Chapter 46
Chapter 46
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: Confrontation (2)
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‘As expected of their treatment.’
No matter how good a company Jindo was, there were limits to how they treated a rookie without any standout merits. He could tell just from the current conversation and atmosphere. Kang In-gyu hadn’t shown any advantages yet.
His head was already a mess with worries about the future and the present situation. A proposal like this was especially effective in times like these.
Finding an opening to talk was easy for Suhyun. They had come here to stand guard, but the squad members weren’t constantly on edge. Suhyun himself wasn’t certain, so there was no reason they would be.
‘Sensors and sentries, huh.’
Sensors deployed all around, sentries posted in key spots to prepare for ambushes. Textbook vigilance. Since they didn’t know when an attack might come, their setup stuck to the basics.
‘If we can’t resolve this here, Team 1 somewhere nearby will come as backup, I suppose. Not bad.’
He didn’t underestimate Team 1’s strength. A company like Jindo’s Team 1 undoubtedly possessed formidable power. As long as things didn’t go sideways, they could handle an ambush on their own.
But……
‘The problem is not knowing what kind of guys we’re up against.’
Team 1 were experts, but their specialty was Cameron Planet monsters. In contrast, the ambushers were pros at this kind of sabotage. Suhyun knew exactly what those types were like. They’d be seasoned at dealing with strong superpowered individuals.
“You look beat. Need a hand?”
“Huh? Oh, no. I’m fine.”
He couldn’t even make proper eye contact, shrinking back like that. It was surprising to see someone from another company—let alone a smaller one than his own—cower so much in front of a mercenary. Unless he was extremely timid, he wouldn’t show this side.
‘Huh, interesting. So this guy turns into that curse sorcerer later?’
People’s personalities could change, but seeing the complete opposite of the rumored image was still fascinating. He’d imagined a brutal, powerful superpowered user……
“It’s gotta be tough. Let me help. No one else pitching in? Looks like you’ve been handling all the chores alone since earlier.”
“I’m just the rookie, what can I do.”
From fetching water to every odd job imaginable, but Kang In-gyu’s face showed no complaints. He seemed to think it was par for the course as a newbie.
“Even so, this is a bit much. Being a rookie doesn’t mean it’s not exhausting. If anything, it’s more exhausting…… And in a fight, rookies are the most vulnerable. Jindo treats its people rough, huh.”
“N-No, it’s really okay.”
Kang In-gyu panicked and glanced around, worried someone from Jindo might overhear Suhyun badmouthing them.
“What’s that guy doing over there?”
“‘That guy’? Call him Team Leader.”
“Won’t carry from here anyway.”
“I’ll report you.”
“You disloyal bastard……”
“Loyalty? When I got chewed out earlier for nothing, did you stand by me and take the heat too?”
Kim Chang-sik grumbled and shut his mouth. Suhyun’s old habits from when he was a rookie hadn’t faded yet. Good thing Suhyun wasn’t around, or he’d catch hell for saying that.
Jeong Seong-jae, who’d been reamed earlier for something trivial, was glaring, ready to drag anyone he could into the punishment like a water ghost. Even with all the grumbling, they were adapting quickly to the new system.
“Anyway, what’s he—er, Team Leader—really doing over there?”
“Dunno. He’s got something in mind. He doesn’t move without thinking.”
“Chatting up that spineless-looking punk?”
“Well…… Maybe getting info like earlier……”
“From that spineless-looking punk? What’s there to get?”
“Hah. Did I tell you to? Why keep grilling me? If you’re curious, go ask him yourself!”
“Why get pissy? I’m just wondering.”
They basically trusted Suhyun’s actions, but the squad members couldn’t figure out why he was being so nice to Kang In-gyu right now.
“Uh, and who might you be, sir?”
“Team Leader from Uncle Jo Company. Kim Suhyun. Feel free to call me casually.”
“Huh? Team Leader?”
Kang In-gyu looked at Suhyun with fresh surprise. He didn’t seem any more experienced than the other squad members, yet he was a team leader. Impressive—and enviable.
“So you must be that healing ability user. Right?”
“Word spread that fast?”
“Haha…… Superpowered folks’ rumors travel quick. Plus, everyone’s been talking since Team Leader Choi Jae-ho failed……”
They’d ultimately succeeded, but Jindo’s Team 2 was effectively a failure. They hadn’t monopolized what they wanted and had to share with another team. It was what it was, but failure wasn’t swept under the rug.
Apparently, it had stirred up quite the buzz in the company too, enough for rumors to spread like this.
“Probably won’t wrap up in a day or two, so if anything tough comes up, let me know. I can help out some.”
“Th-That…… I appreciate it, but I’d feel awkward……”
Kang In-gyu glanced at his teammates. Even casual chat while working felt conspicuous.
“Stop worrying about them. What, you committing a crime? You were hired for your skills and paid for it. Jindo didn’t bestow some great favor. Chest out, head high—do your job.”
It was sound advice, but it didn’t quite resonate with Kang In-gyu. Just landing a bottom-rung spot at a company like Jindo felt like luck to him. Naturally, he’d be on eggshells.
“I’m not much help anyway, just dragging everyone down. I should be grateful they even gave me a spot.”
“Jeez. I said don’t let it get to you. If they chew you out over chit-chat, tell ’em straight: ‘This shit’s too gross to stomach.’”
Kang In-gyu let out a small laugh at that.
“Then what?”
“Then you leave. Think Jindo’s the only company? Worst case, we could take you.”
“Thank you for saying that.”
“No joke.”
“Huh?”
“I’m not the type to joke about this. If talking to me gets you heat, it’s partly my fault, so I’d take you. Got the authority for that.”
“N-No…… I mean……”
Kang In-gyu flusteredly looked around. A stranger offering kindness like this was unfamiliar.
“You wouldn’t take a loss like that……”
“A loss? Do I look that stupid? I’m not. Offering you a spot on my team means I see the value. That’s why.”
‘He sees value in me?’
“In-gyu! Gonna slack there all day?!”
“They’re calling. Go on. Think about what I said.”
“What’d you mean?”
“If it sucks, ditch it and come out.”
“Hahaha…… Thanks for the words.”
Kang In-gyu scurried off to his squad. The way they treated him made his position obvious. Timid, meek personality. Without standout talents, a rookie like him would suffer. And at a place like Jindo, full of hotshots……
‘A couple incidents might reel him in quick. More importantly, what the hell happens to him later?’
He couldn’t imagine what it would take to turn that personality into a ruthless, infamous superpowered curse sorcerer.
“What was that long chat about? Get any info?”
“Nah. Just laid some scouting bait.”
“Scouting?!”
“Keep it down. If they hear, you dealing with it?”
“No, scouting? That guy? He’s got some hidden talent?”
“Who knows.”
“Even so. Why that guy of all people……”
“Enough. Sun’s setting soon—let’s set the rotation. Can’t stay here forever.”
The forest nearest the clearing belonged to Jindo. To guard Uncle Jo Company’s assigned forest, they’d need to move a bit farther.
“Split up for sentries?”
“Nope. I’ll handle sentry solo. Rest of you stay in this clearing.”
“?!”
Splitting manpower for sentries only to get ambushed and die would be a headache. That was beyond what Suhyun could cover.
Better to have them wait here in the clearing. If shit hit the fan, they’d fight alongside Jindo’s side.
“You’ll stand watch alone all night?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll take breaks.”
Not his first rodeo. Staying alert for enemy raids while resting was as easy as breathing for Suhyun.
“I object, Team Leader.”
“Reminds me of last time. Why’s that, Trainee Park Su-yong?”
“There are limits to going solo. I know you’re exceptional, Team Leader, but healing doesn’t make you invincible. We might get pinned before linking up.”
Park Su-yong laid out his case logically. No change in expression, but Suhyun read the unmistakable worry in his eyes. Regardless of anything else, he couldn’t brush off someone stepping up out of genuine concern.
“If there’s no good reason, we should do standard split sentries……”
“There’s reason. If raiders hit, standard sentry setup’s risky. That works in the military, but this ain’t the army. No immediate backup from behind. We’d have to clash head-on and fend for ourselves…… Anyone confident winning 1v3 or worse here?”
“……”
“Don’t know their numbers, but they won’t be pushovers. Best to fight leveraging our strengths. We brought power armor—use it. Pour fire from here with support nearby.”
“We’re not guarding the forest?”
“If we can, we do. If not, we can’t. Wanna tank bombs with your body?”
Mission indifference aside, this attitude built trust with the squad. At least he wasn’t ordering them to die for the job. It aligned perfectly with their values.
“No heroics. Fight from advantageous spots—in the clearing with the others.”
“But you solo sentry still doesn’t add up.”
“Few hits won’t kill me, right? Easier moving solo with self-healing than babysitting yours.”
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