Chapter 144
Chapter 144
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 144
Chapter Title: There's Something Special About Mages (2)
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“That artificial artifact thing is intriguing, but at this size, it’s far from being commercialized.”
The box was about the size of a person, not something you could carry around. It was even more impractical in a situation where you had to move frantically against monsters.
“Well, it’s still in the development stage. I’d guess other places are doing something similar. They all keep it hush-hush, though…”
“Yeah, probably.”
Countries on Cameron were all obsessed with technological development to varying degrees. Everyone knew it: humanity’s future lay on Cameron.
“What? If you know something, just tell me.”
“No, it’s nothing much… I’ve got connections in the U.S.”
“What are they up to?”
Charles Chairman and the Blue Bear team suddenly came to mind. If he told Choi Ji-eun about this, Charles would be pretty upset. He’d only shared their research because Suhyun was a mage of high value—not to spread it around.
But Suhyun didn’t care and told her anyway.
*Well, if he didn’t want that, he shouldn’t have said anything in the first place.*
Choi Ji-eun, right in front of him, mattered more than some distant Charles Chairman.
“Superpower supplements, huh. The U.S. really focuses on practical research.”
“As soon as results come in, profits roll straight into corporate coffers. They have no choice.”
“Interesting. These little things add up to real strengths. Oh, I heard some fun news too.”
“?”
“Japan announced an impressive project. I asked around over there, and the research is basically done—they’re just waiting for the official reveal.”
“What project?”
“Artificial Dimensional Gate project.”
“…!”
Seeing Suhyun’s reaction, Choi Ji-eun tilted her head.
“You knew about it?”
“Just from articles a while back.”
“Oh? What happened? Did they actually succeed?”
“No, the researcher faked the results. It was a total failure. Caused a huge stir for a bit…”
“!?!?!”
Choi Ji-eun looked utterly shocked, like she hadn’t even considered it.
“They faked the results?”
“I wasn’t directly involved, so I don’t know the details, but that’s what I remember. The articles said the researcher manipulated data to deceive everyone.”
“A researcher with that kind of career…?”
“Apparently under performance pressure.”
“Unbelievable. What were they thinking?”
Choi Ji-eun shook her head and sank into her chair. She’d been impressed as a fellow researcher, but fabrication? It deflated her completely.
“China and Korea keep getting massively outpaced on Cameron, so they’re desperate. When the top gets anxious, the underlings get the heat. Humans can only take so much pressure.”
“Ugh. I was gonna go watch the demo…”
“Forget it. Nothing good to see there. Anyway, can’t you shrink this artificial artifact more?”
“Not yet, probably.”
“Too bad. Joo Won-jun’s superpower is a rare one… How do those other races make their artifacts so small?”
“My guess? Superpowers.”
“Hm?”
“A superpower for crafting artifacts. Like how we made an artificial one from Joo Won-jun’s corpse—if there’s a superpower that crystallizes a superhuman’s body, you could make artifacts like this. Looking at artifact eras, lots were made around the same time. If one superhuman made and distributed a bunch, it fits.”
“Feels like something you told me before…”
“…Pretend it’s new. I can’t very well say it’s from future me’s warnings!”
“Has a superpower like that ever been found?”
“Not that I know. You?”
“Nope. That’s why I asked. Rare superpowers often skip generations, so it’s not weird, but I wouldn’t mind having it.”
“Wouldn’t be pretty if it turned up.”
“Why not?”
“The other races who made ancient artifacts weren’t organized like us. They could only make a few at most—limited by available superhuman bodies. But we’re different, right? High-grade A-ranks are rare, but low-level superhumans are a dime a dozen. Get that power from shady sources…”
“They’d set up artifact factories. I get it. If it shows up, I’ll snag it first.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“No, if I find it, it’s mine.”
“Don’t do anything dangerous…”
Choi Ji-eun sighed, seeing Suhyun brush it off.
* * *
“Suhyun, something weird’s going on.”
“Yes?”
Jo Seung-hyun, the president, called out to Suhyun when he returned. Lately, Suhyun handled all field ops, so Jo’s job was mostly cleanup. Sorting through mountains of rights and interests was no joke. Others might call it a rich man’s problem.
“You know we hold a ton of rights? Plenty we’re just sitting on.”
“Because of outsiders leasing them? Lend to trustworthy ones for cash. We can’t hold everything anyway.”
“No, it’s not that… That’s normal, not what’s weird. Anyway, companies approach to share those rights. We ignore sketchy ones, check promising ones before partnering. But as you know, these deals rarely stay clean on paper.”
“President… Don’t tell me…”
Profits from Cameron rights were massive, so shady dealings were rampant to snag contracts. Cash off the books was so common it was outdated now.
“I didn’t take any!”
As Suhyun’s gaze chilled, Jo Seung-hyun realized the suspicion and denied it fast.
He was president, but considering Suhyun’s position, he was the real center of the company. If Suhyun left, it was over.
But Jo had no complaints. Being a figurehead next to a powerhouse beat running a small firm alone.
He knew exactly how his little merc company reached this point—and hoped the partnership lasted.
“So what is it?”
“Korean firms are cautious—fines are steep—so bribes are subtle these days. Cash is rare; even untraceable chips leave trails. Rebates come in varied forms now… But some openly offer straight cash.”
“Huh?”
“I said I couldn’t promise yes, but they insisted. Too much for a ‘favor’ stamp, so I refused. But then more from other companies. Competition’s fierce? Testing waters even if no?”
“…!”
Suhyun felt a chill down his spine. Jo might be right, but something else felt off.
*Is someone digging a trap?*
Allies were trickier than clear enemies. Roaming life-or-death battlefields against monsters and aliens made it easy to forget: mercs were still modern folks under laws. Screw up, face punishment.
*Am I overreacting?*
It fit. Suhyun had pissed off several spots—China especially saw him as a thorn. Now his mage status and strength were known, direct attacks failed.
So this worked: serial bribery traces would force him out of government ops at least.
*Doesn’t matter who’s behind it. Go straight and proper.*
“You handled it right, President. Could be a trap.”
“Trap? Who’d trap us?”
“China, Russia? Even in Korea, plenty envy and check us. Foreign powers more so.”
“Nah, no way… Papers looked legit. You’re overthinking?”
“Could be. Point is, be cautious. No harm in it. Stick to official channels only from now on. No rebates, period.”
“That strict?”
“We’re not hurting for cash. What we have is plenty, plus government backing.”
“True… Got it. I’ll reject them all.”
“Thanks.”
Suhyun headed to his squad’s lounge. He’d always warned against shady offers, but he’d reinforce it now.
Most were trustworthy, but some looked weak to temptation. They might leak key info without realizing betrayal.
“Gotta manage them again… What? Where is everyone?”
“Oh, Team Leader.”
Only Kim Chang-sik remained in the usually bustling lounge.
“Where’re the others?”
“Some exercising outside, rest feeling off—seeing doctors.”
“What?”
Suhyun told him to lead. Squad was healthy, but Cameron was unpredictable. Sudden mystery illnesses weren’t odd.
“You okay?”
“I’m here, aren’t I? That’s healthy.”
“Good.”
The med bay was top-notch, with resident docs from expansion. Squad lay fatigued; they raised hands at Suhyun.
“Team Leader.”
“What happened? How bad?”
“No major issues. Just fatigue, probably…”
The doc said post-checkup, but Suhyun ignored it. Not mere fatigue for those symptoms.
Park Su-yong, Jung Sung-jae, Kim Dong-wook—even Lee So-hee. She tried rising at Suhyun; he stopped her.
“Stay down. Tell me what’s up. When’d it start?”
“Just feverish and tired.”
“That’s not nothing…”
Suhyun touched Lee So-hee’s forehead: hot, flushed, sweating, breathing ragged. Others same.
“Fever like this is no problem?”
“Well, temp’s normal…”
“Normal temp?”
The symptoms sparked recognition. Normal readings but flu-like agony…
*Awakening Syndrome?!*
Superhumans could awaken smoothly or like this. Common enough for its own name.
*But what triggered it?*
Uncle Jo Company had extra awakenings among ranks—fact for their rep.
But sudden like this stunned Suhyun.
*Insulin climate? Dark elf contact? Ogre fights?*
“Transfer to big hospital?”
“No… Doc says no big deal, so wait a day.”
It never lasted over a day. If not, check then. Suhyun pulled a chair, stayed through the night.
Next dawn, Jung Sung-jae awakened first—blowing the ceiling and jolting Suhyun awake.
145
