The Chairman of Pharmaceutical Company is a Poison King - Chapter 53

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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 53: Comrade Met in New Seoul (1)

Tae-ju felt uneasy.

Dom Pérignon was at least decent.

‘Spam… to an immortal?’

It wasn’t something he intended, but that’s how it turned out.

Not even pure meat, but mixed meat made by grinding scraps and fat, mixed with all sorts of seasonings and additives – he had fed this to a noble immortal living in the Immortal Realm.

Of course, it was food he personally loved very much.

There was no better side dish than placing a thin slice of grilled spam on warm rice.

‘Sigh, if only I had known earlier.’

He should have noticed when the unset area started sparkling.

Who was the infinite space created because of?

It was because of Danggumak’s immortal energy, who shared the same soul as himself.

The fortunate thing was that this was the finest luxury hotel suite in New Seoul. So the room bar and refrigerator contained quite luxurious alcohol, beverages, snacks, and appetizers.

And the wristwatch he was wearing at the last moment too.

On the other hand, what had Danggumak given him?

It was written in the letter.

The immortal peach that still filled the hotel room with its fragrance.

A treasure of the Immortal Realm and legendary fruit that only immortals could eat.

It was a precious item that couldn’t even be compared to the miscellaneous objects Tae-ju had put in the shared storage.

‘This is driving me crazy.’

At least they should be similar for him to feel comfortable.

Always receiving, while what he actually gave was spam, alcohol, and snacks.

Tae-ju picked up the immortal peach placed on the bed with both hands.

‘This is what immortals eat?’

The fragrance was truly amazing.

To the point of making his head dizzy.

‘Hmm.’

He had learned Honweonmusangdokryeongong.

So spiritual medicines would be of little use to him.

He grew through poison, so spiritual medicines would just become waste.

But what about an immortal peach?

Among all intangible energies that exist, immortal energy was positioned at the highest level, having the nature to embrace any energy belonging to lower levels.

Wasn’t poison originally part of nature too?

There were countless animals and plants that lived harboring poison.

Humans just named substances harmful to them as poison, but poison was something very natural in the ecosystem.

Danggumak was also called a Poison Immortal.

In other words, immortal energy could embrace even poison.

That’s why when creating the infinite space, there was no effect on the Toxic Spirit.

Tae-ju brought the immortal peach to his mouth and took a bite.

Pop! Bursting fruit juice.

The intense peach fragrance erupting in his mouth.

“Slurp.”

Delicious!

The more he chewed, the more ecstatic it became.

Once he started eating, he couldn’t stop.

Before he knew it, the peach that was large enough to require both hands to hold had completely disappeared.

‘No pit either.’

If there had been a pit, he would have at least tried planting it.

That aside.

The immortal peach contained even a trace amount of immortal energy.

Previously, he had received it from Danggumak under extremely limited circumstances, but now he had directly consumed it orally.

What effect would it have on the Toxic Spirit?

When consuming new poison, the Toxic Spirit would wriggle and react.

But the peach didn’t produce such a reaction.

However, it was certain that the immortal energy had permeated the Toxic Spirit.

Swooooosh…

Though it wasn’t poison, the Toxic Spirit accepted the immortal energy as if it were poison.

And.

‘Warm.’

Somehow his danjeon felt softer.

Was there nothing else that changed besides this?

Anyway, the effect wasn’t the problem.

The taste was just too good.

‘Right! This isn’t the time for this.’

He needed to prepare properly.

With the finest return gift.

So he could immediately put it in when the shared storage sparkled.

The size was about that of a travel suitcase, so he needed to fill it completely.

‘What would be good?’

Actually, in a way, it was simple.

Unique items exclusive to Earth that had different characteristics from Gangho Murim or the Immortal Realm would do.

Food should also be distinctive.

For example, chocolate or coffee.

He had already sent those.

‘I need to think of what a Poison Immortal needs most.’

Then?

‘The Immortal Realm is a boring place.’

A fact he learned through Danggumak’s memories during the second soul connection.

‘Something to relieve boredom…’

The conclusion was reached.

Movies and dramas.

Earth’s diverse cultural content.

However, electricity was needed to enjoy them.

‘How big are portable generators?’

After searching.

‘It would fit sufficiently in the shared storage.’

A generator that produces electricity using mana crystals.

‘If I put an elite mana crystal in there, it should run sufficiently for at least a year even with heavy use.’

The electricity problem was solved.

Next was content.

He could subscribe to OTT platforms, set up regular payments, and download completed dramas or movies to a tablet.

Then they could be watched even in places without communication.

‘I should buy the one with the largest capacity.’

Let’s also include a beam projector and foldable stand-type screen so as many people as possible could enjoy it.

He wasn’t sure if everything would fit.

When would he prepare all this?

What choice did he have?

He’d have to ask Baek Seo-yeon.

There were awakened officer attendants too.

* * *

The next morning.

As soon as Tae-ju saw Baek Seo-yeon, he asked her to purchase the items he had thought about yesterday.

“…Ah, yes, Chairman. I’ll prepare them for you.”

Baek Seo-yeon seemed about to express some doubt but readily nodded her head.

And Tae-ju called Lieutenant Do Min-su aside.

“I need a portable generator. Preferably a small one, money is no object. Make sure it’s absolutely top-grade.”

“I happen to know a dealer in downtown New Seoul. What about the mana crystals for fuel? If I talk to them, they’ll buy and install them themselves, but.”

“Tell them to install this mana crystal.”

“Yes!”

Do Min-su received the crystal Tae-ju gave him.

But then.

“Huh?”

“What is it?”

“Th-this… isn’t this an Elite mana crystal?”

“That’s right. Is there a problem?”

“Ugh, you’re going to put an Elite in a generator?”

“Yes.”

“Wh-what, an E-Elite in a g-generator…”

It’s a generator going to Danggumak, so what’s there to feel sorry about.

Meanwhile, Do Min-su looked stunned.

Elite mana crystals used as ingredients for elixirs.

To use this for electricity generation.

“Let’s go downtown together. I have business to attend to as well. Lieutenant Do, you can handle your own affairs separately.”

“…Y-yes, yes.”

Today’s business was the Leaders Club.

The car Tae-ju was riding in departed from the hotel.

When New Seoul was built, many places were named by taking the place names from old Seoul.

For example, Shinjongno, Shin Apgujeong, Shinjamsil, and so on.

The Leaders Club is located in downtown New Seoul, in Shin Apgujeong.

Tae-ju began his preliminary research on the Leaders Club from inside the car.

All he had to do was read the report that Baek Seo-yeon had organized clearly in advance.

‘It’s a social gathering.’

A place where people with considerable influence within the Empire gather to socialize and share information with each other.

Not just anyone can receive an invitation.

And even if you receive an invitation, that’s not the end of it.

The damn Leaders Club also has a ranking system.

Starting from the lowest Bronze, then Silver, Gold, Sapphire, up to Diamond.

‘Tsk, sounds like a pyramid scheme.’

The Leaders Club doesn’t distinguish between Adaptors, Compatibles, and Awakened.

The membership criteria are solely based on reputation and social status.

That’s why Tae-ju had received an invitation too.

‘Are we almost there? The infinite space is…’

He didn’t forget to occasionally check the infinite space.

Since he never knew when it might sparkle.

He hoped he could feel some signal when it sparkled.

They had almost arrived.

The 10-story building visible through the car window was the place.

A cylindrical building that narrowed like a tower as it went up, with exterior walls finished in gorgeous jade-colored marble, and ‘Leaders Club’ carved in elegant lettering.

“Please let me out here.”

“We’ll escort you.”

“No. I’ll go in alone. Lieutenant Do, please get the generator I asked for. As quickly as possible, please.”

“Yes! I’ll watch to make sure the Elite mana crystal is properly installed in the generator, and bring it right over once it’s done.”

Tae-ju approached the building’s main entrance alone.

Then.

“How may we help you?”

The guards protecting the building’s main entrance blocked Tae-ju’s path.

“I’ve come by invitation.”

When he took out and showed the invitation.

“Ah! Welcome. Please come this way.”

Tae-ju followed the guard.

The first floor was a lobby.

The club seemed to start from the second floor.

Following the guard, they arrived at an office located behind the lobby.

As if she had been contacted in advance, a woman as tall and slender as a model came out to greet them.

“You must be President Kim Tae-ju? I’m Jo Mi-yeong, the club manager.”

“Yes, nice to meet you.”

“I think we sent the invitation quite a while ago, but you’re only coming now.”

“Ah, I had some urgent business.”

“Still, it’s good that you came. Please have a seat first.”

And Jo Mi-yeong’s kind explanation began.

Membership fees and dues, the rights and obligations of members by grade, and the benefits the club provides.

“Member Kim Tae-ju, you’re a new member, and although you’ve achieved great success with the antidote invention, you’ll be classified as a new young entrepreneur and start from Bronze.”

So it’s the minimum grade.

He had no complaints.

If that was the rule.

“The membership fee is 5 billion, but it’s not that expensive. Considering the value of information that members gain from socializing and sharing with each other, even that’s cheap.”

Tae-ju agreed with this statement.

Information also has quality.

“It’s not just information. Although it’s Bronze grade, there are many professionals and mid-sized company presidents. Members pull and push each other, and your intended goals can be achieved more easily.”

Actually, that part bothered him.

Their own league, their own privileges.

Think about when he was a mana rejecter.

He wouldn’t have received an invitation, let alone membership.

Of course, he didn’t forget his purpose for coming here.

For the success of Taehong Bio’s New Seoul branch, he had to do it even if he didn’t want to.

“Can I join now?”

“Yes! Just sign here and you’ll have qualifications as a Bronze member. Please pay the membership fee within a month.”

“I’ve signed.”

“Congratulations on joining the Leaders Club. Member Kim Tae-ju, here’s your access card. You can wear this around your neck.”

Tae-ju put on the necklace with a brown copper nameplate that had been prepared in advance.

“Bronze grade members can only use the 2nd floor. Silver grade is the 3rd floor. Don’t worry. You’ll be able to move up to the 3rd floor soon.”

Still, the club manager was gentle and kind.

Tae-ju shook hands with Manager Jo Mi-yeong and left the office.

‘The 2nd floor, right?’

Tae-ju left the office and came to the 1st floor lobby.

‘How do I go up…’

Should he ask at the information booth?

While also taking a look around the lobby.

As he was slowly walking around here and there.

“Hey, you there!”

Someone calling out to him.

But there?

When he turned around, two men in fancy clothes were looking at him with disapproving eyes.

“Did you call me?”

“Yes, you!”

“Why?”

“I see from your nameplate that you’re Bronze, so why do you keep loitering around the lobby?”

While saying this, he pointed at his own nameplate with his finger.

A shining silver metal badge.

‘…Good grief!’

So this was that kind of place.

The rank discrimination seemed worse than military insignia.

‘This is maddening.’

As expected, it didn’t suit his temperament.

Should he just quit outright?

But what could he do?

The burden on a breadwinner’s shoulders is always heavy.

“Don’t loiter around here and hurry up to the Bronze Club.”

“Come to think of it, don’t you have some ulterior motive?”

“I think so too? He’s probably lurking around trying to catch the eye of the distinguished guests entering the lobby.”

Look at these bastards?

“There have been a lot more guys like that lately. Ugh, how degrading.”

“The Leaders Club has gotten quite murky too. Every Tom, Dick, and Harry with a Bronze nameplate goes around bragging about being a club member.”

…Should I kill them?

Hold back.

I’ve killed quite a lot recently.

Instead.

“Hey, you there!”

“What? Did you just call us ‘you there’…?”

Crackle!

With a subtle hint of killing intent.

Tae-ju’s eyes instantly turned sharp.

“Called… di-did you call… us?”

Naturally, they had no choice but to cower.

“Hey, you two there, what’s your rank?”

“Silver…”

“Then what rank do you think your character is? Judge for yourselves.”

“…”

Earth’s poison demon was merciful.

Otherwise, their entire bodies would have already melted away from poison.

That’s when it happened.

Suddenly, the quiet lobby became bustling.

The two Silver-ranked guys also glanced at Tae-ju and awkwardly moved away.

“Oh, they’re here.”

“…Uh-uh, let’s go quickly.”

“How do I look? Nothing strange, right?”

“Nothing. What about me?”

“You’re fine.”

The ones actually lurking to catch the eye of distinguished guests were those guys.

They probably judged him as competition and picked a fight.

They were also living earnestly in their own way.

‘Thinking of it that way, they’re kind of cute.’

People moving urgently.

The club employees also mobilized en masse.

“Quickly, quickly, hurry!”

“Did you contact the manager?”

“Yeah, she’ll be out now.”

“Check your uniforms!”

“Line up on both sides!”

Clatter clatter clatter clatter.

The sound of dress shoes was noisily audible.

“Ex-excuse me. Please move aside a little.”

Manager Jo Mi-yeong, whom he had just met, also ran past Tae-ju.

And a young man entering from outside the main gate with attendants following behind him – from the small tattoo carved on one side of his face, he seemed to be an Awakened.

Manager Jo Mi-yeong and the club employees were bowing deeply on both sides of the path he was walking.

‘Who is he? Do Diamond-rank members receive that kind of treatment?’

That couldn’t be it.

‘But I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere. He looks familiar.’

Suddenly!

The eyes of the young man entering with a confident posture met Tae-ju’s eyes.

“…Hm?”

And then he stopped in his tracks.

The face he looked at directly.

‘Aha!’

Now I know who he is.

Should I greet him first?

There was no need.

Clatter clatter clatter clatter clatter!

The young man rushed over so fast his eyebrows were fluttering.

“Ch-Chairman Kim Tae-ju! Tae-ju! No, big brother!”

He grabbed Tae-ju’s hand firmly.

“Meeting you here feels like a dream. When did you come to New Seoul?”

“It’s been a long time. Have you been well? But why are you calling me big brother…?”

“I’ve been well thanks to you. I’m really hurt. Aren’t you and I comrades from the Jirisan monster subjugation operation? If you had contacted the Imperial Household, I would have come to meet you.”

“…”

It was Ryu Jin-cheol, the 5th Prince, who was both a Diamond member belonging to the highest rank in the Leaders Club and the Emperor’s youngest son.

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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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