Chapter 59 – Behind the Light, There Are Shadows
Days had passed since the launch of SeoulPot. National and international media couldn't stop talking about it. The topic "World's First AI Restaurant" trended across platforms. Gevran and his team's faces graced the covers of business, tech, and even lifestyle magazines.
But as popularity rose, so too did the shadows creeping in from behind the spotlight.
In a dark conference room, a middle-aged man watched footage of the SeoulPot launch. Beside him stood Cain Seo-Jun, his jaw clenched tight.
"That should've been ours. Technology like that... should never fall into the hands of college kids," hissed Cain's father, Seo Myung-Ho.
"Gevran and his team aren't to be underestimated," Cain replied, his tone barely suppressing anger. "But we can pressure them… gradually."
Seo Myung-Ho tapped the table. "If we can't win with tech, we'll use economic and political force. I'll make sure no investor dares to touch their next project."
Meanwhile, at SeoulPot headquarters, the G-Force team was developing an AI distribution system and portable kitchen bots to reach other restaurants interested in licensing their tech. It was a major leap—not just running their own restaurant, but opening up AI-powered franchising worldwide.
But Gevran started noticing strange signs. Several potential investors abruptly pulled out without reason. Then came a sudden investigation by a tech regulatory body, accusing SeoulPot of "unethical consumer data usage."
"We've been set up," muttered Ryu Haesung, scanning the complaint files. "This is a political hit job."
Mi Yong, who was preparing a high-profile SeoulPot collaboration event with a major artist from her brother's agency, received a shock: the opening concert was suddenly canceled by external sponsors. Pressure was coming from all directions.
"Someone wants us to collapse before we even get a chance to grow," Jiwan said quietly.
Eunwoo stood, calm-faced but with a firm voice. "If they're playing the pressure game, we fight back with exposure. Let's make everything transparent to the public."
The next day, Gevran appeared in an exclusive interview on a national TV station owned by Mi Yong's father. In that session, he revealed SeoulPot's upcoming plan to go open-source—making their AI system accessible to small local restaurants. He also openly addressed the anonymous threats and attempts to shut their movement down.
The interview went viral.
The hashtags #ProtectInnovation and #SeoulPotMovement trended globally. Students from universities across the country held online forums in support of Gevran and his friends.
That afternoon, Gevran returned to campus. In the garden of Arch Daesan International, he spotted Cain standing under a ginkgo tree.
"You did this, didn't you?" Gevran asked, approaching.
Cain didn't turn. "You're too idealistic. The real world doesn't work like a fairy tale."
"But the world will never change if everyone chooses to submit," Gevran replied.
Cain finally looked at him, his gaze sharper than usual. "Careful, Gevran. The higher you fly, the harder the wind will slap you."
Gevran answered calmly, "And the higher I rise, the more of the world I'll be able to see."
Cain said nothing. He simply walked away, the autumn wind rustling the golden leaves in his wake.
That night, another meeting took place at SeoulPot HQ.
"We can't back down," said Haesung.
"We won't," Gevran responded firmly.
Then Jiwan stood up and raised a hand like he was giving a speech. "I've got a codename for our next global project."
"What is it?" the others asked.
"Project ASTRA. Artificial System for Transcontinental Restaurant Automation. This will be the operating system for the restaurants of the future—for anyone, anywhere in the world."
Smiles lit up their faces.
"ASTRA," Mi Yong repeated, "I love it."
And beneath Seoul's darkening skies, the light of their dream didn't fade—it burned brighter, shining defiantly against every shadow that tried to snuff it out.