Chapter : 87
A Long Road to 독공 (9)
“It’s not really necessary. Isn’t that how everything works? It’s just… something that would be good to do. You get to build connections with other races, and on top of that, you can make some money…”
“Money, you say?”
Jo Seung-hyun was a far more seasoned merchant than Su-hyun. Though he now worked in a different industry, he had originally been a money-chasing trader on Cameron. He knew all too well that making money through trade on this planet was no easy feat.
“You know it’s not easy to trade with other races, right? Well… I suppose someone like you wouldn’t be unaware of that.”
“I’m not the merchant, sir—you are. If you have anything to point out, go ahead and point it out.”
“You know how many people on Cameron are trying to make money, right? Any item worth its salt has already been claimed by someone else.”
“Even so, new items keep appearing, don’t they?”
“That’s true… So, what do you think will make money?”
Su-hyun replayed the video he had just watched. Jo Seung-hyun, listening to the interview, looked completely puzzled.
“?”
“The Red Pig Mushroom. The one the orc mentioned eating.”
“You’re not seriously thinking you’ll gather it just because of that one line, are you?”
“Almost, actually.”
“Hey! Trading isn’t a joke!”
“If you don’t trust me, I’ll do it at my own expense. But I won’t share the profits with you.”
“Ugh…”
He had forgotten, but Su-hyun was now capable of making such decisions entirely on his own. If necessary, he could request support from the Development Planning Bureau. Even an absurd plan would get some backing because he was part of their direct team.
However, in Jo Seung-hyun’s eyes, what Su-hyun intended looked nothing short of insane. While he had trusted Su-hyun’s radical ideas during explorations on Cameron, the realm of trade was different.
“Hey… let’s think this over a little more. No matter how I look at it, this doesn’t seem right.”
Jo Seung-hyun tried in every way to stop him. From any perspective, Su-hyun was a textbook case of a novice trader running straight toward disaster—someone who obsessively believed a ridiculous idea would succeed, only to fail.
“There isn’t even a place to buy it, is there? And it’s not a popular item right now either, right? There’s no guarantee it’ll become popular!”
“Ah, okay, okay. I’ll do it with my own money, so just make the introduction.”
“Hey! People aren’t that stupid! Just because an orc gold medalist ate it doesn’t mean it’ll sell well!”
“My thinking is a bit different. People can be surprisingly foolish sometimes.”
Su-hyun no longer tried to convince Jo Seung-hyun. He took full responsibility and got him to make the necessary introductions.
‘Well… if it fails, I’ll just consider it money lost. I have plenty anyway.’
He was mainly planning to sell standard firearms and various electronic equipment to the orcs. Even if the Red Pig Mushroom didn’t sell later, it wouldn’t be a huge loss.
“Gorgan, I’m thinking of going to the orcs. Want to come along?”
“I… I want to…”
“Sorry, it might not be good for you to go. They’re a bit… touchy.”
Shaina raised her hand, then dropped it in disappointment. The Orcs of Kebaswak didn’t particularly like Dark Elves.
“Just because they’re orcs doesn’t mean you can easily persuade them, team leader.”
“That’s fine. I’m not taking you to persuade them. I just want you to observe how orcs operate in human society—they’re quite suspicious.”
“Ah, in that case…”
Gorgan nodded and silently packed his things.
“Stopping by the Calcutta base, then Kebaswak, and finally Ames Plain… that’s going to take some time.”
Su-hyun wasn’t leaving Shaina behind simply because of potential trouble with the orcs. He also planned to briefly meet the elves in Ames Plain during this expedition, in case preparations were needed for his disappearance in Dokji.
He needed a channel for outside news, a source for essential supplies while passing the time, and somewhere to rest if things went wrong. Even if he handed over wads of cash to the elves, it would be worth negotiating.
“Let’s go. Time won’t wait.”
In the rattling vehicle, Lee Seung-su, a trader specializing in other races introduced by Jo Seung-hyun, shouted in a booming voice:
“It’s an honor to be working with the famous Uncle Jo Company these days!”
“Glad to hear it, but no need to strain your voice in a rattling car.”
“Ha ha! Traders are used to speaking over bumps…”
Thanks to government-built roads, they could travel relatively comfortably. Behind them followed a vehicle loaded with goods for the orcs.
“As you requested, we’ve prepared items that orcs like.”
“Do their tastes all match exactly?”
“No, not really.”
Seeing Su-hyun’s gaze, Lee Seung-su hastily waved his hand.
“Humans have varied tastes, so orcs aren’t all the same either! Most orcs are known to like weapons, but some dislike firearms because it breaks their traditions. For them, we just bring melee weapons and attempt trade.”
Gorgan shook his head.
“Those ones won’t last long.”
“Aren’t you being too harsh?”
“Those who can’t adapt to change just fall behind, team leader.”
Gorgan said it without blinking.
“Anyway, as this was requested by the team leader of Uncle Jo Company, I’ve handled it thoroughly. It should work out fine.”
Lee Seung-su had organized items based on the preferences of orc tribes he had experienced. His plan had no flaws.
“By the way, do you have anything interesting yourself?”
Of course, he was a trader—curious about everything. On Cameron, you never knew what might make money.
“Why? Do you want to know in case it’s profitable?”
“Ha, ha… I was just curious.”
Though he came via Jo Seung-hyun’s introduction, Lee Seung-su already knew about Su-hyun before arriving. Traders on Cameron naturally took interest in mercenaries, because the world was dangerous and they might need help from mercenary companies at any time.
Uncle Jo Company had recently been getting a lot of attention, both from major corporations and independent traders.
Could they cooperate if something happened later? The company was still small compared to large mercenary groups, but might be cost-effective for unexplored expeditions. Traders constantly asked themselves these kinds of questions.
Since the team leader of Uncle Jo Company had personally called to trade with other races, Lee Seung-su couldn’t help but be curious. He wondered why Su-hyun was going to Kebaswak.
‘What’s there?’
Kebaswak had already been explored by several expeditions, including the Jindo Team. If there was anything valuable, operations would have already begun. Lee Seung-su, being a trader, knew that.
He watched Su-hyun closely, wanting to read his intentions, but Su-hyun remained expressionless with his eyes closed.
“Stop!”
“Orcs! We are not your enemies.”
“No need for unnecessary persuasion. They’ll recognize your face anyway.”
Su-hyun lightly stepped out of the vehicle. The orc warriors, recognizing him, were shocked.
“A monstrous human!”
“…”
Gorgan stared at Su-hyun intently. Orcs rarely reacted with such fear.
“I haven’t done anything. Don’t misunderstand.”
“Ah, yes…”
“What brings you here?”
The orc, tense, held his spear—but it didn’t feel threatening. The tip trembled as if pleading not to come closer.
“Go in and call Mogrok. Say it’s the human who came last time; they’ll understand immediately.”
The orc hesitated, then ran inside.
“You seem to get along?”
“We’ve beaten each other before. By the way, is it okay to leave your staff outside? Bringing armed people into the village might be… inappropriate.”
“Uh…”
Lee Seung-su hesitated at Su-hyun’s suggestion. On Cameron, monsters weren’t the only danger—other races could be just as risky. Traders with a certain scale usually hired their own guards. It was cheaper than constantly hiring mercenary companies and sufficient to handle hostile other races. Naturally, the guards were also on the vehicle behind them. Entering the orc village alone felt risky. Even if Uncle Jo Company was impressive, once your head’s on the chopping block, no one would save you.
“If you’re worried, you can wait outside. We’ll handle it and come back.”
“Hmm…”
The fear of going unarmed among aggressive orcs clashed sharply with the curiosity of the trader. At that moment, a cheer erupted from inside the village.
“!”
Lee Seung-su was startled. Such cheers among orcs were unusual.
“What is it?”
“Not sure. They’re aggressive, so… I don’t really know. Anyway, shall we go in together?”
“I’ll wait outside.”
Life was more important than curiosity. Lee Seung-su immediately answered. Su-hyun smirked inwardly as he stepped forward.
“It’s been a while.”
“I thought I said to come if you had business. No one came—were you not interested?”
Mogrok blushed. Su-hyun had given a guideline, but they hadn’t acted until he arrived.
“We had no choice… our circumstances…”
“Yeah, yeah. Everyone has circumstances.”
“…And who is the orc beside you?”
“He’s Gorgan, working with our team.”
“Gorgan… sounds like a northern orc, right?”
“That’s right.”
Mogrok seemed fascinated that a fellow orc worked as a mercenary among humans.
“But today isn’t a casual meet-and-greet. Why didn’t you come before?”
“Well… um, a little…”
“Do orcs here think they can break promises at will?”
“No!”
“You thought the team leader had endless time? If you had come earlier, this would have ended quickly. How do you plan to compensate the team leader’s time?”
“…We apologize.”
Su-hyun looked at Gorgan in surprise. The usually quiet orc spoke so well.
‘Is it because he’s dealing with another orc?’
“Enough, Gorgan. Mogrok probably had no choice.”
A perfect mix of carrot and stick.
“Not everyone in the tribe would have agreed anyway.”
“!”
Mogrok looked at Su-hyun. He was spot-on.
“Couldn’t come because of those who opposed?”
“Yes… how did you know…”
“Otherwise, there’s no good reason. Anyway, I’ve brought something to silence the opposers. Once you try it, there’s no turning back.”
“We have no money.”
“I know. I brought the items at my own expense. Just try them… I can continue supplying as needed.”
“?!”
Both Gorgan and Mogrok were shocked. This was an unusually generous offer.
“We can’t accept such things.”
Nothing was more terrifying than receiving something for free. Mogrok looked at Su-hyun tensely.
“Of course, I’m not giving it away for free.”
“…”
“You’re not scared because you think it’s free, are you?”
“Ah, no.”
Caught off guard, Mogrok stammered.
“There aren’t many resources around here. But I told you before… have you collected the Red Pig Mushrooms?”
“Red Pig Mushrooms?”
“You didn’t neglect that, right? Even I have my limits, but if you didn’t, I might get angry.”
Hearing the threat in Su-hyun’s voice, Mogrok hurriedly spoke:
“Ah, no. We collected them! It’s just hard to know how valuable they might be…”
“They’re not valuable now. But I think they’ll be valuable in time. That’s why I want to stock up early. If you keep supplying Red Pig Mushrooms, I’ll keep providing goods regularly too.”
