Chapter 103


    "Can you see that? It''s a Demon stone powered nuclear engine that ourb is developing. It reduces the volume of existing engines and significantly increases reliability and power output. It''s already very efficient with simple mechanical devices, and it''s expanding into the next generation of automobile engines."


    Heo Yung, Director of the Research Institute, introduced the ongoing research projects.


    He exined it in quite a detail while taking into consideration myself, an amateur in this field.


    Still, I couldnt understand half of the words that were spoken.


    Science is nothing but nature. Nature isnt about understanding, its all about feeling.


    Thus I nodded my head to everything he said with a bright smile on my face.


    "Wow That''s great."


    "We are researching and developing Demon stone powered electric batteries here. Were still a littlecking in skillspared to some countries like the United States and Europe, but we are giving our best."


    Director Yung frowned slightly and smacked his lips.


    Tsk, I wish the high-ups would just give us a lot of budget support


    Cou-gh, Director Yung. Select your words while speaking.


    Oh, Mr. Sihyeon, please pretend you didn''t hear that. We couldn''t get enough Demon Stonesst year, so research was very difficult."


    I smiled awkwardly and nodded while looking at Director Lee Seok and Director Yung.


    "Butst year we had quite a remarkable technology growth on therge battery side. Besides, thanks to Mr.Sihyeon, were not worried about Demon stones, so were already looking forward to a lot of good results this year."


    Director Yung smiled, looking at me dearly.


    It''s like the Boss looking at beer or Lia looking at delicious food


    After that, we went around the research institute and heard many exnations.


    I''ve learned a few things for sure.


    First, I got to know that Demon stones were used in many ces and were a key resource.


    Secondly, I felt that Director Yung was really passionate and focused on research.


    In the sparkling eyes, he showed while exining the research results, I even felt the innocence of a child.


    "We''re doing research on magical artifacts here. All of the best artifacts use Demon stones as their core. It''s a resource that can''t be reced now since it can be used for a long time and has less vibration and heat generation, and has stable power."


    There were many types of artifacts in theb.


    From jewelry forms such as rings, nes, and earrings, torge armor-shaped artifacts that remind me of the Middle Ages.


    I curiously looked around the disyed artifacts and asked questions.


    "Wow Are you making artifacts in thisb?"


    "No. We only produce the magical core of the artifact. Have you ever heard of Schnarpe?"


    "Schnarpe?"


    "They are a family famous for making Artifacts in the Demon world. Recently, we have formed research cooperation with the Schnarpe family and are working on a project. These are the results of the project."


    Schnarpe Schnarpe Schnarpe


    oh? !!


    The name reminded me of arge, robe-wearing Demon.


    Andras!


    I btedly realized that Andras was from the Schnarpe family.


    I asked a question because I was a little curious about the family of Andras.


    Is the Schnarpe family that famous?


    Not just famous. They are almost like divine beings among the research institutes andpanies involved in artifacts. The technology that humans have right now cant even touch their feet."


    "Ohh"


    I have heard that the Andras family is a famous noble family in the Demon world, but this is the first time I got to know that they have a name for themselves even in this world.


    "I''ve heard that all the Demons from the Schnarpe family are diligent and constantly striving to improve their skills. We respect them as fellow researchers. One of my wishes is to meet at least one member of the Schnarpe family."


    Diligence? Constant effort?


    I''m not saying this because I hate Andras, but the words that came out of Director Yungs mouth were so inconsistent with Andras.


    Andrastest diligent effort was to make the perfect camping gear for the pic.


    Hmm, he did make it well.


    If Kaneff was next to me right now, he would have probably yelled at Director Yung for talking nonsense.


    Not wanting to break Director Yungs beautiful fantasy of meeting with a Schnarpean, I was quietly smiling as if I knew nothing.


    After the tour of the institute, Director Lee Seok and I went to the office of Director Yung.


    "It''s a lot messy, but pleasee in."


    As he said, the office didn''t feel organized at all.


    Thick bundles of papers were scattered here and there.


    It felt like a room of a weird scientist who would appear in a cartoon or novel.


    Fortunately, there was a separate space for weing guests.


    Director Yung made coffee in a paper cup.


    "I''m sorry for the poor reception. We don''t keep anything to eat near theb except coffee."


    Director Lee Seok and I epted the warm coffee with a smile saying it was okay.


    Director Yung asked me questions as soon as I sat down.


    "How did you feel about theb?"


    "It was fun. There were a lot of things I didn''t understand, but overall, I think it was a good experience."


    "I''m so d. Actually, I even prepared a short script for Mr. Sihyeon''s visit today."


    He smiled shyly and scratched his head.


    He looked so naive that he did not feel like a representative of such arge Research Institute.


    After talking about this and that, when the atmosphere was a little ripe, Director Yung, opened his mouth with a serious face.


    "Well, I forced Mr.Sihyeon to see the Research Institute because I wanted to ask you a favor."


    His serious attitude hardened my expression.


    "My personal guess is that Mr.Sihyeon might have some Demon stones left."


    "."


    "Please dont misunderstand, Director Lee Seok kept it a secret thoroughly. Indeed, that''s what I expected from the information I knew."


    He continued his exnation very carefully in case I misunderstood.


    "What I want to say is nothing else. If you really have some spare Demon stones, I want you to use them as an investment."


    "What kind of investment are you talking about exactly?"


    Wait a minute.


    Director Yung left the seat and came back with a bunch of papers.


    At the top of the fairly thick document, it said, List of domestic Demon Stones research projects.


    "As you''ve already heard. Many researchers in Korea are having difficulty in conducting the research because they have not been able to find enough Demon stones. There are a lot of projects that have really high potential and are worth investing in."


    If such arge Research Institute is having a setback in the research process, I don''t know how worse the situation would be elsewhere.


    "If Mr.Sihyeon wants a lot of financial profit, it would be good to do business withrge overseaspanies or with foreign countries. But if you think about the value of the future, investing in domestic research might not be a bad choice."


    "Um."


    "This document contains some really reliable projects. I''m not forcing you. I just wanted to let you know that there''s a good option."


    I went through the documents that Director Yung gave me.


    Each project was meticulously exined so that I could easily understand it without professional knowledge.


    Director Yung looked at me with anxious eyes.


    "First of all, I understand what you''re talking about. But it''s hard to answer right now."


    Of course. I don''t mean to force you or pressure you.


    He took a business card from his pocket.


    "It''s a really important matter, so think about it before you decide. If you have any questions or need any information, please feel free to contact us."


    I epted his business card politely.


    The schedule at the institute ended with a conversation with Director Yung.


    While leaving the Research Institute by car, Director Lee Seok asked.


    How was the tour ?


    It was more fun than I thought. But it seems like Director Lee brought me here for a different purpose than looking around the institute, right?"


    I held up the documents that Director Yung gave me.


    Director Lee Seok answered with a rxed smile.


    "I won''t deny it. I''m hoping Mr.Sihyeon will use more Demon stones in Korea. Did you feel offended?"


    Well not really. Director Yung looks so passionate and honest. I rather liked it.


    Haha, that''s a relief. I thought Director Heo Yung would somehow be able to make a good impression on Mr.Sihyeon."


    If Director Lee Seok had suddenly made this investment proposal, I would have been reluctant.


    He gave me the impression that he would do anything for his purpose.


    However, Director Yung waspletely different.


    Even in the short time I conversed with him, I felt pure passion and pride for research.


    I thought that such people would probably bring development and change to the world.


    "Please take your time to think about the proposal. Can I take you home? Or would you like to join us for lunch?"


    I''m sorry, I have another schedule right away, so lets have a meal next time.


    Oh! Come to think of it, you said you had a guild raid scheduled, right? You seem to be very busy both in the Demon world and here."


    Director Lee Seok is the person responsible for my busy schedule, so I looked at him with a little resentment.


    Director Lee Seok smiled hollowly and ignored my gaze.


    "I think I can get off here."


    The car stopped near the meeting ce.


    As soon as I got out of the car, I took out the luggage from the trunk with the help of the driver.


    "Thank you for driving me here."


    "Thank you for sparing some time in your busy schedule.Good luck with the guild raid


    Thank you. The pleasure is mine.


    Oh! I have onest thing to tell you."


    As I was about to leave, Director Lee Seok stopped me and checked the time on his watch.


    "I think it''s all done by now. I don''t know if this would make Mr.Sihyeon feel better. Would you like to check the ount, which you told me aboutst time?"


    "What?"


    "The money for the Demon stones you provided to the Research Institute should have been processed. If you have any further questions, please contact me. I hope this will make the rest of your holiday more enjoyable."


    After saying hisst words, the vehicle carrying Director Lee Seok slowly moved away.


    Standing nkly for a while, I turned on the mobile phone Inte banking application with a trembling heart.


    When I entered the password, the ount information and bnce got immediately disyed.


    One ten hundred ten ten million billion one billion.


    Hmm?


    I started counting again just in case I read it wrong.


    The result did not change.


    Indeed, a billion won was transferred to my ount.


    I don''t know if you''ll feel betterI hope you enjoy the rest of the holiday more.


    I guess I''m a normal person, too.


    The number on my ounts, which I have never experienced in my life, melted away the resentment towards Director Lee Seok.


    I managed to hold back the corners of my mouth from raising while walking to the meeting ce.


    In my mind, the schedule for the rest of the holiday was getting more and more colorful.


    (To be Continued)


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