Chapter : 101
The Demands of a Big Shot (2)
Because of the nature of their work, trust was just as important as skill for technicians in this field. Some organizations exploited a technician’s weaknesses, but Blue Bear used a different method. By combining drugs that confuse memory with artifacts, it was possible to erase short-term memory.
“As expected, American tech really is impressive.”
From Suhyun’s perspective, this method was ideal. Simply silencing a technician might allow Blue Bear to extract information anyway.
“Then we’ll get started according to the plan immediately.”
“How much support will you need from us?”
“Ah, support?”
“Since this involves Charles, Team 1 can assist in addition to Team 2. It’s no small task, after all.”
Robert anticipated that breaking through this ruin wouldn’t be easy. He was ready to provide all possible support. Uncle Joe Company would lead their main force, Team 1, and if Blue Bear hesitated, the operation could go awry. Suhyun was not an easy opponent.
“Support…? Well, sounds good. It’ll be easier to get help from Blue Bear than hiring an outside company.”
“??”
“Assign Team 2 and one lower team. Make sure they’re people who can operate power armor.”
“???”
Robert was genuinely confused and asked again.
“Are you sure that’s enough? Our Team 4 went there and verified the intel, right?”
“Yes, yes, we confirmed it. That’s sufficient. We’ll contact you as soon as we’re ready.”
Suhyun had no intention of taking his team all the way to Outerf during such a busy period. He began issuing orders immediately.
“Isohee, the orcs will probably arrive soon. They’re decent, but they have no experience with modern warfare, so I’m leaving their training to you. Make sure Team 2 can handle them.”
“Training intensity…?”
“Let them run crying if they must, just make it effective!”
“Yes, understood.”
Isohee gave a faint smile after a long time and nodded. Suhyun didn’t worry; Jo Seunghyun and Gorgan would handle the detailed briefing, and Isohee was more than capable of the training.
“Luiril, Kim Jongtae might come looking for this before you arrive. Give it to him. It’s a different kind of suppressant from what you take, so don’t even think about it.”
“…I wasn’t thinking of that.”
“He’ll probably be back before you. He’s no pushover—if anything seems off, just kill him.”
Though he said that, Suhyun didn’t expect Kim Jongtae to try anything. Even a sly snake like him would need time to break free from the fear Suhyun had planted. Right now, he was probably preparing in China, focused on survival.
“Oh, right. You should start taking out the artifacts you stole.”
Luiril’s ears drooped. The thought of her collection disappearing made her inevitably sad. Suhyun seemed slightly apologetic and patted her shoulder.
“I’ll make good use of them. Once they’re cleansed, I’ll remove the poisoning as well.”
“!”
“But don’t go to China. Enough time has passed that they probably aren’t chasing you yet, but if anything seems suspicious, they’ll pursue again. Don’t take it lightly. It’s really dangerous.”
The Dragon Slayer Project had upset the balance. They would surely act in earnest now. Interfering at this point could cost blood.
“By the way, the guy you’re entrusting now is an American technician, right? Are there any artifacts you took that originally came from the U.S.?”
Luiril whistled and avoided his gaze. When Suhyun stared her down, she finally spoke.
“J-just two.”
“…Then we’ll leave those two out.”
No matter what, entrusting an American technician with artifacts brought from the U.S. was too risky.
Once the artifacts were taken out, Suhyun couldn’t continue to coerce Luiril. People can’t be driven purely by threats forever. At some point, the relationship needed to change.
Suhyun wanted to keep the teleporting Luiril under him; she would surely be useful in the future. But he had no intention of forcing her. That would eventually backfire.
“Well… now she can go flaunt herself elsewhere without being as dangerous as before.”
The military hadn’t even established a special forces unit yet. No matter what trouble Suhyun caused, the government would protect him.
“Captain, I think it’s better if I accompany you rather than letting you go alone.”
“It’s fine. Blue Bear isn’t an easy group.”
“Actually, their strength might even surpass ours.”
“What about your daughter?”
“She’s fine, thanks to your consideration…”
Seo Gangseok bowed. The feelings he had toward Suhyun were almost indescribable.
“Treat her well. Once the operation starts, you won’t see her often.”
“I’m prepared for that.”
“When will this human awaken…”
Seo Gangseok, notorious for his expertise in poisons, would likely awaken with poison-related abilities. Most likely, a superpower-based poison—a virtual toxin generated by a superpower. Coupled with his exceptional mixing skills, its power could be overwhelming.
“Better to wait patiently. No need to rush yet.”
“Long time no see!”
“Yeah, long time.”
Jennifer seemed quite lively. Whatever her inner thoughts, she moved with a rhythmic, upbeat energy.
“Long time indeed.”
“You too. Did that bald guy get reprimanded again after he left?”
“Haha, no, just a light warning.”
Last time, Whiteman had thrown a fit, but this time he cautiously avoided Suhyun. Suhyun could tell it wasn’t just a casual scolding.
“And the team members?”
“This group is sufficient. Oh, power armor came too. Give it to them.”
“??”
No one here doubted Suhyun’s abilities, but even so, his confident attitude without holding anything in hand was puzzling.
“Does he know something about this ruin like in the Kakrita Valley? No, that’s unlikely.”
The Kakrita Valley became easy if one knew the secrets. It was almost unfair how much they had lost there. But there probably weren’t two such places in the world.
“Good. Let’s move out!”
To reach the place with the Ring of Vitality, they had to navigate long, winding mountain paths. Naturally, they also faced complex traps and persistent monsters. Monsters that blended into the ruin walls or crossed like shadows tested one’s nerves.
Fighting such creatures recklessly would be foolish.
Suhyun moved across the plains below the cave at the mountain’s center rather than heading directly to it. Blue Bear members followed him, their faces full of questions.
“Someone ask why we’re not going in.”
“Captain, why don’t you ask? You’re the closest to them here.”
“Closest? I got scolded last time just for saying the wrong thing…”
Despite being led in circles by Suhyun, no one dared speak. They truly found him intimidating.
“What did the boss say beforehand?”
Seeing them, Suhyun realized what Robert had told them earlier. Even if it were Team 2, the lower Blue Bear team with power armor had no reason to cling to him.
“Found it. Power armor pilots! Swap your equipment.”
Suhyun stopped by a shallow stream.
“Excuse me?”
“If you unload your gear, you’ll find excavation tools. Dig under this. Block the water and scoop it out. It’s shallow, so it’ll be easy.”
“Captain Kim Suhyun…”
Scott finally spoke hesitantly.
“Never mind. Use Stone Wall or over there. We need to remove the water.”
“…Yes.”
If he had the kind of spirit to resist Suhyun’s orders, he would have been Team 2 captain.
Meanwhile, the power armor pilots removed their arm-mounted weapons and equipped excavation tools as instructed. Scott’s rock wall blocked the stream’s flow, and soon the riverbed was exposed.
“Start! Finish before sunset. Hurry!”
“Damn it!”
The lower team obeyed silently because it was the boss’s order. Anyone who spoke out would be cut down—no joke.
Yet emotions could not be contained. To seasoned power armor pilots, Suhyun looked like a reckless kid relying only on superpowers.
For those who risked their lives fighting monsters, this menial task felt insulting.
“Why did he bring this guy along?”
“I dunno, just do what he says.”
Few treated them as well as Blue Bear did. Big companies weren’t called big for nothing.
“Don’t push forcefully—dig carefully. Don’t stab, just scoop! Never fought in melee with power armor?”
“…”
“I said don’t stab!”
“…Then why don’t you try it yourself!”
The pilots working beside him turned pale. One, usually impatient, had panicked despite listening carefully and made a mistake.
“Are you crazy?!”
“Did you forget what the boss said?”
“I’d rather not take his insults…”
“If you try to advise him, he won’t appreciate it… get out!”
“?!”
As he tried to stop his colleague, an even more unbelievable voice came from Suhyun. He gestured for the pilot to come out with a frustrated expression.
“Come out! Don’t you hear me?”
“If I go out, won’t I die?”
“No way a superhuman would attack a power armor pilot bare-handed…”
Unconsciously, they looked at Team 2’s superhumans. Surely they wouldn’t attack outright.
The pilot hesitated, opened the cockpit, and climbed down. Normally he would have been furious, but his colleague’s restraint and Suhyun’s powers tempered his anger.
Yet Suhyun didn’t attack him. He passed by silently and entered an empty cockpit.
“Reliance on firepower and auto-tracking for long-range combat exposes this kind of skill…”
Suhyun clicked his tongue and began operating the power armor. The pilots watching had to hear his voice through comms. They wondered if he was insane. A top-tier superhuman and an excellent power armor pilot rarely overlapped—top-tier superhumans had no reason to pilot such machines.
Rumble!
Suhyun’s power armor arms skillfully excavated the ground. Every movement was precise, sculpting the earth like art. Even if others didn’t notice, experienced pilots could see how incredible his skill was.
“?!?!?!!?”
“Was he born in a power armor?!”
He was clearly young. Even if he had started piloting early, his experience would be less than theirs. Yet his skill was extraordinary. He could likely win a close-combat fight against any of them.
“Not digging? I didn’t call you to work alone!”
“Yes! I’m digging now!”
The pilot outside couldn’t close his mouth. Skill alone drew people in. Those who had just insulted Suhyun were now helping him, and the shock of his ability was greater than anything else.
Click!
Suhyun opened the cockpit and lightly landed. Scott respectfully handed him a drink. Suhyun smirked and accepted it.
“Too used to playing the aide, aren’t you?”
“If I didn’t give it, someone else would have.”
Turning to see, the pilots looked hesitant. They wanted to speak but couldn’t.
“Doesn’t it feel odd that grown men act shy like that?”
“…Please understand. They’re skilled power armor pilots… naturally shy.”
“Shy my foot.”
Suhyun handed the drink back to Scott and approached them.
