The Chairman of Pharmaceutical Company is a Poison King - Chapter 36
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
Chapter 36: Preparation for Subjugation
Why do waves occur?
A phenomenon that happens regularly when the time comes?
That’s half correct.
When the number of masu in dense areas increases and the density becomes higher?
This is also half right.
The main cause of masu waves is elite masu.
When the number of elite masu increases and their territories overlap with each other, they become sensitive and consumed by madness, leading to battles among themselves.
Almost simultaneously, in an instant, all elite masu within the dense area fall into a frenzy of madness.
The fear or killing intent emitted by elite masu.
That influence is also transmitted to ordinary masu, and as it gradually accumulates, the entire masu herd trembles with fear.
As time passes, like a collective mental breakdown phenomenon, it changes the masu herds, and the fear they feel transforms into aggression toward humans.
Eventually, they leave their territories and invade human settlements, and a time of slaughter unfolds.
All masu go crazy and rampage.
Even Long-tailed Saekkitokki at the bottom of the masu ecosystem will charge at humans unconditionally upon sight.
Whether they’re aggressive masu or non-aggressive masu, they all pour out indiscriminately.
Indiscriminate attacks on humans.
However, only during this time does weapon use become possible.
When a wave has already occurred, what is there to be selective about?
Firearms and cannons, missiles, all means must be mobilized to stop the masu.
This is the reason for the existence of the Jirisan Masu Defense Corps.
Of course, nuclear weapons are excluded.
As can be seen from China, using nuclear weapons could destroy the entire country.
When time passes and the madness subsides, and the masu return to their territories, only then does the wave end.
This is the formula for waves.
They appear repeatedly in similar cycles.
Therefore, the main target of major subjugation operations is elite masu.
The success or failure of subjugation operations depends on how many elite masu are caught.
Major subjugation operations also have tremendous side income.
Hunting elite masu allows you to obtain elite mana crystals.
For this reason, when major subjugation operations are conducted, pharmaceutical companies throughout the Empire dispatch executives or managers to purchase elite mana crystals.
Tae-ju also planned to catch a few and secure elite mana crystals.
So what’s the first thing to do to prepare for subjugation?
First, produce a lot of recovery potions.
In Tae-ju’s view, the success or failure of subjugation operations depended on these recovery potions.
Although he had supplied large quantities to the military so far, he needed to secure as much spare stock as possible.
So there wouldn’t be any shortage.
Giant Panda Bears were scattered all over Jirisan.
Before the subjugation operation began, he caught several each day.
He brought processed bear gallbladders and Tae-ju manufactured the recovery potions himself.
Instead of Baek Chang-hun and Jang Soon-cheol, because those guys had things to do.
“H-hyung! Let’s rest for a moment…”
“No! Soon-cheol, look! He’s following along well without complaints.”
“…I’m also a bit tired though?”
“Yeah, work hard.”
Training in Five Elements Qigong is basically a horse stance position.
Strengthen the lower body and accept the energy of the five elements: fire, water, wood, metal, and earth.
“The skill hasn’t been created?”
“Not yet… What if it never happens?”
“You have to do it until it works.”
It’s only been a few days now.
Even Stealth took a week before.
“You guys will also participate in this subjugation operation. Basically, you need to be at least Expert level to be useful, right? Let’s close our eyes and train until then, okay?”
“…Yes.”
“I’ll work hard!”
Subjugation operations are very dangerous, so if you prepare carelessly, you’ll get badly hurt.
Tae-ju also made several more elixirs.
He planned to raise both of them to at least Mid Expert level.
He understood the heart of a master teaching disciples.
Rather than reaching a higher realm, they needed to be able to go anywhere without getting beaten up.
But it’s strange.
Even after several days of teaching Five Elements Qigong, the System Message remained quiet.
It had already been well over ten days.
Then one day.
A System Message came to Baek Chang-hun and Jang Soon-cheol.
It had been two weeks since they started learning.
[Skill: You have acquired 5-Element Mana Mind Method.]
“The skill appeared!”
“Oh!”
5-Element Mana Mind Method, this seems to mean Five Elements Qigong as the name suggests.
“Well done. Train hard! Don’t get complacent just because the skill is registered.”
That aside, why did learning Five Elements Qigong take so long?
Stealth took a week, Five Elements Qigong took two weeks, almost double.
Thinking about it, Five Elements Qigong is a basic martial art, but it’s not simple.
That’s why descendants of the Tang family also learn it as a requirement.
‘Hmm, perhaps?’
There was something he could guess.
“Hey guys. This time I’ll teach you something easy. That’s okay, right?”
“Yes!”
“That’s actually better!”
So Tae-ju taught the Three Talents Sword Technique, a basic sword technique that everyone learns, and Three Talents Step, which simply makes your steps faster.
His guess was correct.
It hadn’t even been two days since he taught them.
“Ah!”
“Got it.”
Baek Chang-hun and Jang Soon-cheol exclaimed in admiration.
“Did it appear?”
“Yes! It appeared.”
“What’s the name?”
“Well…”
[Skill: You have acquired Triple Formation Sword.]
[Skill: You have acquired Triple Formation Step.]
Triple Formation Sword is Three Talents Sword Technique, and Triple Formation Step is naturally Three Talents Step.
‘So the system has limitations after all?’
Difficult martial arts take a long time to register.
Even Five Elements Qigong, which is just a basic mind method level, took two weeks.
To register quickly as a skill, the incantation must be easy.
It must be learnable through repetitive practice alone.
Still.
‘Three Talents Sword Technique and Three Talents Step are also decent martial arts if mastered well.’
This should be enough to avoid getting beaten up.
* * *
Hamyang Defense Division.
Lieutenant Do Min-su was reviewing the personal information of cadets scheduled to graduate.
Kim Tae-pyeong, Kim Tae-cheon, and their graduating classmates.
The Military Academy program is four years.
However, early graduation is entirely possible.
You just need to awaken.
That’s why the cadets in these documents are from different grades and different ages.
‘Hah, spoiled rich brats.’
The cadets’ backgrounds are impressive.
Chaebol families, high-ranking civil servants, renowned scholarly lineages, children of masters whose names everyone knows, and heirs to regional territories…
It can’t be helped.
Since marriages are arranged that way.
Even Lieutenant Do Min-su gets daily texts from marriage agencies telling him to sign up.
Do Min-su is also a Military Academy graduate, but his family background was ordinary.
Both his parents were Adapteds.
But whether he was lucky or not, he awakened in his early twenties and enlisted in the military.
‘Well then…’
Shall I play around with them?
Do Min-su headed out to the training ground at Hamyang Division headquarters right on time.
The cadets had just arrived at the training ground on a large bus.
There were 32 cadets scheduled to graduate this time.
Some were so talented they awakened in just two years and were graduating early, while others had wealthy families who fed them elixirs to reach Beginner stage.
So what good would that do?
They’d probably be worse than Adapted NCOs.
“Look alive! Why aren’t you moving faster? You little shits!”
At Do Min-su’s command, the cadets hurriedly got off the bus and formed ranks on the training ground.
“You’re all trash! Remember that you’re completely useless. Don’t do anything until I give orders!”
The cadets stood at attention.
Among them were Tae-ju’s half-brothers, Kim Tae-pyeong and Kim Tae-cheon.
Looking bored, they yawned and whispered to each other in very quiet voices.
‘Damn, establishing discipline from the start? What a fucking old-timer.’
‘Shh! Quiet.’
‘By the way, this place is close to Gurye. What do you think that bastard Tae-ju is doing?’
‘Probably selling drugs. Don’t worry about it. When would we ever meet a civilian?’
‘Right? Fuck… Making all that money and not even contacting Paju. He should at least pay back what it cost to house and feed him. Where do you think all that money came from? Our maternal family.’
‘If that bastard had any conscience, he would have done it already.’
Do Min-su gave the cadets their first order.
“We’re now beginning preparations for a subjugation operation. Unfortunately, you’re just stragglers who rolled in here. So you have no place to live. Then we’ll have to make one, right?”
At Do Min-su’s signal, waiting soldiers began piling something up on one side.
“Those are the tents you’ll be living in. You’ll have to live in tents even when you go out into the jungle. For practice, we’re setting them up on one side of the training ground. Don’t worry. Experienced soldiers will help you. That’s all!”
The cadets rushed over in a crowd.
Each grabbed a tent and began setting it up in their designated spot.
Two-person tents.
Kim Tae-pyeong and Kim Tae-cheon also grabbed a suitable tent.
A soldier was assigned to help them too.
“Whew, this heat is driving me crazy.”
“Right, Taepyeong hyung, it’s definitely different from Paju.”
“Living under this blazing sun? Without even air conditioning?”
“What can we do? If they tell us to do it, we have to.”
While setting up the tent, Kim Tae-pyeong pointed somewhere with his finger and whispered to Kim Tae-cheon.
“Hey Tae-cheon, do you see that girl over there?”
“Who? Ah, Jung Yeon-hee? You mean the Baekdu Automotive daughter.”
“Yeah, isn’t she pretty? Her family background is solid too.”
“She’s got the looks to match her status. I tried to casually talk to her on the way here. She didn’t even answer and just glared at me coldly. Ugh!”
“Well, if she’s the daughter of Baekdu Group, that’s understandable. Dating her would completely change your fortune.”
“Wake up from that dream. Would she even pay attention to us?”
“You never know, if we reach Master level.”
“Hehe, of course.”
Then the soldier watching nearby said.
“Let’s hurry up and set up the tent. The later you finish, the less time you’ll have for meals.”
Kim Tae-cheon glared at the soldier with displeasure.
“We are doing it. Fuck! Why won’t this fit?”
“That’s the wrong pole. Use this one.”
“Phew, just throwing us some crappy tent, this place is so backwater.”
“It’s official supply equipment. You should have learned how to set up tents at the Military Academy.”
“What, you bastard, are you saying I’m like this because I didn’t learn properly?”
“Don’t speak carelessly. Why are you cursing?”
This place has a subtropical climate, so the discomfort index is very high.
Naturally, Kim Tae-cheon was affected by it too.
“Hah, hey! Do you really want to die?”
“Let’s stop this pointless argument. I’m getting discharged the day after tomorrow. I’m practically a civilian.”
“You’re a Mana Adaptor, right? Just carrying luggage around, do you think an awakened officer is a pushover?”
“…”
The soldier looked at Kim Tae-cheon with an incredulous expression.
An officer when he hasn’t even been commissioned yet?
When guys like this get appointed as second lieutenants, they’re the type who would say to an Adapted administrative supply officer, “Are you the personnel officer? Go get me a cup of coffee.”
“Yes, yes, I was wrong. So please just hold the pole. I have a lot of work to do too.”
“You keep talking back to the end?”
Whooom.
Kim Tae-cheon drew up his mana and filled it with killing intent.
“You think someone like you can match me?”
There were many eyes watching around, but he absolutely couldn’t let this slide.
Kim Tae-pyeong didn’t stop his younger brother either.
He thought the mere soldier had crossed the line.
However, the soldier wasn’t ordinary either.
His rank was senior sergeant near discharge.
Moreover, he had finished his volunteer military service and passed the military career preference screening to become a New Seoul City Hall civil servant, so he’d be leaving Jirisan the day after tomorrow and had nothing to fear.
Having experienced everything in the Jirisan jungle for three years, that level of threat was laughable.
So he glared and shouted loudly.
“What are you doing right now! Should I consider this an intent to attack?”
His voice rang out loudly.
Kim Tae-cheon was flustered.
He thought the soldier would cower if he intimidated him moderately.
But instead he’s fighting back?
And loudly enough for everyone to hear.
“You, you be qu-quiet and…”
Suddenly!
“Freeze!”
Lieutenant Do Min-su appeared out of nowhere.
Looking at the soldier with a smile.
“Sergeant Park, I’m sorry. Let me apologize on their behalf.”
“No sir. It’s fine!”
“I’ll apologize to you separately later. You must be busy, so go ahead.”
“Yes sir!”
And then.
“I’m so dumbfounded I can’t even speak. No manners, low intelligence, can’t read the room,”
Do Min-su glared at Kim Tae-pyeong and Kim Tae-cheon with an angry expression.
“Uh, that’s not it, that guy first…”
“Put your heads down.”
Thud thud!
Thunk, thunk!
The two brothers immediately put their heads to the ground.
“Stay in that position and at attention.”
Then Do Min-su shouted to the other cadets.
“Everyone assemble!”
Rumble rumble, the male and female cadets came rushing over.
“I’m saying this because there are still idiots who haven’t come to their senses. You newly awakened brats don’t know your place? You didn’t come here as military assets but as annoying baggage.”
Everyone hung their heads low.
Because they knew who the idiots were and what trouble they had caused from watching nearby.
“Don’t look down on regular soldiers. They have more experience than you and more monster hunting experience. Show them respect as seniors, understood?”
“Yes! We understand.”
The cadets answered in unison.
“So there’s no dinner today. Instead, we’ll first have time to show gratitude to the regular soldiers who provide supplies for us. Meals come after that.”
“…”
Everyone was silent.
They had been planning to quickly set up tents and eat.
Then a female cadet raised her hand high.
“Cadet Jeong Yeon-hui! I have an opinion.”
Do Min-su pointed to her.
“Speak.”
“It’s unfair that all of us can’t eat because of two idiots. We’re different from those morons. We showed respect to the soldiers and received help setting up our tents properly.”
“So?”
“I think the people who did wrong should be the ones punished.”
Do Min-su shook his head back and forth.
“You went to military academy but don’t know how military organizations work?”
“Did I hear wrong, sir?”
“You have to take collective responsibility. You’re classmates, right? Did you think you’d be fine?”
“…What?”
“Get down!”
Thud thud thud thud thud!
The remaining 30 cadets put their heads to the ground on the spot.
“Since you’re awakened, it shouldn’t be hard, right?”
“No sir!”
“Forward march!”
“…”
Swoosh, swoosh, scrape scrape.
They were awakened.
Meaning they had good strength.
Deep furrows were carved where they passed.
They were no different from human plows.
The cadets were seething with anger.
At Lieutenant Do Min-su?
Of course not.
It was directed at Kim Tae-pyeong and Kim Tae-cheon who had created this situation.
‘I could tell from when they were acting up.’
‘Can’t even eat because of those two idiots,’
‘Those torture bastards are our classmates? Says who.’
‘Just from Paju Domain and they think they’re hot shit?’
‘Rude bastards, my brother is also an officer but he speaks respectfully to soldiers.’
‘Fuck, I should have stepped in when they were talking down to the soldier.’
Kim Tae-pyeong and Kim Tae-cheon felt like dying.
It was cold.
They could vividly feel their classmates’ inner thoughts.
But the brothers’ ordeal was only just beginning.
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————