After the Divorce, I Found a Thousand Bitcoins - Chapter 184

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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I Got Divorced and Found a Thousand Bitcoins Episode 184

Boca Chica, Texas, SpaceX Starbase meeting room.

Empty coffee cups and complex blueprints were scattered messily across the table.

The air in the meeting room was stretched taut as if sparks could fly at any moment.

“We absolutely cannot accept the demand to fully open the source code.”

Astra’s lead engineer Michael drew a firm line.

“The plasma control module and rare-earth-free drive system’s core data are KH Group’s essential assets. Handing that over entirely is closer to technology theft than collaboration.”

“We don’t mean to steal technology, Michael.”

Marcus, SpaceX’s system director, rubbed his forehead and countered.

“This is a matter of flight safety. If Falcon 9’s main computer can’t perfectly control Astra’s engine, even a 1-degree angle deviation during orbital insertion could cause the entire rocket to explode.”

“Our proprietary control system will synchronize perfectly. API alone is sufficient for monitoring.”

“We can’t just attach heterogeneous hardware in black box form to our launch vehicle!”

Marcus lightly struck the table, raising his voice.

SpaceX’s pride as the world’s top space company.

And Astra’s self-respect armed with new technology were colliding head-on.

The working-level staff of both giant companies had been running parallel for days.

It wasn’t just about engine control.

Friction arose over every detail regarding payload weight distribution.

“The Orbis robots’ weight needs to be reduced by more than 15 percent. With the current weight, Starship’s orbital insertion efficiency drops.”

“This is the minimum shielding armor to withstand space radiation. If we shave the armor any thinner, the robot’s mainboard will burn out.”

A standoff with neither side backing down.

It was a massive deadlock where finding common ground at the working level was difficult.

Reports flew in real-time to Seoul KH Group headquarters.

Kang Hyeon casually scrolled through the meeting minutes displayed on his office monitor.

“This friction was expected.”

Ha-ryul added while flipping through his tablet.

“SpaceX prioritizes their launch vehicle’s stability above all. They’re extremely reluctant to give control of their main system to an unverified external engine.”

“It’s natural for working-level staff to protect their turf and principles.”

Kang Hyeon answered briefly while scrolling his mouse wheel.

This was a thorough power struggle beyond technical issues.

Depending on who bends and gives in, the direction of massive interests generated from future space infrastructure would be determined.

But he had no intention of dragging out a war of attrition.

Kang Hyeon picked up the secure communication device on his desk without hesitation.

“Connect me directly to Elon Musk.”

As soon as the order was given, the secretary’s office moved into action.

Before long, a familiar voice came through the communication line along with brisk typing sounds.

-Mister Choi. I hear the meeting room in Boca Chica is getting quite heated.

“Thanks to having passionate engineers.”

Kang Hyeon responded without taking his eyes off the monitor.

-I heard our Marcus is being quite stubborn, but I agree with his opinion as well.

Seriousness crept into Musk’s voice.

-No matter how excellent an engine is, we can’t attach a black box whose internal source code we can’t verify to SpaceX’s launch vehicle. One explosion accident would deal a fatal blow to our stock price and credibility.

“But we also can’t open up KH’s core technology entirely.”

Kang Hyeon picked up a pen and lightly tapped the desk.

“CEO Musk. What you’re concerned about isn’t engine defects, but the physical and financial losses those defects would cause SpaceX, correct?”

-…That’s obvious.

“Then I’ll buy all that risk.”

Kang Hyeon’s proposal was clear and direct.

“Astra’s engine will be integrated in black box form. Instead, KH will pay the full launch costs for the initial three Falcon 9 and Starship launches.”

-…The full launch costs?

“If the rocket explodes in mid-air or is lost due to Astra’s engine defects.”

Kang Hyeon’s eyes gleamed calmly.

“KH will compensate 100 percent in cash for SpaceX’s aircraft loss costs, as well as penalty fees for delayed schedules.”

Deep silence fell over the communication line.

It seemed like Elon Musk was frantically pounding a calculator in his head.

A declaration to shoulder all launch costs and failure risks amounting to hundreds of billions of won.

From SpaceX’s perspective, it was literally a perfect winning hand with not a single dollar to lose.

-Hahahaha!

What broke the silence was Musk’s hearty laughter.

-Truly amazing decisiveness, Mister Choi. You’re the first partner I’ve seen who can so cleanly smash technical principles with money.

“Because this is the most efficient shortcut.”

-Good. If the risk is zero, we’ll accept black box integration. I’ll give instructions to Marcus in Boca Chica right now.

The negotiation ended in just 5 minutes.

A problem that hundreds of elites had argued over for days and nights was cleanly resolved with one phone call between two top leaders.

The joint task force of Astra and SpaceX began full-scale operations.

A massive research belt was formed connecting Boca Chica, Texas and Kennedy Space Center, Florida.

As KH’s massive capital poured in like lubricant, the work speed of engineers from both sides accelerated exponentially.

But physical hardware integration heading to space wasn’t a task that could be finished instantly like software coding.

Cutting tens of thousands of new parts, conducting heat resistance tests, and mounting them on actual launch vehicles.

The first meaningful joint orbital flight was scheduled to take a full year to complete.

“The space division is entirely delegated to Lead Engineer Michael in Texas.”

Kang Hyeon gave brief instructions to Ha-ryul in his office.

“Approve any budget requests from Nathan and Michael immediately without question.”

He closed the related documents without regret.

Capital must flow toward the most efficient places. Right now, Kang Hyeon’s attention needed to turn to the Indian continent across the Pacific.

Outskirts of India.

The vast plains that once only kicked up dust had completely disappeared.

In their place stood an overwhelmingly massive future city whose scale made the desolation of a year ago unimaginable.

Sleekly designed autonomous vehicles raced without error along the 16-lane main road.

Above the spider web of aerial rails, Orbis drones and logistics robots constantly transported cargo.

“All infrastructure power tests and data integration are perfectly complete.”

The Indian local corporation head riding in the back seat of the limousine reported with an excited face.

“Over 800 tenant companies’ data servers are connected centered around the underground Nereid main center. The city will come fully alive with today’s first move-ins.”

Kang Hyeon quietly gazed at the endless row of skyscrapers outside the car window.

A crystallization combining tens of trillions of won in capital poured by KH Group with global big tech intelligence.

Finally, the day had come for this massive organism to begin its first heartbeat.

The limousine smoothly stopped at the main event venue entrance.

As the car door opened, eardrum-splitting shutter sounds poured out.

Hundreds of reporters from global economic magazines to national broadcasters from various countries were engaged in heated coverage competition.

Kang Hyeon silently walked through the barrage of flashing lights into the event venue’s VIP reception room.

The reception interior was a microcosm of global economics and politics.

“Chairman Choi! You’ve worked hard coming such a long way.”

India’s top leader, Prime Minister Lao Sing, approached first with a broad smile.

“This grand history is finally complete. On behalf of the Indian government and people, I express deep gratitude once again.”

“We merely completed the promised investment within the deadline.”

Kang Hyeon shook the Prime Minister’s hand.

“Rather, this speed would have been impossible without the Indian government’s comprehensive regulatory relaxation.”

Behind Prime Minister Lao Sing, familiar faces were lined up.

High-ranking Department of Commerce officials dispatched from the White House as President Edwin’s representatives.

And key working-level staff from Silicon Valley big tech companies like Nvidia, Microsoft, and Apple.

They revealed deep satisfaction that their AI systems and chipsets would control the veins of this city, bowing their heads to Kang Hyeon.

“To think that desolate wasteland has become such a massive city. It’s truly an unbelievable scale.”

From the opposite side, Chairman Lee Jae-seong of Saseng Group approached, expressing his admiration.

Behind him stood the heads of Korea’s leading conglomerates including Hyeonhwa and LC in a line.

“I never imagined Korean companies would move into the heart of the Indian market on such a large scale. Thank you so much for laying out such an excellent foundation.”

Saseng had already established Asia’s largest smartphone production base and R&D center here.

Other companies were also placing massive capital on the perfect infrastructure KH had prepared, using it as a forward base for global expansion.

“Saseng’s capital power will also serve as excellent momentum for this city.”

Kang Hyeon nodded lightly.

Behind their group stood Minister Choi, who had attended representing the Korean government, constantly wiping away sweat.

Top-level figures from various countries and giants of the world economy had rushed to gather at a project led by a single private company.

An announcement flowed through the venue, signaling the start of the main event.

The VIPs all moved together to the massive central hall.

With thousands of attendees filling every seat, Kang Hyeon slowly climbed the stairs and stood at the main podium.

He lightly gripped the microphone and scanned the audience once.

In an instant, breathtaking silence descended upon the previously murmuring venue.

Countless media cameras simultaneously focused on his lips.

“Several years ago, when I built a city on this wasteland, many called it a reckless waste of capital.”

Kang Hyeon’s heavy and unwavering voice resonated through the speakers, filling the space.

“But today, we have erected the most perfect form of platform that human intelligence and capital can achieve on this land.”

His gaze swept across Prime Minister Lao Sing, Chairman Lee Jae-seong, and Big Tech executives sitting in the front row.

“This city is not simply a collection of concrete buildings. It is a massive data heart where hundreds of global companies operate connected as a single neural network. Nereid’s servers compute all infrastructure, and Orbis’s physical labor makes the city’s arteries flow 24 hours a day.”

The massive hologram screen behind the platform lit up.

The overwhelming panoramic view of the smart city seen from above was displayed.

At that magnificent sight, signs of low gasps and bursting applause could be seen emerging from various places.

Kang Hyeon lightly raised his hand to calm the venue.

“Now, I proclaim the name of this massive hardware that will become the new standard.”

He brought his hand over the transparent panel installed at the center of the podium.

Camera lenses broadcasting live worldwide simultaneously zoomed in on his fingertips.

“KH Smart City, Nova.”

Kang Hyeon’s declaration cut through the venue.

“Starting from this moment, the first occupancy begins along with the activation of all control systems.”

He touched the panel without hesitation.

Boom-!

A low, heavy vibration rising through his feet.

Simultaneously, outside the event venue, brilliant lights turned on all at once across the endlessly sprawling forest of buildings and roads.

The massive future city Nova, which had been sleeping, announced its full-scale beginning.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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