but Oliver felt no particular interest or curiosity.
Excuse , Mr. Bartholow, but Im not the Supre Being youre talking about. I just want to clarify this, so theres no misunderstanding.
The dragon doesnt beco a mouse just because it hides its teeth and claws, folds its wings, and hunches its body wearing a mouses skin.
The sun is the sun, the earth is the earth, and the sea is the sea. Essence doesnt change just because you deny it. Its an absolute truth, irrespective of good or evil.
What is my essence, then?
Youll realize it yourself, whether you want to or not.
(To be Continued)
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