Chapter : 84
A Long Road to Dokgong (6)
“Yes, he was someone with a reputation of sorts.”
“Having a name as a hunter is no small feat.”
To leave a mark as a hunter, moving in smaller units than mercenaries and in more dangerous places, required meticulous caution—and a fair amount of luck.
“He was very strict. And quite naggy.”
“Naggy?”
“Especially when going into Dokji. He always said it was dangerous…”
Suhyeon chuckled bitterly to himself. Seokangseok was probably thinking of Dokji just as a recommendation, but Suhyeon intended to go in himself. Hearing such warnings did not make him feel any better.
“Do you have any documents related to Dokji?”
“No. Nothing has been formally compiled… I’ve only heard it firsthand. If you want, I can guide you personally.”
“Let’s start by documenting it. And also organize anything to watch out for inside Dokji, just in case.”
“Eh? I don’t have information about the inside of Dokji either.”
“What?”
“My father and I never entered the inner areas. We always stayed on the outskirts, collected the poisons we needed, and left. The inner part of Dokji isn’t a place to go into.”
“…Damn.” Suhyeon swore silently. Every word made it sound more chilling for someone who had to go inside.
“Then just organize everything else for now. You know the format, right?”
“Yes.”
“It’s not urgent, so take your time.”
“I already have something I received. If I don’t do this, when will I ever repay it all?”
At that, Suhyeon chuckled and went outside without replying.
“The government is about to start a massive project, and we have to get out of it—no matter what compensation they promise.”
Suhyeon called Joseph to explain the situation: what the government was planning and how dangerous Suhyeon considered it. Joseph’s expression hardened as Suhyeon spoke seriously.
“The people on the government side aren’t idiots. Would they really try something that dangerous?”
“Humans are naturally arrogant. That’s why they periodically make mistakes. They think it’s fine because others are participating and trust that, and… that’s when a disaster happens.”
Alliances between nations, immense resources… arrogance was inevitable.
Humans thought they weren’t capable of hunting monsters, but the truth was different. They could, if they exerted enough effort—but it wasn’t cost-effective, so they left monsters alone.
Suhyeon thought differently. On the planet Cameron, the real masters were the monsters. Humanity’s achievements would have been impossible if monsters didn’t actively move beyond their territories.
“Trust me and follow my lead.”
“Who wouldn’t believe you? I have no intention of doubting you now.”
To Joseph, Suhyeon’s words were practically a guiding principle.
“My only concern is the method…”
“Right. If we do it clumsily, even after the job is done, we’ll still have trouble. People don’t forget grudges easily.”
“From the way you’re speaking, I assume you’ve already thought of a method?”
“Of course. It’s the first thing that needs preparation.”
Suhyeon shared his plan, and as expected, Joseph reacted with disgust. Why of all places, Dokji?
“Dokji? Is there really a need to go there?”
“Now, Uncle Joe Company rarely disappears in ordinary places. If a search team shows up, we need a reason to turn them away.”
“Ugh…”
“Also, personally, I want to collect some poisons from Dokji.”
“Given the danger, that’s not surprising.”
Joseph spoke as if he had given up. There was almost no convincing him otherwise when Suhyeon insisted.
“I’m telling the boss this to keep an eye on the government’s moves. By the time the Development Planning Bureau contacts me, it will already be too late. We need to disappear into Dokji at least a month in advance.”
“I understand.”
“Use every possible channel to track progress. Information control won’t be possible for such a massive project. Once I disappear, you’ll have to cover for me properly.”
Even if Suhyeon vanished, Uncle Joe Company had psychics. The Development Planning Bureau might want to involve some of them. Joseph was the only one who could plausibly say there’s no way to participate without a team leader.
“Oh, and… let some acquaintances know in advance. Tell them not to participate in the Dragon Slayer Project.”
“Is it okay to do that?”
“As long as it’s not publicly announced, yes. After the project starts, no one will have time to care about that.”
Joseph, who hadn’t experienced the scale of catastrophe Suhyeon anticipated, couldn’t fully grasp the potential disaster.
“Got it. I’ll keep that in mind.”
The project included not just government resources but also private ones. New cities and derived interests made participation highly tempting.
Though the outcome reshaped Cameron’s entire power balance, it was inevitable.
“Wait. Even so, won’t we need supplies while in Dokji? How do you plan for that? Should we hide them now?”
“No. It’s not a place where we can safely stash materials. Records might be left behind. I have another plan.”
“?”
“There are some elves I know in the nearby Ames Plains. If we need something, I can ask them.”
“You’re that close?”
“They wouldn’t refuse a request.”
It was much safer than risking carrying supplies with Uncle Joe Company. Suhyeon was confident the elves wouldn’t turn him down.
While steadily preparing for the Dragon Slayer Project, Suhyeon received a message from Bjorn.
“The date’s set. This weekend.”
“Oh, has the artifact been revealed?”
“No, I don’t think they’ll show it. Just rumors.”
“Fine, I’ll see it myself.”
“As I said before…”
“Yes, don’t worry. No one will know you came through my introduction.”
On the day, Suhyeon finished preparations. It wasn’t his first time; sometimes he even had to take something from others.
‘It’s been a while since I did a robbery.’
Simple equipment to hide his identity—classic but always effective. Some thieves preferred complex tools and processes, but Suhyeon always opted for the simplest method.
Now, with his psychic powers fully refined, there was nothing to fear. The question wasn’t how to steal it, but how to avoid being caught. Even if they couldn’t sue for theft, he could cause plenty of trouble.
‘The easiest part is no one can tell I’m using my powers.’
Even if he overturned everything with psychokinesis, no one could trace him with it. As Suhyeon prepared to go out in a suit instead of casual wear, Shaina perked up.
“Where are you going?”
“Sorry, you can’t come today.”
“I wasn’t planning to.”
Shaina frowned, looking disappointed.
“The black market auction I mentioned? You’d stand out too much there.”
“Oh…”
Finally, Shaina understood. A dark elf would be conspicuous there.
“Wait, why would it be bad to stand out? Could it be…?”
Suhyeon quickly changed the subject before she figured it out.
“And why don’t you get along better with the team? Every time I see you, you’re always alone.”
“That’s none of your business.”
Shaina didn’t have a bad relationship with the team; she performed well on missions. But in private, there was a subtle wall in how she interacted with others.
‘Well, she’s a dark elf, so it’s understandable…’
Suhyeon hoped she could build a decent relationship anyway. Since she stayed mostly inside the company grounds, she often tried to follow him when he went out.
“Then I’ll be back soon.”
Shaina waved silently in response.
“May I have the invitation, please?”
Suhyeon handed over the stamped paper. The man standing in front of the theater-looking building received it and shone a light through a device over one eye.
“Confirmed. You will be searched.”
Suhyeon passed the simple inspection. Naturally, he carried no weapons.
“You may enter.”
“Can I know what artifact it is? I’ll find out soon anyway.”
“Sorry, that’s forbidden.”
The guard bowed politely, but his stubbornness was palpable.
‘He’s carrying a pistol… not a psychic.’
In that brief moment, Suhyeon assessed the guard’s weapons. He wanted to know how many psychics were inside. Since they managed the artifacts, there would certainly be some.
Even at top-tier psychokinesis, there was no absolute advantage in psychic combat. Letting your guard down was suicide. The best strategy was knowing your opponents beforehand.
‘They wouldn’t leave a psychic here.’
“Please wear this.”
The guard handed him a mask. Some attendees couldn’t reveal their identity, so this was standard. Suhyeon just laughed—it was practically an invitation to take it.
Inside, people were already seated, some in groups, others alone. Suhyeon found a suitable spot.
“Where are you from?”
“?”
Suhyeon turned to the man beside him. Wearing a mask, he guessed it was a slightly short, older middle-aged man.
“If you tell me first, I’ll consider it.”
“Haha, that’s… a bit much.”
The man wasn’t expecting much and smiled artificially, trying to change the subject.
‘Wait, he looks familiar…’
From his appearance and voice, Suhyeon felt a strange familiarity—someone he might have glimpsed before. Suhyeon’s observation skills were exceptional.
‘Government official? Large mercenary company?’
The man didn’t seem wary of him. He pulled out a smartphone and sent a message.
Suhyeon sensed it magically:
-I’ve entered. Will report results as they progress.
A typical supervisory message. But Suhyeon focused on the sender’s name:
‘Lee Jungwoo? That bastard… a Jindo dog?!’
It could be a namesake, but this Lee Jungwoo couldn’t be ignored. And the Jindo side had every reason to participate in such an auction—Uncle Joe Company had taken an artifact from them. They’d want to make up for it if possible.
The real trouble was Suhyeon. If his identity was exposed, it would be inconvenient. He adjusted his posture and voice, relieved the man didn’t suspect him.
‘Better be more careful.’
Suhyeon began surveying the auction hall with clairvoyance. The main hall was circular, with guest entrances behind and organizer entrances ahead.
‘Psychics are over there.’
Around a case, people were stationed—obviously psychics. Suhyeon memorized their faces. They’d need to be neutralized first if things went wrong.
‘Then… the best time is after the auction ends.’
If he acted quickly, they wouldn’t be able to pursue him properly. Suhyeon prepared to examine the artifact.
“…?”
It was an artifact he had seen before. And he knew its owner.
