Preparations for Mass Production of the Mana Rejection Cure
Americana Republic and Samhan Empire were longtime allies.
So the news that the Republic had been excluded from the third clinical trial of the mana rejection syndrome treatment hit the Republic's citizens like a bombshell.
The Americana ambassador to Samhan entered the imperial palace and requested a meeting with the Foreign Minister but was denied even an audience.
Their positions had completely reversed from before.
Reporters followed up with more coverage.
Inquiries flooded the imperial palace's PR office.
In the end, another press conference was held.
Foreign correspondents packed the imperial palace press hall.
They started with questions about the treatment's safety.
"Are there no side effects from the treatment?"
"There are, and there aren't."
"Please explain in detail."
"The treatment contains large amounts of substances we consider poisons."
"Poisons? What kind of ingredients?"
"Mainly poisons that nullify mana. So they could be toxic to adapters and awakeners. But harmless to mana rejectors. It'll be administered via injection only to mana rejectors, in coordination with hospitals."
Simple enough.
Poison to awakeners and adapters, medicine to mana rejectors.
A reporter from the Americana Republic raised his hand.
"Why was the Americana Republic excluded from the third clinical trial? Please state the exact reason."
The imperial palace PR spokesperson replied,
"The treatment isn't fully developed yet. To ensure perfection, illegal copying must be absolutely prevented."
The Americana reporter shot back sharply,
"Are you saying we're going to illegally copy the treatment?"
"You have a track record. You might sneak it out under the pretext of participating in the third trial and attempt to copy it."
"What?"
"Take the fatigue recovery drink, for example. A shoddy copy inferior to the original, yet sold at a higher price?"
"...Th-that."
"And as I mentioned earlier, the main ingredient is poison. If someone blindly copies it and releases a botched version, people's lives could be at risk."
The reporter who asked clamped his mouth shut like a mute stung by honey at the spokesperson's firm words.
Another reporter raised a hand.
"Then, once the complete treatment is ready, will it be officially released to the Americana Republic as well?"
"Well, development isn't complete yet."
"I mean, once it is."
"Export country selection isn't my authority. There'll be a separate announcement later. That concludes the press conference."
"W-wait! There are tens of millions of mana rejectors in the Americana Republic too..."
The press conference ended.
Now it was time for the stories to break.
Americana Republic's newspapers and media outlets flooded with coverage on the mana rejection syndrome treatment.
Americana citizens' reactions were,
Outcries erupted simultaneously.
President Billy Pitman was holding an emergency White House staff meeting.
Intelligence agents had already confirmed it ahead of time.
The treatment was real.
As good as complete.
The third trial was just to perfect it and reduce dosing frequency.
Public opinion flipped in an instant.
The media turned against them too.
His approval ratings were plummeting.
Protesters' chants echoed from outside even now.
"Distributed via injection?"
"Yes, in strict coordination with hospitals for administration."
"Then smuggling imports will be tough."
"Possible to try, but supply shortages likely from the start... We must be included in export countries."
"Sigh."
Billy Pitman let out a deep sigh of regret.
If he'd known, he'd have resolved the copycat issue immediately.
The mood was grave now.
Even same-party congressmen were attacking him.
But politics was minor compared to this.
Lives were at stake.
Billy Pitman knew the gravity well.
What if the mana rejection treatment wasn't supplied?
His daughter Rachel—
He could save her.
Get the treatment by any means.
But the other citizens?
Americana president ignoring citizens to save only his daughter?
Re-election over.
Political retirement—no, social death, career ended.
For his daughter, and for Americana Republic citizens, he had to secure the treatment.
So he tried direct contact with Taehong Bio.
But got only "inquire with the imperial government."
No choice.
Billy Pitman steeled himself and called the Samhan Emperor via hotline.
What if it didn't connect?
Ring, ring, ring...
But fortunately,
Click.
He answered.
"Billy Pitman here."
- Hm? Why the call?
Billy decided to humble himself.
"All my fault. Please forgive generously."
- What're you on about?
"Ignoring the legitimate demand to resolve the illegal copycats. I sincerely apologize."
Practically a surrender.
- Ha! Why apologize to me? I'm not the party involved—the one deserving it is someone else.
"Please convey to Chairman Kim Taeju instead. We'll accept any demands. Please supply the treatment to Americana Republic—we'll never forget the grace."
- Not hard. Lives at stake... but show some sincerity too.
"Sincerity?"
- Hybaek, Fred Miller—just gonna leave them be?
"Of course not. We'll handle strictly per Republic law."
- Then do it. We'll be watching.
"Yes, you'll like it."
The Emperor's words: decision based on punishment severity.
He didn't plan to drag it out anyway.
Exports to Americana were inevitable.
- Oh! Need subspatial items. Got spares? Will pay properly.
"Preparing and sending right away."
Now the ball was in President Billy Pitman's court.
Hybaek CEO Fred Miller was frantic over the bolt from the blue.
The mana rejection treatment was real?
Americana excluded from third trial.
Blame squarely on Hybaek.
Public opinion fully turned.
"Damn it!"
Stock plunged the moment treatment success leaked.
Shareholders demanded accountability.
"Those bastards!"
After fatigue recovery drink launch, stocks soared endlessly—they loved it then.
Fred decided to lay low.
No public appearances till the storm passed.
Mana rejection treatment?
Just copy it.
What's so hard?
He resolved to do it.
Success would make him Americana's hero.
But Fred's thoughts were delusion.
"What the f***!!!"
Better flee for now.
As he hurried out—
Bang!
Black-suited men kicked open the office door.
"Fred Miller?"
"Wh-who?"
"RBI investigation team. Arresting you on charges of illegal copying and tax evasion."
Too late.
"...Can I call a lawyer?"
"As many as you want—your right. But got money left to pay one?"
"What?"
"Don't you know? All bank accounts, properties seized as of today."
"The f..."
"You're done. But don't worry about meals. Prison feeds you for life."
"..."
Despair filled Fred's eyes.
Any chance of comeback?
Probably not.
Samhan Empire.
All broadcasts and media fixated on the mana rejection syndrome treatment.
Economic impacts upon release, patient interviews benefiting, how to join third trial subjects.
Severe mana rejectors and families from across the Empire flocked to Gurye.
Begging to join the trial.
Some pitched tents in sit-ins right at Taehong Bio HQ.
Security forced Jirisan defense units to deploy, guarding Taehong Bio staff.
Baek Seoyeonn stepped out to de-escalate.
"All procedures and authority for the third trial delegated to the imperial government. Promised fair selection—please trust and wait."
"I understand your feelings, but please stay strong and wait. This only disrupts production."
Fortunately resolved well.
Imperial government responded too.
True severe cases—patients on life support, unable to guarantee tomorrow—included specially as trial subjects.
Even overseas severe mana rejectors arriving by air.
Taeju, at New Seoul factory lab with researchers, pushed treatment production for the trial.
Mass production would take time.
Secure ingredients, equip facilities, train factory staff—
Finish third trial in that window.
Third trial at New Seoul major hospital.
Monitor patient status during injection dosing.
Doctors, nurses, medical staff involved too.
Taeju called researchers and veteran workers dispatched from Gurye.
They'd be key production staff later.
"Wh-what flower is this?"
"Key ingredient for mana rejection treatment. Can't make without it."
"Ah... The floral scent is amazing. Just smelling it fills me with energy."
"Handle carefully. No wasting even one petal."
"Of course."
First, methods to extract Celestial Realm flower without waste.
After trial and error, smooth extraction from gold purification and yin-yang flowers.
Mixed extracted ingredients and poisons into optimized recipes.
Maximize efficacy.
Thus, 10 sample treatments from different combos.
No ingredient worries.
Bzzz.
Deliveries every 3-4 days.
Taeju opened the shared warehouse.
"Hahaha."
Just looking was satisfying.
Shared warehouse stuffed with flower buds.
And in subspatial bags, gourds too.
Passed two subspatial items to Dang Gunak.
Needed lots coming from there.
'Wish I had more subspatial items.'
Emperor requested—response soon.
Hurry transfers, empty gourd and bag, refill and ship fast.
Now check smartphone.
Taeju played recent video from Dang Gunak.
Taeju startled.
Suddenly?
Kids in the Celestial Realm?
Geomseon made a special appearance too.
Next video explained the kids.
Dang Gunak appeared personally.
"Ah!"
Cheonin—celestials.
Angels from a modern view.
Taeju's eyes suddenly welled up.
Even celestials stepping up for Earth's mana rejectors.
Dang Gunak continued,
Of course.
Make if none.
Prep top-grade heaps.
Preparations for Mass Production of the Mana Rejection Cure End