Chapter 186
Chapter 186
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 186
Chapter Title: New Exploration (2)
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Even though humans were excitedly scurrying about claiming it as their territory, that was only recent. Five years ago?
“Tell me more details.”
* * *
-Why should we tell elves about our situation?
-Yeah. If you think we're easy pushovers just because we're wanderers...
-Should we call that human from before? Or will you talk nicely?
At Ruiril's threat, the orcs immediately caved.
-A few humans showed up one day. They said this was their territory and told us to get lost suddenly.
-We protested, of course. But those humans were stronger than us. They shoved guns in our faces and threatened us, so we backed off for the time being. Our tribe's warriors were out elsewhere at the time. We figured once they returned, they'd smash their guns or whatever with the spirits' power.
-Soon after, the tribe warriors came back, and the strongest among them led the way to find those humans. To tell them to leave or face an attack.
“Hold on, they tried talking in that situation? Orcs?”
“Guess even orcs know messing with humans can be a headache.”
“Well, that makes sense. Keep going with the story.”
-But... the warrior who went to talk came back pale as a ghost. Even when we asked, he couldn't answer properly and just kept repeating that we should avoid dealing with them and leave. When our strongest warrior was like that, the others got scared too, and we had no choice but to leave. The rest is the usual story. First time seeing a wandering tribe, elf?
-Not the first time. And if you get cocky one more time, promise or not, I'll blast your face off, so watch your mouth. Do you know whose money is feeding you right now?!
“Why are you getting mad when I'm the one spending the money?”
“We're on the same team—can't you handle that much?!”
“Well, sure, but...”
Ruiril came on stronger than expected, making Suhyun flinch. In the past, she'd been meek as a mouse before a cat since he had her weakness pinned down, but lately, her real personality seemed to be emerging.
“The top esper in an orc tribe wouldn't get scared that easily. They're not pushovers... What got to them?”
“If he was that terrified... hallucinations?”
“Someone like In-gyu? Hallucination-type espers are rare.”
No matter how strong the esper ability, getting that shaken up was another matter.
“Why not just ask the guy himself? That'd be quickest. Did you?”
“Of course I did. But whenever I asked about that, he clammed up and shook his head. No matter what, he wouldn't answer.”
“Better to go see for myself then.”
Suhyun shoved back his chair and stood up.
“Tell the squad to assemble. Time to move out again.”
* * *
The Anes region didn't have any standout powerful monsters. That's why fierce fights broke out over resources near the lake, and once things stabilized, the skirmishes moved to the shadows. Suhyun had been one of the people working the field back then.
Later, as more areas were explored, it turned out the initial Anes region's resources were like fireflies before the full moon compared to farther east.
‘If they think the Divrao region is as easy as Anes, they'll get burned bad.’
At first, humanity wondered why other races distinguished between Anes and the Divrao region to the east. Visually, there wasn't that much difference to warrant separate names.
No standout powerful monsters, but it wasn't easy either. Judging Divrao as cozy based on the lake-side Anes area was a misjudgment.
This region's true nature revealed itself deeper in.
Monsters that weren't strong but annoyingly persistent, natural terrain close to monsters... The resources were tempting, difficulty lower than elsewhere, but even famous espers avoided it. It frayed nerves that much.
Back then, if the higher-ups said go, you'd go—Divrao or hell, no difference. But now? No way. The thought of enduring that grind again was dizzying.
‘Come to think of it, Jo Chung-young would love to dive in. Maybe I should keep an eye on him.’
The orc tribe had been chased from inside Anes anyway—far from Divrao, unrelated.
“But why chase out the orc tribe?”
“Who knows.”
“Usually, kicking out resident other races is about interests.”
Developing the area, the biggest obstacle was the locals. Anes had been ignored for a while due to crossing issues.
“Development was impossible—why chase them out then?”
“Reasons we can't even imagine, probably. On Cameron, nothing's impossible. Maybe some backroom deals happened without us knowing...”
“How'd they move the equipment?”
“Maybe they went around. Anyway, stop asking me. Just catch those guys, and it'll all come out...”
“We attacking right away?”
“Let's scout first. Nothing major, but possible hallucinations worry me a bit. Better I check alone than drag everyone.”
“I'll go with—”
“No, I'll—”
Kwak Hyun-tae looked bewildered at the squad members raising hands. Anyone could see it was volunteering for trouble—why waste resources?
“You're coming with me for now.”
“Yes?! Me?!”
“Your ability looks useful.”
Invisibility. Kwak Hyun-tae regretted not being able to use it right now.
“Then let's see what they're up to.”
* * *
“Looks like a normal village.”
“I see it too. Definitely...”
It was an ordinary village. Facilities everywhere, people milling about—if Suhyun had no info, he'd think primitive outpost.
“Orcs didn't trick us, right?”
“No way they'd be that crazy.”
“Hey, dwarves too.”
“Hold up. Someone's coming.”
“Yes? Who?”
Kwak Hyun-tae scanned around, baffled. He wasn't a rookie. Perfect cover, observing—no one visible nearby.
“Coming up from the hill's blind spot. You can't see from your position.”
“...How can you see them, Team Leader?”
“That's the difference between you and me. Wait, that's... Russians.”
“No Americans?”
“Surprisingly, Americans too.”
“?!”
Kwak Hyun-tae jumped at Suhyun's answer to his joke.
“For real?”
“And the mood between them is hostile.”
Plus, both groups had familiar faces to Suhyun.
* * *
“Ivan?”
“Kim Suhyun? How are you here? Anyway, good to see you! How've you been?”
The Russian esper from the old rescue op growled below with his men.
And his opponent was...
“Hold on, if we're talking closeness, we're closer, right? Why act buddy-buddy all sudden?”
Blue Bear Team 2.
“Buddy-buddy? Do Americans see greetings as that? Maybe your side doesn't even greet? No, you'd probably pick a fight with someone who does.”
“Acting chummy in this situation is what's suspicious! Curious—have you even contacted me once since?”
“Ugh...”
The two leaders insisting closeness to Suhyun was... awkward. If it weren't Suhyun involved, it'd be funny.
“Who are these guys? Kinda weirdos.”
Before Suhyun could speak, Ruiril poked Kwak Hyun-tae's back—shut up.
“Ivan. Good to see you. Doing well?”
“Of course! His Excellency was thrilled about saving Dmitry. Wanted to meet you too, but Korea wasn't keen.”
After that mission, nearly kidnapped by China—Korea wouldn't send Suhyun. No outright kidnapping, but who knows.
“I wouldn't want to go either.”
“Watch your mouth. You arrogant American...”
“What'll you do? Fight me?”
Suhyun sighed watching the two bicker moments after he intervened.
“Let me figure out the situation—stop interrupting.”
“Ahem...”
“Anyway, weird running into you both here. What're you doing?”
“What reason to roam around? Scouting. Got an interesting tip. Humans built a village nearby?”
Ivan nodded grudgingly at Jennifer's words. He'd gotten a similar tip.
“Someone settling here must know something. Plus, weird they're living deep like this. How'd they get in?”
Among many, eccentrics existed. Cameron too. People steadily tried settling deep alone or in small groups.
Most vanished without trace to monster attacks or whatever.
“Ivan for similar reasons?”
“That, and... if they found nearby resources first, it'd be trouble. So, contact them.”
First finder rights to resources. Ivan figured deep-dwellers wouldn't be money-grubbers.
No greed? Easy trade. Offer gifts, quick rights waiver, done.
Ivan spoke roundabout, but Suhyun got it. He knew this handling best.
“Came for signatures, huh?”
Ivan flushed—busted. He nodded.
“But why loiter outside? Not going in?”
“Well...”
“...A problem cropped up.”
* * *
“They told you to scram? Didn't think you'd care.”
With their tempers, first sight of that from a stranger would've meant fists first.
“We don't, normally. But when the guy saying it has a massive monster behind him? Different story.”
“Massive monster?”
“It was... an Earth Dragon. Definitely.”
“Bull. Sure, it looked similar, but Earth Dragons aren't that big, and they burrow underground.”
“Then what monster was it?”
“Uh... mutant?”
Suhyun waved to cut them off.
“So, a villager—with some huge monster you can't confirm as Earth Dragon—told you both to beat it?”
“Yeah.”
“Close enough.”
“One guy? I'd call bullshit. But two? Kinda convincing. Fine. Let's check it out. How huge...”
“Wait!”
“?”
“Before going in, shouldn't we decide who talks first?”
“Us, obviously. If you don't know our tie to Suhyun, look it up. Articles exist. Old connection. Right, Scott?”
Scott nodded embarrassed, averted eyes. Competing over closeness shamed him.
“Ha! We're no slouches. Kim Suhyun raced across to rescue our VIP, no less. Better proof of closeness?”
“We were rescuing too! Plus, you got paid! That's a deal, not closeness. If I take advance from a pharma company for herbs, does that mean I'm engaged to their CEO?!”