The hair-loss treatment had officially received approval.
It had taken barely a month.
Even considering that it was processed as a modified new drug, the speed was exceptionally rare.
That alone proved how high the government's expectations were for Luktic—and for this new treatment.
However, Luktic's hair-loss treatment was strictly regulated to be handled only by licensed physicians in medical institutions.
If an ordinary person were to apply it carelessly and it touched their hands—or any unintended area of skin—there was a very real risk that thick hair would begin growing in undesirable places.
Worse still, if someone accidentally ingested it, no one could predict what might happen.
Unlike Elixir—which was almost as harmless as water—the hair-loss treatment possessed far more aggressive biological properties.
Under normal circumstances, safety verification would have been conducted much more cautiously.
But the President, the Minister of Food and Drug Safety, and even the Vice Minister had shown strong favor toward Luktic.
With the condition that only trained physicians could administer it, the modified drug approval sailed through at remarkable speed.
I began preparing to announce the news to the world.
***
Once again, Luktic held a press conference.
A massive hall filled with broadcasters and reporters from every major outlet.
By now, they knew:
Whenever Luktic called a press conference,something monumental followed.
Standing at the podium, I announced:
"Yesterday, Luktic's hair-loss treatment received official approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety."
As expected, a storm of camera flashes erupted.
"As of today, Luktic's production facilities have begun full-scale manufacturing of the hair-loss treatment. Within a few days, it will be supplied sequentially to medical institutions nationwide."
Questions poured in immediately.
"CEO Hyun Si-woo! Is the hair-loss treatment a prescription drug?"
Though the details had already been distributed in the press release, they clearly wanted to hear the answer directly from me.
"Yes. Like Elixir, it is a prescription drug. In particular, due to the strength of its hair-growth effect, it may only be handled by physicians who have received proper training."
"CEO Hyun! If the hair-growth effect is that strong, can we assume the treatment efficacy for baldness is equally powerful?"
"Yes. As shown in the presentation slides, even severe cases of alopecia areata can be restored completely."
The press room buzzed loudly.
The clatter of keyboards was relentless.
I made sure not to forget one final statement:
"Once again, thanks to the consideration and cooperation of the President, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, and many other government agencies, approval was completed smoothly and swiftly. I would like to express my sincere gratitude."
It was only proper to extend that courtesy.
***
[Luktic's Hair-Loss Treatment Approved – Nationwide Distribution Begins Next Week]
[Comments: 135,925]
This is insane. Finally…!
So if I go to the hospital next week, I can get treated with it?
Only doctors trained in the LL procedure can administer it, so it might take a bit longer.
After 20 years of suffering, I can finally say goodbye to baldness! Long live Luktic! Long live CEO Hyun!
If this really cures baldness, I'll praise Hyun Si-woo for the rest of my life.
This isn't just a medical breakthrough—economically, this is going to be massive. The world will be begging for exports.
Didn't foreign pharma companies try to block Elixir's approval in the U.S.? If they try that again, bald people worldwide might storm their headquarters.
Remember when WhiteLily's chairman got shot after blocking Elixir approval? This is what happens when you play with people's lives…
***
About a week later, hospitals nationwide began administering the treatment.
The response was explosive.
Thousands of people lined up at individual hospitals.
Public petitions even emerged demanding national health insurance coverage for severe hair-loss cases. Within days, hundreds of thousands of signatures were collected.
On television, an anchor explained a newly published survey:
"Following the announcement of approval for the hair-loss treatment, data indicates that the average happiness index among middle-aged Korean men has significantly increased. Since this survey was conducted before treatments fully began, experts suggest this upward trend may continue…"
***
Chairman Ji Heon-cheol of Shinjeon Group watched the broadcast with a scowl.
"They're celebrating like madmen… ridiculous."
Standing beside him was Shinjeon's newly appointed CTO.
"Director. Is this real? You're saying that one application makes hair grow instantly? Could Luktic be exaggerating?"
The new CTO hesitated.
"Given that it passed MFDS approval… the effect does appear genuine. Real patient testimonials are already emerging."
Ji Heon-cheol growled irritably.
Then his gaze shifted to the CTO's head.
Something felt off.
Wait… doesn't his hair look thicker than before?
As if sensing his thoughts, the CTO flinched.
"Director… don't tell me you…?"
The CTO flushed red and bowed deeply.
"I'm sorry, Chairman! A partner hospital offered me a complimentary treatment. I thought I'd analyze the competitor's product firsthand…"
In other words, Shinjeon's CTO had used Luktic's hair-loss treatment immediately upon release.
"How could you?!"
"Well… after experiencing it, the effect truly is remarkable, Chairman. Perhaps you might consider trying it as well—"
"What nonsense are you talking about?! There's no one in this world I can trust!"
After a moment of silence, the CTO spoke carefully:
"Chairman… don't you secretly drink Luktic Drink every week? I saw your secretary hiding bottles in your office…"
"Cough!"
Ji Heon-cheol's face turned bright red.
He had once tried Luktic Drink out of curiosity—and his chronic aches had vanished instantly.
A week later, the pain returned.
Since then, he had been secretly drinking one bottle every week while cursing Luktic under his breath.
"Director, that will be all. You may leave!"
After the CTO exited, Ji Heon-cheol muttered angrily.
"Why is everyone tormenting me like this…?"
He opened a drawer.
Inside was a carefully hidden bottle of Luktic Drink.
"…Just this once more."
He unscrewed the cap and gulped it down irritably.
***
In France, President Macron was enjoying his morning routine—coffee and newspapers.
His attention lingered on international headlines covering Korea's hair-loss treatment approval.
He turned to his Minister of Health, who was sharing coffee with him.
"Minister, have you seen this news? The hair-loss treatment approved in Korea?"
"Yes, Mr. President. It was reported last night. The company behind it—Luktic—is also the developer of Elixir."
"Elixir… yes, that one."
The name Elixir carried special resonance in the West.
In medieval European alchemy, alchemists devoted their lives to creating two things:
Gold.
And the Elixir—a universal cure or immortality potion.
It was an unforgettable name.
Macron spoke carefully:
"If we were to approve this treatment in France, how long might it take?"
"Well… since it is based on Luktic's Skin Regeneration Agent, and that drug has not yet been approved here, it may take some time."
"I see. But it would be beneficial for our citizens to receive it as soon as possible, wouldn't it?"
"Yes, Mr. President. We will make every effort."
Until recently, French authorities had suspended review of Luktic's drugs due to heavy Big Pharma lobbying.
But after Chairman White's assassination—and with the President's support—momentum was shifting.
Frankly speaking, from the perspective of France's public healthcare system,if a single Elixir injection could replace treatments costing millions per patient,the savings would be enormous.
Things were finally beginning to move.
Macron, however, was thinking about something else entirely.
Perhaps I should ask my aide about arranging a state visit to Korea soon…
***
At our Yangseo County plant, the hair-loss treatment production line roared to life.
Inside massive mixing tanks, materials blended under intense heat alongside the Luktic Base Catalyst Stone.
Dong-sik, watching beside me, said:
"Si-woo, if FDA approval accelerates like this and exports begin worldwide, this plant alone won't meet demand."
He had overseen operations here since the beginning.
His judgment was reliable.
It felt like yesterday that we built this massive facility with the 500 billion won investment from Chairman Choi Chang-sik.
And yet now, expansion was already necessary.
"If we build a second factory… should we expand here in Yangseo?"
Dong-sik shook his head.
"Too risky. We shouldn't concentrate everything in one place. Floods, fires—anything could happen."
He was right.
Putting all our eggs in one basket was dangerous.
We would need to secure land for Luktic's second plant elsewhere.
Before leaving Yangseo, I checked the status of the Akashic Records.
[Hair-Growth Treatment] (Tier 1)Progress toward next knowledge: [293 / 1000]
Mass production had barely begun,yet progress was already rising rapidly.
At this rate, new knowledge would unlock soon.
The Yangseo plant was already nearing production limits.
If another breakthrough occurred,we would likely launch yet another revolutionary product.
Securing land for Luktic's second factoryin advancewould be wise.
The next wave was coming.