Countless distribution companies around the world were sending requests to receive shipments of Luktic Cream and Luktic Drink.
Although the second factory on the Gimhae Plain was nearly complete, it was still uncertain whether even that enormous facility could fully satisfy the exploding global demand.
So I had been considering using the current situation—where demand far exceeded supply—to moderately raise our wholesale prices.
But before I even had the chance to reveal my intentions, the executives of distribution companies who came to our headquarters for negotiations began proposing price increases themselves.
The first offer came from the German retail giant Lidl.
"CEO Hyun… we are well aware that many companies across the world are requesting export contracts from Luktic."
"If you sign supply agreements with so many firms simultaneously, the volume available to each company will naturally be limited."
His directness surprised me slightly, but I nodded.
"That is correct. Although our second factory is under construction, it is still not enough to fully satisfy worldwide demand."
"Then would it be possible for Luktic to allocate more products to Lidl than to other distributors?"
"We operate stores not only in Germany, but throughout Europe. Our required volume is significantly larger than most competitors."
"Well…" I said calmly.
"If contracts are signed under the same terms and at the same prices, then fairness must be considered."
As I said this, I glanced at the German negotiator.
He gave a resolute nod and spoke again.
"Then what if Lidl offers terms different from everyone else?"
"Different terms?"
"Yes."
"If you provide Lidl with larger shipment volumes than other companies, we are willing to pay a higher wholesale price."
"Has your headquarters approved this proposal," I asked, "or are you improvising on the spot?"
"Our headquarters has already decided."
"If sufficient supply can be guaranteed, we are prepared to import Luktic products at a higher price."
"And if you grant us exclusive distribution rights for Europe, we would be willing to pay considerably more."
"Your products are worth that much."
I smiled faintly.
"Exclusive rights for all of Europe would be difficult."
"After all, your stores do not cover every country on the continent."
The negotiator quickly adjusted.
"Then what about exclusive rights for Germany?"
"If that is guaranteed, we are prepared to pay double the current wholesale price proposed by Luktic."
I hadn't pressured them at all.
Yet they were already bidding prices upward on their own.
Naturally.
Luktic's products had no substitutes.
***
Afterward, I negotiated with delegations from many countries using the same structure:
Granting exclusive national distribution rights in exchange for significantly higher wholesale prices.
In the end, I succeeded in doubling supply prices for Europe and Japan.
That meant export pricing became:
- Luktic Cream: 40,000 won per unit
- Luktic Drink: 10,000 won per bottle
It was carefully calibrated so that local consumers would still find domestic purchases more practical than ordering directly from Korea.
These products had already delivered enormous profit margins.
Now that prices had doubled, Luktic's operating margin would rise even further.
Since we had raised prices for Europe and Japan, it seemed time to soon renegotiate U.S. prices as well.
At that moment, my phone rang.
It was Director Kang Joo-tae.
"C-CEO… the prototype battery you asked us to produce has been completed."
"But this battery… just how did you create something like this?!"
His voice carried both shock and disbelief.
I immediately headed to the Luktic Research Institute in Yangseo County.
***
Director Kang greeted me the moment I arrived.
"CEO… about that battery…"
"How exactly did you design it?"
"I verified the results myself, yet I still can't believe what I saw."
His expression was one of complete astonishment.
I asked calmly:
"Was its performance significantly better than existing batteries?"
"Significantly better?" he repeated.
"That doesn't even begin to describe it."
"It is beyond words."
"The battery you developed will bring a massive revolution to global industry."
The normally composed Kang Joo-tae was visibly excited.
I asked the next logical question.
"Director Kang, can it be mass-produced?"
He looked awkward for a moment.
"Well… CEO, my field is pharmaceuticals."
"Batteries are outside my specialty."
"It would be better to speak directly with the researchers who built the prototype."
"The six people who worked on it?"
"Yes."
"I'll take you to them."
***
He led me to a laboratory on the third floor of the research headquarters.
Six researchers were waiting inside.
At the center of the room sat a large metallic object on the main workbench.
The prototype battery.
The moment Director Kang and I entered, the researchers froze in shock.
Their casual conversation instantly died.
Silence filled the room.
"T-That's CEO Hyun Si-woo…"
"I can't believe I'm seeing him this close…"
Several muttered under their breath.
Then all six bowed sharply at ninety degrees.
"Hello, CEO!"
"It's an honor to meet you!"
Director Kang smiled proudly.
"These are the researchers who built the prototype using the materials and designs you provided."
"They hold you in especially high regard."
I felt slightly embarrassed.
"Haha… Am I really worthy of that much admiration?"
"You were given this assignment on short notice. Thank you all for your hard work."
The most senior-looking researcher immediately responded loudly.
"N-Not at all!"
"It was an honor to be entrusted with implementing your technology first."
Behind him, whispers spread quietly.
"He's humble too…"
"So the rumors about his character were true…"
Director Kang turned to them.
"The CEO has questions regarding mass production of the battery."
"Can you answer sincerely using your expertise?"
The lead researcher bowed respectfully.
"Of course."
"If it concerns batteries, I will answer as accurately and thoroughly as I can."
I looked at him directly.
"Can this battery be mass-produced?"
He answered without hesitation.
"Yes."
"After building it ourselves, we found that the structure is not very different from existing lithium-ion batteries."
"In fact, since it uses no electrolyte, it is somewhat simpler."
"If the cathode and anode materials you prepared can be mass-produced, then mass production of the completed battery is fully possible with current technology."
"I see."
"Then could existing lithium-ion battery factories be adapted to manufacture it?"
The researcher thought briefly before replying.
"The existing production lines cannot be used exactly as they are."
"However, with moderate modifications and upgrades, they could absolutely mass-produce this battery."
"The structure is highly similar to conventional lithium-ion batteries."
"The real challenge is whether the new cathode and anode materials can be produced in large volume."
I nodded.
That was the real bottleneck.
So I asked another question.
"These researchers are also participating in analysis of RUQ-099, correct?"
Director Kang answered first.
"Yes."
"They were temporarily reassigned for the battery prototype."
"Their original mission is studying RUQ-099."
I nodded and turned back to the lead researcher.
"The cathode material is made by dissolving lithium, nickel, manganese, and cobalt powders in sulfuric acid, then synthesizing them through contact with RUQ-099."
"The anode is made similarly using graphite powder."
"What do you think?"
"Could those materials be mass-produced?"
The researcher's eyes widened.
"This also uses RUQ-099…?"
"Incredible…"
"How did you create such a substance…"
He snapped himself back to attention.
"Ah—my apologies."
"Actually, these processes appear even simpler than current cathode and anode manufacturing methods."
"In that case, yes."
"They could absolutely be mass-produced using today's technology."
"Excellent," I said.
"Thank you for the detailed explanation."
"N-Not at all!"
"Being able to help you in any way is an honor to me, CEO!"
***
Director Kang spoke carefully.
"CEO… are you considering outsourcing battery and material production to existing companies?"
"But if so, you would need to lend RUQ-099 to outside firms."
"That would be extremely risky."
"True," I said.
Then I asked the lead researcher again.
"The cathode and anode formulas are simple enough that I made them myself in a private lab."
"Could new production facilities for them be rapidly added to the second factory in Gimhae?"
The researcher requested a moment, reviewed notes and laptop data, then returned.
"Yes."
"Based on the process you described, dedicated manufacturing equipment could be established quickly."
"It is not especially complicated."
Director Kang asked again:
"Then how do you plan to manufacture the batteries themselves?"
"You asked whether existing lithium-ion facilities could be used…"
"Are you planning to commission an outside battery company?"
I shook my head.
"No."
"I have no intention of sharing Luktic's technology with other companies."
Kang visibly relaxed.
"That is a relief."
"Unique technology must never leak outside, even if imitation is difficult."
Then he frowned.
"But… if that is the case, why ask whether existing battery facilities could produce them?"
I answered calmly.
"Because I intend to use an existing battery manufacturer's facilities."
He blinked.
"…What?"
"I said I don't intend to share technology."
"That doesn't mean I can't own the company."
Everyone in the room stiffened.
"Daesung Group owns a lithium-ion battery subsidiary," I continued.
"I intend to acquire it."
Director Kang stared blankly.
"You mean… Daesung SDI?!"
Their reaction was natural.
Daesung SDI was a giant conglomerate subsidiary far larger than Luktic in present scale, generating tens of trillions of won in annual sales.
But once the second factory was complete and our products reached the world, Luktic's operating profits would rise exponentially.
Especially after recently doubling export prices.
Revenue and profit growth would only accelerate further.
With those beautiful financial statements as leverage, I was confident we could secure enough financing to buy Daesung SDI.
This was the battery industry—
One of the core industries of the future.
And I was ready to make a massive move to control it.
I immediately took out my smartphone and began dialing.
Director Kang looked alarmed.
"C-CEO… may I ask who you're calling?"
"Chairman Choi Chang-sik of Daesung Group."
His face turned pale.
"W-What?! CEO…!"
But I was confident.
Chairman Choi would hand over Daesung SDI to us.