Chapter 195
Chapter 195
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 195
Chapter Title: Protect the Earth (5)
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“Completely?”
“Ah, of course, ‘completely’ doesn’t mean it’ll never open again, but as long as it’s not pouring out like crazy the way it has been, we’re fine with that, right? Word is all the interested parties are already lobbying hard.”
Not everyone was thrilled about being suddenly dragged back to Earth after rampaging around Cameron Planet so happily. Plenty of people wanted to head back for their own interests. Naturally, lobbying like that was inevitable.
“Once this storm dies down and it only happens once in a blue moon, we won’t all have to stick around on Earth. There are plenty of superpowered users on Earth anyway.”
Not all superpowered users were on Cameron Planet. Quite a few had already returned to Earth.
“We just bide our time and head back to Cameron Planet when it’s right.”
“I hope that’s the case.”
If Jack was telling the truth, nothing could be better. They’d make damn sure Earth’s people knew just how valuable they were, then head back. A few months spent for that payoff wouldn’t sting at all.
As long as they weren’t stuck on Earth forever, it was a pretty sweet deal. Assuming the Dimensional Gate storm actually calmed down, of course.
“Don’t look so grim. Even if it doesn’t die down, I’m not planning to stay here forever. We’ll hijack a plane if we have to and ride a gate out!”
“Do it yourself.”
* * *
Jack had been telling the truth. Hopeful announcements kept coming on the news, and a few reports filtered through Suhyun’s channels too. If things kept going like this, they’d be heading back soon.
-The Dimensional Gates that plunged Earth into terror are showing a hopeful decline in occurrences. Experts have announced that, much like the sun’s sunspots erupting periodically, the gates from Cameron Planet might follow a similar pattern. Doctor, what are your thoughts?
-Eh… there’s… ample possibility for that. As you know, Dimensional Gates are still a mysterious, unexplored realm. But for something absent for over a century to suddenly appear and then gradually taper off… that suggests it could be the start of a periodic phenomenon.
“Hmm, that’s what they’re saying.”
“That’s for researchers to care about. I just want to get back ASAP. The underground kingdom’s other races must already be getting suspicious…”
Suhyun grimaced bitterly. No matter how you sliced it, not returning right away was still not returning. Explaining it to them would be a hassle.
Meanwhile, the hologram feed continued with the announcer and the guest doctor.
-So, Doctor, if it’s periodic, does that mean this could happen again in the future?
A faint trace of fear flickered across the announcer’s face. But the doctor shook his head.
-It’s been over a century since the last one, so it won’t happen frequently. Plus, mass outbreaks like this require enormous energy—even Cameron Planet’s mysteries can’t create something from nothing.
-I see! That’s a relief at least. Thank you, Doctor. Numerous heroes emerged in this crisis, but the consensus is that without Cameron Planet’s pioneers, the damage would have been uncontrollable.
“Aren’t the media hyping us up a bit much?”
“Hype is good, isn’t it?”
“Hey, nothing’s free in this world. They’re hyping us because they want something from us.”
“Nah, no way…”
“Once they turn you into a hero, how easy do you think it is to exploit you? You wanna come running from Cameron Planet every time something pops up?”
The squad members shuddered at Gwak Hyun-tae’s words. Yeah, they definitely didn’t want that.
“They’re footing the full bill this time because it’s the first crisis and urgent, but if it drags on, laws will come out. Laws to cut back on compensation.”
“Then we revolt!”
-This crisis was contained effectively thanks to many people’s sacrifices. Korea in particular had a talent no other gate alliance nation possesses. The mage Kim Suhyun… *ahem*!
The announcer coughed lightly, as if stifling a laugh mid-sentence. Suhyun asked flatly upon hearing it.
“The ‘mage’ title funny?”
“Not really?”
It was a standard title on Cameron Planet, so he hadn’t felt out of place using it. Apparently Earth saw it differently.
-Who was there. He even teamed up with U.S. forces in Nevada to take down a sand monster…
“Lee Jung-young’s gotta be crying bloody tears.”
“Who’s Lee Jung-young again?”
Suhyun shook his head. The one shedding bloody tears over the gates tapering off had to be Lee Jung-young.
He’d been leading his unit all over the place, handling the dirty work against monsters east and west, only for all the glory to go to Suhyun. If there was more time ahead, he might get a shot, but even that was off the table now…
-Some are even saying Mage Kim Suhyun should be designated a national treasure and kept in-country. There’s talk of legislation to—
“What the fuck?!”
The squad members all gawked at the screen in shock. It sounded like a joke, thankfully, but to those hearing it, it wasn’t funny. If it somehow passed, the consequences would be horrifying.
The public would love it, of course. A mage they could call on anytime, right there on Earth.
Contrary to the worries, nothing like that happened. Things proceeded smoothly. Dimensional Gate occurrences dwindled, the government scrambled budgets for compensation, and by March—as public anxiety eased—Suhyun and his team were finally cleared to return to Cameron Planet.
Unlike Earth’s cities, scarred here and there, Cameron Planet looked intact. But changes were evident. The Dimensional Gate incident had stirred a new wind.
* * *
“People are flocking to immigrate? Why? Cameron Planet’s got cheap housing and clean air, sure, but it wasn’t that popular.”
Plenty had always wanted to live on Cameron Planet, but it wasn’t mainstream. Sure, the environment beat Earth’s polluted one by miles… but monsters.
Cameron Planet city dwellers were used to monsters and didn’t fear them. Armies guarded the perimeters, and intrusions into cities were virtually nonexistent outside freak incidents like Japan’s fake gate explosion.
Earthlings, though, got cold feet preemptively. Some seriously asked if monsters would swarm every day or two on Cameron Planet.
“Think about it, Team Leader. The gates died down this time, but who knows when they’ll pop up again.”
“True.”
“Where’s the safest place during a Dimensional Gate frenzy?”
“Hmm? They could open anywhere, so… no clue.”
“Cameron Planet.”
“?”
“Even if a gate opens suddenly on Cameron Planet, monsters won’t come out. Connects to Earth, which has no monsters.”
“…!”
Exactly. Paradoxically, Cameron Planet’s pioneer cities had become the safest spots. Monster threats aside, that dissolved once you knew the reality. Perimeter monsters were as good as extinct, and the place crawled with armies, mercenaries, and superpowered users.
“Seen housing prices spike? Dong-wook and I grabbed a place already. Looks like it’ll double in a year. Word is the government’s talking immigrant restrictions.”
“Restrictions now? They were begging to send people before.”
Just yesterday they’d been promising tax breaks and perks to lure people to Cameron Planet—now this? Suhyun let out a hollow laugh. The world changed fast, but this fast?
“No way!”
Suhyun turned at Shaïna’s shout from behind, puzzled.
“What’s ‘no way’?”
“Housing prices are rising!”
“What’s that got to do with y—oh. The mansion?”
“Gotta do it now.”
“Hey, underground kingdom first.”
“We’re already months late— a few days won’t change anything!”
Fair point. Shaïna tugged Suhyun’s arm.
‘Come to think of it, I forgot to ask the squad.’
Once the underground kingdom stuff wrapped and things settled, he’d planned to ask them. If they weren’t thinking of retiring yet.
Suhyun had Eclipse; he could recruit talent anywhere if needed. No point dragging around squad members pushing forty. They’d earned enough to retire and enjoy life.
“Wow, way more people now?”
Shaïna glanced curiously at the street crowds. It’d never been this packed before—immigrants, curiosity seekers checking out Pyongyang on Cameron Planet, overflowing everywhere.
“Dark elf!”
“Aren’t dark elves… dangerous?”
“That was back then. Not anymore. Heard some mage hangs with one?”
“Huh? So that dark elf’s the one?”
“Oh, I heard those folks took out the monster that hit my in-law’s city last time. Should I go thank ’em?”
Shaïna shot Suhyun a what-do-I-do face at the middle-aged women’s chatter. Things had improved since before, sure…
“Well, at least no one’s throwing rocks in the street.”
“That’s what bothers me!”
* * *
Wandering with Shaïna, Suhyun was struck anew by how very dark elf she was. Her senses were… downright vicious.
“From here to here. That’s my house design. Build it like this.”
“Uh… you really want it like that?”
“Why? Problem?”
“No issue, but…”
The man eyed Suhyun. Dark elves weren’t common in the city. After they entered and chatted briefly, he clocked them as the mage-dark elf duo.
‘Really going through with this?’
‘She wants it.’
The two men conversed with glances.
“It’ll take a hefty plot, and you mentioned using this outskirts area near Pyongyang… Wait, isn’t this government land?”
“Got permission.”
The man got it instantly. Right, this guy was the mage.
“How long?”
“Normally two months, but her specs are so unique… Figure on half a year?”
“What takes so lo—mmph!”
Suhyun grabbed Shaïna and clamped her mouth. Construction was long since fully automated, timelines slashed. Half a year? Her ideas must be wild.
“How about payment? Options available—we can discount based on that.”
VIP of VIPs like Suhyun warranted courtesy. But Suhyun shook his head.
“No discounts. Top specs, full payment now.”
The man’s jaw dropped; his back bent on reflex.
Outside, Shaïna hummed cheerfully. Suhyun asked in disbelief.
“That exciting?”
“Duh. Once it’s done, I’ll invite every dark elf who wants in.”
“To that mansion…?”
Suhyun looked dubious but said nothing. He wouldn’t live there anyway.
“You can crash too if you want!”
“Pass. Got my room at the company.”
“What’s good about that sterile dump?”
“Er… never mind.”
“Wonder what Ruiril’ll say when it’s done. Secret till then?”
Suhyun figured Ruiril knowing wouldn’t help. She’d probably demand her own.
‘Or maybe she’d just laugh.’
No need to rush drama. Suhyun nodded. Nuisances handled. Whatever happened in the city wasn’t his problem. He wanted back to the underground kingdom ASAP to wrap the deal with the other races.