Chapter 163
Chapter 163
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 163
Chapter Title: Dragonia Underground (2)
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The golem's appearance reminded him of a crude power armor. Unlike the sleek design of power armor, the golem had a body made of sharp right angles. Yet its intimidating presence was even more intense than power armor.
"Attack!"
Superpowers focused on the golem in an instant. It was firepower that would vaporize most monsters on the spot. After several superpowers collided, the users scanned the golem's condition.
But the golem was unscathed.
"What?!"
"Prepare for counterattack!"
The golem didn't counterattack. It simply stood there stoically.
"That thing...?"
"Is it a trick?"
Some cunning monsters used tricks against humans. They'd pretend to be groggy to lure in attacks.
Eclipse's superpowered users were all seasoned mercenaries with plenty of experience, and they weren't fooled by such ploys.
"Doesn't seem like it."
"Why isn't it moving? Is it dead?"
"Philip. You check it out."
At Jack's command, one man nodded and dashed forward. At a speed no human could match, Suhyun realized he was using the acceleration superpower, Haste.
"Impressive. In terms of pure speed, he's a notch above even Rio Shin."
It was only natural, given they were the top talents gathered from America. The man kicked off the wall, trying to slip past the golem's side.
That's when the golem moved.
Thud!
"!"
The golem stomped the ground hard with its foot, then swung a fist toward Philip. It was an agile motion that belied its massive bulk.
"Get out of there!"
The golem might be fast, but not faster than Philip. Philip dodged its attack with ease, yet Jack urgently ordered him to retreat for some reason. And Philip trusted their leader.
Whoosh!
A blast of cold air poured out around the golem's body. The circular burst of frost spread over a wide area. If Philip hadn't moved first, he would've taken it head-on.
"Urgh...!"
Even though Philip dodged and another superpowered user threw up a barrier, the chill grazed his shoulder. He grimaced in pain as he moved.
"Philip's hit! Fall back for now! You two, with me—we pin down its legs!"
Jack moved to attack the golem with his comrades, buying time for Philip to escape. But as soon as Philip pulled away, the golem froze again.
"?"
"That thing...?"
Those braced for a fight were left flustered but relieved. The golem was as still as if its earlier rampage had been a lie.
"Does it only move if you get close?"
"Either way, we're lucky. Heal Philip."
The healing ability user treated Philip's frozen shoulder. After that, they tested the golem several more times with attacks, but it held firm in place. Even small explosives had no effect.
"So that's what he meant."
Suhyun understood what the chairman had said. With so little risk in failure, they'd keep trying. Breaking through an enemy that didn't counterattack like this carried minimal burden.
"But what the hell is this golem? I get that it's tough, but... did they forge it from solid altaranium or something?"
Suhyun muttered without thinking. He didn't really believe that. It was too unrealistic.
At this rate, he was leaning toward giving it a shot. Low risk, high reward. Except for one thing.
"Why does it have to be underground in the Dragonia Basin...?"
Suhyun had firmly vowed to avoid dragons. And after the vision he'd seen last time, that resolve had only strengthened.
Just then, he got a call from the chairman.
"How is it? Looks promising, right?"
"If it weren't Dragonia, I'd have gone in already."
"I understand your concerns. Even underground, it's dragon territory—something could happen. But this should ease your worries."
The chairman sent over documents translating ancient texts. According to them, the structures underground in Dragonia were a kind of shelter. Suhyun's hunch had been right.
"You can probably guess. What kind of place this is."
There had once been a tribe living in the Dragonia Basin. They'd maintained a decent civilization and lived well. Until the dragon appeared.
They'd fled from the dragon that showed up one day, and the remnants were these deep underground facilities.
"A shelter for those who fled the dragon—so no chance of dragon contact. If dragons could go down there, would these facilities still be intact?"
"It makes sense, but..."
"Clear the obstacles blocking the path, make a new route, and grab any artifacts along the way. Artifacts related to 'immortality.'"
"I'm not sure these are definitely tied to immortality."
The translated documents weren't perfect. The bits about immortality-related artifacts were vague. Words like immortality, artifact, storage—just jumbled together.
"That's enough probability. We've invested on less."
"Got it, Chairman. I'll think it over and get back to you."
"Make it quick!"
Suhyun ended the call and sank into thought.
"They've attempted double digits already, and the dragons have stayed quiet the whole time. It does seem safe... but is it really?"
Pure logic said he should've gone in already, but dragons made Suhyun cautious like this. The vision in the dark elves' territory still nagged at him.
"Team Leader Kim Suhyun, you got time now?"
"Yes, go ahead. What's up?"
"Colonel Lee Jung-young is quickly gathering his team members. If you want to resolve bringing talent like you mentioned last time, now's the best moment..."
"Ah, right."
The director wanted Suhyun to take people and leave as soon as possible. He wanted to check Lee Jung-young, but subtly—not all-out war.
"Understood. I forgot. Heading there now."
"Come with me. It'll be easier."
* * *
"Have you decided on everyone you're taking?"
"Just two."
"Only two? Fewer than I expected."
"My team's almost complete already, and taking more would put even you in an awkward spot, Director."
"Haha, thanks for the consideration, but no need to go that far..."
"What's that?"
"Pardon?"
Suhyun pointed to the power armors lined up on one side of the military base. The rows of new-model power armors were a sight to behold, but that wasn't why he asked.
"Black Bear power armors. Development and testing are done, so they'll be deployed en masse. We've gotten approval for use not just in the military but in government ops too. Colonel Lee Jung-young's team or yours can use them if you want."
The director meant it kindly, but to Suhyun, it sounded like a death sentence.
"They passed testing?"
"Yes, they did."
"No issues in the testing process?"
"It took a while, but no problems as far as I know."
Even so, issues couldn't have slipped by unnoticed. Suhyun knew the military's ways. If problems arose...
"They must've greased some palms. That's why it took extra time."
Suhyun shook his head as he walked over. Just looking at those Black Bear power armors stirred mixed feelings. He'd faced near-death riding those things more than once, making him want to gun down their developers.
"I'll report those on my way out."
Suhyun resolved to do it. He couldn't stomach those Black Bears brazenly roaming around.
"So, who are the two?"
"One is Moon Seo-yeon."
"Ah, she's well-known. One of the top superpowered users in the military."
The director nodded. Unlike Suhyun, Moon Seo-yeon had stood out for years. Superpowered users rarely joined the military, but there were always exceptions. She was one.
"And the other?"
"Kwak Hyun-tae. Probably a sergeant major or something by now."
"?"
The director tilted his head. He'd never heard the name.
"Never heard of him?"
"He's hiding his superpowered status. Let's grab him first. Find him and bring him."
"Got it."
* * *
Kwak Hyun-tae's face was stiff. Being called from above rarely meant good news. And this was no ordinary superior—it was the director of the Development Planning Department.
Suhyun and the department might seem minor to some, but to a non-commissioned officer, the director's name carried weight. Cameron's Development Planning Department had deep ties with the military.
"What is it?"
"Attention! Sergeant Major Kwak Hyun-tae reporting as ordered!"
"Have a seat."
The director smiled warmly and gestured. That eased Kwak Hyun-tae a bit. If it were trouble, he wouldn't act so friendly.
Only after sitting rigidly did he notice the room. Beside the director sat an unfamiliar man. Young, maybe mid-twenties.
"Who's that?"
"I'll handle the rest."
"Yes, sir."
"...?"
As the director left, Kwak Hyun-tae was thrown for a loop. Who the hell was this guy?
"I'm Kim Suhyun. Heard of me?"
"...!"
Kwak Hyun-tae blinked. He watched the news. Kim Suhyun. Korea's first mage. Now that he thought about it, the face looked familiar.
"Heard of you, but... can a mage just talk casually to a soldier?"
"I can if needed. I've got the position for it. Even to your superior's superior's superior. Want a demo?"
"No, no, that's fine."
"You were frozen stiff with the director, but I look like an easy mark?"
Caught off-guard, Kwak Hyun-tae's face flushed.
"Well, mage status might not click yet. But even without that, you'd bow to me. I hold your lifeline."
"My... lifeline?"
"You know Colonel Lee Jung-young's project? Announcements went out several times."
Kwak Hyun-tae nodded. Gathering superpowered users and top talents for a new team. But he'd ignored it. Looked like a one-way ticket to hell.
"Don't wanna go there?"
"!"
"But reject my offer, and you'll end up there anyway."
"Why?!"
"Not me sending you—your own screw-ups. Embezzling unit funds."
"!?!"
Kwak Hyun-tae nearly shot up but held back. How did this bastard know?
"Your superior's doing it too, so you thought it was fine? He'll throw you under the bus. Should've kissed up more."
"No, that guy's taking way more than me, why should I..."
Having blurted a confession, Kwak Hyun-tae clamped his mouth shut.
"Now choose: arrest or special forces."
Suhyun knew Kwak Hyun-tae's history inside out. Embezzled to buy girlfriend gifts, got backstabbed by his superior—who was also dirty. Mistook leniency for safety.
Jail or special forces. He'd tearfully picked the latter.
"How do you know that? Wait, I mean... damn. What do you want from me?"
Kwak Hyun-tae gave up after quick thinking. Suhyun had investigated thoroughly and had him pinned. No escape.
"Anyone'd think I'm blackmailing you. For the record, I'm not—I'm helping. Reject if you want; I'll walk away."
"The embezzlement too...?"
"I won't tell, but handle your superior yourself."
"Ugh."
"Simple: join my team."
Suhyun tossed him a paper. Team member perks listed. Kwak Hyun-tae's eyes shook violently.
"Sir..."
"?"
"Attention!"
"Honest greed—I like it."
Suhyun patted Kwak Hyun-tae's shoulder.
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