Chapter 11

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Translator: MadScientist

Chapter: 11

Chapter Title: The Alchemist's Golden Ratio

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Next day.

Finally, I was able to return home.

It was because personal protection had begun, just as Yoo Soyeon had mentioned.

In truth, it wasn't anything grandiose.

I'd thought that being designated as a protection target meant they'd at least provide a safehouse or something, but nothing had changed.

Instead, I could feel that someone was watching me from somewhere I couldn't see.

This was actually better. If they stuck close with bodyguards, it would restrict my movements.

Anyway, it was a rundown studio apartment, but to me, it felt more comfortable than any hotel.

"Man, they're making a huge fuss over the 5th and 40th floors."

The TV I'd turned on to ease the silence was covering the related news.

I logged into Hunter Net to check the hunters' reactions.

As expected, posts related to those two events dominated most of the threads.

With this level of impact, it wouldn't be easy for any other issues to take the spotlight anytime soon.

This was a perfect opportunity to dispose of the basilisk shedding without drawing attention.

I decided to craft and use one myself, and consign the other to the auction house.

As I left the studio building, I casually scanned the surroundings, pretending not to care.

I was looking for any Management Bureau agents in hiding, but everything was quiet.

Beep-

Suddenly, a car horn blared.

I turned toward the sound and saw Ryu Seolhwa stepping out of a red sports car.

"Cha Yeonwoo."

"What's up? How'd you know where I live?"

"Too much of a stretch to say I was just passing by?"

She knew damn well why I was asking... It had to be about the Regeneration Potion.

"Could we talk for a moment?"

"Perfect timing. Give me a ride to the Tower. We can chat on the way."

This was a chance to settle things with her side too.

I didn't like how she kept circling around me.

If she dug too deep into the potion, she might stumble onto the seal's secrets.

Vroom-

The car smoothly pulled away.

How much did a ride like this even cost? Sinking into the seat, the comfort was beyond words.

Maybe I should buy one once I get my passage fee payout.

Lost in pleasant daydreams, Ryu Seolhwa spoke up.

"Did you review the proposal?"

"Yeah, not bad."

"So... have you made a decision?"

She glanced at me slyly while turning the wheel. Cute.

Why play games when we're both pros? She knew the score.

"Let's cut the bullshit and talk straight."

"Pardon?"

"The Regeneration Potion—how much did you dig up?"

"......"

I'd hit the mark.

Her flickering gaze said it all.

"...I'm not sure what you mean."

"Eyes on the road. You're drifting into the lane."

"...Sigh, fine. This is why I hate healers. Always too quick on the uptake."

Now she was showing her true colors. Ready to talk.

"Quick to judge too. Should I get out now?"

"You're exposing my hand before we even negotiate."

"So you're out?"

"Argh, annoying... Rumors of Regeneration Potions floating in the Management Bureau, the theft incident, and now protection status. At this point, how can I pretend not to know?"

"You ex-National Intelligence Service or something? You've dug deep."

I said it like a joke, but it felt off.

That was Management Bureau-only info. She shouldn't know any of it.

This meant their security was basically compromised.

Who the hell was protecting whom?

"Who else knows?"

"Just me. That's why I came to finalize the contract today..."

"Good. I like the honesty. Grant me one favor, and I might just hand over the Regeneration Potions."

"For real?"

"Two vials."

"Eh? Just two?"

"Take it or leave it."

"...Who said no? So, what's the favor...?"

In the end, Ryu Seolhwa raised the white flag.

I stopped by the auction house and consigned the basilisk shedding.

A private auction might fetch more, but unless I wanted to brag about clearing the 5th floor, this was the smart play.

Ding-

It sold in seconds after listing, and the amount minus fees hit my account.

"One-second sellout, for real."

Adding the mana stone exchange from before, I was over 150 million won.

First time in my life that much cash dropped at once.

With this windfall, it was time to splurge on those long-coveted items.

"Heh, time to flex a little?"

On the way home, I swung by a big-box mart.

First pick: air fryer.

With this, I could devour frozen foods to my heart's content.

Tonkatsu, chicken nuggets, buffalo wings. Just thinking about it made my mouth water.

"Hell yeah, demolishing three bags tonight. I'm all in."

Next, ultra-fine fiber blanket.

Tried one at the hotel—touch was insane. Swapping this out alone felt like it'd change my life.

Grabbed a memory foam pillow and dehumidifier too. Sleep's precious.

"Oh, need some track pants too."

Spotted a 1+1 sale and went for it.

As I loaded my cart, an unfamiliar voice came from behind.

"Mr. Cha."

I turned to see a man giving a light nod.

"I heard one of our employees was rude to you."

Awkward accent, foreign features. Obvious outsider.

Employee? Not a mart worker, surely.

I gave him a puzzled look, and he scratched his head awkwardly.

"The incident yesterday when we tried to escort you. Our staff got overzealous, unintentionally."

'Yesterday...'

The suited guys from the alley flashed in my mind.

This ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠guy must be the one behind it.

A frown creased my brow without me realizing.

If he was the mastermind, no reason to let him slip away here.

I pulled the Manual Pressurized Sprayer from my inventory and aimed it at him.

"Whoa, calm down. We don't want a scene."

"State your business."

"We know the thief's whereabouts."

"What?"

"More precisely, the potion thieves."

Why was Management Bureau-exclusive info leaking everywhere?

And how did this guy even approach me?

Didn't they say they had protection in place?

Way sloppier than I thought. Maybe the protection status was just for show.

"Allow a proper introduction. Name's James. We're specialists in brokerage."

"Skip the name. So the theft was your doing?"

"Heavens no. We never touch a client's property."

"Client?"

"Too many eyes here for business talk. Somewhere quiet?"

The mart noise suddenly grated.

Sales staff subtly watching us didn't help.

Maybe the Bureau knew about him and let it slide on purpose. Doubt crept in.

No reason to stick around, then.

"Follow me."

We left the mart and ended up at a dingy sundae gukbap joint down an alley.

"Holy shit, Mr. Cha. This is... like stew made from every scrap left after butchering livestock. Why the hell do you eat this?"

"Shut up and eat. Call it petty revenge for last time."

Slurp-

I silently spooned my gukbap.

James followed reluctantly.

Loosen up that face.

Be glad it wasn't cheonggukjang or seonji hangover stew.

"Auntie, soju and a beer each."

Pour-

I filled glasses with beer and soju.

Bomb shot, meticulously mixed while wearing the Alchemist's Retro Goggles.

Stirred with a swizzle and handed it over.

James, you're in for a new world today.

Clink-

"Drink."

"......"

We downed the bomb shots in silence.

One, two. James, who'd grimaced at first, soon matched my pace.

Buzz nicely kicked in, and James marveled.

"Mr. Cha, this booze... magic?"

"You know it. Enough gushing—spill. The thieves' identity."

James speared a piece of sundae, chased with bomb shot.

Unlike his initial shock, he was digging in unprompted now.

"Minions planted by America's Management Bureau in Korea."

My spoon froze mid-air.

"America?"

"You know how Tower progress has stalled forever. They'll do anything to get even one floor ahead."

"That's your excuse?"

"No, Mr. Cha. The power players are desperate to unravel the Tower's mysteries ASAP. Their time's running out."

Beat around the bush all he wanted—the meaning was simple.

They wanted the Tower's secrets before croaking of old age.

What, like there's an elixir of immortality up there? Qin Shi Huang much?

"Fine, whatever. How'd you know about the Regeneration Potion?"

"You're underestimating your potential. America's been watching all S-Ranks for ages."

"And I got caught in the net?"

"Pretty much."

If they were so interested, why not scout me sooner?

Leave me to ripen, then steal the fruit whole.

Could've just negotiated. Was a superpower allowed to be this sleazy?

"Alright, so what's your goal in meeting me?"

"We're a multinational brokerage connecting items with countless clients."

"Brokers?"

"That's the street term. But if possible, call us curators."

Gulping somaek like a champ earlier, now picky about titles.

Nah, James. Broker it is.

"So, you want the Regeneration Potion."

"Exactly. Best terms possible."

"Not planning to flood the market."

"Even one vial works. It's about our organization's rep. Just give us the first deal—we'll handle payments, source tracing, everything."

Oho, tempting.

Situation being what it was, hiding the potion forever looked tough.

A proxy could save me the hassle.

Plus, this guy might clean up my mounting mana stones from passage fees.

"Mana stone laundering too?"

"What, you think I didn't come from Wall Street? Leave it to me."

Clink-

We clinked bomb shots and toasted.