Chapter : 68
Preparation (1)
“Ah… Red Pig Mushroom…”
The image that popped into Suhyun’s mind was the Red Pig Mushroom. One of the items that drew the orcs into this underground area. But to humans, it held no real value.
The orcs around here used this mushroom in many ways, from cooking to enhancing health or as medicine, but that was because their unique physiology made the mushroom effective for them. Humans wouldn’t gain much from eating it.
The reason Suhyun thought of such a trivial mushroom was because there had been a scam involving the Red Pig Mushroom that had once made the news a few years back.
“Wait… can I even tell them to collect this?”
Things from the Cameron planet always carried an air of mystique. Substances like troll blood, for instance, had effects unseen on Earth, so people’s fascination wasn’t unreasonable. One common advertising phrase on Earth was “Made with XXX from the Cameron planet~.”
Naturally, some people exploited this. Among them, the scam involving the Red Pig Mushroom had been relatively large-scale.
“They set it up at the company level and flooded the ads… if I remember correctly, strong ads about the Red Pig Mushroom will start within two years. Ads claiming ‘The secret to the orcs’ stamina and virility!’ with provocative slogans. I remember my colleagues were tempted to buy it too. Of course, supply ran out, so they never even got a chance to touch it.”
Eventually, once proper research started and it was announced that it had no significant effects on humans, the craze quickly died down. But for six months to a year, the Red Pig Mushroom had been an absolute hit.
“If I stockpile it, I won’t lose out… but it shouldn’t cause problems, right? After all, the scam isn’t being run by me or these orcs. It’s by someone else.”
Even dozens of enemies charging at him radiating murderous intent weren’t as terrifying as government agencies rushing to arrest him for fraud. Suhyun hesitated briefly, then made his decision.
“Red Pig Mushroom. Collect the Red Pig Mushrooms.”
“Red Pig Mushrooms? Humans like those?”
“Not right now. But gather them. I guarantee, stockpiling them won’t lead to a loss. Dry them and store them well. As many as possible.”
“Red Pig Mushrooms last a long time, so it won’t be hard… but… do you really need that many?”
Mogok was puzzled. He couldn’t understand what Suhyun was aiming for.
“If you don’t trust me, don’t do it.”
“No… I’ll do it. That much is doable.”
“When do we depart?”
Jungwoo shouted from a distance. They had been waiting apart while Suhyun talked with the orcs. There was a faint tension in his voice—he was impatient to return quickly and see what had happened.
At first, it had seemed normal, but now it felt strange. Uncle Joe Company’s team leader coming to rescue them? What had happened?
“Everything’s ready. Let’s go. Then…”
Suhyun tapped Mogok’s shoulder. Investing in other species was always about looking to the future. The little kindnesses he showed might not always be repaid, but one successful outcome could make up for everything.
“I hope we meet again.”
“…”
“Let’s depart!”
Suhyun turned without regret. The rest was up to the orcs. Forcing them now wouldn’t change anything.
“Was there a base here?”
“It hasn’t been long since it was built.”
Shaina blinked her green eyes in curiosity. They had returned to a newly established base near the Redwood Forest.
“——-!”
“?!”
A shout rang out from inside the base. Shaina’s ears twitched in surprise, though she couldn’t understand the words.
“What’s that? What’s happening?”
“Ah. Don’t worry. It’s just them realizing reality.”
Thanks to wandering the endless labyrinth, the Jin-dogs Team 1 had become stiff in the head. Returning to the base in the Redwood Forest, they now faced reality.
“Three artifacts…?”
“We had no choice! Do you think we accepted those conditions willingly? Think about our situation! Not a single member of your team was missing, so how could we send in more?”
Jungwoo felt as if his head had been struck with a hammer upon returning. Only then did he understand Suhyun’s seemingly kind attitude. Even Suhyun would be that accommodating. If it meant acquiring three artifacts without fighting monsters, who wouldn’t?
“…”
Seeing Jungwoo sitting silently in a chair, bowing his head, the Jin-dog staff felt sorry. They tried to explain, but Team 1 had also endured a difficult return. Normally, they would have been ecstatic to see everyone return safely, but hearing the circumstances from Jungwoo, they couldn’t feel happy. Of course, their situation was unavoidable. Even if they went back in time, they’d make the same choice. But handing over three artifacts immediately still left a bitter taste.
“At least everyone returned safely. It could have been worse.”
“Phew…”
Jungwoo bit his lips. From the Jin-dog perspective, having imagined the worst, the mere fact that Team 1 returned safely was a huge relief. But from Team 1’s standpoint, who hadn’t faced real danger and only got lost, it was hard to accept.
“Were the artifacts already decided?”
“No, there was no time. They just established the basics and departed immediately. The artifacts will be decided after returning.”
“Breaking the contract is…”
“Impossible. They’re not idiots. With the government involved, there’s no way they could risk it.”
“Damn it…”
“For now, check everyone’s health upon returning. If there are no problems, we can start again then.”
“Everyone’s in excellent health, so no worries.”
While Jungwoo and the Jin-dog staff discussed this, Suhyun rested at the government base. Officials rushed as soon as they learned Team 1 had returned safely.
“Ah. Thank you.”
“Director Seo Jungbeom will arrive soon. Please wait a moment…”
“Take your time. There’s no rush now, right?”
“Do you need anything else?”
“No, if anything comes up, I’ll call. You can go about your work.”
The officials treated Suhyun politely. For them, no matter what Jin-dog paid, the safe return of Team 1 was most important. As long as the balance around the Redwood Forest wasn’t disrupted, nothing else mattered.
Since Suhyun had brought Team 1 back safely, they couldn’t help but be grateful. Being rude could backfire later.
“Were you… someone important?”
“Me? No. It’s just a special situation.”
“?”
“People tend to humble themselves when they’re desperate.”
Suhyun’s words were thoughtful. The rest of the cleanup wasn’t his concern. The government, pleased that Team 1 returned, would restore the Redwood Forest area. Being reasonable, things would soon return to normal.
He could already imagine Jin-dog’s internal reactions: first relief at their return, then dismay and anger at the situation, then eventual acceptance. The tedious contract process ensured they couldn’t run away. Even if they tried by force, they couldn’t.
What Suhyun needed to focus on now was the artifacts.
‘They must be feeling bitter.’
Even if the contract couldn’t be broken openly, small tricks were possible. There was no reason to publicly reveal artifacts held by a private company. Jin-dog also likely had some undisclosed artifacts.
‘Getting those would be impossible anyway.’
Suhyun had no intention of acquiring artifacts managed that way. Too much greed would cause problems. He had already managed to get three artifacts almost effortlessly. Pushing further would provoke Jin-dog.
The real issue was filling the list with worthless artifacts. If Jin-dog insisted, it could become messy.
‘I should get the info in advance.’
Suhyun decided to request from Jo Seunghyun some public information on the artifacts Jin-dog had used.
“Monster…!”
“You start off by saying that?”
Jo Seunghyun stared at Suhyun, disbelief on his face. Normal logic seemed to have no effect on him.
“I was just lucky in many ways. Things went exactly as expected, so it ended smoothly. Otherwise, it would’ve been a headache. Ah, did you get what I told you earlier?”
“It’s here. But would Jin-dog give it willingly?”
“They’ll be upset, but they have to. Holding out won’t solve anything.”
Suhyun quickly scanned the list. There were many types of artifacts, making it hard to choose at once, but not this time. Suhyun already knew which artifacts he wanted.
‘They must be the ones with firepower.’
From handling the Karkrita Valley situation to venturing alone into the Kebaswak region and bringing back Team 1, Suhyun had already built enough reputation. While Team 1 might be grinding their teeth, others were impressed.
But this had all been exploiting the Cameron planet’s loopholes, not a direct confrontation. Everyone watching—from the government to Uncle Joe Company—probably had one question:
Does Uncle Joe Company, despite its skills, have the power for a direct confrontation?
Now it was time to answer that. With the additional artifacts and the newly recruited psychic, they could prove a direct confrontation was possible.
‘The next mission is a purge.’
Clearing monsters from a specific area. Nothing better for demonstrating power. This would be a blatant performance of Uncle Joe Company’s strength.
“Let’s finish this quickly and start moving. Jin-dog won’t like waiting too long.”
“Wait, wait.”
“?”
“Who’s that Dark Elf?”
Shaina looked sullenly at Jo Seunghyun and Suhyun, feeling left out of the conversation.
“Oh. A newly recruited talent. We’ll add them to the team after seeing their ability. I’ll explain in detail later.”
“A Dark Elf, right?”
“So what?”
Jo Seunghyun paused, sensing something from Suhyun’s tone.
“They’re reliable, right? Won’t cause trouble in the team…”
“When have I ever done anything unreliable?”
“…Right. If you say it’s fine, it must be fine.”
“Not asking as much as I expected?”
“What’s the point in questioning someone who proves results?”
Suhyun chuckled. To observers, it must be astonishing. He had never failed, charging forward as if out of control.
“How long do we have to wait?”
“Done. Now, show us your powers. But first… boss, explain the conditions.”
“Oh, ah, yes.”
A Dark Elf was unfamiliar even to Jo Seunghyun. Slightly embarrassed, he took out the documents. The tall Shaina stood, expressionless, pressing on with her gaze.
Activating the translation device, Shaina began reading the conditions. Suhyun hadn’t lied—it was far better than working alone. He stepped closer to emphasize:
“These are our recent earnings.”
“…!!”
Shaina’s green eyes trembled in shock.
“We’ll make a second team, but we won’t put a psychic like you there. You’ll work with Team 1. Of course, you’ll need to show your ability first. Ready?”
“Of course!”
