A Recipe for Danger
France was a powerhouse in potion manufacturing.
Even before the Babel Tower appeared, the country had been at the absolute top of the world in fermentation and purification technologies.
Wine.
Perfume.
Pharmaceuticals.
Perhaps it was thanks to these already highly developed industries.
Once the Babel Tower appeared and its byproducts began to circulate, France's winemakers, perfumers, and other manufacturers pivoted to processing tower byproducts.
As a result, it was now difficult to find the vast vineyards and wineries that France was once famous for.
Stabilizing the residual energy of mana stones and finding the optimal ratio when mixing specific energies.
No country could surpass France in that processing technology.
Even for the exact same recovery potion, theirs was far more efficient, had significantly fewer side effects, and did not spoil!
Some of their potions were even as effective as the rare ones obtained directly from the tower.
What if that recipe fell into my hands?
I had the GR Group on my side.
A major player in the tower byproduct processing industry.
This wouldn't just end with me holding a recipe; I had a practical way to mass-produce the potions.
If that happened?
South Korea's potion industry would leapfrog France's in an instant.
As for money, it would go far beyond just "earning a lot," to the point where numbers lost all meaning.
The other countries probably felt the same way...
The UK, Germany, Spain, and Italy.
These were European nations that had cleared the 50th floor and were more than capable of helping France.
The reason they hadn't extended a helping hand was likely because of this.
If they left France to rot until an even greater crisis loomed, France would eventually be forced to hand over the potion recipes with their own hands.
France knew this, which was why they had held out so desperately.
The potion recipes were their lifeline, after all.
"Hunter Lee Taepyeong, that is...!"
"A state secret?"
"...Yes."
"I know~."
That's why I'm asking for it!
I casually sucked down the last sip of my banana milk.
"But what can I do?"
"..."
"That's the only thing that catches my interest."
National treasure-grade items or whatever.
I didn't care.
The things I already held in my hands were better than those anyway.
"You must know that it is not a simple recipe," the older man said in a grave voice.
"It is the core of the mana stone fermentation process, discovered after years of research by the French Alchemists Association."
"..."
"This is directly linked to the survival of France as a nation..."
"Well then."
I brushed off my clothes and stood up from my seat.
"I guess our conversation is over."
"Pardon?"
"It means you're saying no."
"...!!"
"Then go look elsewhere. Well, I suppose handing it over to the UK or Germany as a last resort when all of France is burning wouldn't be a bad option either."
"W-what did you say?"
"Am I wrong?"
I smiled as I looked at the two Frenchmen.
"If you have another way and you like it, you can just do that. Why come all the way here to bother me...?"
"...!!"
"Wait, don't tell me. Did you think you could buy off someone like 'Lee Taepyeong' on the cheap?"
"...N-no, that's not it!"
"But looking at your attitude, it sure seems like it."
When I tilted my head, I heard a faint snort from behind me as Kang Mina tried to hold back her laughter.
"If you really don't want to ask Europe for help, going to the US or Japan is another option."
"...!!!"
"Ah, wait. The Japanese samurai... What was his name again?"
Behind me, Kang Mina whispered softly, "Nakamura."
"Right, Nakamura. He's currently in hiding, so Japan might be a bit difficult."
"...Ugh."
"Why don't you try the US or China?"
"...!!!"
The two Frenchmen trembled with rage.
Tsk, tsk.
This is why I can't stand these European guys.
They think they're the center of the universe.
Did they really think I'd jump at the chance if they offered a few items and some cash?
"Well, I guess that concludes our meeting?"
As I grabbed the doorknob of the conference room to leave, the older man jumped up from his seat.
"Wait...!!!"
"T-the government! I will consult with the government!!"
He practically shouted as he pulled out his phone.
"Go ahead."
Well, they seemed desperate, but I wasn't holding my breath.
Handing over the recipe is probably going to be...
Difficult.
I knew that, which was why I threw it out there.
I glanced at Go Juhee, and she nodded.
"Please send us the details in writing later," Go Juhee said.
"I-if you could just wait a moment...!"
"Our Guild Leader is a busy man."
Heh.
I gave a slight wave of my hand and walked out of the conference room.
"Hunter Lee!"
Kang Mina followed me out.
"That was amazing. How did you crush France's pride like that...?"
I shrugged.
"I didn't say that to crush their pride."
"What?"
"I said it because I really want that recipe."
"R-really?"
"Yeah. If I get it, it's a massive win, isn't it?"
"...!!!"
Kang Mina stared at me, dumbfounded.
"D-does that mean you're going to start a potion manufacturing business...?"
"If they give me the recipe, yes."
"Oh my..."
"Well, if they don't, they don't. Either way, I have nothing to lose."
Exactly.
If they refused, I got to scratch France's pride, which felt good.
If they agreed?
I could use the recipe to start a potion manufacturing business, which was a massive win.
Haha.
As I grinned, Kang Mina looked at me as if I were a complete lunatic.
"Well, even if it goes through, I doubt they'll hand it over easily..."
I scratched the back of my head and met Kang Mina's eyes.
"But I'm sure the Hunter Administration Office will apply pressure for me somehow."
"O-o-of course! We will help in any way we can!"
Kang Mina replied, her voice filled with excitement.
If I obtained the recipe, the Hunter Administration Office would also get to reap some of the benefits.
It was only natural.
As for me, it was great because it saved me some trouble.
"Hunter Lee," Do Sangjin said, opening the car door.
"Well, I'll be heading back now."
I slid into the back seat and waved to Kang Mina.
"Yes! Have a safe trip back!!!"
Vrrr.
My phone vibrated.
It was a text message from Go Juhee.
As expected, Go Juhee was sharp when it came to business.
Tsk, tsk.
If the chairman of the GR Group had put Go Juhee in a key position earlier, the GR Group might have grown into a global enterprise by now.
Well, it worked out well for me.
A highly competent talent had walked right into my lap.
"Hmm..."
Honestly, I hadn't expected France to accept my terms.
The fact that I was a single individual rather than a nation probably played a big part in their decision.
Just like how a department store owner doesn't feel threatened by a convenience store owner.
Hehe.
Of course, I was already planning to target not just South Korea, but the entire Asian market.
Anyway, the contract terms were simple.
Clear the 50th floor 10 times.
I would stay in France for about a month and finish those 10 clears.
Upon completing the first clear, I would receive one-third of the recipe.
Upon completing the fifth clear, I would receive another third.
Finally, upon completing the tenth clear, I would receive the remainder of the recipe.
Actually, if I did it every day, I could finish it in ten days.
But since it was my first time in Europe, I set a generous timeline of one month to do some sightseeing as well.
"When is the flight to Paris?" I asked Do Sangjin, leaning back on the sofa.
"We depart in one week."
I see.
I would have to gorge myself on Korean food for the next week.
"...Um, Hunter Lee," Do Sangjin spoke up hesitantly.
"Should I go with you after all?"
"Pardon?"
"You always struggle with meals whenever you go far away."
Ah.
That.
It was true that I struggled because I had been spoiled by Do Sangjin's home-cooked meals.
But still...
I didn't see the need to drag Do Sangjin along and make him suffer.
Besides, the situation in France was quite dangerous.
"It's dangerous over there. I'll be fine going alone."
"Understood. Then I will cook whatever you want to eat until you leave, so please let me know at any time."
Nice!
"In that case, I want braised short ribs today."
"I will prepare it."
Hehe.
I was going to feast for a whole week.
"Anyway, don't worry too much. The Hunter Administration Office is sending Ms. Kang Mina with me."
Kang Mina was going along to act as an interpreter and handle various administrative tasks.
A few other agents from the Hunter Administration Office were tag-along security.
Since it was overseas, after all.
Even though I wasn't part of the Hunter Administration Office, Kang Mina had strongly insisted that I needed "special management."
As for me, it was convenient to have her along.
Ding-dong.
Right then, the doorbell rang.
"Was someone scheduled to visit?"
"I haven't received any word, but I will go check."
Do Sangjin went to the front door and opened it.
I could hear the low murmur of voices.
A moment later.
"Hunter Lee."
"Yes?"
"Hunter Choi Muryeong is here to see you."
Huh?
Suddenly?
Now?
Why?
"Why is Choi Muryeong here...?"
I sat up from where I had been lounging on the sofa and glanced toward the entryway.
Choi Muryeong was standing by the door, his posture as stiff and upright as a soldier's.
"Tell him to come in."
"Yes. Shall I prepare tea?"
"No."
Tea? No way.
I'd just hear what he had to say and send him on his way.
*Step, step, step.*
Choi Muryeong walked in.
Unlike me, who was sitting on the sofa in pajamas, he was in full combat gear.
Did he just come back from training?
Anyway.
"Long time no see. What brings you all the way here...?"
"I heard you are going to France."
Choi Muryeong got straight to the point before even sitting down.
Well, I liked his directness.
"I am, but... why do you ask?"
"I heard about the terms. That France is handing over the recipe."
Choi Muryeong's expression was grim.
"There is no way France would offer such terms for no reason."
"..."
"They are definitely hiding something."
"Why are you so sure?"
"Le Mangeur."
"..."
"The Predator."
"..."
"Because he is still in France's hands."