The Chairman of Pharmaceutical Company is a Poison King - Chapter 15

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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 15: Securing the Money Line

The shutter of Baek’s Drug Shop remained firmly closed for several days.

People working in the monster raid industry thought that Mr. Baek had gone on vacation with his employees.

They had been incredibly busy until now, after all.

Wasn’t Mr. Baek someone who took terribly good care of his employees’ welfare?

So they thought they could put up with it for a day or two.

But even after 3 days passed, then 4 days, then 5 days, there was still no sign of the pharmacy door opening.

“What’s going on?”

“Why won’t they open?”

“Ugh, the mosquito poison antidote I bought is running low too.”

“Don’t tell me they went bankrupt?”

“Come on, how could that be? I have Mr. Baek’s number, so I’ll call him.”

“I already tried. It was turned off.”

People began to grow anxious.

Baek’s Drug Shop was the only place where they could buy mosquito poison antidote.

What if they could never buy it again?

They’d have to put on those detestable insect-proof suits again.

But Baek’s Drug Shop remained closed the next day too.

The day after that, and the day after that – once lowered, the shutter showed no signs of going back up.

Meanwhile, rumors began to spread.

– There were people who reported adverse reactions to the mosquito poison antidote.

– Demands came in for disclosure of the manufacturing formula.

– The Autonomous Committee might halt sales.

– Mr. Baek and the developer couldn’t withstand the pressure and shut down.

Even with a population of 2 million, it was surprisingly a small neighborhood.

The rumors spread quickly.

“Adverse reactions? They’re bullshitting. Even I, who have every allergy under the sun, drink it like water.”

“I haven’t seen a single person who got sick from this.”

“How could anything go wrong? Look how much of this has been sold already. This is sabotage.”

There were opposing opinions too.

“Hey, there’s no smoke without fire, right? There’s no medicine without side effects.”

“I agree. My friend works in the drug approval department at the Autonomous Committee, and he said there were quite a few complaint calls.”

But they were quickly crushed.

“So who exactly had side effects? You said there was smoke, right? Then why can’t we see it? Please, tell us about just one person.”

“Fuck, I hate that saying the most. Bastards spread false rumors and then talk about smoke without fire when called out.”

The children that Mr. Baek had devotedly raised also joined the fight.

A Baek’s Orphanage alumnus running a beauty salon, in conversation with a customer.

“My husband has been losing weight lately.”

“Why?”

“Well, he can’t get mosquito poison antidote, so he has no energy to go hunting.”

“Ah! You mean the stuff sold at Baek’s Drug Shop?”

“Oh? You know about it?”

“Of course. I heard they received some kind of threats.”

“Threats?”

“Something about why they’re the only ones selling the antidote, demanding supply for others too, spreading false rumors and blocking other medicines from coming in?”

“Really? Who was it?”

At a bar, a Baek’s Orphanage alumnus working as a bartender serving customers also said.

“There are rumors that YJ Pharmacy got involved…”

“Tsk, I knew this would happen. Jo Hun-seok from YJ Pharmacy – everyone in this business knows how greedy that bastard is. How many pharmacies has he devoured this way?”

“Ah! Is that so? I didn’t know much about it.”

“By the way, have you heard anything about when they’ll resume sales?”

“Well, from what I heard from father- I mean, Mr. Baek, the developer is very angry.”

“Oh my! I’d be angry too.”

A Baek’s Orphanage alumnus awakener also conversed with colleagues.

“I’m never buying medicine from Gurye City pharmacies again.”

“…Where are you going to buy medicine then?”

“I can order by delivery from Namwon or Hadong, even if it costs more.”

“Really? I’ll join you. It seems like Mr. Baek is really angry.”

Various rumors spread far and wide.

This wasn’t just a matter of competition between pharmacies.

Since the mosquito poison antidote was developed, how many awakeners and aptitude holders had flocked to Gurye?

Then naturally, monster hunting became more active, Gurye’s economy developed, and it became safer from waves.

“We can’t just sit still about this.”

“But why are the local newspapers so quiet?”

“Those media scumbags are obvious. They’re probably sucking on Jo Hun-seok’s sweet teat while pocketing money.”

“They talk about freedom, freedom, but Gurye turned out to be a place with no real freedom at all.”

“You’re just realizing this now?”

Some people began to take action.

Pharmacy boycotts and refusal to participate in raid team activities.

The number of raid teams actually active in hunting monsters in the Jirisan Wilderness dropped to less than half.

This wasn’t just because of the resistance movement.

The halt in mosquito poison antidote sales also played a part.

People who had experienced its effects were now reluctant to go hunting without the antidote.

People no longer went to Gurye pharmacies.

Even with expensive delivery fees, they just ordered from other regions.

The atmosphere was becoming increasingly serious.

Gurye City’s Autonomous Committee also began discussing this issue.

* * *

Three standing committee members of the Autonomous Committee gathered.

The current mosquito poison antidote conflict.

After finishing over an hour of discussion, the standing committee members prepared their final statements to reach a conclusion.

First, Nogo-dan Guild Leader Lee Jeong-hak.

“I think we should intervene. I plan to immediately summon Representative Jo Hun-seok to the Autonomous Committee to question him about collusion and bullying small and medium pharmacies.”

Guild Leader Lee Jeong-hak wasn’t doing this out of any particular sense of justice.

It was because public opinion among awakeners and aptitude holders was siding with Baek’s Drug Shop.

Also, the awakeners and aptitude holders belonging to Nogo-dan Guild, a local Gurye guild, were extremely dissatisfied.

How long had it been since they were freed from mosquito poison?

Were they supposed to hunt wearing those thick insect-proof suits again?

Crushing Jo Hun-seok was the fastest way to solve the problem.

But others had different opinions.

Cheonwang Group Chairman Min Dong-yeol, who had grown based in Gurye.

“I oppose this. Honestly, drug approval is too lax. Didn’t side effects occur this time too? And yet they won’t disclose the manufacturing formula…”

“Side effects? Do you have real evidence? And we already know all the drug components from analysis anyway.”

“What about Autonomous Committee Member Jo Hun-seok? Is there evidence that he bullied small and medium pharmacies?”

“Then you’re saying we should just leave things as they are?”

“We’re supposedly a free city. We shouldn’t persecute people over something like this. Moreover, he’s one of our own.”

Guild Leader Lee Jeong-hak shook his head and looked at Internal Affairs Officer Ji Gwang-in.

The final decision of the three standing committee members would ultimately be by majority vote.

Ji Gwang-in smiled and said.

“I also agree with Chairman Min Dong-yeol’s words. Isn’t Representative Jo Hun-seok someone who has long devoted himself to Gurye? It will end well without major conflict. Let’s trust him once.”

With this, the decision was made.

However, Guild Leader Lee Jeong-hak glared at Ji Gwang-in.

‘That bastard, he’s been bought off by Jo Hun-seok.’

Well!

With the financial power of the Gurye City Pharmacist Association, they could easily strangle a place like Baek’s Drug Shop to death.

Min Dong-yeol was the same.

He also owned bio subsidiaries and pharmacies.

He probably wanted the mosquito poison antidote formula more than anyone.

But since Jo Hun-seok said he’d handle it, there was no need to step forward directly.

“Fine. I’ll wait and see for now.”

Lee Jeong-hak also took a step back.

What did it matter who sold the medicine?

He just wanted someone to win quickly and start selling.

* * *

Jo Hun-seok was confident.

Strangling Baek’s Drug Shop to death.

But those guys were coming out stronger than expected.

Preemptive sales suspension?

‘They’re saying they’ll use public opinion?’

Ridiculous fools.

Did they think he hadn’t considered that too?

What was there to fear about being cursed by people?

He was already used to that level.

What he needed was the Autonomous Committee’s intentions.

Chairman Min Dong-yeol of Cheonwang Group, who owned multiple bio-affiliated pharmacies in Gurye City, was almost an ally, and Grade 2 Administrator Ji Gwang-in, a deputy minister-level figure, was someone steeped in pharmacy association lobbying.

What worried him most was the position of Lee Jeong-hak, the guild leader of the armed group Nogo-dan Guild that handled the vigilante corps.

‘Fists are scarier than law.’

If he moved, there would be nothing he could do.

Anyway, he had just received word.

Guild Leader Lee Jeong-hak wouldn’t move.

‘Perfect!’

Then, step two.

Control the local media so there wouldn’t be any backlash.

After that, he met with the Gurye City bank branch managers.

“Demand early repayment of loans from Baek’s Drug Shop.”

“…Uh, th-that’s…”

“Choose. Either our Gurye Pharmacy Association, or Baek’s Drug Shop that’s obviously going to fail.”

“Ah, understood.”

He had cut off their money supply too.

In this Gurye, true freedom was money.

When it came to money, his side had more.

In the end, he would win.

* * *

Tae-ju had a lot to do.

He was too busy.

He had to open Baek’s Drug Shop someday, and needed to secure enough antidote supplies to sell afterward.

He also had to develop the Spore Poison Antelope Deer antidote in his spare time.

Tae-ju’s underground research lab was packed full of 20L water containers filled with antidote concentrate.

Roughly 300 containers, equivalent to 1.8 million 10ml bottles, packed so tight there was no room to step.

Even if he made more, there was nowhere to store them.

It was reassuring.

How much was all that worth?

But what still worried him was.

“Mr. Baek, how is the orphanage’s financial situation?”

“Hmm, w-we can manage. Donations are coming in too. If we’re short, we’ll have to t-take out loans. Hahaha.”

“Loans? Didn’t you receive notice from the bank for early loan repayment?”

“…How did you know that?”

“A pharmacy employee who’s from the orphanage told me.”

“Ah…”

Baek Hong-pyo hadn’t wanted to mention it.

He was afraid it would just drain their energy.

He had planned to find money through other channels.

“We can economize. Education expenses, communication fees, transportation costs, book purchases – there are surprisingly many places to cut. Then we can last a few months.”

“Why would you cut those? The children are already struggling enough.”

“But the money…”

“Absolutely don’t cut anything.”

Tae-ju spoke firmly.

“Don’t worry. You see all that antidote concentrate I made?”

“Yes.”

“Let’s sell it all.”

“Th-then you’ll reopen the pharmacy…”

Tae-ju grinned and continued.

“No, we won’t sell it at the pharmacy. Didn’t you say the Jiri Mountain Defense Corps contacted us about supply before?”

“…Huh? That’s right. I remember now.”

“Let’s try selling about 1 million bottles, at the same price of 50,000 won each.”

Baek Hong-pyo’s face lit up brightly.

“Ah, that would work. Th-thank you.”

“Don’t mention it. I’m doing this to make money too.”

“I’ll start negotiations right away.”

The amount alone was 50 billion.

The drug shop’s share would be 15 billion.

Even after taxes, it would be over 13 billion.

There would be money left over even after early loan repayment.

“And subtly hint to the military.”

“Hint about what?”

“Ask if they’re interested in the Spore Poison Antelope Deer antidote I’ve also developed.”

“Sp-Spore Poison Antelope Deer antidote? Gasp…! Don’t tell me that soup we had at the feast was?”

“Yes, gorani meat.”

“My goodness! No wonder it tasted so good.”

If the antidote was real?

Gorani hunting would become possible.

Those gorani that imperial officials came down to buy whenever their corpses were occasionally found after magical beasts fought each other.

Moreover, if ordinary people took it, they could greatly reduce the damage from magical beast waves.

“The spore poison antidote should cost more than 50,000 won, right?”

“Of course.”

* * *

Master Oh Jin-hyeong of the Imperial Army’s Jirisan Defense Corps read the report his aide brought and wore a grave expression.

“Phew, this is one mountain after another.”

The succession conflict surrounding Paju Domain.

The eldest son who was a mana rejecter, and the stepmother with her children from the Imperial Military Academy.

Oh Jin-hyeong wasn’t unaware of this either.

Conflicts over territories weren’t uncommon, and they still happened frequently even now.

Kim Tae-ju, who hadn’t inherited his father’s talent, was driven out to Seorak Mountain Outpost, and after receiving assassination threats there, he was discharged from the military.

He was even struck from the family register.

His impression of the military wouldn’t be good either.

Oh Jin-hyeong desperately needed the mosquito poison antidote.

The south side of Jirisan had civilian awakeners reducing the number of magical beasts, but what about the north side here?

‘Isn’t there a way?’

What would happen if they launched a large-scale bombing of Jirisan to subjugate the magical beasts?

A wave would immediately occur.

Countless magical beasts in Jirisan would be released in all directions.

If that caused massive casualties?

‘I’d be relieved of my position.’

But if he dealt with it passively, similar results would occur.

For an active subjugation operation, the mosquito poison antidote was essential.

‘I should go and request it myself.’

Absolutely don’t mention General Kim Woong-bang.

That’s when it happened.

“Master!”

An aide entered the office without even knocking.

“What’s the matter?”

“Baek’s Drug Shop says they’ll supply the mosquito poison antidote.”

Master Oh Jin-hyeong immediately shot up from his chair.

“What? Wh-what’s the quantity?”

“Well, it’s quite a lot.”

“How much are they giving us?”

“One million bottles. The amount is 50 billion won…”

Was money the issue right now?

“Don’t we have corps reserve funds available?”

“We do.”

Then there was nothing to worry about.

“Tell them we’ll definitely buy it. No, they might change their mind, so transfer half as a down payment.”

“Yes, understood. Oh! And there’s something else Mr. Baek mentioned.”

“What did he say?”

“He’s also developed an antidote for Spore Poison Antelope Deer, asking if you’re interested.”

“…What?”

Did he hear wrong?

“You mean those antelope gorani that burst poison spores from their backs?”

“Yes.”

“The gorani that taste heavenly with juices spurting like fountains when grilled?”

“That’s right.”

“R-really an antidote for gorani spore poison?”

“That’s definitely what I heard.”

Master Oh Jin-hyeong immediately pulled out his smartphone and said.

“Give me Mr. Baek’s phone number! I’ll speak with him directly.”

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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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