Vitality Surge
Everyone was dead.
Kim Taeju was the only one left unscathed.
He felt no guilt whatsoever.
He'd simply killed those who needed killing.
If Lee Dongwoo hadn't dragged Baek Seoyeonn, Baek Hongpyo, and the orphanage into it, they might have lived.
Just like with those two assemblymen in Gurye, he would have stopped at poisoning them—that had been the original plan.
Poison them enough to control them, take what he needed, and keep them alive.
Then, if they showed any sign of true repentance later, he'd have fully cured them.
But instinct told him he couldn't let them live.
Before long, attacks would come for those around him.
Best to nip it in the bud now.
Lee Doochang and Jeon Kyungchul were no different.
Powerful men who hunted monsters? No, they'd become lackeys for chaebols, committing vile acts.
They deserved to die a hundred times over.
'Alright, now what?'
Cleanup had to be thorough.
First, he gathered their smartphones, wallets—anything identifying—and ground them to powder or shredded them, storing the bits in his infinite storage space.
'Time to handle the bodies.'
Not a single drop of blood stained the floor.
Remove the corpses, and no one would know what happened here.
His infinite storage space normally took items up to 1 meter in length, width, and thickness.
Length was the issue with bodies.
But there was a fix.
Fold them like a collapsible bike.
Before rigor mortis set in, bend at the waist quick.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.
Taeju reached out over each corpse, sliding them into the storage space's designated zone.
Later, he'd dump them deep in Jirisan's dense forest on the way back to Gurye.
Taeju stepped outside and strolled slowly through New Seoul's streets.
After wandering a while, he hailed a taxi, returned to his hotel, and strode boldly through the front entrance.
Eventually, when enough time passed and Lee Dongwoo's disappearance was noticed, an investigation would start.
He might even end up on the suspect list.
After all, there'd be records of his call with Jeon Kyungchul.
'So what?'
No bodies, no blood, no evidence...
Perfect crime, in a word.
'Go crash, prep for the branch visit tomorrow.'
※ ※ ※
New Seoul Sinjongno, Taehong Bio branch headquarters.
A 20-story building, but Taehong Bio occupied only the top three floors.
In reality, they used just one.
About 20 employees on staff—plenty of space left over.
From morning, they buzzed around cleaning.
The chairman was visiting from Gurye HQ.
Among them, those Baek Seoyeonn had personally recruited.
Choi Dongil, former Mirinae Electronics executive director and current Taehong Bio New Seoul branch manager; Gu Sangcheon, deputy branch manager; Ma Seokwoo, sales manager; Song Suhee, marketing team leader.
Exhausted Choi Dongil, the branch manager barely hanging on these days, told the staff,
"The chairman's arriving soon. Wrap up and take a seat, everyone."
"Shouldn't we go out to greet him?"
Choi Dongil replied to Gu Sangcheon's question,
"Nah, he said just stay comfy."
"Ah, got it."
The real boss was finally coming.
The one signing their paychecks.
Sales manager Ma Seokwoo whispered to team leader Song Suhee,
"Think our company'll make it?"
"Trust CEO Baek. You left everything for her too, Manager Ma."
"CEO Baek's plenty capable, sure, but the chairman... I'm iffy."
"Why?"
"He won't produce or sell the spore poison antidote or recovery potions here."
"Ah..."
"Dunno what drugs we'll peddle, but can we even get started right?"
Honestly, Song Suhee felt the same.
Those two were proven hits.
Patents would be a breeze, quick Food and Drug Admin approval.
Why skip guaranteed successes for new drugs?
Would they even work?
New Seoul's pharma market was cutthroat.
Dozens of drugs launched and vanished daily.
A few conglomerates carved up the empire's turf.
Mirinae Pharma on elixirs and mana restoratives; Balhae Bio on treatments; Fuji Pharma on health supps...
Taehong Bio's stars—mosquito poison antidote, spore poison antidote, Taehong recovery potions—would crush it here.
But sell them only in Gurye?
Chairman said so; different lineup for New Seoul.
Staff didn't even know what they'd produce.
Just that patents approved, production starts immediately.
Mountains to climb ahead.
Patent's just step one.
Food and Drug Admin next.
Then—
Footsteps entering the office.
A strikingly young man led, Baek Seoyeonn beside him, followed by men and women in black suits.
Staff whispered.
Those looks were unreal.
'What? Those statues?'
'Whoa, faces on another level.'
'All awakeners.'
'For real. Tattoos look sick, match their faces perfect.'
Big corps scooped up awakeners left and right these days.
They were essential.
Money couldn't solve everything.
Law's distant; fists are close.
'That guy up front Kim Taeju, the chairman?'
'Young.'
'Right? Hot too.'
'Hmm, if he looked a bit older...'
'Shh! Quiet. He'll hear.'
Branch manager Choi Dongil rushed to greet Taeju's group.
"Welcome, Chairman. First time meeting."
Baek Seoyeonn introduced,
"Chairman, this is branch manager Choi Dongil."
"Ah! Heard so much. You look beat."
"Hahaha, no sir. Loving the work."
"Take it easy."
Taeju pitied Choi Dongil on sight.
Dark circles about to hit his chin.
Greeted deputy Gu Sangcheon too.
"Like to say hi to the staff too..."
"We'll head to the conference room. Do it all at once."
As Taeju entered the conference room, office staff followed.
Everyone seated.
"Hello. Kim Taeju here... Meeting you all like this puts my mind at ease."
Words stuck.
Tough for Taeju.
Speeches to crowds? Nah.
Smashing monsters or mines? Easy.
Just 20 staff, but their stares weighed on him.
Still, he powered through.
"Let's all grab a cool drink first."
Taeju nodded at Baek Seoyeonn.
She nodded back; Do Minsu hauled in a massive cooler from outside.
Awakener officers passed bottles to every seated employee.
"One each, then chat."
"Ah! Yes, thank you."
"I-I could hand them out..."
"No need. Relax."
Staff flustered.
Awakeners serving drinks?
Gorgeous ones at that.
Too awkward; they took bottles but didn't drink.
"Oh! Before you drink, know this: prototype nutritional tonic from Taehong Bio's upcoming lineup. Skip if weirded out."
At Taeju's words, staff twisted caps and chugged.
Our company's drink? Gotta.
Just vitamin tonic, not even real meds.
Like convenience store stuff.
His escorts collected empty bottles after.
Then the casual chat kicked off.
Back-and-forth on nothing major.
Branch location? Work conditions? Benefits okay?
Suddenly, one shot up a hand.
"Sales manager Ma Seokwoo. A request, Chairman?"
"Sure, Manager Ma. Speak freely."
"Reconsider selling spore poison antidote and Taehong recovery only in Gurye."
"Hmm."
"Sorry to say, but why skip proven drugs? Can't wrap my head around it."
He'd expected this.
Even he'd gripe if employee.
Lay it straight.
They needed to know.
"Alright, explanation time."
Staff leaned in.
"Current Taehong Bio products need special processing. Few techs can do it. Production's super limited."
"Train more techs?"
"Hard to master. Precise skill—that's why no patent. Can't copy without the process."
"Ah!"
Staff nodded, getting it.
Made sense.
Not selling only in Gurye for no reason.
Tech training too.
Rival pharma poaches 'em? Company tanks.
Ma Seokwoo raised hand again.
"Thanks. Makes sense now, but the new patented drug—no special processing needed?"
"Exactly. The tonic you drank—that's our mainstay. Patent and FDA pending."
"No processing means efficacy might..."
Ma trailed off.
Meant to say,
'...be weaker? No edge hurts.'
Sales manager—hyper-sensitive to drug competitiveness.
But developer was the chairman; tread light.
"Health drink market's saturated. Effects similar, can't compete on price, marketing, nothing. No entry."
Taeju liked this guy.
Guts to voice concerns to the paycheck man.
"Hahaha, don't sweat efficacy or edge. Hmm, reactions should kick in soon..."
"Pardon?"
Ma just blinked.
What reaction?
Taeju's waited-for response came first from Choi Dongil, sitting quiet.
The oldest here.
Most stressed building the branch org.
"...Ch-Chairman?"
"Yes, branch manager?"
"This tonic... no special ingredients, right? For sure?"
"Just processed familiar herbs. Unique ratios, but harmless. Trust me."
Fed it to long-tailed skunk rabbits too.
No issues.
Side effect? Doubled breeding.
Post-meal rut-fests. Drug-sensitive critters.
Internal trials done.
Baek Seoyeonn, Baek Hongpyo, HQ staff—no problems long-term.
"Aaaah, no way."
Choi Dongil shot up.
His eyes sparkled.
No, moments ago they'd been fatigue-glazed?
Dark circles sagging to cheeks—gone clean.
Weird.
Total fatigue wipeout.
Just a drink, dramatic effect?
"...Any more bottles?"
"Sorry. Counted heads. Drink up when production starts."
Younger folks reacted slower.
Work fatigue hits fair—even fit bodies.
Just don't notice as quick.
But pre- and post- difference clear.
"Huh, feel lighter now."
"Eh? Placebo? I don't... wait! Text so sharp?"
"Whoa! Fatigue gone. Eyes fresh. Ditch glasses?"
"Body was sludge; now crisp."
"Me too. Damn! All prior recovery drinks fakes."
"...This is recovery."
Ma Seokwoo stood, paced.
Drank heavy last night, gut sour—hangover vanished.
'For real.'
Competitiveness?
This crushes caffeine drinks, recoveries—whole empire health market.
Excited, Ma asked Taeju,
"Chairman, drug's name?"
Here it came.
Hard to say himself.
Taeju glanced at Baek Seoyeonn.
"Sigh."
She sighed,
"Nutritional tonic is Taehong Vitality Surge. Wound treatment one's Taehong Fresh Flesh Growth."
"...Ah!"
Cheesy names? Whatever.
Results matter.
Terrifying bit: health food anyone buys anywhere.
Vast market vs. other drugs.
Hope dawned.
No need for antidotes, recoveries.
Taehong Bio New Seoul branch—success guaranteed.
※ ※ ※
Immortal Realm.
Dang Gunak stared into his infinite storage space daily.
When would it sparkle again?
The shared space from coincidences upon coincidences with Kim Taeju.
It'd reconnect.
Didn't know when.
Then!
The moment he'd agonized for arrived.
"It's here!!!"
Sparkling.
But empty.
So? He'd fill it.
Dang Gunak tossed in an immortal peach and prepared scroll letter quick.
Now, wait.
Would it work?
Kim Taeju had to notice the sparkle, check inside.
All down to luck.
Please read the letter.
End of Vitality Surge