Kapitel 42: CH42
After the word "Breaking News" appeared at the bottom of the TV screen, the headlines followed:
[Hyungang Electronics Announces Entry into Semiconductor Business.]
[Reclusive Executive, Vice Chairman Park Jong-in's Official Press Conference.]
[Initial Investment of 100 Billion Won, Trillion-Won Investment Plan within 10 Years Announced.]
Jo Soo-deok was so startled that he dropped the receiver.
Vice Chairman Park Jong-in was holding an official press conference?
In this situation… it was likely that he wouldn't be reachable by phone all day.
Jo Soo-deok quickly turned up the TV volume.
He then watched the screen intently, as if he were an executive at Hyungang himself.
Vice Chairman Park Jong-in spent about 20 minutes explaining the vision and investment scale for the semiconductor business.
Then, he took questions from the reporters.
Park Jong-in was typically the type to avoid the media.
But today, he spent over an hour providing detailed answers.
Some of the questions were highly technical, but the Vice Chairman answered them without hesitation.
He didn't need to refer to notes or rely on engineers.
He focused on explaining his knowledge in a way that the general public could understand.
So naturally,
'The reporters must have enjoyed asking him questions.'
Thanks to that, the reporters kept raising their hands, asking questions endlessly.
After some more time had passed,
[Can you share your thoughts on the future?]
The final question was asked.
Vice Chairman Park Jong-in took a moment to gather his thoughts before speaking.
[I have two sons. My dream is to build a company that they can be proud of. In addition…]
[…?]
[My ultimate goal is to create a healthy industry where future generations, including my sons, can work. I will continue to seek ways to contribute to society. Thank you.]
As Park Jong-in stood up and bowed in thanks,
"Bravo!"
Jo Soo-deok couldn't help but cheer out loud.
Yes, this is it!
That's exactly how you should handle a press conference.
Hehehe.
A little while later,
Ring, ring, ring!
The phone rang with a jubilant tone.
As soon as Jo Soo-deok picked up the receiver, a familiar voice greeted him.
"Boss! You called right after the press conference ended."
(Did you watch it?)
"Of course. I'm practically half a Hyungang man myself. I had to watch it, obviously."
Perhaps feeling a bit embarrassed by what he'd just said, Jo Soo-deok quickly continued.
"I was actually trying to call you earlier, but I couldn't reach you, so I couldn't report this to you."
(Report?)
"I found a good building as you asked. The price is 7.5 billion won. It's expensive, but the lot is large. There are also many good companies nearby…"
(What companies?)
"Intel, for one, a comprehensive semiconductor company…"
(Sign the contract.)
"Pardon?"
He still had much to explain.
(It's right next to Intel, isn't it?)
"Yes. Practically across the street."
(Proceed with the contract.)
"You're really quick to make decisions, Boss."
As Jo Soo-deok smiled, feeling pleased, Ji-hoon spoke again.
(Professor, please just handle this last task.)
"Last task?"
(You need to focus on your own work now.)
"Oh, come on. I'm still here to handle contracts and selecting game distributors."
(That's exactly why I'm calling.)
"…?"
(I'm worried you'll take on too many responsibilities out of a misplaced sense of duty.)
"This is Jo Soo-deok speaking. This much is easy for me…"
(What about your solo exhibition?)
The sudden mention of the solo exhibition made Jo Soo-deok flinch.
(Are you planning your works?)
"Well, I'm trying to start…"
(While I could delegate my business to others, I can't ask anyone else to handle your artwork.)
"That's why I'm trying to paint whenever I have time…"
(It shouldn't just be whenever you have time; you should be dedicating yourself fully. This is the best time for you to elevate yourself as an artist.)
"You're not subtly hinting at a resignation, are you?"
(Who would shake the foundation while planning to build a building?)
Does that mean… Jo Soo-deok is the foundation?
'Wow!'
The exhaustion from the previous night instantly vanished, leaving Jo Soo-deok brimming with energy. He began chatting away, sharing stories about meeting Chairman Park alone and trying to capture those feelings on canvas.
"Of course, I failed, though."
(But it's good that you started.)
"I've only just begun, really."
(Anyway, Professor, please focus solely on your painting for now. You need to shine at the museum's opening.)
Just hearing these words felt sweet!
(I'll be in touch again.)
The call ended there.
A Boss who personally calls to tell you to stop working and focus on your art?
More importantly, the foundation of the empire the Boss is building…
'Is me?'
Just the thought made his heart warm.
There's no time to waste.
'Time to work. Sleep is for the dead… I'll keep pushing forward! But wait, before that…I need to make a quick call to the U.S.'
Reinvigorated, Jo Soo-deok quickly picked up the receiver.
"Boss gave the green light, so go ahead and finalize the contract!"
Soon after, he grabbed some vitamins and headed back to the studio.
His eyes burned with more passion than those of his twenty-something students.
***
Time flew by quickly.
During that time, I was quite busy.
I finalized the contract and found a standalone house for the appraisal team to stay in.
These tasks were relatively easy to handle with the help of Hyungang's staff.
The challenge was selecting a North American distributor for Daisho.
I couldn't ask Hyungang to handle my U.S. affairs…
So I had to find the distributor myself.
Fortunately, it wasn't as difficult as I thought.
Among the major distributors, only one had experience with games.
This was the perfect choice.
I immediately called Mr. Hideo.
"Yes, go ahead and sign the contract with them. Maximize the quantity. Think of it as placing the game in every arcade in America."
(All over America…?)
"Yes."
(That would mean selling over ten thousand units…)
"That won't be a problem. You've made a great game."
(Thank you for saying that, but it all feels like a dream.)
Dream?
Gorillong is going to be a massive hit in North America.
It's only natural that it should be in every arcade!
"I'll take responsibility, so trust me and go ahead."
After that, the work kept piling up.
The appraisal team arrived in Korea, and a few days later, the work began at Seoul National University.
The appraisal proceeded smoothly.
The team quickly adapted to Korea, and their daily focus on the task contributed significantly.
Maybe it was because Hyungang was involved, but Seoul National University was also very cooperative.
Everything was in place—ample equipment, comfortable living conditions, good pay…
And since there was no set deadline, they could take their time and produce the results.
Then, one day,
Martin called me directly.
Fortunately, Seoul National University seemed to have plenty of interpreters available.
(Boss, do you remember what I told you?)
"About what?"
(That this painting might be a pair with Lady with an Ermine.)
"Yes, I remember."
When Da Vinci was under the patronage of the Duke of Milan, he painted this portrait of Duke Ludovico, and the Lady with an Ermine was of his mistress.
(To prove my theory, I need a crack sample from the Lady with an Ermine painting.)
According to books, that painting is housed in the Czartoryski Museum in Poland.
'A crack…'
It's probably like a scab on a wound.
Even so, it wouldn't be easy to get a sample from a national treasure.
"That sounds difficult."
(That's why I'm asking for your help.)
"If I can get that, will it be enough to confirm it 99.9%?"
(Yes, we can be 99.9% sure.)
What else can I do?
If this succeeds, I'll get an additional 150 billion won.
If they need it, I'll get it done.
'It's not like I'll be doing it myself, anyway.'
I immediately ran to Chairman Park and explained the situation.
Chairman Park then said,
"How about you go yourself?"
"Pardon?"
"What? While you're in Poland, you might as well find some hidden treasures."
"Oh, Grandpa, it's not that easy."
I went to the U.S. because I had information.
But I don't know much about Poland…
Maybe that it's where the game company that made The Witcher will eventually come from?
Anyway,
Perhaps because of his deep admiration for the Da Vinci painting, Chairman Park took swift action.
The outcome wasn't decided yet, but with Chairman Park handling it personally,
'There shouldn't be any issues.'
Having dealt with some major tasks, I was finally able to live a normal life.
I spent my days catching up on books and practicing English conversation in my free time.
Could life get any more relaxed than this?
It was a life filled with peace.
But then, something unexpected happened.
As these quiet days continued, I started to feel a little restless.
'Well, I guess things have been pretty dynamic lately.'
I tried writing a novel to ease the restlessness, but…
Since I couldn't focus,
'Maybe I've become addicted to business?'
Still, I held out for a few days.
I remembered what Professor Jo Soo-deok had told me (though it wasn't anything profound—when you first meet Chairman Park one-on-one, it's normal to feel like your spirit has been drained… Jo Soo-deok was no exception, so he didn't fully remember the conversation), and I didn't want to attract any unnecessary attention, so I tried to hold back as much as possible.
But a few days later,
I remembered a dream I had almost forgotten.
'What if I started a publishing house?'
A publishing house filled with only the books I love.
And a book-loving CEO to run it—Yoo Dong-jin, the critic.
'This is a great idea!'
Sure, it's a business, but how much profit could a publishing house make just to satisfy my own desires?
'Right, something this small won't attract any attention.'
Honestly, with everyone knowing about my greed for money, how weird would it be if I just sat around with all that money in my account?
'That would seem even stranger, wouldn't it?'
If I'm going to arouse suspicion anyway… wouldn't it be better to at least start a small business… Ahem!
After justifying myself (?) thoroughly, I immediately left the house.
Then, I asked the driver to take me somewhere.
It would be nice if I could grow up quickly and drive myself.
Click. Vroom.
As the S-Class pulled out of the garage, I quietly organized my thoughts.
'I could start a publishing house today.'
I had already chosen a CEO, so there wouldn't be any issues.
The important part would be finding an author.
'For the first author…'
It didn't take long to decide.
Yes, I should just invite my favorite author.
Sitting in the front seat, I spoke to the driver.
"Please take me to Yonsei University in Sinchon."
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein