Chapter 26: The Lord of the Smartphone

Unlike the computers used in the 2020s, the one I’m using now makes a deafening racket when I turn it on, numbing my ears.

On top of that, the boot time is long.

It was only after I finished eating two slices of bread with jam that the Windows screen finally appeared on the monitor.

"I miss the computers from back then. How long do I have to wait?"

Even though this model is a recent release, I can’t help but feel let down when I compare it to the high-end computer I used in my previous life.

"It would be great if I could copy future technology and apply it here… Huh?!"

I was just muttering in disappointment, but suddenly my eyes lit up.

An excellent idea had popped into my head.

"This is actually a pretty good premise, isn’t it?"

A protagonist who can replicate future technology and upgrade present-day equipment.

What if he used that ability to make money?

"He’d build a company with the world’s best technology, and Korea would become a global tech powerhouse. Now that sounds interesting."

Alright, I should jot this down as a potential concept for my next project.

Inspiration tends to run away when you chase it, but when you let your mind wander and mutter nonsense, it often pays a visit.

After quickly organizing the fresh idea in my notebook, I focused on the territory management novel synopsis I had been working on.

[Title: The Lord of the Smartphone]

A term that didn’t even exist in 1999.

I wrote the title right at the top.

[The Jangseong Group boasts a market capitalization of 2,000 trillion won.

At thirty-five, I became chairman, my name appearing in the media almost daily with the title of ‘youngest ever’ attached to it.

Living up to the title of genius, I grew the group by more than 7% every year.

Even during the difficult days of COVID-19, Jangseong Group continued to thrive.

I was listed in Forbes as one of the 100 most influential people in the world, and my value only rose with time.

"…How fleeting."

But all of that became nothing but memories.

"Cancer? I have cancer."

Was it fate’s cruel joke? I’d always taken pride in living more diligently than anyone, but at the age of fifty, I was diagnosed as terminal.]

"The protagonist faces death and looks back on the life he devoted to his company. He realizes that, before death, everything is meaningless."

I wonder what it feels like to actually go through that.

Maybe, in the end, you’d close your eyes in regret, thinking you’d lived your life wrong.

"Someone who worked like a dog, achieved their goals, and died, and someone who did nothing and died poor, may have led opposite lives, but in the face of death, both look back. The one who worked regrets not enjoying life more, while the one who only played wishes they’d tried a little harder."

["If I get another life… I’d like to live just for myself."

Why did I never live for myself, not even once?

Tears well up in moist eyes.

My eyelids grow heavier and heavier.

The corners of my eyes, struggling to stay open, tremble, then finally close softly.]

"But there needs to be a twist here.

A major reversal that shakes the protagonist’s character."

And that is—

["What? I died because of your mistake? I had fifty years left!"

The protagonist’s death was a mistake—by a god!

"I’m sorry, human."

"Do you think ‘sorry’ is enough for this?!"

I even had a funeral, so I can’t return to my old world.

Never in my life have I felt such fury.

God or not, I want to kill them on the spot.

"I’ll let you reincarnate as someone else."

"Reincarnate? You kill a man and think reincarnation makes it right?"

If he brings up reincarnation so easily, it must be no more than snapping his fingers to him.

In that case, this is hardly a fair negotiation.]

"The protagonist is a genius entrepreneur. It’s not believable for someone like that to just accept a reincarnation offer. Let’s have him strike a deal with the god to make the protagonist’s talents clear."

["I want three conditions. If you grant them, I’ll accept. First, I want to be born into a family that will allow me to live comfortably. Second, I want to be able to use this smartphone I have now. Third, I want to retain all my current memories. If you agree, I’ll accept."

After working myself to the bone, I want to live my own life in my next one.

To do that, it’s important to be born into a solid family, and having my current smartphone is essential.

While I was in the hospital, I carefully listed everything I wanted to do on my smartphone.

If I’m reborn, I want to enjoy life with a plan.

"Fine."]

With the protagonist’s signature needed to complete the process, the god eventually accepts all of his terms and grants him reincarnation.

But the god isn’t happy about it.

While not violating the contract, the god accepts the protagonist’s demands, slipping in a little trick to keep readers anticipating.

Readers will be curious how the protagonist will grow in a world that’s nothing like Earth.

It’s a common premise, but the setting sets it apart from stories of this era.

He’ll use his smartphone to save a territory on the verge of collapse and eventually become the emperor who rules the empire.

"I’ve always wanted to write a fantasy novel about managing a territory, and now I finally am."

It was a story I’d wanted to write for a long time.

I’d always hesitated, thinking the fantasy genre was too daunting, but here I was at last.

The genre that once seemed so hard came naturally in this life.

Writing used to be nothing but pain.

This time, it was just so much fun.

"In episode 2, the protagonist reincarnates in a completely different world, realizes he’s the only son of a family diagnosed as terminal, and lashes out at the god in anger."

If it were Earth, the protagonist could at least file a lawsuit and get compensation. But his opponent is a god, so there’s nothing he can do.

In the end, the protagonist calmly accepts the situation and sets out to revive the territory for the sake of his freedom and retirement.

The first step is figuring out why the family is going bankrupt.

As the process unfolds, the story will move forward, and he’ll strategize to rebuild the territory.

The overall plot will unfold quickly from chapters 1 to 3.

"This is already fun."

After finishing and editing chapter one, I read it again from the beginning.

It was incredibly entertaining. Of course, that’s just my opinion.

I wondered how readers would feel.

"I hope things go well again this time."

With the spread of smartphones and the growth of the web novel market, I wrote it in a structure optimized for the ‘web novel format.’

It’s a long-term strategy aimed at finishing the story, not just a short-lived hit.

"Even if it doesn’t become as huge as my first novel, it’s fine. As long as I can see it through to the end, that’s enough."

I figured as long as the publisher didn’t suggest ending it early, I’d be satisfied.

"Once I have ten chapters ready, I’ll start serializing."

After laying a solid foundation, I closed the word processor.

***

The KOSDAQ listing for Saerom Technologies was just around the corner.

The media was highlighting Saerom Technologies every day, and business newspapers were even running it as the main article on the front page.

"Time really flies. Can’t believe it’s already this time."

I returned in February. Now, more than half a year had already passed.

"A lot sure happened in just half a year."

I finished a novel, moved houses.

Unlike in my previous life, I grew closer to Yooa and became friends with my classmates.

Most importantly, my bank account was piling up with sums of money I could never have imagined in my previous life.

"Except for the sons of the super-rich, aren’t I probably the most successful middle schooler in Korea right now?"

At least a few million won, sometimes tens of millions.

It’s hard to believe a middle schooler made that much.

Maybe only a handful out of six billion people ever do this.

No wonder I was feeling cocky.

"Letting this money just sit around… would be really stupid."

Money loses value over time.

Just as exercise keeps you healthy, money has to keep moving to stay alive.

Of course, pushing too hard is dangerous, but if I use it wisely within my limits, I can change my future.

"I should talk to my parents about investing in Saerom Technologies."

In my past life, my parents struggled with debt their whole lives, never able to relax.

They were lucky just not to be in the red, let alone save money.

But now it’s different. Circumstances have changed.

I stretched my back, did a quick stretch, and headed to the living room.

"Mom, Dad. Let’s invest in Saerom Technologies."

I carefully brought it up to my parents, who were in the living room.

It was unthinkable for me to let a sure opportunity slip by.

"Invest? You mean buy stocks?"

Dad looked up from the newspaper and glanced at me.

"Yeah. I’ve been studying stocks lately, and I write too, you know? According to articles and various data, Saerom Technologies is about to go public and it’s a really attractive company."

"Hmm."

I could see the worry on Dad’s face.

He always thought stocks were just gambling, not investment.

He knew plenty of people, even close friends, who’d lost money despite investing in good companies.

"The reason it’s getting so much attention lately is because of its Internet Dialpad. The Internet market itself keeps growing, so the investment value is really high."

I explained the strengths of Saerom Technologies in a careful tone.

"Are you sure about this?"

Dad’s voice was tinged with concern.

I guess he was remembering when a friend of his went deep into debt from stocks and even lost his house at auction.

"It’s okay. I might not know about other stocks, but I’m absolutely sure about Saerom Technologies."

I spoke with confidence to reassure Dad.

"Hmm… If you say so. So how much are you thinking of investing?"

Dad put down the newspaper and asked.

"I’m thinking about ten million won. If possible, I’ll ask the publisher to advance some of my royalties so we can go up to thirty million won."

Since we’d spent money moving recently, I was already planning to request an advance from the publisher.

"Isn’t that a bit much?"

He still looked worried.

"I’m that confident. We only need to hold it for a month. The price will definitely go up."

I pushed even harder.

If I let this slip by, I’d be missing one of my biggest opportunities.

I absolutely didn’t want to be the idiot who missed out.

"How much spare cash do we have, honey?"

Dad turned to Mom, who was sitting nearby.

"Well, I’d have to check, but… I guess more than ten million won?"

"Hmm, then let’s just try two million. Nothing risky. Besides, it’ll be good for the boy’s education. And if we lose, our successful son will make up for it, right?"

Dad gave me a playful grin.

"Of course. Don’t worry. I’ll take full responsibility."

"Hehe, okay. Let’s do that."

"You two are really in sync for a rich family. Alright, I’ll get things ready."

Mom nodded, looking amused, and smiled softly.

"Okay, next topic… Where do you want to go for vacation, son?"

"Busan."

I answered without hesitation.