Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 197

Aid (2)

“It’s clear why they sent Felix. He’s in charge of the mercenary group’s overall operations. They sent someone who could negotiate a clean deal while also saving us some face.”

“…I suppose that’s accurate.”

Renok nodded, acknowledging Felix’s words after he cleared his throat.

In essence, the discussion with Dyke was concluded, and they were now at the stage of coordinating specific details with Antares.

It was surprising that Jenny had found such a capable partner so quickly, but it was also unexpected that things had progressed this far already.

He could roughly guess Dyke’s reasoning for readily jumping into this matter.

Renok’s skills, demonstrated in dealing with the Siger Bang gang, and the benefits he gained from monopolizing the weapons business were considerable. They must have analyzed the situation and decided to subtly align themselves with Renok.

Even if this action strained their relationship with the Cartel, their weapons business wouldn’t be threatened. If things went well, they might even take a piece of the Cartel’s market share.

Considering the personality of Dyke’s planning director, Panoa, whom Renok knew, it seemed shrewd yet quite logical.

Sending only Killian was likely a way to feign ignorance, claiming it was Killian’s independent decision.

Although the intention was obvious, it wasn’t a bad move.

Killian’s skills were not a hindrance, and he would be helpful in tasks requiring manpower.

The real issue was Antares.

It was surprising that a top-tier mercenary group didn’t outright reject this matter, but it was even more surprising that a mercenary like Felix came directly to propose a deal.

Did they see that Renok and Jenny had a high chance of success?

“I’d like to hear the details. That’s why you’re here, right?”

“Before that, it seems someone needs to leave.”

Felix said, looking sharply at Killian.

Even Killian couldn’t interrupt at this point, so he clicked his tongue and stood up.

“Well, if you’re busy, I can’t help it. I’ll head downstairs. I guess I can join the mercenaries who are busy outside?”

Killian quickly left the office, leaving only three people behind.

Only then did Felix speak.

“First, let me state my position. I believe the business you’ve started has a lot of potential.”

“…”

Instead of answering, Renok turned to Jenny.

The business was almost entirely something that had developed while Renok was in the Autonomous Territory.

Other than her involvement in logistics distribution, he hadn’t heard anything else.

“The idea of taking over the underground logistics distribution by making intercity trade businesses investors is very innovative. Especially with Jenny, a blood relative of Kaise, directly leading it. The scavengers currently control that, but it was just a handout they received for being loyal to the Tri-Heads… If you run the business properly, taking over their share will be immediate.”

Felix said, resting his chin on his muscular arm.

“The problem is that many people in this industry have the same idea. And that includes the Cartel. The reason they started interfering as soon as you began your business is because of that.”

“So, they’re actively trying to suppress us because they’re confident in the success of the logistics distribution business?”

“That’s right. That’s why Jenny’s proposal is giving me a lot to consider. If I side with you, I’ll have to stick with you until this situation is resolved. I didn’t want to get involved if possible, but…”

Felix said, then quickly drank the coffee in his cup.

It didn’t seem like the caffeine would have any effect on his large body.

“Our boss seems to think differently.”

“…”

There was no need to ask who Felix was referring to as his boss.

The head of the Antares office, a top figure in the mercenary industry in this vast metropolis.

Even though he doesn’t get involved in external activities, everyone knows his face and believes in his skills.

The mercenary leader, Antares.

The leader who had outstanding mercenaries like Dylan, Mila, and Felix had now turned his attention to Renok.

“Felix, let’s get to the point.”

Jenny spoke.

“I appreciate your positive view of our business, but if you don’t tell us what you want, we can’t negotiate, can we? Do you want a share of the business when it’s officially listed?”

“…”

“Since you came to our office directly, it seems you’ve already made up your mind, so stop stalling.”

Her eyes flashed sharply.

“Isn’t it because Antares wants something else that you’re making such a big deal out of this?”

“Hmm.”

Felix stroked his beak with his large hand, remaining silent.

“As always, you have a good sense, Miss. You’re right.”

‘Miss…’

Jenny, who had connections in various places and a wide network, didn’t use honorifics with many people.

Considering her tendencies, Felix was probably…

While Renok was lost in thought, the conversation continued.

“There are two main conditions. First, to confirm whether you are willing to concede some business interests to us, as Miss Jenny said. In this case, the detailed conditions will be adjusted after the Cartel’s interference is resolved.”

It seemed that Antares didn’t think that Jenny and the Cartel would go all the way when they clashed.

Jenny, who had already guessed this to some extent, didn’t change her expression.

“Second. Our leader wants to meet Ban separately. I hope you can make time for it.”

Was Felix stalling for so long just to bring up these conditions?

Renok tilted his head slightly, puzzled, and Felix added.

“He wants a serious duel with the understanding that injuries are possible.”

“…”

“Felix, tell him he’s crazy.”

Like Jenny’s sharp response, that request was something that Renok couldn’t accept at this point.

He didn’t know how belligerent Antares was, but if Renok were to duel with Antares and get injured now, when there was a risk of the conflict with the Cartel escalating, it would be a huge loss.

Moreover, Renok was a mage, not someone suited for duels.

Even though Renok had built his reputation by defeating numerous strong opponents, no one would think he could go one-on-one with a warrior like Antares.

However, Renok nodded at the request.

“Okay.”

“Ban?”

“If I can gain the backing of Antares just by exchanging blows with their mercenary leader, it’s a good deal. I accept the second condition. If you and Jenny agree on the first condition at a reasonable level, I’m fine with it.”

The situation had changed drastically since the Creamgal Mercenary Group and Dyke Corporation had joined them.

Beyond simply inflicting losses on the Cartel, they could also form a force and engage in a power struggle.

That meant that the possibility of Renok and Jenny being able to maintain a tense standoff with the Cartel without much difficulty had greatly increased.

‘We’ve reached a point where we can’t back down. The fact that they’ve made this condition means they have something they want to say to me.’

He hadn’t yet obtained the mental image to reach level 7, but the gains Renok had made in the Autonomous Territory were significant.

Various medicinal herbs and all sorts of goods. Personal magical achievements and the artifacts he had obtained through Akasha and Weizen in the process.

And decisively, the rosary he received from Lapis, the existence of the Pure Land Mantra, made Renok more cautious.

The highest-grade magical tool that the Heavenly Madrea Falsier had used until just before becoming an Ascendant [a being that has transcended mortal limitations].

If this artifact could bind opponents by suppressing and sealing specific spaces, it would be more than enough for Renok to safely extract himself from any situation.

If he gathered information about Antares and used it to strategize, Renok wouldn’t suffer any major losses in this matter.

Jenny looked at Renok’s face, moved her lips, then sighed and nodded.

She knew that Renok wasn’t the kind of person to make such a judgment without a basis.

“Haa… Okay. Then, send Dylan Okaysi to our side right away. If that guy is still hanging around our bar, the Cartel will roughly understand what it means.”

“Dylan is currently away on other business… but there are many members here who want to participate in this matter. There won’t be a shortage of manpower.”

“…Okay. For now, it’s best to negotiate the conditions, including that part.”

After that, Renok left the bar, leaving Felix and Jenny to negotiate for a while.

Whether Felix’s words about looking positively at their business were true or not, he had indeed demanded a fairly specific share of their business.

With Jenny’s suggestion that the entire Antares mercenary group should join their company, the negotiations were going nowhere.

Also, as Renok had guessed, Felix was once one of Kaise’s subordinates, and when he started talking about old times, Renok thought it was better to leave.

When he went downstairs to the bar, the mercenaries guarding the place greeted him.

He nodded in response and went outside, where he could see people discreetly patrolling the area.

In the meantime, it seemed that Drey had already organized the tasks that the mercenaries had to do and had started working.

He could ask later how they had decided on the patrol method.

Renok thought that and moved on.

There was something he had to do personally before starting work.

* * *

He left District 49 and headed to District 31, where the botanical garden was located.

It was evening, with dusk settling in. Since it was a weekday, he passed through the sparsely populated botanical garden and headed towards the orchard inside.

As always, an old man who was slacking off in the dark blue mist greeted Renok.

“What brings you here this time?”

The old man looked up at him with a suspicious smile.

On the surface, the old man seemed to be idly passing the time, but his ears were spread throughout this entire district.

Thanks to that, the old man remembered Renok’s face and name quite accurately, which was rare.

He was an odd fellow.

When he first saw him, he was just one of the unremarkable freelancers, but now there was no one in the 40s districts who didn’t know his name.

There were few who didn’t know about the destruction of the Siger Bang gang that dominated District 48, or the extermination of the black mages who were plotting a rebellion in the undeveloped area.

Not only did he handle various types of magic from unknown origins, but his combat skills, which were never inferior to those of ordinary warriors in direct combat, were becoming as famous as Ban’s name.

Occasionally, when browsing the deep web, there were many anonymous clients asking why Ban hadn’t been taking on designated requests lately.

The fact that this man, who had completely concealed his residence, real name, affiliation, and all other personal information, was visiting the orchard for activities other than his official requests was quite significant.

Was his unique preference for tobacco just a simple taste, or did it have a deeper meaning?

The old man, who was also aware of the rumors circulating in the world, was watching the things he bought whenever he visited the orchard.

Perhaps the secret to his extraordinary strength and growth rate was hidden in the tobacco he smoked.

Renok, who was looking down at the old man with eyes that showed no emotion, slowly opened his mouth.

“I would like to purchase some medicine.”

“We have more than enough goods prepared. If you have the money, you can take anything.”

The old man chuckled and rubbed his hands together like a fly.

It was also unusual that he could act so shamelessly without any hesitation, yet not look like it at all.

“So, what will it be? It’s about time the effects of the Double Scarlet and Feather Fall you recently purchased wore off. But that’s how it is. When you look for things without side effects, you end up craving the slightly disappointing effects.”

“…”

“I know it very well. The feelings of those who take drugs are all the same, aren’t they? I understand. You try to draw a line, saying you can control yourself, but this world of drugs is like a swamp, and once you step into it, you can’t get out…”

The fact that the drug haze was still flickering in the old man’s eyes proved his words more accurately than anything else.

However, even after hearing those words, Renok’s gaze did not change.

Disappointed by the indifferent reaction, the old man leaned back and tilted his head.

“Now, tell me what you want this time. I’m starting to get curious about what kind of drugs Ban of District 49 likes. Once I start collecting samples, it won’t be difficult to create a custom one that is full of your preferences. It’s a service for regulars, but I wouldn’t refuse it for you.”

The old man said that and waited for Renok’s answer.

Renok looked around the wide shelves displayed behind the old man and said.

“Give me everything.”

“…What?”

“One sample of every type of drug here.”