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237
“So….”
Karma Corporation headquarters.
As soon as I returned home, I summoned all the heads of headquarters and told them what I knew.
Then Director Lee Ah-young asked back with an expression of disbelief.
“Are you saying that the sudden appearance of people with special abilities that are not in the current data… is due to drugs?”
“Octaboidamphetamine.”
I spit out one word.
“It is a new drug commonly called Void.”
“drug?”
“Well, it’s a drug created accidentally while refining monster by-products. Like any other drug, it has a strong hallucinogenic and addictive effect. In fact, putting that aside, the real main effect of this drug is…”
I continued speaking carefully, looking at each of the directors in turn.
“It is known to instantly amplify abilities.”
“….”
“….”
Everyone tilted their heads at the word “known.”
That’s because Boyd was revealed to the world much later.
It was natural for them to hear it for the first time.
At that time, Director Lee Ah-young asked a question again.
“Wait. “If this ability is amplified, what happens to ordinary people who don’t have this ability?”
“Of course it has no effect.”
“Then, the sudden appearance of new people with special abilities…”
“Yes. “Among those who administered Void, they are probably neither ordinary people nor hunters.”
Those who have this ability but are not registered in the existing ranking system.
Unranked.
It is clear that drugs are being spread among them.
“It would be reasonable to say that unranked people around the world are administering Void and supporting the operation team.”
“Ha, this is my first time hearing that drugs are made from monster by-products…”
“Well, even if this is your first time hearing about drugs themselves, you probably know the raw materials.”
“yes?”
“Void is a drug made by purifying fractals.”
“…!”
Director Lee Ah-young’s eyebrows twitched greatly.
Fractal.
A top-quality by-product that is absolutely necessary when making A-rank or higher weapons.
Although it is a rare by-product worldwide. Thanks to an exclusive supply contract with Central Africa, the largest excavation site, a few months ago, it is a relatively common item in Korea.
In the past, while the Japanese branch was conducting research to extract more powerful effects using fractals, a new material was created.
The new drug created in this way started in Japan before returning and spread mainly to South America and Mexico.
Unlike regular drugs, it was a drug that only worked on those with special abilities, and had a tremendous effect of amplifying abilities in a short period of time… but like any other drug, it was highly
addictive and had serious side effects.
Among them, the most serious side effect is a runaway state caused by excessive stimulation of one’s abilities.
If he caused casualties due to excessive use of drugs, he would be disqualified and spend the rest of his life in prison.
In other words, it was a drug that hunters who valued their business cards more than their lives had no reason to try.
Fortunately, this new drug did not spread very widely. Above all, the price was enormous.
In the end, it became popular only among a very small number of hunters, and the Mexican cartel, which was the main manufacturer, closed down the business and discarded all drugs because it was not profitable.
It wasn’t until later that it was discovered. Since all manufacturers, distributors and consumers had already withdrawn from the drug, no major problems arose.
In other words, it can be said to be an unprecedented drug that was released without anyone knowing before returning and then completely disappeared without anyone noticing.
But the problem is…
‘Things are different now.’
Currently, large-scale recruitment is taking place around the world to fill the shortage of personnel.
This will be a golden opportunity for those who would not normally be eligible to apply to become part of the operation team.
Hunter recruitment announcements from around the world.
A drug that amplifies this ability.
The two worst conditions coincided perfectly.
For some, it’s an opportunity, and for others, it’s the best place to work.
If voids are distributed in this situation, the aftermath will be nothing compared to before returning.
Did you say that having vague talent is more painful than having no talent?
There is no better way for those who have this ability but cannot do anything with it, but have not given up on the hope of becoming a hunter.
From the cartel’s perspective, Unrank would be a perfect target.
‘Looking at the number of applicants exceeding 1 million, it seems like it has already spread quite a bit…’
That’s when I muttered.
“Still, I’m glad.”
Director Lee Ah-young carefully spoke those words.
“We had an exclusive supply with Central Africa, the largest fractal excavation site. Since we handle 70% of the world’s fractals… mass manufacturing will not be easy.”
“That’s true.”
I nodded.
Even if you made it by pouring in all the raw materials you had until now, you would need a large amount of fractals to continue expanding and distributing your business.
However, since we already own it, saving the fractal would be like picking stars from the sky.
Of course, that doesn’t mean you can be reassured.
Above all….
“The real problem is that, aside from being addictive and having side effects, it is not detectable in the body. “It’s impossible to tell whether it’s a person with really strong abilities or a person who has been administered Void.”
“So… if we pick the wrong one, there could be problems with the subjugation again?”
“It will definitely happen. “If you stop taking the medication, it returns to the lower level, and even if you continue taking the medication, there is no way you will be fine because of the side effects.”
Everyone was silent for a moment, sparing any response to this rather serious story.
“For now, let’s suspend the hiring screening for a while.”
“…I’d like that.”
“Even if it’s difficult for drugs to spread further, we can’t just sit back and relax. “The rule is to root out anything that could be a problem.”
I continued speaking while looking at Director Lee Ah-young and Kim Min-ju.
“First, let’s eliminate the cartel that manufactures and distributes Void.”
“all right.”
“yes.”
Everyone nodded, but only one person… that guy didn’t.
“By the way…”
Han Yu-bin, head of the planning department.
She had been listening quietly the whole time, but instead of answering, she hinted at something else.
“How on earth do you know this?”
“…yes?”
“It wasn’t even reported on the news, it was an unknown drug, and even Eclipse’s general manager Lee A-young didn’t know about it… How could they know about it?”
“….”
Unlike his sharp voice, his calm eyes.
Anyone could see that this was an extension of a question asked previously.
‘Are you still doubting it?…’
I thought about that for a moment.
I smiled and opened my mouth to look out the door.
“Please come in.”
With those words, a man carefully opened the door and entered the office.
“Oh hello! “This is Kang Jae-seok, head of the information team and in charge of the Gyeongnam region.”
He was a former member of the Hunter Intelligence Team whom I personally selected.
Soon, Kang Jae-seok started introducing himself.
“Actually, when I was in society, I received a proposal for a Boyd distribution plan. haha!”
“…?!”
“…!”
Everyone’s eyes widened at those words.
“He was a broker who was involved in smuggling between South America and Europe, and he suggested we work together because there was a new drug.”
“So? Did you accept it?!”
“No way. Anyway, I refused because I thought it wasn’t right for me. And once they step in, you can’t get them out, right?”
Kang Jae-seok scratched his head awkwardly and answered.
And right after that, I said:
“How would you know that I wasn’t even on the news? “I heard the details from this person.”
“….”
For a moment, Han Yu-bin looked at him with sad eyes.
“What did you know?”
He nodded once and then asked the man.
“So, can I meet the person who suggested the distribution plan?”
“Ah yes! “If you do a little research, you will be able to contact me.”
“Then I guess we can start from there.”
I nodded.
“Jaesuk Kang, please go and tell Team Leader Hong to convene the entire operation team. “I think we’ll need manpower to go overseas.”
“Yes, I understand!”
“I will go with Han Yu-bin this time too. “Ayoung Lee, Minju Kim, and Director Ha, please remain at headquarters and wait for contact.”
“yes? This time, I’m going with you…!”
Minju Kim stepped forward, but I immediately shook my head.
“No you can’t. We also need someone to lead the domestic subjugation. “The dispatch support hasn’t even ended yet.”
“….”
A look of open regret.
What can I do? In the first place, her personality doesn’t suit her for this job.
“Usually people are listened to when they pick up a stick, but they are not bullies. Therefore, it is better suited to be someone who deals with animals rather than people.”
“…After hearing it, it seems a bit like that?”
“….”
For some reason, Han Yu-bin got angry at those words and glared at me.
“…Okay, anyway, let’s get to work.”
I quickly averted my gaze and changed the subject.
***
Tijuana, Mexico.
It looked like an ordinary laundry factory, but in reality it was the home of Mexico’s second largest drug cartel, Uno Empire.
It was the world’s largest octavidamphetamine manufacturing plant.
“Everyone pay attention.”
At that time, Jose, who was in charge of the factory, raised his voice to the employees who were busy working.
“We have to deliver 300 kg by this week. “Starting today, let’s start working without a day off.”
“Four, three hundred?”
“You have to row when the water comes in. “I’ve already signed a contract with an organization in Texas.”
“….”
“….”
The manufacturers began to look at each other.
Jose frowned at the lukewarm response and opened his mouth.
“Anyone who is dissatisfied, come out now.”
“That’s not it…”
“We’re running low on raw materials. The maximum fractal I have now is 20kg…”
“…What?”
“Well… the largest producer of fractals is Central Africa, but it is controlled by Karma Corporation, so it is almost impossible to obtain raw materials.”
“Ah…”
Jose frowned at the words of the manufacturers.
“Then you can’t get it anywhere else? It’s an opportunity too good to miss. “Unranked people from all over the world are lining up now!”
“….”
But there was no way they could do anything.
Isn’t this a drug that was originally intended to be discarded due to its limited effectiveness compared to its price?
Now it was nearly impossible to obtain raw materials.
However, I couldn’t play around with my hands.
Isn’t this period, when associations around the world are recruiting hunters on a large scale, the best time to distribute products?
As word of mouth spread among unranked users, demand has also increased explosively.
Mafias from around the world, who noticed this situation early on, are already reaching out to ask for a contract with them.
This is a golden opportunity.
If we follow the trend and expand our business, we may be able to beat Mexico’s largest cartel, El Ojos.
So this is a business that can never be given up.
‘That doesn’t mean we can’t create raw materials that don’t exist…’
At that time, I thought there was no way.
“Team leader T! “There’s an intruder outside right now…!”
“…what?!”
An employee who hurriedly entered the factory shouted.
“what! “Oh, they’re you guys?!”
“Oh no…”
the employee continued with a very frightened expression.
“…He is a person with special abilities.”
“…!”
“…!”
Immediately upon hearing those words, all the dispensaries, including Jose, took out their guns.
bang-!!
The tightly closed iron door was broken and someone came in.
“Don’t move!!”
“What the fuck are you!!”
Everyone pointed their guns at the man and shouted.
The person who appeared there was a white middle-aged woman.
Jose seemed quite taken aback by the unexpected person, but the woman just calmly looked around the place.
And soon.
“calm down. “I’m here to help.”
She opened her mouth.
“…what?”
“My name is Emma, and I am the representative of PB Corporation, a subsidiary of the International Hunter Association.”
“What business does the International Association have for us?”
“Are voids being created here?”
“…?”
“It’s smaller than I thought. “The facilities are poor… Is this why we can deliver to all over the world?”
“What now…?”
“It looks like there is a shortage of raw materials.”
Crash-.
The words of a woman whose true intentions are completely unknown.
Jose asked again, aiming the gun squarely at her head.
“What are you? Where are you now…!”
“We will supply the raw materials that are lacking.”
At that moment, CEO Emma interrupted Jose and gave him a sweet offer.