Chapter 33
Chapter 33
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: Incident in the Calcutta Jungle Zone (6)
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Even after realizing he'd been played, the rookie had nowhere to complain. Choi Jae-ho hadn't left any documents behind, and confronting him about it would've been pointless since he'd already spilled too much.
Suhyun nodded repeatedly as he listened to Choi Jae-ho. Seeing this, Choi Jae-ho felt a quiet satisfaction deep down. No matter how he looked at it, Suhyun resembled a fish that had fully taken the bait.
*He's completely hooked.*
"But there's nothing we can do about it. Experience matters, doesn't it? Your skills are top-notch, but everyone else here has plenty of experience too. I can't give you special treatment. Especially not in a new company like Uncle Jo Company. We need to set the right tone right now."
"How can you say that!"
Suhyun shouted with an indignant, resolute expression. Choi Jae-ho clicked his tongue sympathetically.
"You've got the skills, so just hang in there. You'll climb the ranks eventually. Or..."
"?
"Show what you're made of and get scouted by another outfit. That could work too, right?"
Hiding his growing boredom, Suhyun nodded with the most sparkling eyes he could muster.
"Alright then. Work hard."
"Thank you!"
Choi Jae-ho patted Suhyun's shoulder contentedly before returning to his spot. Prying right away would've been foolish. Even a rookie would clam up if grilled out of the blue.
The trick was to take it slow, steadily building trust. Make the other side anxious enough to volunteer the info. That was the cleanest, most backlash-free way.
*...That's what he's thinking, huh.*
Suhyun shook his head pityingly. Choi Jae-ho wasn't incompetent. He was a superhuman with sharp situational awareness and solid resourcefulness.
The problem was that Suhyun was even more battle-hardened. From the moment Choi Jae-ho opened his mouth, Suhyun could see exactly how he'd try to persuade him and what he was after.
*Still... gotta play along.*
Suhyun needed something from Choi Jae-ho too.
Information.
From what he could tell, Jindo Team 2 didn't usually operate in the Calcutta Jungle Zone. Cameron Planet was vast, and even versatile mercenaries tended to stick to main haunts unless circumstances demanded otherwise.
In that light, Jindo Team 2 wasn't a regular in the Calcutta Jungle Zone. They were experienced and polished in combat, so they didn't slip up badly, but the fine details gave them away. They couldn't fool Suhyun's eyes.
*Guys who played elsewhere, and now they're here...*
A company on Jindo's level would've already secured a firm foothold elsewhere. He wondered what they were after by sending Team 2 into unfamiliar territory.
The fact that they hadn't backed off after one failure and had come back more prepared suggested something pretty enticing was at stake.
Uncle Jo Company's cut for this job was decent, but only because they were in a supporting role. If there was more to it, they needed to squeeze out extra.
Suhyun's gut told him they couldn't beat the Calcutta Gorilla without these guys—not with the other teams alone.
* * *
After a few skirmishes and breaks, the group reached their destination. It was familiar terrain to Uncle Jo Company's team members. They'd been ambushed by the Calcutta Gorilla here last time.
Instinctively, they glanced toward the redwood forest.
"If it was coming, it would've shown by now."
"I-I know that."
The team member whose inner thoughts Suhyun had exposed flushed with embarrassment. Meanwhile, the team leaders were conferring.
"So, how do you plan to search now?"
"Anything coming from around here means we've entered its territory. Assume a fight could break out anytime."
Choi Jae-ho glanced at Lee So-hee as he spoke, his expression expectant.
"The thing's aggressive, but to find it, we'll have to roam and wait for it to charge. It's inefficient. If you've got a better idea, I'd love to hear it."
"?
Lee So-hee furrowed her brow. She wasn't oblivious. Choi Jae-ho was definitely fishing for something.
*What does he want?*
"We'll take a short break and move out again, so share any ideas by then. Otherwise, we press on as is."
"?
Choi Jae-ho ordered team-specific breaks, keeping distances close enough for mutual support.
*Gotta work that rookie some more too.*
The guy seemed full of gripes, so keeping him on edge was key. Choi Jae-ho eyed Suhyun hotly, planning to approach at the first opening.
"Achoo!"
"What're you doing?"
"Someone talking about me or what..."
Suhyun was chatting idly with the other team members during the break. Lee So-hee returned, dismounted from her power armor, and began explaining the next plan.
"...That's the situation. Choi Jae-ho's words are bugging me, though. Anyone have any ideas?"
All eyes turned to Suhyun in an instant. He'd shown sharp judgment from the start, so unconsciously, they'd started thinking, *If anyone's got a clue, it's Suhyun.*
"What? Why's everyone staring like that..."
"Got any leads?"
"Not none, but..."
"Figured. Knew it."
"So? Spill."
"They're bringing us along because they think we know something from the start. Tips for fighting Calcutta Gorillas, hidden know-how, that sort of thing..."
"Yeah."
The team members nodded. They knew exactly why they'd joined this team from the initial briefing.
"So that's what they're after now. We're in its territory, and knowing ahead cuts casualties."
"...But we don't have anything like that, do we?"
The team members exchanged blank looks. They'd thought getting duped at the start made the others fools, but now in this spot, it was awkward.
Especially after letting other teams handle most fights—last thing they needed was a rep for hoarding info.
*Drop the spray info, or something else...*
Suhyun pondered. It was time to toss them a bone to settle things. Mercenaries might wear a corporate mask, but they had short fuses. If Uncle Jo Company kept reaping benefits without giving back, unrest would brew.
Leak some intel, show they'd sacrificed for the team.
"Well, I've got something to share."
"?
"You know I escaped from it, right?"
"Yeah."
"Fighting was impossible, so I hid and waited it out. Only came back after confirming it'd left... but I saw which way it went. The jungle's huge, but its habitats are limited, so high chance it's around there."
"Wait. That's not solid proof."
He hadn't tracked it to the end—just direction and context—so it was thin as evidence.
"Doesn't have to be solid. It's about showing goodwill. We're in this together, so we gotta demonstrate some sacrifice for the team."
The team members nodded at that.
The location Suhyun cited wasn't a guess from direction and situation. It was where he'd downed the male Calcutta Gorilla. The female had burst out from nearby, so its habitat was probably right there. Not a huge stretch.
They might've moved, but monsters like Calcutta Gorillas didn't relocate easily. That's what made them strong.
* * *
Lee So-hee relayed the decision, and Choi Jae-ho nodded in satisfaction, as if he'd expected it.
*Of course they had something. How else could they roam here?*
Even a new company needed assets to make it. Uncle Jo Company had navigated the Calcutta Jungle Zone unscathed. Zero casualties even after encountering the Calcutta Gorilla? No coincidence.
"Thanks. We'll head that way then."
Wrapping up, Choi Jae-ho scanned around with hawk-like eyes for openings. Suhyun was off playing apart from his team again. It just screamed rookie not fully integrated.
"Why alone?"
"Oh. Team Leader Choi Jae-ho."
Suhyun's demeanor was even more deferential. Seeing this, Choi Jae-ho knew he'd swallowed the bait whole. People wanting favors always acted needy.
"No need for such formalities when we're working together."
"Still..."
"It's fine. Really."
Choi Jae-ho beamed as kindly as possible.
"Uh, mind if I ask something?"
"Ask away."
"What's Jindo like as a company?"
*This guy's desperate to join us.*
"Good outfit. What exactly do you wanna know?"
"Where they mainly operate, famous members..."
"Too many big names to list. As for where... my team and I worked Euterpe."
A complex mix of plains, hills, and mountains south of the cities. Varied monsters too.
*Yep, not locals.*
"So why come here?"
"Because we were the only team up to hunting Calcutta Gorillas."
"Surely Jindo has other teams that could..."
"Haha. Appreciate the vote of confidence, but don't underestimate Calcutta Gorillas. You don't know how vicious and tough they are."
*I've already taken one down, punk.*