Chapter 59
Chapter 59
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: Artifact (1)
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“The job… it succeeded… is that……?”
“We’ve finished scouting all the way to the other side of the valley. The map’s been drawn up and digitized, so you can check it anytime. We’ve classified most of the monsters inside—at least roughly—and compiled countermeasures for them. Any special spots inside are marked too, so you’ll see them right away.”
The handler was at a loss, unsure who he was even dealing with. Sure, any team backed by the government to tackle this place wasn’t pushovers. But this was beyond exceptional.
Mercenaries from private companies who took on government gigs usually went through a predictable string of trial and error. It was just part of the adjustment process.
Private companies and the government chased different values. Government linguists drooled over runes on relic walls, but private firms couldn’t care less. Turning that into value took too long and was a long shot.
‘Heard this was their first try?’
“Let’s take a look first before we talk.”
“Ah, yes.”
Before he knew it, the handler was completely caught in Suhyun’s rhythm. He pulled up the data Suhyun had brought and started reviewing it. The finished map and neatly organized intel made him marvel once more.
“As you can see, there’s a relic site inside.”
“A relic site?! Did you scout inside that too? Ah, but time-wise, that would be……”
With those words, the handler swiped to the next image. The interior structure of the relic site appeared.
“!”
“We’ve already scouted and cleared the relic site inside. Resources will need a closer look, but what we brought out is an artifact.”
The handler thought he couldn’t be more shocked. Crossing the valley in about a week was impressive enough, but discovering a relic site inside and fully scouting it?
‘What the hell is this guy?’
He swallowed hard without thinking. Working as a civil servant on Cameron Planet, he’d met plenty of inhuman monsters. But Kim Suhyun was a first. He didn’t look dangerous at all on the outside, yet his calm words revealed a monster like no other.
“We’ll handle the artifact declaration separately after our own checks. That was pre-agreed, right?”
“O-Of course.”
The scouting party always had first dibs on finds during exploration. Without that right, there’d be no reason to risk life and limb up front.
“One more thing not in the records: we ran into another mercenary company inside the relic site.”
“?”
The handler stared at Suhyun, utterly baffled. No Korean companies were challenging this valley right now. Any that had tried were long wiped out by this point.
“An American outfit, I think they’re called Blue Bear. Know them?”
Of course he did. Working as a Korean civil servant on Cameron Planet meant knowing the big Korean and American mercenary firms inside out.
“Blue Bear? You ran into a Blue Bear team in there?!”
They’d planned to claim exclusive rights first, but overlapping with an American side could spell headaches. The handler frowned.
“You’re misunderstanding. We didn’t meet them while they were scouting—it was more like a rescue. We confirmed everything thoroughly, so there won’t be messy fallout later. If they try any shady negotiations……”
“Fair point, but isn’t that a bit much?”
The door opened as she spoke, and Jennifer stepped in. She’d wrapped up contact with base and tidied up properly—none of the haggard look from their first meeting remained.
“Gotta do it straight to avoid hassle later.”
“I already told you: save our lives, and we won’t get greedy about the rest.”
“And we recorded it.”
Jennifer stuck out her tongue in disbelief. He’d recorded it in that short time?
“Cut us some slack. When interests are on the line, people pull dirty tricks like breathing…… Blue Bear wouldn’t stoop that low, but trouble’s trouble for everyone.”
“What do you take me for, saying that?”
Suhyun couldn’t fathom why Jennifer seemed genuinely pissed. From what he’d seen, she wasn’t the type to miss something this basic.
“I’m not doubting you. Even if you keep your word, if Blue Bear’s president sinks his teeth in, it gets complicated. You know that much.”
“Exactly! That’s saying my dad would pull something like that.”
“?!”
“Ah…… Ms. Jennifer McClain?”
The handler pieced it together the moment she spoke. Suhyun was newly impressed.
‘The president’s daughter? No wonder she’s famous.’
Yeah, front-line team for a major mercenary firm, plus the boss’s daughter? Being unknown would be weirder.
“That’s right. So no worries about dirty tricks. We don’t break promises or betray like that.”
“If you say so, I’ll trust it. Sorry for the suspicion.”
Jennifer crossed her arms and nodded like it was obvious as Suhyun spoke.
“We’re heading out now. We’ve contacted Blue Bear, so they’ll send someone soon.”
They’d saved their lives, but Team 2 was effectively halved. Sure, from the president’s view, his missing daughter escaping alive was the biggest relief, but the losses didn’t vanish.
“Safe travels, then. No send-off.”
“Cold as ever. We’ll meet again anyway. See you then.”
Jennifer turned and left after a casual wave.
“Crossing the valley in under a month, scouting the relic site, rescuing Blue Bear Team 2…… Unreal results. Beyond impressive!”
“Basics.”
* * *
“Success?!”
Development Planning Department Director Lee Won-jae nearly spilled his teacup at the lazy afternoon report. He muttered a low curse and fumbled to set it down.
“For real? No scam?”
Qualifications weren’t handed to just anyone, but bold cheats popped up now and then. Groups trying to fake big wins without doing the work.
“Report came straight from the base. The handler there isn’t one to bullshit, and it’s all verified.”
Choi Hyun-min was already changed for the field. Ready to head out.
“Report’s up—take a look. I’ll go ahead. If this is legit, it’s no small deal.”
“No small deal, yeah……”
Lee Won-jae scratched his head. Honestly, it was overly bewildering. He hadn’t expected much when approving this.
Best case: a few survivors return with intel on the inside. That was it. Not shattering records, grabbing everything grab-able, and strolling out.
“They had prior intel, no doubt.”
“Huh?”
“Look at the breakdown. Supplies, timing. You think this is possible blind in unknown territory? Even all-superpower teams died in there.”
“Ah……”
Choi Hyun-min nodded at the director’s words. He had a point. The stunning results had blinded him to the how. Come to think of it, Uncle Jo Company’s lineup was extreme: everyone but the team leader lacked superpowers.
“So what? No biggie?”
“No biggie, you idiot. Who said that?”
“But you just said they had prior intel……”
“Getting prior intel is skill. Why downplay it? You think those dead teams went down easy?”
Choi Hyun-min bowed his head quietly at the director’s scolding.
“We prefer teams that do their homework and handle things clean over brute-force ones. Time you learned that.”
“Got it.”
“But……”
“?”
“Question is if they can pull this off again. Intel’s tough to snag on Cameron Planet. Fine for this valley, but elsewhere……”
“That’ll show next job, no?”
“Exactly.”
Choi Hyun-min nailed it. Bluffing had limits on Cameron Planet. Mismatch your skills, and your true measure shows.
“Been a while since a team like this showed up. Hope they go long-term.”
Firepower-lacking teams like this succeeded cleaner when they did. A quick scan of the report showed Uncle Jo Company’s crisp execution.
“Check the surrounding area, pay the promised reward, and keep them happy. You know the drill?”
“Yes, sir.”
Teams that delivered were precious assets. Government had to show equal sincerity and thanks per success.
No clue on the next job or when, but Lee Won-jae hoped Uncle Jo Company became solid new blood. Usable forces for exploring Cameron Planet were always short.
A few big company teams cooperated under government lead now, but few were truly reliable.
‘It’ll show on the next mission.’
Luck or skill? Next job would tell.
* * *
“…Was our building lot always this big?”
“No…… What……”
Uncle Jo Company members returned buzzing with excitement, only to gape in shock. After reporting and getting government thanks, they’d headed back to the city for rest, regrouping, and prepping the next gig.
But what greeted them was a company lot several times larger.
“You’re all here.”
“What is this?!”
“Way bigger now, right? Training ground’s going in over there. Quarters expanded big and moved to the back.”
“We’re under ten people—why so spacious?”
“Gonna grow, you fool. Can’t run on one team forever? Don’t you feel bad for Team Leader Kim Suhyun?”
“Ugh, ouch……”
The Uncle Jo crew knew their scale was tiny. Few companies this small handled their workload.
“But land’s cheap around here, still gonna cost a bundle.”
“Don’t sweat it. All funded by the government.”
“Whoa, for real? This is totally……”
“Not like they hand over whatever we ask—don’t get dreams. Anyway……”
“?”
“Construction’s not done yet. Especially the quarters expansion.”
“???”
“So crash somewhere else for a week. Here’s cash—hit a city hotel.”
“Fine by us, but……”
“Sweet! When else do we splurge like this?”
City hotels beat company dorms, obviously. The crew shook off the shock, planning to pack light and head out.
“Hold up.”
“Yes?”
“Let’s check the artifact before splitting. Not like I found it solo.”
He said it to boost morale, but that wasn’t why. Lightning Axe wasn’t ideal for Suhyun’s ongoing use anyway. He already had telekinesis. Better in someone else’s hands efficiency-wise.
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