Chapter 56
Chapter 56
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 56
Chapter Title: Kakrita Valley (6)
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“Is it a famous place?”
“Yeah, it’s fairly well-known.”
Officially, only four countries had military forces deployed, but there were countless mercenary companies operating there. Cameron Planet was just too enticing to sit back and watch from afar.
However, the cities on Cameron Planet were divided among those four nations. For another country’s mercenary company to enter, they needed cooperation.
The easiest country to get that cooperation from was the United States. China and Russia were tough due to their unique systems, while the US or Korea were the more feasible options for other nations. And when comparing the US and Korea, European or North American companies naturally preferred the US.
‘But why don’t I remember it?’
Mercenary companies of any decent size gave off the vibe that they wouldn’t go under easily, but incidents like this happened surprisingly often on Cameron. No matter how careful you were, accidents occurred. If an entire Team 1 or Team 2 got wiped out, the damage was hard to recover from.
If Suhyun’s team hadn’t arrived here, these guys would’ve likely died. It wouldn’t be strange for the company to go bankrupt over that.
“American-affiliated, and a famous mercenary company... I don’t think we’ll lose out by saving them. They’re the type to settle accounts properly.”
With Russian or Chinese mercenary companies, you had to think twice before rescuing them. Forget rewards—you might get dragged into unnecessary trouble.
But with an American company, there was no such worry. They operated reasonably, after all.
The dwarf who introduced himself as Muzak slowly recovered while sharing what he knew. Though outsiders, they’d learned a bit about each other during the journey here.
“What about the rest of your people?”
“All of them... went outside. Staying here was just waiting to die... As soon as they left, Mr. Scott walled us off...”
They’d mishandled the attacks from monsters that had grown even stronger outside. In the end, they lost most of their supplies and fled to this safe zone. Without the dwarf’s information, they would’ve died even sooner.
Then, opinions split internally. One faction argued to hold out to the end since there were no other options, while the other said staying meant dying of starvation. The superpower users pushing the latter broke through and left, while those choosing the former stayed behind.
‘They’re all dead, probably.’
He could picture it without looking. People already exhausted and injured by the time they got here had no chance of breaking out.
“By the way, good judgment.”
Even knowing they’d die if they left, most people chose that. Better to gamble on a slim chance than sit and slowly starve.
“You’ll rescue us, then?”
“What, you got a problem with that?”
“No, it’s not that...”
Park Su-yong looked uneasy. Given his cautious personality, he was probably worried these guys would become annoying obstacles during distribution later. They weren’t ordinary people—they were a team of superpower users. They had the power to make trouble.
“Don’t worry. If they act up, I won’t let it slide.”
He wasn’t here on a volunteer mission. No way was he dragging around people who couldn’t read the room.
“Anyway, why haven’t these guys woken up yet? Are superpower users weaker than a dwarf?”
“One of them got beat by Team Leader...”
“Shut it. Let’s prepare to rest. We’re camping here tonight anyway.”
“M...”
“?”
Everyone’s eyes turned toward the faint voice. Suhyun approached the woman lying there. She had bright blonde hair tied back, a well-proportioned body. Her face was gaunt from prolonged starvation, but she was fundamentally beautiful. A mix of handsome and pretty features.
“M? What’s ‘m’ mean?”
“She’s asking for food, duh.”
“Cut the crap. You think this is the time?”
Park Su-yong scolded Kim Chang-sik. The others looked at him pitifully too. Kim Chang-sik hung his head dejectedly.
“Some food, please...”
“...”
“...Get it.”
As Suhyun crooked his finger, Kim Chang-sik glared at the others and stood up.
Mercenaries didn’t skimp on food, given the harsh conditions they endured. Eating was one of their few joys. Suhyun could live off calorie packs for months without issue, but most couldn’t.
“Bulgogi? Pork cutlet?”
“You pickin’ now? Just hand over anything.”
Suhyun pulled the string on the pack he received. It was a pack with excellent preservation—basically no expiration date. Pulling the string heated it just right.
“Sit up and eat?”
“M...”
“?”
“Feed me.”
“...”
“My arms won’t work.”
Suhyun turned to order someone else. But no one met his eyes. In the end, he picked up the spoon and fed her himself.
“Ah, I feel alive again...”
“If you feel alive, eat it yourself. Here.”
“Ow!”
She winced as the spoon tapped her forehead. Her green eyes, now sharp with vitality, scanned the surroundings. She showed no panic at the sudden change—either she hadn’t grasped the situation, or she was just that bold. Hard to tell.
“So... who are you guys? Mercenaries, right?”
“Uncle Jo Company.”
“Korean? Chinese? Wait, Japanese maybe?”
“Korean.”
“Phew. Good.”
“What’s good about it?”
Kim Chang-sik, listening from behind, asked curiously.
“Chinese would’ve gouged us... Koreans won’t make unreasonable demands. Allies, right?”
“Allies my ass. We’re not even Korean military. Quit yapping and explain the situation.”
Suhyun sat on a suitable rock and eyed her. He knew superpower users often had quirky personalities, but this woman seemed no ordinary one. It was rare for someone who’d cheated death to act this casual right away.
“Hm, explaining’s easy enough... But Muzak’s already up?”
“Yeah. They helped him.”
“Then let Muzak explain, and can I just have one more of these in the meantime?”
Suhyun seriously started considering ditching them.
* * *
Jennifer McClaine’s explanation didn’t differ much from Muzak’s. The account of how they got here was nearly identical; the new info was their detailed identities.
“Blue Bear Team 2?”
“Yeah.”
Suhyun gave a bored look at Jennifer, who nodded with her mouth full.
“Do you know what happened to the other team members?”
“Probably dead?”
“...Not sad or anything?”
“It sucks, but I clearly told them not to go. They ignored me and left anyway.”
“Whatever. No point dragging it out... The dwarf said you came looking for an artifact.”
“Yeah.”
“Same as us. What do you think?”
“What’s to think? You take it. We just want to survive.”
Suhyun was impressed inwardly at her instant response without a second’s hesitation. She had quirks, but she read situations well.
“Want a contract? Oh, you’re not planning to leave us here, right? Be human about it. We’ll compensate properly once we’re out! We’re not some Chinese outfit gonna vanish after rinsing our mouths.”
As Suhyun didn’t reply, she apparently misunderstood and started talking fast.
“Traveling together won’t be hard. You’re all superpower users except the dwarf, so we’ll boost your strength—no downside.”
“Yeah, yeah. You’ll all be useful, so don’t worry.”
“...You really the team leader?”
“Rude! Wake the others and ask!”
Jennifer’s raised voice seemed to rouse the red-haired man in glasses. He frowned, clutching his head in pain, and looked around.
“What... Miss McClaine. What’s going on?”
“Uncle Jo Company. Good thing you listened when I said to stay.”
“Now’s not the time for that...”
Scott racked his brain for Uncle Jo Company. He’d never heard of it.
“But Muzak and Scott are up—why not Whitman? He’s the toughest.”
“Maybe the injury?”
“I already healed the injuries.”
“?!”
Suhyun waved his hand. A simple motion, but they were all superpower users. They got it immediately.
“You’re a healer?!”
“That’s why healing works.”
After Jennifer briefed him, Scott sighed in relief. They were lucky. Not only did another merc team find them on the brink of death, but one had healing powers too.
“Thank you truly. Your name...”
“Kim Suhyun.”
“Mr. Kim Suhyun. Once we’re out, I’ll express official gratitude.”
“You seem more like the team leader.”
As they shook hands, Suhyun commented, and Scott gave a wry smile while shaking his head.
“No. Miss McClaine’s the team leader. She may not look it, but she’s got solid skills—no need to worry.”
“Shouldn’t we wake Whitman soon? He got healed too—why’s he still out?”
“Leave him. He’ll wake when it’s time.”
Suhyun, who’d knocked him out with a punch, said it stone-faced.
“Ugh. Damn...”
“You’re up. Arm okay?”
“Huh? Thanks. But the situation...”
He vaguely remembered getting hit, so Whitman tilted his head. Jennifer quickly explained.
“Uncle Jo Company? Never heard of it.”
“I never heard of Blue Bear either, so we’re even.”
Suhyun, finishing a quick meal, replied indifferently.
“You never heard of Blue Bear? That make sense?”
“If I haven’t, I haven’t. Why’s it gotta make sense or not?”
“You said Korean, not Chinese. And you don’t know us?”
“Annoying.”
Suhyun picked up his shotgun.
“Thought I cured the possession. Guess it didn’t take.”
“What?”
“After rescue, first words should be ‘thank you.’ Then, ‘I’ll serve you faithfully till we’re out to repay the favor.’ That’s protocol. But nah, first thing outta your mouth is ‘never heard of your company’? So brazen and clueless—you’re possessed for sure. It’s fine. One shot’ll cure it.”
“W-W-Wait!”
Suhyun looked dead serious. Not knowing him, the Blue Bear members paled. Jennifer jumped between them, grabbing Whitman’s head and shoving it down hard.
“Sorry! This idiot spouts nonsense sometimes. He’s not possessed! That’s just how he is. Apologize. Whitman. Now!”
“S-Sorry.”
Seeing Whitman apologize, Suhyun clicked his tongue and lowered the gun. Whitman shut up, deflated.
‘She’s got real skill.’
She’d clearly intervened knowing they’d just die if they clashed here. Unlike Whitman, blinded by company pride, she saw the situation clearly.
“Mr. Kim Suhyun... If it’s not rude, may I ask a few questions?”
“I’ll answer and see.”
“You must be amazing to reach here unscathed, yet your name’s not well-known... New company, or some reason for that?”
After Whitman nearly got wrecked for running his mouth, Scott asked cautiously. A team this capable without fame was intriguing.
“There’s a bit of a reason. It’s new too.”
“Ah...”
‘Korean government ties, or spun off from a big corp, probably.’
“Curiosity satisfied?”
“Yes? Oh, yes.”
“Good. Let’s wrap up. We’ve got a schedule. Rest here till tonight, move out tomorrow. You can recover and keep up by then?”
“Of course. No worries there.”