Chapter 94
Chapter 94
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 94
Chapter Title: Fugitives (2)
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The government, battered by the Dragon Slayer Project, was scrambling to devise countermeasures. One measure was bolstering special forces within the military. But even that had its limits.
In the end, they resorted to the old standby: partnering with mercenary companies. Of course, after losing their entire Development Planning Division team, it had shifted far more toward outsourcing than before...
Joo Won-jun was a heavy hitter who rose to prominence after the Dragon Slayer Project. Just like Suhyun. And no matter how you sliced it, he wasn't someone who'd have a positive influence on Suhyun.
'Even back then, he was quietly trying to undermine rivals...'
There was no such thing as "friendly competition" in that guy's head. He preferred dragging competitors down to climb up himself if a rival company was in the picture.
Better to prepare ahead of time.
"What's the plan going forward?"
"Pardon?"
"I asked what your plans are from here."
"Our plans...? "
There were none. Escaping this far had been pure luck to begin with.
"None, huh?"
"..."
"You planning to live as fugitives forever? I wouldn't stop you if that's your thing."
"No, it's not like that. But we don't have any options!"
"That's just a delusion. There's a way for everything in this world. What if I cleared your names for you?"
"!"
The mercenaries just stared at each other. Suhyun's words felt that unrealistic. It was already hard to believe he'd barged in here and taken their word for it—and now he was talking about clearing their names?
Lee Do-jeon was the first to respond.
"Anything..."
"Anything?"
"We'll do anything."
Suhyun grinned.
"Music to my ears."
"But... can I ask a few things?"
"Go ahead."
"Who are you, exactly? Why are you clearing our names? And why'd you come here?"
"Leaving the answers to me? Bold questions from guys who got pinned down."
Lee Do-jeon flushed. Suhyun's point was fair.
"Eh, I'm generous, so I'll humor you. It'll take at least a few years anyway—doubt you can hold out under that much suspicion. I'm a mercenary like you. You probably wouldn't know, being a newbie outfit. But I have enough pull to clear your names."
Suhyun figured they wouldn't buy it right away. Surprisingly, they accepted it easily. Thanks to his superpower. A guy with that level of power not being high up the chain? That'd be the real shock.
"Why clear your names? Two reasons. First, I don't like Joo Won-jun much. Washing your names clean hits him where it hurts. Doesn't that feel good already?"
Everyone here ground their teeth at the mere mention of Joo Won-jun. The grating sounds started up immediately.
"What's the second?"
"I need guys who'll fight for me when I call. Even better if they don't show up on any records. Until your names are cleared and you go official, you're ghosts on paper. No tails to trace, no matter when, where, or how you fight."
Suhyun ran his direct unit as a small elite force, but numbers mattered sometimes. He was building connections for those times, but having an ace up his sleeve never hurt.
Suhyun's pitch was blunt. No guarantees on when their names would clear—he was basically saying he'd use them until then.
But Lee Do-jeon found that candor trustworthy. No hiding, no bullshit—just straight-up business: take the deal or leave it.
He was done getting duped.
"You want us to fight when you need us...? Against monsters?"
"What? Might need your muscle for monster hunts... but probably not. Why waste superpowered folks on that?"
"Then what?"
"It's not just monsters you're up against on Cameron."
"...!"
Lee Do-jeon finally got it. Suhyun was talking about fighting people.
'This guy's... what the hell is he?'
Mercenaries didn't usually prep for PvP. Lee Do-jeon swallowed hard without thinking. His palms were drenched.
"No pressure. I'm serious—if you say no, I won't kill you or anything. We can agree to stay out of each other's way, and I'll leave."
Suhyun lied without batting an eye. But it rang true to the mercenaries.
"What's it gonna be?"
"If we fight for you, you'll do everything you can to clear our names?"
"Promise."
They had no choice. They'd fled for their lives, but it was hand-to-mouth ever since. For a shot at escaping this existence, they'd gamble on anything. Even a deal with the devil.
"...We'll pledge our loyalty."
* * *
"Get in touch with the other runaway mercs too. Get everyone on the same page. If anyone's against it, just let it slide on the spot."
"Yes?"
"Can't make a scene."
"They'll probably all agree."
Lee Do-jeon knew the others. All nursing grudges against Joo Won-jun and a burning desire to return to society.
"Once you're back, I'll reach out separately. Stay hidden and quiet till then. Don't get spotted poking your head out. No one's coming around here unless they have to."
"But why'd you come here?"
Come to think of it, he hadn't answered that earlier question. Lee Do-jeon remembered and asked again.
"Needed something from the poison zone."
"Yes?! No way?!"
Lee Do-jeon freaked out.
"What's that reaction?"
"Ah, no... I just never thought anyone would actually go in there."
Lee Do-jeon looked at Suhyun half like he was insane, half like he was worried. The worry? Simple—if he trusted this guy and Suhyun died in the zone, their shot was gone.
"Why go in there?"
"Needed something. I'll swing by periodically. Finish contacting the others and report back."
"You're... coming back?"
"Gotta check what kind of firepower I'll be fighting alongside."
Post-Dragon Slayer, he'd be facing humans more than monsters. Merc companies expanding would leave gaps in stabilized zones, and everyone would eye those openings.
'Especially the Chinese. Time to brace for real clashes.'
Different spheres of operation had kept things chill so far, but that was ending.
"Alright... see you next time."
"Oh, eat before you go. Building hides out here is tough enough."
"Sure? Okay."
Cut off from outside supplies, their top priority was food. Hunt meat, smoke it, make preserves... tough life.
Suhyun, outsider that he was, had clearly eaten well before coming.
'Does he really need to eat here?'
That changed when Suhyun pulled out the pack.
"Wh-what's that...?"
"My lunch."
Extracting venom one by one was getting tedious. Not just a couple anymore. Suhyun just swallowed them whole these days.
'Crazy bastard?!'
Even seasoned mercs gagged watching Suhyun impassively chew and gulp snake meat. After the crunching subsided, he spoke.
"Oh yeah, you had traps out for black-tailed deer."
"Yeah, for food supplies..."
"Lousy traps. Don't underestimate monsters—camouflage 'em better. Ditch the rope snares for pit traps instead."
Suhyun was an expert in a few things, top-tier in some. Solo survival on Cameron was one.
"See you later."
Once Suhyun left, the mercs muttered.
"Did we do the right thing?"
"Better than this shit, right?"
"Guy's power is legit at least... Someone that strong ain't low-tier. Could take on Joo Won-jun."
"Kinda nuts, though..."
"Top superpowers are always a bit off. He's tame compared to some. Probably bulks his powers eating crap like that."
Lee Do-jeon knew his own words rang hollow even as he said them. No clue why anyone would eat that.
But one thing was clear: Suhyun had real power, and right now, he was all they had.
"Let's move. Gotta find the others."
* * *
'Overlapping again.'
Deeper into the poison zone, Suhyun noticed his venom buildup slowing.
'Three left. Gotta push further.'
What a grind. Without stomach protection, he'd be down already. Anyone else would've bailed, but Suhyun advanced step by step.
Even to him, the depths looked foreboding. Far fewer creatures visible even with Far Sight. The intense poison culled their numbers.
And the survivors? Packing serious venom.
'Regroup once, then dive back in.'
Suhyun didn't care. To the machine killing and eating monsters on repeat, they were just food.
At his hideout, an unexpected guest.
"Aida?"
"How have you been, my lord? You look quite worn."
"Better than it could be."
Ruiril was thrilled to see Aida after so long. Shaina aside, she hated being cooped up here.
"Your visit means trouble outside, I take it."
Aida nodded.
"Heard the Dragon Slayer Project kicked off. Troops deploying soon..."
Timeline-wise, perfect. Finish venom technique, head out—good to go.
"Search parties?"
"No search parties formed."
"?"
"If you're missing bad enough for that, they won't risk sending teams rashly..."
'Ah.'
Suhyun realized he'd overlooked something: his own track record. He'd soloed into Kevaswak to rescue Team Jindo Dog 1, led a ragtag squad to conquer Kakrita Valley.
His disappearance? No small deal. No average team would touch it.
Plus, government was prepping Dragon Slayer—couldn't spare forces easily.
'Keep underestimating my rep.'
"Perfect."
"We can breathe easier too. A search party poking around would've been trouble."
"Nah, it's more than that."
Suhyun chuckled and shook his head.
'No search parties at all, huh.'
Development Planning's calculated call, no doubt. But it backfired hard. When Suhyun returned post-mission, he'd have ammo to nail them.
Not sending a search party for his direct team?!
'Idiots. Should've sent a token one at least.'
They'd tossed their own excuse. Suhyun saw right through them: overconfident. Dragon Slayer succeeds, they skyrocket—no one'd sweat one missing party.
But failure was always close. For anyone.
"No search party? No need to stick around then. You two, go with Aida—hide in the village safehouse."
"That okay?"
"Fine. No searches, no one tearing up the village. I'll wrap up and head back. Should make the timing."
Suhyun planned to complete the venom technique next run.