You Really Need Connections
I boldly wrapped up the chat, then immediately grabbed my smartphone and pulled up the search bar. I knew the cause and the solution perfectly. All that was left was to snag the vaccine and antiviral meds—the solution—and ship them off via the Multidimensional Secondhand Market's mail system. Done and dusted.
"Let's see. Do I need a prescription from a hospital for the vaccine? Or can I just buy it at a pharmacy?"
Humming a little tune, I typed in keywords like smallpox vaccination hospitals and smallpox treatment purchase.
But the second I hit search and the results popped up, my babbling lips froze solid.
"......Huh?"
I rubbed my eyes and peered at the screen again. Right at the top was the official notice from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency.
Smallpox (variola) was declared eradicated from Earth by the WHO in 1980. Vaccination for the general public was fully discontinued after 1979.
"......Wait, discontinued?"
I scrolled like a madman. Articles and medical info poured out in a flood.
The smallpox virus has been thoroughly destroyed worldwide. Only small stockpiles of vaccines and antivirals are secretly maintained in top-security national facilities like the KDCA and military institutions for bioweapon defense. No distribution or vaccination at general hospitals or pharmacies.
"......"
I stared blankly into space, still clutching my phone.
"What the hell? Civilians can't get this at all?"
Game over. Earth had advanced too far. Modern medicine had conquered smallpox so perfectly that the stuff wasn't even available on the market anymore. You couldn't just stroll into a pharmacy like, "Gimme a smallpox vaccine and some treatment, please."
"Ah, this sucks so bad."
I had the method, but no way to get the meds. Wasn't this straight-up bullshit?
There's no way I can get it myself. Stealing's out too.
Was I really about to lose 70 million points and the World Tree Fruit?
Anxiously jiggling my leg, I scrolled through my contacts. Then one name jumped out.
[Seoul Hunter Association Exchange Appraiser - Jeong Yuna]
"......Jeong Yuna."
Her day job was appraiser at the exchange, but her real gig was mana engineering researcher. In this gate-riddled modern world, mana engineering was top-secret tech tied straight to national military power. She had to be deeply connected to government agencies or Defense Ministry labs. Plus, she'd issued me a B-rank gate free-pass—serious pull in the Association.
Right! If I can't get it, use someone who can. That's what connections are for!
I hit call without hesitation. Before the second ring, her clear voice chimed in, like she'd been waiting.
[Oh, President Kwon Daesung! Calling me first—what's up? Did you snag another insane-purity mana stone already?]
Her voice dripped with barely concealed excitement. I cleared my throat and dropped my tone an octave.
"Appraiser. Mana stones later—I've got this super urgent favor to ask right now."
[A favor? From you to me? Just say the word. Anything in my power, I'm there.]
"Can you get me some smallpox vaccine?"
Silence on the line.
[......Pardon? Smallpox vaccine? Why on earth? That's a controlled item—KDCA or military chem-bio defense only.]
Of course she knew. I dialed up the grave, secretive vibe.
"Can you not ask why? Personal research project. Possible?"
I drew the line, and she went quiet, hesitant. Mana stones were one thing; siphoning state-controlled vaccines was leagues apart.
But I was sure she wouldn't refuse. To her, I was the one irreplaceable source of ultra-high-purity mana stones.
Moments later, her calm voice returned.
[If you don't want to say, I won't push. I know a friend on the KDCA special quarantine team—getting it shouldn't be hard. But not bulk. Even sneaking, max three doses? That work?]
Jackpot!
I clenched my fist in silent triumph.
"Perfect. Three doses is plenty. Oh, any chance for smallpox antivirals too?"
[Yeah, those too. Three doses each, bundled up?]
"Absolutely! Thank you! Seriously, thank you, Appraiser!"
My enthusiasm drew a light laugh from her.
[Hehe, no biggie. We help each other out. I owe you big on mana stones anyway. Oh, but President Kwon...... um......]
Her tone turned oddly cautious.
[Any A-rank mana stones in stock yet? Lab's developing a new artifact—output's too high for B-ranks.]
A-rank mana stone. Earth market: 150-200 million won each, top-tier power source.
But my market balance sat at 14 million points. System shop price? A measly 100k points. Chump change.
"Funny you ask—I just got funds for A-ranks. I'll hook you up with a top-grade one when you deliver the vaccine."
[R-really!? Wow! Thank you!! You're the best, President!!]
I could hear her jumping for joy through the phone. Yeah, this was a win-win.
"When can I expect the vaccine? Super urgent."
[Gotta handle export procedures—minimum three days. I'll rush it.]
"Perfect timing. I'll have the A-rank ready then. See you at my junkyard."
[Yes! Sounds good!]
Exactly three days later, Jeong Yuna's black sedan pulled quietly into the yard at Daesung Resources.
On my workbench sat a small silver cooler box. Inside: three doses of KDCA-stamped smallpox vaccine, neatly packed with capsule antivirals.
And my bank account just pinged with the payout from the A-rank mana stone: 300,000,000 won.
I'd said money was no issue, but she insisted.
"Call anytime for stuff like this, President. Gates mean more weird diseases lately—easier to source now than pre-gate era."
"Oh, really?"
"Yep. Hehe. Pre-gates, this would've been impossible."
Ironic—gates made it easier. Unknown diseases, viruses, pathogens lurking in gates now. Had to prep for everything.
Lucky break.
"Anyway, huge thanks. You saved my ass."
"Hehe, I'll assume you hit a gate with smallpox or something."
"Close enough."
After seeing Jeong Yuna off, I gleefully opened the Multidimensional Secondhand Market app.
"Alright, meds secured. Time to deal."
While I'd waited three days, the group chat had exploded. With thousands dying daily to the plague, the Royal Alchemist, priest, and Elder of the World Tree Forest were desperately spamming me.
I snapped pics of the vials in the box and sent them to the group chat.
The chat erupted the instant the photo hit.
Antibiotics were a bonus from Jeong Yuna.
The chat froze.
Before the elder could rage fully, I hammered out a reply.
Modern meds weren't magic-infused. Pure chemical crystals by precise formulas. An alchemist who handled Dragon Hearts could manage this. He just didn't know the recipe yet—fear of the unknown, outclassed by "lesser" tech.
My baited prod. Glasswork might lag modern tech, but material analysis and potion brewing? That old coot was world-top.
Soon, his text burst with massive pride and certainty.
About time. All set. I drove the final nail.
That's when it dinged—!
ElderOfTheWorldTreeForest has registered World Tree Fruit in the conditional barter window.
Condition: If provided meds show significant effect against plague, seal releases and item delivers via system inventory.
Market guarantee. Humming, I placed the three KDCA-stamped doses into the trade scan zone.
PhilosophizingRepairman has attached Smallpox Vaccine & Treatment Kit.
A blue glow, and the meds vanished into the void.
Now, just wait for word that their genius alchemist mass-produced my meds and wiped the plague.
"Phew, cut it close."
Ten days gone—Seo Ara's deadline loomed next week. Still, plenty of time to fix her sword.
I cracked a cold cola from the fridge and chugged it.
"Ahh!!"
All that was left: waiting.