Chapter : 56
“Is it a famous place?”
“Yes, it’s fairly well-known.”
Officially, only four countries had sent in their militaries, but the number of countries whose mercenary companies had entered was countless. The planet Cameron was simply too attractive to just watch from afar.
However, the cities on Cameron were divided among those four countries. For a mercenary company from another nation to enter, cooperation was required.
The easiest country to gain cooperation from was the United States. China and Russia were difficult due to their unique systems, leaving the U.S. or South Korea as the only places where permission from another country was feasible. And between the U.S. and South Korea, European and North American nations naturally preferred the U.S.
“Then why don’t I remember this place?”
Mercenary companies of a certain size gave the impression they wouldn’t fail, but in reality, on Cameron, such failures happened surprisingly often. No matter how careful, accidents occurred. Even if one or two teams were annihilated, the damage was hard to recover from.
If Suhyun’s team hadn’t arrived here, it was very likely these people would have died. In that case, it wouldn’t be strange for the company to collapse.
“An American company, a famous one… Helping them wouldn’t cause any losses. They’re good at keeping track of calculations.”
Mercenary companies from Russia or China had to think twice before helping. Even disregarding compensation, they might get caught in unnecessary trouble.
But American companies didn’t have to worry about that—they were at least rational.
The dwarf who introduced himself as Muzak slowly recovered and began sharing what he knew. Though an outsider, traveling together made it unavoidable to learn at least something about each other.
“What about the rest of the team?”
“They all… went outside. Scott built a wall, saying staying here would just get us killed…”
They had failed to respond properly to the monsters, which had grown even stronger outside. Eventually, they lost most of their supplies and could only retreat to a safe zone. Without the dwarf’s information, they would have died earlier.
Then, opinions split within the group: one side insisted on enduring until the end if there was no other way, the other claimed staying would only lead to starving to death. The psychics advocating the latter disappeared to clear a path, while those choosing the former stayed behind.
“They’re probably all dead.”
Suhyun could imagine the scene without looking. Those already exhausted and injured from reaching this far had little chance of breaking through.
“Still, their judgment seems decent.”
Even knowing they would die if they went outside, ordinary people would still take that risk. It was better to gamble on a slim chance than slowly starve.
“Will you save them?”
“What? Are you complaining?”
“No, it’s not that…”
Park Sooyong looked uneasy. Judging by his cautious personality, he seemed worried they might become a troublesome obstacle in future allocations. These weren’t ordinary people; they were a team of psychics, capable enough to push back if they wanted.
“Don’t worry. If they cause trouble, I won’t stay idle.”
There was no intention of bringing along people who didn’t understand their place, especially since this wasn’t a volunteer mission.
“By the way, why aren’t they waking up? Are psychics weaker than the dwarf?”
“One of them was beaten by the team leader…”
“Shut up. Let’s get ready to rest. We’ll be staying here today anyway.”
“Mm…”
“?”
At the faint sound, everyone’s attention turned toward it. Suhyun approached a lying woman. She had bright blonde hair tied back and a well-proportioned body. Though her face looked haggard, likely from hunger, she was inherently beautiful—an even mix of attractiveness and charm.
“Mm? What does ‘Mm’ mean?”
“She’s asking for food, isn’t she?”
“Don’t talk nonsense. Is this the time?”
Park Sooyong reprimanded Kim Changshik, while the others looked at him with a mix of disbelief and annoyance. Kim Changshik lowered his head, sulking.
“Some food…”
“…”
“…Bring it here.”
Suhyun gestured with his finger, and Kim Changshik glared at the others as he got up.
As they had to work in harsh conditions, the mercenaries didn’t skimp on food. It was one of the few pleasures they could enjoy. Suhyun could survive on just calorie packs for months, but most couldn’t.
“Bulgogi? Tonkatsu?”
“Is this the time to argue? Just give me anything.”
Suhyun pulled a pack from the line. It was highly durable and could be considered almost indefinite in shelf life. As he pulled the pack, it warmed slightly.
“Stand up and eat?”
“Mm…”
“?”
“Feed me.”
“…”
“My arms don’t have strength.”
Suhyun looked to get someone else to do it, but no one made eye contact. Eventually, he took the spoon and fed her himself.
“Ah, I feel a bit better…”
“If you feel better, eat on your own from now on.”
“Ouch!”
When he playfully tossed the spoon toward her forehead, she frowned. She scanned her surroundings with sharp green eyes, remaining calm despite the sudden action—either from not grasping the situation or from a naturally fearless demeanor.
“So… who are you? Mercenaries, right?”
“Uncle Joe Company.”
“Korea? China? Or maybe Japan?”
“Korea.”
“Phew. That’s a relief.”
“What’s relief about that?”
Kim Changshik, listening from behind, asked with curiosity.
“If it were China, they’d extort a lot… Korea won’t make unreasonable demands. They’re allies, after all.”
“Allies? They’re not even the Korean military… Stop talking nonsense and explain the situation.”
Suhyun sat on a rock, observing her. He knew psychics often had unusual personalities, but this woman seemed exceptional. Few people who had died and come back would display such an attitude.
“Um, explaining isn’t difficult… But Muzak was already awake first?”
“Ah, yes. They helped us.”
“Then Muzak explains, and I’ll just eat one more of these, okay?”
Suhyun seriously considered leaving them behind.
Jennifer McClean’s explanation didn’t differ much from Muzak’s. The situation leading up to their arrival was nearly identical, with the added detail of their precise identities.
“Bluebear Team 2?”
“Yeah.”
Seeing Jennifer nod with her mouth full, Suhyun remained indifferent.
“Do you know what happened to the other team members?”
“They’re probably dead.”
“…Doesn’t that bother you?”
“It’s sad, but I told them not to go. They ignored me and went anyway.”
“Right. No point in a long story… Muzak said you came to find an artifact.”
“Yeah.”
“Same here. What do you think?”
“What do you think? You take it. We just need to survive.”
Jennifer answered instantly without hesitation. Suhyun admired her. She had a strange demeanor but keen situational awareness.
“Should I draft a contract? Wait, you’re not planning to leave us here, are you? Don’t be unreasonable. Once we get out, we’ll properly reward you! We’re not a Chinese company, so you won’t run off, right?”
Seeing no answer from Suhyun, Jennifer hurriedly spoke, likely misunderstanding.
“It’s not difficult to accompany you. Except for Muzak, you’re all psychics, so if you can help in battle, that’s enough.”
“Yes, yes. Everyone will be useful, so don’t worry.”
“…You really are the team leader?”
“Excuse me! Go ask the others!”
Jennifer’s raised voice seemed to wake a red-haired man wearing glasses. He frowned as if in pain and looked around.
“What… Miss McClean? What’s going on?”
“Uncle Joe Company. Lucky you listened when I said to stay here.”
“Now’s really not the time…”
Scott skimmed his memory for the name Uncle Joe Company but had never heard of it.
“By the way, Muzak and Scott are awake—why isn’t Whiteman up? He’s the strongest.”
“Probably because of his injuries.”
“His injuries have been treated.”
“?!”
Suhyun raised his hand, a simple gesture, but all present understood immediately—they were psychics.
“You’re a healer?!”
“That’s why treatment was possible.”
Scott sighed in relief after hearing Jennifer’s explanation. They had been incredibly lucky: another mercenary team found them just before death, and there was a healer among them.
“Thank you. Your name is…?”
“Kim Suhyun.”
“Mr. Kim Suhyun, we’ll officially thank you once we get out.”
“You seem more like the team leader.”
Suhyun shook his hand, and Scott smiled wryly.
“No, Miss McClean is the team leader. Despite appearances, she’s very capable, so don’t worry.”
“Shouldn’t we wake Whiteman too? The healer has treated him, so why can’t he get up?”
“Leave him. He’ll wake up when the time comes.”
Suhyun, the one who had knocked him out, said without changing expression.
“Ugh, damn…”
“He’s awake. Are your arms okay?”
“Huh? Thank you. More importantly, the situation…”
Whiteman vaguely remembered being struck, so he tilted his head. Jennifer briefly explained the situation.
“Uncle Joe Company? Never heard of it.”
“I’ve never heard of Bluebear either, so let’s just forget it.”
Suhyun answered indifferently while finishing his simple meal.
“You’ve never heard of Bluebear? Does that make sense?”
“If you haven’t heard of it, you haven’t. Why does it have to make sense?”
“You said you’re Korean, not Chinese. Yet you don’t know us?”
“Annoying.”
Suhyun picked up his shotgun.
“I thought you healed the possessed. Was the treatment incomplete?”
“What?”
“When you’re rescued, the first thing you say should be thanks. Then, until you leave, you repay the favor. Instead, as soon as you wake, you say you’ve never heard of the company? Too shameless and clueless—so yes, you were possessed. Don’t worry. One shot fixes this.”
“W-Wait!”
Suhyun’s tone was serious. Unfamiliar with him, Bluebear members turned pale. Jennifer quickly intervened, pressing Whiteman’s head down firmly.
“Sorry! He sometimes says nonsense. He wasn’t possessed! This is just how he is. Now apologize, Whiteman, quickly!”
“I-I’m sorry.”
Suhyun clicked his tongue and lowered his gun. Whiteman, dejected, stayed quiet.
‘He really has skill,’ Suhyun thought. He had intervened knowing that if he hadn’t, they would have died. Unlike Whiteman, who let pride cloud his judgment, these people clearly had a level head.
“Mr. Kim Suhyun, if it’s not rude, may I ask a few questions?”
“Answer first, then we’ll see.”
“You seem highly skilled, yet your team isn’t widely known. Is this a new group or is there another reason?”
Whiteman had almost gotten himself into trouble, so Scott asked cautiously. It was remarkable for a team capable of this to remain obscure.
“There’s a reason. It’s newly formed.”
“Ah…”
‘Probably connected to the Korean government or a split-off from a major company.’
“Satisfied your curiosity?”
“Ah… yes.”
“Then let’s wrap this up. We have schedules. We’ll rest here until today, then resume moving tomorrow. Will you be recovered and able to follow by then?”
“Of course. Don’t worry about that.”
