Chapter 68
Chapter 68
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: Preparation (1)
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‘Ah, Red Boar Mushroom….’
What popped into Suhyun’s mind was the Red Boar Mushroom. One of the reasons orcs ventured into this underground area. However, it held no value to humans.
The orcs around here used this mushroom for everything from food to tonics and medicine, thanks to their unique physiology that meshed perfectly with it. Humans, on the other hand, gained no notable effects from consuming it.
The reason Suhyun thought of this seemingly worthless mushroom was a scam involving it that had once made headlines.
‘Wait, should I tell them to gather it?’
Items from Cameron Planet always carried an air of mystique. Things like troll blood genuinely had effects unseen on Earth, so it wasn’t unreasonable for people to get excited. Ads on Earth commonly featured lines like “Made with XXX from Cameron Planet~.”
Naturally, opportunists exploited this. The Red Boar Mushroom scam had been one of the bigger ones.
‘They set up a whole company and blasted those ads everywhere….’
If Suhyun’s memory was correct, within two years, aggressive ads for Red Boar Mushroom products would start popping up. Catchy slogans like “The secret to orc stamina and virility!” that made your face heat up just reading them. He even remembered his colleagues getting tempted to buy some. Of course, they couldn’t due to stock shortages.
Once proper research began and it was announced that it had no significant effects on humans, the hype died overnight. But for those six months to a year, Red Boar Mushroom was an absolute blockbuster.
‘Gathering it now won’t lead to losses for sure… but could there be issues? It’s not like we or the orcs are running the scam. Someone else will.’
Dozens of enemies charging with murderous intent weren’t scary, but government agents threatening arrest for fraud? That was terrifying. Suhyun pondered briefly before deciding.
“Red Boar Mushroom. Gather Red Boar Mushrooms.”
“Red Boar Mushroom? Do humans like that stuff?”
“Not right now. But gather them anyway. I guarantee you won’t regret stockpiling. Dry them out and store them properly. As much as possible.”
“Red Boar Mushrooms last a long time, so it’s not hard… but that much?”
Mogok was baffled, unable to grasp what Suhyun was aiming for.
“If you don’t believe me, don’t bother.”
“No… I’ll do it. That much is doable.”
“When do we leave?”
Lee Jung-woo shouted from afar. They had waited at a distance while Suhyun talked with the orcs. A faint impatience colored his voice. Unlike the others, he was dying to get back and figure out what happened.
He hadn’t realized at first, but something felt off now that they were out. Uncle Jo Company’s team leader coming to rescue them? What was going on?
“We’re good to go. Then…”
Suhyun patted Mogok’s shoulder. Investing in other races was always a long-term play. The small kindnesses you offered might go unrepaid, but one success made up for it all.
“Hope we meet again.”
“…….”
“Let’s head out!”
Suhyun turned away without lingering. The rest was up to the orcs. Pushing further here wouldn’t change anything.
* * *
“There was a base here?”
“It hasn’t been up long.”
Shaína blinked her green eyes curiously. They had returned to the newly built base around the Redwood Forest.
“-------!”
“?!”
A shout echoed from inside the base. Shaína couldn’t understand it, but she perked up her ears in surprise.
“What’s that? What’s going on?”
“Don’t worry. They’re just facing reality.”
After endless wandering in that maddening labyrinth, Jindo 1 Team’s minds had stiffened. Returning to their Jindo base in the Redwood Forest slammed them back into reality.
“Artifacts…. three of them?”
“We had no choice! You think we accepted those terms willingly? Think about our situation! Your entire team vanished without a trace—how could we send in more people?”
Lee Jung-woo felt like he’d been hammered upon arrival. Now Suhyun’s friendly demeanor made sense. He’d act the same. No monster fights, just three artifacts handed over for free!
“…….”
The Jindo handler felt a pang of guilt seeing Lee Jung-woo slumped silently in his chair. He’d defended himself due to Lee Jung-woo’s accusations, but Jindo 1 Team had just barely made it back too.
They would’ve been overjoyed at the full-team return under normal circumstances, but hearing the details from Lee Jung-woo killed the mood. Their own dire straits left them no choice—they’d make the same call again—but handing over three artifacts outright still stung.
“At least everyone made it back safe. It could’ve been worse.”
“…….”
Lee Jung-woo bit his lip. From Jindo’s perspective, with all the worst-case scenarios imaginable, the safe return alone was a huge relief. But for 1 Team, who faced no real danger and just wandered lost before returning, it was impossible to accept.
“Are the artifacts decided?”
“No, no time for that. We settled basics and sent you off quick. We’ll pick after you’re back.”
“Could we void the contract…?”
“Impossible. They’re no fools. With the government involved, could we handle the fallout?”
“Damn it….”
“For now, get checked out as a precaution. We can start over once you’re cleared.”
“Our health’s perfectly fine, so no worries there.”
While Lee Jung-woo and the Jindo folks talked, Suhyun rested in the government base. Hearing of Jindo 1 Team’s full safe return, the government staff scrambled.
“Ah, thank you.”
“Director Seo Jung-beom will arrive soon. Please wait just a moment…”
“No rush. Nothing urgent now anyway, right?”
“Anything else you need?”
“Nope. I’ll call if I do. Go handle your work.”
The staff treated Suhyun with utmost courtesy. For them, as long as Jindo paid up and Jindo 1 Team returned safely—without upsetting the balance around Redwood Forest—that was enough.
Suhyun bringing back the whole team? They were grateful. Any rudeness could bite them later if he took offense.
“What’s that about…? He’s a big shot?”
“Me? Nah. Just special circumstances.”
“?”
“Everyone gets deferential when they need something.”
Suhyun drifted into thought as he spoke. The aftermath wasn’t his concern. The government would rejoice at Jindo 1 Team’s return and restore Redwood Forest to normal. They weren’t idiots; things would snap back soon.
He could guess Jindo’s internal fallout: initial joy at the return, then deflation and anger at the story, followed by acceptance. The tedious contract process ensured they couldn’t flee. Brute force wouldn’t work either.
What he needed to focus on now were the artifacts.
‘They must be fuming inside.’
They couldn’t outright break the deal, but petty tricks were possible. Private companies had no obligation to disclose artifact info. Jindo surely had a few unpublicized ones.
‘Getting those would be a stretch.’
Suhyun wasn’t counting on snagging tightly controlled artifacts. Overreaching could backfire. He was already getting three practically for free. Pushing more might provoke Jindo.
The real issue was if they filled the list with junk. If Jindo played hardball to save face, it’d get messy.
‘Better lay groundwork.’
He’d need to ask Jo Seung-hyun to pull info on Jindo’s publicly used artifacts.
* * *
“Monster of a guy…!”
“First words when we meet?”
Jo Seung-hyun stared at Suhyun in disbelief after another flawless job. Common sense seemed lost on him.
“Got lucky all around. It fell into place as planned, so easy wrap-up. Otherwise, headache city. Oh, about that thing I mentioned—did you get it?”
“Here. But will Jindo hand these over nicely?”
“They’ll hate it, but they have to. Stonewalling won’t solve anything.”
Suhyun scanned the list quickly. Artifacts were diverse and numerous, hard to pick on the spot usually, but not this time. He’d already decided on types.
‘Firepower, no question.’
From handling Karkrita Valley to solo-entering Kebaswak and retrieving Jindo 1 Team. Suhyun had built plenty of rep. Jindo 1 Team might grind their teeth, but others admired his skills.
Still, that was exploiting Cameron Planet’s gaps, not frontal assaults. From government to Uncle Jo Company watchers, one question lingered.
Uncle Jo Company had talent, sure—but could they win head-on?
Time to answer. With added artifacts and new superpowered recruit, he could prove they could.
‘Next mission’s extermination.’
Killing monsters in a zone. Perfect for flexing strength. The next op would be Uncle Jo Company’s blatant power demo.
“Let’s wrap admin quick and head out. Jindo won’t like waiting forever.”
“Wait, hold up.”
“?”
“Who’s the dark elf?”
Shaína eyed Jo Seung-hyun and Suhyun sullenly. She’d been sidelined from the talk.
“Oh, new talent. Evaluating for the team. Details later.”
“A dark elf?”
“What’s that got to do with it?”
Jo Seung-hyun paused, sensing something in Suhyun’s tone.
“It’s fine, right? No team issues…?”
“When have I ever done something not fine?”
“…Fair. If you say it’s good, it is.”
“Not prying more than expected?”
“What’s the point grilling the guy who delivers results?”
Suhyun chuckled. From watchers’ views, it’d shock. Zero failures, charging like a runaway train.
“How long do I have to wait?”
“All done. Let’s check your powers first. Before that… President, explain the terms?”
“Uh, yeah, sure.”
Orcs aside, dark elves were alien to Jo Seung-hyun. He fumbled slightly pulling papers, intimidated by tall Shaína’s straight posture and impassive stare.
With the translator on, Shaína read the terms. Suhyun hadn’t lied. Far better than solo work. Suhyun sealed it, approaching with added bait.
“This is our recent revenue.”
“…!!”
Shaína’s green eyes trembled in shock.
“We’ll make a 2 Team eventually, but no plans to put someone like you there. Join now, you’re on 1 Team. Show your powers first, though. Ready?”
“Of course!”