Chapter : 80
A Long Road Toward Poison (2)
“I’ve heard there are humans who eat things even we won’t touch, but I didn’t think they’d be this close…”
“Usually, no one eats poison.”
Suhyeon muttered a low curse and wiped his mouth. His tongue felt numb from the foul-tasting cocktail.
“All done. Huh?”
Bjorn, who had returned, asked after seeing that all the bottles that had contained poison were now empty.
“Where’s the poison?”
“I bought it with my money, so where I put it is my business. I just put it somewhere else.”
“If you mix poison so freely… Never mind. Anyone who can blend would know better. I took this one out.”
“Good, thanks.”
Suhyeon gathered his things and stood up.
“Wait, weren’t you planning to buy something at the black market too?”
“Are you kidding? I just cleared everything out myself.”
“Sorry about that. Were you in need of poison?”
“No, I rarely use poison anyway.”
Shaina waved her hand to dismiss the idea.
“I was just planning to get a decent weapon if there was one.”
“What kind?”
“Anything easy to use and powerful. Bombs are fine, guns too.”
“In that case, it’d be easier to ask the Development Planning Bureau. No need to use the black market.”
“And artifacts too.”
Suhyeon looked at Shaina incredulously.
“Artifacts? What are you trying to get from the black market?”
“Huh? Don’t you sometimes hear rumors about them?”
“Most of those rumors are probably nonsense. Artifacts rarely even reach the black market in the first place.”
Everyone on the planet Cameron was interested in acquiring artifacts. They held immense value, and there were plenty of ways to handle them without resorting to the black market.
“No, there are some.”
“?!”
Bjorn, who had been listening to their conversation, spoke with a skeptical tone.
“What? Did you just say that?”
“There are artifacts sold in the black market.”
“Explain more.”
Suhyeon’s eyes gleamed as he urged Bjorn to elaborate. Bjorn, who had spoken casually, was slightly taken aback by Suhyeon’s enthusiastic reaction.
“It’s not that surprising, is it? Artifacts are valuable, but it would be strange if none ever appeared in the black market. I heard from someone working elsewhere the day before yesterday. An artifact has slipped in. Judging by what they said, it’ll probably be auctioned soon.”
“Secretly?”
“Of course, secretly. Who would openly sell something that came through the black market?”
“Interesting.”
An artifact appearing in the black market definitely had a story behind it. Otherwise, there would be no reason for it to show up there. The most likely cause was theft.
‘Since it came into the Korean black market… did they steal it from China or Russia? Surely not the U.S.’
Suhyeon didn’t care much about its country of origin. Once he had the item, he was confident he could conceal or launder the information. More importantly, what mattered was its performance. There was no point in going through trouble to get an artifact with useless abilities.
“Is there a way for me to get in?”
“What? Really? I wouldn’t really recommend it.”
“Why not?”
“Well, since it’s an artifact, all kinds of people will flock there. Money alone won’t suffice. Plus, you know how black market items are. Even if you’re cheated, there’s nowhere to complain.”
“That’s true.”
Suhyeon nodded. If someone bought the wrong item in the black market, it was their own fault.
“But that doesn’t matter to me.”
“What? Why?”
“Anyone trying to trick me won’t leave unscathed.”
“…!”
Bjorn stared at Suhyeon like he had gone mad. He had thought Suhyeon wasn’t someone to underestimate from the start, but hearing this now made him uneasy.
“Why are you staring like that?”
“No, wait a minute.”
If Suhyeon went in, he’d enter with an invitation under his name. But if he caused a scene there…
“Anyway, I’ll handle what happens next. Just tell me how to get in.”
“Thinking about it… there is a way, I guess.”
“You’re not saying there’s none, right? You’re not withholding it just because you think I’ll cause a scene?”
‘What a sly kid!’
“This is disappointing. You looked at me like that. I might cause a scene here if I get more disappointed.”
‘%#^&$^#$&!’
It was almost outright intimidation. Muttering thick Dwarvish curses under his breath, Bjorn took out a paper, stamped it, and wrote down the address.
“Classic.”
“Actually, this is harder to forge. If it’s digital, once hacked, it’s fully copied.”
“Security isn’t my field… Anyway, I’ll make good use of it. Who do I give this to?”
“Wait. It’s just a rumor for now; the auction hasn’t opened yet.”
Bjorn was a veteran of this black market. He knew exactly how things operated. First, a rumor is spread. Interested parties notice it and pay attention. Once interest peaks, the information is revealed and the auction opens.
“I’ll contact you once it opens. Don’t say I sent you.”
“I won’t cause trouble, don’t worry.”
“Still, don’t say I sent you. Usually, secret auctions only check the seal to let you in.”
Bjorn didn’t trust Suhyeon at all and emphasized the warning.
“Remember that.”
Outside, Shaina asked curiously,
“Are you planning to buy the artifact?”
“Well… if the price is right. But I’m worried. The kind of people who gather there must be rich.”
Many would rush for an artifact even if it was illegal. Artifacts were worth that much.
Although Suhyeon was amassing great personal wealth, he wasn’t yet in a position to compete with long-established corporate powers financially.
“And it looks like the auction will get heated.”
The reason for spreading rumors was obvious—someone was trying to make a huge profit.
“Human society is complicated. If it were us, we’d just raid it and take it out.”
“What?”
“Hmm? No, I’m not saying I’ll do that… I wouldn’t!”
Shaina quickly denied, sensing a misunderstanding.
“Raid and take it?”
“I said I wouldn’t…”
“Shaina.”
“?”
“It’s actually a good idea.”
Suhyeon smiled slightly. In the past, he would have thought about stealing it immediately, but after returning and working officially, his instincts had dulled.
Anyway, since it’s stolen goods, what could go wrong if you smuggle it out? Hide your identity properly, and that’s enough. In that regard, Suhyeon was an expert.
“Thank you.”
After shaking hands, Suhyeon went downstairs. Uncle Joe Company and the Development Planning Bureau representatives were at a U.S. military base.
Once everything was ready, the Bureau reported to the U.S. that the Rock Giant had been eliminated, and they visited the base for a modest award ceremony.
“Is it really necessary to come all the way here?”
“I didn’t want to come either. The money could just be received separately… why an award ceremony…”
“It’s still an award ceremony.”
“Giving a medal to an outsider is no big deal. They probably called us for information sharing.”
“Information?”
“About the Rock Giant. No one’s more eager than the U.S. military.”
“Are they giving it for free?”
“There’s no such thing as free in this world.”
In exchange for providing the U.S. with information, Suhyeon would receive compensation from the Bureau. It didn’t matter who got the credit.
“The U.S. military is amazing.”
The team could understand why—they had the best equipment and strength on Cameron.
‘Aliens everywhere…’
Aliens in uniform walked around. While visible in the Korean army too, the U.S. scale was unmatched.
“From tomorrow, information control is lifted, and it will reach the media. Outerpf will be noisy for a while.”
“Do we go back in?”
“No, we’ll rest for now.”
“What??”
Important spots were already pre-secured with coordinates. No need to jostle with others for resources.
“Those going in are likely experts at resource gathering. Compete if you want, but you’ll only lose there.”
Moreover, it could turn violent. One shouldn’t enter unless necessary.
“Take your rest, you’ll need it later.”
“Yes!”
Suhyeon’s prediction proved correct. The next day, Cameron’s media announced the Rock Giant in Outerpf had been hunted.
-This hunt was led by Uncle Joe Company, a Korean mercenary company…
The team marveled at their names in the news, but Suhyeon ignored it and prepared for the next operation. There was much to do during the break.
“All breakable items are put away. Is this right?”
“Yes, now just ignite the fuse.”
“Call Kang In-kyu out…”
Knock-knock—
With Shaina’s help, Suhyeon prepared the container for Keshika. He was about to call Kang In-kyu, but someone knocked at the door.
“Who is it?”
“Kang In-kyu, team leader. May I come in?”
“Ah… come in, come in.”
Suhyeon managed his expression and opened the door, slightly flustered that he entered first.
‘Hope I wasn’t caught.’
“What’s the matter?”
“I have a question…”
“Ask anything.”
“I’ll step outside then.”
“Okay.”
Shaina left. Suhyeon picked up the container with Keshika inside, ready to ignite at any moment.
“Am I helping the team?”
“Huh?”
“The others are skilled and know how to fight… I feel like I’m holding everyone back.”
‘Not all of them are that skilled.’
In Suhyeon’s eyes, the team had many shortcomings. He took them along because they were trustworthy, not because of skill.
“Has anyone ever said you’re holding them back?”
“No, everyone’s been kind.”
“Then why think that?”
Thanks to Suhyeon, Kang In-kyu could at least manage the basics. But to go beyond, he needed his own specialty.
“When I was with the Jindo unit, I wasn’t much help. I was almost kicked out… The team leader probably preferred someone with abilities over me, right?”
“Well, that’s true.”
“!”
“Why, did you expect me to deny it? Don’t expect that kind of consideration.”
“…”
Kang In-kyu looked down, disappointed. Expected, but hearing it still hurt.
“Don’t think I was tricked into bringing you by Choi Jae-ho. I brought you because I thought you had value.”
“W-what value?”
Kang In-kyu perked up.
“I don’t want to tell you. One must find their own value. Earlier you asked, don’t you think someone with abilities is better than you? Then become someone with abilities.”
“That’s not that easy…”
Suhyeon placed the container with Keshika down.
“I hesitated to give it to you, but if you’re that concerned with your own value…”
“What is this?”
“It’s a special elixir I made. Want to try?”
“I don’t know what it is, but if you say so…”
As Kang In-kyu reached to take it, Suhyeon stopped him.
“I’m not forcing you. If I tell you to drink it, you don’t have to. It’s not that good. Drinking it will be a terrible experience.”
“Is it like a drug?”
“Ah… no.”
“Right?”
Suhyeon slightly avoided the question. Kang In-kyu asked again, anxious.
“That’s not important. What matters is that drinking it will mess you up.”
“Then why give it to me?”
“After drinking, you might awaken hidden abilities. But it’s not certain. You might just have a terrible experience.”
“I don’t mind.”
Kang In-kyu grabbed the container.
“Decisive, aren’t you?”
“If it can help the team, I can handle this much…”
Suhyeon smirked and ignited it. Smoke began to rise.
“Then, take care.”
“Huh?”
Suhyeon distracted Kang In-kyu and left, closing the door behind him.
