Chapter 42: The End of the 80s (1)

Bill Gates’ visit wasn’t a coincidence, nor a butterfly effect, but a historical inevitability.

1988 was a time when MS was actively pursuing expansion into Asia. While it remains a giant in the software industry, its reputation in Korea was still low, which is why Gates came to Korea himself.

The reason he came to meet me, or rather, my company, is simple.

Due to strict regulations, MS couldn’t establish a branch in Korea alone, so they had to find a local software company.

It wasn’t intentional. I was also very surprised when I heard that Bill Gates had come to my small company. I wondered why such an important person would come all the way here.

In my past life, during my heyday, he had already retired and was doing charity work… honestly, I was curious and wanted to know.

Why he chose my company.

“Why I chose this place… I sensed a sophisticated sensibility in your software. It might seem crude at first glance, but I saw a vision that was at least 20 years ahead. It was very impressive.”

‘Well, it was actually 20 years ahead of its time…’

“Well, our company has many young people. It’s an honor to hear you say that, Mr. Gates.”

Song Hyeonjae, dressed up for the first time in a long time, sweated from nervousness but engaged in the conversation smoothly. I quietly listened to their conversation from the side.

I was an outsider, after all.

I only attended by applying a little pressure; the subject of this contract was still Song Hyeonjae, the president of Pygmalion Soft.

“And there was another, even more important reason. This company uses only genuine software, haha.”

There was something eerie about Bill Gates’ gentle smile.

A strong will to kill those who didn’t use genuine software.

That was why I nodded unconsciously. Bill Gates was the first person to put the idea of selling software separately into practice.

Therefore, his hatred of pirated software was famous… but in Korea, there are few people who legally buy software.

‘Indeed, I understand his reason for choosing us.’

Even if I didn’t participate in Pygmalion Soft, this company would have caught MS’s eye.

Leaving the detailed contract discussions to President Song Hyeonjae and Gates’ secretary, I tried to quietly slip out of the room.

“But, perhaps you are…?”

Tch, I knew this would happen.

As a skilled businessman, Gates would be uncomfortable with my sudden appearance, so I understand.

I gestured to Hayeon. He naturally offered the prepared excuse.

“Ah, she’s an acquaintance of mine. To be precise, it’s not me, but my father who’s acquainted with her… and thanks to that, I learned about Pygmalion Soft.”

“Ah, I see. That’s quite a coincidence, to have such a coincidence on this vast earth.”

The Alpha Fund managed by Hayeon naturally invested in MS. It’s a company that would make enormous profits just by holding a moderate long position instead of risky short selling. Naturally.

So Hayeon, in his capacity as an investor, exchanged words with MS… then, MS suddenly asked for his opinion on establishing a Korean branch.

Since Korea wouldn’t be a very familiar country yet, they asked for the opinion of a famous Korean-American fund manager on Wall Street.

But to think that he happened to be acquainted with a company MS already had its eye on… it’s quite surprising, isn’t it?

It was a very coincidental coincidence, from my perspective and theirs.

“But… Miss, do you have any questions? I heard you’re a programmer.”

He asked again as soon as Hayeon finished his explanation.

He seemed suspicious of me. It’s difficult to determine the age of Asians, and I’m mature for my age…

Is he seeing me as a ‘business partner,’ not a ‘child’?

He probably found it strange that I came without saying anything and was leaving without saying anything.

“…Hmm, it’s fine.”

“That’s quite surprising. You just came to this important meeting? You, a noble child?”

Persistent.

I just came to see the face, but he keeps asking about my intentions. However, revealing my intentions honestly…

Oh.

Wait, is there a problem?

‘That’s right. I’m a celebrity after all.’

Realizing the crucial fact, I naturally took out a Famicom and a Yoo Sung Magic marker from outside, as if I had intended to do so all along.

Then, I smiled at the bewildered Bill Gates.

“I’m a fan. Could I ask for your autograph?”

With innocent eyes, I smiled brightly and asked for an autograph.

Well, being a fan isn’t a lie.

That devilish business acumen and overwhelming wealth… how could I not become a fan?

When I asked for an autograph, Bill Gates smiled, gave me an autograph, and left after giving me a few words of encouragement.

‘I hear you strongly advocate for copyright compliance. Seeing you today, you seem like someone who will achieve great things.’

‘I don’t expect it from ordinary people, but I wish Korean companies and the government would use genuine products instead of copies. Oh, Daeha Group uses genuine products? Haha! That’s an amazing company! Truly a representative company of Korea.’

Ah, is this another world?

To receive praise for a company, especially Korea’s top conglomerate, for not blatantly violating copyright law… it’s dizzying. It was even more so because Bill Gates’ praise was genuine.

In Korea, there are virtually no people who use genuine software and don’t copy it. Even government agencies and large companies openly copy and use software.

Just by following these basic principles, I experienced something I’d only seen in nationalistic YouTube videos… I felt my face burning, wondering if this was okay.

Actually, only Daeha Securities, where I am, uses genuine software within the Daeha Group… but I couldn’t bring myself to say that. It’s embarrassing, I feel like I just got caught licking the lid of yogurt outside.

Still… the thrill of being praised by such an amazing person was different. It sent shivers down my spine.

‘It was a worthwhile risk.’

Since my feelings are more important than anything in this world, this amazing event was worth participating in, regardless of profit. Separate from establishing the MS branch, of course.

Anyway.

After the giant of history left, in Pygmalion Soft’s president’s office…

I felt satisfied, holding the signed contract and the Famicom, which I now called the Family Computer – Bill Gates Edition.

“Huhu, an MS Korean branch. This is a great opportunity. Don’t you think?”

President Song wiped his sweat and agreed.

“Yes… it is. I’m exhausted from speaking English after so long.”

“Hey, what’s wrong with that? Our president will have to go to the MS branch as the representative soon, so it would be good to learn more English.”

“What? Why, why? Someone like missy is more than enough…”

I resolutely shook my head.

“I’ll play games here. This is a game company, after all. Sir, you should get back to your real job. You’re in your thirties already.”

Work and hobbies must be separated, shouldn’t they?

I’m tired of developing boring software. I’ll send the software developers to the MS branch and gather the game-focused employees separately into Pygmalion Soft.

“I understand. But, I’m happy to become the MS branch representative, but missy, why did you accept this contract? There’s no benefit…”

“I’ll get some shares, won’t I? That’s why.”

“…With that small amount of shares?”

President Song tilted his head briefly but didn’t ask further.

One of the seeds I’ve been planting for a while now.

Much later, around the time Bill Gates retires, I plan to take over MS… President Song will be useful then.

It looks better for the subsidiary to take over the headquarters than for a huge foreign company to take over a leading American company.

‘Ah, I really want to buy all the big tech companies during their growth spurt.’

I sighed softly.

To achieve my grand plan of becoming the world’s most powerful person, I have a lot to do. If I could just acquire those companies, the difficulty would be significantly lower…

But there’s the antitrust law.

Since I’ve been reborn as a rich person, if I buy all the companies that will grow in the future, wouldn’t I be able to dominate America, if not the world? Some naive people might think that… but that’s impossible.

Even without mentioning that ownership and control are separate…

Honestly, is it even possible to dominate America like that?

America isn’t stupid; politicians will use all sorts of tricks to break up the company. And they won’t reimburse me for the lost money during the process.

The problem is that when it’s related to national interests, the logic of capitalism doesn’t apply.

It’s too common for the government to interfere with mergers and acquisitions because companies can’t be transferred to foreign entities.

If I were American, I could just bribe politicians with super PACs… but it’s too difficult for a Korean to dominate the world.

-‘Ah, so you’re the majority shareholder of MS! You’re merging with Daeha Group, I understand. The US Department of Defense and the White House also use Windows, but the law is the law, so we can’t help it.’

Would America react like that?

Absolutely not. They wouldn’t give me that much stake in the first place.

Even if I use Hayeon, an American, as a proxy, it’s the same. They’ll enact some law to stop the merger attempt.

Those who govern a country don’t want to give ‘power’ to foreigners, even if they give them ‘money.’ That’s normal for a country.

…But I want power.

The Jewish capital that moves the world! The Freemasons! The Illuminati!

Kya, cool.

‘Ugh, should I just destroy America? A coup… is impossible.’

More important than money is how to convert it into power… In that sense, I’m moderate.

A friendly coup after becoming president is the surest way, but that’s Plan B. I don’t need to take such a dangerous path.

After all, I’m the one whose eternal immortality is guaranteed. Having a long lifespan means I don’t need to resort to drastic measures.

Of course, conversely, because I hold the incredibly powerful secret of eternal life, if I don’t show an infinitely expansionist behavior, I’ll get devoured.

To live a stable life, I need a perfect identity laundering system, or I need to create my own country… because either way, I need overwhelming power.

Even if I somehow develop anti-aging technology and hide the secret of immortality, the time limit is very short. It means I have to find a proper method.

I have a plan, but I sometimes get anxious when I make direct moves like this. I wonder if my judgment is right.

‘I can prepare Plan B later. For now, let’s stick to the current plan.’

In the president’s office, where the sunset quietly seeped in after everyone left, I quietly organized the documents.

Building relationships with people while watching the ’88 Olympics, disrupting Jinwoo’s plans, managing the Alpha Fund and Daeha Securities…

I have a lot to do to prepare for the 1990s.