Chapter : 59
“Th-the mission… it succeeded, that… that means…?”
“We’ve finished checking all the way across the valley. The map has been compiled and converted into data, so you can check it anytime. As for the monsters inside, we’ve classified most of them, if not all, and we’ve also documented how to deal with them. Special locations inside have been recorded, so you’ll know immediately when you see them.”
The officer was at a loss as to whom he was speaking with. Of course, any team undertaking this mission with government support wasn’t trivial. But this… this was extraordinary.
Those who start as mercenaries for private companies and then take on government assignments usually go through a procedural set of mistakes. These were just part of the adaptation process.
The values pursued by private companies and those pursued by the government differed. Characters inscribed on the walls of ruins might make a government linguist drool, but private companies weren’t interested at all. Recording them and creating value out of it would take too long and wasn’t reliable.
‘I heard this was their first attempt?’
“Let’s confirm that first, shall we?”
“Ah, yes.”
By now, the officer was completely caught up in Suhyun’s pace. He opened the information Suhyun had brought and started reviewing it. Seeing the completed map and the organized data, he was astonished again.
“As you can see, there’s a ruin inside.”
“A ruin?! Did you explore it too? Ah… that must’ve taken time…”
As he spoke, the officer swiped through the images. The structure inside the ruin began to appear.
“!”
“We’ve finished exploring the ruin as well. The resources will need a more detailed investigation, but what we brought out are artifacts.”
The officer felt he couldn’t be more surprised. Traversing that valley in about a week was impressive enough, but to find a ruin and finish exploring it inside?
‘What on earth is this guy?’
He swallowed unconsciously. Having worked as a government official on Cameron Planet, he had encountered many inhuman monsters. Yet, Suhyun was different. On the surface, he seemed completely harmless, but the way he spoke calmly suggested he was anything but.
“We plan to verify the artifacts ourselves before officially reporting them. I understand that was already agreed upon, right?”
“Of, of course.”
The exploration team always had the first claim on any items discovered. Without that right, there would be no reason to risk their lives.
“There’s one more thing not recorded. We encountered another mercenary company inside the ruin.”
“?”
The officer looked at Suhyun, confused. No Korean mercenary teams were currently attempting this valley, and even if they had, it had been long enough for them to be considered wiped out.
“An American company called Bluebear. Do you know them?”
Naturally, he did. As a Korean government official on Cameron Planet, he had to know the major mercenary companies of both Korea and the U.S.
“Bluebear? You met the Bluebear team there?!”
The officer frowned. They had been planning to claim exclusivity, but overlapping with an American team could complicate things.
“I think there’s a misunderstanding. We didn’t meet them while exploring. It was closer to a rescue situation. We confirmed everything carefully, so it shouldn’t complicate future matters. If they try any foolish negotiations…”
“That’s true, but isn’t that a bit extreme?”
At that moment, Jennifer opened the door and came in. She looked refreshed, a stark contrast to her exhausted appearance when first met at the base.
“We need to make sure everything’s in order before leaving. Otherwise, it’ll be a pain later.”
“I already said it. Just save my life; I don’t care about anything else.”
“I even recorded that.”
Jennifer stuck her tongue out in exasperation. Did she really record it in that short time?
“Understand. When interests are involved, people resort to underhanded tactics without thinking… Not that Bluebear is like that, but complications can arise, right?”
“What are you implying?”
Suhyun didn’t understand why Jennifer seemed genuinely angry. From what he’d seen, she wasn’t the type to misunderstand something this reasonable.
“I’m not doubting you. But even if you keep your promise, the Bluebear CEO could complicate things.”
“Exactly! You’re saying my dad would do that.”
“?!”
“Ah… Jennifer McClain?”
The officer immediately recognized her identity. Suhyun was genuinely surprised.
‘She’s the CEO’s daughter? No wonder she’s famous.’
Indeed, working as a front-team member for a major mercenary company, and being the CEO’s daughter, fame was inevitable.
“That’s right. So no need to worry about underhanded tricks. We’re not the type to break promises or betray.”
“If you say so, I can trust that. I apologize for doubting you.”
Suhyun said this, and Jennifer nodded with a look of self-evident understanding.
“We’ll head back now. We’ve contacted Bluebear, so someone should arrive soon.”
Though they had survived, half of the second team was effectively gone. The Bluebear CEO would be relieved that his missing daughter survived, but the damage remained.
“Then travel safely. I won’t see you off.”
“You’re cold. We’ll meet again anyway, so see you then.”
Jennifer said this, waved lightly, and left.
“Traversing the valley, exploring the ruins, and rescuing Bluebear’s second team all in under a month… There couldn’t be a better outcome. Truly remarkable!”
“Basic procedure.”
“Success?!”
Director of the Development Planning Bureau, Lee Wonjae, nearly overturned his teacup upon hearing the news on a lazy afternoon. He muttered low curses as he hurriedly set the cup down.
“Really? You’re not lying, are you?”
Not everyone qualified for this mission, but sometimes audacious types tried to cheat. They wanted big gains without doing real work.
“The report came from the base. The officer isn’t a liar. They verified everything before reporting.”
Choi Hyunmin had already changed and was ready to depart for the field.
“I’ve uploaded the report. Check it, but I’ll head out first. If this is true, it’s no small matter.”
“It’s no small matter, but…”
Lee Wonjae scratched his head, honestly a bit too flustered. His expectations when approving this mission weren’t that high.
He expected maybe a few survivors who could report back information. Nothing more. He had never imagined a team would traverse the area, fully record everything, and bring out all possible loot.
“They must have obtained information beforehand.”
“Huh?”
“Look at the organization. From supplies to time taken. Do you think that’s possible in an unknown area? A team of psionics all died there.”
“Ah…”
Choi Hyunmin nodded. The director’s point made sense. He had been impressed by the results without thinking about how they were possible. Uncle Joe Company’s team, except for the leader, were all non-psionics.
“So what? Is it nothing special?”
“Nothing special, you fool? Who says that?”
“I just meant obtaining prior information…”
“Obtaining prior intel is a skill. Why isn’t that significant? Do you think the team that died there failed because it was easy?”
Choi Hyunmin quietly lowered his head.
“I prefer teams who research thoroughly and execute perfectly, rather than those who rely solely on brute strength. You should understand that by now.”
“I see.”
“However…”
“?”
“I doubt such performance will always be possible. Gathering intel on Cameron Planet is extremely difficult. Maybe they got it for this valley, but elsewhere…”
“That’ll naturally reveal itself on the next mission, won’t it?”
“Exactly.”
Choi Hyunmin’s response was correct. On Cameron Planet, bluffing had its limits. Overreaching would eventually expose one’s true capability.
“A team like this hasn’t appeared in a while. I hope they last long.”
Though weaker in firepower than a psionic team, a team like this could succeed cleanly when done right. Even a brief look at the report showed how efficiently Uncle Joe Company had handled the mission.
“Check the surrounding area, provide the promised rewards, and manage them well. Understood?”
“Yes, of course.”
Successful operatives were invaluable. Each successful mission required recognition and gratitude from the government.
When the next mission would occur, and how, remained unknown. Lee Wonjae hoped Uncle Joe Company would become a reliable asset. Cameron Planet always lacked dependable personnel.
Currently, a few government-coordinated major company teams were cooperating, but few could be trusted.
‘The next mission will reveal whether this was luck.’
“…Was our building plot always this large?”
“No… what…”
The Uncle Joe Company team returned elated but were stunned. After reporting and receiving government thanks, they returned to the city. They rested, organized, and prepared for the next mission.
But the company premises had expanded several times over.
“You’re all here.”
“What is this?!”
“It’s much bigger now. A training ground will go there. The dorms will be expanded and built in the back.”
“There are less than ten of us. Why make it so big?”
“Because we have to. How long will we operate with only one team? Don’t you feel sorry for Team Leader Kim Suhyun?”
“Ugh… hitting a sore spot…”
The team was aware their company was small for the work they did. Few companies of this size accomplished so much.
“But even if land is cheap here, the cost must be significant.”
“Don’t worry. The government’s footing the bill.”
“Wow. Really? This is amazing…”
“Don’t dream too much; we don’t get everything we ask for. But…”
“?”
“The construction isn’t finished yet, especially the dorm expansion.”
“???”
“So we’ll have to stay somewhere else for about a week. They’ll pay, so stay at a city hotel.”
“That’s fine…”
“Perfect! When else would we get such luxury?”
The city hotel was obviously more comfortable than the dorms. The team quickly began planning to move.
“Wait.”
“Yes?”
“Check the artifacts before we scatter. These aren’t items I found alone.”
Though it sounded like he was considering the team, it wasn’t the real reason. The Lightning Axe wasn’t ideal for Suhyun to keep using. He already had psychokinesis, and someone else could use it more efficiently.
