Chapter 5
Chapter 5
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: New Beginning (4)
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PMCs working on Cameron Planet did their best to project an image as different from the military as possible. Even if there wasn't much practical difference. Titles were one such distinction.
In a company where the entire team consisted of platoon-level operatives, the title of Team Leader meant that the woman before him held full authority in the field. Where to move and where to stop. In an emergency, whether to fight or retreat.
She looked no older than her late twenties at most, yet she was already a Team Leader. That meant she'd entered the battlefield even earlier than Suhyun and gained experience there. She was clearly impressive in many ways.
"This is Kim Chang-sik, operative."
"Yo."
A sly-looking man in his thirties waved his hand in a casual greeting.
"You'll get to know the others gradually. Calling them now for introductions would just annoy them. Any questions?"
"None."
"Good. We'll call you if something comes up, so until then, feel free to spend your time as you like. That said, you seem like a newbie. If you want, I can help you adjust."
Kim Chang-sik made a face like he'd seen a ghost. He knew all too well how brutally Lee So-hee worked people.
And Suhyun had zero interest in going through basic training again.
"I'm fine, thanks."
"I see. Understood."
Seeing that, Kim Chang-sik leaned in and whispered to Suhyun.
"Hey. You're better off just asking for help."
"Cut the nonsense. I'll get back to my duties now."
Lee So-hee gave a light nod and left the room. Suhyun turned to Kim Chang-sik.
"Why should I ask for help?"
"Team Leader Lee So-hee might seem polite, but she's strict about work. If you train hard normally, she'll overlook a dumb mistake in the field. But slack off during peacetime and screw up? You'll get an earful."
"Don't worry about that."
"Yeah? You like getting chewed out?"
Instead of answering, Suhyun smirked. No matter how seasoned they claimed to be, compared to his experience, they were like fledglings playing at being veterans. It was amusing.
But Kim Chang-sik misinterpreted the smirk. He adopted a mock-serious tone, as if trying to scare Suhyun.
"You don't get it yet, huh? Don't say I didn't warn you. The Team Leader's a firecracker about work. Screw up, and it'll make trainee chew-outs look like nothing."
"Got it. If it happens, I'll apologize then."
"No rookie spirit. Anyway, I warned you."
Kim Chang-sik raised both hands, then shuffled back to the sofa and flopped down. Suhyun started toward the room assigned to him upstairs but paused and asked.
"By the way, how did you all end up together?"
"Hm?"
"New companies like this usually start with a core group. No CEO just hires randomly without a minimum crew."
"You're sharp for a newbie."
Kim Chang-sik sat up straight on the sofa at the question. To him, Suhyun looked like a perfect greenhorn. Handsome with strong features, sure, but still too boyish—far from experienced. It was surprising coming from him.
"If that's too personal..."
"Nah, nothing to hide. Ask anyone, they'll tell you. I was in the military. Korean Army."
"I see."
"I didn't get kicked out of trainee status like you. Anyway, the pay sucked, as you know. Mercs doing the same grind rake in multiples."
Suhyun stayed quiet, letting him talk. Risk comparisons could go on forever, and Kim Chang-sik knew that.
"Then the President made an offer. Join me. I punched some numbers and said yes. Better than soldiering, and he's trustworthy."
"Were you his subordinate?"
"Nah. Back then, the President worked at a defense contractor. Famous there. Arms dealer. Probably has connections beyond the Korean military. The other operatives? Same deal, I bet. Park Su-yong's Korean Army too, no direct history with him though. Team Leader Lee So-hee? Super famous. Elite of elites. Didn't expect her here. No idea why she came, but probably the President convinced her. He's a wizard at that."
"And the others?"
"Didn't pry. Ask them yourself if curious. Only the President tracks full bios. We're here for paychecks—do the job, get paid. Why dig?"
"Teamwork matters."
"Teamwork? Just follow orders: jump when told, speak when told."
It was idle chatter, but Suhyun learned a lot. As expected, this team was assembled by President Jo Seung-hyun through personal connections. Some knew each other, but not all.
'They barely know each other, huh.'
It was obvious from the startup vibe—no surprise they lacked real combat cohesion. With numbers short, they'd passed him without proper tests, but now it felt a tad uneasy. President Jo Seung-hyun seemed discerning, though—not the type for randos.
Still, gathering talent didn't make a great team. Flaws stayed hidden in peacetime but showed in crises.
'Ah, whatever. No point worrying now. With this size, we'll stick to easy missions.'
Small outfits focused on low-risk work, building bonds naturally. Joining now might even be lucky.
Clunk—
"..."
"Pleasure. Kim Suhyun, your new roommate starting today."
"Gorgan. Likewise, human."
Muscular build, gruff low voice. And the telltale green skin. Classic orc. Gorgan was on the burly side even for one. Suhyun held his own physically, but Gorgan towered a full head taller.
He was wiping down a rectangular shield with a cloth. Silvery, but not quite silver—deeper, heavier hue. Others might dismiss it as odd or mistake it for aluminum or steel. Not Suhyun. He recognized it instantly.
"Altaranium? A shield forged from refined altaranium?"
Gorgan's shoulder twitched. He stopped wiping, stood up.
"How'd you know?"
"Come on. Looks like silver but heavier... Not steel or aluminum, and shield-grade? Only altaranium fits."
Altaranium. One of Cameron Planet's blessed resources. From metals to wood, plants, animals—nothing rare was harder to find. Altaranium ranked among the top precious metals.
Not just pretty and tough. Its key trait: absorbing energy poured onto it. Scarce and low-yield were issues, but ideal for shields.
'Heard some isolated non-human tribes, out of deep contact, hoard treasures like this. That the case?'
Even rare, a long-resident tribe could possess one.
Gorgan eyed Suhyun warily now, glaring.
"Few humans recognize it."
"I've got an eye for quality."
"Those who covet treasures always know their worth."
"Ah, that's the misunderstanding. I'm not interested in that shield. I wouldn't use one in combat anyway. I was just surprised—refined altaranium shields are rare."
"Never seen refined myself. It's a tribal heirloom."
"You're stiff. Got it as a goodbye gift when leaving?"
"Close enough. Sorry for jumping to conclusions. Just... don't touch the shield. It's precious."
"No worries. Won't lay a finger."
Plenty eyed Cameron Planet resources, but traditional artifacts drew collectors too. A historically valuable altaranium shield? Auction bait, priceless.
Suhyun got why Gorgan was guarded. Non-humans mingling with expansionist humanity were wary by default. Far stronger civilization incoming. Gorgan knew his shield's value.
But Suhyun wasn't planning to steal and sell it. Now he regretted blurting it out.
'Tch. Should've kept quiet about the curiosity.'
"By the way, Mr. Orc."
"Call me Gorgan."
"Right. Gorgan. How'd you end up working here?"
"Money."
Short, but loaded. Suhyun chuckled and nodded.
"Fair enough. Simple's best."
Non-humans integrating with planetary humanity numbered plenty. Urban ones traded fine, but village-dwellers often flowed to cities, absorbed, job-hunting.
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