Chapter 110
Chapter 110
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 110
Chapter Title: Battle Preparation (7)
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Yelbrupski Mountains. They were called a mountain range, but the peaks themselves weren't all that high. The real dangers were their vast expanse, the climate, and the monsters that lived there. A danger zone located in the frigid northern lands.
Russia's territory wasn't Suhyun's area of expertise, but even he knew the name of the Yelbrupski Mountains. It was because of the artifact that had come from there.
‘Crusher?!’
The value of an artifact was determined by the abilities it possessed. Naturally, useful abilities increased its worth, but there was another factor as well. Rarity. Even if the ability was useless, if it was something rarely seen, a price would form for it somehow.
But what if the ability was useful and also extremely rare? It became a national treasure that couldn't be bought with money, no matter how much you had.
Korea had a few such artifacts domestically, but Suhyun didn't pay them much mind.
‘The Ring of Swordsmanship is just a downgrade of my own ability anyway. No need to go out of my way for the others.’
A prime example was an artifact that formed and manipulated telekinesis in the shape of a sword. It wasn't just the ability—it was powerful enough that the Korean government had designated it as a managed item. In the past, Suhyun might have been tempted, but now he no longer chased raw power. He already held the strongest spear in his hands.
However, Russia's ‘Crusher’ was different. It wasn't called the one and only artifact discovered in Cameron even up to the future where Suhyun had served for its nickname without reason.
The Crusher was an artifact with Dispel ability.
Not blocking the activation of superpowers themselves, but erasing superpowers that had already been activated. It was an ability with near-absolute power in battles against other superpowered users.
[Dispel]
Kallakroger's Heart: 0/1
Hureta's Bone: 0/1
…….
The Dispel category was even longer and more vicious than Poison Resistance. It was to the point where filling it seemed impossible. Thanks to that, Suhyun had half-given up on it.
‘It was definitely found by chance by the missing group and the rescue team in the Yelbrupski Mountains.’
Before his regression, the Crusher had been Russia's pride among artifacts and the one the Russian government cherished most. There had been several theft and seizure attempts, but no one had ever succeeded.
‘So, did the group that went in this time find it?’
The timeline didn't mismatch much either. Suhyun fell into thought. He wanted to snag it no matter what, but wanting it didn't make it possible. Since he was entering Russia for a job, he'd face thorough inspections both going in and coming out. The Russian government could easily anticipate someone finding something in the Yelbrupski Mountains and trying to take it out.
Getting prior promises wouldn't help either. Even if they promised rights to anything acquired during the rescue in exchange, the moment a Dispel artifact appeared, Russia would change their tune. The Crusher was worth it, and Russia was one of the countries that could save face and break promises without hesitation.
‘I’ll have to prepare if I’m going in.’
He needed someone capable of smuggling the item out in a pinch. Fortunately, Suhyun had just such a talent by his side.
* * *
“Achoo!”
“Even elves sneeze?”
“Elves are people too.”
Luiril was lying on the sofa reading a book when she sneezed. The other squad members still held illusions about her. Luiril didn't dispel those illusions—in fact, she enjoyed them. She was an elf more accustomed to this kind of worship than the constant teasing she got from Suhyun.
‘Who’s talking about me?’
* * *
“Team Leader?”
“Thank you for being honest. The Director's plea really resonates with me.”
“??”
The Director suddenly felt uneasy. He'd learned something from dealing with Suhyun over the years. He was never an easy opponent. Young as he was, he was a monster with several serpents coiled inside. That was Suhyun. No one reached that position at his age without being exceptional.
‘Was that a plea that resonates with him?’
It was hard to accept that the appeal about boosting the Development Planning Bureau's standing had touched him.
“We've never been one to forget favors. Lips are chilled when teeth are gone. Uncle Jo Company and I have received much from the Development Planning Bureau, and we stand to receive more—how could we not help with this?”
“Y-Yes…….”
The Director felt sweat beading on his back. Suhyun accepting was better than refusing, but he hadn't expected this level of enthusiasm. It was almost scarier.
‘What’s he thinking?’
“Um, Team Leader, we can't change the distribution terms for the Altaranium mines from the existing conditions…….”
“No problem.”
“R-Really?”
“What’s with that? I step up to help for once, and you give me that lukewarm attitude. Should I back out?”
“N-No, not at all. If you're confident, Team Leader, we'll support you fully!”
“Good. Then hand over the data now.”
“Now?”
“If people are missing, time isn't on our side. We need to move before another team goes in.”
“It's in the Development Planning Bureau…….”
“Then let's go.”
The Director nodded dazedly as Suhyun stood without touching the food he'd ordered. Who would dare defy him?
* * *
“You said to avoid the Chinese teams, right?”
“No choice. We make the contract as strict as possible and let them in. How are we supposed to do it without a team? Even if it's a Chinese team, they won't rampage in our territory.”
The reason they didn't prefer Chinese teams was simple. They were hard to control. American or Korean teams had bases in completely opposite areas, so control was possible the moment they entered. But Chinese teams overlapped territories, making full control impossible. You couldn't stop them from acting on their own if something happened.
But the situation didn't allow it. Most teams avoided entering Russian territory at a time like this. To maximize success, they had to accept a Chinese team.
“Damn dragon making us suffer alone. Who would've thought all the teams on the list would refuse. I hope this Chinese team is reliable.”
“They're sending them for Altaranium as success pay, so it should be a decent team. Liu Xin is a famous superpowered user, right?”
“True. But the Chinese are scary precisely because they're competent. Who knows what they'll do once they're in our territory.”
“Just focus on getting Your Excellency's son out for now.”
“Yeah, we have to.”
“We got a response from the Korean government. A team called Uncle Jo Company is joining…… Do you know them?”
“No, I don't have every Korean team memorized. But if the Korean government is sending them, they must have basic competence. Approve it. We can't afford to turn away even one team right now.”
* * *
“They're lying.”
“Pardon?”
“The data says Russia's currently available teams aren't suited for rescue ops, so they called in outsiders. Doesn't add up. Russia has as much government power as China—they wouldn't skip internal attempts. They've tried and failed multiple times.”
The Gate 4 nations all had different systems. Korea and the US couldn't force unwilling teams to go, but China and Russia could. China openly, Russia covertly—the difference didn't matter much.
“After several failures, they got worried about losing more teams, but still needed the rescue, so they offered resources and asked outsiders. Hiding the failures is to avoid scaring others off or letting them leverage it for better terms. Pretty shallow trick. Anyone paying attention will see through it.”
“Should we protest?”
“No need. The Altaranium mines are worth it.”
What Suhyun really wanted was the Crusher anyway. The Altaranium was just secondary profit.
“And one more thing…… There's another team going in with us.”
Suhyun wasn't too surprised. Russia's possession of the Crusher meant that even without him, they'd somehow rescued a few people originally. Which meant outsiders had played a role.
“Who?”
“A Chinese superpowered team led by Liu Xin. Know them?”
“Name rings a bell.”
“Gold medalist—what's he lack that he's mercenarying in Cameron? Lots of talk about his skills, but as you know, Team Leader…….”
“A Chinese team?”
“Yes. Be careful. You don't have a great history with Chinese teams anyway, Kim Suhyun Team Leader.”
Suhyun chuckled. He knew what the Director meant. He was talking about clashes with Chinese teams since Suhyun returned to the past.
But the bad blood between Suhyun and the Chinese teams ran deeper than that.
“With multiple teams, how's the reward split?”
“Well, uh…… The other side suggested winner takes all.”
“Greedy. Typical of them.”
“Pardon?”
“Nothing.”
Winner takes all. Instead of splitting rewards among participating teams upon success, each would compete, and only the rescuing team gets it. Hard to propose unless you were extremely confident.
“No reason to refuse.”
“You sure? Don't underestimate Chinese teams, Team Leader. They're a different breed from American or European ones.”
This must be what they mean by writing hanja in front of Confucius. Suhyun tried not to look at the Director pitifully. He meant well, worrying in his own way.
“I know. No need to worry.”
What they shouldn't underestimate was Suhyun.
* * *
“Anyone like the cold?”
Everyone lowered their hands. Suhyun used telekinesis to forcibly raise Luiril's arm.
“W-What?!”
“You're conscripted.”
“Why?!”
“I need your power.”
“…….”
“Honestly, this job doesn't need top-tier firepower. We'll borrow from the Russians if we need numbers.”
Suhyun could cover superpowered needs alone anyway. His clash with the Chinese had given him one realization.
He was far stronger than he'd thought.
If it was something even he couldn't handle alone, bringing other team members wouldn't help either. Better to slim down for mobility.
“So, I'll take only the useful ones for the situation.”
“M-Me too!”
“?”
Shaina shot her hand up. Suhyun tilted his head.
“Aren't you from warmer areas? Cold okay?”
“Um, I'm not really from the north either…?”
Unlike herself, Luiril bristled at Suhyun's consideration for Shaina.
“Cold like that? No problem!”
“It's not ‘that kind’ of cold…… But if you want in, I won't stop you. Good, get ready. That enough superpowers?”
“Huh?!”
Kim Chang-sik yelped as his arm shot up.
“Why me?!”
“Your ability's useful in the cold. Most hate fire. Saves our power.”
The thought of four people trekking the northern frozen wastes already chilled him. Kim Chang-sik shuddered.
Thud-
“?”
“Hang in there. For our shares too.”
Jeong Seong-jae and Kim Dong-uk, lucky to be out, patted his shoulder. Rather touched, Kim Chang-sik slapped their hands away.
“Can I join too?”
Gorgan spoke up last.
“You too?”
“I'm from the north. I'll be useful.”
“Gutsy. Good. You're in. Rest of you, handle your tasks.”
* * *
Since they'd been called by Russia, no need to travel the full distance themselves. Bases built by the Russian government dotted the route north.
“When did the Chinese team leave?”
“Two days ago.”
“Faster than expected.”
The Russian base commander gave Suhyun an odd look. Sure, small elite teams existed, but five was few even for them. And the lineup……
‘Human, elf, orc, dark elf?’
Hard to find a more unique team.
“Supplies confirmed…… We're off then.”
“Good luck!”
The commander saluted Suhyun respectfully. Weird composition or tangled backgrounds weren't his concern. These people were here to rescue his country's scientists. Respecting them was his principle.
Suhyun waved once and departed. Far off, snow clouds gathered over the white expanse.
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