Chapter : 66
Kebaswak Region (3)
The dark elf, whose true feelings had been exposed, showed a slightly surprised expression.
“Was I too obvious?”
“A little, yes.”
“Dealing with humans is a bit difficult. I’m still… adjusting.”
“Never mind that. Do you have the ability to deal with an ant ghost?”
The dark elf twirled the gun she was holding. It wasn’t an old model, but a recent one—a model frequently used by mercenaries. But that was all it amounted to. Ant ghosts were easier than other monsters, but they weren’t exactly easy prey like wild beasts.
Orcs, for example, hunted in groups. Even for a dark elf, thinking she could handle one alone with a single gun was overconfidence.
“With this?”
“If you don’t trust me, you can let me handle the ant ghost. I’ll take it down without using your strength.”
‘A psychic, perhaps?’
Just as the orcs had judged Suhyun to be an exceptional talent for coming this far alone, Suhyun also thought the same of the dark elf. A dark elf wandering alone outside their territory must have some trump card.
“You don’t need to help.”
“….”
A trace of disappointment appeared on the dark elf’s face. But Suhyun wasn’t finished speaking.
“However, it doesn’t matter if we travel together. If we spot an ant ghost along the way, feel free to take it down.”
“!”
The dark elf perked up her long ears and nodded confidently.
“Good. Leave it to me!”
“Wait. Are you really going to take that dark elf along?”
“What’s the difference? You brought them too. A couple more won’t change anything now.”
“Ugh…”
Mogok grimaced in open displeasure. As an orc, it was rare for him to express emotion so clearly without speaking.
‘Even if we leave her, she’ll probably follow anyway. Besides…’
Suhyun was also curious about the dark elf’s skills. Dark elves rarely appeared in this area, so if she had hidden abilities, he wanted to see them.
“My name is Drijit Shaina. Yours?”
“I’m Kim Suhyun. And this orc is…”
“Ah, no need to introduce him.”
“I don’t want to hear your introduction either, dark elf!”
“I don’t want to waste time here, so let’s both shut up. I see you don’t get along, so I’ll set the rules: I’ll look for my friends, you look for the ant ghost. That’s it. No need to talk to each other. Whoever speaks first…”
Suhyun trailed off, but both understood perfectly.
“Alright. Let’s move out again.”
“Kim Suhyun, then… are you a mercenary?”
Shaina asked as they walked. Just as Suhyun was curious about her, she was curious about him. Humans weren’t common in this area, especially a lone human traveling with orcs like Suhyun.
“You seem to know humans pretty well.”
“You seem to be under a misconception. I’m different from the local orcs here. I know humans, and I’ve even been inside human cities.”
“Hm…”
Suhyun nodded. Considering Shaina’s possessions and the way she spoke, it wasn’t surprising that she had been in a city.
“You’re a mercenary, right?”
“Yes.”
“I thought so. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be wandering around here alone.”
Mogok seemed curious about their conversation. Unable to understand their language, he naturally wondered what they were saying.
“And you?”
“Me? Uh… sort of. I do similar work. Usually more like a hunter.”
“?”
“Simply put, I work when there’s money in it.”
“Oh, I see.”
Suhyun understood. On the Cameron planet, not all mercenaries moved in organized groups. Some hunters worked alone, like troll hunters, and explorers or hunters often moved independently for valuable information or special commissions.
‘We even have orc mercenaries ourselves…’
“Has anyone requested the corpse of the ant ghost? Ah, for its venom?”
“Huh? How did you know?”
Shaina looked at Suhyun with astonishment. He had guessed the request she had received with startling accuracy.
“Why are you surprised? The ant ghost doesn’t have anything worth much besides its venom.”
“You’ve caught one before? I didn’t think humans would know…”
“I mostly didn’t know either.”
Even the Jindotgae Team 1 hadn’t known and suffered because of it.
“Rare venom sells for a lot. You… really aren’t greedy, are you?”
“I said I’m not interested. Don’t worry.”
Shaina regarded him with suspicion. The mercenaries she knew were all greedy. A mercenary knowing the ant ghost’s venom was rare and valuable yet not wanting it was unusual.
‘That venom… isn’t that valuable.’
The ant ghost’s venom wasn’t particularly valuable. Its rarity added merit, but Suhyun didn’t need it desperately. More than that, he was curious about the dark elf. Using her racial traits, she seemed to take on various commissions, which almost certainly meant she was a psychic. A non-psychic couldn’t manage that.
“A dark elf working as a hunter…”
“Not common? I’ve heard that a few times already…”
“No, not that. I was just asking if you want something.”
“Money.”
“Uh, not just money…?”
“No, just money. Always money.”
“Usually, people collect money to do something with it, right?”
“Not me. The only thing better than money for me is…”
“?”
“More money.”
“….”
Even someone as experienced as Suhyun on Cameron planet had never met such a unique non-human.
“Of course, I’m not just collecting money. I plan to use it too.”
“I don’t care about that. What’s the plan?”
“To buy an amazing mansion outside a human city and build an incredible facility there.”
“Hmm, I support that. By the way, you’re a psychic, right?”
“What?!”
“?”
“Do mercenaries’ equipment include psychic detectors?!”
“No… I just guessed. Only a psychic could handle independent contracts like this, right?”
When Suhyun explained, Shaina finally nodded.
“You’re a psychic.”
“Your power?”
“That’s a secret.”
It would be strange to reveal her abilities to a stranger. A lone worker like her would naturally be cautious.
“I don’t know your power, but if you’re a psychic…”
Bang!
“What’s that sound?”
“Sounds like something hitting…”
Crash! Crack!
Suhyun signaled them to step back. The noise was coming from behind a wall. As soon as they moved, cracks appeared and the wall began to collapse.
Dust rose into the air. When it settled, a group appeared. Suhyun recognized their faces and smiled.
“Who are you?”
It was the leader of Jindotgae Team 1, Lee Jung-woo. His voice was hoarse with fatigue. Suhyun confirmed everyone was safe and spoke with relief.
“I’m so glad you’re all safe.”
Jindotgae Team 1 had been wandering deeper underground than Suhyun had thought. They could have used a map generator to leave, but the shock from the ant ghost’s attack had destroyed their equipment storage robot.
Although ambushed unexpectedly, they quickly killed the ant ghost. It didn’t even get a chance to bite its prey before being crushed by psychic power.
No one was seriously injured, and while some equipment was broken, supplies remained sufficient. Initially relieved, they believed they could eventually exit despite being blocked from above.
But after wandering further, that relief turned to unease. Creating a path by breaking walls was one solution.
“Everyone safe, right?”
“Yes.”
Lee Jung-woo still looked dazed. He hadn’t expected to meet the new team leader from Uncle Joe Company here.
“Amazing. Jindotgae Team 1 really is incredible!”
“…? We are, but…”
He felt oddly uneasy. Suhyun wasn’t mocking, but something felt off.
“Hey, how long will you stay here? If you came to rescue us, can we leave now? Do you know how long we’ve been wandering?”
“I know, that’s why I came. Don’t worry. By the way, judging by this location, it’s not far from where the ant ghost attacked. Where’s its corpse?”
“Not far. Turn right at that passage, and it’ll be right there.”
Hearing this, Shaina looked at Suhyun for permission. He shrugged, and she ran ahead.
‘Ah, now that I think of it, the ant ghost’s venom…’
“What’s with that dark elf?”
“Met her to guide the way.”
“That orc too?”
“Yes. Say hello, Mogok. They’re my friends.”
“Apologies, warrior. You really came to rescue your comrades.”
Mogok bowed sincerely, clearly mistaking Suhyun for a devoted friend who came alone to save others. Suhyun noticed but said nothing.
‘Effectively, it’s the same, isn’t it?’
“Ughhhh!”
“What’s that sound?”
“Ignore it. Just someone despairing.”
Thinking about it, the ant ghost’s venom was highly volatile. Had Jindotgae Team 1 killed it immediately, the venom would already be dry. True to Suhyun’s prediction, Shaina soon reappeared, her ears lowered.
“What’s wrong?”
“The venom has dried.”
“Too bad.”
“Damn… there weren’t many to begin with… Finding another one would be tough, right?”
“Not recommended.”
Ahem!
“?”
Lee Jung-woo cleared his throat to get Suhyun’s attention. Despite the chaos, he maintained dignity. He realized Suhyun hadn’t arrived here casually to rescue them. He felt guilty urging him impatiently.
“Ah, let’s get moving?”
“As soon as possible…”
“If you wanted to leave immediately, just say so. Let’s go! Oh, anyone hurt? Treat them first.”
“???”
Lee Jung-woo felt a strange disconnect. When he first met Suhyun after the fight in Redwood Forest, he was sharp and arrogant. But now Suhyun was so kind and gentle—it felt like a different person.
‘Wait… why did someone from Uncle Joe Company come? Jindotgae also has a healer…’
Lee Jung-woo’s head wasn’t working clearly, worn out from endless wandering underground. Outside, he would have immediately guessed something upon seeing someone from Uncle Joe Company.
“Dark elf. We’re heading up now. Will you keep wandering here or come with us?”
“Call me Shaina… Shall we go up together?”
“If we’re not continuing the ant ghost hunt, we should visit the city anyway. If you don’t want to, it’s fine to go separately.”
“No… I don’t mind.”
Shaina looked at Suhyun in disbelief.
‘Doesn’t she realize I’m a dark elf?’
“Then let’s go. There’s no danger nearby, so follow safely.”
Suhyun clapped once to draw attention, then led the way. The strange group—Jindotgae Team 1, Suhyun, the dark elf, and the orc—set off toward the surface.
