[Time Remaining: 71 hours, 59 minutes, 57 seconds]
I instructed the quantum computer to begin decryptingthe manufacturing method for the hair-loss treatment.
But something felt off.
For some reason, the decryption process was takingalmost three times longer than usual.
Up until now, every piece of knowledge decoded from the Akashic Recordshad taken exactly 24 hours to complete.
So why was this one suddenly taking 72 hours?
I opened the command terminaland asked the quantum computer directly.
[System Message: As I briefly explained before,the knowledge stored in the Akashic Records becomes increasingly complexthe higher its tier.This knowledge is far more difficult to decrypt than previous ones,and from now on, the required time will increase exponentially.]
[Input: Then what should I do?Didn't you say it was possible to upgrade the quantum computer?]
[System Message: Yes.When you unlock the next knowledge,there is a high probability that a methodto upgrade the quantum computer will be revealed as well.]
[Input: Understood. Thanks.]
It wasn't a serious problem.
At worst, the decryption time had increased from one day to three.In practical terms, that wasn't a huge difference.
What mattered more was the implication.
If future knowledge required even longer decryption times,then upgrading the quantum computer would become essential.
I couldn't help but feel slightly tense,wondering what kind of materials or technologieswould be needed for that upgrade.
Returning to the topic of the hair-loss treatment—
A medicine that visibly stimulates hair growth when appliedwould unquestionably be classified as a pharmaceuticalunder Korean law.
Of course, just like before,we could attempt to sell it as a "functional hair-loss prevention product"using regulatory loopholes.
But after the recent ordeal—when Shinjeon Pharmaceutical had attacked us precisely on those grounds—I was reluctant to repeat that mistake.
This time,we needed to handle the approval process properly and decisively.
That said,I had no intention of waiting several yearsfor standard pharmaceutical approval.
We would negotiate with the government—and negotiate aggressively.
A hair-loss treatment with undeniable effectivenesswould instantly become one of South Korea's core export products.
Compared to the days when we negotiated over the skin regeneration agentand the Elixir,Luktic's bargaining power had grown exponentially.
When I arrived at work,large cargo trucks were already moving busily around the factory.
What they were unloadingwere massive modules of new manufacturing equipment.
Dong-sik stood nearby,overseeing everything.
I walked over and asked,
"Whoa, Dong-sik.What's all this?"
"Well, Luktic's production capacity hasn't been able to keep up with demand at all lately.So we're installing additional production linesin the unused space inside the factory."
That made sense.
Our manufacturing process was relatively simple.
We mixed the materials in large tanks,immersed the Luktic Basic Catalyst Stone,and once the product was complete,it was portioned and packaged.
That simplicity was what made rapid expansion possible.
"Impressive, as expected from CAO Kim Dong-sik," I said with a grin."How much will this increase our capacity?"
"Ugh…Is this payback for me always calling you 'CEO' back then…?Anyway—roughly 30%."
"That's a lot more than I expected."
Land acquisition around the factory was also progressing at lightning speed.
With ample capital,we offered to buy nearby unused plotsat three times the market price.
Landowners practically lined up to sell.
Since the area was originally inexpensive,even triple the price wasn't a major burden.
Speed mattered more than cost.
I'd been slightly worried about land-holding tactics,but so far, everything was proceeding smoothly.
On plots already secured,foundation work had begun.
Heavy machinery and workers were leveling the ground,clearing shrubs and trees at a rapid pace.
"…This is incredible, Dong-sik.Even when we built the original factory and warehouse,I thought it was impressive.But this…It still feels like a dream that this is our factory land."
"Heh.Looks like you've finally discoveredthe joy of watching a construction site and feeling your chest swell with pride."
The land we were acquiring totaled nearly 100,000 pyeong.
In effect,we were buying up almost the entire flat basinof the mountain valley where our original warehouse had stood.
A massive industrial complexwas now taking shape there.
Anyone involved in businesswould feel their heart race at such a sight.
Meanwhile, in Seoul,Director Kang Joo-tae was searching for a suitable buildingto serve as Luktic's headquarters.
"Do you think the HQ search is going well?"
"It should be.I've got zero experience leasing large office buildings in Seoul,so leaving it to Director Kangis definitely the right call."
Director Kang had strongly insistedthat we lease an entire building exclusively.
Given the world-class technology we possessed,strict security was non-negotiable.
"By the way, Si-woo," Dong-sik said suddenly."Did you hear?"
"Hear what?"
"There are rumors spreading overseas on social mediaabout Luktic Drink."
"What?Don't tell me it's blowing up like Luktic Cream did…?"
"Not to that extent yet,but word is definitely getting around.People are saying the company that made Luktic Creamhas released a new product."
Back in the office,I searched for Luktic Drink on social media.
[#RuqticDrink]
The South Korean company Luktic—the one that made Luktic Cream—has released a new product. Photo attached.
Apparently, one bottle can cure a mild cold by the next day,and symptoms of rhinitis, allergies, or acid reflux disappear for nearly a week.
No way. That sounds ridiculous. Isn't it just a painkiller?
I live in Korea right now, and people are going crazy over this.I tried it myself—it really works. It's honestly unbelievable.
It wasn't as explosiveas when a BPS member had mentioned Luktic Cream,but rumors were clearly spreading.
We would probably need to keep increasingproduction of Luktic Drink as well.
Just then, my phone rang.
It was the Vice Commissioner of the MFDS.
[CEO Hyun, it's been a while.I'm calling with good news.Phase 1 trial results for the Elixir and the skin regeneration agent submitted by Luktichave been officially approved.]
"What? Already?I thought Phase 1 approval usually took at least a year…?"
[Under the President's special directive,we're expediting the process as much as possible.Approval has been granted to conduct Phase 2 and Phase 3 simultaneously.]
"…Simultaneously?Vice Commissioner… thank you so much for going this far."
[It's our pleasure.Luktic's drugs represent extraordinary achievements even on a global scale.Frankly, our entire agency is proudthat Korea's MFDS is the first to handle their approval.]
"I don't even know what to say…We'll continue to devote ourselves fully to research and development.Thank you again."
[We look forward to continued cooperation, CEO Hyun.]
An agency whose very purpose was regulationacting this flexibly and pro-businesswas practically unheard of.
Aside from public health emergencies like COVID-19 vaccines,there was almost no precedent.
It was clear that the government—and the President himself—had placed enormous expectations on Luktic.
Whether that was purely for national interestor also for political gain,I couldn't say.
But one thing was certain.
Howard, Head of Overseas Product Planningat the U.S. retail giant Target,heard something interesting from his daughter that morning.
She had just entered her teensand told him that a product called Luktic Creamwas wildly popular among teenagers.
The problem was that it could only be obtainedthrough overseas direct purchase,with high fees and complicated procedures.
Most of her friends had already given up.
Naturally, her true intentionwas to hint that her father should order it for her.
But Howard, instead of focusing on that request,felt a spark ignite from a professional standpoint.
Leaving behind his daughter—who looked slightly disappointed as she saw him off—he headed straight to workand powered up the market analysis terminal.
With the growing popularity of K-pop and Korean dramas,demand for Korean products among young consumershad undeniably increased.
Driven by professional instinct,Howard began analyzing big datarelated to the product his daughter mentioned.
Indeed, Luktic Cream had generated notable online buzz.
However, high entry barriers and conservative consumer behaviormeant that relatively few peoplewere willing to go as far as overseas direct purchase.
If it were officially importedand sold through U.S. online and offline channels,it could generate significant demand.
While analyzing social media data,Howard noticed something else.
Users who mentioned Luktic Creamwere also mentioning a product called Luktic Drink.
He reviewed popular posts tagged with Luktic Drinkand found claims that were, frankly, hard to believe.
On paper, it was just a fatigue recovery drink.
Yet many reviews claimed it delivered effectscomparable to prescription medication.
Howard felt a strange curiosity stirring inside him—a long-forgotten sense of exploration,as if he had returned to his younger days.
On his way home,he stopped by the largest Korean supermarket in the areaand headed straight to the energy drink aisle.
There it was.
Luktic Drink,directly imported from Korea.
Only one bottle remained on the shelf.
He grabbed it immediately, paid,and drank it after returning home.
"…Wow.It actually tastes really good."
Sweet, fragrant—better than most juices.
But what truly shocked himcame a few hours later.
The acid reflux that tormented him every eveninghad nearly vanished.
The heavy pressure that usually tightened his chestuntil late at night was gone.
For the first time in a long while,he felt genuinely comfortable.
Come to think of it,the mild cold symptoms he'd felt since morninghad also completely disappeared.
"…What the hell is this?Does it really work?It's just an energy drink…?"
Howard activated a translation AIand began searching Korean websites and social media.
Every recent review claimed the same thing—that Luktic Drink effectively alleviated mild illnesses.
"This doesn't make sense…There's no way all these reviews are fake…"
Then something clicked.
In the United States,medical costs were notoriously high.
Even for insured middle-class citizens,visiting a hospital for minor conditionswas often a financial burden.
Yet even after tariffs and shipping,Luktic Drink's U.S. retail pricewould likely stay under $8 per bottle.
That meant—
A product that relieved mild chronic symptoms for a weekand cured a cold in a single daycould be incredibly attractiveto millions of Americans.
Realizing that,Howard couldn't sleep.
"Damn it…My reflux finally calmed down for once,and now I can't fall asleep."
The next morning,he immediately began researching Lukticand its products in depth.
Thinking only one thing:
Just wait, Lucy.Dad will make sure Luktic's productsare officially imported—so you can use them anytime you want.