Chapter 57. The Fountain of Wisdom (1)

Jason had started a few businesses but failed, and he was now preparing for a new venture. Fortunately, he was a fairly skilled developer and could earn a living by taking on freelance work.

"Actually, I thought about applying to places like NS or Naver, but I have a dream of starting my own company."

"That's a great dream. So, what are you working on?"

"Oh! It's a cloud-based data management AI program. It aggregates fragmented data, extracts unstructured data, and preprocesses it into structured data using deep learning to improve the algorithm..."

"..."

He excitedly explained for about an hour, but I couldn't understand a single word. After a long while, Jason realized his mistake and scratched his head.

"I'm sorry. Was it a boring story?"

"To be honest, I don't know much about computers. I've hardly ever used one. But there's one thing I do know."

"What's that?"

"That you really love what you do."

"Haha..."

Jason usually seemed absent-minded and awkward, but when it came to work, he was more passionate than anyone else. He was also more affectionate than any man she had ever met.

The two of them fell in love before they knew it. On their days off, they went on dates, and on busy days, he always came to the restaurant.

A few months later, she found out she was pregnant.

Jason was shocked.

"Me, I'm going to be a dad?"

"Yeah."

"Wait, this is a huge shock. What, what should we do?"

"They're twins."

"What!?"

They only registered their marriage and lived together in Jason's studio apartment. It was the happiest time of their lives.

Jason stroked his wife's swollen belly and said,

"Just wait a little longer. This time, it's definitely going to be a big hit."

"I named the program Mimir. In Norse mythology, Mimir is the guardian of the Fountain of Wisdom and the wisest person in the world. Doesn't it fit?"

"I asked a famous university classmate, known for being a genius, to evaluate my program."

"He offered to be a partner. He said he would invest money and do the business with me!"

"You'll be surprised when you find out who he is. He's a well-known figure in the IT industry. I'll tell you later."

"We're going to be rich."

"When we make money, I'll build a house for you and our children."

"I'm sorry for making you suffer. I'll definitely make you happy."

"I'll make sure you never have to worry about money again."

"I love you, Julia."

But that promise was never kept.

Just before the company's launch, Jason died in a traffic accident. The accident was caused by a drug-addled man who had stolen a car, so they couldn't get any compensation.

Julia gave birth to twins alone. They were healthy boys.

She raised the children on her own while working. No matter how hard she worked, her situation didn't improve much.

The rent was gradually falling behind, and when she had money, she had to decide whether to buy groceries or put gas in the car first.

Julia sighed as she calculated the money.

The only option was to leave the children with her parents and work more hours. She would have less time with her children, but there was no other choice.

* * *

Julia went to work at Aihop as usual.

"Welcome."

The first customers were a late 20s Asian man and a mid-30s Caucasian man.

She poured them drip coffee and asked,

"Would you like to order anything?"

The Asian man looked at the menu and ordered a simple meal. Then he asked her,

"Have you been working here for a long time?"

"Yes, it's been four years now."

"Until what time do you work?"

"Until 5 PM. Why do you ask?"

"Can we talk for a bit after you finish work?"

She was used to encountering men who hit on her at work.

Julia firmly said,

"I have to go to my next job right after work."

"Just a few minutes."

She showed them her wedding ring.

"I'm sorry, but I'm married."

The Asian man covered the menu and said,

"It's about your husband."

Julia's guard went up.

"What do you mean? My husband is..."

"Yes, he's gone now. I have something to tell you about Jason Kim, Jason Kim."

* * *

We sat at a nearby café and waited for Julia to finish her shift.

David asked me,

"Is it really true that Jason developed Minerva, and that she has the data?"

"We'll find out soon."

"If it is, what do you plan to do? Expose it?"

Exposing it might cause a shock at the moment, but it could be easily covered up with money. In fact, when a lawsuit was filed later, they paid a huge settlement and bought the rights to the program.

So what I need to do is not expose it, but...

"I'm going to buy the rights to Minerva."

Jason Kim moved to the U.S. with his father as a child. He lost his father during college and then got married, so his wife and children are his only heirs.

"Isn't that uncertain? We should verify it before buying."

"Will Kulaud accept that?"

They'll try to avoid it with various excuses.

If we waste time, Rolf might find out and buy the rights for hundreds of millions of dollars.

It might even leak through Ranjin Kumar. If he's telling everyone, it's probably already spread.

In fact, some people have already smelled the opportunity and are moving in because of what he said.

"First, we need to secure the rights."

"If it's not a copy, we'll just lose money."

I know what happened afterward, but he doesn't.

It's natural for him to be worried.

"Don't worry. I'll handle the negotiations. Just watch from the side."

David nodded.

"Alright."

* * *

I don't know how time passed after that.

She made various mistakes at work and, as soon as her shift ended, she changed her clothes and came out. She asked the supermarket for understanding, saying she would start working there the next day.

At the opposite café, the Asian man and the Caucasian man were sitting.

"I'm Han Miru."

"I'm David Lockhart."

Julia immediately asked them,

"What do you want to talk about regarding Jason?"

"Mr. Jason was developing a program before he passed away. Is that correct?"

"Yes."

"Do you know what kind of program it was?"

Julia shook her head.

"I don't know much about computers."

She was even a tech novice who couldn't handle a smartphone well.

"Does Mr. Jason's computer still exist?"

"Yes. I have a laptop at home. He always used it for his work until he died."

Han Miru smiled, as if he had expected this, and David looked surprised.

Julia looked at them with a wary eye.

"Why are you asking about that?"

Han Miru immediately answered,

"I want to buy that laptop."

"Excuse me?"

"More specifically, I want to buy the rights to the program Mr. Jason created."

Julia didn't understand.

It had been over three years since her husband died. Why would they want to buy it now?

She wasn't interested in selling, but out of curiosity, she asked,

"How much are you offering?"

"I'll give you one million dollars."

"..."

She thought she had misheard.

'One million dollars? How much is that?'

A moment later, Julia's eyes widened.

"A, a million dollars?"

"Yes."

"Are you serious? You really mean one million dollars?"

It was hard to earn more than $100 a day, no matter how hard she worked. She was even trying to take a part-time cashier job to earn an extra $30.

And now, one million dollars!

But he wasn't done yet.

"Additionally, I will pay one million dollars every year on Mr. Jason's anniversary. If I fail to pay in any year, I will return the purchased rights. Of course, you won't have to return the money you've already received."

Not only one million dollars, but also one million dollars every year! That's ten million dollars in just ten years.

To her, who was struggling with rent, it was a dream come true.

David was equally surprised.

'Why start with such a large amount?'

Julia's mind was in chaos.

The amount was so enormous that it raised doubts.

"What is that program? What do you plan to do with it?"

Han Miru calmly said,

"Actually, someone stole Mr. Jason's program and claimed it as their own."

"Excuse me?"

She knew how much time and passion her husband had poured into that program.

And now, someone had stolen it!

"Is that true?"

"Yes. If this continues, the program will be remembered as someone else's forever."

"If it's already out, why do you need to buy it?"

"I plan to buy the rights and set everything right. Your husband was a genius. Jason Kim's achievements should be recognized and celebrated."

Too many things were said in a short time, making her head spin.

'What would Jason want me to do?'

Han Miru tried to persuade her.

"You might feel reluctant to sell the program your husband created. But the longer we wait, the harder it will be to reclaim the rights."

After a moment of thought, Julia spoke.

"I have one question."

"Yes."

"Why did you start with one million dollars? You could have offered a lower amount."

"Shall I be honest?"

"Yes, please be honest."

"First, it's the amount I can give immediately. Second, the program Mr. Jason created is worth hundreds or thousands of times more than that."

David was internally shocked.

'He's not even trying to negotiate!'

Who would sell under these conditions?

Julia slowly nodded.

"I see."

He could have started with a low offer and gradually increased it, but he didn't. He honestly acknowledged the value of the program her husband created.

She recalled all the promises Jason had made.

'I thought he couldn't keep his promises...'

Julia smiled faintly.

'Even in death, he kept his promise.'

Her husband brought luck to his family even after he died. Now, she and her children would become rich and live without worrying about money.

"It's called Mimir."

"Excuse me?"

"The name of the program Jason was working on before he died. Do you know what it means?"

Han Miru nodded.

"In Norse mythology, Mimir is the guardian of the Fountain of Wisdom and the wisest person in the world."

Her husband had explained it to her the same way.

"Can you restore that name?"

"I promise."

Han Miru handed her the prepared documents.

"Have you made your decision?"

"I'll do it."

Without any further hesitation, Julia picked up the pen and signed the documents.