The Chairman of Pharmaceutical Company is a Poison King - Chapter 30

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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 30: Mage (2)

Gurye Chilheukdong Daldongne.

Crudely built wooden shack houses on the mountainside.

At the top, there was one fairly well-built house.

Unlike typical slum houses, it even had a spacious yard.

“Where did the youngest go?”

“He went down below, saying he’d take responsibility for his own mistake.”

“How is he going to take responsibility? That bastard ran away, didn’t he?”

“…He said he’s keeping watch in case the one who fled brings the Self-Defense Corps.”

“Stupid bastard.”

“Hey, boss, don’t blame the youngest too much. He was trying his best and made a mistake.”

At Seob Wi-dang’s words, Wang An-pung frowned as much as he could.

If the kidnapping failed, he should have just let him go.

He cast ‘Monster Transformation’ trying to kill the fleeing bastard.

And even in monster form, he only wounded him and let him escape.

“Prepare to leave Gurye. Clean up what needs cleaning up.”

“Let’s wait a bit longer, boss. There’s no neighborhood as good for hiding as Gurye.”

“No. It’s right to be cautious to an excessive degree. Especially in our situation. Tell the youngest to stop doing useless things and come up.”

“Phew, damn it! It was fun all this time. It was really good, wasn’t it? We three brothers…”

Three brothers.

They weren’t blood brothers.

First Wang An-pung, second Seob Wi-dang, third Cheon Cho-ryang.

These three were sworn brothers of Chinese descent who were mages.

They had sworn to live and die together in Dowon.

Originally they lived in the southwest of the Samhan Empire, but even for mages it was a harsh place to live, so they drifted to Gurye and successfully settled.

Mages are public enemies of the Empire, no, the world.

Their identity must not be discovered.

So even their neighbors don’t know they are mages.

They just think of them as corrupt villain awakened at most.

To grow as mages, they must consume the hearts or major organs of compatibles or awakened.

But greed is forbidden.

One person per month.

They didn’t select just anyone.

Those who wouldn’t matter if they suddenly disappeared, for example some slum residents, drifters or thugs who flowed in from outside, criminals, and sometimes they went out to the jungle to hunt weak awakened.

They had done well without being caught so far.

There was no reason to be caught either.

How many people die in Gurye’s slums in a month, and if you add the missing persons…

When you become a mage, you can smell the scent of mana that humans possess.

This time too, they discovered someone who gave off an unusually strong mana fragrance and secretly kidnapped and ate him.

As for the remaining corpse, they buried it in this front yard as they always did.

But the youngest made a ridiculous mistake.

If their identity is revealed, it’s big trouble, they must leave unconditionally.

No matter how much it’s a free city, there’s room for public authority to intervene regarding mages.

Isn’t the Imperial Monster Defense Legion also stationed nearby?

“Hurry up and call the youngest.”

“I’ll call him.”

Wang An-pung honestly feels regretful too.

Gure Free City was a perfect city for mages to operate in.

He planned to build strength here and rise to Mage Master, or at least rise to Expert.

‘Damn it!’

Suddenly!

Fussssss…

Fluffy fur sprouted on Wang An-pung’s face.

At the same time, fangs protruding with a swoosh.

Then in an instant, he returned to an ordinary face.

* * *

Like most citizens of the Empire, Tae-ju had never encountered a mage either.

Instead, he had heard many stories.

The perception of mages where hatred and contempt, nightmares and terror coexist.

When he was in Paju.

He also remembered what his half-brother Taecheon, who had just emerged from adolescence, said in passing.

‘You wouldn’t have to worry even if you met a mage, since you’re a mana rejector.’

Like this, for low-grade awakened and compatibles, they’re a terrifying existence like tigers or smallpox.

The Empire unconditionally defines them as public enemies.

You receive no punishment whatsoever for killing mages.

Rather, you receive rewards.

Normally, mages are just like any other awakened.

They have tattoos too, and their appearance isn’t much different either.

Distinguishing mages in daily life is no easy task.

But you know when you fight them.

And you know when you kill them.

The identity of those who have cast aside their humanity and become monsters.

“Is this the place?”

The location where Jang Soon-cheol was attacked.

It was a place with stairs leading up to the top of the slum neighborhood.

‘But are there this many stairs?’

Stairs here, stairs there.

Well, this is a slum neighborhood.

What’s strange about having many stairs?

Tae-ju moved his steps while looking around.

Actually, even coming here, would there be any clear solution?

He just had plenty of time, and if he was lucky, he might be able to find some clues.

He just wandered around for a while.

Maybe because it was night, there were no people either.

Only fishy smells filled the surroundings.

The smell of garbage on the ground, the smell of urine splashed on walls, the smell of feces, the smell of vomit… But something was a bit strange.

A peculiar smell had been stimulating Tae-ju since earlier.

Not the entire area, but especially when he passed through certain regions.

A very familiar smell he had smelled somewhere before.

Sticky and damp, one that made him feel dirty just by smelling it.

But why does it feel bad?

Even smelling feces doesn’t make him feel bad.

It seemed like he might vaguely remember something.

Tae-ju followed that unpleasant smell.

The smell flowed from a specific direction.

He followed it all the way.

Suddenly!

“Hello. You’re someone I haven’t seen before. Are you a resident here?”

Stone stairs that stretched high upward.

About halfway up, a young man with a gentle impression appeared and spoke to Tae-ju.

“No. I don’t live here.”

“Then why are you here?”

“I have something to look into.”

“Ah! Is that so? What kind of business? I’ll help you.”

Tae-ju smiled and waved his hand dismissively.

“Haha. I appreciate the offer, but it’s personal business.”

Actually, he had felt something strange the moment he saw him.

There was someone this kind in the slums?

Moreover, that smell wafting around.

It was particularly strong from this guy.

Strong enough to feel hostile toward.

‘Does he not bathe?’

But seriously, I really can’t stand it.

‘What kind of smell is this…’

Was it because his senses had become sensitive after reaching Honweonmusangdokryeongong 5-star?

He originally had a keen nose anyway.

Both himself and Jeoldaedokma Danggumak…

‘Wait!’

A memory suddenly flashed in Tae-ju’s mind.

Even in Gangho Murim, there was a specific body odor that only Danggumak could detect, one that only those who practiced certain martial arts would emit.

‘Demonic energy…’

That’s right.

It was the peculiar scent that Demonic Cult members possessed.

‘Why does this guy smell like those Demonic Cult bastards?’

Actually, it wasn’t exactly the same smell.

The atmosphere was similar, that’s what it was.

Ugly, disgusting, unpleasant, nauseating…

‘Could this bastard be… a Mage?’

Come to think of it, there was one thing Demonic Cult members and Mages had in common.

Mages devour humans.

By doing so, they raise their grade.

Would those Demonic Cult bastards be any different?

The internal energy cultivation methods they learn are all absorption-type demonic arts.

They greedily suck up the internal energy that others cultivated through blood and sweat with their absorption demonic arts.

Heavenly Demon Divine Art?

What divine art, my ass.

You could just consider it the ultimate absorption demonic art.

People ignorant about the Demonic Cult are sometimes fascinated by their strength and revere them.

They judge them to be strong warriors who pursue power.

But that’s completely wrong.

Cunning and despicable human trash.

They steal others’ achievements, and even devour each other – crazy waste.

As a result, they possess turbid and impure internal energy, spreading foul odors everywhere like sewer rats.

They are demons.

There’s a reason the character for demon is in their name.

That’s why Jeoldaedokma Danggumak never showed any mercy when dealing with Demonic Cult members.

He killed them on sight.

He never thought of taking prisoners.

He gave them no chance to make excuses.

Mages and Demonic Cult members.

Was he forcing the connection?

There were too many similarities for that.

The smell too.

Strictly speaking, it was more the nature of the energy (qi) felt from the target than a smell.

The energy of Demonic Cult members is turbid, mixed with various internal energies through absorption demonic arts.

The energy of Mages is also mixed up from devouring the mana of various compatible and awakened individuals with different characteristics.

For that reason, this man before his eyes.

He was suspicious.

No, he was almost certain he was a Mage.

When Tae-ju remained silent, the man spoke again in a friendly manner.

“You’ve been quiet since earlier, but anyway, this neighborhood is more dangerous than you think.”

“I know.”

“There was an incident here not long ago too.”

“Is that so?”

“Ah, you didn’t know! No wonder… it’s dangerous for people who don’t live here. Follow me. I’ll guide you through a shortcut.”

Then Tae-ju chuckled.

“Follow you? Why? To eat me too?”

“…What?”

“Stop pretending to be surprised, you’re a Mage.”

Cheon Cho-ryang was flustered.

An unidentified man in a gray coat who appeared.

He had tried talking to him just in case… but how did he know?

“This is the first time we’re meeting, but you’re quite rude. I’m offended.”

“How many have you devoured?”

“Are you crazy?”

“Well, I should report to the Self-Defense Corps that there’s a Mage living here.”

Tae-ju took out his smartphone.

“Damn, you fucking bastard!”

Cheon Cho-ryang raised his energy.

Then came the swirling flow of mana.

Even the whites of his eyes turned black.

Crack crack crack crack!

The sound of bones grinding against each other.

His eyes stretched horizontally.

Fangs protruded from his mouth, and thorn-like hair covered his face.

His shoulders broadened.

His arms grew longer.

His legs grew longer too.

Demonic beast transformation.

A skill unique to Mages that doubles their existing power.

“Right! A Mage.”

“Grrrrr, I’ll tear you to shreds.”

“You stink, so shut your mouth.”

Tae-ju held out his smartphone and said.

“Come on, repeat after me. Kimchiii…”

Click!

Shriek!

The enraged Mage Cheon Cho-ryang leaped down the stairs in one bound like an arrow.

At the same time, he clawed at Tae-ju’s face with his sharp nails.

Slash!

However.

“Huh?”

Tae-ju had vanished without a trace.

No one was there.

“Where did he go?”

In an instant, Cheon Cho-ryang felt the back of his neck turn cold.

Whoosh! He hastily spun his body and clawed with his fingernails, but.

Thwack!

“Kugh!”

Already before his eyes, a red palm was filling the air.

Thwack! Thwack-thwack-thwack! Thwack-thwack-thwack!

Head and chest, abdomen, sides—attacks covering him in the blink of an eye.

Cheon Cho-ryang’s beast-transformed body trembled violently.

There was no time to breathe.

And unbearable pain.

With each hit, it felt like chunks of mana were disappearing.

Just who the hell is this bastard?

Only then did Cheon Cho-ryang regret it.

He should have gone when his second brother told him to come up to the house.

But because of the mistake he had made, he had been hesitating, too ashamed to face the leader.

He had to escape.

He had to create distance.

He moved his body desperately.

Thanks to that, the bastard’s attacks loosened.

Cheon Cho-ryang embedded his claws into the stairs, bent his hind legs, and leaped up the stairs like a bullet.

Leap, leap, leap.

After great difficulty, Cheon Cho-ryang escaped the attack range.

“You, you…?”

What the hell happened in just a few seconds?

He was a demon.

His awakening grade was Beginner, but through beast transformation he had the power to tear apart even an Expert’s body.

Yet he was beaten like this by someone who wasn’t even an awakened?

The bastard in the gray coat was still down there at the bottom of the stairs.

“Kruk, kruruk.”

After breathing heavily, Cheon Cho-ryang quietly glared at him.

‘I can’t do this alone.’

When he didn’t even know how the attacks were carried out.

Cheon Cho-ryang’s strength was quick judgment.

He turned his body and went up the stairs.

But then?

Stagger!

Suddenly his legs lost strength.

The sky spun round and round.

‘Why?’

Unbearable dizziness.

His collapsed body’s balance.

His breathing became labored.

‘Could it be poison?’

Behind him, the gray coat began climbing the stairs.

Instinctive fear bloomed in Cheon Cho-ryang’s consciousness.

‘Run, I have to run…’

If he could get to where the leaders were, he would live.

Forcing strength into his staggering body, Cheon Cho-ryang walked up the stairs.

But his body wouldn’t move as he wanted.

Finally, thud! His foot caught on the edge of a step and he fell.

Crash.

“Damn, damn it! Cough, cough…”

He didn’t even have the strength to get up.

Blood-mixed coughs burst from his mouth.

Cheon Cho-ryang lay prone in a crawling position.

Just a little more up, just a little.

Like that, with his butt raised, he crawled on all fours.

Suddenly!

Tssshrit!

Thunk!

“Kyaaaaaaah!”

Something sharp pierced through his tender buttocks.

“Gasp, you, you fucking bastard!”

Fresh blood flowing down from his buttocks.

Tae-ju slowly followed the crawling bastard and said.

“If you want to live, keep going.”

“…You, you bastard, I’ll never let this slide. I’ll chew you down to the bone…”

Tssshit!

Thunk!

One more blade next to where it was embedded.

“Kyaaaaaaah!”

The knife was stuck almost near his anus.

Screams echoed, but no one came out to see.

This was that kind of place originally.

“Go! Crawl like a dog.”

Cheon Cho-ryang’s bloodshot eyes.

A humiliation he was experiencing for the first time in his life.

But he couldn’t stand up.

His lower body was almost paralyzed.

Only his upper body could move.

Cheon Cho-ryang climbed the stairs alternating between his two arms.

Tae-ju’s cold expression still showed no change.

Did he think he’d be killed nicely?

He threw it very lightly, wondering if it would penetrate if thrown hard.

Killing him easily would be nothing more than showing mercy, right?

How many people must he have killed to reach that level?

Demons and cult members.

They’re the same bastards.

If left alive, other people will die.

Tssshit!

Thunk!

Another blade.

A total of three blades hit the buttocks target.

“Uaaaah! Ugh, it hurts! It, it hurts!”

His lower body soaked thoroughly in blood.

Even so, Cheonchu-ryang exerted even more strength and crawled desperately forward.

Tae-ju simply followed behind.

Demons are like cockroaches.

If you find one, there’s a high chance another will appear.

That’s why he had put drug components into the Willow Leaf Flying Knife.

Even if its buttocks flesh was completely torn, even if its intestines were severed, the creature would move without rest.

‘Anyway, I’ve taken photos too… Should I send a message?’

Demon reports go to 113.

It was a duty as an Empire citizen.

He had to collect the bounty too.

—————
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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