Chapter 87
Chapter 87
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 87
Chapter Title: The Long Road to Solo Cultivation (9)
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"It's not absolutely necessary, right? Everything's like that. It's just a good thing to do. Build relations with the异種s, and pocket some cash on the side..."
"It makes money?"
Jo Seung-hyun was a far more seasoned merchant than Suhyun. Sure, he was in a different line of work now, but he'd originally been a trader chasing fortune on Cameron Planet. He knew full well that making money through trade on this planet wasn't easy.
"You know trading with异種s isn't a walk in the park, don't you? Or... well, a guy like you wouldn't need me telling him that."
"I'm not the merchant here—that's you, President. If you've got something to point out, go ahead."
"As you know, anyone trying to make a buck on Cameron Planet is tough competition. All the profitable items have already been cornered by someone."
"Yet new items keep popping up all the time."
"That's true... So, what do you think will make money?"
Suhyun replayed the video he'd just watched. Jo Seung-hyun's face twisted in confusion as he listened to the interview.
"?"
"Red Pig Mushrooms. The ones that orc said he ate."
"You're not seriously saying you got inspired by that one line and now want to collect them, are you?"
"Pretty much."
"Hey, this isn't a game!"
"If you can't believe it, I'll use my own money. But no sharing the profits."
"Ugh..."
Suhyun had the autonomy to handle something like this on his own now, and he'd forgotten that. Plus, if he needed more, he could request support from the Development Planning Department. They had no choice but to back even the most absurd plans.
That was the perk of being a direct reporting team.
But in Jo Seung-hyun's eyes, what Suhyun was trying to do looked utterly insane no matter how he sliced it. He could trust Suhyun's radical ideas during Cameron expeditions, but business was a different beast.
"Hey... let's think on it a bit more. It just doesn't feel right."
Jo Seung-hyun tried desperately to talk him out of it. Suhyun looked every bit like a rookie merchant charging headlong toward ruin.
The classic case of latching onto some wild idea, convinced it'd work, only to crash and burn.
"You don't even have a buyer lined up, do you? It's not famous now, and there's no guarantee it'll ever be!"
"Ah, got it. I get it. I'll use my own cash, so just make the introductions."
"Hey, people aren't that stupid! It won't sell just because an orc gold medalist ate it!"
"I see it differently. People have surprisingly dumb sides."
Suhyun stopped trying to convince Jo Seung-hyun. In the end, he'd take full responsibility, so he asked for and got some suitable contacts.
'Well... if it flops, it's just a bit of lost money. I've got plenty anyway.'
The stuff they were selling to the orcs was just standard firearms and electronics. Even if the Red Pig Mushrooms didn't pan out later, the loss wouldn't be huge.
"Gorgan, I'm heading to the orcs. Come with."
"I'll go too..."
"Sorry, it might not go over well if you tag along. They're a sensitive bunch."
Shaina raised her hand, then dejectedly lowered it. The orcs of Kevaswak weren't fond of dark elves.
"Being the same orc doesn't mean it'll convince them, Team Leader."
"Doesn't matter. I'm not bringing you to persuade them. Just explain how orcs operate in human society. They're pretty suspicious types."
"If that's all."
Gorgan nodded and packed his gear without another word.
"Stop by the Calcutta base, then Kevaswak, and on to the Ames Plains... It's gonna take a while."
Leaving Shaina behind wasn't just to avoid trouble with the orcs. Suhyun planned to swing by the elves in the Ames Plains during this expedition too. He needed preparations in case he went missing in the Poison Zone.
A channel for outside news, a supply spot for daily necessities while hunkered down, a safe spot to crash if things went south... Even showering the elves with cash bundles made it worth negotiating.
"Let's go. Time won't wait."
* * *
Inside the rattling truck, Lee Seung-su—the异種 specialist merchant Jo Seung-hyun had introduced—shouted in a booming voice.
"It's an honor to be partnering with the renowned Uncle Jo Company these days!"
"I'm glad too, but you don't have to shout so hard in this bumpy truck."
"Haha! A true merchant doesn't let a little rattle—"
Thanks to the government-built roads, they made decent time. Behind them trailed trucks loaded with goods for the orcs.
"As requested, I packed stuff orcs like."
"Do their tastes all align that perfectly?"
"No, not exactly."
"..."
Catching Suhyun's look, Lee Seung-su waved his hands hurriedly.
"Human tastes vary, so why wouldn't orcs'? Most orcs love weapons, but some hate guns—say they betray tradition. For those, we stick to melee and give it a shot."
Gorgan shook his head.
"Those types don't last long."
"Isn't that a bit harsh?"
"Those who can't adapt to change get weeded out, Team Leader."
Gorgan said it without batting an eye.
"Anyway, since it's a request from Uncle Jo Company's Team Leader, I handled it properly. Should hit the mark in most cases!"
Lee Seung-su had sorted the goods based on tastes from past orc tribes he'd dealt with. His plan had no holes.
"But is there something interesting over there?"
A merchant through and through—curious about everything. On Cameron, you never knew what might turn a profit.
"Why? What if there is something profitable?"
"Ha, haha... Just curious."
Jo Seung-hyun had brought him in, but Lee Seung-su already knew of Suhyun.
Merchants on Cameron had to keep tabs on merc companies. It was a dangerous world—who knew when you'd need their help?
Uncle Jo Company was getting a lot of buzz lately, from big trading houses to lone peddlers.
Could they partner up down the line? Smaller than the major merc outfits, but maybe cheaper for unexplored zones? Merchants constantly asked themselves these questions.
So when Uncle Jo's Team Leader called him in for personal异種 trades, how could he not be intrigued? Lee Seung-su wondered why Suhyun was heading to Kevaswak.
'What could be there?'
Kevaswak had seen reports from scout teams up to the Jindo Dog crew. If there was anything worth grabbing, it'd already be underway. As a merchant, he knew that.
Lee Seung-su eyed Suhyun, hoping to read his intentions, but Suhyun just sat there with eyes closed, expressionless.
* * *
"Halt!"
"Orc brethren! We're not enemies."
"No need for pointless persuasion. They'll recognize your face anyway."
Suhyun hopped lightly from the truck. The orc warriors who spotted him recoiled in shock.
"It's the monster human!"
"..."
Gorgan stared at Suhyun. It was rare for orcs to cower like that.
"I didn't do anything special. Don't misunderstand."
"Ah, y-yes..."
"W-What brings you here!"
The orc gripped his spear tensely, but it didn't feel threatening. The tip quivered pitifully, as if begging him to stay back.
"Go inside and fetch Mogrok. Tell him it's the human from last time—he'll know."
The orc hesitated, then bolted inside.
"You two get along well."
"We've traded blows. Anyway, can the staff wait outside? Bringing armed folks into the village feels off."
"Uh..."
Lee Seung-su hesitated at Suhyun's words. Monsters weren't the only scary thing on Cameron.异種s were just as bad in a pinch.
Merchants handling big deals always brought their own guards. Cheaper than hiring mercs every time. They couldn't handle real monsters, but hostile异種s? Fine.
His guards were naturally in the cargo trucks behind. Going into an orc village alone without them felt wrong. Uncle Jo was impressive, but they couldn't save him if his head rolled.
"If you're worried, wait out here. We'll handle it."
"Hmm..."
Fear of unarmed entry into a hot-blooded orc camp clashed with merchant curiosity. Then cheers erupted from the village.
"!"
Lee Seung-su jumped. Cheers like that from orcs weren't normal.
"W-What's that?"
"Who knows. They're hot-blooded... No idea. Anyway, coming in?"
"I'll wait outside."
Life trumped curiosity. Lee Seung-su answered instantly. Suhyun chuckled inwardly and stepped forward.
* * *
"Long time no see."
"I told you to come if you had ideas. No one showed. Not interested?"
Mogrok flushed at the words. Suhyun had laid out guidelines before leaving, but they hadn't budged until he returned.
"Couldn't be helped. We had our situation..."
"Yeah, yeah. Everyone does."
"...Who's the orc with you?"
"Gorgan, from my team."
"Gorgan... Sounds like a northern orc. Right?"
"Yep."
Mogrok showed interest in Gorgan—an orc working mercs among humans.
"But we're not here just to swap names. What's the business?"
"Well, it's a bit..."
"Guess orcs around here can break promises on a whim."
"No!"
"You think the Team Leader has time to burn? If you'd come to me, it'd be done quick. Your inaction wasted it. How're you compensating for his time?"
"...We're sorry."
Suhyun shot Gorgan a surprised look. The usually taciturn guy was eloquent now.
'Same species makes a difference?'
"Enough, Gorgan. Mogrok probably had no choice."
Beat and retreat. Carrot and stick in perfect harmony.
"Not like all the tribes agreed anyway."
"!"
Mogrok looked up at Suhyun. Nailed it.
"Opposition kept you away?"
"H-How..."
"What else? Anyway, I brought something to shut them up. Once they try it, no going back."
"We've got no money."
"I know. Brought it on my dime. Yours free. Try it... and I'll keep supplying."
"？！"
Gorgan and Mogrok both gaped. Too generous.
"Can't accept that."
Nothing scarier than free favors. Mogrok eyed Suhyun warily.
"Not giving it totally free, obviously."
"..."
"Not scared I'd give it free, are you?"
"N-No."
Caught off-guard, Mogrok stammered.
"No real resources around here, true. But I mentioned something last time. Red Pig Mushrooms—stocked up?"
"Red Pig Mushrooms?"
"You didn't skip that too, right? Even I'd be pissed."
Tension crept into Suhyun's voice, and Mogrok rushed to respond.
"N-No, we gathered them! Just... how much value..."
"No value now. But soon. That's why I'm stocking early. Steady mushroom supply, and I'll steadily supply gear."
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