A message appeared on the quantum computer's screen.
[System Message: Yes. Please continue.]
I stared at it and spoke plainly.
"What exactly are you?"
"You can operate without any electrical connection. The screen only appears visible to me. I already know you're no ordinary computer. But there's still too much I don't understand about you."
"Can you explain?"
Until now, I had been so focused on treating my father and expanding the business that I hadn't stopped to truly think about how bizarre this quantum computer really was.
[System Message: Understood. Explaining the truth to the Successor and helping you understand is one of my most important duties. However, due to preconfigured restrictions, there may be matters I cannot fully disclose at this stage.]
"Preconfigured restrictions…?"
"Fine. Then let me ask something simpler."
"How can something like you even exist? Were you really created by the extinct ancient alien civilization that made the Akashic Records, just as the decoded information claimed?"
[System Message: I will explain within the range of what may currently be revealed. As you stated, I was created by the ancient extraterrestrial civilization that produced the Akashic Records. I also contain an internal independent power source, allowing operation without external electricity.]
"Then why did you even have a power plug?"
[System Message: So that you could naturally accept my existence. From Earth's perspective, would a desktop computer functioning without a power connection not seem suspicious?]
I exhaled.
Fair enough.
But the real question had always been something else.
From the very first day I received it.
"So then answer this."
"Who sent you to me?"
"And that power plug—was that added by those ancient aliens? Or by someone on Earth in recent times?"
[System Message: I apologize, but I cannot answer. That knowledge has not yet been authorized for disclosure at your current stage.]
"…There it is again."
[System Message: I apologize, Successor. However, if you continue decoding the knowledge of the Akashic Records, you will eventually learn everything. Including every question that has troubled you until now.]
I rubbed my temples.
"Right. Same answer as always."
"If I keep asking, it'll just be like talking to a wall."
"Then let me ask something you can answer."
"Can your computing power be used here at the Luktic Research Institute?"
[System Message: Please inspect the ports located on my side panel.]
I turned to look at the machine.
The quantum computer resembled an old-fashioned personal computer from the 1980s, and along its side were multiple connection ports.
[System Message: Their forms may be altered according to your needs.]
The moment the message appeared, metal began shifting and rearranging itself.
The ports transformed in sequence.
USB-C.HDMI.LAN ports.
I froze for a moment.
It looked like some transforming robot from a Hollywood film.
[System Message: If you specify the desired format, I can configure the terminals accordingly. By connecting me to other devices, you may utilize my computational capacity.]
Even after all this time, it still managed to shock me.
This thing was far beyond ordinary technology.
Although our conversation hadn't answered the deeper mysteries, one fact had become clear:
The quantum computer's processing power could be integrated into Luktic's research systems.
If we linked it to future mainframes or supercomputers through wired connections, the impact would be enormous.
Modern research increasingly relied on AI modeling and simulation.
And this machine possessed computational power beyond any supercomputer humanity had ever built.
If we used it properly—
No research institution on Earth would be able to match us.
***
Director Kang Joo-tae began organizing research teams using the talent he had recruited from across the country.
The list was filled with elite scientists drawn by both his reputation and Luktic's extraordinary technological prestige.
Soon, a major research organization was formed.
Over one hundred doctorate-level researchers.
Chemistry.Pharmacology.Physics.Medicine.Materials engineering.
A diverse assembly of top-tier minds.
When they arrived at the completed Yangseo research complex, many of them shared the same question.
What exactly are we here to build?
The disciplines represented were far too broad.
No one could guess what kind of project a private company would need such a team for.
All of them had signed strict confidentiality agreements.
Anyone leaking internal secrets would face astronomical damages.
Once everyone gathered in the main building auditorium, Director Kang stepped forward with a solemn expression.
"Welcome."
"Everyone here came from some of Korea's finest corporations and research institutions."
"I believe one reason you chose to leave secure positions for a company less than a year old…"
"…was your desire as researchers."
The room fell silent.
Because it was Kang Joo-tae speaking, more than one hundred researchers listened with complete focus.
He continued.
"Yes. The desire to stand at the frontier of human knowledge."
"To be the first to discover what humanity has never known."
"That is why you came."
"Because CEO Hyun Si-woo exists."
"Because Luktic possesses the greatest technological potential in pharmaceuticals."
A few people swallowed nervously.
Then Kang raised a small white crystal fragment.
Everyone's eyes locked onto it.
"This material is designated RUQ-099."
"It was first discovered and named by CEO Hyun Si-woo."
"Even I do not know how it is manufactured."
"That remains a top-level secret."
Murmurs spread through the room.
He continued.
"RUQ-099 causes reactions that current scientific theory cannot adequately explain."
"No…"
"In some cases, it may not even be a chemical reaction."
"There are instances where it appears to fundamentally alter the physical properties of the target material itself."
The room erupted into louder whispers.
"What…?"
"One catalyst used in Elixir, the Skin Regeneration Agent, and the hair-loss treatment?"
"This is insane…"
"I knew joining Luktic was the right decision."
Kang's voice rose with intensity.
"The first mission of the Luktic Research Institute is to determine how RUQ-099 causes these phenomena."
"And beyond that—"
"Our ultimate goal is to study the principles behind RUQ-099 and move one step closer to understanding the fundamental laws that govern reality itself."
Cheers broke out throughout the hall.
"How can a material like that exist?"
"CEO Hyun is a genius…"
"This place might let us do the kind of research we dreamed about as children."
The researchers' eyes burned with excitement.
Kang smiled faintly, then asked:
"It may be a difficult road."
"But will you walk it with me?"
"With CEO Hyun Si-woo?"
A thunderous response shook the room.
"Of course!"
"Leave it to us!"
"I'll give up weekends if I have to!"
"Wooooo!"
***
On the Gimhae Plain, the foundation work for the second factory was nearly complete.
Dong-sik looked across the vast field now covered in white concrete and steel frameworks.
"Good. Once tomorrow starts, we begin raising the buildings."
So far, everything had gone smoothly.
The cool autumn weather had helped enormously, and not a single drop of rain had fallen during the major concrete pours.
The forecast promised more clear skies.
One manager approached.
"Director, shall we begin structural construction tomorrow?"
"Yes. Proceed as planned."
Dong-sik's role as overall project leader was straightforward in principle:
Assess the entire situation.
Then issue decisions to experts and managers handling the actual work.
But he constantly toured the site in person.
He wanted no disconnect between plans and reality.
He also emphasized safety at every opportunity.
Because if even one fatal accident occurred—
It would stain both Luktic's name and mine.
The public supported me in part because of the story of saving my father, who had collapsed from industrial exposure.
If workers died in accidents at my own factory construction site—
The hypocrisy would be unbearable.
"Once vertical construction begins, the risk only increases," Dong-sik muttered.
"I can't let my guard down."
***
[Hair Growth Treatment] (Tier 1)Progress to Next Knowledge: [999 / 1000]
***
I stared intently at the quantum computer deep beneath the Yangseo Research Institute.
Even now, nearby factories continued producing the hair-loss treatment.
The progress bar climbed.
Then—
It reached full completion.
[Congratulations! You have reached the required progress to unlock the next knowledge!]
A triumphant fanfare played from the computer again.
I frowned.
"I've wondered this for a while…"
"Who designed this interface and these ridiculous victory sounds?"
"…Don't tell me it was ancient aliens too?"
[System Message: I apologize. That information cannot yet be disclosed at your current stage.]
I laughed dryly.
"Unbelievable."
"Now I want to decode the entire Akashic Records just out of spite."
At the bottom of the technology list, several boxes marked ??? began to flicker.
Then the hidden text slowly transformed into readable Korean characters.
We had already obtained Elixir and the hair-loss treatment.
What kind of knowledge would come next?
I found myself genuinely excited.