Chapter 67
Chapter 67
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 67
Chapter Title: Kevaswak Region (4)
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Though it was a makeshift team, that didn’t mean they were getting along swimmingly. In a way, it was only natural. Suhyun wasn’t even part of the same outfit as Jindo Dog 1 Team, nor had they built any camaraderie from working together regularly.
Sure, they’d been thrilled and glad to reunite after getting lost, but once that moment passed, there was no real reason to act chummy. They were Jindo Dog 1 Team, after all—an elite squad that couldn’t help but carry an air of superiority, whether they tried to or not.
*Stiff atmosphere. Whatever, doesn’t matter to me.*
Of course, none of Jindo Dog 1 Team’s members were outright rude. Even in these tough circumstances, it showed how well Lee Jung-woo managed his crew.
Still, they didn’t initiate conversation or engage in small talk. The only thing Lee Jung-woo had asked was why Suhyun—who’d come to rescue them—was here in the first place.
When Suhyun replied that Jindo Dog had hired him because he knew about the heteromorphs in the area, Lee Jung-woo nodded as if that settled it. He seemed satisfied with the explanation on his own.
They’d be floored when they heard the full story back home, anyway. Just thinking about their reaction made Suhyun feel a surge of goodwill, even toward their standoffish bunch.
“By the way, what were you about to say earlier?”
Suhyun, Mogok, and Shaina were leading the group now. Jindo Dog 1 Team, trailing behind, gave off such a “keep your distance” vibe that neither Mogok nor Shaina could fall back.
“What did I say?”
“Right before the wall burst open. Something about how, whatever the power is, a superhuman should work as a mercenary for stability and ease—especially if it’s about money.”
“Oh. That.”
Suhyun recalled and nodded. He’d been cut off mid-sentence when Jindo Dog 1 Team smashed through the wall.
“Whatever the power is, isn’t mercenary work the most stable and straightforward gig for a superhuman? Especially if you’re after cash.”
The reason people flocked to mercenary companies was simple: on Cameron Planet, it was the most reliable way to leverage personal skills for top earnings. Freelance hunters or explorers were arguably riskier.
But Shaina shot back with a look of utter disbelief.
“What are you talking about?”
“?”
“You know I’m a dark elf, right? Your reactions lately…”
“Oh. Was that the issue? My apologies.”
Suhyun finally realized what he’d overlooked. He’d seen Shaina as a heteromorph superhuman familiar with Cameron Planet, but to others, she was a dark elf superhuman.
Dark elf. The species itself wasn’t a problem, but prejudice was inevitable among humans. Dark elves were infamous as heteromorph terrorists.
Things had quieted down lately—barely making headlines now—but clashes were inevitable between humanity, constantly pushing for new resources, and heteromorphs rejecting intrusion outright. Not all heteromorphs welcomed humans with open arms.
If elves were the prime example of a species friendly to humanity, dark elves were the poster child for hostility.
Superhumans in droves, weapons smuggled from human lands, plus Cameron Planet’s wilds. Turn dark elves into enemies, and they were no pushovers.
That made mercenary companies—even those open to heteromorphs—wary of hiring dark elves. Elite front-line teams were often humans only, for reliability. A dark elf? Unpredictable at best.
*Mercenary companies can be a bit paranoid about that stuff, yeah.*
Suhyun got their stance. From their view, dark elf attacks weren’t ancient history. Just a few years back, there were plenty of cases.
They already operated in deadly environments. Sticking together as a team was key; tossing in a powerful but volatile dark elf could wreck cohesion.
“So they turned you down at mercenary companies?”
“Yeah. Tried a few, but they all hemmed and hawed. Whatever. I’m confident I can make it solo.”
“Even so, going alone has limits.”
“What’re you getting at?”
“Look at this job. Solo, you couldn’t clear more and had to bail early. You could’ve lasted longer with backup.”
“Ugh, true…”
Shaina trailed off, unable to counter. She couldn’t read this guy’s intentions.
“It’s solo work, so what can you do? Gotta deal.”
“Ever thought about teaming up?”
“?!?!”
Shaina was genuinely stunned. She double-checked, thinking she’d misheard.
“What?”
“Asked if you’d consider working together.”
“With who? You?”
She pointed at Suhyun, then at Jindo Dog 1 Team behind. Her sudden finger-jab left the Jindo mercs looking baffled.
“Who else? And not them.”
“Aren’t you a team?”
“Team ’til the rescue. After that, we part ways. Pretty much like how I got hired for this.”
“Oh…”
Shaina nodded, understanding.
“So you’re solo too?”
“Nah. My team’s back in the city, on standby.”
“Meaning…”
“Mercenary company. Bingo.”
“You’re seriously saying you’d take me on?”
“Just to confirm—you are a superhuman, right?”
“Superhuman, yep.”
“If you’re a superhuman, you’re welcome, period.”
Shaina eyed Suhyun oddly, trying to puzzle out his motives.
“I mean, this job was a bust for me, but I don’t take chump change…”
“You were gonna level up that ant ghost poison, right? If that’s your usual gig, you can charge more. Why not check the paperwork in the city? If I’m lying, it’ll show.”
“Mm…”
Shaina pondered, conflicted. Logically, Suhyun was right—no downside. Head to the city, review the docs, decide then.
But that very lack of risk nagged her. Humans distrusted dark elves broadly, just as dark elves distrusted humans. Was this a trap she didn’t see? She weighed it carefully.
“If you can’t trust me, no hard feelings. Sorry if I’m pushing. Forget it if you want.”
Suhyun knew better than to pressure types like her relentlessly. Give a nudge, then back off—they’d stew and come around on their own.
*Snag a superhuman for cash? Pure profit.*
Dark elf or not, usable talent was gold. Uncle Jo Company couldn’t afford to be picky right now.
“My being a dark elf really doesn’t matter?”
“Of course not.”
“No grudge against dark elves?”
“Why would I? I’m not the one who’d grudge if I started holding ’em. Got plenty of grudges to pick from already.”
“?”
Shaina wouldn’t know, but by that logic, Suhyun would first resent Chinese and Russians. He’d tangled more with foreign spec ops than heteromorphs.
Her eyes softened with faint admiration. A human free of heteromorph bias? Rare in her experience.
*Whatever. If she pulls anything shady, I’ll just kill her.*
Shaina had no clue Suhyun’s thoughts. His powers stronger now, his options widened. Pre-awakening, he’d hesitate on a dark elf recruit. Couldn’t guarantee neutralizing a superhuman if things soured.
Not anymore. Posing as a healer hid his powers; he could ambush and drop anyone now. That confidence expanded his playbook.
“Alright, let’s meet up after we hit the city. Which one?”
“Pyongyang.”
“Korean side, got it.”
“Yeah. Wait—actually… might need a bit.”
“?”
“Gotta settle up with those guys trailing us first.”
* * *
Once topside, Suhyun shook Mogok’s hand. Still mistaking him for a merchant, Mogok was warmer than at first meet.
“Thanks. I’d love to repay you, but I got nothing handy.”
“No need. We don’t expect what wasn’t promised.”
“Hm. Well… if you ever wanna connect with humans, hit this up. Take it with you.”
“W-what?”
Mogok stammered, caught off guard. Suhyun dropping that line was the last thing he’d expected.
“Not it? That gun Shaina had, your expressions—you’re curious and conflicted.”
“N-no, it’s not…”
“Total isolation isn’t the only path. Scared of shady humans? Contact this. I can offer some help.”
“You’re trustworthy?”
“If not, nothing I can do. You’ll figure it out.”
“Hmm…”
“By the way, didn’t bring him, but my team has an orc.”
“Really?”
Mogok perked up more than ever.
“Orks working with humans aren’t that rare, right?”
“We’d only heard rumors. But… are human cities really ork-friendly?”
“Nope.”
Suhyun answered straight. Mogok’s face tightened.
“Built by humans for humans—others adapt or don’t. Rich thrive, strugglers sink. No illusions.”
“Hmm…”
“Not saying join us outright. Too sudden. Just network with humans, gather intel. Holed up here? You’ll stagnate. Those weapons—good luck fighting with ’em?”
Suhyun nodded at the bow and spear. Mogok flushed; those were his pride and joy.
“These weapons…”
“Nah. Effort aside, performance matters. Saw that dark elf roll in solo with one gun to hunt ant ghosts?”
“Urgh…”
Mogok mulled it over long, then spoke.
“One thing I’m wondering.”
“?”
“No free lunch. Guns, fire batons—we’d pay somehow. What do we have humans’d want?”
Sharp question. Suhyun paused, pondering. Hadn’t considered it.
Half genuine goodwill, half calculation in his overture. Ties with heteromorphs paid off someday. Funnel their outreach through Uncle Jo Company? Profit, monetary or otherwise—like intros to other groups.
But what they had that sold? Merchant turf. Suhyun knew some, but not expert-level.
*Merchants handle this best…
Mogok clearly mistook him for an expert, given his travels.
*Weapons? Collectors dig heteromorph gear, but not steady… Anything else?*
Hated to disappoint an eager asker, but without close inspection, tough call. Was about to offer a merchant next time when something clicked.
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