Chapter 44
Chapter 44
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: Rewards and Changes (7)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Bows were absolutely inferior weapons compared to guns, but they could become quite useful if certain conditions were met.
No matter how much you tried to reduce a gun's noise, there was a limit. It might fool monsters, but it couldn't completely deceive humans who were all too familiar with the sound. Besides, if this raid actually happened, the attackers wouldn't be pushovers.
Surprisingly, such a weapon could catch those guys off guard. It was different from what they were used to dealing with on a regular basis, and above all, Suhyun had telekinesis.
Preparations were roughly complete. Now it was time to take his team members and carry out his first task as team leader.
* * *
"Have you passed the word to the Jindo side?"
"I did as you said. They refused the request for cooperation, though."
"Well, we can't expect that much."
Suhyun nodded at Jo Seung-hyun's response. It would have been easier if they could borrow some manpower, but since they'd reached out for what they wanted, he didn't hold out hope for that level of goodwill.
'In any case, we can always drag them in if needed.'
As long as the necessary forces were in place when the time came. They'd issued the warning, so the Jindo side would surely send reinforcements toward Calcutta. No company would sit idly by after hearing such news in a situation like this.
"Attention!"
Suhyun's commanding voice rang out among the assembled team members. It hadn't been long since he'd gone from team member to team leader, yet he carried himself so naturally in the role. The team members clicked their tongues in admiration at his effortless demeanor.
"From now on, we're heading back into the Calcutta region. Officially, it's for patrolling around the Redwood Forest and clearing monsters, but the real reason is..."
The team members nodded with tense expressions. They already knew why they were going back in.
There was a possibility of a terrorist attack targeting the Redwood Forest.
They were going in to stop it. It was a tense fight with a different meaning from battling monsters.
"Well, you all know. Before we head out, I'll go over a few precautions. When we arrive at the destination, the Jindo team will probably already be there ahead of us. I don't know how many, but don't expect to get chummy like last mission."
Snickers leaked out from among the team members. They knew what had gone down with the Jindo company after the previous job. Thanks to the Jindo team's blunder, they'd secured authority over the Redwood Forest.
"No need to get chummy. Just make sure you remember their position clearly. And if shit hits the fan, head straight there, no exceptions."
"?!"
"If an attack happens, those bastards will prioritize destroying the forest. They'll counterattack if we interfere, but they won't chase down fleeing enemies first. Anyone who gets cocky trying to defend the forest on their own will answer to me after it's over."
The team members exchanged bewildered glances, as if passing the buck with looks like 'You ask him.' Finally, Kim Chang-sik, who was the closest to Suhyun, raised his hand.
"Uh, um, Team Leader. I have a question."
"What is it?"
"Aren't we going to protect the Redwood Forest?"
"Correct."
"But if the enemy attacks... we're not fighting, just running to the Jindo side?"
"You got it. Exactly."
"????"
"Seems like some of you have complaints. Anyone want to risk their life fighting? Speak up. I'll make special arrangements for them."
The team members shut their mouths immediately. They didn't understand retreating without fighting if things went south, but it was actually good news for them. Talk of fighting to the death sounded fine, but being the ones who had to actually risk it was another story.
"The Jindo team might hate working with us, but in an emergency, they won't have a choice. If terrorists attack the forest and we head their way, they'll have to team up. No way the terrorists would only destroy the part we claimed."
"But wouldn't our section get wrecked first?"
"That's a risk we have to take. I just said if you want to fight to the death, speak up."
"N-No, that's not it."
The Redwood Forest was a resource worth coveting. Especially now, with a massive mountain range gone.
However, Suhyun was skeptical whether a company like Uncle Jo Company could sustainably manage and profit from this forest. If things stayed peaceful, maybe, but plenty of greedy players were eyeing it.
In that case, it might be better to hand it over for a decent reward. If they had to sell the rights again?
'Handing it to the government side is still the best bet.'
The Korean military was managing the Redwood Forest in collaboration with domestic private companies. Losing the whole thing must have given them a massive headache. In that context, a new Redwood Forest was an enticing trade offer.
Handing it to another conglomerate would still net a huge payout, but Suhyun had set his sights on the government from the start.
'In the end, the mercenary companies that stick around to the finish are the ones cozy with the government.'
While each nation's militaries on Cameron Planet had halted exploration due to maintaining order and troop losses, the mercenary companies were thriving. But ultimately, the strongest force on this planet was the military.
The gap between companies backed by government support and those without would only widen over time. They needed to latch onto the government's coattails as soon as possible.
Suhyun aimed to gain two things from this incident. First, an intact Redwood Forest. He'd told the team members to retreat straight to the Jindo team if things went south, but he had no intention of giving up the forest. He planned to protect it with everything he had.
Second, the identity of the terrorists behind this. While everyone focused on defending the forest, intel on who orchestrated the attack was valuable in its own right.
The government was always scouting capable mercenary companies. They couldn't deploy the military for exploration, but Cameron Planet was too tempting to ignore.
Thwarting a terrorist attack and uncovering the culprits would be enough to prove their competence to the government. An intact Redwood Forest on top? Even better.
That's why they were taking on this risk. After wrapping up his instructions, Suhyun scanned the team once more and said,
"Move out!"
* * *
The trek wasn't particularly difficult. The team members now showed clear signs of being accustomed to the Calcutta jungle zone. They dispatched the occasional monsters they encountered without much trouble.
The difference was in their attitudes. Before, they'd chat casually with him, but now that Suhyun had clearly drawn the line as team leader, they held back.
The only one who still spoke freely was Kim Chang-sik.
"Uh, Team Leader."
'This guy's got some guts.'
Being able to treat him the same despite the overnight change in status was a talent in itself.
"What?"
"If we end up fighting alongside Jindo, their forces matter a lot, right? Think they'll send enough?"
"They will. Plenty."
It was too late for them to back out now. Jindo had invested too much. If the Redwood Forest got trashed here, their losses would be severe.
He didn't know how convincingly Jo Seung-hyun had made his case, but the man was reliable. Jindo would have taken the threat seriously.
"Halt. Looks like someone's already here."
"?"
"You've got detectors, right?"
The team members glanced where Suhyun pointed, struggling to hide their surprise. Spotting a concealed detector in this chaotic place—one not out in the open.
'Does he have x-ray vision or something?'
"Terrorists wouldn't set these up. Must be the Jindo team that got here first. Wait, and they'll come greet us."
Before Suhyun finished speaking, movement sounds came from afar.
"Halt! Don't move!"
"Jindo team?"
"That's right. Who are you?"
"Uncle Jo Company. You should've heard in advance."
At those words, the wariness on the other man's face eased slightly.
"Then get to your sector quick. Don't wander around our side."
"Sorry about that. We'll head out. Hold on."
The Jindo member, about to withdraw, turned back at Suhyun's words.
"What, wanna ask something?"
"Try not to act all buddy-buddy."
"Come on. We're in the same boat working a place like this. Who knows when we might need each other's help."
"What..."
"Can you really swear that off? I'm a healer. Can't guarantee you won't need my help out here."
Word had already spread that Uncle Jo Company had a healer. Especially since they'd worked with Jindo before, and healers were always valuable assets.
"What is it? Even then, if I can't tell you, I can't."
The man's momentum had deflated. Suhyun grinned and said,
"Nothing big. Just curious who Jindo sent. That's okay to ask, right?"
"...Our team, Team 9, and Team 1."
Suhyun's face stayed neutral, but the other team members' expressions changed. Team 1? For a company like Jindo, that wasn't a light matter.
"Which team are you?"
"We're Team 10."
"Ah. That Team 10..."
They recalled Choi Jae-ho bragging that their Team 10 was better than Uncle Jo's Team 1.
"That all?"
"Thanks. Really. If you get hurt later, one free heal on me."
"Hmph. As if."
The Jindo member rejoined his comrades and headed back. Suhyun checked their position with his remote viewing and nodded.
"Jindo team's at these coordinates. Heavy armament. Head here if things go south."
"Team Leader, they said Team 1's there. You're not surprised?"
"We're Team 1 too."
The team members stared at Suhyun in disbelief.
"You think we're on the same level...?"
"Doesn't matter. Jindo sending strong forces is good for us. Why are you guys scared? Don't get needlessly spooked. Plenty of real scares ahead."
At Suhyun's words, the team members unconsciously swallowed.
45