Chapter 137
Chapter 137
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 137
Chapter Title: Insulin (3)
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“Dark Elves can’t handle ogres?”
Suhyun’s tone reverted to its original sharpness, the polite address he’d adopted after the negotiation decision giving way to surprise. Still, Serina didn’t seem bothered.
“You seem to know quite a bit about us.”
“At the very least, I know you’re not the type to struggle against ogres.”
Ogre. Among the giant-class monsters seen on Cameron Planet, it ranked among the strongest. Immense strength and a massive build—it was no exaggeration to call it a living tank.
Its physical prowess was transcendent even among monsters. There had been cases where a single ogre defeated six suits of Power Armor, which said it all.
But Dark Elves weren’t a race that fought with raw physical firepower like humans. They had a high number of natural Superpower users within their kind, and their combat style was far from straightforward. They targeted weaknesses relentlessly until the end—that was the Dark Elf way.
Even an ogre stood no chance against them. Ogres usually roamed in small numbers, and the Dark Elves exploited those vulnerabilities with ruthless efficiency.
“Dark Elves losing to ogres...”
“You’d change your mind if you saw it for yourself.”
“How impressive can it be? Does it have two heads or something?”
“Exactly.”
“?”
“Their leader is a two-headed ogre—a Twin-Headed Ogre.”
Mutant monster. Occasionally, variants like that appeared among the same species. These could be weaker, but sometimes they displayed power on a completely different level from their kin.
“Normally, ogres show up one or two at a time, maybe three or four including juveniles at most. But this time...”
The Dark Elves lived divided into oases as bases in the Insulin region. Then suddenly, an ogre pack had seized the outskirts.
Unpredictable in movement, the Dark Elves had launched a preemptive strike to drive them off, only to suffer near annihilation.
The Dark Elves’ forces weren’t weak by any means. They hadn’t underestimated the ogres. Defeating them required substantial power, so elite Superpower users from each tribe had gathered.
Yet the Twin-Headed Ogre surpassed all imagination.
“It wielded a mysterious power.”
“A mysterious power...”
Monsters capable of Superpowers weren’t uncommon. Dragons alone were mages wielding all sorts of abilities.
But ogres? Aside from their insane physical stats, Suhyun had never heard of them using Superpowers. If they did, their threat level would skyrocket several grades.
“An ogre using Superpowers? Because of the mutation?”
“Who knows. And I don’t care about the reason. Its power was downright horrifying.”
“What kind of Superpower?”
“A power that nullified the mysterious forces we used.”
‘Nullification!’
It matched the ability of Suhyun’s bronze bowl artifact, the Crusher. A physically perfected ogre with that power— a terrifying combination.
No wonder the Dark Elves got wiped out without a fight. Sure, they had modern weapons, but compared to humans, it was just small arms level. Most of their strength relied on Superpowers.
And this countered that perfectly. No mere type disadvantage—it was a hard counter.
Suhyun’s face hardened as he listened to Serina’s explanation. He’d come in thinking it’d be a cakewalk against mere Dark Elves, but this was no joke.
‘This is bad. With Nullification...’
Even Suhyun and his team would struggle. To counter Superpower Nullification, you either overwhelmed with pure physical firepower, kept spamming Superpowers to overload it, or struck during its openings. The first two were practically impossible here.
‘Teams 1 and 2 are Superpower-heavy, not Power Armor-heavy. We didn’t bring enough suits... Physically pushing is out. A prolonged war with ogres on this manpower? Insane...’
Suhyun’s mind raced. Lately, he’d leaned too much on his abilities; this felt like reverting to his old ways.
“Gone quiet, eh? Guess there’s a brain in there after all.”
“You’re the ones threatened by ogres, not me. If you want help, maybe show a little more courtesy?”
“When did I ask for help?”
“You’re not telling me this for no reason.”
Serina smiled faintly. The human tagging along with her granddaughter grew more intriguing by the minute. She’d figured anyone with Shaina wouldn’t be ordinary. Seeing his skill made her oddly proud.
‘Of course. She’s my granddaughter. Wouldn’t hang around just anyone.’
“Caught me. I brought it up because we need help. As you’ve guessed, our situation isn’t great. The ogre pack shows no sign of leaving, and their movements are unpredictable. They’re quiet now because they’re full, but...”
When the ogre pack reached a village, it was reduced to rubble. Luckily, they moved slowly enough for evacuations, but if this continued, the area would be laid waste.
And once hungry, they’d rampage for fresh meat. Evacuating then would be tough.
Debates raged among the Dark Elves nonstop. One central issue:
-Should we abandon Insulin and leave?
It wasn’t absurd. In ancient times, they’d fled unbeatable monsters or dire situations, abandoning bases before.
But it wasn’t a decision made lightly. They argued endlessly over it. Suhyun got why they couldn’t focus on humans.
“Leave? That might work. With nothing left, the ogres might move on.”
“They might settle in instead.”
Suhyun caught the reluctance in Serina’s words about leaving.
“You don’t want to?”
“From my mother’s mother to me—we’ve all lived here. Why would I like fleeing? And... retreating isn’t fighting. Tucking tail and running is shame for a Dark Elf.”
A fierce flame burned in her wrinkled eyes. Suhyun admired it inwardly. Serina was the epitome of a Dark Elf.
“Humans are strong.”
“Why bring that up now?”
“I’ve fought you before, so I know. We might not win, but humans just might.”
‘That guy’s an exception.’
“If you’re confident you can take it down, I’ll arrange a meeting myself.”
“That’s tempting. Details?”
“The chiefs are all different, but one thing’s the same: desperation over the ogres. Some are prideful, but handle the ogres, and most demands will fly. Peace treaty or...”
“Potion?”
“Ah, that potion. Problem is...”
“Why?”
“Rare ingredients aside, it takes time to make.”
“Time, you mean...”
“Shortest estimate: thirty years. Longer: fifty.”
“Didn’t expect honesty.”
Serina glanced between Suhyun and Shaina.
“Figured I’d regret not being straight.”
“Thanks anyway. I’ll think on the offer.”
“Decide within two days. After that, might be too late. The meeting decides on leaving then.”
Suhyun nodded instead of answering.
“Normally, I’d scold my wayward granddaughter, but no time for that now.”
“Even if you had time, think I’d let you? Shaina left the tribe long ago; she’s my team member now. Don’t get it twisted.”
“...&*$#% $# ^#$$#. @$# ^% $^ $ $@ & @^.”
“?”
Serina’s final words didn’t register on the translator. Suhyun whispered to Shaina.
“What was that? Dark Elf language?”
“Old Dark Elf tongue.”
“What’d she say?”
“Uh, well...”
Shaina panicked, shaking her head.
“Nothing much. Just nonsense.”
“Yeah?”
Suhyun trusted Shaina. If she said so, he shrugged it off and turned.
“I’ll decide within a day and let you know.”
“I’ll wait.”
“Grandma, where’s the rest of the family?”
“Harkrona’s in the next village. They’re all fine—don’t worry.”
“Okay.”
‘I’m never going there.’
Reading Shaina’s thoughts, Serina continued right away.
“Now that you’re here, we should call Harkrona too.”
“Why Mom?!”
“Daughter visits, and you say don’t call Mom?”
“Ah, no, no need to call her, right?”
“No need not to.”
Suhyun cut in.
“Let’s go. Don’t wanna see her? Skip it. Focus on ogres now. Once decided, I’ll go alone.”
“With my family around, you going solo’ll just complicate things...”
“?”
* * *
“Superpower Nullification, and it’s not alone—it’s an ogre pack?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll follow Suhyun’s decision.”
“...?”
Suhyun had expected Kerik to resist or advise against it. But no. He handed over command without hesitation.
‘What’s with this guy?’
Suhyun stepped out and met Scott privately. It was about Team 1 Leader Kerik’s attitude.
“Is he usually that passive?”
“No. He’s normally super proactive and assertive.”
“Then why? Is he protesting now?”
“No, definitely not. He’s not the type. I’ve known Kerik longer than a day or two—he doesn’t vent like that.”
“Then what?”
“Well, I don’t...”
“Damn, ogres are headache enough without this.”
“He said he’ll follow you, so just go with it?”
“Not just my team, and it’s no pushover—how can I decide solo? Did the Chairman pull strings?”
“Kerik’s not one to follow orders like that...”
“Fine, got it. I’ll handle the call—no complaints.”
“Not just me—others trust you too.”
“Team 2, sure. But Team 1? Baffling.”
Suhyun scratched his head, lost in thought. Insulin lay beautiful and silent in the darkness, but his mind wouldn’t settle.
Face the ogres? Worth it? Do we even have the means?
Plus, the potion wasn’t guaranteed complete. It’d have value even incomplete, but Suhyun needed instant results.
Only at dawn did Suhyun decide.
* * *
“Terms are simple. Exterminate the ogre pack, and we get passage rights... a peace treaty, basically.”
“To what extent, human?”
The chiefs were sharp. Serina had evidently paved the way—they didn’t outright challenge Suhyun, but their eyes gleamed, refusing any loss.
“To what extent?”
“If every human can swarm in and rampage, that’s putting the cart before the horse. Set limits.”
“Ah, fair point...”
He hadn’t considered it. He didn’t want other humans profiting off his work anyway.
“Fine. Cap headcount, issue permits for passage only.”
The Dark Elves nodded—no more objections.
“But why’s that one like that?”
Suhyun pointed at one chief. Unlike the others, he wore an eyepatch and a gag-like muzzle.
“Uh...”
“No big deal. Just protesting humans in the meeting hall.”
“What, some X-god?”
The other chiefs waved him off, trying to calm Suhyun.
“Ears are open—watch your words.”
“Who cares? I’m risking my neck here—why mind that guy?”