The pharmaceutical approval specialist dispatched by Daesung Group told me that there was a way to obtain government approval for both the skin regeneration agent and the Stage 1 Elixir—without reporting their ingredients or manufacturing process.
"Yes. I'll explain it now.A method to obtain pharmaceutical sales approval in South Koreawithout disclosing the ingredients or manufacturing method, exactly as you wish."
"…Is something like that really possible?"
"Under normal circumstances, no.However, the technologies currently possessed by Luktic are so overwhelmingly unique—even by global standards—that they fall into what we call an exceptional case."
"An exceptional case…?"
"Yes.Ordinarily, when applying for new-drug approval, companies are in a completely subordinate position relative to regulatory authorities.But in Luktic's case, the power dynamic can be reversed."
"…Ah."
At that moment, I finally understood.
The meaning behind what the Daesung Group specialist had said earlier—that I still didn't fully grasp the true value of the technologies Luktic possessed.
"It seems you've caught on," he continued."A company holding technology of this caliber can negotiate with the government on equal footing.In fact, at this level, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that the government could end up being the weaker party."
"I see.You're saying we can demand that the government simplify the approval process."
"Exactly.You may not be aware of this yet, but Luktic's emergence has already thrown the domestic pharmaceutical industry into a state of emergency.And overseas Big Pharma companies are also watching South Korea closely—because Luktic's technology has the potential to fundamentally reshape the global pharmaceutical and medical landscape."
So the industry was already in turmoil.
It made sense.
The technologies decoded from the Akashic Records truly were absurd in both power and potential.
After all—
They were the remnants of a civilization that once traversed the stars.
Compared to human history,it was like bringing modern science back to the Stone Age.
Perhaps the gap was even greater than that.
"There are several pressure cards you can use when negotiating with the government," the specialist said calmly."You can imply that you might move your headquarters overseas,or that you might sell the technology to a foreign government.Even if you don't want to do such things,if the government hesitates to meet your demands, you should use them as leverage.That's how negotiations work."
"But no matter how advanced our technology is,isn't drug approval still an extremely strict process?Would the government really simplify it?"
"CEO Hyun Si-woo,Luktic's technology isn't just good.Historically speaking, it's on the level of the invention of antibiotics or the development of vaccination.It has the potential to overturn humanity's entire medical system.
If you were to take this technology to the United States,the U.S. government would bend over backwards to accommodate you—they'd practically give you their liver and gallbladder if you asked.And our government knows this very well."
"So we really can pressure them."
"Yes.The question is how you approach the government."
"…Right.As a startup, we don't really have any direct channels to government ministries yet."
"Exactly.That's where Daesung Group comes in.Our chairman has personally instructed us to support you and Luktic in every possible way.We'll use Daesung Group's network to arrange negotiations with the relevant officials."
"Thank you very much.If it's not too much trouble, could you also advise me on how to prepare for those negotiations?"
"Of course.As I said, the chairman has given us explicit orders to support you fully.For now, I'll consider myself part of Luktic's team and prepare together with you."
And so, together with the specialist dispatched by Daesung Group,I began preparing for negotiations with the government.
Elsewhere
"Chairman, we've received an urgent report from Shinjeon Pharmaceutical."
"…Shinjeon Pharmaceutical?What urgent matter could possibly come from them?"
"I believe you should read it yourself."
Chairman Ji Heon-cheol of Shinjeon Group snatched the report from his secretary with visible irritation.
"What on earth is so urgent that it couldn't wait—"
As he read, his eyes sharpened.
"A potential rise of a competitor with overwhelming technological power?What nonsense is this?Where in the domestic pharmaceutical industry is there a company with that kind of capability?Everyone survives on either final product manufacturing or copying drugs from overseas Big Pharma."
His gaze continued scanning the report.
"…What?Luktic?What kind of company is that? I've never even heard of it."
"It's… a startup, sir.A newly founded company that has recently drawn public attention by repeatedly showcasing extraordinary technology."
"A startup?So not even a subsidiary of a conglomerate—just a plain startup?"
"Yes, sir."
"This country isn't the U.S.A startup here can't just raise hundreds of billions overnight.And you're telling me you panicked over a single startup and submitted this?"
"Well… that startup is the one that treated the famous broadcaster Min Seo-ah."
"…Min Seo-ah.Yes, I did see that on the news."
"And it was also Luktic that cured Chairman Choi Chang-sik's youngest son of Daesung Group."
"…What?That man's youngest son was cured?I heard his face and body were covered in rashes and blotches,that he developed severe social anxiety."
"But apparently, Luktic cured him completely."
"…Wait.Then what exactly is this Luktic company?How do they have technology like this?"
"There's something I need to report to you personally regarding that."
"…Personally?"
"Yes.The CEO of Luktic is a young man named Hyun Si-woo."
"…So?"
"And his father worked at Shinjeon Chemical's factoryand was exposed to chemicals, claiming an industrial accident—"
Chairman Ji's expression darkened.
"Industrial accident?Kim, are you saying we had an industrial accident at Shinjeon Chemical?That's nonsense.They just failed to take care of their own bodies."
"I—I apologize.Let me rephrase.His father is someone who claimed to have suffered an industrial accident at Shinjeon Chemical.He's currently hospitalized in a comatose state…and there's a high chance he harbors resentment toward us."
"…I see.Then how large is Luktic's growth potential?"
"It's analyzed in the latter half of the report."
Chairman Ji flipped the pages roughly.
"…This big?!"
"Yes.Analysts believe Luktic possesses technology capable of reshaping the global pharmaceutical industry.There's even an assessment suggesting that pharmaceuticals alone could eventually make them one of the country's leading conglomerates."
"That can't be allowed. Absolutely not.Not only did they make absurd industrial accident claims,but now a company led by someone who hates us is going to grow that large?Pharmaceuticals are one of Shinjeon Group's core businesses!"
"If Luktic grows, our market share will almost certainly shrink."
"Then we can't let this stand.We need to find a way to cut them off at the root."
Chairman Ji Heon-cheol—a fourth-generation chaebol who inherited Shinjeon Group at a relatively young age due to the early deaths of his grandfather and father.
Unlike his predecessors, who had been praised for their exceptional management skills,Ji Heon-cheol had yet to leave a strong impression in terms of competence.
Worse still, he frequently became embroiled in scandals over his character,causing constant trouble for Shinjeon Group's executives.
And now—
For the first time,he had become truly aware of Hyun Si-woo's existence.
Back when Hyun Si-woo and his father had desperately fought Shinjeon Chemical over the industrial accident,Ji Heon-cheol hadn't even known their names.
To him, they had been nothing more than a few buzzing insects in the distance.
But now—
That thread of malicious fate connecting thembegan to glow with a dark, ominous purple hue.
And Ji Heon-cheol finally realized—
That thread was already tightly entangled around one of his own arms.
Back at Luktic
"CEO Hyun Si-woo.Regarding the idea you asked about earlier—selling a weakened version of the treatment as a fatigue recovery supplement—it appears to be legally feasible."
"Oh.So there's no legal issue?"
"For now, yes.However, you must never officially advertise it as having medicinal effectsor claiming it can treat any illness.The moment you do, it becomes illegal."
"Then how do we inform consumers that it's far more effective than other products,or that it may even help with minor ailments?"
"You've already answered your own question.Word of mouth.Online communities and social media are difficult to regulate.Given Luktic's technology, organic buzz will form naturally over time.If you want faster spread, so-called viral marketing is acceptable—as long as it cannot be traced back to Luktic directly."
"I see.Sorry for asking so many detailed questions."
"Not at all.I'm simply carrying out the chairman's special instructions.Ask anything—you'll get my best assessment."
Just then, the specialist's phone vibrated.
"Please excuse me.This seems to be an important call."
"Of course.You come all the way out to this rural area every day to help us—I should be the one apologizing."
He stepped outside, took the call,then returned with a serious expression.
"The meeting schedule has been confirmed.Your meeting with the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has been set—two days from now."
"Oh—thank you very much.But… is there a problem?"
"It seems the matter has escalated.In addition to the MFDS vice minister,a vice minister from the Ministry of Health and Welfare,and a high-ranking official from the Prime Minister's Officewill also be attending."
"…A vice minister?As in that vice minister?"
"Yes.But there's no need to be afraid.This simply means the government views Luktic's technology as critically important."
"…That makes sense."
"Exactly.In the current situation,the true party in a position of power is you—CEO Hyun Si-woo—and Luktic.Do not be intimidated.State your demands confidently.And if necessary, use the pressure cards I mentioned before."
"Understood.I'll settle this properly.Thank you sincerely for all your help."
"It's my pleasure.I'll be rooting for you, CEO Hyun."
The time had finally come.
If we could obtain pharmaceutical sales approvalfor the skin regeneration agent and Stage 1 Elixirwithout disclosing ingredients or recipes,Luktic would instantly become a global pharmaceutical powerhouse.
Clinical trials still remained,but drugs developed using Akashic Records technologywere virtually guaranteed to pass every stage.
That said, clinical trials would still take time.
This time, I planned to demand a fast-tracked and simplified approval process as well.
Dong-sik insisted on driving me himself, saying this was too important to leave to chance.
"You're heading into a decisive negotiation, CEO.Naturally, I should be the one to drive you."
"For the last time, stop calling me CEO when it's just the two of us.It's embarrassing."
"Yes~ CEO."
"…Ugh."
With Dong-sik teasing me as usual,we headed toward Sejong City.
The MFDS headquarters was located in Cheongju,but since multiple high-ranking officials were attending,the meeting was scheduled at the Government Complex in Sejong.
This was the moment—
The opportunity to push Luktic to the next stage.
I looked out the car window at the massive government buildings drawing closer.
A single negotiationwould decide whether Luktic remained a promising startup—
Or became a company that could truly reshape the world.