Chapter 88
Chapter 88
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 88
Chapter Title: The Long Road Toward Solitary Mastery (10)
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Suhyun didn’t think this deal would last forever. The red pig mushroom had its limits as a product, after all. It would sell like hotcakes once the boom hit, but the moment the truth came out, its value would plummet overnight.
‘A quick buck.’
He needed to stockpile as much as possible before the hype began and dump it all at the peak.
“Tell them to read it through the interpreter. If there’s anything they don’t understand, have them ask.”
“Uh… Is it okay to add conditions like this?”
“Why? You don’t like it?”
“No, it’s not that…”
“I decided to cut you some slack. We’re used to this kind of thing, but you’re not, right? If you change your mind, go ahead and contract with someone else. Of course, you’ll have to work diligently until then. Don’t forget this is purely out of my goodwill.”
“Thank you. I won’t forget.”
Suhyun added a clause stating that after a certain period, the orcs could contract with others if they wished. The orcs thought it was out of consideration and were grateful, but that wasn’t why Suhyun had included it.
‘Once the trend catches on, merchants will come swarming, and they’ll show up here too, naturally.’
The terms merchants would offer at skyrocketing prices would far outstrip Suhyun’s. The orcs would naturally shift contracts to them, and Suhyun could play the part of the reluctant party, say there was nothing he could do, and bow out cleanly.
‘Hmm. Perfect.’
He’d pocket the profits and offload any future hassle without lifting a finger. But Suhyun had overlooked one thing: Mogok and the other orcs weren’t as profit-driven as he assumed. They valued loyalty far more than he gave them credit for.
“Alright, let’s head outside. The people with the goods are waiting.”
* * *
Lee Seung-su flinched when he saw Suhyun emerge with a group of orcs trailing behind him. He’d dealt with other races plenty of times, but the fear never fully went away. Outlanders were unpredictable wild cards.
“Please explain what you’ve brought.”
“We’d like to see the weapons first.”
“Weapons?”
Suhyun glanced at Mogok. On second thought, it wasn’t strange at all. Given his personality, human weaponry would naturally pique his interest the most.
“No problem. Show us. I’ll explain the weapons myself.”
“You will?”
Once Lee Seung-su heard that, he focused on explaining the other items. Suhyun stood with Mogok in front of the gun display.
“You’ve seen guns before, right?”
“Of course…”
“Their use is simple. Aim and pull the trigger. It’s good to learn basic maintenance, but if they’re badly damaged, just ditch them. Repairs are beyond you guys. Magazines are a dime a dozen, so don’t bother trying to make your own.”
“Never crossed my mind.”
“Good. Some other races try cobbling together lookalikes and firing them. They explode, and it’s not our liability, so don’t pull that stunt.”
“By the way… That orc named Gorgan. He’s a mercenary, right?”
Gorgan had been keeping his distance while Suhyun explained.
“Yeah. In our team.”
“Mind if I ask him something?”
“That’s why I brought him. Go ahead.”
Bringing Gorgan wasn’t just because he was an orc. As a mercenary working among humans, he could directly address the curiosity of the local orcs.
To put it bluntly, orcs had far less going for them than other races. Elves excelled in botany, dwarves in minerals, but orcs weren’t adept with Cameron’s resources. All they had were sturdy bodies and indomitable spirit.
That’s why they drifted into human society as mercenaries or soldiers. Life on Cameron for orcs was a constant battle against monsters anyway—mercenary or soldier work wasn’t much different. If anything, it came with better weapons and support.
Watching Mogok and Gorgan chat at length, Suhyun closely observed Mogok’s expression.
‘Might even get a few to cross over.’
Teams with other races weren’t uncommon, especially orcs. But Suhyun was thinking bigger. If possible, he wanted to form an all-other-race team.
‘People are more rigid than you’d think.’
Everyone knew other races’ value on Cameron, but bold experiments made them hesitate. At the core, humans trusted only other humans.
Suhyun saw it differently. People were either trustworthy or not—race didn’t factor in. An orc was often more reliable than a jaded human.
‘If I form a team… best to make it all orcs. No interspecies friction.’
“Done talking?”
Suhyun asked as Mogok returned. Mogok nodded.
“What had you so curious?”
“Er… I asked about mercenary work. A few in our tribe are interested.”
“That’s good. Risky business, but… on Cameron, what isn’t?”
“True enough.”
Mogok agreed. Just the other day, they’d staked their lives against monsters.
“Got any thoughts?”
“Huh? Oh, uh…”
Mogok startled, caught off guard. Suhyun chuckled inwardly. Dealing with battle-hardened humans made reading him child’s play.
“Your tribe might object.”
“Yeah…”
“But if you decide anyway, let me know.”
“?”
“Gorgan and I are mercenaries. We can help onboard anyone new.”
“…”
“If you don’t trust me, check around yourself. Ask in the city.”
“No, it’s not that. Just…”
“You’re weighing it. Fine. Take your time, then come find me. I can’t keep trekking out here.”
“…Understood.”
Having laid the groundwork as best he could, Suhyun finished explaining and handing over the goods, then prepared to leave. Lee Seung-su eyed the sealed crates the orcs carried out with barely contained curiosity.
‘What the hell’s in there? Not minerals by the weight… Booze? Crafts? Drugs?’
Orcs who looked like they had nothing to their name handing over supplies for sealed boxes—it was driving his curiosity through the roof.
“All set. Let’s go.”
“Huh? Oh, right!”
* * *
Upon reaching Ames Plain, Lee Seung-su’s expression visibly relaxed. The area had low danger levels, and the elves here were human-friendly. Established traders already worked the route.
“Why stop here, though?”
“Curious, aren’t you?”
“Haha, just work habits…”
“Got a quick talk to handle. No buying or selling, so no need to come in.”
“No, no. You going in alone looks bad. I’ll join you.”
Terrified outside Kevaswak, but bold at Ames Plain. Suhyun shook his head in disbelief and nodded.
“Suit yourself.”
‘Yes!’
“Stay outside during the talk so you don’t interrupt.”
‘Damn it!’
Suhyun had planned to keep the conversation from Lee Seung-su anyway. Him hovering nearby didn’t matter. Soon after sending word inside, a familiar face appeared.
“Long time. What brings you?”
“Got a small favor.”
Bright platinum ponytail, steady green eyes. It was Eida, the first elf he’d met around here.
“You, of all people, need a favor?”
“Eh… Nothing major. Secrecy is key.”
Eida frowned slightly. She knew Suhyun’s capabilities—wiping out raptors solo. This wasn’t something she could handle alone.
“I’m honored you trust me with it… But my authority has limits. For anything big, I’d need my father’s approval…”
“It’s not that huge. Whatever. Get his approval. Speaking of, have I met your father?”
“He was away on business last time. No surprise you missed him.”
“High up, huh?”
“Our tribe’s chief.”
So Eida was the chief’s daughter. Suhyun nodded. That explained her influence among the elves.
“No intent to cause trouble. I’ll get his approval myself—just guide me.”
“Mind telling me what it’s about first?”
“Hmm.”
Suhyun’s requests were minor on the surface: intel relay while he was in the wilds, supply drops to sustain him, and a rest spot for emergencies. But all required ironclad secrecy. Only a trusted few could know, and they had to stay silent even if questioned by Development Planning Bureau—especially them.
Suhyun didn’t expect things to go that far. The Bureau wouldn’t suspect him. No one would imagine a guy pulling off his reckless schemes faking his death to dodge Dragon Slayer.
Explanation was another matter.
“What do you think?”
“Why the secrecy? Without that, I could handle it myself.”
“Secrecy’s the crux. Guess I’ll meet him directly.”
“I’ll guide you.”
En route, Suhyun scanned the surroundings. Nothing had changed. Cameron wasn’t all hellscapes—peaceful spots stayed peaceful.
“Doing well?”
“Our daily life is uneventful. If you’re asking…”
“…Wasn’t fishing for a deep answer. Just a greeting.”
“Oh? Then yes, we’re well. My little sister asked about you. Too young to send to the city yet.”
“Good call. She looks prime kidnapping bait—keep a tight leash.”
Eida gave an ambiguous look at Suhyun’s words. In her mind, her sister wasn’t that easy a mark.
“Hm?”
“What?”
“Nah, nothing… Thought I saw something.”
Suhyun caught a glimpse of a familiar silhouette in the distance. Platinum bob haircut. Where had he seen it?
‘Ah, that teleporter…!’
He realized why her face had rung a bell when he’d seen her.
She resembled Eida.
“Any other siblings besides your sister?”
“Why ask? No…”
“Really? Thought I saw an elf like her just now.”
“Oh. You mean Aunt Ruiril. She visited our tribe after ages. Distant relative.”
“I see.”
“That expression’s a bit scary.”
“…”
Suhyun dropped his smile, resetting his face. Come to think of it, he’d gotten the same feedback last time trying to look friendly.
‘Small world, running into her like this…’
“What’s that mean?”
“Nothing. Let’s see the chief.”
* * *
Elves, dwarves, humans… Suhyun had met many, including plenty of beauties and hunks. But he’d never seen an elf as handsome as the one before him now.
‘He could debut as a movie star and blow up instantly.’
Eida Srandal’s father, Ethan Srandal, was a middle-aged elf with long white hair swept back. Faint wrinkles hinted at his age.