Chapter 92
Chapter 92
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 92
Chapter Title: The Long Road to Poison Gong (14)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The Development Planning Bureau operated its direct team unofficially due to public scrutiny. They were, after all, a government agency and couldn’t just run wild. And public opinion wasn’t favorable toward government-led expeditions.
But if the Dragon Slayer Project succeeded and a new city opened, public opinion would surely shift. Lee Won-jae was convinced of that.
‘This is the moment history changes.’
The moment humanity took another step into the remote region of Cameron. The city would open, and people would cheer for the new frontier. They’d ride that wave of opinion and make the announcement.
“That’s a bit… tempting.”
“Right?”
Lee Won-jae grinned.
‘They’re having a field day.’
Suhyun dug at his ear with his pinky, thinking indifferently to himself. Lee Won-jae raved enthusiastically about the new city and the privileges they’d enjoy there. Everyone listened with calm expressions, but their eyes gleamed with intense desire.
Once this project ended, they’d stand in a league of their own, far above the others. A new privileged class, essentially.
* * *
“How was it?”
“As expected. Nothing out of the ordinary.”
“Yes. We trained as instructed.”
“Reliable. What about Luriel?”
“She didn’t cause any trouble.”
“Good. Time to get ready.”
“To the Poison Zone…?”
“The Development Planning Bureau’s all fired up. No telling when the mobilization order might come. To play it safe, we should head in now.”
Seo Gang-seok nodded at Suhyun’s words.
“Call all the members.”
* * *
Preparations were already complete. After submitting the exploration report to the Development Planning Bureau and staging an appropriate disappearance, everything else would roll on its own.
But right before departure, Suhyun changed one part of the plan.
“You’re taking Luriel with you?”
“Yeah. Can’t be helped.”
It wasn’t that he didn’t trust the other three. But Luriel’s abilities were simply too exceptional. The way she’d already adapted was making people very uneasy.
Was there anything more annoying than someone without malice but who couldn’t be let off guard? Luriel wasn’t an overt enemy like Suhyun’s foes, but if you dropped your vigilance, she could hassle him endlessly.
‘Should I have just killed her and been done with it?’
The habit of using any available talent had its pros and cons. Luriel was definitely not unusable like Joo Won-jun.
Taking Luriel along solved several worries. For one, it prevented her from acting on her own while he was away. She was a troublemaker at heart.
‘If she sneaks into China and gets caught, that’d be a real headache.’
But this decision sparked an unexpected reaction. From Shaina.
“Why are you only taking that elf?!”
“…?”
Suhyun looked at Shaina with a dumbfounded expression.
“What are you talking about?”
“I joined first. You’re not discriminating because she’s a dark elf, are you?”
“You want to go into the Poison Zone? Jealous?”
Shaina flinched at Suhyun’s incredulous counterquestion.
“I don’t know what you’re misunderstanding, but I’m taking Luriel because I don’t trust her. To stop her from causing any incidents. I’m not taking you because there’s no need.”
“…….”
Shaina’s expression softened at the implication that Luriel was untrustworthy but she was reliable. Ever since Luriel joined, she’d felt sidelined. Luriel fit in instantly, while she was fundamentally different.
“If you don’t trust her, why bring her along? Just kick her out…”
“Sometimes you have to deal with difficult people in life.”
Suhyun brushed off Shaina’s concern. He’d already decided to utilize Luriel’s abilities. He wouldn’t change it now over a few words.
“Then I’m going too.”
“What?”
“The more people who ‘disappear,’ the better, right? It’ll look more convincing.”
“That’s true, but… why go out of your way to suffer?”
“Of course, I’ll get extra pay!”
“Money’s not the issue.”
Funds were overflowing. The real question was whether to drag a trusted superpowered team member into danger unnecessarily.
Taking Luriel to the Poison Zone was less of a loss if she got hurt. Suhyun strictly distinguished between members he cared for and those he didn’t.
Shaina talked about money endlessly, but her work was solid.
‘No real need to put her in harm’s way…’
But Shaina seemed dead set. Money was just an excuse. Rejecting her here might make her feel even more like an outsider.
‘Told them to get along.’
“Do what you want.”
At Suhyun’s permission, Shaina clenched her fist triumphantly.
* * *
“Um… do you have time?”
‘Did I put up a sign saying consultations welcome?’
Suhyun grumbled inwardly but told Lee So-hee to come in. Knowing he’d be gone for a while, the members had mentally prepared, but they still seemed quite distraught. Not just Lee So-hee—others kept coming to him with questions.
‘Didn’t expect this from Lee So-hee.’
“What’s up?”
“You told everyone to steer clear of the Dragon Slayer Project as much as possible.”
“Yeah.”
“Would it be okay to tell someone working at another mercenary company?”
Suhyun finally understood why she’d come. He’d said to warn anyone he knew involved, but her connection wasn’t ordinary. It was Lee Jung-woo, team leader of Jindo Dog Team 1.
“Is this about Jindo Dog Team 1’s leader?”
“…Yes.”
“Go ahead and warn him.”
“!”
“Not that we’re doing anything overt—just say we’re analyzing it very negatively. That should be enough.”
Jindo Dog couldn’t ignore Suhyun’s judgment. They’d suffered too much at his hands already.
Plus, they had the bitter experience of nearly losing Team 1. Such memories didn’t fade easily.
‘The best option would be not participating at all, but I wonder if any major mercenary company would do that.’
The most likely outcome was a subordinate team from Jindo Dog joining. Profiting without fully committing, minimizing risk.
“But… will it work?”
“Yeah, it’s fine.”
Lee So-hee had worried about leaking info that could benefit a rival, but Suhyun didn’t mind.
Jindo Dog was useful.
‘Wish there were more companies like Jindo Dog.’
Their direction differed from his goals, their structure was solid, they didn’t cross lines—easy to predict and exploit. They were practically his puppets already.
Suhyun hoped Jindo Dog maintained its size even after the Dragon Slayer Project. Finding new marks was a hassle.
“I know you work harder than the other members, Lee So-hee. No need to worry unnecessarily. Take good care of the team while I’m gone.”
“Yes!”
Her face brighter than when she arrived, Lee So-hee replied.
* * *
“Why did I…?”
“Stop muttering.”
Shaina sharply scolded Luriel. They were now in Posukan.
After submitting the exploration plan and getting government approval, they’d sent the members back under suitable pretenses. All that remained was entering the Poison Zone.
Unlike Shaina, Luriel knew the area well. Including the extremely dangerous spot deep inside Posukan.
“It’s called the Poison Zone, but it’s not that dangerous, so don’t worry so much.”
“…….”
“Want me to take the lead?”
“No, it’s fine.”
Suhyun chuckled and extended his hand. On it was a plain copper ring. And indeed, it had no special powers.
‘Can’t go without telekinesis in the Poison Zone.’
His telekinesis was why he could enter so boldly. Versatile telekinesis could be the ultimate shield if he willed it.
This copper ring would serve as cover for his telekinesis.
‘As for being a mage… I’ll test the waters after the Dragon Slayer Project.’
If his position felt secure, he’d reveal it. Luriel’s eyes sparkled at the ring on Suhyun’s uncharacteristic hand.
“An artifact?”
“Hands off. Don’t want it, then don’t touch.”
“…I won’t take it.”
“Guess we need to clean house first.”
“?”
Entering the Poison Zone didn’t mean poison gas hit immediately. It just meant swarms of venomous creatures attacked. Suhyun clenched his fist.
Kwarung!
Centered on Suhyun, obstacles flew outward in a circle. Venomous flying insects inside them surged toward him but halted midair, blocked.
‘Telekinesis artifact!’
Luriel instantly realized what Suhyun had done. How had such a powerful artifact stayed unknown? Unbelievable.
“Let’s bag them all.”
“Is there even a point in collecting these?”
“Quiet.”
Like farmers harvesting, the three began packing the bugs into storage packs. Gazing at the eerie venomous insects, Suhyun thought.
‘It’s just the outskirts, and it’s already this bad. Maybe go deeper alone.’
Telekinesis was strong, but protecting others made this place seem unmanageable. The Poison Zone earned its name. Not just bugs—everything here likely carried potent venom.
Suhyun found a hideout first. A small cave worked. Sweep nearby lifeforms with telekinesis, seal the entrance—safe.
“What now?”
“We hunker down and wait. Aida will relay news.”
Luriel grimaced. Patience didn’t suit her.
“Don’t wanna…”
“Then just die.”
“…….”
“You okay with this?”
“I came prepared. I’ve wandered more dangerous spots alone.”
Hard to believe, but Suhyun didn’t press.
‘At least half a year to a year, brace for it.’
They needed to collect venom to complete the superpower. No wasting time.
The next day, Suhyun got to work. Finished the hideout, moved supplies, then hunted venom. His sharp eyes picked out and skipped duplicates, leaving the other two in awe.
“You remember all that?”
“Roughly. Just need the knack.”
Twisting a snake’s neck and tossing it into a pack, Suhyun stretched. Time to head deeper. They’d gathered all the local venom.
“You two can get along without me, right—with Luriel?”
“What do you take me for? Why?”
“Planning to go deeper alone. Don’t want the hassle of bringing you.”
Luriel openly clapped, delighted at Suhyun going solo.
‘Maybe just take her…’
Sensing his thoughts, Luriel quickly shifted.
“Come back safe. Be careful!”
“Shaina. If she acts suspicious, attack immediately.”
“Yeah.”
“…….”
But Suhyun couldn’t enter the Poison Zone’s depths. Something unexpected happened.
* * *
“Wild beast, huh. This ecosystem’s unpredictable.”
Suhyun muttered, snapping the neck of a deer-like monster visible in the distance. Deer-like didn’t mean harmless. This was Cameron, one of its most dangerous spots. Who knew what venom it carried.
“?”
As he killed the deer and extracted its venom, something odd caught his eye.