Programming (2)

I was a physics PhD.

Because of that, I already knew many programming languages and had practically mastered them.

After all, I had used them to develop algorithms for various experiments, run simulations, and analyze data.

Even now, given enough time, I could build almost any program.

'The problem is that there are limits.'

Even today, many excellent programming languages exist.

For example, Java, JavaScript, C, C++, C#, and Python.

Using ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠these languages in the right places allows one to create great, even outstanding programs.

However, each language has its limitations in scope and efficiency.

That is why C++ succeeded C, and Java was developed later—they are constantly evolving.

'Which means that in the future, even better languages with entirely different capabilities will emerge.'

And I could acquire those languages, transcending time and space.

Through this very skill.

Divine Library Access: Science and Technology

When I activated it, a translucent message appeared.

What I wanted was a programming language used by a more advanced civilization.

'And out of all of them...'

The ultimate programming language!

One that could transcend human limitations and build anything, almost like a god!

'Show me a programming language that fits these conditions!'

But then...

Only that message appeared, and nothing else.

'Huh?'

But I soon understood the situation.

'Right. The technology I learned before wasn't that far off from the current technological level.'

Purification technology using microbial cultures already existed. The technology I acquired was just slightly more efficient.

It was only a single step forward, a technology that would have naturally emerged in a few years anyway.

'That's why I was able to search for and acquire it.'

But what I had just searched for was light-years ahead of current technology.

So, I had to adjust my query.

'What is the most advanced programming language within my cognitive range?'

Immediately, several technologies appeared.

All of them were languages unimaginable with current technology, each possessing highly specialized capabilities in their respective domains.

'But out of all of these...'

One language caught my eye.

It was a language that could serve as the foundation for the program I had wanted to build for a long time.

NeuralScript

'With that...!'

I tried to acquire it, but there was a serious problem.

'The required amount of Karma is astronomical.'

This was despite the fact that I was already highly proficient in programming.

'A whopping 8.24 million!'

My current Karma wasn't even close.

Of course, if I studied this field further, the required amount would decrease.

'But would that be enough to bridge such a massive gap?'

It seemed the cost was high because the technology was too far ahead of its time.

Then again, acquiring a lower-level language wouldn't be of much help.

The existing languages were already sufficient for basic tasks.

Therefore...

'For now, I'll study while gathering Karma.'

Director Tae Giseong of Wondong Paper secretly met a blonde, blue-eyed man in a secluded alley.

His name was James Mill.

He was the one who had recently recommended installing the German Veolia system at Wondong Paper.

The two spoke while sharing a cigarette.

"Damn it! One of the guys working at our factory developed a purification system himself. Because of him, this deal is ruined."

"What nonsense are you talking about? The Veolia purification system I proposed is the best in the world. Even if someone in this country made something similar, they wouldn't be able to beat it."

Director Tae flicked his ash irritably and snapped back.

"Hmph! Best in the world, my foot! You brought something that's worse than what a factory slave's... no, what that factory worker's kid made."

"You keep talking nonsense. That's absolutely impossible. And regardless, you should have persuaded your president!"

'Persuade?'

He had already tried.

Recalling the aftermath of that attempt, Director Tae's face contorted.

"What did you want me to do when it was impossible? I tried, but I only ended up raising suspicions and getting audited!"

"What? Did they find out about our deal?"

"Fortunately, they didn't catch that... Damn it! Anyway, the company has already made its decision! We're adopting the system made by that slave's son."

"What? So it's really a bust?"

James Mill's business was ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠buying defective, used equipment at dirt-cheap prices and selling them as brand new.

This time, Wondong Paper was his target, and Director Tae Giseong was his co-conspirator.

But now, the plan had failed.

This left the used purification equipment he had already purchased stranded.

"My eight hundred million won, just like that...?"

"Hmph! You think you're the only one? I took a massive hit too! Some of my past dealings were exposed, and now I'm facing a salary cut and disciplinary action! Ugh! If I had known it would turn out like this, I would have never...!"

James Mill pondered if there was any way to salvage the situation.

He first thought about finding a flaw in the system they decided to adopt.

"Hey, that... purification system developed by your employee. Is it really that impressive?"

"Yeah! It's better than the one from the company you suggested. The performance is the same, but the price is cheaper."

"How much?"

"Almost thirty percent! So it's roughly 1.4 billion won."

"Unbelievable! How is that possible?"

"They say it uses microbes specialized in purifying pollutants."

"Ha...!"

In that case, there was truly no way.

Although he bought the used equipment for 800 million won, once repair and construction costs were factored in, selling it for 1.4 billion won would still result in a loss.

Above all, having already quoted 4 billion won, dropping it to 1.4 billion won now would look incredibly suspicious.

But then.

'Hmm?'

A new solution suddenly occurred to James.

"Well, I just thought of something. If that system is so outstanding, why don't we steal the technology and sell it overseas?"

"Sell the technology?"

"Yeah. I have some connections over there. I think we just need you to get your hands on the technology."

"Oho...!"

Tae Giseong nodded, finding the idea plausible.

However, he was secretly harboring a different plan.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

'Why don't I just register the patent under my name and start my own business?'

That would bring in far more money than a one-time payout.

'And I'd get to be called "President" too.'

Coincidentally, due to the revised environmental laws, many companies were looking to adopt this kind of technology.

Targeting just a few of them would easily yield massive profits.

'Hehehe!'

Unaware of Director Tae's dark intentions, James asked.

"But hasn't the developer already registered the patent?"

"Hmph. No way. What would an ignorant factory worker know? They probably don't even know what a patent is. More importantly, tell me how I should steal the technology."

Time flew by.

I occasionally dropped by the outsourced workshop to check on the progress.

"Hmm, it's well-made."

"Of course it is!"

"Then please take care of the next batch of equipment as well."

"Don't you worry!"

After some time had passed, I visited my father's company to carry out some preliminary construction work.

"Please dig an additional waterway over here."

"Yes, leave it to us."

"The piping will go here, and the sedimentation tank will go over there, so please do the prep work according to the blueprints I gave you."

"Understood."

Outside of that, I spent most of my time attending classes at school.

Afterward, I studied hard with my friends in our study group.

"Hyunwoo, buddy, can you explain this to me?"

"What is it?"

"This one, question three. I looked at the answer key, but I still don't get it."

"Hmm, this goes like this..."

As I explained it clearly, my Karma rose again.

"Oh! As expected of the school's third place!"

"Hey, help me with this question too..."

About a month passed in this manner.

Finally, the day of the first semester's final exams arrived.

"Phew... Please let only the things I studied show up on the test."

Unlike before, Jang Junyeob looked quite serious about the exam. He clasped his hands together and offered a prayer, something he never usually did.

Oh Yunsung gave him some playful advice, as always.

"Hey, relax a bit. If you're too tense, your brain won't work. If all else fails, just think of it as guessing."

"Ugh... You saying that makes me even more nervous! I can't just guess after studying so hard!"

"Then relax."

Then he turned his gaze to me.

"And as for you, Hyunwoo... Well, I'm not really in a position to give you advice anymore. I'm sure you'll do fine on your own. Good luck on the exam."

"Good luck to you too."

The exam subjects and order were almost identical to the midterms.

"Alright, everyone put your books away. Keep only your writing utensils and watches on your desks."

And so, the final exams began.

One day.

Two days.

Three days.

The final exams, which felt grueling and endless to the students, finally came to an end along with the first semester.

"Whoa! It's over! PC bang, anyone?"

"Wow, you really don't change, even as a high school senior."

"No, I just said it out of habit. Tsk, actually, I quit gaming after Hyunwoo became a study bug."

"That's true."

Indeed, I hadn't seen him play games recently.

'In my past life, he and I played games together even the day before the CSAT.'

Since my regression, many things had changed besides just me.

"My older brother told me that once the first semester ends, the second semester comes in the blink of an eye. And then it's the CSAT right away, so we have to study like crazy during this summer break."

"Ugh... How awful. High school seniors don't even get a real vacation."

"But once ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the CSAT is over, we can play all we want, right? All the way through winter break."

"Sigh, yeah. Let's endure until then."

Jang Junyeob nodded at my words.

Oh Yunsung chuckled, then suddenly turned to me and asked.

"By the way, Ji Hyunwoo, are you really going to take first place in the school this time?"

"I doubt it. I got too many questions wrong."

"Huh? But you got perfect scores in Korean, English, Math, Science, and History."

"But Arabic and... well, a lot of other minor subjects."

Once again, I had missed quite a few questions in Arabic and other minor subjects.

Considering that, I thought taking first place would be impossible.

"Hmm, as far as I know, those subjects don't carry much weight..."

"That's why the calculation is tricky."

"True. Anyway, we'll know once the grades are out."

"But seriously, if Hyunwoo takes first place, it'll cause an absolute uproar."

"Yeah. Kim Ildong said he's definitely going to be first in the school. He said he aced the exams this time."

'He probably did.'

Kim Ildong was the top student in our class.

In my past life, he had consistently held the number one spot in the school after the finals.

'I wonder how it will turn out this time.'

I was walking while lost in these thoughts.

Bzzz—

My phone vibrated, so I checked it.

'Oh!'

I finally received a message from Jangin Steel.

They were fully prepared to install the purification system.