Chapter 103
Chapter 103
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 103
Chapter Title: The Bigwig's Demand (4)
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Suhyun, born and raised on Cameron Planet, had rarely set foot on Earth's soil—neither in the past nor now. So when Chairman Charles said he wanted to meet, Suhyun figured it had been ages since he'd last touched down on Earth.
But Chairman Charles wasn't on Earth. He was staying at his villa in Little Washington, the American-style city on Cameron.
‘At least this saves time.’
It had been so long since he'd worn a suit that the necktie felt like it was choking him. These days, he didn't even dress up like this for government officials. Getting into this getup was entirely thanks to Robert and Scott tag-teaming him.
Scott had grabbed Suhyun's ankle and begged him to change outfits. In the end, Suhyun surrendered just to stop wasting time on it.
“You look good.”
“You force this on me and now you're getting on my nerves?”
“…Charles is particular about this sort of thing…….”
Suhyun was probably the only one who would complain even after being decked out in luxury brands that others couldn't buy even if they wanted to. Robert grumbled inwardly as that thought crossed his mind.
People didn't come to Cameron just to make a quick buck as mercenaries or merchants anymore. That was only in the early days. Now that the cities were built and security was stable, plenty arrived for tourism and relaxation.
“The air here is far better for my health than Earth's filthy stuff.”
“Is that so?”
Charles Carlos left a strong impression at first sight. It was hard to believe this man, who looked no older than his forties, had lived a century and a half. With a sturdy build and upright posture, he eyed Suhyun intently. His gaze burned with fervor.
The room was typical of wealthy Cameronites. Artifacts from other races and mounted monster heads. A bizarre fusion of American and Cameron styles.
‘Who the hell did the interior design here?’
“Interested in the taxidermy?”
“No. Occupational hazard—I’m not into dead monsters. Live ones are more my thing.”
Charles burst into loud laughter at Suhyun's words. In his hand was the artifact Suhyun had provided, fitted into his staff. He tapped the floor with it as he spoke.
“Robert must have told you, but thanks for the artifact. Looks like I can toss this old staff now.”
“You seem like you’d do fine without it.”
“I appreciate the compliment, but no. It makes a world of difference day to day. I envy your youth.”
A man like Charles must have had every body enhancement surgery available. And all sorts of health boosters on top of that—yet here he was. Suhyun was struck anew by the man's age. When you thought about it, he was someone who'd witnessed the Gate's discovery and Cameron's development firsthand.
“I've brought the dish.”
“?”
Suhyun gave Charles a puzzled look. This wasn't a dining room. Sure, there was ample space for meals, but someone of Charles's stature wouldn't eat here on a whim.
“Ah, sorry. If you haven't eaten, let's go out and grab something together.”
“No, I'm not hungry. Just surprised you'd eat here.”
“It's not a meal. At my age, even going downstairs for a snack feels like a chore.”
The maid who opened the door bowed politely. She wheeled in a cart and lifted the silver cover from the plate atop it, revealing the dish. Modest for a man of his wealth—a single item.
“What is it?”
Suhyun wasn't asking out of ignorance. The dish looked familiar. This was……
“Red pig mushroom. They say it's good for you. Tastes decent too, so I take it as a tonic. Want some?”
“I'm good.”
‘Come to think of it…….’
If a health-conscious chairman went to the trouble of sourcing these, the boom was right around the corner. Suhyun recalled the red pig mushrooms he'd forgotten about. They should be safely stored in the warehouse by now.
“Do you know why I called you here?”
“To say thanks?”
Charles wiped his mouth and smiled faintly.
“If it was just thanks, would I have gone to the hassle? Old folks like me prefer face-to-face gratitude. Young people these days aren't into that. It would've been easier for you to just send a technician. Toss in some money, and even better.”
“You get it. So why……?”
“Krahahaha!”
Charles roared with laughter at the unexpected response. He looked like he couldn't contain his delight. Wiping away a tear, he waved his hand.
It had been so long since anyone had pushed back like this that he couldn't even remember. Because of his position, everyone who met him groveled. Like handling fragile, ancient porcelain.
“Sorry. I keep overstepping. Robert told me about you, but I didn't expect this much.”
He blew his nose and continued.
“Robert and Blue Bear watch my every mood. They wouldn't dream of bantering back at my jokes. I get it, but honestly, it's boring. Jennifer's about the only one who'll humor me.”
“That's because of your status, Chairman. Complaining about that? Your underlings must have it worse.”
Suhyun kept firing heavy fastballs without pause. But Charles didn't seem fazed. If anything, he seemed to enjoy it more.
“I know. That's why I don't nag about it. Telling them to relax would just make them more uptight.”
“Then what's your other gripe?”
Caught off-guard by Suhyun reading him, Charles shook his head. He'd had high hopes from Robert's words, but Suhyun exceeded them.
“We've barely met, and I'm already coveting you. Ever thought about coming to America?”
Suhyun shrugged instead of answering.
“If you change your mind, even later, just say the word. Ah, my gripe……might sound petty and full. Blue Bear's a company I grew with. You know that?”
“Heard it from Robert.”
“I'm still investing heavily. Not to brag, but investors like me are rare. I pour in money without demanding returns.”
“But you tell them to fetch something else in return.”
“That's a must. Nobody eats for free. Anyway, Blue Bear's solid. Top-tier mercenary company in America, stable. But……it's gotten complacent.”
“?”
“There's one reason I invest without caring about profits. Money's no object—find and discover Cameron's rarities. But lately, Blue Bear only chases safe, guaranteed jobs. If I hadn't heard about this artifact separately, they'd have dropped it.”
Euterpe overflowed with profits, but Cameron was vast. They could always push further out. That was Charles's beef with Blue Bear.
“Well……that's unavoidable. They're not startups anymore. A big mercenary firm risking life on gambles every time would blow up soon enough.”
To Suhyun, it was a necessary choice. To others, his own feats might look like bold, insane gambles—but by his standards, he'd only picked sure things.
Without knowing the future, people had to play it safe. Plus, Blue Bear's bitter lesson in Kacrida Valley wasn't ancient history.
“The problem is I don't want that. I'd prefer Blue Bear take some risks and charge ahead.”
“Throw some money and expect them to risk their lives? That work?”
“No. And Blue Bear's too big for me to order around. Interfere too much, and we'll clash.”
“You know all that—why tell me?”
Suhyun didn't see Charles as some doddering old man. He grasped the full picture from in here.
Demanding that of Blue Bear wouldn't fly—it'd just rupture ties. So why vent to Suhyun?
“You're sharp, yet you miss this? Playing dumb?”
“?”
“I want to back Uncle Jo Company. Precisely, you.”
“Back me?”
“Completely. Totally completely.”
“…….”
Suhyun mulled the proposal in silence. After a beat, he spoke.
“Not really interested.”
“Tell me why.”
Charles didn't rage or falter at the refusal. He was confident—like he could sway Suhyun.
“First off, Uncle Jo Company……and me……we're not hurting for cash. Peanuts compared to yours, sure.”
“More money's always better.”
“Sure. But your offer isn't pure charity. Take the money, and we'd have to hit uncharted zones instead of Blue Bear, right?”
“Not mandatory.”
“No such thing as free. Take it, and you'll end up doing equivalent work. That's my creed.”
“Hmm…….”
“Why not approach explorers? Sponsor skilled ones—they'll pledge loyalty with their lives.”
“Done that.”
‘You have?!’
“But explorers ace finding uncharted spots and escaping. Useless at diving into danger and retrieving stuff.”
“Strong superpowered folks become mercenaries, not explorers. Safer and more lucrative.”
“Ehh, you young folks…….”
“Why not go yourself, Chairman? No regrets there.”
“Hey now, I've got plenty. Planning another century.”
They traded sharp banter, but the mood stayed warm.
“And lastly, Blue Bear would mind. Poach their sponsor, even they'd struggle to laugh it off.”
“If I say I'm switching, what can they do?”
“World doesn't work that way. Too scared to touch you, so they'd hate us—the easier target.”
Suhyun wouldn't fear Blue Bear's ire, but it was a solid excuse. No interest in taking needless money and getting leashed.
“I get the gist.”
“So, we part warmly with a technician?”
“Wait, hear my counter.”
“…….”
“First, no need to worry about Blue Bear. Won't cut their funding. Yours will be separate.”
Suhyun marveled again at how the ultra-rich thought. Not pocket change, yet said so casually.
“And that ‘equivalent work’ bit? You can change it anytime you want.”
“?”
“No binding contracts. It's up to you. Take what you need, repay when you feel like it.”
A dream offer. Suhyun chuckled inwardly while puzzling out the motive.
‘Must've done background checks.’
Suhyun wasn't famous despite his skills and results. Partly by design—fame cramped his style.
But with Blue Bear reports and private investigators, piecing together his feats was no stretch. Few on Cameron rose so fast so young.
That cash was expendable to Charles. One good artifact from Suhyun, and he'd recoup. He craved artifacts, not money.
‘The U.S. connections are tempting, honestly…….’
More than cash, U.S. tech intrigued him. Artifact laundering included. Charles's backing could unlock that. A bigwig like him touched cutting-edge stuff.
“I'm pretty shameless.”
“I figure you've got at least a shred of conscience.”
The two men grinned and clasped hands. Interests aligned—a pleasant chat.
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