Chapter 157
Chapter 157
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 157
Chapter Title: Actions from the Past (2)
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After hearing the director's words, Suhyun didn't understand at first.
'What’s he talking about?'
“You probably don’t remember. A while back, you resolved that issue in the Karkrita Valley, right?”
“Ah…….”
Only after the director explained further, seeing Suhyun's expression, did the memory come back. Karkrita Valley. There had been ghost-type monsters, and his team had cleared them out. Inside, there were artifacts, and definitely……
'That orb was there.'
There was an orb whose true nature remained unknown even now.
“It wasn’t just solving the problem—you recorded all the text inside and brought it out. Our researchers were impressed when they saw it. It’s rare for a team to document things in such detail. Most don’t care about murals or writing.”
“Well, that’s true.”
At the time, Suhyun had been pulling out all the stops to win the government's favor. Photographing the entire ruins interior had been part of that effort.
“Thanks to you, it was a huge help to the research. I heard the announcement today is related to the text on those murals. Seems like a perfect reason for Team Leader Kim Suhyun to attend, doesn’t it?”
“That makes sense.”
“As you said, we sent out invitations to avoid any misunderstandings. The issue is they’re not mandatory…….”
“If they don’t come, there’s nothing we can do. I get that. I’m not expecting you to fix that kind of problem.”
Still, Suhyun figured Wooshankai would likely show up. It was an event he himself was attending, after all. Suhyun rarely appeared at official functions. Even if Wooshankai personally didn’t want to come, his superiors would probably order him to.
'I’ll make sure he shows and gets a good look at me.'
“By the way, Team Leader, have you met our Policy Division Chief?”
“Ah, Chief Jo Min-wook. I have.”
The director shook his head slowly.
“Doesn’t seem like it worked.”
“Pardon?”
“How long ago did you get back from Calcutta, and you’re already gearing up for the next job?”
“Ah, is that what you meant? Well, I’ll rest after this one.”
What Suhyun said was the classic line of an addict. ‘Just one more, then I’ll quit.’ Seeing that, the director inwardly clicked his tongue.
'He’s so young—why’s he such a workaholic?'
Of course, he had no intention of voicing that thought. If it didn’t work, he’d chew out Chief Jo Min-wook, not Suhyun.
Not long after, Suhyun got the call. Wooshankai was attending.
* * *
“How’s it look? Not bad?”
“Looks good. But it suits you almost too well.”
“I’ve been to a few events like this.”
Ruiril spun in place. The dress wasn’t flashy, but anyone could tell at a glance it was finely made.
“Because of that ‘hobby’ of yours?”
“I’d love to say no, but yeah. I can’t exactly wrap myself in black cloth and stroll into a hall every time. Thieving isn’t simple. You adapt organically to the situation, and above all, you aim for perfection…….”
“Ah, yeah.”
“…Could you at least pretend to listen?”
“Tuxedos are still so stuffy.”
“When did you ever wear one before?”
'Whoops.'
“No big deal. Anyway, how’s the training going?”
Ruiril’s face darkened at the question. Suhyun figured it wasn’t going well. Otherwise, there’d be no reason for that expression.
“Not going great? It’s fine. No pressure—take it slow.”
“No, it’s going well. Too well, actually…….”
“?”
“Next mission, she might even be ready to use her superpower. She’s picking it up so fast…….”
“Then why the long face?”
“What’s wrong with my face? I’m thrilled.”
“That’s thrilled?”
In any case, Suhyun didn’t press further. If it was going well, no issue there. Lee So-hee had most of the qualities to become an outstanding superhuman. Persistence, intelligence, stamina, composure…… Watching promising recruits grow as expected was one of Suhyun’s joys.
“Anyway, one last time: a few reminders.”
“I’m not gonna steal anything…….”
“Yeah, I know. Listen up. It’s a formal event, so no trouble. Formal event—no trouble at all. Formal event—absolutely, under no circumstances, trouble. Got it? Keep your hands to yourself.”
“I got it……!”
“Alright, let’s head in.”
Guided by the staffer the director assigned, they entered the hall, and all eyes turned to them instantly.
It wasn’t just because of the elf Ruiril. There were a few other otherworlders inside. Otherworlders working with humans were few but not rare.
“That’s him…….”
It was the gaze and reaction he’d seen many times before. Maybe because of all the researchers, it felt a bit different, but not by much.
“You came, Mr. Kim Suhyun!”
“Hello?”
“I’m Kim Jung-hyun. It’s an honor presenting in front of such luminaries, but I’m handling today’s announcement. I heard you were coming, but I didn’t think you’d actually show!”
“Don’t people usually come when they say they will?”
“Big shots often say they’ll attend events and then bail. Who’d want to hear about stuff like this anyway? Only us researchers love it.”
“No, I’m interested too. Curious what you’ll reveal.”
“Really?!”
“Yeah, wandering Cameron, you can’t help but get intrigued by otherworlder stuff.”
When someone of Suhyun’s stature showed genuine interest, Kim Jung-hyun’s eyes sparkled. He beckoned to someone far off. A short dwarf with a trimmed mustache hurried over.
“This is Horian. He helped a ton with this research. Calling him one of the top linguists in the country isn’t an exaggeration.”
“Top? Hardly…….”
Horian turned his head shyly. His cheeks flushed slightly. He wasn’t used to praise.
Whatever. Suhyun was eager for the presentation details. The orb he had was an outlier even among natural artifacts.
They still hadn’t figured out what it was, and honestly, it didn’t seem likely anytime soon. To uncover it, he’d have to reveal it—but exposing valuables like that always led to complications.
'Any hints would be nice.'
Murals or text in ruins weren’t always useful. Most of the time, they were worthless. But this was his only shot.
“So, what did the writing on the walls mean? I’ve been wondering while exploring.”
“Ah, here’s today’s presentation material.”
Suhyun took the tablet PC and quickly scrolled the hologram. It was so vast he couldn’t take it all in. Noticing, Kim Jung-hyun smiled and began explaining.
“Reading it all would take forever and bore you. Ask what you’re curious about, and I’ll answer.”
“Why were those murals and writings there?”
“Worship, commemoration, memorial… Something like that.”
“So it was a tomb after all?”
Tombs were a common ruin type. Finding otherworlder valuables or artifacts made them a hit with all explorers.
“No. It could be seen as a tomb depending on perspective, but… it’s a bit different.”
“How so?”
“Regular tombs are usually made for someone of decent status in the tribe when they die. You find bodies inside. But the site you found had no preserved corpses. That piqued interest, so we dug deeper, and got intriguing results. It’s closer to a religious facility.”
“Religious facility?”
Cameron had religions. Not as structured as Earth’s—more like believing in spirits or mystical forces.
“That’s what it was?”
Suhyun felt inwardly disappointed. He’d hoped for a lead, but it was just a spirit-worship site. Not much help.
“If it was just any religious site, we wouldn’t call it intriguing. Otherworlder religions are usually animism or totemism. But not this one. It’s close to our monotheism.”
“…?”
“Look here at this phrase. ‘We have believed in the Great Being for generations and taken pride in it. As proof, we leave this place, so none may enter.’ It blends tomb-like and religious phrasing. Isn’t that fascinating?”
“…….”
Hearing it, Suhyun thought differently. Kim Jung-hyun saw it as religious, but he didn’t.
'That’s from an Earth perspective. Otherworlders wouldn’t believe in a god like that. The Great Being wasn’t a deity—it was a real creature from Cameron, right?'
That line of thought sparked curiosity.
'So who was this Great Being? To lead a whole otherworlder tribe, it had to be incredibly powerful and intelligent at minimum…….'
His first thought was a dragon. But Suhyun dismissed it. It didn’t fit his knowledge.
Dragons were walking natural disasters, not beings that commanded otherworlders without slaughtering them. He’d never heard of a dragon subjugating otherworlders peacefully.
'A powerful mage? Then this orb came from it? What ability did it have?'
“Mr. Kim Suhyun?”
“Yes? Sorry, your story was so fascinating I got lost in thought.”
“Haha, that makes me even happier. Thanks for the interest. Without you, we wouldn’t have gotten this far. The materials are here—give them a read. Contact me if anything comes up.”
Kim Jung-hyun bowed and left to prepare. Left behind, Suhyun pondered the info he’d just heard.
“Um, over there.”
“?”
“Wooshankai’s here!”
Ruiril snapped Suhyun out of it. He looked up ahead. A familiar face approached with a smug strut.
“Long time no see. Wooshankai.”
“!”
He’d come half because of Suhyun, but he hadn’t expected Suhyun to act so chummy. Wooshankai was startled but composed himself.
“Yeah, long time.”
“Been well?”
“…Of course.”
'As if you’d let me be well, you bastard.'
Wooshankai swallowed a curse. Suhyun probably had no idea just showing up had already ruined one of his plans.
'Stay calm, stay calm.'
It was a formal event. And dealing with someone as sharp as Suhyun required extra caution. No slip-ups.
“But why’s someone like you at an event like this?”
“Didn’t really want to come. The government’s pushing me to start showing my face. Taking them one by one.”
Ruiril, listening beside him, was floored by how brazenly Suhyun lied.
'Is he starting to get arrogant? I hope so.'
Fame changes people. And Wooshankai desperately wanted Suhyun to change. His superiors were pressuring him to figure out how to deal with Suhyun.
Only then would there be an opening. Right now, he was an iron wall—no way in.
'No money grabs, no partying, no women troubles…… Does this guy even enjoy life?'
“What do high-ranking Chinese officials usually do on days off?”
“?!”
For a split second, he thought his mind was read. Wooshankai jolted, then coughed awkwardly. Suhyun couldn’t read his thoughts. Pure coincidence.
“What do they do? Varies by person. Everyone has their hobbies.”
“My question was too vague. So what do you do on days off?”
“Me? Usually volunteer locally, dine with party members, or play golf sometimes.”
It sounded like a prepared model answer—and it was. Wooshankai was thorough about this.
“Ever have an affair?”
“Yeah, sometimes an affair… What?!”