Dr. Kricker, the FDA official in charge of reviewing the import approvalfor Luktic's new drugs,had been plagued by worries lately.
The reason was simple.
The task he had been assigned was gradually turning into a political minefield.
Dr. Kricker vented his frustration to a colleague.
"Damn it… I'm losing my mind these days."
"Huh? Why, Kricker?Is handling the approval of such a high-profile new drug really that stressful?"
"That too, but it's not just about approval anymore.Things have become far more complicated.On one side, Big Pharma is trying to delay approval as much as possible.On the other, Target is lobbying aggressively to push approval through as fast as they can.Upper management has started putting pressure on the review process itself.I hate this kind of thing."
"I can imagine.But that National Pharmaceutical Alliance that just formed—they're enormous.Can Target really stand up to them?"
"Surprisingly, they're holding their ground.Sure, Target is clearly outmatched in terms of sheer lobbying funds.But they've got something Big Pharma doesn't—public opinion.And with the midterm elections coming up,the higher-ups are paying very close attention."
The colleague nodded slowly.
"That makes sense.The families and friends of patients suffering from diseasesthat Luktic's drugs can treatmust be desperate for approval."
Dr. Kricker clutched his head and muttered,
"Damn it… I really hate situations like this.I didn't join the FDA to watch political games."
The FDA was widely regardedas the most trustworthy and authoritative regulatory agency in the world.
At the same time, however,as a U.S. government institution,it was not immune to heavy corporate lobbying.
At that very moment,a silent war was ragingbetween the National Pharmaceutical Alliance and Target,across government agencies and Congresscapable of influencing the FDA.
Meanwhile, Target had begun executingthe second phase of the plan I had outlined.
The goal was clear:
To spread a narrative throughout American societythat existing pharmaceutical companies—represented by the National Pharmaceutical Alliance—were maliciously obstructing and delaying FDA approval of Luktic's new drugssolely to protect their own profits.
This strategy was born from what I had learned in Korea—that public opinion could exert immense pressure on political power.
Target hired online contractorsto spread this argument across internet communities.
Journalists closely connected to Target's marketing divisionalso began publishing articles and opinion piecesechoing the same narrative.
Overseeing all of this, Howard thought to himself:
The midterms are just around the corner.Right now, Republicans and Democrats are locked in tight racesacross swing districts.Even a small shock could flip the balance overnight.That means politicians are watching public sentiment like hawks.
Before long,American media outlets and online platformswere flooded with posts and articles criticizing Big Pharma.
Of course, pharmaceutical companies belonging to the allianceattempted to defend themselves with rebuttal articles.
But reversing the tide of public opinionproved nearly impossible.
The claim that Big Pharma was intentionally delaying approvalto suppress a revolutionary competitorwas simply too logical—clear enough that even a passing child could understand it.
Very few people were persuadedby Big Pharma's clumsy, excuse-filled counterarguments.
After all, these were the same corporationsthat normally spared no expense or effortto fast-track approval of their own new drugs—yet now, suddenly, they were insistingthat safety reviews must be as slow and cautious as possible.
To anyone watching,the contradiction was painfully obvious.
Once I and Target tossed a single spark into the mix,the internet—an enormous tank of gasoline—ignited on its ownand began roaring out of control.
***
"So far, the plan seems to be working."
"Yes.Now that public opinion is moving this strongly,American politicians won't be able to ignore it.Just as you said—the midterm elections are close."
Target had been executing every step of the planexactly as I instructed.
And just as expected,public sentiment in the United Stateswas steadily turning hostiletoward the established pharmaceutical giants.
Given Americans' rebellious natureand deep-rooted distrust of entrenched power,a conflict framed asgreedy Big Pharma versus ordinary citizenswas bound to inflame emotions.
At present,three key factors were fueling the fire of public opinion in the U.S.:
1.The increasingly undeniable evidence from Koreaproving Elixir's extraordinary effectivenessagainst severe and terminal illnesses.
2.The fact that massive pharmaceutical corporationswere deliberately delaying approval of Elixirdespite its proven results.
3.The revelation that FDA approval of the Skin Regeneration Agentwas a prerequisitefor approval of the hair-loss treatment in the United States.
These three elements interacted synergistically,creating a visible and accelerating shift in American public sentiment.
So far, everything was unfolding as planned.
The only remaining question washow American politicians would respond.
***
[Mr. Carter, please come to the hospital immediately.Your father's condition has worsened.]
Carter received the call late at nightand rushed to the hospital without hesitation.
He had always known.
The six months the doctor mentionedhad been the most optimistic estimate possible.
His father's condition could deteriorate at any moment.
Carter burst into the hospital room.
Doctors and nurses surrounded his father's bed.
Medical equipment—including a ventilator—that hadn't been there just days earliernow crowded the room.
"D-Doctor!What happened?Why so suddenly…?"
They hadn't even gone on the final trip together yet.
Why now?
The doctor spoke with a pained expression.
"Mr. Carter…Unfortunately, your father's condition has deteriorated rapidly.We've administered narcotic painkillers for now.Last time, we estimated about six months remaining, but…I'm afraid it may now be closer to two months.You should prepare yourself."
"…This can't be happening…"
Carter collapsed to the floor.
"W-What about Elixir…?The approval…?"
The doctor lowered his head.
"I'm sorry.Without FDA approval, Elixir cannot be used in the United States.If you traveled to Korea—where approval has already been granted—your father could receive treatment there, but…"
But his father,now dependent on a ventilator,could never survive a ten-hour flight to Korea.
Carter remembered somethinghe had heard at a pancreatic cancer family support meeting.
If the FDA were to recognizethe clinical trial data used by Korea's MFDS,emergency approval could be grantedwithin just a few months.
Carter prayed.
That the FDA's emergency approvalwould comebefore his father's remaining time ran out.
***
Meanwhile, heated debate eruptedon the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives.
The topic was the approval processfor Luktic's new drugs.
With lobbying from Big Pharma and Target colliding head-on,and rapidly intensifying public opinion joining the fray,Luktic's drug approval had become a national political issue.
"We must follow formal approval procedures.When approving medicines, safety is paramount—above all else.The approval process in Korea was far too fast.We must apply the FDA's strict standardsand conduct a thorough review."
"What are you talking about?Then why do we even have procedureslike Breakthrough Therapy Designation and Fast Track?Weren't those created precisely for treatments like Elixir,which show exceptional effects against severe diseases?"
"This morning, families of critically ill patientsfrom my district sent letters to my office.For terminal cancer patients awaiting death,Elixir is their only hope.They're asking why approval hasn't even begun—why we can't decide how to review it.Isn't responding to these pleasour duty as elected officials?"
"But safety must always come first—"
"Then why not approve it conditionally,limited to patients in critical conditionwho will die without treatment?Why are you trying so desperatelyto block approval of Luktic's drugs?Come to think of it,I heard a lobbyist hired by WhiteLilyvisited your office just days ago."
"W-What did you say?!And you think I don't knowthat Target has a massive logistics center in your district?!If anyone's taking corporate money,it's you!"
"That's absurd!I'm representing critically ill patients and their families!Unlike you—who's siding with Big Pharmaand endangering lives!"
"What did you say?!You've really crossed the line!"
The atmosphere in the Housewas extremely volatile.
No wonder.
In just the past two weeks,the combined lobbying expendituresof the National Pharmaceutical Alliance and Targetaimed at the Househad reached a staggering $400 million.
For reference,total annual lobbying expendituresdirected at the entire U.S. federal governmentamounted to roughly $4.2 billion.
In other words,nearly 10% of an entire year's lobbying budgethad been poured into the Housein just two weeks.
Add to that the approaching midterm electionsand surging public outrage,and it was only naturalthat Congress was boiling over.
Watching all of this unfoldon TV and online,Howard muttered to himself:
This is incredible.Honestly, at first I thought there was no wayTarget and Luktic could stand upto the combined might of Big Pharma.But now…it's a dead-even fight.
Originally, Howard believedthat directly confronting pharmaceutical giantsarmed with overwhelming lobbying powerwas impossible.
That's why, when he heardthat Big Pharma had unitedunder the National Pharmaceutical Alliance,he had privately assumedthat fast-track approval was already off the table.
But CEO Hyun Si-woohad used public opinion as leverageto massively amplify their political influence.
As a result,the U.S. House of Representativesnow saw a near-equal standoffbetween the National Pharmaceutical Allianceand the comparatively tinyTarget–Luktic alliance.
"…Unbelievable," Howard muttered."CEO Hyun Si-woo…Once Luktic stabilizes,you could honestly become a politician in Korea."
He clicked his tongue in disbelief.
Meanwhile, Chairman White of WhiteLilywas exploding with rageafter receiving reports on the situation.
"What the hell is going on?!How is it possiblethat an alliance of global Big Pharma companiesis being held backby just Target and Luktic?!"
"Well… Chairman,we're still ahead in direct congressional lobbying.But… public opinion has turned sharply against us."
"Public opinion?"
"Yes.With the midterm elections approaching,politicians are becoming extremely sensitive to voters…"
"…Don't tell me.Is that why Target and Luktichave been pouring so much effortinto media coverage and online narratives?"
"Yes, Chairman.It seems they deliberately targeted the election season."
Chairman White slammed his fist on the desk.
"Damn those schemers!Such underhanded tactics!"
"Chairman, there are even picket protestshappening in Washington, D.C. now.The atmosphere is turning dangerous."
"We have to delay approval—no matter what!Somehow!"
"I'm sorry, Chairman.At this point, there may be no immediate countermeasures left.With the midterms approaching,this could spiral into a politically explosive issuethat no one wants to touch."
***
One man was watching all of this unfoldwith great interest.
His name was Frederick.
He was one of America's most iconic innovators—and also one of the wealthiest men in the world.
Frederick had devoted his lifeto advancing humanity through technologyand propelling civilization to new heights.
That was why he constantly challenged new fieldsand achieved what others deemed impossible.
The image displayed on his monitor nowwas a photograph of Hyun Si-woo.
"Interesting man.Not only is his technology extraordinary,his political instincts are sharp as well.Elixir's efficacy is astonishing…At this rate,he might one day play a major rolein reshaping the world and advancing human civilization."
Frederick scanned articles and datarelated to Hyun Si-woowith a satisfied smile.
"…Still, no matter how I look at it,the drugs Luktic keeps releasingseem to far exceed modern human technology."
Tilting his head slightly,he murmured skeptically,
"Could he really possesssomething like the Akashic Records?"
After a moment of silence,Frederick laughed at himself.
"Haha.Impossible.Even after searching for nearly a century,they never found it.There's no way a young manfrom an ordinary Korean familycould possess such a thing.In the first place…does it even exist?"
After a brief pause,Frederick stared at Hyun Si-woo's image againand spoke meaningfully.
"Still… a hair-loss treatment, huh.Impressive.Once approval is completed in Korea,I should fly there and try it myself."
Like many who devoted their youthentirely to work and ambition,his hair was no longer as thick as it once had been.
"And while I'm in Korea,I'd like to meet this young CEO—Hyun Si-woo—in person."