LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 13
“Clinical trials for new drugs are basically a four-step roller coaster.”
First up, Phase 1—where they play safety check and make sure no one is sprouting extra limbs.
Phase 2 is all about testing effectiveness and side effects, like finding out if you’ll sprout those limbs with a side of hiccups.
Then there’s Phase 3, the big public party where everyone gets to join in on the fun and see if it really works.
Only if it makes it through all those hoops can it finally get a thumbs up for sale.
‘The fact that we’re still in the trial phase means the new drug actually exists. But, come on, a shortage of samples and testers? Something’s off here.’
It’s like the left hand doesn’t know what the right hand is doing.
Enoch sensed the inconsistency and asked Pelton.
“I get the situation, but something doesn’t add up. Which phase is having a hiccup?”
“Phase 3. We’re struggling to find enough testers for the amount of new drugs available.”
“Is it because of the money issue you mentioned earlier?”
“For now, yes.”
The lack of funds meant fewer drugs could be made.
And for the same reason, testers weren’t being recruited either.
The story was solid. Problems due to money halting trials happen more often than you’d think.
But what was bizarre was why they were turning to Enoch personally instead of the imperial institution for help.
“Shouldn’t you request support from a medical institution? I mean, loans are a thing. There should be some business support policies for new drugs out there, right?”
“…That’s true. Under normal circumstances, I would have done just that. But not this time. The bank isn’t on our side.”
Not on our side.
Enoch’s instincts perked up at those words.
“The bank… So there’s a faction that doesn’t like the new drug. Have they already pulled some strings?”
“You catch on pretty fast, huh?”
“It’s not rocket science. Money has no feelings. It’s just people getting swept up in it.”
So there are players out there who aren’t keen on the new drug. And they’re powerful enough to put pressure on banks and government institutions.
“One thing I need to clarify. What exactly is the effect of the new drug your student developed?”
“It’s a drug to chase away the demon of forgetfulness. Not its official name, but for now, let’s call it Orpheus.”
The demon of forgetfulness is a metaphor. It refers to a condition related to memory.
In short, dementia.
“Forgetfulness… So the real problem lies not with the church, but with another company holding the market. Is it Dimaira?”
Pelton nodded, looking surprised at Enoch’s question.
“That’s right. We’ve had issues with Dimaira. They contacted us demanding we transfer our shares. But how did you know?”
“There were rumors. Those folks are quite infamous behind the scenes.”
Dimaira Corporation.
It’s a big-name pharmaceutical company frequently mentioned in the original AoE.
In fact, it monopolizes about half of the potions that exist in the game.
When a new drug is developed, they typically do some digging first before snatching away shares from the backdoor.
Understandably, there are many nasty rumors surrounding them.
One of the heroes in the game shows up with a decaying arm because he couldn’t pay for his medicine on time.
Also, the NPC in charge of healing is supposedly booted from the market by Dimaira, running a frontline field hospital instead.
Long story short, they’re seriously involved in a lot of shifty dealings.
Given that sort of company is gunning to trip them up, it makes sense why the new drug is in limbo.
‘It sounds like this has been going on for a while. If I’m not careful, I might get tangled in a mess.’
Enoch paused to think.
Do I really want to make an enemy of a monstrous company just for a fleeting act of goodwill?
‘Honestly, it doesn’t matter much to me. And Pelton’s connections could be handy down the line. Even if I can’t help outright, I could show support in sneaky ways…’
At that moment, one question flickered in Enoch’s mind.
‘Wait, if I remember correctly, there weren’t any memory-related medicines in the original story. If they had existed, dealing with such conditions would have been a breeze.’
Why haven’t I heard of such an important NPC before?
In fact, Enoch knew nothing about Pelton’s student besides her name.
Who was she?
Could she possibly be someone he knows?
Enoch addressed this thought first.
“Doctor.”
“Hmm? What’s up?”
“Could you share some info about your student? I’d like to know who I’d be investing in.”
“Ah, right. I should’ve mentioned her before diving into business.”
Pelton apologized as he handed Enoch a paper with the profile on it.
Enoch quickly checked the profile he received and was taken aback.
‘Crap, it’s her.’
The profile contained information about his student, Claraena.
However, it wasn’t the details that caught Enoch’s attention—it was the photo.
Short brown bob cut.
Somehow looking tired but with piercing eyes.
She had the kind of look that suggested she smoked a truckload of cigarettes.
It matched perfectly with the character from Enoch’s memory.
Claraena, who was just mentioned, was that NPC from the game’s field hospital.
‘In the game, she was simply referred to as “Rena.” A common enough name that I brushed off lightly. Was it an alias after all?’
Rena was one of the pivotal NPCs in charge of healing heroes up until the game’s late stages.
In the endgame, when the empire wobbled and countless NPCs and allies fled, she was the one who stuck with the players until the very end.
That was due to some system allowances, but now, in this world where the game had become reality, it’s evident that Claraena could be a steadfast ally if Enoch built a relationship with her.
‘The clinical trial wasn’t the issue at all. I was about to get lost in the minutiae.’
The moment he laid eyes on the photo, Enoch’s choices were already clear.
This was a situation he needed to help with.
Beyond just helping, he needed to forge a solid connection.
With that thought, the next course of action came naturally.
“Hmm…”
Enoch feigned a moment of contemplation, dragging out the time on purpose.
As Pelton’s expression flickered with anxiety, he took a deep breath and spoke.
“Looking at the profile, nothing seems particularly worrying. She graduated from a reputable school.”
“Exactly. She’s someone I personally taught.”
“Just to be sure, how much investment are we talking about?”
“Uh, well… about 1 billion.”
Pelton hesitated before speaking it aloud.
1 billion.
Just 1 billion…
“Doctor.”
“Yes, what is it?”
“I genuinely want to help you and your student. This isn’t just talk. So please, no need to sugarcoat it or hold back.”
“……”
“You’re really going to toss this opportunity away for a few measly coins?”
This was likely the last shot. Enoch hinted with that in mind.
Doctor Pelton wasn’t foolish enough to miss that cue.
“…120 billion. That’s what I need for Phase 3.”
“Does that include wages for your student and other team members?”
“Hmm, thinking it over, it might come to 121 billion.”
He still couldn’t shake off his timid demeanor.
Wait, you could also call that a sense of ethics.
Regardless, the answer had been set in stone.
Enoch let out a sigh, then spoke nonchalantly as if he were ordering pretzels at a pub.
“I’ll give you 200 billion, in cash, all at once.”
“2, 200 billion??”
“Yes. In exchange, I’d like 20% of the shares for the new drug, Orpheus.”
“20?! Are you out of your mind?!”
Pelton shouted in shock.
It wasn’t because he thought it was too much.
It was actually because it was too little.
In reality, the total development cost for a new drug includes the expenses for the clinical trials, as well.
Phase 1 usually costs between 1 billion and 6 billion. Phase 2 goes from 9 billion to 25 billion. And Phase 3 averages around 80 billion.
Essentially, Phase 3’s trials account for nearly half of the total development cost.
This means Enoch could demand shares in that ballpark range.
But he chose not to go that route.
Mainly because he already had plenty of cash.
Even if a small biotech company grew significantly, the valuation wouldn’t amount to much in the grand scheme.
Even if he walked away with 50%, those measly bucks weren’t worth his greed.
“When it comes to shares, I’m not really interested. I initially asked for them just for appearance’s sake.”
“Appearance’s sake? …Wait, you can’t mean?”
“Yes. It’ll need to look like the hyenas won’t be watching over it too closely.”
When the hyenas were mentioned, it was obviously referring to the Dimaira Corporation.
More precisely, it was the ‘Gold’ Wizard that leads Dimaira.
As the company’s representative and level-headed wizard, he would have to redirect any arrows aimed at Pelton or Claraena towards Enoch himself.
‘This will likely be viewed as a personal investment rather than a group effort. If that’s the case, Dimaira won’t have many options left to play.’
‘I did consider going public and then buying shares on the sly, but… right now, that would take way too long.’
Enoch had no intention of letting Dimaira rest.
Having witnessed how those monopolizing the market would act as the doom neared, he was fully aware.
In the end, whatever happened would eventually lead to a confrontation.
If they kept tabs on Enoch due to this event, that would actually play in his favor.
That’d mean Enoch would have a good reason to go after them.
‘I can’t openly disclose that fact just yet. I feel bad for the doctor.’
After settling his thoughts, Enoch awaited the doctor’s response.
For some reason, Pelton stared at Enoch with a dazed expression.
“Doctor?”
“…Oh? Ah, I’m sorry. I kind of spaced out for a moment.”
“You can’t be doing that already! You should go ask your student for a sample of the new drug. As the investor, I’m sure she won’t turn you down too harshly.”
Following that line, Pelton chuckled.
Perhaps it was due to the financial hurdle being dealt with?
His expression seemed much lighter and relieved now.
“You, my friend… are a real enigma.”
“Is that so? I don’t feel like I’ve changed much.”
“Well, I think there’s a lot of difference from when I first met you. Back then, you were quite reckless. You came running to me in the wee hours, all bandaged up, asking for a random treatment. And now, you’re saving me. Life seems utterly unpredictable.”
Pelton added this with another light chuckle.
“First, I really should thank you for this. I mean it, Enoch. You’ve saved my heart and my young apprentice’s future. I can’t even begin to think how to repay you.”
“There’s no need for your heavy words. If money can solve a problem, then it’s no big deal for me.”
“Even if you say that, it’s a different experience for me or for my student. In any case, keep that in mind. I will repay this debt without fail.”
Pelton stated this as he fetched a bottle of liquor from the display.
It wasn’t a big-name brand but a reasonably priced mid-tier option.
Only then did Enoch notice Pelton’s attire and the condition of the room.
Considering it’s a hospital positioned between the noble district and commercial area, the interior was surprisingly devoid of valuables.
‘Looks like Pelton funded everything through Phase 2 himself. With Dimaira’s involvement, no other sponsors likely showed up. He’s overexerted himself in his old age.’
Enoch suddenly grew curious.
He himself had the backing of the world and a mission to save it by aiding heroes.
Yet here was this old man in front of him with no such obligations or reason to sacrifice.
What made him push himself this far?
That question didn’t seem to be solely on Enoch’s mind.
“Now you’ve piqued my curiosity.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Why did you decide to help us? You received help, so it wouldn’t be unreasonable to ignore us altogether.”
After that inquiry, Enoch fell silent for a moment.
Honesty was obviously out of order, so he could only respond narrowly.
“Well, is there really a need for a reason? Ultimately, kindness tends to circulate back around.”
“Hah, you genuinely believe that?”
“It’s just how things are. I can’t dispute this since it’s what I live by. At the very least, I can’t deny it for myself. …Come to think of it, doctor, isn’t it the same for you?”
“Me? What about what?”
Enoch pointed towards the showcase nearby.
That very showcase, from which the cheap brandies had come.
“The Sagaria brand’s premium showcase. Just the price alone reaches a few hundred thousand Kroes. Yet what’s inside? Just this cheap booze? With a showcase like that, you’d think it’s a hobby worth mentioning, but why is it such a dump?”
“Hmm…”
“That earlier question applies to you as well, Doctor. Don’t you think?”
Why did he choose to help them?
Ironically, that question could just as well be aimed at Pelton himself.
And answering that would be a task too messy to put into words.
The more words spilled, the grimmer it seemed, and that was the reality at play.
“Well, this is getting ridiculous.”
“So why ask about that? It’ll just take us down a rabbit hole that’ll leave us with nothing but shame.”
Enoch said this while setting their empty glasses side by side.
Pelton snickered as he uncorked the bottle.
“You know, that last comment makes me feel as if I’m the one digging myself a hole.”
“That’s purely coincidence! I’m fine with the jokes, whereas you should be careful!”
Enoch grinned and raised his glass.
Pelton laughed heartily and poured some liquor into both their cups.
Next, the glasses clinked in the air.
One glass was for those to be healed in the future.
Another was for the student and her comrades who fought against injustice.
And lastly, for all those who are just trying to get by while taking risks.
Cheers!
…
After wrapping up a short drinking session, Enoch returned to Lacrina.
Once they hit the dessert café, he bluntly confessed that he had just invested 200 billion.
“Gah!”
A piece of pastry flew from Lacrina’s mouth upon hearing the news.
It was a 3,500 Kroes pastry.