The Chairman of Pharmaceutical Company is a Poison King - Chapter 97

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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 97: Engraved Fear (1)

The most widely distributed poisonous monsters in the grasslands are scorpion and rattlesnake species.

Scorpions are especially abundant.

Poison mustard seed scorpions, giant venomous iron-shell scorpions, short-tail hopping scorpions, camouflage assassin scorpions…

The tiny poison mustard seed scorpions dig large pits to lure their prey.

When something falls into the pit, thousands of poison mustard seed scorpions swarm at once and stab with their venomous stingers.

Kim Tae-ju deliberately fell into that pit wearing only his underwear.

Small yellow mustard-colored specks covering his entire body.

“Ah, how refreshing.”

You could call it a scorpion bath.

Something like healing in the grasslands.

With this, one more poison added to the Poison Registry.

The giant venomous iron-shell scorpion’s stinger was too large, so rather than being stung directly, he cut off the tail and indirectly inserted it into his blood vessel.

Poison added to the Poison Registry.

Short-tail hopping scorpions also live in groups.

They attack targets by hopping up like fleas from ahead.

He caught these with throwing weapons for later poison extraction.

Kim Tae-ju swept away the hopping scorpions with Storm Rain Needles.

Pip pip pip pip pip pip!

Puk puk puk puk puk puk!

He had become quite skilled.

Now it was possible to imbue each needle with energy.

What remained was increasing the number of bloodletting needles.

The throwing weapon techniques Kim Tae-ju was learning – Lightning Flash, Storm Rain Needles, Blood Butterfly, and weapon retrieval techniques – were all preliminary stages leading to Ten Thousand Flowers Rain.

Mastering Storm Rain Needles was especially important.

Properly mastered Storm Rain Needles would be indistinguishable from Ten Thousand Flowers Rain.

You could call it a knockoff Ten Thousand Flowers Rain?

Anyway, it was a throwing weapon technique that fell from the sky like rain, at least similarly.

Even Cheonma died to Ten Thousand Flowers Rain.

He melted and died from the flower of throwing weapons imbued with energy and poison.

‘If I can just master this…’

There would be nothing to worry about.

Even if Cheonma manifested on Earth.

Anyway, short-tail hopping scorpion poison was also added.

The camouflage assassin scorpion was surprisingly easy to find.

“Kyaak!”

When Ilisambaeyi raised his tail in a specific direction as a warning.

Grab!

He caught it with his hand and added the poison.

Even with camouflage, it wasn’t completely transparent.

Ilisambaeyi’s role wasn’t just that.

When traveling the grasslands and taking a brief rest, he would disappear somewhere and reappear.

Thud! He would drop something large and long in front of Kim Tae-ju’s feet.

It was a mutant pitch-black rattlesnake.

“You caught this?”

“Meow.”

Was this a cat’s gratitude?

Thanks to that, poison was added.

During this time, he also encountered a three-eyed peregrine falcon.

An aerial flying monster with three eyes.

It has no poison, but it’s very cautious and doesn’t approach raid teams moving in large numbers.

A creature with the habit of targeting and hunting people or monsters traveling alone like Kim Tae-ju.

Screeech!

A three-eyed peregrine falcon descending from the sky, aiming for Kim Tae-ju’s head.

“Oh!”

That monster that’s expensive if caught alive.

Especially if it’s female, you can name your price.

“…Should I catch it and raise it?”

Pause!

Ilbaek, who had been constantly washing his face with his front paws, reacted to Kim Tae-ju’s words.

Instantly!

“Growl!”

Whoosh!

Ilisambaeyi, transformed into Baekho, leaped into the air and caught the three-eyed peregrine falcon as it descended with flashing beak.

Crunch!

The three-eyed peregrine falcon’s head was torn off.

“Grrrrrowl!”

Then he returned to being cat Ibaek-i.

“Meow.”

He acted cute toward Kim Tae-ju.

“…Only you should be raised?”

“Meow!”

“You can’t tolerate competitors?”

“Meow?”

“Seondo is banned for the next week.”

“…Meow, meooow.”

“Alright. I’ll cancel it.”

“Meow!”

He spent several days living in the grasslands like that.

He added many poisons, but there were no particular gains.

The Poison Registry didn’t react.

However, he seemed to have found a clue for treating mana rejection syndrome in the poison of the yellow mustard seed scorpions.

Kim Tae-ju headed toward Barun City.

He needed to enter the city quickly.

Pioneer city Barun was the largest city in the Gobi Grasslands, with countless high-rise buildings visible in the distance, much larger in scale than Gurye.

The city was operated not by the military, but by a mayor and civil servants directly dispatched by the Empire.

‘I should have a proper meal first.’

Kim Tae-ju entered Barun early in the morning.

A checkpoint leading to the city blocked Kim Tae-ju’s path.

Napan didn’t have anything like this.

Kim Tae-ju immediately lowered his head and erased the fake awakening mark he had drawn on his face.

Because his current ID showed him as a Compatible, not an Awakened.

He could check in with his fake identity as Kim Gunnak.

Suddenly!

Ilbaek came out from his embrace, sniffing with his nose.

“Meow?”

“Shh! I know too.”

Kim Tae-ju stood in front of the checkpoint.

He held out his ID.

“Mr. Kim Gunnak? What is your purpose for visiting Barun City…”

“We came to rest briefly while hunting in the grassland.”

“Yes, I understand. I hope you have a comfortable visit.”

What kind of city could Barun be?

To encounter a demon right from the checkpoint.

The stench of magic was coming from the checkpoint official.

‘And he’s not even an Awakened.’

Definitely a True Demon.

The name on the nameplate on his chest was Nerheq.

Probably of Mongolian descent.

It was an unexpected gain, but capturing that demon here would be difficult.

If it’s a True Demon, there’s a high chance it has a prohibition spell.

What if it dies during interrogation like the Handler?

It would be better to quietly tail him instead.

There’s likely a demon organization, so let’s wipe them out all at once.

* * *

A small wheat farm on the outskirts of Barun City.

A place used as headquarters for the Association.

The Vice Head Master deactivated the facial transformation magic item he wore around his neck before entering the food warehouse.

Swish.

Then his true appearance was revealed.

He had an Arab appearance.

The Vice Head Master’s real name was Hamir Jamal.

He was from a country called Syria that no longer exists.

In fact, Syria was already on the verge of collapse 200 years ago.

The invasion of mana accelerated it.

Jamal had already awakened 200 years ago.

He was an early Awakened.

Then during the grade-up process, he was reborn as a demon.

He had pride as an early awakened demon.

He had many followers and had accumulated tremendous wealth.

Until he met the Head Master and was discovered.

Now he was penniless, bound to this small farm by a prohibition spell.

The Head Master.

He didn’t even know his name.

He couldn’t know his true face either.

He only knew that he possessed higher-class magic that dominated demon magic.

Vice Head Master Jamal was subordinated to the Head Master.

He had to unconditionally follow whatever he instructed.

The attack on the Emperor a few years ago was also by the Head Master’s orders.

‘Whew.’

Jamal took a deep breath before entering the warehouse.

The Head Master had finished his training journey in China and returned to Barun.

He had to report the Handler incident to him.

Creak.

As soon as he opened the door and entered, he knelt down.

“Head Master! Your loyal servant Jamal has come.”

“I see.”

“…I congratulate you on your achievements, Head Master.”

“You felt it too. Come closer.”

Jamal approached the Head Master on his knees.

Then the Head Master placed his hand on Jamal’s head.

Tremendous magic entered through the crown of his head.

“Ah!”

Abundant magic filled his entire body.

The internal injuries he had suffered from the Emperor were being healed.

“Thank you.”

“It’s nothing.”

Jamal trembled while keeping his head bowed.

The Head Master who grew stronger each time they met.

Now there was a difference between heaven and earth compared to himself.

“Was there anything unusual with the Association?”

“Th, that is…”

“Speak!”

“The, the Handler is missing.”

“…In detail.”

Jamal squeezed his eyes shut and reported to the Head Master.

The True Demon Handler who was in charge of Chinatown. And the Empire’s demon subjugation operation, the contact that was cut off afterward.

The Head Master tilted his head.

All the demons the Handler managed were taken down?

Could it be…?

“What’s the Emperor’s situation?”

“He’s in good health. His internal injuries appear to be completely healed.”

“Hmm.”

The Emperor must have made his move.

When did he recover?

I spared him because it was bothersome to kill him, should I have just killed him?

“However, it appears that someone other than the Emperor was involved in this Chinatown incident.”

“…Not the Emperor?”

“Here is the data I collected.”

After the Handler’s disappearance.

Vice Head Master Jamal had thoroughly investigated the Chinatown incident.

He mobilized the Association’s information network that existed in New Seoul.

The investigation proceeded quickly.

Following one lead after another, he also found out why demon investigations had become so active in the Empire currently.

The Head Master received the tablet from Jamal.

On the tablet was a photo of a young man.

“Who is this?”

“The chairman of a pharmaceutical company called Taehong Bio, a bastard named Kim Tae-ju.”

“Kim Tae-ju… He’s not an Awakened.”

“He’s called a Compatible stronger than a Master. He appears to be involved in several demon arrests. There are also rumors that he moves together with the Imperial Demon Suppression Unit.”

“Are you saying he’s related to the Handler’s disappearance?”

“That’s what I’m speculating… but anyway, he’s not someone to be taken lightly.”

“Hmph!”

The Head Master snorted.

Even if he were a Grand Master, it wouldn’t matter.

They’re all the same in the end.

“He’s particularly skilled with poison and hidden weapons. The reason he was able to easily capture demons so far is also…”

“Wait!”

The Head Master cut off Jamal’s words.

His voice seemed to tremble for some reason.

“…Ja-mal, what did you say he’s skilled at handling?”

“Poison and hidden weapons. He’s also good at making antidotes, and ah! If you swipe through that tablet, there are photos of hidden weapons presumed to be used by him.”

The Head Master hurriedly touched the tablet.

Then a photo appeared right in the middle.

‘Yu, Yueopbido.’

It was certain.

How could he not recognize this?

‘Could it be… the, the Jeoldaedokma Danggumak?’

The Head Master cleared his voice.

“Ja-mal, step outside for a moment. I’ll call you if I need you.”

“Understood.”

And after confirming that Ja-mal had completely left the warehouse.

“Damn it, fuck!”

The Head Master, Cheon Gyeong-ho, hurriedly looked over the information about Kim Tae-ju again.

Besides the Yueopbido, there were also photos of other hidden weapons he used.

Designs that didn’t exist on Earth.

Hidden weapons used only in Gangho Murim.

Cheon Gyeong-ho bit his nails hard.

Could they be Danggumak’s hidden weapons?

It could be a simple coincidence.

But what if it was real?

‘That terrifying Jeoldaedokma Danggumak?’

Suddenly, memories from the past came flooding back.

Seven years ago, when he was on the brink of death, a miraculous event had occurred.

His soul had become connected to a grotesquely shaped monster that didn’t even look human.

The same soul from another world.

At the same time, the memories that being possessed poured into Cheon Gyeong-ho.

Cheonma!

The ruler of Gangho Murim and a supreme master, but now dead and imprisoned in Underworld Purgatory. Nothing more than a lowly insect.

That wretched bastard had the same soul as him?

What could he do?

That was the reality.

That being also despised him.

Saying it was shameful to share a soul with someone like him and begging him to commit suicide.

Naturally, he had mocked it back.

How dare an insect fallen to hell and suffering day by day?

Anyway, the memories obtained from that being.

All the martial arts and experiences it had possessed as Cheonma, leader of the Demonic Cult.

Cheon Gyeong-ho’s life changed at that moment.

He gained the power to dominate the world.

However, Cheonma’s experiences and memories weren’t entirely good.

Cheonma’s final moments in the human world before being dragged to Hwangcheon-gye.

‘Damn it.’

Mancheonhwau.

Those terrible hidden weapons that poured down from the sky like flower rain.

In the end, Cheonma had melted.

Unable to resist at all in excruciating pain.

The one who killed Cheonma was none other than Jeoldaedokma Danggumak.

Cheon Gyeong-ho had also experienced that moment indirectly.

The memory of his body melting away still remained vividly.

Enough to occasionally have nightmares that suddenly emerged while sleeping.

His mouth went completely dry.

Chills running up his spine.

A throbbing headache.

Whether Awakened Guard or Mage.

Whether Master or Grandmaster.

They were all beneath his feet.

There was nothing to fear.

But the fundamental fear of Jeoldaedokma Danggumak.

A side effect gained from receiving Cheonma’s memories.

Terror firmly imprinted in his mind.

‘I haven’t even mastered the Cheonma Divine Art yet.’

Cheonma had died even after mastering it.

And that was in a berserk state where he was several times stronger.

Yet there was someone on this Earth who used the exact same hidden weapons as that Jeoldaedokma Danggumak.

Kim Tae-ju.

Could this guy also be a soul connector like himself?

The same soul as Jeoldaedokma Danggumak.

There was sufficient reason for suspicion.

Like himself, not an Awakened Guard yet stronger than Masters, skilled in poison…

Of course, his current thoughts might be wrong.

But what if Kim Tae-ju really was Jeoldaedokma Danggumak?

Just thinking about it made cold sweat pour down.

‘It’s time to leave Barun, no, the Samhan Empire.’

* * *

Immortal Realm Multiplex.

It had now become a hot place throughout all realms.

Its front courtyard was always bustling with Immortals, fairy maidens, and divine generals.

Soon it would be time for the closed multiplex to open.

How nice it would be if it operated 24 hours, but unfortunately it had set opening and closing times.

“When is Dok-seon coming?”

“Earlier he was whispering with Gangrim Chasa and went somewhere together?”

“Hey, what time is it now? If it’s time, we should raise the shutter. Does anyone have a watch?”

“Who would have such a precious thing? Only Swordsman would carry one around.”

Suddenly!

Speak of the tiger and it appears.

Swordsman arrived in front of the multiplex.

But where was his Harley bike? He just walked here.

And he didn’t come empty-handed either.

Drag drag drag drag.

“…Wh, what is that?”

“Looks like Swordsman?”

“What, what is he dragging?”

“Haha, bringing such a hideous thing into the Immortal Realm?”

“That fellow has lost his taste too. He’s been precarious.”

Swordsman was dragging the leg of a huge and disgustingly shaped monster with one hand.

“What are you trying to do now? Dragging a monster corpse in front of this sacred multiplex.”

“Don’t mind it.”

“Ah! Now we’re not supposed to mind it?”

“There’ll be big trouble when Dok-seon comes, so clean it up immediately.”

Then the Swordsman answered nonchalantly.

“You didn’t see the advertisement.”

“What advertisement?”

“The one posted inside the Multiplex.”

“Hm? I didn’t see it…”

That’s when it happened.

Danggumak, who had returned after finishing his meeting with Cheonma in the Underworld Purgatory, witnessed the yokai corpse that the Swordsman had brought.

“Wh-what is this…”

Gulp.

The Immortals were expectant.

Wasn’t the Swordsman the most high-spirited one in the Immortal Realm these days, receiving Dok-seon’s favor?

He even rode around on a Harley bike.

So they were jealous.

The Immortals were just waiting for the Swordsman to get scolded by Dok-seon.

If the Swordsman got dumped by Dok-seon, they would fill that position.

But then?

Clatter clatter clatter!

Danggumak rushed over like lightning and firmly grasped the Swordsman’s hand.

“S-Swordsman! This human-faced spider… did you catch it for me?”

“You asked before if there were any poisonous creatures in the Yoma Realm. So I thought you might need one and caught this.”

“Heh heh heh!”

Danggumak was moved.

The Swordsman was an Immortal who seemed indifferent but was more attentive than anyone else.

“Dok-seon wouldn’t need the poison from a mere human-faced spider, but it would probably be needed for Hero Kim Tae-ju… am I right?”

“Exactly! How are you so perceptive!”

Danggumak took out an item from his Infinite Space.

“Here! Take this. I’ll pay for the human-faced spider right away.”

“Oh! Wh-what’s this?”

“How can you get by with just one watch? You need to wear one on each wrist. This is an even better wristwatch.”

“N-no, why would you give me something like this…”

The Immortals stared blankly at this scene.

They thought he’d get scolded, but instead he received praise?

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Three Seonin disappeared in an instant.

All were from the Martial Realm.

Sambong Seonin, Maehwa Seonin, Gonryun Seonin.

Their destination was the Yoma 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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