Chapter : 65
Kebaswak Region (2)
Since we were really here to look for someone, there was no hesitation at all. In Suhyeon’s eyes, it was obvious what Mogok was thinking.
“Trying to figure it out by any means, huh? Good initiative, but…”
As expected, the orcs, who had never interacted with humans in the corner, had their limits. If Suhyeon had a malicious intent, he could have deceived them convincingly even if he went in with them.
The relationship between the native species of this planet and the newly arrived humans was still complicated.
Anyway, Suhyeon had no intention of deceiving them. There was nothing worth taking here, and his plan was simply to rescue Team Jindo safely and get out.
“Mogok, are you really sure? That guy isn’t easy… what if—”
“Don’t worry. If someone were going to attack us inside, they wouldn’t have stayed still here. And do you think I’ll just take it lying down?”
Mogok patted his chest with a confident expression. He wore a sword at his waist and a bow on his back. Kebaswak’s underground wasn’t that dangerous, but they couldn’t let their guard down.
“You said you’re looking for your companions, right? Did you bring food?”
“Of course. No need to bring me anything to eat.”
He had no intention of exploring while chewing the orc-style dried meat. The calorie packs Suhyeon brought were bland and tasteless, but hygienically and nutritionally, they were perfect.
“Then just take mine. Now, take this rope.”
“No need.”
“??”
Mogok looked at Suhyeon as if he were clueless.
“That’s why outsiders… Even those born here are careful when going down. Don’t be arrogant, just grab the rope. If you get lost later, you’ll regret it.”
“Sorry, but I really don’t need it.”
Suhyeon pulled out a map generator from his pack—a portable device that automatically creates maps based on the user’s movements. It was incredibly convenient for exploring labyrinth-like structures.
“The rope is for the terrain, right?”
“Yes.”
“This will replace the rope. It’s fine, but if you don’t believe me, you can use the rope alone. So, where’s the entrance?”
Mogok blinked at what Suhyeon was holding, then turned his head. His expression was full of disbelief.
“Follow me.”
There were surprisingly many passages leading underground in Kebaswak. The problem was that most were naturally formed, and few were suitable for humans to walk through.
‘People really underestimate these species.’
Merchants had some interest in the species for business reasons, but few mercenaries thought highly of them.
The species weren’t to be underestimated. Their technology lagged behind humans, but they had lived on this planet far longer. They knew information humans didn’t.
Suhyeon never underestimated them. Many of the problems he had solved involved information gained from other species. In this case, if Team Jindo had approached the orc tribe to get information about the monsters in the area, this situation wouldn’t have occurred.
‘Orcs are tricky to deal with…’
The air grew colder. Mogok walked ahead carrying a torch in one hand. The area seemed well-trodden by orcs; there were many signs and markings.
“Hey.”
“?”
“That looks uncomfortable. Just use this.”
Suhyeon handed Mogok a portable flashlight, as he was already using a night-vision device. Mogok took it suspiciously.
“What’s this?”
“It’s similar to the torch you’re carrying. That one looks uncomfortable. Leave it here and take it on the way back. Press here to turn it on.”
Mogok stared at the flashlight, bewildered, and then cautiously switched it on. The bright light startled him.
“I heard humans handle amazing things… so it’s true!”
“It’s a bit embarrassing if you call it amazing… But anyway, being too isolated isn’t good. I’m not saying you have to interact with humans, but at least interact with other species.”
Even if they weren’t like the elves of the Ames Plain, who actively interacted with humans, if they interacted with species that did, they wouldn’t be surprised by things like flashlights. Technology and items inevitably spread.
“Hmm. I’ll think about it.”
Mogok hid his astonishment and resumed walking ahead. Suhyeon followed and asked,
“Do you know what’s down here?”
“I know better than you, warrior.”
“Then tell me what you know.”
Ignoring the reprimand, Suhyeon waited. Mogok glanced at him briefly, then spoke.
“First, there are cave bats.”
“Not the ones that die in one hit. Any others?”
“…This place doesn’t have strong monsters to begin with. If you want something strong, maybe check the ant spirits I mentioned earlier.”
“The ant spirits aren’t that strong either.”
Mogok frowned at Suhyeon’s dismissal. The ant spirits weren’t easy prey—they required a group of warriors to take on properly.
“You say they aren’t strong? Do they control spirits?”
“What? Oh, you mean psychic powers. The names differ, it’s confusing. But yes, they can use them.”
Mogok was secretly surprised but realized it made sense. A human had come here alone with unusual confidence; if they could control spirits, it explained it.
“So that’s why…”
“What do orcs do when they encounter ant spirits?”
“They avoid fighting outside. They steer clear of places the spirits inhabit. Even here, they rarely fight. If they encounter one deep inside, they avoid it; if it nests nearby, they take it down.”
They were tricky to pull in suddenly, but under normal circumstances, facing them wasn’t difficult.
“Hmm, I see. Do orcs come here for the red mushroom pig?”
“?!?!?!?!”
Mogok’s face was the most shocked he had shown all day.
“How… did you know?”
“Are you the only ones here? It must’ve spread to others.”
“Ah… I see…”
The underground was spacious, and other orc tribes could descend via unknown passages. Suhyeon’s knowledge wasn’t unusual.
“Do other tribes interact with you?”
“They do, I’ve heard about it.”
“Hmm…”
Suhyeon lied casually. There was no way to verify this in the vast area.
Mogok pondered Suhyeon’s words. He knew other tribes interacted with humans, but their own tribe avoided contact regardless of the benefit.
But is this really safe?
“From here, I’ll lead.”
“What?”
“We need to narrow the distance.”
Until now, Mogok had stayed on the path, but now Suhyeon had to navigate. Since they marked the coordinates of the missing group, it was best to explore around that area.
‘Still quite a distance left.’
“If we get lost…”
“If the rope runs out, we can return. Actually, even now, it’s fine. I said I don’t need help, just tell me the entrance.”
“I’ll keep going until it’s all used up.”
They had passed the heavily-traveled orc areas. From here, new markers were needed, but Suhyeon remained composed without leaving any. Mogok didn’t trust whatever Suhyeon was holding.
‘Is this really okay?’
Suhyeon didn’t seem foolish, but one couldn’t expect complete trust from a stranger.
“Stop.”
“?”
“I heard something.”
“What? I didn’t hear anything…”
“Shut up. Stay quiet. Don’t interfere.”
Suhyeon, previously calm, exuded lethal intent, silencing Mogok immediately. Mogok, intending to question, couldn’t say a word. Suhyeon’s presence was sharp and intense.
Regardless of the enemy, complacency was forbidden. Hearing the sound, Suhyeon prepared to respond.
‘Not feasible with distant sight…’
The long-range spell was convenient but not omnipotent. The darkness here differed from outside; there was no light source. If the objects couldn’t be vaguely seen, the spell was useless.
Mogok still couldn’t understand Suhyeon’s actions. He had keen senses and had heard nothing—yet Suhyeon did. Mogok pressed his ear to the ground.
“?!”
A small, rhythmic sound. Only then did Mogok realize what Suhyeon heard, staring at him in astonishment.
“What is it? Ant spirits?”
“No, ant spirits can’t make sounds this small.”
They were in a small communal area with narrow paths leading elsewhere.
“Then… could it be someone else?”
“Possibly. We’re not the only ones who can enter here.”
‘It’s probably not Team Jindo 1.’
Suhyeon considered carefully. Meeting them now would complicate things. Ideally, he would find the lost Team Jindo and bring them out himself. Encountering them while navigating would complicate matters.
But what appeared was a truly unexpected figure.
“Dark Elf?!”
“Orc?!”
“They seem friendly with each other.”
Suhyeon lowered his gun. The Dark Elf showed no hostility. Even if hostile, he could have been neutralized with psychokinesis in a second.
“A human too?!”
“But can they even communicate?”
“I don’t know Elvish.”
“I know some Orcish, but…”
Suhyeon had a translator, understanding both Elvish and Orcish, but without prior contact, they wouldn’t know each other’s languages.
“Then I’ll ask. Dark Elf, what brings you here?”
The Dark Elf appeared dressed as a hunter, with gear on their back and a gun in hand. Their lack of surprise at seeing Suhyeon suggested prior contact with humans.
‘There weren’t any Dark Elves around here before.’
“Hunting. Who are you? Human and Orc… what’s this…?”
“You know humans, I see.”
“Who do you call an Orc? This gun? I bought it from a human merchant myself.”
“Then it’s simple. I have a purpose and asked this Orc to guide me.”
“Oh, that explains it.”
The Dark Elf nodded, understanding the unusual pair. Without a reason, humans and orcs rarely traveled together.
“Hunting… Are you here to catch ant spirits?”
“Kind of… but I won’t give way. You can’t catch them faster than me.”
“?”
Suhyeon was momentarily confused. The Dark Elf spoke seriously about something so trivial.
“Not here to catch ant spirits?”
“Oh? Was that so?”
The Dark Elf laughed awkwardly at being wrong after speaking seriously.
“Then that’s a relief. So why are you here?”
“Some people were attacked by ant spirits. We came to rescue and bring them out.”
“Well… do you know their location?”
“Not exactly, but roughly.”
“Want me to help?”
“…You must need an ant spirit corpse.”
“!!”
