Erosion Zone Practice (6): The Tang Clan's Pharmaceuticals
Dangmoon Pharmaceuticals. Ever since it first appeared on the global market, the company had experienced explosive growth. By now it had reached a scale larger than every other pharmaceutical firm combined. It was undeniably one of the largest corporations in the world.
Its overwhelming technological superiority and ruthless hostile takeovers were its trademarks. Under normal circumstances, most nations would have slapped it with antitrust sanctions for monopoly practices. Yet thanks to the international Gate Special Act, Dangmoon Pharmaceuticals slipped through every country’s legal net.
When facing unprecedented crises, worrying about monopolies was a luxury no one could afford. If a drug was needed, governments paid whatever premium was required. And the medicines produced by the Tang Clan were among those where worldwide demand vastly outstripped supply.
Owning one of the planet’s largest corporations as a subsidiary meant the newly rebuilt Tanggata in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province, was nothing short of their private kingdom. That was precisely why the Blood Sect’s massacre of the Tang Clan had sent such shockwaves through the Murim world. No one had imagined the heavily fortified, reclusive main house could be reduced to such a gruesome state.
“...I’d almost prefer it to be the Blood Sect.”
If Dangmoon Pharmaceuticals was involved, the problem grew far more complicated. Unlike the openly malevolent Blood Sect, the Tang Clan was a legitimate member of the orthodox path.
“May I take these documents with me for now?”
Cheon Hayeon asked, her expression grave.
“Yeah. The investigation’s going to be difficult, isn’t it?”
“...The moment we begin probing the Tang Clan, the matter could easily escalate into an issue involving the entire righteous and demonic factions. It will not be simple.”
The instant Cheon Hayeon touched this, it could no longer remain a personal affair. Conducting any secret inquiry would be equally difficult. The orthodox sects still regarded the Heavenly Demon Cult with extreme wariness. Just as Dangmoon Pharmaceuticals had profited from the Gate crisis, the Heavenly Demon Cult had used its overwhelming martial power to seal Gates across the globe, gaining enormous influence worldwide.
“This is tricky.”
I already knew this rotten world wasn’t automatically just simply because it called itself the righteous path. Still, this incident was far too massive for me to shoulder at the current stage.
“It hasn’t been confirmed that the Tang Clan is responsible, so it would be wiser to wait and observe.”
I nodded silently at Cheon Hayeon’s suggestion. Nothing was certain yet.
“The chances of this becoming public are low, correct?”
“...If it is confirmed to be the work of the orthodox faction, most likely.”
Cheon Hayeon gave a bitter smile.
After one final sweep of the interior, I called for Squad Leader Ahn Taejun. He must have prepared in a hurry, because he arrived shortly after we sent him the sewer coordinates.
“H-how could anyone commit such a heinous atrocity…!”
Squad Leader Ahn Taejun stared into the laboratory and cried out in horror. He was already wearing a thick hazmat suit in case of emergencies.
“Was the informant all right?”
“Yes. He had gone half-mad and was on the verge of suicide, so we sedated him and evacuated him to the rear.”
“Good that he’s alive. It appears they’ve already destroyed most of the evidence.”
The support troops Ahn Taejun had brought began entering one by one, disinfecting every surface as they advanced.
“...I apologize. I never meant for you cadets to witness such a sight. This was something we should have handled ourselves.”
Ahn Taejun looked at me and bowed deeply.
“It’s fine. There is one thing I’d like to request.”
“A request?”
“I’d appreciate it if you could keep our involvement in this matter as quiet as possible. Word will spread eventually, but still.”
It didn’t matter for me, but it was better if Cheon Hayeon’s participation stayed hidden. If the Tang Clan really was behind this, they might already know her true identity.
“Do not worry. I will ensure their lips remain sealed.”
Ahn Taejun nodded with a hardened expression.
Leaving the cleanup to them, we stepped outside. Instead of refreshing air, a sticky, murky thickness filled my mouth.
We had succeeded in saving the Romeo Team, yet the victory tasted like flat soda.
There was nothing to be done. Reality wasn’t a game, and my options were limited.
Originally the schedule had more time remaining, but the temporary base was already a disaster zone thanks to the sewers. Continuing the exercise was impossible, so we suddenly had free time.
Cheon Hayeon had gone to wash up. While I sat blankly replaying the horrors I had seen, a familiar system notification rang in my head.
A new feature has been unlocked. The 'Chat Function' is now available for use.
Every time I reminded myself that reality wasn’t a game, the system seemed to answer by shoving the fact that I was inside one right back in my face. A chat function straight out of a game had just been added.
When I opened it, there was only one possible recipient, as expected.
The chat paused for a moment. Was she actually shocked by something so trivial? Anyway.
Exchanging silly banter with Han Yeoreum helped clear some of the heavy thoughts weighing on my mind.
When I closed the chat window, Cheon Hayeon had already finished showering and was staring at me.
She must have seen me grinning like an idiot while chatting with Han Yeoreum.
...Thank god she didn’t treat me like a lunatic.
“Nothing much. Yeoreum just sent me a message.”
I shook my phone to emphasize the point.
“I see.”
“If you learn anything about the Tang Clan, could you share it with me?”
Cheon Hayeon had called the investigation difficult, not impossible. If we could obtain solid proof that the Tang Clan had committed those atrocities, it would be the same as the Cult seizing a major weakness of the orthodox faction.
She would almost certainly attempt a discreet investigation.
“Since the information was uncovered by you, of course.”
“Thanks. And I feel bad for always asking favors, but there’s one more thing.”
After experiencing the earlier incident, one truth had become crystal clear.
Overwhelming martial power. To survive in this rotten world where hundreds of children were used as test subjects and killed, I needed the kind of absolute strength that could shatter even world-class enemies.
“Ask anything.”
“I’d like you to raise the intensity of my training.”
“...Are you certain?”
“Yeah. It might be too much for Han Yeoreum, but I can handle it.”
With the Sun Yang Physique’s immense regenerative ability, I was confident I could endure extreme training. Analysis of our progress so far made it almost certain.
A faint ripple of light surged toward my nape. Several of them. Though far gentler than Cheon Hayeon’s, blades carrying the Heavenly Demon Cult’s signature dark energy shot toward my vital points.
Unconcerned, I stepped forward and slammed my fist into each sword blade with perfect accuracy.
Thud—
A heavy wave of energy rippled through the air, knocking every incoming sword away.
Thud.
Once more I advanced, this time pouring my will into the movement.
The oppressive aura instantly suppressed every black-clad figure in the vicinity.
Finally, I stamped the ground hard and threw a punch.
The fist, rippling with the energy of the Blood Hands Demonic Art, stopped right in front of the nearest black-clad warrior.
KWAAAAANG—!
The tremendous force that transcended space swept through everything behind him.
“You’ve worked hard.”
I lowered my fist first.
“...The Young Sect Leader told me, but your talent is truly astonishing.”
The Martial Scar Demon Shadow who had been assisting my training let out an admiring sigh as he gazed at the overturned earth behind me. The massive flame storm I released had even melted the stones covering the training ground.
A full month had passed since the sewer incident. It had also taken ten thousand repetitions for me to comprehend intent and reach a level of proficiency.
Now I could handle three Martial Scar Demon Shadows without much difficulty. My basic stats, including raw strength, had risen dramatically. Compared to when I first possessed this body, the difference was like night and day.
“You’ve worked hard. We gained much from this as well.”
The Martial Scar Demon Shadows bowed silently toward me.
“Let’s meet again next time.”
I returned a light fist salute and turned away.
Tomorrow was finally the day we would depart for the uninhabited island evaluation.