I Hate Systems

What did a drug do to the consumer? It gave them a high that one couldn't attain through natural means, making them feel as if they were using all their potential.

Just that feeling of weightlessness was enough to make one addicted. But, once one attained a certain level of power, they could casually do this on their own. So, drugs became meaningless against the powerhouses.

But, what if there was a drug that didn't give them the usual high but made them experience the sensation of growing stronger but at a faster pace?

In a world where strength reigned supreme, it was of course the most sought after. And indeed, the sensation of growing strong was the most desirable.

The Mana Capsule gave exactly that, quenching the unquenchable thirst of everyone with even a bit of power. And for those that failed to improve their strength for years, the effect was even more potent, allowing them to experience the feeling that they had lost.

Therefore, the effects of the Mana Capsule were apparent, which was why Zuhar had taken the initiative in creating it in the first place. Controlling his smile, he gazed at the irritated expression on Luthak, his eyes darting towards the second box on the table.

Luthak subconsciously followed his line of sight, staring at the second box as even he wasn't able to control himself. Now that he had tasted the Mana Capsule's power, he wanted to experience more of the same.

Luthak had high resistance towards drugs, able to use his Water Element mana to wash away all lingering effects. He had created a technique to do this, hence why he was able to remain a valuable asset in this business for so long.

That was how he tested countless drugs personally and attested to their value. He was a drug connoisseur, one with decades of experience under him. Therefore, the moment he realised that he had become addicted to the effects of the drug, his Water Element mana revolved in his body in a certain manner, causing his nerves to relax as the impression of the Mana Capsule on his mind wore off.

Thanks to this, he was able to control himself, nodding in praise, "Indeed, you were speaking the truth. This drug is a masterpiece. Even those among the strong would be addicted to this."

"Yes, boss." Zuhar nodded, controlling his surprise at how fast Luthak recovered from the effects of his trump card, understanding why a mere Master Warrior wielded such influence.

In the drug business, he was a valuable asset.

"How much is the production cost?" Luthak asked, taking the second box as he gently caressed its edges, "What is this named?"

"Mana Capsule," Zuhar said, hesitating for a bit before saying, "The primary materials required to create it cost 10 Royal Xetuka."

"10 Royal Xetuka?" Luthak exclaimed in shock, for it was an absurd price to create such a short-lived drug.

"That's not all." Zuhar said, watching Luthak's expression morph further as he continued, "The primary material we require is a Mage, at least an Expert Mage. We can also compensate the same with five Novice Mages, but the production costs would increase to 12 Royal Xetuka."

"Absurd…" Luthak muttered, "This is by far the most expensive drug."

Even though drugs were expensive, they weren't on such a level. One Royal Xetuka was enough to buy a house in a rather decent city.

Most drugs were ineffective on Grandmasters and above. And as the consumers were only the weaker people with less purchasing power, drugs too weren't priced beyond a certain amount. Even the most expensive drug to date in the market only cost 7 Royal Xetuka.

And that drug was the least popular.

But, just the production costs of the Mana Capsule crossed 10 Royal Xetuka, not to mention the requirement for either an Expert Mage or five Novice Mages.

The selling price might reach thirty Royal Xetuka at the end, which was an exorbitant sum just to be spent on a drug whose effects lasted for less than a minute.

"It's too expensive for the duration." He said in the end, sighing as he shook his head, "This isn't profitable to make a business with."

"The problem is with the procurement of the raw materials." Zuhar said, "Most of the materials have to be imported from beyond the Xetuka Kingdom. Otherwise, the cost could be brought down to a mere three Royal Xetuka."

"So, it's a problem with the supply chain." Luthak nodded before saying, "Alright, we'll first give you a loan of 3000 Royal Xetuka to set up everything. Buy the necessary manpower and start production of it. If the market response is good enough, we'll continue with this further."

"We'll be taking seventy percent of the profits though." He announced.

"I'm fine with it if the safety of our business is guaranteed," Zuhar said.

"As long as you're bringing us enough money, your safety is indeed guaranteed." Luthak replied with a smile before asking, "Also, what's the status of the Birdmen? At what time are they planning to take action?"

Zuhar stood up in response, motioning for Luthak to follow him as he brought him to an underground cellar, pointing at a chained figure, "We lost a lot of our men to capture him, but thankfully, we were able to subdue his bodyguards first. It was easy after that."

'I had to waste three Mana Capsules on his bodyguards.' He thought, sighing at the expense. The Mana Capsules that he fed to the entity-in-the-cellar's bodyguards were an incomplete product that was even more expensive to make.

"Give me! Give it to me! Please! Give me!" Begging voices resounded from the nearby cellars as Zuhar opened the door to the one before them, pointing at the chained Birdmen inside, "Behold, the newborn prince of the Burnak Kingdom, Boznan Burnak."

"His guards should have been Grandmasters at the very least. How did you deal with them considering your strength…" Luthak was just about to ask when he noticed the figure chained in the nearby cellar, staring at the prince with an expression of despair as he was slowly losing focus.

A single glance at the chained man was enough for him to understand what must have transpired, "The Mana Capsule is pretty frightening to incapacitate a Pseudo-Saint."