Chapter 42
Chapter 42
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: The Phantom's Potion
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“Isn’t it something Dr. Eun made?”
“Dr. Eun is the only one with the brains to create something like that.”
Halla and Two-Shot replied as if it were obvious.
The Old District bosses had even sent modest gifts, hoping for a continued supply of Haon's new potions.
Though what they got back were odd-looking alarm clocks and humidifiers, perhaps as a sign that she had received them well.
Listening to them, Hunter sighed.
“The creator hasn't been definitively identified. For now, I'd like to hear what route you used to obtain the potion.”
Silence filled the spacious corridor.
“Are you saying you’ll let your subordinates use the stimulant, even knowing its side effects?”
Hunter let out a disbelieving laugh and crossed her legs.
“Let’s not make this complicated. If you can't even cooperate on this, I won't be able to permit you to collect protection money in the Old District.”
It was strictly illegal for the Old District gangs to collect protection money from the residents of each sector, but it was also an implicitly permitted practice.
This was because illegal businesses and gambling had significantly decreased ever since they were allowed to collect it.
The bosses exchanged dissatisfied glances.
Even if they were barred from collecting protection money, they could just find another way to make money, but it wouldn't be as easy.
Just then, Cue shouted.
“The awakened state only lasts a few minutes anyway! That’s not what’s important right now!”
She spoke to Hunter in an agitated voice.
“Just investigate the matter of my ship exploding a while ago.”
“It was obviously the work of some villains holding a grudge. What’s there to investigate? And from a hero, no less.”
As Two-Shot muttered in disbelief, Cue’s eyes narrowed.
“What do you know? There were no traces of a bomb. I’m telling you, it’s really strange!”
“I hope you realize we didn't gather here to discuss such things.”
At Hunter's cold voice, Weaver spoke with a low laugh.
“The potion has simply become a means of self-defense, like a gun. Why don't you just accept it already?”
The general mood was that everyone agreed with Weaver.
“Honestly, are all heroes good-natured Awakeners? Think about Ghost. I’d bet that guy is more dangerous than my subordinates! Even you can’t argue with that!”
Cue slammed her fist on the armrest, and Hunter’s eyes sharpened.
“Weren't we here to discuss the dangers and origin of the potion, not the personalities of Awakeners? The ones causing problems right now aren't heroes, but the gang members of the Old District!”
“I’m the one who wants to know the source! Where the hell did the guys from the other sectors get their hands on that potion?!”
“I’m just as eager to know the source.”
When Weaver spoke, the room fell quiet for a moment once again. She continued, her gaze fixed on the flickering flame of her lighter.
“The method is to put money in an ornamental mailbox at the docks, and it gets delivered to your door the next day. No one has ever seen the delivery person.”
Hunter sent a signal somewhere using the band on her wrist, then asked.
“How did you find out about that method?”
“They said a vial just appeared in their pocket without them knowing. Along with a note saying to put money in the dock's mailbox if they wanted more.”
“So it was given for free at first?”
“It makes sense. That drug still seems to be in the experimental stage, and the one first found in Sector 2 was much cruder than what we have now.”
Rusty added to Halla's answer.
“As you know, among those who have obtained the potion a few times, it's called ‘Phantom.’ It’s like a ghost, isn't it? Just like someone we know.”
As Hunter’s expression hardened in displeasure, Weaver let out a small laugh.
“Did you know Dr. Eun was frequenting Sector 5 for a while?”
“What about it?”
“I don’t know the exact location, but I do know that one of Ghost’s hideouts is in my sector.”
Hunter, about to scoff, suddenly remembered that the relationship between Ghost and Eun Haon wasn't what it used to be.
With the firm face of the city’s guardian and hunter, she asked in a dumbfounded tone.
“According to your little fantasy, Ghost is delivering the stimulant that Dr. Eun created. Is that it?”
Weaver simply smiled and shrugged.
After that, Hunter asked a few more questions, but the meeting dragged on inconclusively before ending.
The cars in the history museum's parking lot cleared out in an instant. Weaver, the last to get into her car, rolled down her window and said.
“It’ll be useless to watch or remove the mailbox at the docks. The location of the money drop isn't what's important, is it?”
She then flashed a smiling-eyed grin at Hunter’s expressionless face and drove away.
Hunter, who had been staring blankly at the departing cars, let out a sigh and turned her head to the side.
“What are we supposed to do, just let such a troublesome drug circulate?”
“It’s only temporary, anyway.”
A woman, revealed as a streetlight flickered on, answered nonchalantly.
Hunter glared at Halo, who was known as her nemesis.
“Forced Awakening itself is illegal. What does it matter if it’s temporary?”
“Think positively. With this stimulant, maybe righteous civilians can become heroes too?”
Hunter’s gaze darkened.
Civilians with no rules and no minimal training acting as vigilantes, unlike the Hero Headquarters, a subsidiary of the police department that deals with villains.
That was precisely what Headquarters was most worried about.
There had been many civilians who wished to become heroes before.
Each time, Headquarters had sent them away with a police exam pamphlet, but what if the potion spread further?
A sense of justice doesn't always save people, and uncoordinated attacks on villains only created more work for heroes.
Hunter sincerely wanted to wrap up this case before the stimulant fell into the hands of civilians.
Then, noticing Halo’s assessing gaze on her, she asked, unable to shake off her unease.
“You’re not the one spreading it, are you?”
Halo chuckled as if amused, then tilted her head.
“How would I make something like that? It's not like I have a brilliant mind like a certain scientist.”
“…”
The moment she heard that answer, Hunter’s hero instincts, honed over many years, went on high alert.
There was nothing particularly special about Halo’s words. Her expression and voice were no different from usual.
But because they had fought for so long, she could notice the things that weren't visible.
“Fine, then.”
Hunter replied curtly and turned away, but the other side knew her just as well.
She had a gut feeling that Halo had also realized she was suspicious.
The fragile balance between heroes and villains was collapsing.
* * *
After much research, Haon managed to create a few prototypes of the ‘Potion Nullification Patch.’
It was a rushed process, but the faster she could complete it, the better. The stimulant circulating in the Old District also seemed to be getting more refined by the day.
*When was the last time I got a full night's sleep? Maybe I should go sleep at Juyeol’s place today?*
She wondered how many cups of coffee she had drunk to wake her foggy mind, when a wave of hunger washed over her.
Remembering she had been on an empty stomach since last evening, Haon decided to go grab at least a triangle kimbap.
*I want to eat a meal made by Juyeol.*
The moment she stretched her head all the way back and then lowered it, a nosebleed trickled down.
“Again…!”
Haon hurriedly covered her nose with her sleeve and meticulously checked to see if any of her lab equipment had been soiled.
*Thank goodness. It didn't get on anything.*
The sleeve of her white lab coat was stained red, but she didn't mind that.
As she went to the sink to wash the blood from her face, her head felt dizzy.
During the two days Chacha and Bani had stayed, she had eaten her meals regularly, but once there was no one to worry about, she forgot about her hunger and immersed herself in her research.
*Still, I’m glad Chacha is okay.*
Haon thought of Chacha as she was leaving the research institute.
She had wanted to stop Chacha, who insisted on leaving not long after regaining consciousness, but Solmae said the rest of her recovery could be handled through clinic visits, so she had agreed to let her go.
*Since Chacha and Elder Solmae live in the same building, that would be more convenient.*
Chacha had said she would one day repay her for saving her life, but Haon didn't have high hopes, as there was nothing she really needed from her.
She just hoped, for Bani’s sake, that Chacha would never touch the potion again.
Her body truly seemed to have reached its limit; every step she took drained her energy, and her body felt as heavy as waterlogged cotton.
*I’m really tired today. If I’m this tired, will I be able to sleep soundly?*
That hope was quickly dashed. She remembered that on her first day in this dimension, she hadn't been able to fall asleep despite her extreme exhaustion.
[Haon! The heroes are here! There are four of them!]
Just then, Blue’s urgent notification rang out. It had been set to mark hero visits as ‘very important,’ so its wing flaps were frantic and its voice was loud.
“F-Four heroes…?”
Flustered by a sudden surge of nervousness, Haon redirected her steps from the penthouse to the first floor.
*I didn't expect them to come to me first, but I was planning on meeting the heroes anyway. Let’s think of this as a good thing.*
As she hesitantly stepped out of the elevator when it reached the first floor, she saw three heroes looking around the cafe with bewildered expressions.
“River… you were right. It really became a cafe.”
“I told you so. But I’m just now seeing what’s written on that wall.”
“A place of peace? Immediate removal if fighting occurs?”
“Um, h-hello.”
They turned toward her timid greeting with caution, then their eyes widened when they spotted the bright red sleeve of her lab coat.