Chapter 9. Exhibition (3)

The new computer was quite to my liking.

Although I didn't add any more magic circles to it, I was quite satisfied with its performance.

Still, compared to the latest models, it did feel a bit lacking.

"You bought this for 200,000 won?"

"It's an old model. The components are much cheaper than what you have in your room."

"That's strange... But why does it seem faster than what I use?"

"...It's just your imagination."

"Really? I'm sure it's faster..."

I chased my younger brother, who was eyeing the new computer, away and got back to playing the game.

I didn't plan to do this, but maybe it's because I feel younger.

I keep getting drawn into the game.

Ding.

While I was in the middle of a war with another nation in the game, my smartphone on the desk vibrated.

A short vibration, a text message.

I had a feeling I knew who it was, and sure enough, when I checked the screen, it was as I thought.

'They said they would contact me when the product is released...'

I thought it wouldn't take long since the facilities were already in place, but...

Even so, this is too fast, isn't it?

I know that the release of a product doesn't just mean the item is completed.

I may still be ignorant about this industry, but I have some basic common sense from my life experience.

However, the reason for the contact wasn't about the product's release.

"Cooling" is the name of a series of coolers sold by Young Sung Industries.

Usually, the products are numbered 1, 2, 3, and so on, but suddenly the word "Master" was added.

It seems too confident, but it's probably overstepping to get involved with this.

Not knowing what to say, I hesitated to reply.

Vroom.

Soon, another message arrived.

"...International Exhibition?"

If it were a domestic exhibition, I might have thought nothing of it.

But an international exhibition?

Apart from Alpha Tech, almost no cooler manufacturers in our country produce products for overseas sales.

And as far as I know, Young Sung Industries is far from that scale.

Curious about what was going on, I quickly closed the game and asked a question.

The reply came immediately.

This person is so objective.

For some reason, they seem to have more pride in it than I do.

Honestly, it was just to clear out the heat sink inventory.

'This is a bit troublesome if it gets too well-known.'

After all, the quantity can be handled domestically; there's no need to go abroad.

But this is just from my perspective.

If the company wants to leap into a broader world, such opportunities are rare.

I have many questions out of concern.

If something goes wrong, it feels like it will be my fault.

Investment should not exceed the expected profit from selling the product.

I know that even the best product is useless if it's not promoted, but if it's overdone, it can lead to a situation where the belly button is bigger than the belly.

Moreover, the number of coolers that can be made with 3 million heat sinks is at most 50,000 to 60,000.

It's not a small number, but selling them on the world stage is clearly excessive.

It would be great if it goes well, but what if it goes wrong?

Human affairs are unpredictable.

After roughly finishing the conversation, I quickly searched for information about the Taiwan International Exhibition on my computer.

The event was on a large scale, with various articles already posted online.

Quite a few well-known companies were prominently featured.

"Wow, so many famous companies are coming."

From companies like Intel, NVIDIA, and ASUS, which are known even to those not in the computer industry, to foundry companies like TSMC.

It seemed that top-tier companies with market capitalizations in the hundreds of trillions were also participating.

A scale worthy of the name "International Exhibition."

However, such places come with risks.

One must be cautious of companies that come to secretly steal ideas.

Taiwan is not China, but it's close enough.

If it were a Chinese exhibition, I would have strongly advised against it, even if Manager Lee went.

Companies like Il Sung Electronics and GQ Electronics, which are known to lead the global electronics market, were also included.

'Is Young Sung Industries really participating?'

Young Sung Industries is somewhat known, but only domestically, and mainly among those who are well-versed in computer components or work in the industry.

Compared to international companies like NVIDIA, it's like a firefly in front of the sun.

I can't help but worry.

***

After the New Year, the house was peaceful for a while.

Seul, preparing to become a senior in high school, decided to study seriously and was busy going to cram schools and study rooms even on weekends.

Dad was busy with quality tests for the new contracts brought in by Manager Ho Seok.

Mom, as always, was busy running the convenience store and taking care of the family.

'I'm the only one who's idle.'

Reflecting on it, I've been so busy since waking up in this other world that I haven't had such idle time.

This sudden leisure feels both comfortable and uneasy.

"How is Young Sung Industries doing?"

There's been no contact since the message about participating in the international exhibition in Taiwan.

While there's a saying that no news is good news, I suddenly became curious.

'Is there anything on the internet?'

I searched, thinking there might be articles about the exhibition in Taiwan, but there were more than I expected.

When I clicked on a somewhat cliché title, a familiar face appeared in the top photo.

In the photo, six people were standing with bright expressions, and Manager Lee was among them.

"Wow, is this really happening?"

The article's content was predictable, but I couldn't help but read it.

I was more curious than anything.

Since it was shown to global companies, I wondered how the industry people would react.

However, reading the article didn't satisfy my curiosity.

I wanted to hear the reactions from the scene, which couldn't be conveyed through writing.

'Should I call?'

But considering the schedule, they're probably still in Taiwan.

If they were in Korea, wouldn't they have sent a message?

Would it be a burden to call them?

While I was fidgeting with my smartphone, wondering about this, it vibrated.

The caller was the tiger that came as I mentioned.

"Old sayings are never wrong."

I chuckled and answered the call.

"Yes, Manager Lee."

"Boss!"

A call filled with joy.

If the article's content is true, it's understandable, but...

Suddenly being called "Boss" feels awkward.

"I just saw the article. You went all the way to Taiwan, and it seems you had good results. Congratulations."

"The congratulations should be for you, Boss."

"Me?"

The transaction was already completed long ago.

With 3 million units, Young Sung is probably still producing, but the product is no longer in my hands.

Even if the product receives good reviews, it doesn't really concern me.

So, I shouldn't be the one receiving congratulations.

"Don't be surprised. Do you know where I'm calling from?"

Even if I tried to read your mind, I can't see you.

How can I know just from a call?

'Where are you calling from to act like this?'

The taciturn person I met at the cafe is nowhere to be seen.

The more I know, the more he seems like a new person.

"I don't know. Where are you calling from to act like this?"

"Don't be surprised!"

Please just tell me.

I was wondering why you were making such a fuss...

"Intel! Intel contacted us!"

"Where?"

The Intel I know?

No, it can't be.

It's more likely to be a different company with a similar name, right?

"Manager, are you joking?"

When you hear the name of a computer manufacturing company, the first name that comes to mind is Intel.

There's only one reason Intel would contact Young Sung Industries in this situation, right?

"Do I look like someone who would joke about this? I'm serious. Intel contacted us about the cooler, no, the heat sink, Boss!"

"Why?"

"Why else? They want to use it in their CPU coolers!"

I was momentarily confused.

You said they were interested in the heat sink, not the cooler.

You specifically mentioned the heat sink?

"The cooler, not the heat sink?"

"That's right. The heat sink is truly remarkable. They even took a box of samples."

Young Sung Industries participated in the Taiwan International Exhibition, not Young Il Industrial.

The fact that they were interested in the heat sink, not the cooler, means they know about the separate supply of heat sinks.

'How could they know if I didn't tell them?'

In Korea, we had competitive bidding with a few companies, but there's no way Intel would know all the details of a small company's first appearance at an exhibition.

This means Manager Lee told them everything.

That's what I was curious about.

"Even if we hide it now, it will eventually come out. There's Intel Korea, after all."

It's true, but...

Human nature is not that simple.

If I had decided to make a profit in the middle, I could have done so.

Giving it up is not as easy as it sounds.

"Are they going to contact us?"

"Probably Intel Korea. Isn't this amazing?"

"This is... I don't know what to say..."

It's definitely a good thing, but I can't help but worry.

The first thing that came to mind was Young Il Industrial.

Can a small industrial company like this satisfy a global giant like Intel?

'If we really sign a contract with Intel, it could be a problem.'

"I'm not sure if we can handle the order volume if we sign a contract with Intel."

"Hmm... I don't think they will place an order."

They bought a lot of samples, but won't place an order?

"Why not?"

"This is just my guess, but they might want the technology itself."

"I'm not selling the manufacturing method of the heat sink."

To be precise, it's not that I won't sell it, but I can't.

I will never reveal the existence of magic or mana to anyone, for any reason.

Never.

"Then they will approach us in another way."

"By reverse-engineering the product and researching it?"

Since it's an unpatented technology, they might try to research it.

A company of that size would likely be confident in their ability to figure it out if they put their mind to it.

'But it would be a futile effort.'

The heat sinks supplied to Young Sung Industries have a magic circle made of silver on the top of the pins that go into the bottom of the heat plate.

They are not individually engraved but are fixed with silver stickers, which don't last long.

Even if they peel it off, it looks like a company logo.

Even if they make an identical sticker, the magic circle won't work.

Even if it's a permanent magic circle, it needs to be initially activated with mana from an external source, and the only person who can do that on Earth is me.