The Chairman of Pharmaceutical Company is a Poison King - Chapter 106
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 106: In the End, They Copied It
Long after Tae-ju had left.
Two men opened the door and entered the hotel room where no one remained, not even Cheon Gyeong-ho’s corpse.
One was the hotel owner, and the other was…
“Is this it? The room that bastard stayed in?”
“…Y-yes.”
“No one’s here.”
“Wh-where did he go? He was definitely here until last night.”
It didn’t seem like a lie.
The closet even contained shoes and outerwear presumed to belong to the guest.
“What’s the name?”
“The guest register shows ‘Sky.’ It’s probably a fake name though.”
“Are you certain he used the Samhan Empire language when checking into the hotel?”
“That’s right. I had a hard time interpreting for him.”
“Go on, get out of here. I’ll investigate separately.”
“Ah, yes!”
The hotel owner hurriedly went downstairs with a terrified expression.
He had no choice.
The man who came with him was an executive from the Black Mafia’s Pree Barcel branch.
The Black Mafia was the largest villain organization in the European Empire.
They had branches in every major city and ruled Europe’s nights.
Black Mafia executive Marco Santos thoroughly examined the room where Cheon Gyeong-ho had stayed.
‘Did he escape? Then he would have taken his shoes with him.’
The reason he came here.
An Expert-class Awakened organization member had died.
Like a withered mummy.
If he had been dead for a long time, it might be understandable, but a guy who was perfectly fine until the day before had suddenly become like that.
The death itself was one thing, but the cause was deeply troubling.
So they began an investigation.
An organization member who became a mummy overnight.
He had some suspicions.
When they autopsied the deceased body, they found completely dried-up mana roads.
His suspicions solidified into certainty.
They also secured dashcam footage from a car parked at the location where the death occurred.
It showed an East Asian-looking man placing his hand on the crown of the organization member’s head (who was still alive at the time), causing the body to tremble and shrivel up pathetically.
‘It was definitely Vampiric Touch.’
Vampiric Touch.
Black magic that drains the life force of the living to increase magical power.
Moreover, the skill level was extremely high.
You’d need to be at least a 5th-class black mage to display that level of power, or maybe even higher.
The problem was that the bastard was an outsider.
Black magic was magic that could only be learned by Black Mafia organization members.
‘Could black magic have been leaked?’
No.
That was absolutely impossible.
Anyway, he had vanished without a trace.
Could there be any aura left behind by this Sky bastard in this room?
“Death Detection.”
Instantly!
Wooooooong!
An ominous aura spreading from black mage Marco’s hand.
And the thick scent of death blooming.
‘…Someone died in this place.’
In that case?
“Phantom Vision.”
When a person dies, the soul leaves the body.
The residue left behind when the soul departs is called lingering thoughts.
By examining lingering thoughts, you can catch a glimpse of the situation just before death.
Snap!
A scene emerged like a freeze frame.
There was one more person.
This scene was left behind by the dying person.
In the dead person’s field of vision, one person was smiling coldly.
It would have been better if he had cast this spell right after the death, but now time had passed and it was blurry.
‘Which of the two is this Sky bastard?’
He couldn’t see the faces clearly.
However, what was certain was that both were of the same race.
Monkey faces all look the same anyway.
‘…In any case, both must be from the Samhan Empire.’
One of them had used Vampiric Touch.
Though he wasn’t sure which one.
‘I should report this to my superiors for now.’
His role ended here.
The higher-ups would make the decisions.
* * *
American Republic.
Whiteblack, a pharmaceutical company located in Atlanta.
CEO Fred Miller smiled contentedly as he read the monthly sales report that came up through the secretary’s office.
“The numbers and graphs are very impressive.”
“They’ll continue to grow. Thanks to the strong sales of the drink product, sales of other medicines are also rising accordingly.”
“Great! Let’s expand the factory during this opportunity and boost sales even more.”
“Yes!”
The cumulative sales of the drink product, Vital Juice, had exceeded a whopping 200 million dollars.
And it hadn’t even been two months since it went on sale.
It was a fatigue recovery drink that copied Vitality Boost, which was selling like hotcakes in a country called the Samhan Empire across the distant sea.
Taehong Biopharmaceutical Company.
Fred Miller had been paying attention to this company for a long time.
The Mutant Three-Striped Mosquito Poison antidote, the Spore Poison Antelope Deer antidote, and Taehong Recovery Medicine that heals mana and internal injuries.
He obtained medicines sold only in Gurye and began analysis.
But how could it work?
Failure after failure.
The medicines developed by Kim Tae-ju were medicines that simply couldn’t be replicated.
There was a reason why Taehong Bio didn’t apply for patents on their medicines.
Still, Fred didn’t give up.
He sent a large number of industrial spies to the Samhan Empire, constantly seeking to uncover the secrets of the medicines.
Finally, an opportunity came.
Taehong Bio’s expansion into New Seoul, applying for examination to the Patent Office and Food and Drug Administration to launch a new drug.
A new drug.
What kind of efficacy would this medicine have?
The factory began producing the medicine.
The identity of the new drugs was fatigue recovery medicine and trauma treatment medicine.
I obtained them and tried them.
Naturally, I experienced the tremendous effects of these new drugs firsthand.
Fred was going crazy.
Fatigue recovery that applies to anyone – whether Suitable, Awakened, or ordinary people. Also trauma treatment medicine that perfectly restores even external injuries and scars.
If these could be copied?
It would be amazing.
We could sell just these alone, setting aside all other medicines.
We began component analysis.
And we succeeded in copying them.
Not completely successful though.
About 80% of the original drug efficacy?
It was because we couldn’t obtain the native medicinal herbs that grow naturally in the Samhan Empire.
Fortunately, we did find substitutes.
With continued research, we could probably raise it to over 90%.
We secured the necessary materials and began preparing for mass production.
During that period, Taehong Bio passed patent and Food and Drug Administration reviews and started sales.
Whiteblack also launched a fatigue recovery drink under the name Vital Juice.
The trauma ointment was the same.
This was also a new drug that applied broadly to ordinary people as well as Awakened and Suitable individuals.
It was a hit as soon as it launched.
It was a huge success.
We swept up the American Republic’s health drink market and trauma treatment market in one go.
And then we expanded into the European Empire.
Since using the sea was impossible, we exported by airplane.
Although the price became expensive, it sold like hotcakes.
Of course, unauthorized copying of unpermitted drugs is illegal.
So what?
This is the American Republic.
We’ve already completed patents and FDA approval.
“There’s still no movement from Taehong Bio’s side, right?”
“They probably haven’t realized it yet. They’re struggling just with domestic sales, so they can’t even think about overseas exports.”
“Even if they knew, it wouldn’t matter. It’s a done deal.”
Whether protests come in or it escalates into a national diplomatic issue, it’s not scary at all.
How much lobby money goes into politics every month?
This is a world where money solves everything.
Fred had both power and money.
* * *
Kim Tae-ju dealt with Cheon Gyeong-ho and immediately returned to Gurye.
A copy drug of Saenggibulkkeun was unexpectedly discovered in Pree Barcel, where he had gone to catch Cheonma.
And it was a drink made in the American Republic at that.
He immediately went into the company headquarters.
“Oh my? Chairman! You came back earlier than expected.”
“Things went better than expected… Please look at this.”
“Huh? What is it?”
Kim Tae-ju took out the drink he had brought and showed it to Baek Seo-yeon.
“Huh? It’s a drink, but it’s not our company’s product.”
“Try drinking it.”
Gulp.
Baek Seo-yeon drank the drink.
Shortly after, changes occurred in her body.
“Ah! Could this possibly be…?”
“That’s right. Saenggibulkkeun.”
“Is it a copy drug? Or a coincidence? Where on earth did you get this?”
When they checked the origin.
“It’s from Whitebach Pharmaceutical Company in the American Republic.”
“We need component analysis. To see if it has the same components as Saenggibulkkeun.”
“Damn it!”
Baek Seo-yeon jumped up holding the bottle.
“I’ll investigate this immediately.”
Since the matter was serious, the investigation proceeded quickly.
Results came out soon.
“In conclusion, it is a copy drug. Some materials have reduced efficacy, but the main components match exactly.”
“Sigh…”
Vital Juice made by a pharmaceutical company called Whiteblack.
Later investigation revealed they were also selling trauma treatment medicine with similar effects to Saesalssugsseug.
Brazenly even obtaining American Republic patents.
Unlike the medicines sold in Gurye, Saenggibulkkeun and Saesalssugsseug are made at the New Seoul factory.
Since they don’t contain the energy of Honweonmusangdokryeongong or Five Elements Divine Art, they can be copied as much as one wants.
That’s why they underwent Patent Office and Food and Drug Administration reviews.
But the American Republic of all places.
“What should we do?”
They clearly copied it deliberately.
They don’t seem to care at all about the problems that will arise from it.
“First, let’s try making an official protest, and if that doesn’t work, we’ll have to find other methods.”
At this point in time, trade between world nations is not very active.
This is because sea routes have been cut off due to marine monsters.
Therefore, export and import of goods only occurs through relatively safe land routes and aircraft.
The reason the Samhan Empire and European Empire are developing Siberia from both directions is connected to this.
The Siberian region is overflowing with monsters.
Everywhere is a monster concentration zone.
If they subjugate those areas, they can restore the severed Trans-Siberian Railway.
It’s showing nearly 90% progress.
If they just subjugate a few more sections, the railway between Europe and the Samhan Empire will open.
Less than a year remains.
But suddenly copy drugs are advancing into Europe first.
‘I absolutely can’t let this slide.’
They must be punished.
If we just leave it alone, it could set a precedent.
Copying works? I should do it too.
“Let’s try solving it legally first.”
“How?”
“There’s something called international law.”
“…Will that work? When international organizations like the WTO that existed 300 years ago don’t even exist anymore.”
Kim Tae-ju thinks the same way.
However, trying to solve the problem legally is a kind of justification building.
Use every possible method available.
Therefore, he was also considering physical methods.
Actually, that’s the most reliable method.
“Chairman, I’ll take charge of the legal methods and try them. Together with Baekdu Group.”
“Yes, but we’ll need help from the government side too.”
“Should we contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs?”
“No, there’s a faster way.”
Tae-ju gave Baek Seo-yeon Secretary Geum Su-ho’s phone number.
“Ah! Secretary Geum.”
“He’ll help you well.”
The report would go directly to the Emperor.
“I’ll be in that lab for a while, so keep that in mind.”
“Yes!”
First, he had to keep his promise to Baek Hong-pyo.
It was time to create a treatment for mana rejection syndrome.
There was a lesson learned from this incident.
He needed to make medicines that couldn’t be replicated, like antidotes or recovery potions.
Something that would make copying unthinkable.
* * *
Cheon-gye.
Also called Daerachen.
The place where Sangje resides is Jamigung.
Today was the day when representatives from each realm gathered for a great assembly. So the Guardians, celestial beings, celestial maidens, and fairy maidens were busy welcoming guests.
“Has everyone arrived?”
“No. Two people are still…”
“Who are they?”
“Seo Wang-mo of the Palace of Peach Blossoms and Taesang Nogoon of the Immortal Realm.”
“Hmm, that’s strange. They were usually the first to arrive.”
Just then.
A splendid flower palanquin was entering Jamigung.
A flower palanquin carried by four fox demons transformed into human form.
“Seo Wang-mo is arriving. Everyone show proper respect.”
The flower palanquin stopped in front of Jamigung.
The Guardians and fairy maidens showed their respects.
Two women stepped out first.
They were Wolgung Seonja and Mi-ho Seon-ja.
‘Huh?’
‘What?’
‘…Oh.’
Their attire was unusual.
They wore form-fitting tops that revealed their curves, short skirts that barely covered their knees, and semi-transparent black fabric resembling silk over their bare legs.
‘How, how improper.’
‘There’s nowhere to look.’
‘Hehe, Mi-ho Seon-ja being a fox is one thing, but even the modest Wolgung Seonja.’
And what about those shoes?
Pointed toes with high heels raised as if sticks were inserted.
Could they even walk properly in those?
Then Seo Wang-mo stepped out of the palanquin.
Everyone’s eyes widened.
‘Seo Wang-mo too?’
Where on earth did the fairy and Seo Wang-mo get those clothes?
Throughout the Immortal Realm, Cheon-gye, and Hwangcheon-gye, all women wore flowing fairy robes.
Seo Wang-mo’s outfit also revealed her figure.
But strangely, it had elegance.
How could it suit her so well?
“Let us go in.”
“Yes!”
“We shall assist you.”
Seo Wang-mo thoroughly enjoyed the gazes directed at her.
‘Country bumpkins.’
By human time standards, the residents of Cheon-gye had lived for at least a thousand years, some for several thousand years.
Had they ever even seen such clothes?
A sky-blue Hermès dress, a Hermès bag on her arm, Tiffany necklace and earrings, Jimmy Choo shoes, and even stockings…
Seo Wang-mo’s party walked along Jamigung’s Okseokgil.
Click! Click! Click!
Her silhouette was graceful.
‘Was Seo Wang-mo always that tall?’
‘Her calves look slender too.’
‘Hmm.’
Everyone’s attention was focused.
The celestial beings, Guardians, and fairy maidens of Cheon-gye,
The subjects from Yonggung who followed the Dragon King,
The messengers and death gods from Hwangcheon-gye who came with Yama.
They could only stand with their mouths agape, speechless at the sight they were seeing for the first time in their lives.
The women were especially affected.
Right at that moment!
“Caw! Caaaw!”
Just then, the Immortal Crane flew down from the sky.
“…Taesang Nogoon is coming too.”
The Immortal Crane landed.
Taesang Nogoon stepped down.
“Everyone show proper respect… Gasp!”
This wasn’t the appearance of Taesang Nogoon they knew.
Thud, thud.
Taesang Nogoon walked in confidently with his chest puffed out.
He wore a luxury suit and dress shoes, his hair cut short and neatly styled with wax, sunglasses on his face, and carried a men’s clutch bag in his hand.
‘…’
‘Whoa.’
‘Good, goodness!’
What on earth was happening in the Immortal Realm?
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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