Chapter 84
Chapter 84
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 84
Chapter Title: The Long Road to Poison Mastery (6)
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"Yes, he was someone with a bit of a reputation."
"Having a name as a hunter is impressive."
Hunters operated in even smaller units than mercenaries, wandering into far more dangerous places. Leaving a name behind required meticulous caution and a stroke of luck bordering on the impossible.
"He was a strict one. Always nagging, too."
"Nagging?"
"Especially when heading into the Poison Zone. He was always going on about how dangerous it was..."
Suhyun smiled wryly to himself. Seo Gang-seok probably saw the Poison Zone as just an excuse now, something to recommend lightly. But Suhyun intended to go in himself. Hearing that didn't sit well.
"Any materials on the Poison Zone?"
"No. Nothing compiled separately... All I know is what I heard directly from him. If you're curious, I can guide you personally."
"Let's document it first. For emergencies—compile what to watch out for inside the Poison Zone."
"Yes? I don't have info on the inside either."
"What?"
"Neither my father nor I ever went inside the Poison Zone. We always gathered what poison we needed from the outskirts and got out. The interior isn't a place worth entering."
"..."
Damn. Suhyun cursed inwardly. Everything coming out was making it sound more ominous for someone who had to go in.
"For now, compile what you can. You know the format?"
"Yes."
"No rush. Take your time."
"I've received so much—how else will I ever repay it?"
Suhyun chuckled instead of replying and headed out.
* * *
"The government will soon launch a major project. And we have to stay out of it, no matter what rewards they promise."
Suhyun called in Jo Seung-hyun and explained the situation. The project the government was planning, and how dangerously he viewed it. Jo Seung-hyun's face hardened to match Suhyun's serious demeanor.
"The government folks aren't idiots. You think they'd really go for something that risky?"
"Humanity is arrogant by nature. That's why we make periodic mistakes. They think it's fine because others are joining, trust that, and participate... That's when the big disasters strike."
A coalition of nations, formidable forces... It was enough to breed arrogance.
Humanity thought monsters couldn't be "hunted." Not that they couldn't be—it was just that the cost outweighed the benefits, so they left them alone.
But Suhyun thought the opposite. The master of Cameron Planet was ultimately the monsters. If monsters didn't just stick to their territories but roamed aggressively, humanity wouldn't have achieved even this much.
"Trust me and follow my lead."
"Who wouldn't believe you? No intention of doubting you now."
To Jo Seung-hyun, Suhyun's words were practically gospel.
"But the method worries me..."
"Exactly. Botch it, and we'll have headaches even after it's over. People don't forget grudges easily."
"From the way you're talking, you've already got it all figured out?"
"Yeah. Starting with the most important."
Suhyun laid out his plan. As expected, Jo Seung-hyun recoiled in disgust. Why there, of all places?
"Poison Zone? Is there really a reason to go there?"
"Uncle Jo Company can't just vanish in ordinary spots anymore. Even if a search party comes, we need a reason to send them packing."
"Ugh..."
"Plus, personally, I want to gather some poison from the Poison Zone."
"It's not ordinarily dangerous, that's for sure."
Jo Seung-hyun spoke in resignation. If Suhyun was set on it, stopping him was nearly impossible.
"I'm telling you this, President, so we can track the government's movements early. By the time Development Planning Division contacts me, it'll be too late. We need to head to the Poison Zone at least a month ahead and go missing."
"I get it."
"Mobilize every connection to monitor progress. It's such a massive project, info control's impossible. After I vanish, you'll need to hold the line properly."
Even without Suhyun, Uncle Jo Company had superpowered users. Development Planning Division would likely want at least some participation. Only Jo Seung-hyun could claim it was impossible without the team leader.
"Oh, and... Spread the word quietly to your contacts. Tell them not to join the Dragon Slayer Project."
"That okay? Pulling something like that?"
"As long as it's not too public. Once it blows up, they'll be too busy to care."
Jo Seung-hyun, never having experienced it firsthand, couldn't fully grasp the disaster's scale.
"Got it. I'll keep it in mind."
The project involved not just government forces but massive private ones too. The new cities being built and the interests stemming from them were too tempting for anyone to ignore.
The outcome had reshaped Cameron's landscape shockingly.
"Hold on. Even in the Poison Zone, we'll need supplies, right? How do you plan to handle that? Hide them ahead of time?"
"No. The area's not easy enough to stash supplies nearby... And it could leave records. I'll use another way."
"?"
"There are elf acquaintances near Ames Plains. We can ask them for what we need."
"That close?"
"They won't refuse a request."
It was far less risky than Uncle Jo Company hauling supplies there themselves. And Suhyun was confident they'd agree.
* * *
As Suhyun steadily prepared for the Dragon Slayer Project, a call came one day. From Bjorn.
"Date's set. This weekend."
"Oh, artifact revealed?"
"Nope. Looks like they're keeping it secret till the end. Rumors everywhere, though."
"Whatever. I'll see it myself."
"Like I said last time..."
"Yeah, I won't say you introduced me, even with a knife to my throat. Don't worry."
Come the day, Suhyun finished preparations. This wasn't his first rodeo. The job sometimes involved taking what others had.
'Been a while since a straight-up heist.'
Simple gear to hide his identity. Classic, but always effective. Some thieves preferred complex tools and processes, but Suhyun favored the straightforward approach, then and now.
Plus, with his superpower perfected. Nothing to fear. It wasn't about extraction—it was about not getting caught. They couldn't sue over a stolen artifact, but it could still be a hassle.
'Best part: No one knows it's my superpower.'
Even if he trashed the place with telekinesis, they couldn't trace it back. Shaina perked up her ears as Suhyun, in a suit instead of his usual casual wear, headed out.
"Where you going?"
"Sorry. Can't take you today."
"Didn't ask to come."
Shaina grumbled and turned away, but disappointment was plain on her face.
"That black market auction I mentioned? Heading there. You'd stand out too much."
"Ah..."
Now she got it. A dark elf would definitely draw eyes there.
"Wait, why can't you stand out? Don't tell me..."
Sensing her piecing it together, Suhyun quickly changed tack.
"Why not get chummy with the team? Seems like you're always cooped up inside when I see them."
"Mind your own business."
Shaina wasn't on bad terms with the team. On missions, their teamwork was spot-on, no showboating.
But off-duty, she kept a wall up with others.
'Can't be helped with a dark elf...'
The team weren't troublemakers, so Suhyun hoped for better bonds. She always stayed on company grounds, seeming eager to tag along whenever he left.
"Alright, I'm off."
Shaina just waved instead of answering.
* * *
"Invitation, please."
Suhyun calmly presented the stamped paper. The man at the theater-like building entrance took it, fitted a device over one eye, and scanned it with light.
"It's good. Pat-down."
Suhyun passed the simple check. No weapons, naturally.
"You may enter."
"Any idea what artifact it is? We'll know soon anyway."
"Sorry. Forbidden."
The guard bowed politely, but his courtesy hid unyielding stubbornness.
'Pistol on the hip... No superpower.'
Suhyun quickly assessed in that brief moment. What mattered was how many superpowered users were inside. Protecting an artifact, there had to be some.
His telekinesis was top-tier, but superpower fights had no absolutes. Complacency was suicide. Best to scout opponents beforehand.
'No superpowered users out here, probably.'
"Wear this inside, please."
The guard handed over a mask. Standard for concealing identities among attendees. To Suhyun, it was laughable—like they were begging him to take it.
Inside, people were already seated here and there. Some chatted in clusters; others sat alone, radiating "don't approach." Suhyun took a suitable seat.
"Where are you from?"
"?"
Suhyun turned to the man beside him. Masked, but mid-forties, slightly short. Familiar somehow.
"Tell me first, and I'll think about it."
"Haha, that's a bit..."
The man laughed it off insincerely, not expecting much.
'What? Rings a bell.'
Suhyun felt familiarity in his build and voice. Someone glimpsed in passing once. Suhyun's observation skills were sharp; such vibes often meant a real connection.
'Government? Big merc company?'
The man didn't seem wary of Suhyun. No reason to be. He pulled out his smartphone and sent a message.
Suhyun had Farsight magic.
-Entered. Will report as it proceeds.
Nothing special. Routine status update. But Suhyun zeroed in on the recipient.
'Lee Jung-woo? That bastard from Jindo Dog?!'
Could be a coincidence, but not one to brush off. Jindo Dog had every reason to bid here—they'd lost an artifact raw to Uncle Jo Company. They'd jump at a chance to replenish.
Problem was Suhyun. Exposure could complicate things. He straightened up, cleared his throat. Luckily, the man hadn't clocked him.
'Need to be more careful.'
Suhyun used Farsight to map the auction house. He was in the circular main hall. Rear passage for guests; front for hosts.
'Superpowered users there.'
One case, guarded on all sides. Obviously superpowered. Suhyun memorized their faces. First targets if things went down.
'Alright... Best after the auction ends.'
Hit fast, slip out—they wouldn't catch up. Suhyun eyed the artifact.
"...?"
It was one Suhyun recognized. He even knew its owner.