Chapter 101
Chapter 101
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 101
Chapter Title: The Bigwig's Demand (2)
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Given the nature of the work they handled, technicians in this field needed more than just skill—they needed trust. Some outfits kept leverage over their technicians' weaknesses, but Blue Bear took a different approach. By combining drugs and artifacts that induced memory confusion, they could erase short-term memories.
‘As expected, American tech really is top-notch.’
From Kim Suhyun’s perspective, this method was ideal. Simply silencing a technician risked Blue Bear extracting information from them.
“Then we’ll get right to work on the plan as discussed.”
“How much support do you need from us?”
“Support, huh?”
“This involves Charles, so it’s not just Team 2—we can pull in Team 1 too. This won’t be a walk in the park.”
Robert figured breaching this ruin wouldn’t be easy. He was prepared to offer every bit of support he could. Uncle Jo Company would bring their main force, Team 1, into the fray—if Blue Bear hung back, things could go south fast. Kim Suhyun wasn’t someone to underestimate.
“Support... Sure, why not? Easier than hiring outsiders.”
“??”
“Throw in Team 2 and one of your sub-teams. Power Armor operators.”
“???”
Robert couldn’t wrap his head around it and had to ask again.
“You’re really okay with that? You checked the intel we got from sending Team 4 in there, right?”
“Yeah, we did. That’s plenty. We’ll be in touch once we’re ready.”
Kim Suhyun had zero intention of dragging his team all the way to Outerp during this already hectic time. He started issuing orders without delay.
“Lee So-hee, orcs will probably show up soon. They’re decent fighters, but zero experience with modern combat—so training’s on you. Get them up to speed for Team 2 level.”
“Training intensity...”
“Make it hurt. If they cry and run, that’s fine—just make it stick!”
“Understood.”
Lee So-hee nodded with a faint smile, something rare for her. Kim Suhyun wasn’t worried. Jo Seung-hyun and Gorgan would fill her in on the details, and handling training was well within her wheelhouse.
“Luiril, he’ll probably show up right on time, but if Kim Jong-tae beats him here, give him this. It’s a different suppressant from yours—don’t even think about taking it yourself.”
“...I wasn’t.”
“He’ll likely be back before then. He’s no pushover, so if anything feels off while dealing with him, just kill him.”
Kim Suhyun didn’t really expect Kim Jong-tae to try anything. Even a snake like him needed time to shake off the fear Kim Suhyun had instilled. Right now, he was probably scrambling in China, desperate not to die.
“Oh, right. Time to hand over those artifacts you swiped.”
Luiril’s ears drooped. Losing her collection hit hard, no helping it. Kim Suhyun patted her shoulder, looking a touch apologetic.
“I’ll put them to good use. Once they’re clean, I’ll lift your addiction too.”
“!”
“But stay away from China. They’re not hunting you anymore, but get flagged as suspicious and they’ll pick up the trail again. Don’t take it lightly—it’s real danger.”
The Dragon Slayer Project had thrown everything off balance. They’d be moving in earnest now. Poke the bear in this situation, and you’d bleed.
“Anyway, the guy we’re handing them to is an American tech. Any of the ones you lifted come from the US?”
Luiril whistled and looked away. Under Kim Suhyun’s glare, she finally spoke.
“Just... two.”
“...We’ll hold those back, then.”
Handing US-stolen artifacts to an American tech was too risky, no matter what.
Once the artifacts were out in the open, they couldn’t keep blackmailing Luiril forever. No one could be controlled by threats indefinitely. At some point, the dynamic had to shift.
Kim Suhyun wanted to keep the teleport-capable Luiril on his side. She’d be useful down the line, no doubt. But he wasn’t about to force it—that would backfire eventually.
‘Well... even if she runs off and starts blabbing now, it’s not as dangerous as before.’
The military hadn’t even stood up their special forces yet. Whatever trouble Kim Suhyun stirred, the government would shield him.
“Team Leader, wouldn’t it be better if I at least tagged along instead of you going solo?”
“No need. Blue Bear’s no bunch of amateurs.”
‘Their forces are probably more solid than ours, even.’
“More importantly, how’s your daughter?”
“Thanks to your consideration...”
Seo Gang-seok bowed his head. The gratitude he felt toward Kim Suhyun was beyond words.
“Treat her well. Once work kicks off, we won’t see much of each other.”
“I’m ready.”
‘When’s this guy gonna awaken...?’
Seo Gang-seok had made his name with poisons, so Kim Suhyun expected poison-related superpowers upon awakening. Superpower poison seemed most likely—a virtual toxin created via superpowers. Paired with his masterful blending skills, the results would be devastating.
‘No rush. This isn’t the time to push.’
* * *
“Long time no see!”
“Yeah, it has been.”
Jennifer looked full of energy. Whatever was in her heart, she had a knack for rhythmic, upbeat movements.
“Long time, sir.”
“You too. Did that bald guy get reamed again after spinning out last time?”
“Haha, what are you talking about? Just a light warning, nothing more.”
Whitman, who’d been pretty pissy last time they met, was now giving Kim Suhyun a wide berth. Looked like more than a slap on the wrist to Kim Suhyun.
“Where’s the rest of your team?”
“This crew’s enough. Oh, Power Armor’s here too. Take this with you.”
“??”
No one here doubted Kim Suhyun’s abilities anymore. Still, strutting in empty-handed with that confidence was baffling.
‘Does he know some secret here like with Kakrita Valley? Nah, even so...’
Kakrita Valley got easy once you knew the trick—enough to make their losses sting. But two ruins like that in the world? Unlikely.
“Alright. Let’s move!”
* * *
Reaching the Vitality Ring meant winding through a long, twisting mountain path. Along the way, they’d face layered traps and persistent monsters, of course. Ones that blended into ruin walls or slipped through shadows frayed nerves to no end.
Wrestling those things head-on would’ve been stupid.
Instead of heading straight for the central cave, Kim Suhyun prowled the plains below. Blue Bear’s operatives trailed him, question marks piling up on their faces.
“Someone ask him why we’re circling instead of going in.”
“You ask, Team Leader. You’re the closest thing to friendly here.”
“Friendly my ass! I still get chills from that tongue-lashing last time...”
Even as Kim Suhyun led them in loops, no one dared speak up. That’s how intimidating he was.
‘What’d the boss say to them?’
Watching them, Kim Suhyun realized Robert must’ve laid down the law beforehand. Team 2, maybe—but a Blue Bear sub-team with Power Armor had no reason to grovel.
“Found it. Power Armor pilots! Swap to excavation gear.”
Kim Suhyun stopped at a shallow stream.
“Huh?”
“Your gear should have excavator attachments. Dig under here. Block and bail the water. It’s shallow, so it’ll drain easy.”
“Uh, Team Leader Kim Suhyun...”
Scott finally stepped up, hesitating as he addressed Kim Suhyun.
“Save it. Use that energy for a Stone Wall over there—we need to divert the water.”
“...Yes, sir.”
If Scott had the guts to buck orders like that, he’d be running Team 2.
Meanwhile, the Power Armor pilots, baffled but compliant, swapped out their arm-mounted weapons for excavators as instructed. Scott’s rock wall stemmed the stream, and soon the bed was exposed.
“Work starts now! Finish before sundown. Move it!”
‘Son of a bitch!’
The sub-team—not Team 2—followed orders in silence thanks to the boss’s directive. Mouth off and you’re gone—no joke.
But they couldn’t swallow the resentment. To veteran pilots who’d bled against monsters, this busywork felt like an insult.
‘Why’d they bring this punk?’
‘No clue, fuck. Just do it.’
Few places treated them like Blue Bear did. Big corp perks weren’t for nothing.
“Hey. Don’t brute-force it—work smart. Don’t stab, excavate! Never done close-quarters in Power Armor?”
“......”
“Goddamn it. I said excavate, not stab!”
“...Then why don’t you try it!”
The pilots nearby went pale. Their hot-headed buddy had mouthed off while they held their breath.
“Hey, you nuts?!”
“Forgot the boss’s warning?”
“I’d rather die than take that shit from him...”
“He gives advice and you bite the hand... Come out!”
“?!”
They tried pulling him back, but an even crazier voice cut in. Kim Suhyun, irritation etched on his face, beckoned the guy out.
“I said come out! Deaf?”
‘Step out and he’ll kill me?’
‘No way a superpower user jumps a Power Armor pilot barehanded...’
They glanced instinctively at Team 2’s superpowered members. With them watching, he wouldn’t go that far, right?
The pilot climbed out hesitantly, cockpit hissing open. He’d normally keep raging, but his buddy’s pleas and Kim Suhyun’s telekinesis cooled his head.
But Kim Suhyun didn’t strike. No curses, either—he just brushed past and hopped into the empty cockpit.
“Relying on firepower and auto-tracking for ranged scraps means your close-up game shows through...”
Kim Suhyun tsked and powered up the Power Armor. The watching pilots heard every word over comms. They figured he’d lost it. Top-tier superpowers and top-tier Power Armor piloting didn’t mix—superpowers made piloting unnecessary.
Rumble!
The Power Armor’s arm moved with fluid precision, tearing into the earth. Not a wasted motion—pure artistry in carving the ground. Novices might miss it, but these pros saw it: how god-tier Kim Suhyun’s control was.
‘?!?!?!!?’
‘Born in a Power Armor cockpit or what?!’
He was young, obviously. Even starting early, his experience should lag theirs. But this wasn’t just good—it was elite. He could take them all in melee.
“Not digging? I didn’t drag you here to watch me solo.”
“Huh? Yes, sir! Digging now!”
The pilot outside gaped. Skill like that drew people in. Buddies who’d trashed Kim Suhyun moments ago now swarmed to assist like it was nothing. Infuriating—but the shock of his prowess hit harder.
Clunk!
Kim Suhyun popped the cockpit and landed lightly. Scott offered a drink with deferential poise. Kim Suhyun smirked as he took it.
“Getting too comfy as my aide?”
“If I didn’t, someone else would’ve.”
Glancing back, Kim Suhyun saw the pilots peeking shyly, itching to talk but holding back.
“Grown-ass vets acting all bashful? Kinda off-putting.”
“...Cut ’em some slack. They’re aces at Power Armor, just shy is all.”
“Shy my ass.”
He handed the empty bottle to Scott and approached the pilots.
102