Chapter 12

12. Material Procurement (2)

Pilgeret. That's the main product of the Joseph Family, or rather, most dark magic families.

"What's Pilgeret?"

"Have you ever heard of cigarettes? It's similar to that. But it's only similar in appearance; the contents are worlds apart. There's so much to tell, I don't even know where to start. Hmm... ."

Rasso spoke smoothly like a salesman, then pretended to think. He then continued.

"Pilgeret can be considered a kind of health drug. The quality varies depending on who makes it, but it's a remarkable item. The pleasure it provides is greater than most drugs, and the side effects are almost non-existent. Or, nowadays, it's even considered a special medicine for depression, so it might be good for your health?"

Seeing Oliver's confusion, he pointed to the briefcase and explained again.

"How about the emotions inside? The maternal love of beautiful mothers who, despite being alone, do not abandon their children."

"Uh... It was beautiful."

"Right? But, when processed and inhaled, it's even better. Better than refined potions or herbs... Plus, there's little risk of being caught and no side effects."

Although it was hard to understand, his curiosity was piqued. Not only could emotions be used for dark magic, but they could also be made into cigarettes to smoke. He was curious about the production process and actual effects.

"So, are you going to keep extracting this?"

"No, not just this. There are various types of Pilgeret. And it's not just Pilgeret that's our source of income. I'll tell you more as we go."

As soon as Rasso finished speaking, he started moving again, and Oliver followed. This time, they went to a basement in a secluded back alley.

The basement smelled musty and sweet. As they went further in, they saw a sturdy iron-barred door and a bald guard standing in front of it.

The bald man, who was reading a book with a naked woman on the cover, frowned and growled at the newcomers.

"Who are you? Get lost."

The bald man picked up a blackjack from his waist, indicating that this was not just a warning. With his thick arms, it was easy to guess that even a single hit would be fatal.

Rasso said,

"Have you gathered enough dry leaves?"

At this, the bald man relaxed and put the blackjack away. He then pressed a buzzer on the wall.

A faint "beep" sound came from inside the basement, and the locked iron-barred door creaked open.

The guard nodded for them to enter, and Rasso bowed politely as he went in.

As they went deeper, the basement came into view.

There wasn't anything particularly noteworthy, but it had a musty, sweet smell.

"Ah, you're here?"

A man in his 50s with a gray, half-shaved head and wire-rimmed glasses greeted them.

"Hello, Mr. Pharmacist."

"Ah, yes. Welcome. I was just thinking it was about time you arrived."

They seemed to know each other well, and Rasso chatted with the man, who was called the pharmacist, before guiding him somewhere.

Naturally, Oliver and Peter followed. During the walk, they whispered to each other.

"Who is he?"

"Who? The pharmacist? I don't know much. He's just a big client for our family. I've heard he deals with other families too."

"Other families exist?"

"Of course. How could we be the only ones? Including us, there are two-"

"-Here we are."

The pharmacist opened a door at the end of the corridor.

Inside was a room that looked like a warehouse.

There was only one dim light bulb hanging, and beneath it, some haggard people were kneeling.

"These are the dry leaves we've gathered from various places. The ledger is here, so please check it."

"Understood."

Rasso, who responded, looked at the people and the ledger as if inspecting goods.

Oliver, who seemed quite familiar with this, asked Peter what the dry leaves were. Peter kindly explained.

"Debtors with no money. They have nothing but their bodies. So, we select those in good condition, pay off their debts, and in return, extract a bit of their life force."

Just as Oliver was about to ask what was extracted, Rasso spoke.

"I'll take this person, this person, and... everyone except this one."

"What, what?"

The people Rasso selected were confused and asked, but they only received a firm grip in response.

They were dragged away, looking very frightened.

Of course, those who were chosen weren't at ease either.

They looked around nervously, but the oppressive atmosphere prevented them from taking any action.

Rasso smiled at them and said,

"Hello, everyone. Nice to meet you all. I can't reveal who I am due to personal reasons, but I have a good proposal for you. Before we get to the main point, everyone here has a significant amount of debt, right?"

Some nodded cautiously.

"We will pay off all your debts. Right now. In return, we ask for a bit of your life force."

Life force. The heavy word made the debtors jump. The pharmacist then interjected, looking skilled and familiar.

"Don't be too scared by the term 'life force.' It's just a bit of energy. You can recover with good food and rest."

The debtors still looked uneasy and exchanged glances. Then, a timid-looking fat man raised his hand and asked quietly.

"Life force... Isn't that dangerous?"

"It's fine in moderation. Paying off a debt that keeps accumulating interest is more dangerous. It drains your body and time. I guarantee... But if you really don't want to, you can pay the money back now."

The debtors couldn't say anything in response to the pharmacist's words.

They had been sold here because they couldn't pay their debts. As the atmosphere grew somber, Rasso interjected again.

"Of course, you'll feel weak for a while, but you won't die. My goal isn't to kill anyone. If you really don't want to, speak up. I won't force you. But I assure you, paying off the debt now will be more beneficial in the long run."

It wasn't a particularly grand statement, but for those with significant debts, it was enough. In the end, they all reluctantly agreed, and Rasso began extracting life force from each of them.

Oliver watched closely. Unlike emotions, life force surrounded the body rather than being inside it, and it was similar to emotions but subtly different.

"Good. It's done."

"Heeek-! Hek... Hek..."

The man from whom life force was extracted panted, looking exhausted. Rasso, closing the test tube containing the extracted life force, said,

"Rest well for a while and have plenty of food and sleep. You'll recover soon."

The man, too exhausted to hear, didn't respond. Rasso, undeterred, approached the second person. The frightened debtor spoke urgently.

"Wait, just a moment-"

"-Yes, just a moment."

Rasso cut him off and extracted the life force again.

The flesh seemed to visibly shrink, and the bizarre sight made the debtors tremble, though they couldn't do anything.

They were scared, but the hope of paying off their debts also existed.

After completing the second extraction, Rasso handed over the test tube and said,

"Is this the first time you've seen life force extraction?"

"Yes..."

"This is the mystery of dark magic. One thing ends, and another begins."

"Haha, indeed."

Peter flattered him. Oliver just looked on in amazement, but Rasso suddenly had a whim and made a suggestion.

"Would you like to try it once?"

"Us?"

Peter was startled.

"Haha, Rasso-sama, you really know how to joke. We haven't even learned... Right?"

It didn't seem like a joke. Oliver, his eyes shining, asked,

"Can we really try?"

"Hmm?"

Someone spoke. It sounded like Peter, but it could have been Rasso.

"Can you do it? Have you learned it?"

"No, but I watched you just now... I can do it."

Unlike his usual dazed demeanor, his voice was confident, even more so. It was so resolute that no one could argue.

Rasso asked seriously,

"Can you really do it? This is business, not something you can just say 'I made a mistake' and be done with."

"Can't I just not make a mistake?"

"Well, that's true... Alright, if you're that confident, give it a try. But you mustn't make any mistakes... Mr. Pharmacist, can I let this boy try?"

The pharmacist just shrugged.

"As long as you compensate for any damage."

Rasso, seemingly serious about it, showed Oliver the ledger and the test tube's markings, explaining how much life force to extract based on the debt.

Oliver just nodded, seemingly understanding.

"Alright, give it a try."

The debtors, sensing the danger, looked at Oliver with fear.

However, Oliver, seemingly unfazed, extended his hand into the air.

"Wait, not too far... "

Rasso couldn't finish his sentence. The life force of the remaining debtors was suddenly and simultaneously drawn to the outstretched hand.

Whooshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh