SWNOVELXO Chapter 64
Chapter 64
Treatment (2)
“I was really shocked, you know! I never dreamed you’d go solo in your debut match!”
“I felt the same way, brother. After all, there were three promising candidates mentioned as the next top rankers.”
“What I’m more curious about, though, isn’t that, but the magic Shimun-ssi used. Or should I say alchemy? What exactly did you make?”
As soon as the door was opened. And questions poured non-stop until sitting on the couch and serving tea.
Faced with a barrage of questions from the 3 top players in the country, reminiscent of a press conference, Shimun simply shook his head and answered politely.
Surprisingly.
‘They didn’t ask much about traits or stats.’
Although curiosity was written all over their faces, maybe it was because they were all top players? Any discussions related to abilities didn’t go in-depth.
‘I guess it doesn’t really matter if I tell them…’
Not only the two siblings who he had looked after since they were young. But also, Park Jinwook, the Night Hunter, knew too well from his past life how loyal and honorable he was, right?
‘No reason to speak up when no one’s asking.’
The more people know, the more likely information is to leak in one way or another. Shimun accepted their goodwill, wrapping up the story of his debut match.
Then, sipping on the now cold tea, Park Jinwook brought up the main topic.
“Shimun-ssi, you received the message I sent you before, right?”
“Of course.”
Shimun glanced at Yujeong and nodded.
“Don’t be shocked. The selling price was a whopping 5.5 billion.”
“What?!”
“Ke, keheh!”
Kim Shihyuk and Yujeong, startled. Even Yujeong, a ranker, showed the miracle of choking in surprise. And no wonder. Before the appearance of the Galaxy Arena.
The world’s most expensive treatment for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) cost about 2.2 million dollars per dose. An astonishing price of approximately 2.8 billion won each.
And now, a cure for Mana Petrification Disease was being said to be over double that, at 5.5 billion won?
“That’s per bottle too. You gave me a total of 10 bottles back then.”
10 bottles worth around 5.5 billion each.
Though it was an approximate price and minor fluctuations were expected.
It was easy to infer that the total selling price exceeded 55 billion won.
‘Wow… I had my guesses, but this is insane.’
Considering the price of the Mana Petrification Disease treatment in his past life, it was literally creating something out of nothing.
‘This is practically like turning stones into gold.’
-Golomgolom. In a way, oppa is really an alchemist economically too. Aung! Incredible!
“Philo, you say… No, never mind.’
Shimun chuckled at the compliment from the Philo. He slightly shook his head, looking at Park Jinwook.
“Shimun-ssi, I assure you, if it weren’t for the cap you set, each could have easily surpassed 10 billion.”
“That’s likely.”
“It’s not just likely! Because of that, the black market was absolutely frothing. Wondering if the drugs left any aftereffects, you see.”
Park Jinwook seemed utterly exasperated from the ordeal. No surprise there. At a minimum of 10 billion per bottle. For a total of 10 bottles, that was over 100 billion won that the seller himself cut in half by setting a cap.
From the black market’s perspective, they must have thought him mad. Shimun asked in a peculiar tone.
“But you did proceed as we discussed, right?”
Once a renowned Diamond rank player, Park Jinwook had retired due to Mana Petrification Disease, eventually descending into the shadowy world of private investigation.
Even for someone as financially comfortable as Park Jinwook, one hundred billion won was no small sum. Yet, he responded to the subtly inquisitive tone with a frivolous laugh.
“Honestly, it did sting a bit. It’s one hundred billion won we’re talking about, after all. But then again, I would’ve made more than that regardless. It’s all about what you’re willing to pay, isn’t it?”
It was an illness that even a Diamond player like Park Jinwook couldn’t escape. For a player in a similar predicament, it was only natural to consider liquidating their entire fortune to place a bid.
“You should have seen the auction yourself, Shimun-ssi. From celebrities to governments, the fervor at the auction was beyond imagination.”
“Yet, you stayed true to the conditions you had with me,” he continued.
“It’s a transaction with our VVIP, after all. Well…”
Park Jinwook trailed off, scratching his cheek awkwardly, an expression ill-fitting his rugged features.
“After suffering from the Arena disease myself, I couldn’t see the cure as just another commodity.”
Had it been before, maybe. But having experienced the fall from grace due to Mana Petrification Disease, Park Jinwook knew all too well the desperation. He couldn’t bear the thought of profiteering from the cure.
“After the auction, it became clear why you, Shimun-ssi, had set a price ceiling. You shifted to a formal address, looking at Shimun-ssi not with his usual gangster-like, fierce gaze but with one of deep impression.”
“It’s because you valued people over money. Probably because you’ve suffered from the Arena disease yourself.”
Shimun responded with a silent smile.
‘One cannot understand the misery of battling the Arena disease unless they’ve experienced it themselves.’
It might have been easier if it was inherent. Losing abilities, degrading over time… It’s something incomprehensible unless experienced firsthand.
But the Arena disease strikes only those who have awakened their abilities. The despair and loss of losing what was once normal are beyond words.
‘Knowing that, it would be wrong to toy with the cure.’
Furthermore, ‘It’s also to prepare for the upcoming official Arena.’
The more capable players there are, the better the chances of sustaining player numbers in the imminent official Arena, crucial for the survival of nations and Earth itself.
Smiling, Shimun said, “I too have a fondness for money. Don’t all alchemists?”
“And yet, you set a ceiling price for the cure you were selling?”
“Well, we are going into mass production anyway. And you might not realize it, being a Diamond player and all, but 5.5 billion won per dose is quite expensive.”
“Ha! I see. Let’s just say Shimun-ssi has envisioned the future.”
Park Jinwook chuckled heartily.
His younger brother, who could have jovially chimed in with ‘That’s my hyung for you!’, stayed silent, merely observing. Shimun’s gaze naturally drifted to the side.
“…”
He saw a beautiful woman staring blankly at him. Was it because Shimun’s gaze had turned her way?
“Oh, orabeoni. If I heard correctly just now…”
Yujeong barely managed to speak in a trembling voice.
“Yujeong, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.”
Shimun gently held his sister’s hand.
“You’re right. I was the one who created the cure for Mana Petrification Disease that was sold in the black market.”
He confirmed her guess.
“Ah… oh, ohh…”
Tears welling up, Yujeong broke into sobs.
“I… how much… I tried to find…”
She struggled to articulate her thoughts through her tears. Shimun quietly hugged his younger sibling, providing solace in the silent embrace.
* * *
After a while, Shimun comforted Yujeong, who had been crying. Regaining her composure rather quickly, she inquired about the possibility of treating their mother.
“I would like to say it’s possible, but first, we need to know the exact diagnosis of auntie.”
“There are two conditions. Magic Deficiency Syndrome and Circuit Regression.”
“What! Two?”
Shimun exclaimed, his eyes widening in shock like those of a startled rabbit.
Indeed, throughout his past lives, he had almost never encountered a player afflicted with two Arena diseases simultaneously. The reason was simple – those suffering from more than one Arena disease usually died quickly.
Despite suffering from Magic Inability himself, leading to a slow death, Shimun managed to survive day by day, doping up on various elixirs and items. It would be more appropriate to say he persevered.
However, the situation differs for those suffering from more than one Arena disease. While rare, there certainly were players afflicted with multiple diseases, and these individuals couldn’t escape the fate of a short life span, even before the official Arena battles began.
“How long has your aunt been suffering from the Arena diseases?”
Shimun asked.
“She collapsed seven years ago, but the diagnosis indicated she has been suffering for about ten years.”
“Ten years ago…”
Shimun’s face darkened.
‘It’s more serious than I thought.’
Surviving ten years with two Arena diseases?
‘So she’s been holding on because she’s my aunt.’
Having experienced Magic Inability firsthand, Shimun understood that Arena diseases typically began with a reduction and degeneration of abilities.
Once there was nothing left to diminish, the diseases progressed to the physical body. In that sense, it made sense that Yujeong’s mother could endure ten years with two diseases because…
‘She’s a first-generation ranker.’
A first-generation ranker might differ somewhat from the current rankers, due to the differences in the systematic development approach, elixirs, etc., but even moderate diamonds couldn’t match her specifications.
However, ‘There might not be much time left.’
Even for a first-generation ranker, enduring ten years with two Arena diseases indicated problem. Especially since Circuit Regression, even when treated successfully, left incredibly cruel after-effects.
Perhaps it was Shimun’s grave expression that prompted her concern.
“Orabeoni… is it, is it going to be difficult?”
Yujeong asked with a face full of anxiety.
“Ah! Sorry, I was just deep in thought.”
Shimun quickly shook his head, reassuring Yujeong. However, he couldn’t lie.
“If we have the ingredients, we can make the cure. But, circuit regression is the problem.”
“Ah.”
A multitude of emotions crossed Yujeong’s face.
“Orabeoni, if we can cure even one, that would be enough for me! Just say the word, and I’ll get any ingredient you need right away!”
“Hold on, Yujeong. Calm down and listen.”
Shimun soothed her, speaking slowly.
“Let me make this clear. Again, it is possible to treat both diseases.”
And fittingly for a smart child, “The treatment… itself?”
Yujeong quickly grasped the point of the conversation.
“So, there’s something about the circuit regression you mentioned earlier.”
“Yes.”
“I’m aware that circuit regression is considered a high-risk disease in the arena. Is it perhaps due to difficulties in the manufacturing process of the treatment?”
She was well aware that alchemists often failed in the manufacturing or alchemizing process. However, Kim Shimun firmly shook his head.
“No. It is somewhat difficult to produce the treatment for circuit regression, but it’s not impossible.”
Kim Shimun had already managed to create an Elixir at Level 1 to cure an inability to use magic. He had memorized the recipes for various treatments for arena diseases.
The manufacturing process for the circuit regression treatment was indeed somewhat vicious, but as long as the ingredients were secured, there was no major issue with the production itself.
Even more so, ‘Now, I possess specs much higher than in my previous life.’
It was entirely different from his Level 1 days when he couldn’t use magic.
The problem was, “It’s the side effects of the treatment for circuit regression.”
“Side effects…?”
Kim Shimun nodded gravely.
“Circuit regression, as the name suggests, causes a regression of the magic circuit. And the treatment for circuit regression works by forcibly normalizing it.”
“Does that mean forcing it back to normal could potentially damage Mom’s magic circuit?”
“Yes. I’m no doctor, but I know that once circuit regression sets in, it naturally places a burden on the magic circuit. And auntie has been enduring it for a staggering 10 years.”
A dark shadow fell across Yujeong’s face.
It was impossible not to understand what Kim Shimun was implying, unless one was a fool.
“Considering that her magic circuit is already weakened, using a forceful treatment could mean…”
She might never be able to operate as a player again.
Yujeong continued the thought that Kim Shimun couldn’t bring himself to utter.
“Meaning, the magic circuit could be completely ruined.”
“Yujeong, frankly, it’s a miracle she’s been holding on like this.”
“That’s true. That’s what I’ve always heard at the hospital. Any ordinary patient would have died long ago.”
“Yujeong…”
“So, it all comes down to my decision. After all, I’m her guardian.”
At those words, Kim Shihyuk and Park Jinwook, who were also present, held their breath. They were all top-ranking players. The possibility of losing all abilities as a player wasn’t something easy to hear.
However, “It’s okay. As long as Mom can wake up, I don’t mind. I’ve always prayed that I could bear any cost.”
Yujeong answered with a bright smile.
“Yujeong.”
Then what about that responsibility? What if your aunt wakes up and says, ‘Why did you make a choice that cost me all my abilities’?
What if she blames you, even just a bit?
‘Of course, given aunt’s character, that’s unlikely…’
But who could know the heart of someone who has suffered for so long?
However, “Actually, everything orabeoni mentioned, I’ve already heard from the doctor. Without a single discrepancy. That’s why I want to ask you even more.”
Yujeong looked earnestly at Kim Shimun, with her usual serene smile.
“So please, don’t worry and make it. I’m asking you, brother.”
Her gaze conveyed that she was ready to take all responsibility.
Perhaps Yujeong’s determination reached him.
“… Alright. Let’s start by gathering the ingredients and checking on your aunt’s condition.”
Kim Shimun looked back at his sister, who had grown up so much, with a proud smile.