Chapter : 74
Suhyeon was truly caught off guard for the first time in a long while. It was a question he hadn’t expected at all.
Power armor wasn’t something just anyone could pilot. The number of pilots capable of operating one was limited, and among them, skilled pilots were even rarer. That was why Lee Sohee had been treated with such respect.
“Come to think of it, I never got a license…!”
Of course, that didn’t really affect the mission. No one here would check Suhyeon’s license and report him. Moreover, as long as he wasn’t racing through the city in power armor, the government would protect him even if a report came in. The planetary administration wouldn’t kick out a talent like him over something trivial.
“Damn it… I’m focusing on work, but I can’t believe I overlooked the basics…”
Suhyeon clicked his tongue inwardly. In the process of setting goals and pushing himself to the limit, he often made small mistakes he normally wouldn’t notice.
“I’ll have to get the license as soon as I get back.”
After capturing the rock giant, the Development Planning Bureau would make things easy for him. Then, he could pass a simple test and secure the license.
“So, when did you get it?”
“Focus. This isn’t a sightseeing trip.”
“Yes!”
“We’ll start moving right after resting at the base. There’s no need to announce that we’re hunting the rock giant beforehand, so minimize private conversations even at the base.”
“Yes, understood!”
Suhyeon stared at Kim Chang-sik, who had responded cheerfully, with a cold expression. It was as if his face said, ‘You’re the one I’m most worried about.’
“Squad member Park Soo-yong… stick with Kim Chang-sik.”
“Understood.”
“Good. Let’s rest until we reach the base. There won’t be much time to rest later.”
The preparations for the hunting plan and how they would act were already completed before departure. It was best to rest whenever they could.
“What’s the name of the team currently using this base?”
Outerf region had a relatively high number of operations, so naturally, many bases were established. However, it was rare for the government to manage them alone. Usually, they subcontracted a mercenary company to share responsibility and reduce costs.
“Gaongil.”
‘Don’t recall that name.’
At least the fact that the company co-managed the base with the government indicated it was a company of some scale. Suhyeon closed his eyes, trying to remember, but he had never heard of Gaongil.
‘Well… mercenary companies appear and disappear all the time.’
On Cameron Planet, nothing was absolute. Suhyeon had far more pressing concerns than the other mercenaries he might meet at the base. This mission would essentially be Suhyeon’s one-man show. Even if the other squad members trusted him and followed, he had no one to rely on.
“All requested supplies and equipment are ready in Zone C. Zone A is used by Gaongil’s mercenaries, so please refrain from entering.”
“Understood.”
“They won’t come to Zone C either. The only overlapping path is probably the cafeteria, so it won’t be too inconvenient. Any other questions?”
The staff was extremely cautious, worried that the Uncle Joe Company members might get angry. It wasn’t an unreasonable request, but among mercenaries, there were plenty of volatile personalities. No matter the company’s control, strong abilities and constant life-risking work naturally revealed one’s true nature.
Even minor issues could spark conflict among mercenaries, yet the Uncle Joe Company members hadn’t complained at all.
“None.”
If they caused trouble, Suhyeon would deal with them harshly. He strictly managed his team’s behavior.
“Unpack your things and rest until we depart tomorrow. Anyone who wants to eat, go ahead. Don’t wander around unnecessarily.”
“And you, team leader?”
“I’ll grab a quick bite and come back. Feeling a little peckish.”
“Let’s go together. I’m hungry too.”
Shaina rubbed her stomach as she spoke. Suhyeon nodded, letting her do as she pleased. As they walked down the corridor, Shaina asked with curiosity,
“Even among mercenaries, they’re not that friendly with each other, huh?”
“Friendly ones are rare. Usually, it’s best to stay distant… avoid contact unless necessary.”
Being in a foreign land doing tough work didn’t create camaraderie. Other mercenaries were potential competitors who could undermine business or steal the jackpot first.
“Wait, so it won’t cause trouble because of me?”
“They’re not hooligans. No one will openly cause trouble, and anyone stirring conflict in a government base isn’t looking to do business. Don’t worry. Working together doesn’t just mean using your skills—it means sharing responsibility for everything.”
Shaina looked slightly touched, but Suhyeon was thinking something else.
‘If someone’s unlucky, they might still pick a fight.’
If everyone acted rationally and reasonably, the world would already be peaceful. Suhyeon knew too well that many of those roaming the uncharted areas of Cameron Planet were crazy.
‘Well, if they start trouble, I’ll just respond immediately…’
He didn’t even consider losing. The real worry was handling the aftermath. Planning to crush any troublemakers first and then call Choi Hyun-min, Suhyeon continued walking.
“?!”
Across the cafeteria were Gaongil’s mercenaries. But Suhyeon wasn’t surprised by the presence of people—it was because he recognized some faces.
‘Joo Won-jun… why is he here? And even Seo Kang-seok…’
Joo Won-jun and Seo Kang-seok were people Suhyeon had known in the past.
The position Suhyeon now sought was roughly the same as Joo Won-jun’s before his regression: a private mercenary company with exceptional skills and government support. Joo Won-jun’s team had always been highly rated, and the government treated them cautiously. Suhyeon had met them a few times due to operations.
‘Still annoying faces… oh, I see. They must have split off from Gaongil.’
Suhyeon started piecing together their recent history. In his previous life, they hadn’t used the Gaongil name, so it made sense they had branched off. Even large mercenary companies sometimes had teams that became independent, but seeing them like this felt fresh.
“Uh, they’re staring fiercely over there…”
“Ah, sorry.”
Suhyeon realized he had been staring too blatantly while lost in thought. Joo Won-jun and Seo Kang-seok noticed and made displeased faces.
Joo Won-jun was a highly skilled operator, and Seo Kang-seok a strong subordinate. Suhyeon had previously used Seo Kang-seok as an example to discipline his underlings.
Standing still any longer might provoke trouble, so Suhyeon moved to get his food. After getting a plate of tomato spaghetti, he sat down.
“Why were you staring like that? I thought you were picking a fight.”
“Just curious.”
“…?”
Shaina tilted her head, glancing at Gaongil’s members. Seo Kang-seok was big like a bear, Joo Won-jun had a sharp look, but nothing extremely unusual.
“Let’s eat before it gets cold.”
‘A summoner and a bartender… tempting, but I can’t take them in anyway.’
Summoner—that was Joo Won-jun’s nickname. A lot of preparation went into it, but once ready, it wasn’t a bothersome skill.
Seo Kang-seok was called the bartender because of his poison expertise. His skill in combining and handling poisons rivaled Suhyeon’s, and unlike Suhyeon, he had a poison-related psychic ability. Suhyeon didn’t know exactly what it was, but judging from his mastery, it was clearly optimized.
The problem was that these two were unpredictable. Suhyeon was gathering talent urgently but couldn’t just take anyone.
‘If I bring in a venomous guy and he bites someone, it’d be a disaster.’
One strength of Uncle Joe Company’s members was their integrity. Jo Seung-hyun had a precise eye for people. The certainty that they wouldn’t stab him in the back was a huge advantage.
In contrast, Joo Won-jun was full of ambition. Such a person wouldn’t work under anyone. Suhyeon had also heard some bad rumors about him. Rumors were just rumors, but Suhyeon knew there was some truth hidden in them.
‘Can’t trust him. Is there a way to make use of him? Even if not Joo Won-jun, maybe I could take Seo Kang-seok… too risky.’
Seo Kang-seok’s loyalty was famous. Seeing him here, it was clear he was loyal to Joo Won-jun. Interfering could backfire.
‘It would be convenient to have someone good with poisons… but here, I have to do everything myself from start to finish…’
Suhyeon grumbled internally as he ate the spaghetti, barely tasting it while thinking about other matters. Watching his spaghetti disappear instantly, Shaina clicked her tongue.
“You’re a Dark Elf, aren’t you?”
“Ignore it and eat.”
“How can I ignore a Dark Elf in the base? If he poisons something, we’ll eat it ourselves.”
“If you get poisoned, ask Kang-seok for the antidote.”
“Team leader… can’t you joke? Anyway, what are they doing, putting a Dark Elf here… ugh!”
The mercenary talking had fallen forward—Joo Won-jun had kicked him. In a cold voice, he said,
“Did I sound ridiculous?”
“Ah, no!”
“Then keep your gaze down and eat.”
“……”
Like a cat-faced mouse, the mercenary resumed eating with a crushed spirit.
Even though he said that to the mercenary, Joo Won-jun was also curious. Being here meant government approval, so they must be a team sent to work in the area.
‘A Dark Elf too… what are these guys up to?’
He had no intention of provoking trouble like the mercenary just kicked. Doing so here would be like cutting off his own flesh.
‘I’ll ask when I return.’
Joo Won-jun knew it too—fortune only comes to those prepared. Creating results from unexpected opportunities was skill. If they were moving based on valuable information…
Suhyeon and Joo Won-jun didn’t meet eyes but thought intensely about how to use each other.
“Uh, I finished eating.”
“Oh, already? Let’s get up.”
“……”
Even though she had finished, Suhyeon seemed lost in thought, so she waited.
“What are you worrying about? The rock giant? Or Keshika?”
“No, sorry for making you worry. I’m the team leader, so no need for useless concern.”
“Fine if you say so…”
Shaina hesitated but didn’t ask further once Suhyeon cut her off. Working alongside hostile individuals had taught her tact.
“Uncle Joe Company? Oh, the team that handled the Kakrita Valley incident?”
Joo Won-jun knew people in the Development Planning Bureau. He was highly attuned to government affairs. Naturally, he had heard of Suhyeon’s team that solved Kakrita Valley.
“Yes.”
“Why are guys like that here? Shouldn’t they head further south to explore?”
“That… I can’t say.”
He hadn’t expected an explanation anyway. Joo Won-jun nodded and let the man go.
“Uncle Joe Company… interesting team. Considering the personnel, entering Kakrita Valley… impressive.”
“Impressive?”
“Not so much. They probably had prior intel before going in. I wouldn’t dare do that myself.”
Even when gathering information, Joo Won-jun’s style was to first send in a few disposable units to check before entering.
“Why are such people here? There shouldn’t be newly discovered resources here. To find more, you’d have to go south or into the mountains.”
