A Request
The incident in the Jirisan dense forest was quietly buried.
The five missing mana compatibles and awakeners weren't locals who'd been active in Gurye for long—if they had been, it might've been different. But they were outsiders, drifters. No one came forward to report them missing, and no one cared.
The only witness was a fellow porter who'd been handed the monster byproducts and energy crystals, and he'd sworn never to breathe a word to anyone.
Taeju met with Baek Hongpyo at Baek's Drugstore.
"I've bought a small building a bit away from the orphanage, along with the surrounding land."
"It has a fully equipped underground shelter, right?"
"Yes, that's why it cost a bit more. Land and building together came to about 10 billion. It's five stories above ground, but six including the basement."
Real estate in Gurye City wasn't all that expensive.
Of course, space inside the castle walls was another story.
"What about the interior?"
"We're starting with the underground shelter. That's the most important part."
"Thanks. I appreciate you handling even this for me."
"Hahaha! No problem at all! Use me however you need."
The shelter wasn't for cowering from monster waves.
It was for the antidote production facility and weapons storage.
The underground level had solid security features, perfect for undisturbed research and storing valuables.
Until now, they'd been using the orphanage's basement shelter on a temporary basis.
But handling poisons there made him uneasy, and during a wave, the kids would need it anyway.
Besides, he couldn't live in a hotel forever.
He planned to make the top fifth floor his home.
"How's the supply of herbs and toxic plants going?"
"After I posted the notice at the drugstore, materials started coming in steadily the very next day."
"Move them all to the new workshop. I'll cover all the costs."
Making the antidote wasn't hard.
He could produce enough stock solution for 100,000 bottles in an hour.
The issue was the raw materials.
Gathering the necessary herbs and toxic plants took forever.
So he'd come up with a solution.
Buy up all herbs and toxic plants at good prices.
Plus, give gatherers first dibs on mosquito poison antidotes.
Any kind from anywhere in Jirisan would do.
"Just in case they can't tell them apart, I made simple pamphlets with photos of toxic and medicinal plants and handed them out."
There were about 200 raid teams leaving Gurye City daily.
Would they all gather herbs?
Gathering was easy.
Just wear gloves and a mask, stuff them in a sack.
The porters especially were thrilled.
A nice side income from downtime, selling to Baek's Drugstore.
Less money was coming in per batch than before.
But the time saved on gathering made it far more efficient.
After wrapping up with Director Baek, Taeju headed to the new building.
His first real estate purchase in his own name.
Five stories above ground, one below.
The basement for storing pricey materials and weapons.
And as a lab for poisons and medicines.
Suddenly, engines rumbled as several trucks pulled up in front.
"Hello, boss."
"Who are you?"
"Director Baek—er, your father—sent us. We're here for the interior work. We've been at it since the day before yesterday."
"Ah! Come on in."
They were the construction crew.
All orphanage grads Baek Hongpyo had taken in, now adults making their way in the world.
With his generous support, naturally.
"Can we start? If it's inconvenient, we can come back later..."
"No, I have places to be anyway. Thanks for handling it."
"Yes, sir! We'll work fast."
"Haha, take your time. No rush."
They were all in their early twenties, faces bright and eager.
He'd pay top dollar for the work, and throw in a generous bonus besides.
Taeju went to the Gurye market.
Today was the day to pick up his ordered gear.
He paid the balance at the leather workshop district and collected the fantasy fox leather coat and full kit.
Then grabbed various hidden weapons from the metal workshop, stuffing them into a large backpack.
Back at the hotel, Taeju tried on the fantasy fox leather coat first.
It hung to his knees, a long coat.
In this sweltering subtropical heat? But it was too conspicuous to skip.
'Not bad.'
It looked like an ordinary leather coat at a glance.
Originally white, but he'd had it dyed gray to avoid standing out.
The Absolute Poison Demon Dang Gunak had favored long robes too.
For all the hiding spots.
Taeju was the same.
The coat was lined with pockets of all sizes, plus pants, vest, and sturdy leather boots reinforced with metal.
All designed for storage.
Time to load up the hidden weapons?
Flying Waterfall Flash and iron balls in the inner pockets, curved needles in the vest, the larger escaping flying blades around his waist belt, wrist guards, ankle spots, and spare pockets filled with small leaf blades.
"Whoa, heavy as hell."
The weight was one thing, but it hampered movement.
'Gotta get used to it.'
These weapons were symbols of his identity.
The arsenal of the Absolute Poison Demon, reliable in any situation.
No need to poison them separately.
His Hunwon Musang Dokryeong Gong.
He could infuse poison at will—or not.
Shh!
A flick of the wrist, and a leaf blade was in hand.
Slide...
Back in.
Drawing and sheathing.
He knew the techniques, but mastery came with the body.
'Now I can venture deep into the forest.'
The toxic plants near Jirisan's edge were weak sauce. Deeper in, stronger poisons lurked.
And not just plant toxins—animal ones like insect venom too.
The more varied the poisons absorbed, the higher his poison essence advanced.
'Time for other meds too.'
Might as well start that pharmaceutical company.
Rake in the cash, dominate the Samhan Empire's—no, the world's—drug market.
'What to make first?'
All of Dang Gunak's knowledge was in his head.
Poisons, antidotes, curatives. Even elixirs.
Right then!
Ring ring!
The hotel phone rang.
'Huh? A call?'
Taeju picked up.
"Hello."
- Good day, sir.
Front desk.
"Yes, what is it?"
- Someone wants to meet you. Jo Hoonseok, CEO of YJ Drugstore. He says coffee in the lobby shop?
"How'd he know I'm here?"
- Well, I don't really...
Hotel leak?
Mood soured.
Time to switch hotels.
Anyway, YJ Drugstore—Gurye's biggest chain.
Why would CEO Jo Hoonseok want to meet? Obvious.
'The antidote.'
Made sense.
Baek's exclusive sales were hurting them bad.
'Might as well hear him out.'
Taeju went down to the lobby and met Jo Hoonseok.
"First time meeting. Jo Hoonseok, CEO of YJ Drugstore."
"Kim Taeju."
Quick greetings, then straight to it.
"No beating around the bush. One favor. Supply mosquito poison antidote to our stores too."
As expected.
Answer ready.
"Can't right now. You know we're short even for Baek's."
"Then cut your deal with Baek's."
What a clown.
Barging in demanding to break contracts?
"Is this a favor? Or a threat?"
"A favor for now."
Implying threats later.
"Pass."
"If it's penalties, I'll cover them. I'll pay double—no, triple Baek's rate."
"Sorry. I don't like breaking trust."
"Sell the formula then. 50 billion."
Thug.
50 billion?
"Would you sell, Mr. Jo?"
"..."
"Guess I'll head out."
Jo Hoonseok glared coldly.
"Act like this, and you won't last in Gurye."
This punk.
"Don't worry. I'll manage."
"Fine. We'll see."
Taeju left the hotel.
'Just like the rumors.'
He'd heard plenty working as a porter.
Big pharmacies colluding to crush newcomers, steal shops, jack up popular drug prices.
He'd expected pushback.
Not the form, but...
'I'll find out soon.'
Jo Hoonseok eyed Taeju's back coldly, phone in hand.
"Tougher than expected. ...Yeah. He refused. Start the op."
Phase one.
Start light.
Paju Territory.
A rectangular fortress at the center.
Handled administration, housed the lord's family.
Honda Mitsui was in a foul mood lately.
Couldn't off that thorn, her stepson Kim Taeju.
He'd sniffed it out and discharged early.
Why was he so tenacious?
'Mana rejector with a death sentence, yet he clings to life, unnerving everyone...'
Assassination attempts failed too.
Idiots.
Couldn't kill a rejector weaker than a normie.
At least no loose ends—all involved dead.
But gains too.
Just yesterday.
Her husband officially stripped Kim Taeju of succession rights.
Declared the eldest disowned, erased from the registry using lord's authority.
Now one of her sons, Kim Taepyeong or Kim Taecheon, would inherit.
Just develop Paju, grow population, make it a rich territory.
Paju was pioneer land.
Former DMZ border.
Monster hotspot.
Cleared land accrues to Paju.
But needed troops.
Cost of a compatible/awakener unit? Astronomical.
And no revenue industries.
Hunt monsters for byproducts, attract corps investment, factories, industry—for taxes.
Until now, propped by Kyushu aid.
But limits.
If General Kim Ungbang promoted to field command, maybe.
Absent lords get massive imperial support.
Truth was, Kyushu—her homeland, Samhan colony—propped Paju for her sake.
Shaky there.
Monsters? No.
Rising seas.
Could flood anytime.
So she planned to relocate family, forces, wealth to Paju.
But Taeju inheriting blocked that.
Succession sorted. Time to develop.
Just secure funds.
'Beg Dad again?'
But they lacked too.
More than Paju, but still.
Right then!
"Ma'am!"
Domain manager burst in.
"What?"
"Empire Army Southern Jirisan Defense Legion Commander Oh Jinhyeong requests a call with the lord."
"What? Major General Oh?"
Oh Jinhyeong commanded a big faction in the military.
Intriguing.
What for?
"Where's my husband?"
"Waiting in his office."
Honda Mitsui rushed over.
"Honey!"
"Come in."
"Why's Major General Oh calling?"
"No idea. Speakerphone—listen together."
Moments later.
Ring ring!
"Hello."
- Major General Kim Ungbang? Oh Jinhyeong here.
"Demon slayer! Lieutenant General Kim Ungbang reporting."
- Haha, long time. About your son.
"My... son?"
- Yeah, must be proud. Fine sons.
Fine sons—the cadets? Taepyeong? Taecheon?
- Shameless, but a favor.
"...A favor?"
- Mosquito poison antidote. Vital for Jirisan Defense, as you know. But short supply. Talk to Taeju...
Mosquito antidote? Taeju?
'Out of nowhere...'
Misheard?
Not Taepyeong or Taecheon?
- Nail this deal, I'll push your promotion at HQ. Time to lead field units, no?
"W-wait. My discharged eldest, Taeju? And mosquito antidote?"
- Huh? ...You didn't know.
"No. Details, please."
- Heh, your son's the developer of the mutant three-stripe mosquito antidote?
"Ah..."
- Raking in Gurye cash? Place is in uproar?
"..."
General Kim Ungbang was dumbfounded.
Honda Mitsui listening beside him too.
Why was Kim Taeju's name here?