Chapter : 122
Haimken (2)
As expected, the best option was to go in person. In such complex and delicate matters, it wasn’t wise for him not to go himself. After all, you never knew when or what could happen.
However, Haimken wasn’t a place Suhyun could just go to on a whim. Several issues needed to be resolved first.
“No, that’s not possible.”
“Um…”
“Absolutely not! Please reconsider.”
“Well, it’s just that…”
“Why Haimken of all places? At this time, what could possibly be gained by going there? Besides, it’s in the Chinese or Russian territory. Don’t assume they’ll act with gentlemanly restraint.”
“Director, I know that. Who was it that experienced it firsthand last time?”
Suhyun was annoyed by the director constantly interrupting and insisting on his own points. Lowering his voice slightly, he spoke, causing the director to freeze in surprise.
“This isn’t about asking for permission—it’s about requesting understanding. You don’t really think that just because I’m from the Development Planning Bureau’s direct team, I’ll get approval for everything, do you?”
Gulp.
The director swallowed unconsciously. A sudden change in attitude—Suhyun used these conversational tactics with impressive skill, almost beyond what one would expect from someone so young.
“B-But…”
Even so, stepping back now wasn’t an option. Suhyun hadn’t risen to the director’s position without reason. The director quickly thought of ways to persuade him.
‘The whip won’t work, so maybe the carrot…’
He needed to make sure Suhyun stayed. If they let him go and an accident occurred, it wouldn’t just be a couple of people who’d face consequences.
“And as for the Chinese or Russian territories, you don’t need to worry so much. Moving recklessly now would be a burden even for them. If you make a mistake, you’d bear the blame, but the enemy I face is one whose theory of engagement isn’t even established yet. It’ll be fine.”
Half of that was true, half not. Suhyun knew it. No matter how formidable the unknown enemy or how much official attention was on him, if it was worth moving, he would move.
He said this to persuade the director. After striking once, now he soothed. The director was plotting to use both the carrot and the stick, yet he was the one being handled.
“How about the permission issue?”
“Fortunately, I don’t need Chinese authorization. I can ask the Russians, to whom we owe a favor from last time.”
“……”
That was undeniably correct. The director felt sweat forming on his back as he found it increasingly difficult to counter Suhyun.
“Then consider it done. I’ll leave it in your hands.”
Thanks to Suhyun constantly changing the topic, the Development Planning Bureau didn’t even ask the important questions—like why he wanted to go into Haimken.
“A city of orcs… What kind of place is it?”
“Basically, it’s similar to other non-human villages. Only bigger and more barbaric.”
“Oh…”
“Compared to where the elves live, it’s crude, right?”
“Probably, yes.”
Meeting a city-scale community of non-humans was a rare experience even for them. Watching the squad members ask Louisryl questions, Shaina muttered:
“He’s showing off again.”
“Leave him. Being picked on all the time, he’s allowed this much.”
Though Louisryl was often subjugated by Suhyun and seemingly at his beck and call, she was an elf. Just a little image management and people easily misjudged her.
The same went for the Uncle Joe Company members. Most were still fooled by Louisryl.
‘Handled Kim Jong-tae’s medication issue. Tight schedule to get back on time.’
Suhyun contemplated. Requesting Russian permission meant the information would inevitably leak—but not widely.
Not because he trusted Russia’s morality, but their selfishness. The Russians wouldn’t easily share that Suhyun was moving.
“Can we bring the tiger along?”
“No problem.”
“Really?!”
“I never intended to be polite or beg once we got there anyway.”
If the subordinate got beaten up, there would be no intention to negotiate nicely. If needed, he’d use force to intimidate.
Thinking of pre-modern civilizations when it comes to a non-human city was misleading. Haimken had long-standing human contact, so its civilization and weaponry were advanced.
Yet Suhyun didn’t care.
‘They’re only as strong as they are.’
Even if faced with enemies armed with the latest weapons, he had confidence. Older weaponry? No fear.
‘If they complain about using force after arrival, I’ll assess the situation and take the survivors out.’
A neat plan. Considering the surroundings, the difficulty was certainly higher.
“You’ve lost a lot of weight.”
“……”
With a pale face, Gu Jung-chul nodded. Lee So-hee never treated people gently. Seeing his previously chubby face halved, Suhyun felt satisfaction.
“This will be your first mission.”
-Me?
“Yes. How do you feel?”
Gu Jung-chul blinked, then returned to typing.
-I’ll do my best.
“Good. Just remember this: follow my instructions.”
After a few nods, Suhyun tapped his shoulder and walked on. He trusted him. Many underestimated Gu Jung-chul, but few had such survival instinct. He could thrive anywhere.
“Oh, just in case, bring this too.”
“What?! Why?!”
Pointing to a massive sword, Suhyun made Louisryl recoil in horror. The Shockwave Sword—an artifact with a complicated history.
It had been a hated relic of the Haimken orcs. Stolen by China, then recovered by Louisryl. Bringing it now had only one possible implication.
“If we return it, it’ll just get taken again. Better we keep it!”
“Sometimes I forget if you’re elf or human… shameless almost…”
Louisryl pouted and averted her gaze.
“I’m not returning it automatically. I’ll decide based on the situation. I’ll repay it later. Pack it well—if the Russians notice, it’ll be a headache.”
“Ugh…”
Suhyun never changed his mind. Louisryl gave up and grabbed the sword. One of the few personal treasures remaining after all the stolen goods had been recovered.
“Good. Preparations seem complete.”
“By the way, Gorgan—I heard he’s a northern orc.”
“That’s correct.”
“Is he from Haimken?”
Gorgan shook his head.
“Close, but not Haimken-born, sir.”
“Well, how vast is the northern gate anyway? Silly question.”
“If you have questions, ask. I’ll answer as I know.”
“No, it’s fine.”
Suhyun already knew enough about Haimken; it was a famous city. And a northern-born orc working as a mercenary had his reasons. No need to ask.
“They’re staring a lot, those guys.”
“Don’t meet their eyes. If a fight breaks out here, only they benefit.”
The road to Haimken was paved, usable only with Russian and Chinese permission. Suhyun’s team had the Russian side’s approval.
“Still, why are they staring? Annoying.”
“Fools. Bow your head. If you’re moving with the team leader, expect it. You think being called a wizard is trivial?”
“Eh?”
“Even I would have ordered surveillance.”
Park Soo-yong scolded the others. Suhyun felt the attention; some observers clearly had powers. They were curious, no doubt.
“It’s nice not having to worry about monsters.”
“This area has few monsters, and the Chinese and Russians cleared most anyway. Hard to find monsters.”
“Don’t the non-humans protest?”
“Why would they?”
“We don’t like monsters either. Except in rare cases, extermination benefits us too.”
“As you heard, monster extermination isn’t something non-humans request—you get asked to handle it, not volunteer. Handling monsters around Haimken likely involved political deals.”
“Wow, orcs… do that?”
Snap!
“Eh?! Why?!”
“Don’t you see the orcs here? Think before you speak.”
“Sorry! My bad!”
“It’s fine. I know you meant no harm.”
“Gorgan…!”
Gorgan forgave graciously; Kim Chang-sik looked touched.
“Chang-sik doesn’t think much.”
“Gorgan?!”
After trials and errors, Haimken had chosen isolationism. Supported by Chinese-Russian mutual checks and other nations’ eyes at the gate. Had only China and Russia reached the gate, it would have been chaos.
A past squad joke: humanity’s luck was that America came with them. A grim joke—without the US, who knew how wild the other nations would have gone.
Choosing isolationism in two belligerent powers’ territories was no small feat—proof of Haimken orcs’ skill.
Screech—
“Huh? What is it?”
“We’ve arrived.”
“Can’t see the city.”
“From here, we go on foot. Why would Haimken orcs let humans pave roads into their living rooms?”
The flatlands ended, revealing wide, low mountains. Haimken was a highland city.
“What is this?”
A Russian soldier at the base, curious about a massive container on the vehicle, asked.
Rumble—
“?!”
A dark elf opened the container, releasing a monster with glowing eyes. The Russian soldiers froze, hands on weapons. Untrained, they might have fired immediately.
“S-Sorry to startle you. Can we proceed?”
“Yes!”
“Then let’s move. We want to reach the city before nightfall.”
“Why… orcs… live in a place like this…”
“Don’t say that, Chang-sik. Haimken is the pinnacle of orc wisdom.”
“What? What does that mean?”
“It’s well-built.”
Suhyun explained while walking ahead.
“Even on Earth, there are ruins extraordinarily well-made for their time. Haimken is one such city. Mercenaries like us just marvel, but scholars go crazy for it.”
“One of the governments’ income sources is tourism permits to Haimken.”
“Tourism… really?”
For those constantly on edge against monsters, it was absurd.
“Earth people love it. Almost no monster risk, and it’s a non-human city…”
“Shall we make a course like that?”
“There are a few in our territory. We just don’t pay attention. Not that popular either.”
“Not famous?”
“The south of the gate is mainly for researchers… oh, there it is.”
“?”
The squad turned to look where Suhyun indicated, seeing only gentle mountain slopes.
“What’s there?”
“Don’t you see the orcs?”
It was surprising to see orcs in the distance, but more so that they were waiting there, as if expecting them.
‘What are those guys doing?’
