Is the Recovery Potion Just Ordinary?
Sancheong City.
The precise name of this place, home to the Jirisan Monster Defense Legion headquarters, was 'Military Special District Sancheong.' The military handled the city's administration and public order, hence the special designation.
Most residents were either soldiers' families or folks making a living off them, so the population wasn't large.
Taeju had come alone to the Jirisan Monster Defense Legion headquarters in Sancheong.
To sell the pre-ordered spore poison antidote sets.
Baek Seoyeonn was swamped organizing the company, and Baek Hongpyo was busy running his drugstore.
Thud-thud-thud-thud!
The helicopter landed right on the parade ground, and Oh Jinhyeong, the major general who had come out to greet him ahead of time, watched as officers hurriedly carted off the crates containing the 1,000 antidote sets Taeju had brought.
"Welcome."
"Where are the buyers?"
"They're waiting for you at the Anti-Demon Morale Education Hall."
"Let's head there right away. I've got a lot on my plate too."
The moment he stepped into the morale education hall, people lit up and crowded around Taeju.
"You're Kim Taeju? I'm Kim Donggyu, commander of the Baekdu Mountain Outpost. I've heard a lot about you from Major General Oh."
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Colonel Hong Jeongin from the Primorsky Krai garrison."
"Do Kyungchan, Grade 2 civil servant from the New Seoul Defense Command."
"Lee Sanggil from the Manchuria Pioneer Supply Depot Management Division."
Business cards flew at him.
But Taeju had none to give.
"I haven't made any yet, so nothing to hand out."
"Make some later and send one over. Just remember my name—Kim Donggyu."
"Save my number at least."
"Call anytime; it's fine."
But there was always that one guy who couldn't read the room.
"Oh! You look just like Brigadier General Kim Ungbang. I'm Major Choi Dupil, your father's classmate from the military academy. Now I command the Liaodong Southern Defense Division..."
The room went dead silent.
Major Choi Dupil seemed to sense the shift too.
"Uh, did I say something wrong?"
"My father's struck me off the family registry. That's probably why."
"...Sorry about that."
"No worries."
And with that, the spore poison antidote sales went through.
Ten million won per set.
They'd been notified in advance.
This was pre-official release stock, so the price was set—no haggling.
Yet not a soul complained it was too much.
Some bought 100 sets, others 150 or even 200. Payments hit his account via instant transfer.
This'll add up nicely.
The Jirisan Monster Defense Legion, though...
Oh Jinhyeong whispered with pleading eyes.
A hint to cut him a deal, no doubt.
"Please, just this once—save us. Budget's short."
Lately, everyone seemed to be begging for their lives.
"...Take it for one million per set."
"Oh! Thank you!"
"These folks really have no patience, huh? It's only a few months' wait."
"Some are for their own use, but others? They'll slap a premium and flip 'em. Why else pay top dollar?"
"Where to? ...Civilians?"
"Spot on. Mostly there."
Spore poison camel goral habitats spanned the empire.
Anywhere with woods or mountains had them.
"Civilian awakener guilds are desperate for even one set."
"Why? Practice hunting?"
"Goral meat, probably. Requests must be pouring in. They call your company nonstop—no dice—so they come to me through connections."
Makes sense.
Baek Hongpyo had gotten flooded with favors too, he'd heard.
He'd shut them down flat or blocked numbers outright.
Food companies eyeing cultivated goral meat. Chefs for chaebols and fat cats craving it.
Ten million a set?
Chump change.
"One thing bothers me, though."
"What?"
"Before sealing this deal, I warned them: don't sell to pharma companies."
"Ah."
"But I doubt they'll listen."
Oh Jinhyeong must be fretting.
"Worried the pharmas will copy the antidote?"
"Exactly."
Taeju chuckled.
"Think that'll work out for them?"
"Hm? You look awfully confident."
"No idea on their tech level, but it'll take years at least."
"Kehahaha! Hearing that from you puts my mind at ease."
Oh Jinhyeong feigned worry before continuing.
"Anyway, what a relief. You have no idea how they've hounded me."
"Tell them no exceptions from now on. Wait for official release."
"...Don't be too harsh."
Time to go.
As Taeju turned, Oh Jinhyeong called out.
"Taeju."
"Yes?"
"You've seemed off since you got here. Something's... different about you."
"Is it?"
"Improving by leaps and bounds, they said. In just days?"
Oh Jinhyeong had sharp instincts, as always.
"You could handle Lee Jeonghak now. ...No, you've probably already crushed him."
How'd he guess?
Taeju played it cool.
"Still a long way off. I'm not even an awakener."
"Hahaha, I know all about it. And awakening? Who cares. Mana power doesn't come only through the system. Plenty of similar cases. What matters is real strength."
His gaze turned sly.
"Mind if I ask? Any thoughts on re-enlisting?"
...What?
This guy!
"No. Not in the slightest."
"Aaa! Don't say never. World's unpredictable."
"We'll see."
He had a point.
Future's not set.
But re-enlist?
No way.
Absurd.
Back in the day.
Like, 300 years ago.
When the Samhan Empire was still the Republic of Korea.
Young men's worst nightmare was dreaming of going to the army twice.
Discharged, yet starting the day in basic training.
Now it's all-volunteer, but twice? Crossing the line.
"Not asking for a decision now. Just think it over. Empire Army isn't all frontline grunts like us."
The Samhan Empire's Imperial Army had two branches.
Central forces with rigid hierarchy. And territorial forces tied to regions for defense.
Central offered better promotions, postings, pay.
Territorial had home turf advantage.
"Hahaha. No chance. Unless you pin a brigadier general tab on me right away and His Majesty revokes the decree, making Gurye Free City my fief."
"...Really? You want Gurye?"
"Nah. Just saying how impossible."
"You might not know, but Gurye Free City isn't eternal. His Majesty decides, it's gone anytime. He loves talent. Especially powerhouses like you."
"Th-that's not what I—"
"And for the guy who tamed Lee Jeonghak, one star's nothing."
Conversation veering weird.
Change topics.
"I'm happy making and selling meds. Oh, right! New product dropping soon."
"...New product?"
"Pharma company's gotta have more than a few drugs."
"What kind?"
Oh Jinhyeong's eyes sparkled with curiosity.
"Recovery potion. Taehong Recovery Potion. Restores mana and heals internal injuries like organ damage."
"Mana recovery plus... internal healing?"
"Just needs effect verification."
"W-wait, mana recovery's one thing, but internal injuries?"
"When mana pathways reverse flow, it helps."
That's what Yaosandan did originally.
Calms qi and blood, aids inner energy circulation. Basic stuff.
"Truly heals internal wounds, not external?"
"...No such potions before?"
"There were."
Surprising.
So many potions labeled 'recovery' out there.
"But market ones? Useless trash. Taehong's yours, right?"
"Yeah."
"Got any on you?"
"A few pills."
"Come with me."
"Effect verification's not done."
"Do it here!"
Oh Jinhyeong strode off briskly.
They arrived at the legion's field hospital.
"Anti-Demon!"
"Anti-Demon!"
"Anti-Demon!"
...
Oh Jinhyeong's sudden appearance had doctors, medics, even patients snapping to salute.
"Rest easy, patients. Doctor!"
"Yes, sir?"
"Any severely injured awakener officers?"
"Yes! A lieutenant hit by a pincer attack during orc extermination. Blunt trauma shocked his mana pathways; he's recovering."
Mana pathway damage.
External impact causes mana reflux, injuring blood vessels.
Body barely moves.
Like a temporary mana rejector.
"Rank?"
"Beginner."
"Lead the way!"
The doctor guided Taeju and Oh Jinhyeong to the intensive care room.
The awakener officer struggled to rise at the legion commander's sight.
"L-Le— Anti-Demon..."
Too hurt to even lift his head.
"Lie back."
"S-sorry."
"You fought bravely and got hurt. No apologies."
Oh Jinhyeong nodded at Taeju.
Taeju pulled a black pill from his coat pocket and handed it over.
"...Rabbit droppings?"
"Taehong Recovery Potion."
"Uh, they look just like."
"I get it. Chew and swallow."
The doctor stepped in, skeptical.
"Hold on."
Superior or not, he was the doc.
Had to speak up.
"You're feeding him this? Unverified drug on a patient—unknown side effects."
"I'll take responsibility. Still no?"
"...Understood."
Oh Jinhyeong popped the pill into the officer's mouth.
"Heard him? Chew and swallow."
Who'd defy that?
Legion commander's order—even rabbit shit goes down.
Crunch crunch.
Dramatic change right away? Nah.
Takes time for effects.
"Report progress by tomorrow."
"Hm? Leaving?"
"Back to Gurye."
"Got it. Rabbit shit results by phone—"
Then.
"Ah!"
The patient gasped sharply.
"Mana's flowing..."
He slowly lifted his head from the pillow.
"Huh?"
Suddenly!
Up!
Even sat upright.
"Mana's moving. ...Oh! Energy surging!"
Everyone in the room gaped.
A guy who couldn't nod minutes ago, now jumping like a fake patient at a cult revival?
The doctor asked in a shaky voice.
"Mana pathways damaged. Flowing now... no pain?"
"None!"
"Heart?"
"Fine."
"H-how?"
He even got off the bed, stretching limbs freely.
"Ready for discharge? Can I go home now?"
"N-no, scans first."
Even Oh Jinhyeong's voice trembled.
"...Doctor, others?"
"This way."
Three patients total dosed with Taehong Recovery Potion.
Minutes later, all rose like nothing happened.
Oh Jinhyeong nodded, grinning.
"Knew it. Who made it?"
Truth be told, Taeju was shocked too.
Slashed the potency hard, and still...
This dramatic.
Giant moon bear gallbladder's dose was microscopic.
Barely a trace.
Sure, mana sanji guyeopcho and mutant ma-huang helped.
The doctor, buzzing with excitement:
"When's this going on sale? I'll buy it all."
Taeju replied.
"Few months? Limited stock. Military supply? Maybe."
Oh Jinhyeong's face hardened.
"Hey! Between us, no need for that."
As field commander, he was thrilled.
Efficacy great, but recovery speed key.
In battle, injured pull back—pop this, right back in.
Strategic asset.
Instant force replenishment.
How could a commander not covet it?
"You serious?"
"Hahaha, don't worry, Major General. Won't forget the favor when times were tough. Jirisan Monster Defense Legion gets supply, even if I pull all-nighters."
"Good! Perfect! Don't forget—we're blood brothers."
Then, masking excitement slyly:
"Re-enlist for real?"
"..."
"Want it? I'll head to New Seoul Palace, petition His Majesty. Just decide."
"No thanks. Where would I go? Production snag? Not my problem."
"Ugh, fine."
Still no re-enlistment.
Time to bolt to Gurye.
Linger here, he'll grab my ankle.