Chapter 54
Chapter 54
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: Kakrita Valley (4)
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Kakrita Valley was one of the particularly peculiar places even on Cameron Planet, a world teeming with all sorts of unpredictable areas. One of its defining features was that human technology—one of humanity's greatest advantages—simply didn't work here.
Drone reconnaissance and sensor deployments were about as effective as trying to catch a ghost, and conventional weapons couldn't land a proper hit.
It wasn't for nothing that everyone who ventured in here vanished without a trace. They started out cocky, pushing deep inside, only to realize the harsh reality too late, devolve into panic, and get wiped out.
"No need for infrared gear or anything. Just light up and move."
"That works?"
"Doesn't matter. There's no difference with or without light here anyway."
The team members followed Suhyun's orders half-doubting, half-trusting. By now, they had fallen into the habit of just doing whatever he said first and asking questions later.
It was a hassle that technology didn't work, but there were upsides too. Here, you could make as much noise and shine as many lights as you wanted without consequence. The ghost monsters didn't hunt by sound or light anyway.
The ruins deep inside the cave were an especially dangerous spot within the valley. Outside, you could ward off threats with just salt, but in here, you had to steel yourself for inevitable fights.
'Honestly, they're not the kind I want to pick fights with... but since we've come this far, no choice.'
The weak ghosts repelled by salt were easy pickings, but the ones bold enough to charge through ignored that entirely—and those were real pains.
The most infuriating part was how they defied all common sense. Normal monsters gave warning signs before appearing—sounds, glimpses of movement. But the ghosts in these ruins popped out of nowhere. Bursting from walls or floors, they never let you relax for a second.
On the previous expedition, they'd used superpowers to detect enemies. Not just Suhyun, but everyone else had powers too, so it had been manageable.
'Good thing my telekinesis has gotten stronger.'
"Left side!"
"?!"
The team reacted instantly to Suhyun's shout, whipping around and aiming at the wall. The moment he yelled, a deep blue wolf-like shape erupted from it.
-Kraaang!
No actual sound came out, but everyone there swore they heard the wolf's howl clear as day.
Boom boom boom!
A surprise attack would've been dangerous, but with forewarning, they weren't that tough. Plus, the team knew their weaknesses.
"Pour it on!"
Unlike the ones outside, it didn't drop after a few hits. The ghost wolf growled, crouching low and darting side to side to dodge.
"Don't let your guard down! It's not just one!"
"!"
"Keep checking your surroundings while fighting. Blink and you're dead!"
Battles here were a constant tension wire. Hitting the weak points solved the enemy in front of you, but you couldn't afford to relax. More showing up mid-fight was commonplace.
The team sprang into action at Suhyun's words. While one handled the wolf up front, the others scanned the perimeter.
'Even if someone comes, I'll spot them first anyway.'
Suhyun couldn't babysit forever. They needed to handle some things on their own.
Thwack!
The ghost wolf, squarely struck in the head, finally showed signs of fleeing, tail between its legs. Suhyun's eyes gleamed.
"!"
One annoying trait of ghost monsters was their ability to vanish and reappear at will. Outside, sure, let them slink off. But in a cave like this, if they slipped into a wall, pursuit was a nightmare.
"Finish it! Kill it no matter what!"
Outside, they'd let retreating foes go at leisure. In here, that was suicide. One you let escape would stalk you relentlessly, striking from behind at every chance. Better to thin their numbers early.
At Suhyun's icy command, Kim Chang-sik and Park Su-yong lunged forward. For some reason, the ghost wolf froze mid-escape.
Thud thud thwack! Thwack!
Letting out a silent scream, the ghost wolf went limp. Its form convulsed wildly before dissipating like rising smoke.
"Hoo..."
Someone let out a sigh. The sudden brawl had everyone on edge. Before they could catch their breath, Suhyun spoke.
"Moving out."
"But how'd that guy spot it?"
"Yeah, seriously. He's starting to seem less human."
* * *
They got lucky, in a way. No swarms hitting at once, no ambushes from unimaginable angles.
'Once we reach the lake, this should wrap up relatively easy.'
The paths were labyrinthine now, but once at the destination, those issues would vanish.
"But no matter how you look at it, this doesn't seem like a natural tunnel... right?"
"Yeah? Never crossed my mind."
"Not natural. Good observation. If the intel's right, some异種 dug this out ages ago."
"!"
The team exchanged stunned glances at Suhyun's words. Anything from异種 was fascinating to humans.
"What's deeper in?"
"No clue. But they wouldn't carve this much effort for junk. Fingers crossed."
"Gold? Silver? Gems?"
Park Su-yong sighed pityingly as Kim Chang-sik rattled off wishes.
"No guarantee异種 value the same stuff we do."
"Who knows. Gorgan, orcs don't like gold or silver?"
"Neither's precious to us. More importantly... orcs don't make tunnels like this."
"Oh?"
'Dark elves or dwarves, probably.'
"Dark elves or dwarves might, but we orcs don't dig caves."
Just as Suhyun thought, Gorgan confirmed.
"Dark elves and dwarves like gold and jewels?"
"I wouldn't kn—"
"Cut the chatter. You here to sightsee?"
"Sorry, sir."
Kim Chang-sik clammed up at Suhyun's words. Easy to forget, but ghosts lurked underfoot.
"Water sounds...?"
Not imagination. Past the tunnel, a vast natural lake stretched ahead. Too dark to see clearly, but the water looked pristine.
For explorers in uncharted zones, clean water sources like this were always welcome. No matter how well-supplied, you couldn't squander resources.
"We stop here for today."
"How about camp? Those things don't play nice..."
"Good question. First, look at that lake."
"?"
"What do you think?"
"Looks good water?"
"Perfect for camping?"
"...The answer's 'great hiding spot for monsters.' You lot still have a ways to go."
Suhyun raised his gun as he spoke.
Splash!
The bullet hit the surface, sending a massive ripple and water column skyward. The team yelped, barrels jerking upward.
"W-what the hell?!"
"Ghost water snake, ghost anaconda maybe? No need to panic. Big but not tough. Stay calm and shoot!"
It lurked submerged, ambushing those who approached for water. Suhyun's old team had learned that the hard way once, caught off-guard near a lake.
Splash!
Coiling water around its body like a massive serpent, it looked menacing but wasn't hard to hit. These weren't green recruits to flinch.
"Uwaaa!"
Amid the racket, Kim Chang-sik rolled aside from a tail swipe. Water sprayed where it struck. Battered, it thrashed but didn't flee—instead ramping up aggression.
"Gorgan! Coming your way!"
"?!"
Gorgan's face twisted in alarm as he slammed his ever-present shield forward.
'Thought he'd dodge, but orc nerves hold even in panic?'
Boom!
A normal shield would've let the ghost snake phase through and strike, but Gorgan's was altaranium. The beast's head smashed against it and rebounded.
"Urgh!"
Gorgan groaned behind it, stance low to brace. Even with the shield absorbing shock, the impact rippled back.
"Nice one, Gorgan!"
Suhyun vaulted over him lightly, aiming at the staggering monster's head.
Thud, thud, thud!
Three quick shots. Telekinesis on top, subtle enough not to tip them off. The ghost water snake wobbled, then began dispersing.
"Damn it... Everyone, watch above!"
"?!"
While they tangled with the snake, others must've sensed weakness—ghost monsters burst from both flanks. Two ghost wolves. But not from above. The team tilted heads at Suhyun's skyward warning.
Mystery solved instantly. Flapping wings. A bat swarm dove from overhead.
Suhyun clicked his tongue. Overdo telekinesis, and someone'd notice. Dialing it back was its own chore.
"Why those bats?! Something special?!"
"Worry about bats over wolves! Drop 'em first!"
Ghost wolves? Team had handled them, and at this range, no sweat. Irregular moves or not, trained soldiers could tag them.
But bats were different. Tiny, weaving in full 3D frenzy.
Thud thud!
"Get bit, you get possessed. Don't wanna salt bath? Dodge!"
"?!"
Not true ghosts—these were living bats killed and possessed. Roaming for bigger hosts.
First wave nailed by Suhyun's shots, plummeting. Others banked sharply in the air, circling for openings.
"Two on wolf watch. Rest, aim bats. Don't spray scared—close range, one hit shatters 'em."
Team moved sharp as Suhyun ordered. Reforming after the snake scatter deterred charges. Wolves and bats alike hesitated, knowing one good hit dropped them.
"They back off to wait? Our turn. Charging—wolves first!"
Suhyun wouldn't let monsters dictate. Team rushed the wolves. One panicked into a lunge but ate bullets mid-leap.
The other flanked, but Suhyun anticipated, telekinesis-binding legs before blasting its head.
Bats left. While team pinned them sighted, Suhyun swapped guns. Ghost essence or not, possessed state took bullets.
One shot, one down. Accurate fire dropped them to the ground.
Finally, bats kamikaze-rushed, scattering. Team gritted teeth, firing. Bat corpses rained like hail.
"Ugh! Damn!"
Near cleanup, one bat plummeted straight down, nipping Kim Chang-sik's nape. He swore, ripping it off and hurling. Stinging pain bloomed.
"B-bit?!"
"Y-yeah, bit, but I'm fine! For real!"
"Yeah. Don't move closer."
"I'm seriously fine! No possession!"
Guns snapped to Kim Chang-sik in unison. Facing friendly fire, he looked ready to cry.
"Team leader. Shoot?"
"You bastards! Told you, no possession?!"
"Possessed mid-way maybe. Down. I'll heal you."
"Team leader...!"
Kim Chang-sik gazed at Suhyun like a savior in hell.