Chapter : 110
Battle Preparations (7)
The Yelbrusky Mountain Range. Calling it a mountain range was accurate, but the mountains themselves weren’t particularly tall. The real danger lay in its vastness, its harsh climate, and the monsters that inhabited it. It was a perilous zone located in the frigid northern lands.
The Russian side of the range wasn’t Suhyun’s specialty, but he knew the name Yelbrusky Mountain Range. That was because of the artifact that came from there.
“The Crusher?!”
The value of an artifact is determined by the power it holds. Naturally, if the power is useful, its value rises—but there’s another factor: rarity. Even if the power isn’t particularly practical, if it’s a rare ability, it still has a market value.
And if an artifact is both powerful and rare? It becomes a national treasure—something money alone can’t easily buy.
There were a few such artifacts even in Korea, but Suhyun didn’t pay much attention to them.
“The Ring of Swordsmanship is just a lower-tier version of my ability. The rest aren’t worth the trouble of going after.”
One example was an artifact that allowed its wielder to manipulate telekinetic swords. Its power alone was enough for the Korean government to designate it as a controlled item. In the past, Suhyun might have been tempted, but now, power alone didn’t sway him—he already held the strongest spear in his hands.
However, Russia’s Crusher was different. Even in the future where Suhyun served, it had been known as the one-and-only artifact discovered in Cameron, and the name wasn’t given without reason.
The Crusher was an artifact with the ability of Dispel.
It didn’t just block psychic powers; it erased powers that had already been activated. In battles against superpowered individuals, it was virtually unstoppable.
[Dispel]
- Heart of Karak Logger: 0/1
- Bone of Hureta: 0/1
…
The Dispel list was even longer and more terrifying than the Poison list. Suhyun had already half given up on completing it.
“They said the missing people from the Yelbrusky Range were coincidentally found by a rescue team…”
Before his return, the Crusher had been Russia’s pride, their most treasured artifact. Several theft attempts had been made, but none had ever succeeded.
“Then is it what the new team found?”
The timeline didn’t seem far off. Suhyun thought carefully. He wanted to retrieve it at all costs, but just wanting it didn’t make it possible. Once he entered Russia, both entering and leaving would involve meticulous inspections. The Russian government could easily anticipate that something valuable might be discovered in Yelbrusky.
There was no point in pre-arranging rights to the artifact. The moment the Dispel artifact appeared, Russia would change their stance. The Crusher was that valuable, and Russia was a nation that could shamelessly break promises.
“Even if I go, I need to be prepared.”
They would need someone capable of smuggling it out if necessary. Fortunately, such talent was already by Suhyun’s side.
“Achoo!”
“Do elves sneeze too?”
“Even elves are people.”
Luiril sneezed while lying on the sofa reading a book. The other team members still held illusions about her, which she didn’t break and even enjoyed. Compared to the constant scolding from Suhyun, she was more accustomed to this kind of worship.
‘Who’s talking about me?’
“Team Leader?”
“Thank you for speaking frankly. The director’s appeal resonates with me.”
“??”
The director suddenly felt uneasy. Years of dealing with Suhyun had taught him one thing: he was not someone to be taken lightly. Young in age, but inside was a monster. That was Suhyun. Reaching such a position at his age was no small feat.
‘Was that appeal… really persuasive?’
Hearing that Suhyun understood their motive of increasing the Development Planning Bureau’s influence was hard to accept.
“Hasn’t it always been a matter of mutual dependence? Without one, the other suffers. Both Uncle Joe’s Company and I have received benefits from the Bureau, and will continue to do so. How could we not help now?”
“Y-Yes…”
The director felt sweat trickle down his back. Accepting Suhyun was better than refusing, but he hadn’t expected such directness. The boldness was frightening.
‘What is he planning?’
“I… Team Leader, the distribution conditions for the Altaranium mines cannot be changed from the original terms…”
“That’s fine.”
“Uh… really?”
“What’s this half-hearted attitude? Are we not going to help?”
“Ah, no! If you lead, we’ll fully support you!”
“Good. Then hand over the data immediately.”
“Now?”
“Time isn’t on our side if it’s a rescue. We need to go before another team does.”
“But the data is within the Development Planning Bureau…”
“Then let’s go.”
The director watched, dumbfounded, as Suhyun got up without touching the food. Who would dare argue with him?
“You said to avoid the Chinese side, right?”
“Can’t help it. We have to be strict in contracts and control access. Without a team, what else can we do? Even if it’s a Chinese team, they can’t run wild in our territory.”
The reason they avoided the Chinese team was simple: control. American and Korean teams could be controlled because their bases were elsewhere, but Chinese teams overlapped their territory, making full control impossible. They could not prevent the Chinese from acting freely if something happened.
But circumstances didn’t allow avoidance. Most teams hesitated to enter Russian territory at this time. To increase chances of success, they had to accept the Chinese team.
“Damn dragons—we’re the ones at risk. All the other teams on the list refused?”
“They likely sent a trustworthy team since Altaranium is a reward. Liu Xin is a well-known psychic.”
“True, but competent Chinese are scary. Who knows what they might do if they come into our territory?”
“Focus on retrieving His Excellency’s son first.”
“Right, that’s priority.”
“The Korean government has responded. A team called Uncle Joe’s Company will participate. Do you know them?”
“No. I don’t know all Korean teams. But if the Korean government is sending them, they should be capable. We can allow it—any help is welcome.”
“They’re lying.”
“Pardon?”
“The documents say Russia called an external team because their own aren’t skilled at rescues, but that’s nonsense. Russia’s government is strong; they wouldn’t not attempt it themselves. This must be after several failed attempts.”
The four Gate nations each had different systems. Korea and the US couldn’t force unwilling teams, but China and Russia could, openly or covertly.
“After several failures, they worried about losing teams, so they asked for external help while hiding past failures. Anyone observant would see through this.”
“Shall we protest?”
“No need. Altaranium’s value is sufficient anyway.”
Suhyun only wanted the Crusher. Altaranium was secondary.
“One more thing… there seems to be another team going in with us.”
Suhyun wasn’t surprised. If Russia had retrieved the Crusher, some team must have already succeeded in the rescue. Another external team likely played a part.
“Who?”
“A Chinese psychic team led by Liu Xin. Familiar with them?”
“Only by name.”
“Gold medalists joining mercenary work in Cameron—it caused a stir. They’re competent, but as you know…”
“Chinese team?”
“Yes. Be careful. You haven’t had good experiences with them, Team Leader.”
Suhyun chuckled, knowing the director meant past encounters with the Chinese team. But their rivalry ran deeper.
“Multiple teams? How’s the reward handled?”
“They suggested winner-takes-all.”
Suhyun smirked. Each team would compete individually for the reward rather than splitting it.
“No objection here.”
“Really? The Chinese team isn’t to be underestimated.”
Suhyun waved off the warning. He knew well enough how dangerous they could be.
“Who likes cold places?”
Everyone raised their hands. Suhyun used telekinesis to lift Luiril’s arm.
“What—what?!”
“You’re joining forcibly.”
“Why?!”
“Your abilities are needed.”
“…”
“This mission doesn’t need everyone’s full strength. If extra power is needed, we can borrow from Russia. Your psychic power alone is enough to cover it.”
Suhyun’s previous skirmish with the Chinese team had proven one thing: he was far stronger than he thought.
If it were beyond his capability, even taking the team wouldn’t help. Better to travel light.
“So we’ll only take those useful for this situation.”
“I-I’ll go too!”
Shaina raised her hand. Suhyun tilted his head.
“You’re not from up north. Can you handle the cold?”
“Well… I’m not from the north either…”
Seeing Shaina, Luiril protested.
“The cold won’t bother me!”
“It’s worse than you think… but if you want to join, fine. Prepare yourself. That should be enough psychics.”
“Eh?!”
Kim Chang-sik shouted as his arm was suddenly lifted.
“Why me?!”
“Your ability is useful in cold places. They generally dislike fire—conserve our forces.”
The thought of traveling through the frigid north with four others already sent shivers down Kim Chang-sik.
“Here—good luck. For our share.”
Jung Sung-jae and Kim Dong-wook patted his shoulder, but he shooed them away, overwhelmed.
“May I join as well?”
The last to speak was Gorgan.
“You too?”
“I’m from the north. I’ll be of help.”
“Good. Join. The rest handle themselves.”
Since they were on Russia’s request, long-distance travel wasn’t necessary. Following the northern route, Russian bases were spaced at intervals.
“When did the Chinese team depart?”
“Two days ago.”
“Faster than expected.”
The Russian base officer looked at Suhyun strangely. Five members was a small team. And the composition…
‘Human, Elf, Orc, Dark Elf?’
Such a unique team was rare.
“All supplies confirmed… let’s depart.”
“Good luck!”
The officer saluted Suhyun with respect. Backgrounds or complex situations were irrelevant—the mission was to rescue their country’s scientists. Respect was his principle.
Suhyun waved once and set off. Far above the white landscape, snow clouds were gathering.
