Chapter 197
Chapter 197
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 197
Chapter Title: Precursors 2 (2)
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“Artifacts have their limits too, don’t they?”
Artifacts came with two primary limitations.
The first was the inherent limit of the artifact itself. According to Choi Ji-eun, if an artifact was made from the remains of a living superpower user, its power could never exceed that user’s superpower in life.
That was why the early Cameron development nations had poured all their efforts into collecting powerful artifacts in preparation for emergencies. Most of those were designated as national treasures and kept under strict guard.
Louiril had stolen some of those without fear, but that was an extreme exception...
And there was another reason Suhyun wasn’t interested in them.
‘Who knew most national treasure-grade artifacts were weaker than my superpower.’
The moment Suhyun reached a position where he could borrow national treasure-grade artifacts, he checked them out. It was only natural to verify them if they could boost his forces.
But reality fell short of expectations. The performance of those national treasures was truly ambiguous.
Weaker than Suhyun’s own power, yet too strong for his team members to handle. A misstep could lead to superpower depletion and collapse. They’d be perfect for top-grade superpower users a step below him, but right now, there was no place for them.
That was right. The user was the second limitation. No matter how powerful the artifact, it was ultimately wielded by a human. Ideas to combine artifacts for even stronger ones had floated around before, but they never progressed because a human still had to use the result.
No point in creating the strongest artifact if it crippled the user after one go.
“That’s why we’ve found a way to overcome those limits.”
“?!”
“Have you seen what we developed last time?”
“You’ve developed so many things, I’m not sure what you mean.”
“The superpower supplement.”
“Ah... That one. Yeah, it was pretty useful.”
“You still haven’t grasped what that means? You’re surprisingly blind in this area.”
Suhyun wondered what the chairman was getting at. And then, he immediately understood.
“No way?”
“That’s right. Activating artifacts without borrowing a superpower user’s strength. Think about it. You have a state-of-the-art cannon here, but every shot requires attaching a person to it. How inefficient is that? Superpower users might be needed, but that’s just a fixed idea. The key is the power source. Provide the fuel, and the artifact works.”
With that, the chairman played a video. A massive structure like a turret appeared. Next to it were huge barrels stacked up.
“Those barrels are the fuel. Far less efficient than using humans and it guzzles money... but this isn’t research for immediate profit. Imagine when this weapon evolves further. No more relying on superpower users. Even a regular person can just pour in fuel and activate it. Do you know how much interest this is generating?”
Suhyun felt a chill run down his spine.
He’d never even heard of this research.
It must still be top secret, so someone in his position wouldn’t hear about it. And it was probably still in the research phase back then. But this level of progress was shocking.
Had the secrets he’d gathered from Cameron spurred this on?
“The U.S. is stockpiling superpower fuel by squeezing it out of monsters like oil right now. It’s early days, but efficiency will improve. Artifact combination research had stalled for a while, but this got it restarted. What do you think? Isn’t it fascinating?”
“Why didn’t you tell me until now?”
“Because of this incident, we finally got government approval and support. As you can see, it’s a money pit. Spending billions on a single fireball—does that make sense?”
“There’s value in it.”
“Not from the government’s perspective, spending the cash. But after that attack on the homeland, they’re desperate. ‘Spend whatever it takes—get it to commercialization!’ they demanded. This is the 22nd century’s Manhattan Project.”
The chairman’s eyes blazed with passion that belied his over-century-old age.
“How far along is it?”
“Five more years. In five years... you’ll see armies leading these artifact weapons in bombardments, not a few superpower users battling monsters head-on.”
“As a superpower user, it’s a bit bittersweet.”
“Don’t worry. Even if this comes out, superpower users won’t lose ground. Commercialization won’t solve the cost issue. Squeezing monsters dry barely produces one barrel of fuel. That’s the true purpose of this weapon. When you can’t borrow a mage like you, what options are left? Do you know what price the U.S. paid to borrow you this time?”
“I have a rough idea.”
“Tsk tsk. Why hand it over to the nation like that?”
“The situation wasn’t one for haggling over shares. Demanding my cut would’ve turned public opinion against me.”
“Sometimes I can’t believe you’re only in your twenties. Anyway, now that the U.S. knows, other nations do too. We’re not the only ones preparing this. Honestly, I think China and Russia are running similar projects. They’re not behind us.”
“What about Korea?”
The chairman smirked instead of answering.
“Doesn’t seem like they will.”
“...Hard to argue against that.”
“In my view, Korea’s mistake was producing talent like you. With you around, they don’t feel the same desperation as others. But if you disappear? They’ll regret it then.”
When truly powerful monsters appeared, a nation needed countermeasures.
Two options.
Hold a mage who’d surpassed limits like Suhyun,
Or build weapons that could deal effective damage to monsters, like the U.S.
The Dimensional Gate uproar on Earth was driving such changes.
* * *
“Anyway, we’re heading to the Underground Kingdom.”
Even if China cooked up some unknown method against Suhyun, or the U.S. developed weapons matching his superpower output, none of that mattered now.
“Yes! Team Leader!”
“If we agreed to go together, don’t interfere. Jack.”
Jack, who’d come with Eclipse’s team members, shut his mouth at Suhyun’s rebuke.
“Things got messy in all sorts of ways. When I convinced the Underground Kingdom folks, I told them all sorts would swarm the area soon, so let’s settle our deal first to keep others out...”
Suhyun rubbed his forehead, trailing off.
“But the situation arose, and the surroundings changed too.”
What should’ve been crawling with people was now the opposite.
Even though the Dimensional Gate chaos had subsided, human fear didn’t vanish easily. No telling when another gate might open.
Mercenaries were civilians, so you couldn’t stop those who wanted to leave, but the military was different. Troops that should’ve been stationed across Asen Lake at the Anes region base were pinned near the Dimensional Gate.
Ready to return at the first sign of trouble.
“Honestly, they might use that to break the agreement. They’re such picky bastards...”
“No way! We absolutely can’t let that happen!”
Jack slammed his fist on the table and shouted. He’d heard about the Underground Kingdom from Suhyun and dreamed of going there nonstop since Earth.
Jack had devoted his life to exploring Cameron’s uncharted lands. The Underground Kingdom, the most advanced civilization among discovered ruins, was a dream come true.
“What do you expect me to do? Want to negotiate yourself?”
“N-No, that’s not...”
Jack shrank under Suhyun’s sharper-than-usual attitude. Eclipse’s team members whispered among themselves. Their captain wasn’t someone who got pushed around like that normally. He never backed down in personality clashes...
“No point sticking around if nothing changes. We’ll have to go talk in person.”
“Our numbers grew a bit. That okay?”
“There’s a village nearby. The rest stay there, and just you, Jack, and I go in.”
“A village?”
One Eclipse member raised a hand, looking amazed. Jennifer and Sha, who knew the truth, wore ambiguous expressions. Explaining Samuel’s remote village-turned-kingdom was complicated.
“Yeah, anyway, no more additions.”
“This should be enough.”
Scott nodded. Uncle Jo Company Team 1 led by mage Suhyun, balanced Blue Bear Team 2, and the all-monster Eclipse. Terrifying firepower.
* * *
“Did you deceive us?”
“We didn’t deceive you.”
“If not deception, then what? You said humans would swarm this area back then. That’s certainly a threat. In that case, contacting humans and securing a shield if needed wouldn’t be bad. We agreed thinking that way... But if it’s a bluff with an imaginary scenario, that changes things.”
“It’s not a bluff. Dwarf!”
Jack shouted indignantly.
“Didn’t we say a problem arose in our homeland!”
“We’d have to believe that first. I hope you understand decisions here aren’t mine alone. Dimensional Gates opening and monsters pouring out... The dark elves will think the same. Convince them with evidence. Proof you’re not lying, proof humans will swarm here soon...”
“Damn it.”
Suhyun sighed and tilted his head back. Murno’s attitude showed no easy give.
Jack ground his teeth, growling low.
“How dare they call us liars.”
“Jack, this is a dwarf and dark elf den, you know? Don’t do anything stupid. Unless you want to turn it into a bloodbath.”
“No matter how great they are, they’re not stronger than us. Seeing them get arrogant just because we bowed...”
“If you’re mad, change the heterorace laws yourself. We retreat for now.”
“What? For real?!”
“What else? You confident you can persuade them? If it’s no, it’s no.”
Suhyun was a realist. Their attitudes made it clear: no progress without a changed situation or solid leverage.
Jack lingered, feet glued, as if unable to leave. He’d come all this way for the Underground Kingdom, only to be turned away at the door.
“Tell me this isn’t the end.”
“Don’t worry. I’m not backing down. We invested, so we’ll get our return.”
Suhyun said as he headed to the surface.
“Fortunately, the dwarves aren’t blind to reality. They know they can’t stay like this if humans swarm. The problem is... all the incoming ones vanished.”
Without solid backup, mercenaries naturally turned passive. Huge difference with or without an army within a few km.
Even guarding the current bases was short-staffed...
“It’ll sort itself out with time. As long as no more Dimensional Gates open on Earth.”
People always forgot eventually. The military was stuck now, but if nothing happened, profit would draw them back eventually.
“But that’s too far off.”
“Agreed.”
“We need to lure people here somehow. Threatening ones! That’ll light a fire under those heavy-asses!”
“You’re right, but... if it were that easy, I wouldn’t be agonizing.”
Mid-sentence, Suhyun remembered something.
“Ah. The Chinese...”