Chapter : 102
Shyness was something Scott had described very kindly. They weren’t the type to be shy. These weren’t people who stayed hidden inside; when something happened, they went to the frontlines, piloting power armor and facing monsters head-on. Naturally, they wouldn’t be shy.
What he was seeing now was closer to embarrassment. They had been arrogant, considering themselves experts and dismissing Suhyun as clueless, but in that domain, they had been proven wrong. Given their skill level, their shame was significant.
If they had been unnecessary personnel or hostile pilots, he would have severely reprimanded them, but they were still needed—mostly for menial tasks. Suhyun began to soothe them with a generous attitude.
“You might not be used to this kind of work, but this is all related to piloting power armor. Do you think the monsters will just let you attack from a distance every time?”
“….”
The pilots had no words, even if they had ten mouths.
“Our doctrine says to finish them before they get close…”
“Yeah, that’s nonsense. If everything in the world went smoothly, why would problems exist? You need to be prepared when things go wrong. Do you think there’s only one or two monsters that can close the distance and get near a power armor? Go anywhere outside Euterpe, and they appear instantly. Don’t slack off thinking you’ll never have to fight up close. Everything shows in the end.”
“You can pilot power armor? That’s impressive.”
“Indeed. Our team pilots aren’t the type to hear that kind of talk anywhere…”
Scott nodded in agreement at Jennifer’s remark.
‘Huh? But was there information that he’s a power armor pilot?’
When they had previously gathered information to scout Suhyun, it didn’t say he was a power armor pilot. Being a power armor pilot was a big advantage in Cameron; not just anyone could do it. It wasn’t the kind of information you’d overlook.
‘Did he acquire it in the meantime? His skill isn’t something you gain in a day or two… Maybe I just misremembered. Well, with that skill, he must have been piloting it for a long time.’
“Thank you for the advice.”
“Why are you thanking me? They should be thanking you.”
“Shy…”
“…If you say that they’re shy one more time, I might actually make you shy.”
Trembling, unable to meet someone’s gaze, was a form of shyness. And Suhyun could make them feel that way if he wanted.
“…I’m sorry.”
The pilots were shocked by Suhyun’s advice. For those who prided themselves as pilots, it was a major blow.
‘Still, they should at least say thank you. These people…’
And that was why he had to clean up after them like this.
“Euterpe is wide, so it’s easier to keep monsters at a distance, but elsewhere, your limits will show immediately. If you don’t want to lose expensive power armor, train in advance.”
“Yes, understood.”
“Is that all?”
“Come to think of it…”
Due to the unexpected training, the pilots hadn’t even asked why Suhyun was doing this.
“Why are you digging this tunnel?”
“To go down.”
“…!”
Entering the cave halfway up the mountain, they had to go down, dodging countless traps and monsters. It was as if a spiral staircase had been constructed inside the mountain. Going deeper eventually led to a room with ruins.
So there was no need to enter through the upper cave entrance and follow the designated path. They could find a suitable location at the foot of the mountain, dig, and approach from there.
When Bluebear’s team heard Suhyun’s plan, they looked like they’d just been slapped on the back of the head. Jennifer stammered and finally said:
“G-g-genius?”
“It’s stupid to try going through ruins only via the designated path. Stop talking nonsense. Let’s go!”
Thanks to the power armor, they cleared the path much faster than expected. Bluebear Team 2 walked through the underground corridor, shaking their heads. They were used to the abnormal conditions of Cameron, but Suhyun was astonishing.
“How did you pinpoint the location of that room?”
“That’s a corporate secret.”
Suhyun tapped on a blocked wall. It sounded hollow. This was the spot where the power armor pilots had reported that they couldn’t break through. And it was a surprisingly thin wall—if power armor couldn’t break it…
‘We’ve arrived.’
“I’ll have to use psychic power. Who wants to do it?”
“I’ll do it.”
Whitman stepped forward enthusiastically, clenching his fist. Suhyun’s leadership had ignited his motivation. He was part of Team 2 and couldn’t just be useless.
“Hey, Baldy.”
“….”
“Don’t forget to control your strength.”
“Eh?”
Whitman hesitated, ready to shoot a full-powered energy missile at the wall. Suhyun sighed.
‘Even psychics should get basic explorer training, right?’
“You’re going to smash it at full power without knowing what’s inside?”
“Even power armor couldn’t break it…”
“That’s because psychic energy is maintaining the wall. Hit it lightly. Don’t blow it up.”
“Yes…”
Whitman, sullen, fired a magic missile. As Suhyun said, even a light shot crumbled the wall instantly. Even as the dust settled, no one moved. Everyone stared at Suhyun.
“Did you leave this to me?”
“No… that’s…”
They had never imagined they’d be breaking into a dangerous ruin like this, yet now, they all relied on Suhyun.
‘If it’s Suhyun, he can break through even dangerous ruins easily.’
‘If it’s Suhyun, he’ll tell us what to do next.’
That was their thinking.
“What now? Should we go in?”
“Ugh…”
Suhyun started picking up stones from outside, throwing them one by one.
Clunk!
Using telekinesis, he threw a weighted stone, activating a trap on the floor. When a whole section of the floor disappeared, everyone in the rear corridor flinched.
“Ugh…”
When Suhyun stopped, Scott thought it was over. But Suhyun sent in drones.
‘Is that really necessary…’
Crack!
The drone was destroyed, having triggered some trap.
“They came.”
“What did you say?”
“Nothing, it’s fine.”
“Seems like it’s mostly done. Let’s go in. Ah, not everyone, just you.”
“Eh??”
Whitman looked around in confusion when Suhyun singled him out.
‘N-no way… is he taking revenge for last time…?’
“I can’t go in; I’m a healer. You’ll get hurt, so go in.”
“…Why me?”
“Because you seem easiest to handle in Team 2. Don’t worry, the traps should be gone.”
Suhyun spoke bluntly.
“Should be?”
“You talk too much. Go!”
With ruins not fully analyzed, it was unwise for many people to enter at once. Whitman reluctantly stepped in.
But there were no traps. Whitman regained composure and observed the ruins curiously.
It was simple, with an antique metal box in front of a statue. Seeing that, Whitman guessed there was something inside.
“No traps, but there’s a box. What do we do?”
“Don’t touch the box.”
“?”
“Check around for anything else. Anything more?”
“There’s a statue…”
“Search the statue carefully. Don’t touch the box.”
Scott, overhearing, asked:
“Why not the box?”
“Do you think someone put treasures in a trap-filled ruin just to make it easy to carry? Of course it’s trapped.”
Ruins were divided into simple storage-only structures or complex structures with traps to deter intruders. For the latter, even if there seemed to be an artifact, touching it immediately was a mistake.
“There’s nothing in the statue either.”
“Break it.”
“Eh? Really?!”
“Break it, I said.”
Whitman hesitated but didn’t refuse Suhyun’s order. He finally began smashing the statue with magic missiles.
“Found it!”
“Good, bring it out. Don’t touch anything else.”
“What about the box?”
“Did you hear me at all? Just leave it.”
A new member of Bluebear Team 2 spoke up, but Suhyun’s icy tone made them shrink back.
“B-but it’s a box from the ruins… uh-uh!”
“Haha, still a rookie…”
“If you don’t shut up, I’ll shove that box into your mouth.”
Those who had already learned what happened if they spoke recklessly in front of Suhyun intervened. Scott covered the member’s mouth, and Jennifer whispered in their ear:
“It’s okay. You want to collect as much as possible since you worked hard.”
They knew that Suhyun’s kind words were the most dangerous.
“Go open it yourself.”
“Eh?”
“Go open it. You said you wanted to collect it.”
“Uh…”
Whitman’s fear surged. With Suhyun’s predictions always right, it was almost like prophecy. Still, he had to go.
‘Why did I say anything…!’
He regretted it internally as he walked. Belief that Suhyun wouldn’t let him die was his only hope. Whitman carried the unconscious member on his back.
“Amazing! Really, all I can say is amazing! Truly amazing!”
“It’s far from immortality…”
“That’s fine. We suspected there was no artifact of immortality anyway. Chairman Charles should be satisfied.”
Compared to immortality, the artifact of vitality was less prestigious but still highly useful in both combat and non-combat situations.
“To clear ruins this way, our team must’ve learned a lot.”
“Strong psychic teams tend to be less skilled at these minor tricks.”
Suhyun preferred clever solutions over head-on confrontations.
“Besides, the chairman is satisfied and got what he wanted. I’d like to borrow the technician.”
Except for what Ruiril stole from the U.S., everything else would be cleansed and used. Suhyun wanted it done quickly—there could be clashes with Chinese forces anytime.
“Ah, before that, Charles wants to meet you.”
“The chairman?”
Suhyun clearly showed reluctance. After all, he had already helped during a busy period, and now he was supposed to meet the person directly. It was honestly annoying.
“…Don’t make that face. Meeting Charles won’t harm you. He treats his people well. Otherwise, would anyone follow him?”
“I’m not his person.”
“Since you helped indirectly, he won’t have a bad word about you. So, will it be alright?”
“Well… I guess there’s no choice. Set up the meeting.”
There was no need to make things awkward when he also needed to borrow the technician. Suhyun decided he’d invest a bit more time.
