Chapter : 73
Hunting the Rock Giant (1)
“The Rock Giant inflicted devastating damage on the soldiers who first ventured into the Euterp region. It’s partly because of the damage it caused that the military still can’t roam freely on Cameron Planet.”
Once the team’s training had progressed to a reasonable degree, Suhyun called them into the conference room. Since they hadn’t normally used such a facility, their expressions were slightly awkward.
But that awkwardness vanished as soon as Suhyun began speaking. They were now fully-fledged residents of Cameron Planet, but the tension that came with a new mission was unavoidable.
“It was a joint operation between the South Korean and U.S. forces, but the U.S. troops took more damage. They’ve been itching to get back at it ever since.”
One of the Rock Giant’s defining traits was its immense physical durability. Soldiers who relied on the sheer firepower of their weapons had to experience the true terror of Cameron Planet firsthand.
“The first bounty on it was twelve million dollars. Then it went up to fifteen, and now it’s twenty million. Do you know why?”
“…?”
“Because of the people who failed?”
“Yes, exactly.”
Despite the damage, the U.S. forces didn’t just sit idly by. They didn’t launch a direct extermination due to incompatibilities, but they set bounties. Several small teams of superpowered individuals had attempted challenges since then.
And now, the bounty had nearly doubled. But the team didn’t rejoice at the high reward; a high bounty meant the target was extremely difficult to handle.
“This monster possesses almost all the advantages a strong monster should have: cunning intelligence, a solid build, and tricky special abilities. In fact, almost no mercenaries today are attempting to catch it.”
The team capable of capturing the Rock Giant wasn’t in a position to risk themselves unnecessarily. On Cameron Planet, tasks weren’t divided by whether you could do them, but whether someone had reason to do them.
“Our mission this time is to catch this monster.”
Most of the team reacted indifferently. Suhyun had a history of tackling difficult targets, and he always had a method. More importantly, they didn’t harbor any real fear of the Rock Giant.
However, those who knew the Rock Giant well turned pale. Shaina’s fear showed only in her expression, but Gorgan looked genuinely shocked.
“We’re catching the Rock Giant? Really?”
“Yes. Any problem with that?”
“……”
When Gorgan clamped his mouth shut, the others turned to look at him. It was rare for him to be this shocked.
“Hey, are you okay?”
“It’s understandable to be shocked. You humans might not get it, but for those of us who’ve fought giants directly, the feeling’s different, right?”
Gorgan nodded at Suhyun’s question.
“Our tribe has two rules when dealing with giant monsters.”
“Oh? What are they?”
Kim Chang-sik asked curiously.
“The first rule: if you encounter one, run without exception.”
“…Not very helpful. And the second?”
“If you still want to fight, remember the first rule.”
“……”
It was clear how much orcs feared giant monsters.
‘Humans can just avoid them if they want, but for orcs, that’s hell.’
Human cities were monster-free safe zones. If a monster appeared, they could avoid it or return later; the lost time and effort didn’t threaten survival.
But for other races, they had to confront monsters in their own territory. Lacking advanced technology, they could only rely on their bodies and supernatural powers.
“Shaina, do you have anything to add about giant monsters?”
“Not really. There weren’t any where we lived. But our approach was similar to what the orc just said: don’t fight, just run.”
“I see. But we’re not exploring this time—we’re going in to catch it. So don’t get scared already; it won’t help.”
“How do you plan to catch it?”
“Good question. Every monster has a weakness. This one is no exception.”
Suhyun believed humanity’s greatest weapon wasn’t advanced technology or superpowered individuals—it was analytical thinking. Even after failure, information accumulates, and eventually, a method emerges. That was humanity’s way.
The Rock Giant hadn’t been caught by Suhyun’s team before. As the Euterp region developed and humans expanded their territory, the mountainous area where the Rock Giant hid also needed to be explored. Several aligned groups ultimately managed to bring it down.
After that, the Rock Giant was analyzed, and Suhyun had carefully read all the information. There was no guarantee it would only appear in one place.
“Did the Rock Giant have a weakness?”
“Visible or not, easy to see or not—there’s no monster without a weakness. Keep looking, and you’ll find it. The Rock Giant has a few weaknesses.”
Suhyun projected a holographic image. Since the Korean forces had fought it before, relevant data remained. It looked like a massive clump of rock rising to form a creature. The team shuddered at the sight.
“The Rock Giants we’ve seen so far were roughly five to seven meters tall. The one we’ll encounter will probably be around five meters. As you can see, ordinary firearms won’t even scratch it.”
“So we’re still bringing power armor?”
“No. Is this the only one in Euterp? Plus, considering mobility, power armor is necessary. Last time was the exception; don’t underestimate it.”
Power armor, designed for exploring Cameron Planet, was generally available, so it was never a disadvantage.
“Ordinary weapons don’t work, but attacks from supernatural powers do.”
“Uh… team leader.”
“Yes?”
“If it’s made of rock, wouldn’t the Lightning Axe—though an artifact—be less effective?”
“Probably.”
“?!”
“Don’t worry. The Lightning Axe won’t be our main weapon in this hunt anyway.”
Suhyun handed them a document outlining the plan.
“The core of the plan will be the Ring of Confusion and the Rock Spear.”
“Targeting the back?”
One of the team asked after reading. Suhyun nodded.
“Yes, the back.”
The Rock Giant’s weakness was its back—the equivalent of human shoulder blades. Attacking there would collapse its massive, solid body as if it were a lie. Of course, the extermination team didn’t know this and had to attack from all sides, but Suhyun, knowing this, didn’t need such unnecessary effort.
“The monster is highly hostile toward intruders. When we appear, it’ll attack. If the main squad engages it from the front to buy time, I’ll climb to its back and strike its weakness with the Rock Spear.”
Fortunately, the Rock Giant wasn’t particularly agile. Small teams could easily dodge and buy time.
“It’s cunning and experienced with humans. It knows what happens if you use a weapon or supernatural power.”
Even monsters learned from humans. Suhyun knew this well. Facing a monster that had adapted after several encounters was no small task.
“Tricks won’t work. Kim Chang-sik, fire is fine, but don’t let it touch its body. More than twice and it won’t work.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Even a cunning monster won’t anticipate our method, so don’t be scared.”
Despite Suhyun telling them not to worry, the team chuckled. Even in tense planning sessions, Suhyun’s confidence prevented despair from settling in. Whatever he planned could be done.
Shaina admired this silently. Suhyun seemed like an exceptional leader, far beyond what she expected. Alone, he seemed like a lone wolf…
‘Interesting. Usually, someone with ability tends to be arrogant, right?’
In her experience, young and capable people often preferred working alone. Initially, Suhyun seemed similar. But with the team, he answered even trivial questions earnestly and explained plans with patience.
“What’s this stealth ability? You said it hides using terrain…”
“Exactly as I said. It’s excellent at camouflage, especially in mountainous areas.”
One of the Rock Giant’s trickiest traits. If the surrounding area was mountainous, it could blend with the terrain.
Mercenaries in Euterp avoided mountainous regions, and if entering, they maintained distance whenever rock-like formations appeared together.
“That sounds awful.”
Being slow, the Rock Giant compensated in other ways. Ambushing intruders while camouflaged was its favorite tactic.
“Don’t worry. It’s only scary if you don’t know. If you know, it’s just tricky.”
Moreover, Suhyun knew how to reveal its camouflage.
“If there are no more questions, resume training. We’re not leaving immediately, so train until then.”
A collective groan escaped from the team. They were mostly accustomed to the use of artifacts and new techniques, but Suhyun wasn’t satisfied. He pushed them until everyone was exhausted.
“To the training ground!”
As they moved, Suhyun called Shaina last.
“Wait a moment.”
“Hm?”
“I didn’t mention it in front of the team, but if we enter Euterp this time, I want to bring Keshika.”
“That? Really?”
“I need it for personal reasons.”
Mentioning Keshika in front of the team could cause misunderstandings later when experimenting with Kang In-gyu. Fewer people knowing was better.
“I’m hired, so I’ll do as asked… How can I help?”
“Is it somewhere hard to find?”
“No, not really. Since we’re hunting the Rock Giant, it should be in a similar area. Visible in the mountains.”
“Alright, then keep an eye on it during the mission. If the opportunity arises, you can move alone.”
“Is it okay to be so relaxed while facing a Rock Giant?”
“If we find it, there’s a bonus.”
“…I’ll definitely find it!”
Shaina perked up immediately and left. Suhyun chuckled. Being upfront made her easier to manage.
‘I’ve gotten Kang In-gyu to the point where he can be moved roughly, and looking at the other trained ones… We can depart within two weeks.’
The objective was simple: kill the Rock Giant and, as a bonus, find Keshika. Suhyun was itching to experiment on Kang In-gyu as soon as possible.
“Achoo!”
“What’s wrong? Feeling a cold?”
“Ah, I’m fine!”
Unlike when he was with Jindo Dog Team 10, Kang In-gyu seemed to have adapted to the team. Others didn’t resent him; they actually felt a bit sorry he was under intensive training from Suhyun.
After repeated training and practice, Suhyun felt ready and coordinated the schedule. The Uncle Joe Company team departed fully prepared for Euterp.
Working with the government meant they didn’t have to walk themselves. The team inside the government transport vehicle made small talk.
“By the way, team leader, you’re getting power armor support this time, right?”
“Yes.”
Though not military issue, the government provided civilian power armor for support. Suhyun had requested it before departure.
“Who’s driving it?”
“Me.”
It was obvious to Suhyun, so he wondered why the question was asked. Kim Dong-wook clapped his hand in admiration.
“Oh, team leader, you have a license too? Amazing.”
‘…!’
