Swordsmanship Genius Sees the Future

Chapter 48 - A Night Out Together

The beginning of Poison Arts is simple.

First, a small amount of poison is injected into the body, and the reaction is observed.

Once the body seems to adapt, the injected amount is gradually increased.

It's okay to fail to adapt.

There are all sorts of different poisons in the world, after all.

You've only failed with one.

Even snake venom is classified in myriad ways depending on the type of snake.

When it comes to insects, countless venomous insects await the practitioner, too many to count.

Plants are even more numerous.

Almost all species of plants produce toxic substances with diverse components.

Some fungi, like mushrooms, possess extreme toxicity, where merely touching them causes cells to rot.

Even if all these biological poisons don't suit one's body, it doesn't matter.

Metals and minerals also boast vast toxicity.

Furthermore, these two can be mixed.

Organic compounds, a blend of mineral and biological toxicity, also erode the human body in unique ways.

So, by trying various things, one is bound to find a poison that suits their body.

Or they die before that happens.

Anyway, poison is equalizing.

It's a fundamentally different starting point from the Sword King Families, where you're not even treated as human if you can't use Aura.

The problem is that while poison is equalizing, humans are not.

Some artificially create poisons that are easy to handle and have few side effects, efficiently accumulate toxicity according to systematically organized processes, and grow rapidly.

Others, on the other hand, instantly gulp down potent poisons with unproven effects, hoping for a miracle.

Of course, most die or become invalids, but if they succeed, they can leap to great heights in an instant.

So, in the end, it's the same.

Everyone just views the world from their own perspective.

In the midst of this, individuals emerged in the Northern region who devoted themselves in a completely different way.

Instead of finding a poison that suited their bodies, they adapted their bodies to the poison.

Over a long period, they gradually increased the amount, enduring agonizing asceticism.

Once they felt their constitution had changed, they would inject a new poison that didn't suit their body and repeat the asceticism.

Until they died.

How strong they became in this process wasn't important.

Their goal was to harbor as many diverse poisons as possible, even if only slightly more.

Power was merely a byproduct that sometimes came along with the process.

In this process, their bodies mutated.

Flesh and muscles swelled and distorted.

Hair fell out, skin discolored, and fingernails and toenails twisted.

But they weren't afraid.

On the contrary, they embraced the changes in their bodies positively, redoubling their efforts in training.

People called them Poison Men.

In the Northern region, people respected Poison Men regardless of whether they belonged to a family or a cult.

They respected the purity of accepting large amounts of poison even at the cost of their bodies, and they respected the mental fortitude that maintained reason without succumbing to madness during this process.

"You've arrived, Grand Protector."

The assembled agents bowed in greeting.

The burly Poison Man who had come through the tunnel responded by raising the jar in his hand.

"This is the final shipment."

It was a jar large enough for a person to fit inside entirely.

The agents looked at each other with moved expressions, rejoicing.

"Finally!"

"It finally arrived. So much Hundred-Year Poison..."

"I heard the rumors. They say that individual has officially begun mass-producing Hundred-Year Poison."

"Ohh, finally, light for the Cult..."

"The day is not far when this corrupt city will fall into the hands of the Cult!"

"Don't act recklessly."

The Poison Man warned with a hoarse voice.

"This is enemy territory. Do not let down your guard until the great undertaking succeeds."

The chamber fell silent for a moment.

The Poison Man set the jar down on the floor and asked,

"This city is new to me. Report on the situation above."

"Yes, Grand Protector."

One agent quickly stepped forward and explained.

"As you know, this is the basement of a trading company building that our Cult operates as a disguise."

"Was it Rutin Merchant Guild?"

"That's right. To the outside, it's known as an herb drying factory. The disguise is perfect. Although the tunnel connection is recent, the factory has been operating for decades. But the enemies still haven't uncovered its true nature."

"Well done. The disguise only needs to be maintained until tomorrow."

It was a sudden conclusion.

The agent glanced around for a moment and then asked, "Until tomorrow, you mean..."

"The Vice-Sect Master gave the order. The great undertaking is tomorrow night."

"Ohh!"

"Tomorrow night!"

"It's starting right away!"

"It's been long! Finally!"

Exclamations poured out.

The Poison Man waited briefly for the excitement to subside, then said, "Report on the state of readiness."

"The preparations for the undertaking were completed a long time ago. The only thing lacking was the Hundred-Year Poison. And that missing element has just been filled."

"I heard two agents went missing. Has there been any contact since?"

"No, there hasn't. They are still missing."

"Is there a possibility they were discovered by the enemy?"

"High. However, there is no possibility that information was leaked."

"Why?"

"Because they knew no information. The missing agents were unaware of this place's existence. They also didn't know why we are collecting Hundred-Year Poison in this land. Contact was made only through directive papers."

This was the advantage of cell-based operation.

The Poison Man repeated the agent's words like a machine.

"Since they know nothing, there's no chance of information about the undertaking being leaked."

"That's right."

"And the Hundred-Year Poison supplied to them?"

"Its whereabouts are unknown. Just as they know nothing about us, we know nothing about where they went or what they did. The only certainty is that they successfully disguised themselves and entered the academy as new students. Since they didn't appear at the designated meeting place at the appointed time, we merely presume they went missing."

This was the disadvantage of cell-based operation.

As the Poison Man fell silent, the agent hastily added, "The amount of Hundred-Year Poison that disappeared with them is very small. Even just adding what the Grand Protector brought now is enough to carry out the undertaking."

"Is there a possibility that the enemies investigated the Hundred-Year Poison and learned its effects?"

"No. If they had, additional large enemy forces would have been deployed to this city."

The agent said with a confident expression.

"In the past few months, there has been no change in the city's stationed troops or security level. Even though several agents intentionally caused murders. They know nothing. They don't even have the leeway to deal with minor disturbances."

"I see."

The Poison Man nodded, looking around at the agents.

"The undertaking will proceed as scheduled. Has there been any change in D's personal status during this time?"

"No, there hasn't."

The agent shook his head.

"The target, D, has only commuted between the academy and the dormitory without a single exception since enrolling in the academy. There are no unusual circumstances whatsoever."

"Never left the academy grounds?"

"That's right. Not a single step. D, that is, Eunice Doffenhauser."

'D' was Eunice Doffenhauser's codename.

However, even the agents preparing the undertaking didn't know why Doffenhauser had to be watched.

"Grand Protector. We only heard the result. The result that if the undertaking succeeds, this city of corruption will fall into the hands of the Poison King Cult."

"Hmm. Yes."

"But no matter how much I think about it, I don't understand the reason. In the end, isn't the undertaking just attacking the academy and killing students and professors? Except for the target, Doffenhauser, that is."

"No, that's not right."

The Poison Man shook his head.

"You must not kill the students and professors. You must only subdue them."

"...Huh?"

Confusion spread across the agents' faces.

Not kill the enemy on the day of the undertaking?

What kind of insane talk was that?

"The Vice-Sect Master ordered it. Everyone must be bewildered, but there's a reason. Everyone, listen carefully to what I'm about to say now. Tomorrow night, Doffenhauser will be devoured by the ley lines."

"Devoured by the ley lines? What do you mean by that?"

"Doffenhauser is strongly connected to the ley lines. You all know that, right?"

"Of course. With an 8-star Aura, her ley line sensitivity must be immense."

"That transcends sensitivity; one could call her the literal Incarnation of the Leylines."

"Incarnation..."

"However, the human body is fragile and cannot withstand it. The connection is so strong that the day will eventually come when she is swallowed by the ley lines. The Vice-Sect Master foresaw all this and prepared the future. To seize the moment when the Incarnation is absorbed by the ley lines. Injecting poison into its body – that is the core of this undertaking."

The Poison Man pointed to the jar.

The bewildered agents one by one began to grasp the truth.

"Ah... Could this be?"

"The unique Poison King's..."

"The same work that individual tried to do by becoming the Life-Death Poison himself..."

"Exactly right."

The Poison Man nodded.

"The Incarnation being absorbed by the ley lines is a major event. The ripples are so vast that surrounding humans are also caught up and absorbed.

"It's like that individual's final moment..."

"That's right. It's also written in the scriptures. Didn't it say that when the Poison King transformed into the Life-Death Poison, all surrounding humans melted away and disappeared with him?"

"Ohh. Indeed..."

"That's right. It's the same result. Contaminating the ley lines by tainting the Incarnation with poison. All humans in the vicinity as well. The stronger their Aura, the better, just like the Incarnation. Because they will become even stronger virulent poisons and contaminate the ley lines. And when that happens..."

Just then, an agent cried out with tears in his eyes. "That individual transcended death! He leapt into the ley lines to purify the world!"

It was the doctrine of the Poison King Cult.

Other agents also began shouting along.

"Poison King! Our savior who fought for the unchosen!"

"He will be resurrected after 250 years and return to us! No, he has returned!"

"Poison King!"

"The Poison King Cult is eternal!"

"Eternal!"

"Our world will open!"

"It will be so."

The Poison Man wore an expressionless smile.

"Soon, our world will open. A paradise where no one can wield Aura, where everyone is equal before poison."

***

"Hey, aren't you going to pay back the money?"

Phil asked, putting his arm around Froggy's neck.

Froggy smiled brightly and shook his head.

"What are you talking about? Of course, I will."

"You haven't forgotten, have you? It's not much for me, but don't you owe Ray quite a bit?"

"I haven't forgotten. I'm actually on my way to get some money now. I'll probably be able to pay back a lot today, you know?"

"What? You said you were going to show me something fun? What does that have to do with money?"

"Didn't I tell you? It's all connected. It's fun, and I'll make money. Heh heh~ Froggy, froggy~ Under the froggy's yellow flower shade~"

Froggy sang a strange song and subtly slipped out of his grasp.

Phil looked at me and made a twisting motion with his finger next to his head.

"Hey, is he really okay?"

"Of course. He's fine."

I nodded with a smile.

It's hard for ordinary people to understand Froggy's mental world.

Of course, that includes me.

When he goes on about frogs, it feels almost like madness. But he's also that pure and warm. He even did a puppet show to ward off bad luck next to me when I was unconscious. So nothing else really matters.

Anyway, although Phil brought it up, I wasn't desperate for money right now. I had hit the jackpot.

Yesterday, an express delivery arrived from the post office.

It was a money bag containing a whopping 10,000 Sils (I don't know how many times I counted it overnight).

The sender was unknown.

Instead, there was a small piece of paper with a drawing.

A grinning pumpkin drawing.

I know this drawing.

It's the mascot drawn at the entrance of Pumpkin Hall, a famous restaurant in Crest.

I tried it once, and as its name suggests, the pumpkin pie is delicious.

And Crest is Inspector Pale's city.

The person who sent the money bag must be Inspector Pale.

That person also bought me a meal at Pumpkin Hall before.

Was he trying to repay the favor my father showed him?

Or was he just pitying me because I was alone and sent the money?

It doesn't matter.

I'm just grateful.

Are you doing well, Inspector?

Chief Serces said you were captured and confined somewhere, but it turns out you were just hiding to avoid attention because something happened.

So I shouldn't worry.

Given that he even sent money like this, isn't he living more freely than expected?

Anyway, thank you.

Seriously, thank you, Inspector.

Thanks to you, I even treated my friends to lunch. As a token of gratitude for watching over me while I was unconscious.

So, I ate well, and now I'm following Froggy who said he'd show me something fun to help digest.

It's an academy holiday, so I have plenty of time.

After following Froggy for a long time, we arrived at...

"...Black Market?"

It was the entrance to the Black Market, the very place where I adopted the poisonous frog before, down the stairs leading underground, nestled between the back alleys.