Chapter : 79
A Long Road Toward Poison Mastery (1)
Ever since the report that the Rock Giant had been captured came up from the base, consecutive meetings had erupted within the Development Planning Bureau.
Should they hire Uncle Joe Company as a full-time team to ensure more efficient operations, or should they wait a little longer?
The result was overwhelmingly in favor of the former. In a situation where talented personnel were hard to find, waiting any longer carried the risk that Uncle Joe Company might be scooped up by a large American company. They still remembered Blue Bear.
In the end, the conclusion was made to hire Uncle Joe Company’s Team 1 as a full-time team, led by the bureau chief. Talent was too hard to secure. If they hesitated and lost the chance, there would be no one to complain to.
“It feels like you only mentioned the benefits, but honestly, we’d like you to pay more attention to the obligations from our side.”
“Confidentiality?”
“That’s the most basic, but there are other obligations too. Since our interests align, it’s different from when we were working temporarily. You’ll see for yourself—it’s complicated in many ways. Because of the nature of this work, we can’t just do it without restrictions…”
The bureau chief was outlining basic principles: don’t leak what’s been supported by the government, don’t hand information over to other countries arbitrarily. A team working at the level of the government belonged to a company with some power, and nationality was virtually meaningless to such a company. They would be welcomed no matter which country they went to.
“The most important thing here is the right to refuse.”
“I thought the right to refuse had no limitations?”
Su-hyun slightly frowned at the mention of the right to refuse. Working with the Development Planning Bureau was reassuring precisely because of this right.
It was the right to refuse when the government asked them to undertake certain missions—a key difference from being in the military.
Dangerous missions would frequently appear within the Development Planning Bureau, and many of them would be unknown even to Su-hyun. To avoid such dangers, the right to refuse could not be compromised.
Moreover…
‘If that incident happens, this direct command system might get completely overhauled. To prevent that, the right to refuse is absolutely necessary.’
“Ah, of course, on paper there are no restrictions. And honestly, just because you sign a full-time contract doesn’t mean mercenaries will throw themselves into obvious death, right?”
“Then what do you mean?”
“The right to refuse is freedom. However, if you keep refusing missions without legitimate reason, it will put us in a difficult position.”
In short: if you receive support, you’re expected to work. Nothing in this world is free. If you take support and then drag your feet on missions, the Development Planning Bureau would naturally be furious.
“I understand. I’ll approach this sincerely, so there’s no need to worry.”
“That’s good to hear. Actually, Uncle Joe Company is trustworthy from our side too, unlike other companies.”
“Hahaha! We’re just grateful for the kind words.”
While Jo Seung-hyun spoke, Su-hyun was running calculations in his mind. Listening carefully, it seemed that using the right to refuse a few times wouldn’t be an issue.
Still, it was prudent to secure all possible government support in advance. Su-hyun mentally tallied what needed to be done.
‘Create a few more teams, secure equipment, rent artifacts. Maybe even attempt to recruit some psychics.’
The government wouldn’t actively promote Uncle Joe Company, but once this mission was public, they would naturally become known. Moreover, government support was far from superficial.
“Then… we look forward to working with you.”
“Likewise.”
With a handshake, the conversation concluded.
The bureau chief, Lee Won-jae, personally saw Su-hyun and Jo Seung-hyun out. Su-hyun, knowing what was obvious, kept his mouth shut and accepted the gesture.
‘They’re being so kind—it’s scary. What are they planning to make us do…?’
Although it was a win-win relationship, goodwill from government officials never came for free. Especially from someone at the level of the bureau chief.
“?”
As Su-hyun walked toward the exit, he noticed a group entering the building and tilted his head.
“Who are those people? They don’t look Korean.”
“Ah, sharp eyes. They’re from Japanese trading companies.”
“Really? That’s unusual.”
Ever since the gate replaced the original Pyongyang site, Japan had been the most restless. While geographically close countries like China, Russia, the U.S., and Korea reaped massive profits from the gate, Japan was unable to join this game of interests.
They had lobbied heavily for permission to access the gate, but the pre-established four-nation alliance couldn’t be shaken by lobbying. Despite complex entanglements, interests aligned where profit was concerned.
Fewer eligible nations meant greater potential profit.
Eventually, Japan had no choice but to accept private entry after receiving permission from one of the four countries. Among them, the U.S. was the most popular, with many nations seeking American approval to enter the gate.
As a result, it was rare for a Japanese trading company to visit the Korean Development Planning Bureau. Though trading companies were common on the planet Cameron, the Japanese ones usually collaborated with the U.S. government.
“Since the U.S. is nearly saturated, they’re looking for a new approach.”
“True, it’s hard for latecomers to break in…”
“We’re also quite positive about it. The U.S. competition is so fierce that even if we raised taxes, they wouldn’t back off.”
“Money really is everything.”
“Exactly. Though we can’t say it so openly.”
Lee Won-jae chuckled and made a circle gesture with his fingers. The Development Planning Bureau’s surplus came from creating budgets in exactly this way.
‘Ah, now that I see them…’
Seeing the Japanese delegation reminded Su-hyun of a scam incident exploiting Japan’s situation. The media called it the biggest fraud of the century—the Gate Scam.
It began with a team of Japanese and foreign physicists publishing a paper claiming artificial gate creation was possible, then causing a stir by actually creating small gates and sending a few people through.
‘Of course, it was an elaborate scam using psychics.’
Japan’s ambitious plan to create a new gate on its northern territory ended in ridicule. Su-hyun remembered laughing at it through the news.
‘I wonder if there’s any way to turn this to our advantage…’
Su-hyun’s expertise was in analyzing and crushing enemies, not in monetizing non-combat scams. At times like this, he wished he had a more versatile mind.
Meanwhile, the Japanese delegation went inside.
‘Let’s handle other things first. We’re busy enough… opportunities will come later.’
“When will you announce the Rock Giant’s capture?”
“In five days. Preparations are almost complete.”
Once the news of the Rock Giant’s capture went public, the race would begin among the forces in the Outerf region—a race to develop the still-unexplored mountainous terrain.
“Please check the coordinates we submitted first. We don’t want anyone else taking them.”
“Of course. We’ll take care of it.”
The cream of the cream. While other forces scrambled for new resources, the Development Planning Bureau and Uncle Joe Company would secure the best spots first.
“Back already?”
“I’m heading out again. What about the others?”
“They’re probably resting on their own. Where are you going?”
After the grueling work, Su-hyun had given the other operatives a break. They would be enjoying it according to their preferences—and money wasn’t a concern.
“The black market.”
“!”
Shaina, who had been lounging inside, jumped up at Su-hyun’s words.
“Can I come too?”
“Sure… but were you interested in the black market?”
“There’s always something useful there.”
“Then come along. Get ready quickly.”
On their way, Su-hyun asked about Keshika—it was meant for Kang In-kyu, but he needed to confirm before use.
“Any side effects with that Keshika?”
“Side effects? The terrible hallucinations are the side effect.”
“Other than that?”
“Hmm… vomiting, maybe…”
“That’s fine.”
“That’s fine?!”
“I mean permanent aftereffects.”
“Oh, for that… none that I know of.”
“Good.”
Su-hyun nodded in satisfaction.
“Really going to use it? Why… it’s an old tradition even we don’t follow.”
“Everything has a reason.”
By the time they arrived, it was Bjorn’s shop—the one he had visited with Franzo before.
“You…”
“Long time no see.”
Bjorn emerged, looking displeased at the sight of Su-hyun and Shaina.
“What brings you here? And who’s this dark elf?”
“Do dwarves have a problem with dark elves?”
“Not really.”
“I don’t dislike dark elves, just poor people. Come in. Stop mumbling at the door.”
Once inside, Bjorn spoke again.
“So, what’s this about? Here for blending work?”
“Seems like you really lack skilled technicians.”
“We have plenty, but none usable. Yesterday, one got kicked out for cheating. Claimed he could make poison to fell a troll. Crazy. That couldn’t even kill a mangy dog…”
“Sorry, not here as a blending technician.”
“Then why are you here?”
Su-hyun placed the heavy package he brought on the table with a thud. Bjorn squinted at it—it seemed alive.
“What’s inside?”
“Things you like.”
“Snakes? Insects?”
“Both. Extract the poison.”
“Extracting poison? You don’t need the black market for that!”
Bjorn scowled. Extracting poison was labor-intensive and not profitable, and besides, it could be done officially.
“Officially, it gets recorded. Once it’s recorded, you can’t just dispose of it.”
“Hmm…”
“And I didn’t come just to extract poison.”
Su-hyun pulled out trace-proof electronic cards and dropped them one by one.
“Check them.”
“…!”
Bjorn’s eyes widened as he confirmed the amounts.
“All of it?”
“All.”
Seeing that all cards had the same amounts, Bjorn swallowed and unconsciously became polite.
“What… what do you want?”
“I’ll buy all the poison here—from this to over there.”
“…?”
“All of it.”
“!!!!”
After meeting Seo Kang-seok, Su-hyun had decided to perfect Poison Mastery. This bulk purchase was just one step.
“Green tea here… or maybe Ssanghwa tea? I can switch if you prefer…”
“Just extract the poison quickly. Don’t do awkward service.”
Blushing, Bjorn went inside. Shaina whispered:
“Why buy all this?”
“To eat it.”
“What?”
Su-hyun lifted a small glass vial. Tindolin—a mild paralytic poison effective even when ingested orally. Before consuming a large amount, he needed to verify something.
Gulp!
“Are you insane?!”
“Disgustingly meticulous.”
Su-hyun clicked his tongue, feeling the process as he entered. He had one hypothesis:
If the Lubenfeld grimoire is used, it might protect the user even when ingested orally.
Otherwise, consuming all those ingredients would be fatal.
He drank the weak poison to check. If protected, no paralysis should occur. Su-hyun clenched and unclenched his fist—no reaction. Checking the grimoire, the relevant section was filled.
‘As expected…’
It should have been a happy discovery, but it wasn’t entirely pleasing. The thought of consuming it all already depressed him.
Tap, tap, tap—
Shaina watched Su-hyun open each vial and down it in one shot, looking at him as if he were the strangest person in the world.
