I Know Everything, So Get Lost!
In truth, the operation had all but failed.
Fortunately, there were no fatalities, but plenty of injuries.
The SS Team planned to regroup with the main force shortly and reorganize.
Taeju was conversing with Division Commander Gu Junyoung about the reasons for the failure.
Then, suddenly.
"Um... here."
A young man wearing a second lieutenant's insignia approached Taeju and held out something with both hands.
It was a bundle of throwing knives.
"Ah! Thank you."
Taeju accepted them.
But the young lieutenant stared at him blankly, as if he had more to say.
"Is there something else?"
"Oh, no. I just wanted to introduce myself. Nice to meet you. Second Lieutenant Ryu Jincheol."
"Yeah. Kim Taeju of Taehong Bio."
"Thank you. Chairman, you saved my life."
"No big deal."
Taeju returned the greeting while glancing at Gu Junyoung.
That's weird.
A mere second lieutenant coming up to greet him while he was talking to the division commander?
And not even saluting the division commander?
Unless the guy had lost his mind...
But Division Commander Gu Junyoung seemed to take it completely in stride.
Could it be?
He recalled something from the final briefing for the subjugation operation.
The Sancheong Unit was assigned to escort an imperial VIP.
Ryu Jincheol...
The imperial family's surname was Ryu.
Then?
"Your Highness?"
"Huh? How did you know...? Was it obvious?"
"Of course it was. You've got the division commander right there, and no salute or proper military courtesy."
"Ah!"
Ryu Jincheol scratched his head sheepishly.
"Anyway, thank you. You saved my life."
"Don't mention it. Looked like you were holding your own pretty well out there too, Your Highness."
At that, the Fifth Imperial Prince Ryu Jincheol lit up with excitement and started rambling.
Like a dam bursting.
"But could anyone do what you did, Taeju? How do you hit every single weapon on target...? Is it a skill? Right, you haven't awakened. Incredible. If you ever have time, could you teach me—"
The prince seemed like a decent guy.
No airs of authority.
"Is that coat made of fantasy fox leather? So you carry your weapons in the coat pockets? Must be heavy... Whoa! Lots of pockets."
Just... talkative.
Too much so to respond to every comment.
"Are the recovery potions only sold in Gurye? You should expand to New Seoul. I could help. As long as it's not illegal—oh! Know the Leaders Club? I'm a member there—"
Taeju shot Gu Junyoung a pleading look.
But the division commander just shook his head.
Hah, this guy!
Where was all that gratitude now?
Right then.
"Is everyone okay? Any injured?"
Legion Commander Oh Jinhyeong, arriving late after Taeju.
"All clear, sir!"
Gu Junyoung saluted and replied.
"Good. Glad to hear it."
Opportunity struck.
Taeju checked the time on his smartphone and spoke in mock surprise.
"Huh? It's this late already...?"
"Something wrong?"
"No. It's quitting time."
"..."
Taeju picked up the bundle one of Gu Junyoung's men had prepared for him.
Inside were the collected throwing weapons, feathers from the elite steel feather owl, and elite mana crystals.
"Well, I'll be off then... Back at dawn tomorrow."
Flash!
Taeju vanished.
What was so great about being a civilian?
You could clock out on time.
Oh Jinhyeong could only stare at his retreating back—again.
And then.
"Is His Highness alright?"
"Yes, Major General. If not for Chairman Kim Taeju, it would've been bad."
"Good. Always be cautious—extra cautious. I couldn't face His Majesty if anything happened to you."
Oh Jinhyeong turned to Division Commander Gu Junyoung.
"Junyoung."
"Yes, sir."
"I heard on the way. Two elite monsters appeared at once?"
"Yes. If Chairman Kim Taeju hadn't helped..."
"Enough. Write up the report. Detail exactly why this happened and how to prevent it."
"Understood."
That aside.
"No fatalities for real? That orc horde was huge."
"Injuries, yes. But even those recovered fully thanks to the recovery potions."
"I see."
Oh Jinhyeong nodded.
A man who could solo elite monsters, unbelievable mobility to rush in at the critical moment, and the antidotes and recovery potions he'd produced.
What would they have done without Chairman Kim Taeju in the subjugation op?
After pondering deeply for a while, Fifth Imperial Prince Ryu Jincheol spoke to Oh Jinhyeong.
"Legion Commander, I have a request."
"Speak."
"Can I join GS Team—your team—from now on?"
Oh Jinhyeong slowly turned, fixing the prince with a steady gaze.
He understood the reason, but no way in hell.
"Absolutely not. I was about to ask you to head back to the palace anyway."
"What? I-I won't be a bother. I can help too."
"That's an order from your unit's supreme commander, Second Lieutenant Ryu Jincheol."
"Uh... uh..."
Oh Jinhyeong nailed it shut. Then.
"Division Commander Gu Junyoung."
"Yes, sir!"
"Assemble an escort and see His Highness safely to legion HQ."
"Got it."
If the prince got hurt, everyone would suffer.
If some unspeakable tragedy occurred?
Unthinkable.
What good was a successful Jirisan subjugation then?
They'd all be dead.
Taeju didn't head straight home after leaving the Jirisan jungle.
Honestly, he couldn't wait.
He raced to Gurye General Market, where lights still burned late.
"Chairman! At this hour...?"
"Evening."
"Chairman! Swing by our shop too. Half off for you, no exceptions."
"Half off and bragging...? Our place is free for life!"
The shop owners swarmed out, greeting him enthusiastically.
Not because his face was famous, but the coat he wore.
They spotted him from afar.
Why the warm welcome from the market vendors?
The economic boom Taeju brought to Gurye was massive.
Taehong Bio's three new drug lines were exclusive to Gurye.
Countless mana compatibles and awakeners visited to buy them.
Overnight stays for open runs were routine, boosting hotels, eateries, nightlife, and the local economy.
To the merchants, Taeju was a benefactor.
Hence the welcome wagon every visit.
Embarrassingly so.
Taeju's destination: the metal weapons workshop street.
Spotting him, a workshop employee rushed out beaming.
"Hello."
"Chairman! Back again. I was just about to call you."
"Ah! The custom order's done?"
"Yes. No need to come yourself—we could've delivered."
"Nah, I'll take it."
The sales from Taeju alone hit hundreds of millions a month.
Of course the treatment was top-tier.
"Got a new commission too."
"Anything. Your orders always get priority."
"Want weapons made from this..."
Taeju placed the bundle on the workshop bench.
Clatter.
"Oho! Owl feathers. Metal infused with mana—alloy with regular steel... Huh?"
The employee's eyes widened suddenly.
"Th-this isn't just any owl feather... No way?"
"Right. Elite steel feather owl."
"Gasp!"
The employee jumped in shock.
Even normal owl feathers were rare; elite ones?
"For real?"
"Elite mana crystal here too."
"...My god!"
"Thinking a few dozen throwing knives..."
"W-wait a sec!"
The employee waved his hands.
"This is beyond my pay grade. Hold on. I'll get the boss."
He dashed inside.
Moments later, the workshop owner—the top-grade artisan—came running out.
"Elite steel feather owl feathers? Who's pulling a prank...?"
"It's real."
Their eyes met—Taeju's.
"...Whoa! Chairman. Thought someone was scamming."
"Check it out. Elite mana crystals too."
"Heavens! Three of them?"
"Got lucky. Can you craft?"
"Of course! Welcome. Boastful, but no one in Gurye handles elite steel feathers like me."
Taeju knew.
A skilled artisan.
That's why he'd stuck with this shop.
"Like the throwing knives you made before... 30 small ones, 10 large?"
"Ah! Sure. Let me see..."
After inspecting.
"Might squeeze out more."
"Bump up the small ones then. I'll pay premium labor."
"Nah, keep it. You brought the materials."
"No. Gotta pay to feel right."
"Aigoo, then I'll pour my soul into it."
"Timeline?"
"Can't promise. Rushing risks wasting precious stuff."
Good.
More trustworthy.
"Got it. Take your time."
Start with his most-used projectiles.
Now, wait.
Taeju didn't go home.
He stopped at the market's seed and nursery shop.
"Got what I asked for?"
"Here... Not for just anyone. Only for you, Chairman."
"Haha, don't worry. Not up to no good."
He grabbed some pesticides, including aconite, then headed home.
Once home, he crashed hard.
Division Commander Gu Junyoung's report circulated to all units.
Key points: issues countering elite steel feather owls and countermeasures.
No special solutions, really.
To kill the owls, neutralize their qi-shielded feathers.
Two ways.
Multiple masters swarm it, or use hyper divine bow anti-tank missiles as usual.
Solutions: two.
If elite steel feather owl appears, special raid teams coordinate for joint assault.
Or, if forced to use hyper divine bow missile, radio main force first, reinforce troops, then engage.
That evening.
Hamyang Unit main camp.
Lieutenant Colonel Do Minsu, during roll call, briefed cadet officers-to-be on the day's incident.
"...While Division Commander Gu Junyoung dueled the owl, the missile blast drew a massive orc horde and elite orc warlord."
The cadets listened with wide-eyed attention.
One raised a hand.
"C-casualties? Two elites—that must've been devastating."
"Zero fatalities. Lucky."
"Huh? How?"
Do Minsu smiled.
"Gurye Special Raid Team Legion Commander Oh Jinhyeong joined in time."
"Ah!"
"Ooh!"
"I see."
Exclamations rippled.
"And Taehong recovery potions? Helped heal the badly wounded."
A cadet shot up her hand.
"Cadet Jeong Yeonhui. Question."
"Go ahead."
"Did Chairman Kim Taeju join too?"
"...What?"
Do Minsu flinched.
Kim Taeju's involvement.
Not secret, but he hadn't mentioned it.
"Cadet Jeong Yeonhui!"
"Yes."
"How do you know about Chairman Kim Taeju?"
"...Heard at home. He's not just an antidote guy."
Cadets mostly from elite families.
Damn rich kids...
They'd have all the Samhan Empire rumors.
"And the three mines in Gurye weren't taken out by vigilantes, but Kim Ta—"
"Stop! That's enough."
Still lingering, Jeong Yeonhui asked again.
"Any chance we meet Chairman Kim Taeju during ops?"
"You want to?"
"Yes! I'd love to meet him!!!"
Do Minsu chuckled.
"Zero chance. Don't get hopes up."
"...Even after subjugation?"
"Tsk, Cadet Jeong Yeonhui."
"Yes!"
"He's not someone you just meet. Dream on."
"..."
"Dismissed! Moving camp tomorrow. Prep for hunts at new position."
"Yes, sir!!!"
Post-roll call, cadets clustered, chatting.
Kim Taepyeong and Kim Taecheon couldn't join.
Just stunned by the new info.
They knew Kim Taeju invented antidotes.
Started a company, made bank.
But strong enough for elites?
And involved in mine hunts?
They'd known him forever.
Better than anyone.
"Taepyeong hyung, think Do Minsu's for real?"
"Dunno. Hard to believe."
"Right? Mana rejector trash doing that?"
"Some trick. He's loaded. Probably cut a deal with the legion commander."
"Deal?"
"Merits from Jirisan subjugation? Wants a medal maybe."
"Aha! Makes sense. Now he wants honor too."
Even if true, they didn't want to believe.
Kim Taeju slaying elites they could only dream of.
Something occurred to Kim Taepyeong; he slipped away.
"Hyung, where?"
"Bathroom. Sleep first."
But he headed opposite—toward Jeong Yeonhui washing up at the portable sink.
And.
"Hey, uh."
"What?"
Jeong Yeonhui's icy reply to Kim Taepyeong.
"That... Kim Taeju Chairman thing. Wasn't gonna say, but he's actually my brother. Half-brother."
"So?"
"Huh? Oh, remembered you wanted to meet him. I could help..."
"Hah!"
Jeong Yeonhui scoffed.
"You think I didn't know?"
"You did?"
"Who wouldn't? How'd a dimwit like you get into officer school? Connections—your Japanese mom from Kyushu territory."
Mom mentioned, Kim Taepyeong bristled.
"What? Japanese? Samhan unified ages ago! That's discrimination! Take it back."
"Raising your voice? Wanna die?"
Kim Taepyeong shrank.
Jeong Yeonhui outranked him by two levels easy.
"Every cadet here knows your family drama. How you and your mom treated Chairman Kim Taeju. And you're cut off now."
"...What?"
"Central Imperial Army commission? Forget it. Rumors spread—you brothers only fit for territory forces. Paju or Kyushu."
"..."
"So get lost! Don't cling. Seeing your face sours my luck."
Kim Taepyeong had no retort.