Company Establishment
The Samhan Empire's territory made the central and southern Korean Peninsula little more than a backwater frontier.
The Geumsan Defense Legion, commanded by Major General Oh Jinhyeong, was limited to maintaining the status quo—holding back waves and controlling the beasts.
Legion commander of the defense forces.
It was a position that offered no glory.
Do well, and you broke even. Fail, and you shouldered all the blame.
In contrast, commanders of combat legions pioneering Siberia or advancing into Central Asia shone brightly with even modest achievements. Among commanders, there were clear winners and losers.
The mosquito poison antidote enabled proactive extermination operations beyond mere containment.
And a spore poison camel goral antidote to boot?
Do this right, and he could be promoted to command a northern or western imperial legion, paving the way to headquarters or the Joint Chiefs.
Jirisan, once seen as a place of exile, had transformed into a land of opportunity.
Major General Oh Jinhyeong finished his call with Baek Hongpyo of Baek's Drugstore.
"Heh heh, as they say, no one knows how the world turns."
Spore poison camel goral hunting.
Reducing wave damage was great, but the bonus—goral meat.
He'd never even tasted it himself.
Too expensive and rare.
"Once the antidote's secured, send them out goral hunting first."
When assigned to Jirisan, he'd thought it was the end of his military career.
Still, he'd planned to uphold his honor, complete his duties to the end, and retire.
Now everything had changed.
"He said he'd contact us when ready, so go pick up the stock yourself. Seal the spore poison antidote deal too, and steer them toward exclusive dealings through our Geumsan Defense Legion."
"Understood."
Oh Jinhyeong smiled in satisfaction.
Then,
"By the way. Why the sudden change of heart? They said no sales due to insufficient stock at first."
"Rumors of side effects blocking distribution channels."
"Side effects? There were some?"
"From what I gathered, it's a sudden rumor with no actual cases. Probably conflict with other pharmacies in Gurye..."
"Aha!"
He could guess what happened.
No need to see it.
That conflict was a stroke of immense luck for Oh Jinhyeong.
Snatching opportunity from nonexistent side effects.
"Look into the conflict separately."
"Yes, sir!"
"And..."
Oh Jinhyeong eyed his adjutant with a sly glint.
"You know a reporter at the New Seoul Central Daily, right?"
"My hometown friend from the same neighborhood is an editor there."
"Good. Mind asking a favor?"
"Just give the order."
"Can you plant a story in the Central Daily about this mosquito poison antidote contract and the potential for spore poison camel goral hunts? Package it nicely."
"I'll set it up right away. They'll love the scoop."
"I'm counting on you."
The Geumsan Defense Legion's strategy now had a real game-changer.
In that sense, the variant three-striped mosquito poison antidote was practically a strategic asset.
One million vials.
They'd burn through that fast.
Daily reconnaissance, search, and ops personnel in Sancheong, Namwon, Hampyeong numbered only a few hundred—not many.
But with large-scale extermination ops?
They'd need more stock, more budget.
Prove results, rack up achievements, and imperial support would follow.
'Speaking of, Paju...'
A father-son bond already shattered.
His side was clear.
Best not even pretend friendliness with Brigadier General Kim Ungbang.
Baek Hongpyo came running, panting despite being over fifty—what had him so excited?
"Huff huff, we... we got the military supply contract."
"Great! They taking finished product?"
"Concentrate is fine. They wired 25 billion as a down payment."
"Perfect. I was wondering when I'd dilute and bottle it— just toss in a couple barrels of concentrate as a bonus."
They must've been desperate.
Paying upfront before delivery.
Military had to take it.
Spore poison antidote on the line too.
"You caught a breather thanks to this."
"Paid off the loans?"
"Handled immediately."
"Cut ties with that bank now."
"This one? Bastards. Canceled my main account too."
Capital secured to hold out.
"Keep an eye on the orphanage. They might resort to force."
"That's why I called in our orphanage grads—mana's compatibles and an awakener—for your protection, Taeju."
"Me? Guarding me?"
"You're the most at risk right now."
"Hahaha, no worries. Protect the orphanage, not me."
"Still..."
Who was protecting whom?
"Perfect timing anyway. Was gonna test the spore poison antidote and hunt in the jungle."
"Hunt?!"
"Yeah, hunt. You all come along—grads, compatibles, awakener."
"Uh, one awakener and six compatibles. Not many. Others are out working elsewhere—takes time to call them."
"That's plenty."
Baek Hongpyo couldn't fathom it.
Taeju clearly wasn't an awakener.
No facial tattoo.
At best a compatible—where'd this confidence come from?
Ex-military, sure, but banking on that?
"Still doubting me, huh? Shouldn't trust be built by now?"
"N-no! I trust you. Who else would I trust if not you, Taeju?"
"Anyway, tell them raid tomorrow morning."
"...Got it."
Baek Hongpyo stared, words left unsaid.
"...Speak if you have business. Advice welcome."
Baek Hongpyo paused, then continued.
"Any plans beyond the spore poison antidote?"
"Yeah, plenty in mind."
Sichuan Dang Clan, pinnacle of Murim medicine houses.
Taeju held Clan Head Dang Gunak's full knowledge and experience.
Antidotes? Child's play.
Elixirs too.
Energy crystals from beasts.
Inner cores, spirit pills in essence!
Replicate Shaolin's Great Return Pill, Huashan's Purple Spirit Pill, Wudang's Supreme Pure Pill—not identical, but close enough.
"Ever thought of starting a bio-pharma company?"
"...Hmm."
Unexpected pitch.
"Designated military supplier gets perks: tax breaks, military protection."
Pharma company.
He'd considered it.
"Think we can pull it off?"
"Setup's simple. Growth potential huge."
"..."
"Just say yes. I'll handle everything."
Taeju felt resolve stir.
Couldn't brew and sell solo forever.
Needed a base, a faction.
Pharma company could be it.
Absolute Poison Demon Dang Gunak hadn't stood alone.
He'd conquered Murim with Sichuan Dang Clan and allies.
Taeju decided.
"Company it is. But partners—split shares."
"Hahaha, bound for success—I gotta invest. All-in on you anyway... 90-10? You 90."
"No. Dive deep—60-40. Non-negotiable."
"Not about shares—I'll bury my bones there. Fine, 80-20."
"You run ops. 70-30. No deal otherwise."
"...Sigh, accepted."
Taeju extended a hand.
Baek Hongpyo gripped it tight.
"But I won't run it."
"What?"
"I'm just a drugstore owner. Got a capable one lined up..."
"Orphanage grad?"
"Yes. Okay with that?"
Twenty years raising orphans, launching them into society.
Baek Hongpyo's kids in every trade—that was his true power.
"Talent welcome. Can't do it alone—we're betting on them."
"Calling her now."
Thought one million vials sold freed him up?
Now it felt laughably short.
Pharma ain't a corner shop.
Money! Needed more.
Baek Hongpyo moved fast.
Rushed to the authorities, filed incorporation.
30 billion capital, Taehong Bio.
Taeju's "Tae" plus Baek Hongpyo's "Hong."
Approval came; he inked formal military supply contract with Geumsan Defense Legion's Oh Jinhyeong.
Simultaneously, New Seoul Daily ran a feature.
Geumsan Defense Legion Inks Mosquito Poison Antidote Supply Deal with Taehong Bio.
Mass Extermination Ops Expected to Curb Jirisan Beast Waves.
And that's not all—Taehong Bio Preps Spore Poison Camel Goral Antidote Launch.
Supreme Taste! Camel Goral Hunts Now Possible?
Antidote Top Firms Failed At—Experts Called Impossible.
Major Food Cos Flooding with Inquiries; Gourmets Thrilled, Price No Object for Goral Meat.
Samhan Imperial Household Interested; Chefs to Visit Jirisan Soon.
Word spread to Gurye City fast.
Awakeners and mana compatibles fumed.
And then the spore poison camel goral antidote news hit.
YJ Drugstore boss Jo Hoonseok, blame target, holed up in the castle.
Venturing downtown risked trouble.
'Damn it all!'
Things veered off-script.
Thought cutting funds forced negotiation.
'Coming on strong. Filthy beggars.'
Sudden military contract.
Tied to military? Untouchable.
Even Standing Committee member Ji Gwangin called.
Military involved—no choice, apologize and end it.
Feasted fine before—now bailing? Crooked official bastard!
Could end here.
But pride forbade.
Nothing gained.
And that new spore poison antidote.
Monopolize it post-success? Gurye pharmacy biz over.
'Time to hurry.'
Phase three.
Similar before.
To claim prime spot pharmacy, cut supplies like Baek's—owner resisted.
Sent Gurye back-alley villain awakener.
Villain crew long-time drug trading partners.
Kidnapped, locked, dosed the owner.
Irreversible super-drug—owner became slave.
Once hooked, forgot all, craved only drugs.
Did anything for it.
Sell family. Sell soul.
This time same.
Kim Taeju—turn him junkie, extract mosquito formula.
Spore poison camel goral too, naturally.
Slave forever, milk endlessly.
Drugs a kind of poison.
Antidote maker?
Detox this then.
Meanwhile, Taeju gathered orphanage grad awakener and compatibles Baek Hongpyo connected.
Familiar faces from orphanage feast, shared pork soup.
Each with massive backpack.
"Ready?"
"Yes, President Kim Taeju!"
"Just call me bro."
Taeju handed each a vial.
"One mosquito poison antidote each—down it."
Gulp, glug.
After all drank,
"Follow behind me. No beast attacks without my say."
"B-but..."
"What?"
"Dad said guard you no matter what."
"Hahaha, who guards who? Just keep up slow and steady."
Raid goal: test spore poison camel goral antidote, stockpile max goral meat.
Antidote perfect.
Even if not—irrelevant.
Worst case, they get poisoned?
Detox 'em himself.
With Hunwon Musang Dokryeong Gong.
Company Establishment - End
© Kkucchi Kkuchi