Chapter 82
Chapter 82
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 82
Chapter Title: The Long Road Toward Solitary Power (4)
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Humanity's establishment of four cities around the first Dimensional Gate was an event accompanied by great fortune. If monsters had swarmed the area around the Dimensional Gate like in other regions, humanity might not have built large-scale cities even now.
In the same vein, constructing new cities on Cameron Planet was no easy task. First, a suitable site with the right environment was needed. And the most crucial factor in that environment was the presence or absence of monsters.
It wasn't an absolute rule, but stronger monsters tended to claim larger territories. Conversely, eliminating a single powerful monster from an area meant that territory became safe. The stronger the monster, the fewer other monsters lurked nearby, making the surroundings safer.
From that perspective, dragons were the perfect monsters.
They were territorial beasts that occupied vast lands alone and allowed no other monsters to approach. Catch just the dragon, and the surrounding land opened up.
The problem was...
‘Can humanity currently take down a dragon, though?’
Suhyun had grown incomparably stronger than in his previous life, but he still had no desire to fight a dragon. Dragons were that powerful.
‘Why is this happening so damn fast...?’
Suhyun's head seemed to whir with the intensity of his racing thoughts. The Dragon Slayer Project wasn't something that should have come up now. It was supposed to emerge much later.
‘No way...!’
Something clicked in Suhyun's mind. Karkrita Valley. A problem that his team hadn't resolved would have been dealt with far later otherwise.
In the past, the Dragon Slayer Project had planned to detour around Karkrita Valley and head to the Dragonia Basin. With Karkrita Valley now cleared, transportation issues were essentially resolved.
“Mr. Kim Suhyun? Are you alright?”
“Ah, yes. But Dragonia Basin—that place, as far as I know...”
“Yes. The dragon's land. The Americans call it the Red Dragon, though.”
While development focused on the Euterpe region, small exploration teams were steadily venturing into uncharted areas. The Dragonia Basin had been discovered through their efforts.
When the Dragonia Basin was found, people noted the presence of a dragon, but discussion hadn't progressed beyond that. There were plenty of profitable sites anyway—there was no reason to risk life descending there to hunt a dragon. Even without facing one, the dragon's claimed territory suggested it was no pushover.
“Does building a city there mean taking down the dragon?”
“Yes, if the decision is made, that's what it would entail.”
‘This is insane.’
Suhyun clicked his tongue inwardly. In the past, it hadn't concerned him, but now it was deeply intertwined with his plans. He'd intended to grab everything he could and bail right after, but the timeline had accelerated far beyond expectations.
The Dragon Slayer Project was a joint effort by nations to slay dragons and build new cities on their lands. Naturally, it involved massive forces—enough to form an army of superpowered users. He recalled that even the Development Planning Department's teams had participated.
But they had underestimated the dragons.
After humanity entered Cameron Planet, monsters weren't absolute enemies. They simply didn't bother with unprofitable ones, but with full effort, none were uncatchable—or so everyone thought.
The dragons had literally shredded the assault teams.
It was a catastrophe with almost no forces returning intact among those who participated. Humanity's future plans were scrapped entirely, and the Development Planning Department lost all its operational teams. Unable to recover from the loss, the government eventually created special forces units under military command.
In a way, it was an event that shaped Suhyun's previous life.
“Please don't worry too much. If we go, we won't be handling it alone. It would start with elite teams from each nation and massive support.”
Misinterpreting Suhyun's silence, Lee Won-jae added an explanation. But to Suhyun, who knew the outcome, it just sounded like a tally of how many great forces would die.
‘Ah... shit...’
The assault teams had retreated after getting pummeled like dogs, but they hadn't returned empty-handed. They had gathered intel on dragons as monsters. That intel became educational material for years.
‘Physical attack resistance, superpower attack resistance, numerous usable superpowers... It's just better to avoid them outright.’
Their horrific defense was one thing, but dragons wielded mage-like abilities despite being monsters. They commanded a variety of superpowers—and at levels surpassing most users.
Even in the future, no plans to hunt dragons were ever made again. The shock of their power was that profound.
‘I have to get out of this no matter what.’
Even if it soured relations with the government, he had to bail here. Getting tangled in it carelessly could turn Dragonia into his grave.
“Anyway, it's still in the discussion phase, and nothing's finalized... But I trust you understand why we need secrecy. Spreading this around wouldn't benefit anyone. We're telling you because we trust you that much, Mr. Kim Suhyun.”
‘Sorry, but I'm never touching this.’
“Thank you.”
Lee Won-jae was saying that if the Dragon Slayer Project launched, they—as one of Korea's key government forces—would have to participate.
Of course, Suhyun had zero intention of walking into that meat grinder.
“I'll update you on progress separately.”
“By the way, any other missions...?”
“Ah, no, you're fine. It's just discussions now, so actual planning will take time. We can adjust schedules once plans are set. Go ahead with your work without worry.”
Judging by Lee Won-jae's attitude, there seemed to be plenty of time left, fortunately. Still, Suhyun couldn't relax. He left with a complicated heart.
The Dragon Slayer Project was no different from a death trap. But he couldn't outright refuse. Bailing without a good excuse would cause headaches long after.
‘No, somehow turn it into profit...’
Amateurs just try to avoid crises, but masters turn crises into opportunities. Shaking off the shock, Suhyun viewed the situation more objectively.
A few things were clear, at least. He needed to hurry. Whether participating in the Dragon Slayer Project or not, using it or dodging it, he had to maximize his abilities.
* * *
“So, we need to tackle the issues one by one...”
“Team Leader, what do you mean In-gyu awakened?!”
“Shaina, go explain.”
“Why me?!”
“I'm busy right now. Go explain.”
Shaina grumbled but started recounting the events to the members. She'd skipped the part about Kesika, as Suhyun had instructed. Even so, it was shocking enough.
While the members marveled outside, Suhyun toyed with a transparent orb, spinning it around.
‘What the hell is this?’
He could usually sense an artifact's purpose upon touch. A few exceptions aside, he suspected this orb was one such case.
‘Nothing interferes with superpowers except artifacts.’
When he'd overused telekinesis, this orb had definitely disrupted his control. So it was likely an artifact.
The problem was, no matter what he tried, Suhyun couldn't figure out how to use it.
He tried overexerting telekinesis again, but the orb didn't budge. This was a headache. It seemed valuable, but useless without knowing how.
“Team Leader.”
“Didn't I say not to disturb me?”
“No, it's... Someone's here to see you.”
“Who?”
Sensing the apathy in Suhyun's voice, the member's tone grew cautious.
“Says he's Seo Kang-seok. If you don't know him, should I send him away?”
“...!”
Suhyun shot up from his seat.
“Tell him to come in!”
* * *
Seo Kang-seok's demeanor was cautiously hesitant, mismatched with his burly frame. He sat in the chair like a criminal, head bowed low.
“Did you commit a crime or something? Why the deathbed face?”
“...What I'm about to do isn't exactly honorable.”
“Bullshit. What's dishonorable about it? Did you take anything from Joo Won-jun besides the money?”
“No, but...”
“Then it's settled with the money. If it bothers you, offer interest.”
Seo Kang-seok shook his head. If he could think so logically like Suhyun, he wouldn't have suffered this much. Joo Won-jun had belittled and exploited him, but when he was desperate, Joo Won-jun had extended a hand. That favor undeniably existed.
“So... why's the dishonorable one here? I hope you've made up your mind. You're not just here to say thanks and leave, right? Even I'd get pissed at that.”
“That's not why I'm here.”
Seo Kang-seok gave a wry smile and shook his head.
“So you've decided?”
“For now...”
“Something happened, huh.”
“!”
“No need to be shocked. People like you don't budge easily. I figured Joo Won-jun must've done something, or you wouldn't come.”
“......”
“Want me to guess more? Our team's purpose that I told you to report. You didn't, did you?”
“!!”
“The world's tough. You could've just told me that much.”
Seo Kang-seok was stunned, mouth agape, as Suhyun nailed events he'd never witnessed. How did he know all this?
In truth, he hadn't reported what Suhyun told him. Having failed the mission, he couldn't honestly take info from an enemy. He'd reported the failure straightforwardly. In return, Joo Won-jun had berated and cursed him.
‘That's why I covet him.’
“So. You endured everything else, but threatening your daughter's life—that you couldn't take?”
“!!!!!!!”
Even the taciturn Seo Kang-seok couldn't stomach that.
“D-Did you plant a spy inside or something?”
“A spy? You can read it on your face. Would Joo Won-jun invest and wait patiently? If there's no return, he blows up immediately. What's the most effective way to threaten him? Plus, you coming here... It adds up.”
A chill ran down Seo Kang-seok's spine. He'd looked into Suhyun before coming. A young leader of a new team, a typical strong superpowered user thriving with powerful abilities.
But the more he observed, Suhyun seemed far from a novice. He exuded the aura of a strategist who viewed situations on a grand scale.
When he failed the mission, Joo Won-jun had spat abuse and said if he couldn't handle even this, future payments would be reconsidered. His attitude worsened after the rock giant's defeat was announced.
“I'm not petty like that guy. Joking with medical bills? Insane. Whether you help or not, if you join, I'll deposit money regularly.”
“If I may overstep with one question?”
“Go ahead.”
“I don't want to sell internal info on Gaon-gil.”
After speaking, Seo Kang-seok squeezed his eyes shut, bracing to be chased out.
“If you don't want to sell, don't. Who said to?”
“Pardon?”
“You're misunderstanding. You think I recruited you for Gaon-gil's internal info?”
“Wasn't it...?”
Honestly, he couldn't think of any other reason. He wasn't a superpowered user; he only had knowledge as a poisoner and hunter. That wasn't worth such sums.
“Way too lacking in confidence. Not selling Gaon-gil's info is your call, but I don't want to see you moping under me. Fix that fast.”
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