Several days passed after we returned from the Government Complex in Sejong City.
The packaging and shipping operations inside the warehouse were being directed with exceptional dedication by the newly appointed supervisors we had selected not long ago.Every process was running smoothly, without a hitch.
Dong-sik was deeply immersed in planning the construction of our new production facility and logistics warehouse.
As for me, aside from waiting for the government to contact us, there wasn't much else I could do—so I stayed by Dong-sik's side to help however I could.
"Let's see… this area shouldn't have any major zoning or regulatory issues for building a small factory," Dong-sik said while reviewing maps and documents."There are some hills nearby, but the land around our warehouse is relatively flat. Expansion shouldn't be a big problem."
"So once we buy the land, that basically solves the biggest issue?" I asked.
"Hm… well, factory construction permits in the metropolitan area usually take close to a year," he replied."That's the biggest obstacle."
"But warehouses are approved much faster, right?"
"Yeah. That's right."
"Then how about this—let's build a large warehouse first, and lease factory space for production for the time being.Our business has a high chance of growing exponentially anyway, so we'll need to keep increasing factory capacity.Once the permits come through later, we can build a factory here and use it as a second plant."
"Oh—that's a good idea, Si-woo," Dong-sik said, nodding."Let's do that for now. Today we'll check out land around our warehouse, and next time I'll look for factory spaces we can lease, like you suggested."
With that plan set, we headed to a real estate office in town.
It was the same place we'd visited when we bought the warehouse we were currently using.
The sign reading "Hanbit Real Estate", written in black letters against a yellow background, was still shining just as brightly as before.
Since it handled the largest number of listings in the area, it was naturally our first stop again.
The real estate agent—an older man we'd met when we purchased the warehouse—looked at us uncertainly as we entered.
Then, after a few seconds, recognition flashed across his face.
"Ah…! You're the young gentlemen who bought that warehouse back then!"
"Yes, sir. We're back again," I replied with a laugh.
"Come to think of it… the company you set up using that warehouse was called… Luktic, wasn't it?"
He tilted his head, still unsure, then asked cautiously,
"Young men… by any chance, is the company you founded—the Luktic that's been all over the news lately… the same Luktic?"
He looked at us with eyes full of doubt.
Well, it was understandable.Who would expect that the two ordinary-looking young men standing in front of him were the founders of the company currently shaking all of South Korea?
"Yes," I said with a chuckle."By sheer luck, the company we founded has been receiving quite a bit of attention lately."
The real estate agent's eyes widened in shock.
"My goodness… I knew there was something special about you two.So you really did develop something incredible. That's amazing—truly amazing."
He looked at Dong-sik and me with sincere admiration.
"So you're here today looking for a larger warehouse than last time, right?Well, with how famous you've become, it makes sense that the old place would be too small."
"You caught on quickly," I said."Yes. Is there any good land near the warehouse we bought before? Somewhere we could build a new warehouse."
The agent thought for a moment before replying.
"But if you're building a new structure, it'll take some time.Even if things move fast, construction will take close to a month. Is that all right?"
"Yes, that's fine. We're planning to use prefabricated construction, and I know a contractor who works very quickly."
"I see. Let me take a look."
He turned to the desktop computer on his desk and began scanning through numerous listings.
After a series of rapid keystrokes and mouse clicks, he turned back to us with a gentle smile.
"You're in luck.The land directly adjacent to your current warehouse is up for sale.It's a large, well-shaped plot—perfect for building a factory or warehouse."
He then explained the details.
Since it was quiet countryside land on the outskirts of Gyeonggi Province, the price was relatively cheap.
At one point, building weekend homes in this area had been popular,but the land around our warehouse was too remote for residential livingand not particularly suitable for agriculture either.
That was why it had remained unsold for so long.
Dong-sik whistled softly.
"Wow… looking at it like this, our hometown really is the countryside."
"Yeah," I replied."But that's actually worked in our favor.It's still close enough to the capital area that logistics aren't an issue,yet land prices are low because it's rural.That's why we were able to buy the warehouse so cheaply in the first place."
"True. If we'd bought a warehouse of similar size closer to Seoul,it would've cost at least twice as much.We might not even have been able to buy one—we'd probably still be renting."
We signed the contract on the spot.
The land, directly adjacent to our existing warehouse site,was about 1,000 pyeong in size and designated as a planned management zone.
The price was 340,000 won per pyeong.
A total of 340 million won was paid—but considering the size and the fact that factories and warehouses could be built there,it wasn't considered particularly expensive.
"Thank you again," the agent said cheerfully."If you ever have any real estate needs in the future, don't hesitate to come back.I'll take special care of things for you."
"Thank you very much.If anything comes up again, we'll be sure to return."
"Anytime. You're always welcome.You're doing incredible things at such a young age.By the way—are you from Yangseo County?"
"Yes. Born and raised there. Elementary, middle, and high school—all in Yangseo."
"Oh! Seeing young men from the same hometown making a name nationwide makes me proud.Keep it up! Fighting!"
After stamping the contract, we immediately began preparing for construction.
What we needed now was speed.
We decided on prefabricated construction, which allowed for the fastest possible build.
Since Dong-sik had long-standing connections in this field,we chose a contractor he personally recommended.
We also placed orders for production equipment so that manufacturing and distribution could begin the moment the warehouse was completed.
Dong-sik asked me,
"Si-woo, you said we're planning to release a health drink using the elixir, not just Luktic Cream, right?Shouldn't we order production equipment for that as well?"
"That's probably a good idea," I replied."Let me think through the manufacturing process…"
In truth, the core of production was the Luktic Basic Catalyst Stone.
Aside from that, the process involved nothing more than adding ingredients, mixing, and stirring.
In essence, it wasn't very different from producing an ordinary beverage.
I went home and experimented with diluting the Stage 1 Elixir by increasing the amount of purified water.
Strangely enough, even with heavy dilution,the elixir's distinctive sweet fragrance and refreshing taste didn't fade.
It was like the scent and flavor I'd dreamed of as a child—now perfectly recreated in reality.
At this level, there was no need to worry about taste at all.
In fact, it was far more delicious than most commercial drinks.
I relayed the results to Dong-sik.
It seemed we only needed to adjust the amount of purified water in the recipe we'd used before.
Dong-sik nodded.
"Got it.Then it's basically the same as standard beverage manufacturing equipment—except for dropping in that strange white stone you made at the end."
"Exactly.As long as we can add that stone at the final stage, we'll be fine."
And so, the orders for manufacturing equipment progressed smoothly as well.
Before long, construction equipment arrived on the land we'd purchased,and foundation work began.
Tall weeds and brush were cleared away,and heavy machinery leveled the ground.
Construction payments were set to be made in stages as work progressed.
Since packaging and shipping were still running at full capacity in our original warehouse,the phased payments posed no financial strain.
As time passed, foundation work and concrete pouring continued,and the once-empty forest land gradually began to resemble an industrial complex.
Watching the workers and heavy machinery in motion, I said to Dong-sik,
"We started with a single small warehouse in the mountains…and now look at this."
"Yeah," he replied quietly."To be honest, this is all thanks to you, Si-woo."
"Come on.If you hadn't been there, could we have even started this business properly?"
"No.With the technology you developed, things would've worked out even without me.Still… thank you, Si-woo.I can't believe I'm a co-founder of a company with this much potential."
"Well, if you're grateful, then keep working hard, Mr. Kim Dong-sik—my business partner."
Dong-sik bristled.
"Hey—I am working hard, President Hyun."
"Ha-ha. I'm kidding, I'm kidding."
And it was true—Dong-sik really had been working tirelessly.
Normally, factory construction permits in the metropolitan area could take over a year due to complicated approval procedures.
Yet for some reason, our permit applications were processed at an absurdly fast pace.
Within just one to two weeks, we were able to begin construction.
Not only the warehouse—but the factory building as well—was going up simultaneously.
…Wait.
That was strange.
Even to someone like me, who knew nothing about this field,this was far too unnatural.
No matter how capable Dong-sik was,there was no way individual competence alone could speed up administrative procedures by dozens of times.
Just as that doubt began to form—
My phone rang.
[Hello, this is the Vice Minister of Health and Welfare.We've completed our review of the conditions you requested earlier,and we'd like to meet with you once more.In addition, we'd like to have a serious discussion about future plans as well.]
I immediately scheduled the meeting.
And that same day, I headed back to Sejong City once again.
It was only when I arrived there that I finally understoodwhy the permits for Luktic's new factory had been approved with unprecedented speed.
After I left the previous meeting—
It seemed the entire South Korean government had been thrown into turmoil.