The general manager was extremely excited. Once this medicine was completed, it would be priceless, not to mention cultivating death warriors, but even selling it would fetch an astronomical price.
"Thank you very much, Mr. Xin. When can we mass-produce it?"
The gaunt stranger chuckled, revealing a mouth full of rotten teeth.
"Mass-produce? Impossible."
"Why?"
"The new pill's power is excessive. After the test subjects take it, they can't control their own strength, and there's a high probability of them suffering epileptic seizures, all the way to death!!"
"Ah! Then... then isn't this medicine flawed? How can you say it's completed?"
The gaunt stranger said, "Of course it's completed, it just lacks a crucial ingredient to allow the test subjects to control their own strength!"
"What ingredient?"
"Salt essence!"
The general manager almost spat out a mouthful of blood.
Although he knew the ingredient wouldn't be ordinary, he never expected it to be a resource of salt essence's caliber!
The consumption of salt essence was immense. Even a small amount added to high-end cuisine could greatly enhance the flavor.
And the entire production technology for salt essence in the human world was controlled by the Four Great Salt Merchants. Only ancient organizations could establish connections with the Four Great Salt Merchants and possess the purchasing qualification.
That's right, just the purchasing qualification.
To acquire salt essence, one would also need to participate in pre-sales and auctions.
Furthermore, each faction had a purchase limit, fluctuating based on previous years' purchases, not exceeding 115% of the previous amount.
Underground organizations like the Heavenly Thieves Alliance didn't even have the purchasing qualification!
The general manager said with difficulty, "How much salt essence is needed?"
"The more, the better."
"Damn... uh, Mr. Xin, I mean, how much does one pill require?"
The gaunt stranger didn't seem to care about the general manager's impropriety and casually said, "At least 0.5 grams, and to guarantee the effect, one gram."
"One gram?"
The general manager winced. Salt essence was extremely rare on the black market, and even if available, it would be astronomically expensive.
Organizations barely had enough for themselves, so why would they sell it?
"Fine! One gram it is!"
"I'll immediately mobilize the Heavenly Thieves Alliance's intelligence network to round up all the salt essence on the market!"
The general manager returned to the Heavenly Thieves Alliance headquarters in the upper city and immediately assigned the task of finding salt essence.
The main door was blasted open with a bang.
A tall and agile figure emerged.
"Who dares to cause trouble at the Heavenly Thieves Alliance!"
"Guards, quickly find the guards! Quickly contact the patrol!"
Unlike the chaos among the clerical staff, the general manager remained composed, displaying great presence.
"You are..."
"Don't you recognize me?"
"This voice... You! You're Haru???"
The general manager could no longer maintain his composure, his eyes wide open, completely unable to connect the handsome man before him with the fat slob he remembered.
Haru placed his large foot on the desk, looking displeased. "I'm here to collect my salary."
"Then... the heads of Modu and Bruce? That's not important. What about the Rainbow Fruit?"
With the Rainbow Fruit, the association's expenses could be recovered by more than half.
"None. Your intelligence was inaccurate."
"The mission failed?"
The general manager's expression shifted to one of indifference. He reclined in his office chair and spread his hands. "Mr. Haru, there's no reward for mission failure. In fact, our contract is very clear."
He then pointed to a large safe beside him.
The entire safe was welded with molybdenum-nickel alloy, making it impenetrable even by cannon fire, ensuring utmost security.
Only the general manager knew the location of the key.
Haru wagged his finger and said, "No one can cheat me out of my earnings!"
With that, he punched the safe. The thick wall instantly crumbled.
The safe was indeed sturdy. Even when struck, it was propelled into another office building and remained largely intact.
At this moment, a group of people rushed in through the doorway, all wearing breastplates and holding firearms.
They were the Progressive City Guard, the most elite armed force of Progressive City, equipped with the most advanced flintlock guns and matching breastplates.
The young general leading them shouted, "Who dares to cause trouble here, do you want to eat bullets?"
"Who the hell are you! How dare you... ...Haru!!!"
The young general's blood ran cold. In Progressive City, everyone knew Haru's name.
Even if he lost his life today, no one would come to seek justice for him.
The soldiers behind him looked as if they had seen a ghost, running out faster than they had entered.
"H-Haru-sama, I..."
"Scram!"
"Yes, right away!"
The young general, overjoyed, squatted down, hugged his knees, and literally rolled out.
The general manager's brow twitched. He had played with rules and power for too long and had almost forgotten the terror of the beast before him.
Haru picked up a mirror and leisurely said, "Is this face not menacing enough? Do you not feel the crisis of life and death?"
As he spoke, a faint killing intent emerged.
The general manager seemed to recall some terrifying memories, and goosebumps erupted all over his body!
"Wait... wait! I'll pay you!"
The killing intent instantly vanished. The general manager knelt on the ground, gasping for breath.
"Do you need more time to catch your breath? My patience is limited."
The general manager issued an invoice, still unwillingly saying, "Mr. Haru's strength is all used to intimidate hosts, right? The mission..."
"Intimidate?"
"Not killing you is already considering the money."
Haru's eyes glinted menacingly, and he continued, "Your mission information never mentioned that the World's Treasures Association has super powerhouses above level fifty!"
"Level fifty???"
According to the intelligence, the World's Treasures Association had eight ministers at levels 15-18.
Four gourmet hunters at levels 20-24.
President Xifeng's strength was extremely high, estimated to be above level 35.
At level 35, if he exerted his full power, it would only take a few minutes to destroy a village of ten thousand people. He could easily crush regular troops, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him a human battleship.
And level 50... that was already a realm beyond human comprehension, akin to gods and demons.
Haru, holding the money, showed a slight smile. "I advise you not to provoke the World's Treasures Association."
"Wait!"
"Hmm?"
"I have another mission for you!"
"Heh, you're still looking for me?"
The general manager licked his lips. "Unfortunately, I don't know anyone stronger than you."
"Tell me the mission."
"Salt essence. Find me salt essence, the more the better!"
This time, the general manager was careful and stated in advance, "Upon finding it, I will pay you 4500 Bel per gram!"
This was the black market price, but the actual transaction price would undoubtedly be higher, at least above six thousand Bel.
Bel had extremely high purchasing power. One-sixteenth of a Bel could buy a pound of grain.
A kilogram of high-quality lean meat cost only a quarter of a Bel.
Haru looked at the check for several million Bel in his hand and said, "Since you're paying so promptly this time, fine."
The general manager: ...