Chapter : 115
Even Ivan, being a psychic, couldn’t help but feel curious about Suhyun, who defied the common knowledge that a person could only use one psychic ability.
“When… when did you awaken?”
“Were we really close enough for you to just spill your heart like that?”
“Ah, that’s…”
Ivan’s face flushed. That was understandable; every piece of information about a magician was precious.
“Just kidding. You might not believe me, but my awakening wasn’t triggered by anything special. I just… awakened twice.”
“…”
Ivan nodded, half in disbelief. Whether it was true or not, he had no intention of denying it in front of Suhyun.
“So that’s why they can’t touch you? If we killed them together…”
“If you could handle the aftermath, I would’ve told you to try.”
“Doesn’t that make you angry?”
“You only get angry with someone on your level.”
“…!”
It might have sounded arrogant, but compared to what Suhyun had just shown, it was a reasonable statement.
It had been a perfect chance to eliminate Liu Xin, but there were too many eyes watching. Moreover, the situation wasn’t favorable. These were officially participating Chinese team members. Even if an attacker appeared, killing them outright would create a mess. The Chinese side wasn’t powerless to that extent.
‘It’d be convenient if they attacked, but they’ve got patience.’
Even as their allies were being swept aside, they stayed in position. That was protocol. Even if it was an intruder, if it turned out that they had orchestrated the attack, it could escalate into an international incident immediately.
Suhyun’s eyes met the Chinese psychic team, sitting with solemn expressions. In Liu Xin’s dark eyes, an unmistakable pride and fighting spirit simmered. But Suhyun only looked at him indifferently.
‘We’ll see… next time!’
‘They’ve really become small.’
The opponent who had once been so formidable now seemed like someone Suhyun could kill with just a finger. A sudden sense of emptiness washed over him.
“Looks like we’ll have to be satisfied with those bastards.”
“Are you thinking of sending them to Gulag?”
“Gu… Gulag? We don’t have that.”
“…?”
It was a public rumor that Cameron had secret prisons in various countries—places to detain prisoners who couldn’t be dealt with publicly. Suhyun guessed that China or Russia, who had operated faster than Korea, likely had one already. Judging from their reactions, it seemed to be true.
‘They’ve already made it?’
Suhyun clicked his tongue inwardly. Whatever the case, the future of those captured didn’t look bright. If they were lucky, they’d get a trial; if not, they wouldn’t even get that.
“Th… thank you.”
“If you want to thank me, go tell your father to behave properly.”
“Huh? Y-Yes! I will definitely tell him.”
Revealing himself as a magician, Suhyun spoke without hesitation, as if he had removed a mask. Dmitri nodded in surprise.
“Communication restored.”
“Good. When the rear guard arrives, let’s head back with our Chinese friends.”
Suhyun said that with blatant sarcasm.
Even before the Korean team confirmed the Altaranium mine, news of the first human magician spread quickly. The Korean government, caught off guard, responded swiftly.
A security detail was immediately dispatched. Knowing that there had already been a clash, the government was particularly sensitive. It would be absurd if the first-born magician were killed by an attack.
As Suhyun and his team returned under heavy protection, Cameron was abuzz with the latest news.
“Wow… this is really…”
“Chairman, have you heard?”
“I just did.”
“What… Chairman, did you make that scouting offer to Suhyun knowing this?”
Robert McClain and Charles Carlos—American influencers who had ties to Suhyun—were aware of the situation. Robert already knew Charles had approached Suhyun. If he hadn’t, he wouldn’t have been qualified as president.
Charles had ignored the approach of another influential sponsor because intervening could backfire. With his resources, Charles could support both Suhyun and Bluebear, so there was no reason to stir trouble.
But this situation exceeded expectations. Being attacked on a joint mission with the Russians, and revealing himself as a magician…
‘This old man… how much did he know?’
If Suhyun were the only one aware he was a magician, the situation would have been critical. Why hide it?
“No way… If I knew, would I have stopped at that offer? Even I’m surprised.”
“He’s notoriously difficult to handle.”
“True. Like an untamed beast. But what now…”
“?”
“I thought only people like you or I knew his true value, but now everyone and their dog will come sniffing around.”
“Are you worried about that?”
“I’ve lived over a century and never had someone snatch away what I had my eye on. Don’t you feel a mix of pride and annoyance when a poor artist you supported becomes famous?”
“That metaphor makes no sense to me.”
“Maybe a little strange, yes.”
“Anyway, you don’t need to worry.”
“Why’s that?”
“You know Team Leader Kim Suhyun’s personality.”
“You know one thing but not the other, huh?”
“Eh?”
“I said he’s like a wild beast. That’s not just about his personality.”
Charles raised both hands, curling his fingers like claws. Robert tried to suppress his laughter. Charles was the type to hold grudges for a long time.
“Kim Suhyun is always starving for more, like a beast. I know— I was the same in my youth.”
“….”
“What’s with that expression?”
“Nothing.”
“Such a person will always feel hunger. No matter what he accomplishes, it will never be enough. But when he finally takes stock…”
Charles pointed at himself.
“…he stands at the top.”
“Chairman, I understand your greatness and Suhyun’s, but how does this relate to what you just said?”
“People… still don’t get it.”
Charles waved his finger and continued.
“Does a hungry beast choose its prey?”
“…!”
“No. It swallows whatever it can, regardless of who it is. Suhyun isn’t someone who’ll work under another, but he can accept mutual benefit relationships. And now that he’s a magician, there will be plenty trying to test him… this is going to get really complicated. I thought we were already friends.”
“But he already has existing connections…”
“Do you think he cares?”
“…Hmm, I guess not.”
Robert knew Suhyun could sever ties if necessary.
“I didn’t say he’s like a beast for nothing. Anyway, we’ll have to think about this carefully. But was there anything else bothering you?”
“Ah… shouldn’t you be concerned that the first human magician has appeared?”
“Not particularly.”
Charles wasn’t even surprised.
“You may forget, but I personally saw the first human psychic. I expected a magician would eventually appear among humans, just as psychics did.”
When the first human psychic appeared, the world went wild. The paradigm that had ruled humanity for thousands of years had been shattered.
“Scientists thought psychic powers were mutations caused by exposure to Cameron’s environment. If true, the first psychic was the most affected. By that logic, it’s not surprising a magician could appear among humans, especially since records show they appeared among other species. It’s another form of mutation.”
“Only someone like you could accept that so easily. Even the records of other species’ magicians are questionable…”
Some scientists argued that magicians were impossible and that records of magicians among other species were misattributed psychics using artifacts.
“Being first is difficult, but once it happens, it won’t be surprising. By the way, Suhyun’s powers are telekinesis and healing, right?”
“Yes.”
“Don’t tell me he’s hiding more.”
Charles spoke without thinking, unaware Suhyun had already seen through the truth.
“No way. Even a cunning person can’t hide their identity while mastering multiple powers.”
“True. Two are enough, especially since both are extremely valuable…”
Charles, lost in thought for a moment, spoke again.
“Contacting him now would be impossible, right?”
“The Korean government wouldn’t allow it. They’d probably prefer he not leave Pyongyang at all.”
“Good thing he wouldn’t accept that anyway.”
There would be no greater loss than the first magician dying outside. Being the only one carried that weight.
“Good. When things settle, we’ll reach out again.”
“Kim Suhyun awakened as a magician? That Kim Suhyun from Uncle Joe Company?”
“Yes.”
“…Impressive.”
Jindo Dog Team 1 leader, Lee Jungwoo, swallowed his surprise. He acknowledged Suhyun’s abilities, but a magician was beyond comprehension.
Bang! Bang!
“What’s all this noise?”
“Team Leader Choi Jaeho is…”
“….”
Lee Jungwoo shook his head slowly. Team 2 leader Choi Jaeho’s panic made sense. He was the first to evaluate Suhyun in Jindo Dog.
Although he wanted the healing power, he initially thought it wasn’t worth bringing into the company because it was difficult to handle. Yet every time Suhyun accomplished something, Choi Jaeho had to bow his head.
When Kang In-kyu filled in for Jungwoo’s disappearance, he was re-evaluated, but that was fleeting. When Kang awakened as a psychic, Choi Jaeho started kicking off his blankets at night.
Once feared as someone who could rival Jungwoo and was known for collecting talent, Choi Jaeho had become a pushover for a young newcomer. No one said it outright, but those who knew laughed behind his back.
And now a magician too.
‘Honestly, a little satisfying.’
Seeing a rival crumble on his own was a delight. Jungwoo bore no ill will toward Suhyun; the artifact incident during the rescue was minor in hindsight. He even felt gratitude toward Choi Jaeho.
Moreover, in the Dragon Slayer project, Suhyun saved his life. Other mercenaries he knew had gone into the Dragonia Basin and come out as corpses.
“Multiple sides will be sending offers now.”
“I don’t get it. Even if he’s a magician, it’s just another psychic, right? We could do that with artifacts…”
Lee Jungwoo smirked at his sulking team members. Their jealousy was obvious. He understood; he had worked with Suhyun.
“Artifacts don’t grow, but psychics can. Artifacts need to be sourced, and without the right item, they’re useless. No matter how skilled, it’s not your ability, so controlling it is harder than a psychic. But a magician… that’s different.”
“That’s a minor difference…”
“True. One Suhyun can’t match an entire psychic team’s power. But even disregarding that, he’s incredibly attractive. Psychic researchers will drool… Beyond that, I don’t really know. I’ve never seen how strong he is.”
“I heard his telekinesis is versatile, so his raw power might be mediocre.”
Lee Jungwoo didn’t bother stopping his team members from badmouthing. It wouldn’t reach Suhyun anyway.
‘If it’s not just that he’s a magician, but his psychic power is also extraordinary…’
A new chapter in Cameron exploration might just be opening.
