"These potions are incredible."
Yakushi General Hospital.
The day after the attack, Eiji took the train to Hiroshima and met Japan's top physician, Miss Yakushi Kiriko, in her office.
He then pulled out several recovery items he'd brought back from the DanMachi world: stamina recovery potions, advanced healing potions, mana restoration potions, and even a panacea—and handed them over to Kiriko.
Without hesitation, she drew a blade across her wrist, applied the potion, and meticulously observed the cellular-level changes in her body.
After a long pause, she couldn't help but marvel.
"Just by drinking or applying it, you recover stamina and heal wounds? You really managed to get something straight out of a video game's health potion, huh?"
While she wasn't particularly fazed by the stamina potions, the panacea—capable of pulling someone back from the brink of death in an instant—immediately caught her attention and visibly excited her.
But what truly shocked Kiriko was the mana-recovery potion, something unheard of in this world.
"So? Can you replicate them?"
That was Eiji's real concern.
"You're really putting me on the spot here."
After sampling each potion, Kiriko pondered briefly before looking up. "Where did you even get these?"
"Well... let's just say it's a place only I can access."
Eiji dodged the question.
"I see."
She frowned, visibly disappointed, but didn't press further.
"There are ingredients in these potions I've never encountered. To replicate them, I'd need to find viable substitutes. It'd be much easier if I could examine the source materials directly, but if that's not possible... I'll need time to analyze them before giving you an answer."
"Understood."
Eiji's shoulders slumped slightly.
Still, this was better than a flat-out "impossible."
"If you can, bring me some raw ingredients next time. That'd speed up the research."
"Got it."
He nodded seriously.
I really didn't think this through. I should've grabbed some materials before leaving the DanMachi world.
But hindsight was 20/20. He'd have to wait for the next trip.
"If these can be mass-produced, what do you think the market would look like?"
After a pause, Eiji rubbed his hands together, eyes gleaming.
"Your first thought after getting these was profit?"
Kiriko gave him a strange look. "Why ask me?"
"You're a doctor. You know the demand."
He shrugged, then flashed a shrewd grin. "If mass production becomes viable, how about I cut you in on the company shares?"
"...The market would be huge."
The mere mention of market potential visibly energized her.
Everyone knew scientific research burned money like kindling.
Even though Kiriko was the third-ranked doctor in the world, she wasn't a businesswoman. She didn't hold much in fixed assets, and because medical research—especially on rare, deadly diseases—was a bottomless money pit, her annual expenses were astronomical.
Why had she agreed to care for Eiji years ago, when he was bedridden under Torajirou Nangou's request?
Simple. The old man had made an offer she couldn't refuse.
Of course, times had changed. Her current wealth far surpassed what it was seven or eight years ago—but it still paled in comparison to major corporate conglomerates.
"Regeneration pods are more effective, but they're luxury items—rare and immobile. Potions, though? Portability is a massive advantage. If production costs are low, these could sweep the globe!"
Her verdict was absolute.
As a doctor, she had a keen sense of industry trends.
"Especially this mana-recovery potion. Nothing like it exists in this world. The moment it debuts, it'll dominate the global market, monopolizing demand from tens of millions of Blazers!"
Damn.
While Eiji was still pondering market viability, Kiriko was already eyeing a global monopoly.
In short, if mass production became possible, these potions could birth a corporate titan overnight—a worldwide enterprise wasn't just a dream.
And with shares in such a company? Kiriko would have limitless research funding, unlocking cures for diseases that plagued humanity.
"Do your best!"
"I will!"
Her motivation was at an all-time high.
Eiji's mind raced.
I'm no businessman.
If he tried running a company, it'd go bankrupt by day two.
So if this venture took off, he'd need someone else to handle operations—he'd just be the hands-off investor, raking in profits.
Ah, the perks of interdimensional travel. Making money never felt so effortless.
As for who'd manage the business?
The answer was obvious.
The Totokubara Group.
A project of this scale needed a captain who could steer the ship—and the Totokubara conglomerate had no shortage of talent.
More importantly—they were his future in-laws.
"I'll trade you this empire for your daughter. Take it or leave it!"
Eiji was already getting ahead of himself.
With this, even if he never became the world's strongest Blazer, he'd surely be "worthy" of taking the Totokubara heiress home, right?
Of course—
None of this mattered if the potions couldn't be replicated.
Next time I go to DanMachi, I'm bringing back ingredients and recipes!
***
Hagun Academy, Package Reception Room.
Next to the security office was a dedicated mailroom, staffed by personnel handling deliveries.
Standing at its entrance was a girl with long, fiery red twin tails.
"What would you like to pick up?"
"Uh—I'll handle it myself!"
Lost in thought, her cheeks faintly pink, the girl startled at the clerk's voice.
With an awkward laugh, she vaguely dismissed the staff and slipped inside.
After a quick scan to ensure no one was watching, her eyes locked onto a specific package. She snatched it up instantly.
"Huh? Stella?"
Then—
Her heart dropped.
The last person she wanted to see called out to her.
"What a coincidence! Here for a package too?"
Eiji strolled in, grinning like a man who'd just struck gold.
"Ahaha, yeah, you too."
Stella turned, hiding the box behind her back, forcing a flawless smile.
With this guy, showing even a hint of nervousness is suicide.
If he catches on—
I'm finished.
***
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