Chapter 91
Chapter 91
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 91
Chapter Title: The Long Road to Poison Mastery (13)
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The air inside was cold. Suhyun followed behind Luiril as they descended the dim staircase.
“How did you find out about this place? Does anyone else know?”
“No one but me. The others don’t. I just stumbled upon it by chance.”
“The way to open it was pretty unique. Did you set it up like that on purpose?”
“Yeah, so no one but me could get in.”
“Thorough.”
“You’re one to talk.”
“Oh, and just so you know, even if you rummage through my stuff, you won’t be able to tell suppressants from antidotes. Don’t waste your time.”
“…….”
“You weren’t planning to sneak out first and go through my bags, were you?”
“Of course not.”
*She was.*
There should’ve been a way to open it from the outside too, but Luiril had clearly sabotaged that. As long as it was in her line of sight, she could teleport right in, after all.
“It’s pretty well made…… Dwarves?”
“It’s an elven ruin. Humans always assume anything well-built must be dwarven work.”
“My bad.”
“Here we are.”
Suhyun let out an involuntary gasp of admiration. Human technology far surpassed that of other races, but that didn’t mean he could dismiss what they’d created.
“Beautiful.”
It wasn’t just the structure—it was the artifacts placed throughout the space that left Suhyun in awe.
“How many are there……?”
There were over ten at a glance. When Suhyun looked at Luiril, she averted her eyes.
“What was it originally used for?”
“Looks like a tomb.”
“You clear out the bodies?”
“What do you take me for…… There weren’t even any bodies. It must’ve just been forgotten due to circumstances.”
Luiril spoke with clear annoyance at the misunderstanding. She didn’t want anyone thinking she’d cleared out corpses to turn it into an artifact storage.
“Flashstone Dagger. So you stole that one too.”
“…….”
“Wait, that greatsword…… You raided other races too?”
“No! That one’s from the Chinese government.”
Shock Wave Sword. An artifact with a form of telekinesis. Not as versatile as Suhyun’s, but it could fire shockwaves in a set direction—a solid A-rank artifact.
The problem was that it was a sacred relic of the northern Haimken Orc tribe. Located north of the gate, in the active zone of China and Russia, the orcs there had treasured that greatsword. When it vanished, they’d protested fiercely. But in the end, it was never found, and the matter faded away……
*Ah, now I get it.*
The Chinese government stole it from the orc tribe, and then Luiril stole it from them. Honestly, Suhyun was impressed first. No matter how good her teleportation was, pulling off thefts like this took genius-level skill.
“Humans collecting artifacts like trophies? Fine to steal from them. But I don’t take from original owners. That’s my principle.”
“Hm. Then why not return it?”
“They’d just steal it back.”
“…….”
“It’s true.”
He didn’t entirely buy it, but it wasn’t his problem anyway.
“They’re great and all……”
Suhyun fell into thought. These artifacts were all immediately combat-ready at a glance. But there was an issue.
*Use the wrong one, and I’ll get caught right away.*
Plain rings or necklaces were easy to hide, but something like the Shock Wave Sword or Flashstone Dagger? No alibi possible. Their shapes were too distinctive. Carrying those around would spread rumors in no time.
Misinterpreting Suhyun’s contemplation as awe, Luiril wore a faintly proud expression. Her collecting was driven by pure collector’s passion.
A collection with nowhere to show off. And now Suhyun was practically her first visitor. Sure, she’d been blackmailed into bringing him, but pride was pride.
“Feel free to admire them all you want.”
“Hm? Oh, impressive. You’ve gathered quite the haul. The question is whether I can take any out.”
Suhyun brushed it off with half-hearted praise. Luiril’s face fell slightly.
“Stealing only the famous ones…… Using them outright would spell trouble. Let’s leave them here for now. No better storage spot.”
“…!”
When Suhyun said he wouldn’t take them, Luiril’s expression turned complicated. She wasn’t losing them right now, which was a relief, but she had no way to smuggle them out either.
Any play-acting would get seen through, and Suhyun would no doubt throttle her himself.
*No way to launder them?*
Distinctive artifacts seemed impossible to clean, but nothing was truly impossible. There was always a solution.
“Anyway, now I know they’re here. Alright, the suppressant.”
“Huh? Oh!”
Suhyun tossed her the small glass vial of medicine, and Luiril flailed to catch it.
“You almost dropped it!”
“Not like I’m taking it.”
“…It’s too sweet.”
“Medicine that’s bad for you doesn’t taste good. No more sightseeing—let’s go. Lingering too long isn’t smart.”
* * *
Before heading back, Suhyun scouted the terrain around Poshukan. Life in the poison zone would be tough even for him. Anything he could prep ahead, he would.
Once back, he methodically wrapped things up. He preserved the red boar mushrooms perfectly and stored them in the company warehouse. Jo Seung-hyun was skeptical, but Suhyun believed they’d turn to gold someday.
Then he introduced Luiril as the newest member. Adding another race wasn’t odd for Uncle Jo Company—Shaina set the precedent. The team accepted her without fuss.
“Keep an eye on her.”
Suhyun pulled aside Seo Kang-seok, Park Su-yong, and Lee So-hee.
“Pardon?”
“Don’t fully trust her. Especially when I’m not around. She’s fundamentally different from Shaina or Gorgan.”
“You mean she’s unreliable? If so, why add her to the team……?”
Park Su-yong sounded puzzled. Uncle Jo Company was in a good spot. Thanks to Suhyun, they’d secured a direct government slot. The upcoming Dragon Slayer project loomed, but it felt distant to the rank-and-file.
“Necessary. Her skills are legit.”
You didn’t find A-rank teleporters just anywhere. There’d be a moment when that ability shone.
“But she might bolt anywhere, and she’s no pushover. Stay vigilant. Someone like Kim Chang-sik? She’d melt him in seconds and wrap him around her finger.”
“I’ll keep her in check.”
“Good. Count on it. The collar keeps her from going too far, but watch her anyway.”
“Yes, sir.”
The three looked reliable. No matter how slippery Luiril was, she wouldn’t shake them.
*Compared to that guy……*
“Is Luiril a superpowered user too? Since you brought her in…….”
“Elves don’t spill their gifts lightly.”
“Come on, who doesn’t brag?”
Not long after joining, Luiril had already blended in. The opposite of Shaina.
Suhyun always clashed with her under tense circumstances, but with Ada or others, her demeanor was different—mysterious, befitting elven stereotypes. Crude as it sounded, she put on airs. Knowing how she crumbled under pressure, Suhyun just found it amusing.
“…I’ll keep her in check.”
Park Su-yong glanced at Kim Chang-sik and repeated himself. Suhyun patted his shoulder and nodded.
“Suhyun.”
“?”
As they talked, Jo Seung-hyun emerged from inside, face grim.
“Word from Development Planning.”
“…!”
* * *
Suhyun’s mind raced. In the car to Development Planning, he replayed the conversation.
-What is it? Don’t tell me……
-No way I’d miss it!
Suhyun worried the Dragon Slayer project had advanced while Jo Seung-hyun slipped. But Jo was adamant.
-No project that big moves without me knowing.
-True…… I agree.
Time-wise, it couldn’t have progressed that fast either. It’d take months more at least.
*Then what?*
“What’s this about?”
“You’re here. Come in. The director will explain inside.”
Suhyun noticed the cars parked outside weren’t the usual civil servant rides—flashy, expensive sports cars. Only certain people showed up to Development Planning in those.
*Other mercs?*
Mercs risked life and limb, so many indulged in luxury. Suhyun’s frugal, ascetic style was the outlier.
Guided by the staffer, Suhyun entered. The large conference room held prior guests.
“Everyone’s here.”
“…….”
Eyes met briefly, sizing each other up coldly.
None looked ordinary. Suhyun pegged them instantly.
*Other government direct teams.*
“Now that we’re all gathered, let’s begin. We’ve never met like this, but you all probably know each other.”
Uncle Jo was the outlier in rising fast; most government directs hailed from big merc firms. They nodded, faces familiar.
Crimson, Iron Shield, Meteor, Omega, Titan. The government directs operating before Uncle Jo. All backed by major merc companies, their leaders top-tier users.
To Suhyun, though, they just looked like dead men walking.
*Wonder how many survive this.*
While Suhyun pondered, the other leaders eyed him closely. Unlike him, they were intrigued. Uncle Jo’s rise had been that dramatic.
Plus, one rumor swirled around Suhyun.
*They say that guy can spot superpowered users.*
Either he could awaken them, or distinguish them somehow. Otherwise, the situation didn’t add up. Too coincidental.
*Maybe he knows the elixir recipe.*
*Or has an artifact that detects them?*
“The reason we called you today is the major project ahead.”
Dragon Slayer. Everyone knew. No surprises.
Meteor’s leader raised a hand. Handsome, with a small scar above his brow.
“Wasn’t the deal we wouldn’t know about each other?”
“Correct. Until now, we’ve run you independently. Contingencies arose, but your skills meant no need for multi-team ops. This project’s different. With all gate nations’ forces involved, independent action makes no sense. You’d learn on-site anyway.”
Learning now that they were all government directs barely fazed them. The savvy already suspected. Their focus wasn’t bios—it was Dragon Slayer.
“So, what? Joint training?”
“Would you if we asked?”
“…….”
“Kidding. We won’t demand that. This meeting’s just to confirm faces, avoid field confusion. Ensure coordination if urgent.”
Ideally, merge them into one force, but their egos made that impossible. Better issue separate orders.
“They’re getting serious.”
“Yes. One more thing: if this project succeeds…… Development Planning will officially announce and continue operating these teams.”
“!”
“It’s worth that much.”