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TL: ALT
Chapter 34 – Healer Association’s Scheme
Moonlight Grass and Sun Guardian.
These two have similar effects and are almost like a set.
The Moonlight Grass must absorb the moon’s light in order to bloom.
Conversely, the Sun Guardian?
“It only blooms after absorbing sunlight.”
And now!
[Herb Information]
▶Name: Moonlight Grass (Full Bloom)
▶Rarity: Rare
▶Effect 1: When consumed, reduces fear and confusion effects and induces calmness.
▶Effect 2: When consumed, it temporarily grants bright vision in darkness.[Herb Information]
▶Name: Sun Guardian (Full Bloom)
▶Rarity: Rare
▶Effect 1: When consumed, it restores stamina and alleviates fatigue.
▶Effect 2: Temporarily increases reflexes and attack speed when consumed.Both herbs have fully bloomed.
The Moonlight Grass held the beautiful glow of moonlight.
Conversely, the Sun Guardian flaunted brilliant sunlight.
“Both are utterly beautiful!”
They’re so stunning that they’d sell well as ornamental plants, not just herbs.
For reference, I’ve never seen either of these at the Awakener Marketplace.
This means they’re rare and hard to find.
In fact, I only got them from a random box in the new record.
“Plus, their effects are pretty significant, right?”
“Is that so? I’m not really sure myself…”
“First off, the effect of the Moonlight Grass seems good for patients in a panic state.”
Patients in a panic state are difficult.
They keep trying to move and attack the doctor.
So, how do doctors treat patients in a panic state?
They always have a hard time.
But if you give them this Moonlight Grass?
“They can regain their composure immediately.”
The faster a panicked patient regains stability, the faster treatment can proceed.
“This could be put to good use, couldn’t it?”
“It certainly seems that way!”
“Moreover, it also temporarily grants vision in the dark.”
This would benefit Awakeners entering Gates or Towers.
I nodded at Nureongi’s words.
Next, I looked at the Sun Guardian.
“Does this have stamina recovery and fatigue relief effects?”
“Is it different from the Regeneration Herb?”
“The Regeneration Herb boosts regenerative power. It doesn’t have fatigue-relief effects.”
In short, that’s how it is.
“That means healing wounds and restoring stamina are separate things.”
“Then using the Sun Guardian alongside Regeneration Herbs would be even better!”
“Exactly. Using them together should maintain optimal stamina.”
This was an incredible combination.
If only the Sun Guardian could be mass-produced!
Conquering the top 100 floors wouldn’t be impossible.
Consuming Sun Guardian and Regeneration Herb continuously would lead to peak condition.
“And it temporarily boosts reflex and attack speed? This is perfect for Awakeners.”
It was hard to believe that both herbs were rare-grade.
However, both had strange conditions attached.
Wasn’t that why they possessed such special effects?
“What if the trolls tampered with them?”
“No, the trolls’ power doesn’t work on these.”
“That’s a bit of a waste.”
“Still, it’s fine. At this level, they rival heroic-grade herbs.”
What if they’re used properly?
Couldn’t it reach legendary status instead of just heroic?
After all, the fatigue-relieving effects are rare.
“Then how do you plan to use this?”
“For now, I’ll keep it in my inventory.
There isn’t a patient who needs it right now.
But what if someone who truly needs it appears?
I’ll take it out and use it without hesitation.
That is the true purpose of herbs.”
Then,
“What if I combine these two herbs?”
I thought.
* * *
I didn’t immediately combine the Moonlight Grass and the Sun Guardian after that.
They’re precious items, and there are only three of each.
Besides, I didn’t have a recipe.
Combining them carelessly could result in wasting those precious herbs.
“What a pity. I could have created a new recipe.”
“If these could be mass-produced, that would be possible.”
Unfortunately, mass-producing these herbs isn’t feasible yet. It probably requires special conditions. Wouldn’t it be great if mass production were possible?
“They’d have outstanding effects on patients.”
That’s why I’m determined to find a way to mass-produce these herbs someday.
“By the way, what about Mr. Nak-yong?”
“Same as always. He’s completely absorbed in the TV.”
“Mr. Nak-yong, if this keeps up, won’t you be unable to return to your original dimension?”
Mr. Nak-yong has recently become hooked on modern media.
He’s especially into Chinese martial arts dramas.
Maybe that’s his modern fantasy.
Then.
“Divine Doctor! Can you come over here for a second?”
Nak-yong suddenly shouted.
“What is it?”
Startled, I ran over to him immediately.
He pointed at the TV with his needle-sticked hand.
I turned my head in that direction.
And then…
“Oh, that!”
On the TV was the Troll Brand Regeneration Herb that I had sold.
A man named Nam Dongjun, wearing an S-rank healer badge, said,
“The Troll Brand Regeneration Herb has clear side effects. First, deep depression, and…”
He listed the side effects of my Troll Brand Regeneration Herb one after another.
But those side effects were absurd. My Regeneration Herb doesn’t cause deep depression.
“Huh? Why is he spreading such rumors?”
“Well, to be precise, it’s not exactly a rumor.”
Regeneration herbs boost a person’s regenerative power. It’s true that this puts a strain on the body. That’s why some people felt fatigued. But they absolutely did not cause depression.
In short, Nam Dongjun exaggerated the cons!
“Besides, those are probably side effects that existed in the original regeneration herbs, too.”
“I don’t understand! Young Master’s Regeneration Herb is an incredibly superior medicinal herb!”
“Exactly. If an S-rank healer steps in, does that mean the Healer Association is involved?”
They call it the Healer Association, but it’s more commonly known as the Corrupt Association.
Anyone blacklisted by the Healer Association can never receive healing from a healer again.
Those marked by the Healer Association can never join a party again.
That’s how serious it was, and such talk was common.
“I suppose they think my regeneration herb threatens their livelihood?”
“That’s outrageous! Among fellow medical practitioners…”
“The Healer Association is full of people driven mad by greed, unlike me.”
I had anticipated this to some extent.
What if I started making a name for myself in herbal medicine?
I knew the Healer Association would tear me apart.
But I never imagined they’d move this quickly.
“If this keeps up, I might not sell a single Regeneration Herb.”
“Why?”
“Because people trust Nam Dongjun, the S-rank healer, more than the Awakeners or Hua Tuo.”
What if he says the Regeneration Herb has a downside?
People will genuinely believe it.
That’s how crowd psychology works.
Sure, a few won’t be fooled. But the vast majority will fall for Nam Dongjun’s lies.
“Young Master, what do you plan to do?”
“Right now, I don’t have the power to do anything.”
How could a small-time guy like me fight against the Association?
If only one decent company would back me up!
If they fought alongside me, that would change everything.
…Yeah, come to think of it, there is one, right?
It’s the only company I can rely on now.
It’s a place where we could form a mutually beneficial relationship and give each other what we want.
“Somang Pharmaceuticals might be possible.”
I suppose it’s time to make a decision.
* * *
The time has truly come to make a decision.
“I’ve hesitated a lot this whole time.”
I was reluctant to reveal my true identity.
And rightly so, because I know how extraordinary my herbs are.
What if someone of poor character were to discover them?
“It would give me a headache.”
They’d try to monopolize them.
They’d try to make a fortune off them.
At worst, they might lock me up and threaten me.
That’s why I can’t reveal my identity rashly.
But I’ve reached the point where I can’t handle it alone anymore.
“I need to borrow Youngho hyung’s strength.”
“How do you plan to borrow it?”
“For starters, he’ll step forward in my place.
What about selling it under the name “Hua Tuo” herb?
The Healer Association will likely try to block that.
However, if it’s sold by a pharmaceutical company, the pressure will be less.
And that’s not all.
Even if the Healer Association tries to stop Somang Pharmaceuticals’ medicine, it’s fine.
“Why is it fine?”
“Because Somang Pharmaceuticals’ medicine is scheduled to be distributed as part of a national project. That is, if they accept my proposal.”
If that happens, the medicine’s efficacy will be proven.
Once user reviews flood in from across the country, no one will be able to deny its effectiveness, no matter how hard they try.
By that point, not even the Healer Association will be able to interfere.
That’s why joining forces with Somang Pharmaceuticals was crucial.
“But young master, isn’t there something more important?”
“Something important… Right. The most crucial thing remains.”
Whether Youngho Hyung’s in-laws were truly good people was the most crucial thing.
What if they were a typical pharmaceutical company?
Upon learning my true identity, they would immediately succumb to greed. If that happened, the situation I feared would unfold.
“It’s too early to trust Seojun’s grandparents yet.”
“You’re right. So then…”
I jumped up from my seat and declared,
“I must go find out for myself.”
The answer lies in talking directly, whatever it is.
That’s why I planned to visit Seojun’s place today.
“I’ll see how Seojun is doing and find out through conversation.”
“I want to come too!”
“Because you want to play with Seojun?”
“Yes! Seojun is such a cute kid! Hehe!”
I forced myself to swallow the thought that Nureongi was cute, too, and just laughed.
“Then let’s go right now.”
Nureongi and I headed straight for Grandma Yeongja’s house.
After we arrived, I knocked on the gate.
“Anyone home?”
As soon as I called out, the door opened.
“Oh, Jin! What brings you here?”
“I came to check on Seojun and play with him.”
“You’re just in time. Seojun was getting bored.”
“Wow! Puppy!”
Seojun spotted Nureongi and came running over in one leap.
“Seojun looks healthy.”
“It’s all thanks to you, really.”
Plus, Seojun seems to be thriving in the countryside.
“Kids should really grow up rolling around in the dirt, don’t you think?”
“Hehe! You’re absolutely right.”
Not that it’s any of my business, but kids should get to roll around in the dirt.
These days, they don’t have time for that because they’re busy studying.
That’s why I think it’s important for kids to have time to just be kids.
Then—
“Mr. Heo Jin, you’re here?”
My sister-in-law walked out.
But something seemed off.
Her complexion looked bad, and she seemed unsteady on her feet.
“Are you feeling unwell?”
“I think it’s the rebound effect from stopping my medication when we came to the countryside.”
“Medication? What kind of medication could it be?”
When I asked, the two of them looked at each other and hesitated.
Seeing their reaction, I nodded.
“Probably something psychiatric.”
“You really are like a spirit.”
“Just like you said. Actually, coming to the countryside was partly for Seojun and partly for my wife,” said Youngho Hyung.
I think I understand the reason.
Being in the countryside can reduce mental stress.
She must have thought it was a good time to stop taking her psychiatric medication.
“But since she’s still working on her laptop here, nothing has changed.”
“I heard she took a vacation last time.”
“Even so, a vice president can’t keep taking time off. She’s been doing her work intermittently on her laptop.”
“True…”
I understood everything.
The position of vice president is probably not that easy.
In fact, staying in the countryside for a whole month felt strange.
Then!
—Riiing!
The phone rang from my sister-in-law’s pocket.
She excused herself, looking apologetic, and stepped away for a moment.
“She really is busy.”
“Still, Somang Pharmaceuticals grew from a small company to a mid-sized one thanks to my wife.”
“Is she that skilled?”
“Of course! If it were my wife, Somang Pharmaceuticals could thrive like a major corporation!”
That might be difficult, don’t you think?
After all, there’s an invisible wall between mid-sized and major corporations.
But having business acumen was certainly welcome news.
Leaving my busy sister-in-law behind, I was just about to get to the main point with Youngho Hyung when…
Thud!
The sound of something collapsing came from somewhere.
We immediately ran toward the source of the sound.
And there…
“H-honey!”
Sister-in-law was lying there, gasping for breath.
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Koreans are an overworked nation. Just like the Japanese. And fewer and fewer people are getting married and having children. Development is expensive, and it costs a lot.
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