As the conversation from before hung in the air, Hye-su, Hae-won, and Jin-ho found themselves seated across from four international entrepreneurs—Evie Chow, Daniel Flores, Prince Tarif Afzal, and Matthieu Chevrolet. These four had stumbled upon the groundbreaking Realm device, an invention that had thrust the trio into the spotlight after their university project presentation went viral. Now, they were faced with a life-altering decision: collaborate with these entrepreneurs or try to weather the storm on their own.
Hye-su, ever the protective and cautious leader of their group, was far from convinced. Sure, Evie seemed well-spoken and composed, but Hye-su wasn't about to let them blindly walk into any agreements without knowing exactly what they were getting into.
Clearing her throat, Hye-su leaned forward, her tone sharp as she began firing off questions.
"So, let's get straight to it. Where exactly are you getting your funding from? How are you going to contribute to this project in ways that we can't? And most importantly, what's in it for you?"
It was like a rapid-fire interrogation, each question punctuated by the same sceptical intensity. Hye-su didn't intend to give them an easy time, and if they had any ulterior motives, she was determined to find them.
Evie, however, remained unfazed. She leaned back in her chair, a small, knowing smile playing at the corner of her lips as she prepared to answer each question with calm professionalism.
"I appreciate your directness, Hye-su. These are valid concerns."
She glanced toward Prince Tarif, who sat with an air of quiet confidence, his fingers tapping lightly on the table in a rhythmic motion.
"As for funding," Evie began. "That would be handled by Prince Tarif. His family's wealth is… substantial. His father is a billionaire with investments in various sectors, including technology, and Prince Tarif himself has a lot of experience managing high-budget ventures."
Prince Tarif gave a small nod of acknowledgement, offering no further elaboration. His calm demeanour seemed to suggest that the subject of money was hardly something that needed discussion as if it were given that funds would never be an issue.
Hye-su frowned slightly, caught off guard by the ease with which Evie had answered her first question. Still, she pressed on.
"Alright. So, money's covered. But how exactly do you plan to contribute to something as complex as the Realm device? We're not looking for someone to just throw cash at us and walk away."
Evie leaned forward this time, her expression becoming more serious.
"We understand that. And we're not just investors—we're partners. Daniel, for instance, has extensive experience in software development and virtual environments. He's worked with some of the top tech companies in the world. He'll bring the technical expertise to help push your device beyond what it is now."
Daniel, the Canadian in the group, nodded but remained silent. His presence spoke of quiet confidence, a man who preferred to show rather than tell.
Evie continued, addressing Matthieu next.
"Matthieu comes from the world of entertainment. His knowledge of how to market and integrate new technologies into mainstream media is invaluable. He's worked with leading gaming and entertainment companies in France and can ensure that what you've created will reach the right audiences in the most impactful way possible."
Hye-su crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes. She wasn't completely sold yet, but she could tell Evie wasn't just spouting empty promises.
"Okay, fine. You've got experience. You've got the money. But what's in it for you? Why are you so interested in our project?"
Evie didn't hesitate.
"What's in it for us is simple—we believe in your invention. We see its potential, and we want to be a part of something groundbreaking. This isn't just a business deal for us—it's an opportunity to change the landscape of gaming and virtual experiences forever. We want to help you bring this vision to life, and yes, we'll make a profit, but so will you. This is about shared success."
Hye-su clenched her jaw slightly, her thoughts racing. Evie was good, she had to admit. Every question had been answered with clear logic, no hesitation, and no room for doubt. But something in Hye-su still itched. It felt too smooth, too convenient.
"And how do we know we won't be left behind?" she challenged her voice firm. "We're students. You've got experience and resources. What's stopping you from taking over once you've gotten what you want from us?"
Evie's smile softened.
"Because we're not here to steal your work. The reason we're sitting here, in this room, is because we recognize that without you three, there is no Realm device. You're the creators, the visionaries. We want to amplify what you've started, not take it away."
Hye-su sat back, exhaling a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. Evie's words were difficult to counter, even if part of her wanted to. The reality was, that Evie and her team were offering something they couldn't refuse: a way forward, a way to take the Realm device beyond a student prototype.
Hae-won, who had been quiet the whole time, finally spoke up, her voice timid but clear.
"She's right, Hye-su. We don't have the resources to take this further on our own. We need help."
"And what do you think, Jin-ho?" Hye-su's gaze shifted to Jin-ho, who had remained maddeningly silent.
"I think we should at least hear them out. Who knows? It could be fun," He finally shrugged, flashing a relaxed smile.
Hye-su sighed, feeling the weight of the decision settling on her shoulders. The truth was, as much as she wanted to keep their project their own, Evie and her team had everything they lacked.
Hye-su straightened in her seat, taking a deep breath as her mind whirled. The pressure of the moment weighed heavily on her, but she wasn't one to make hasty decisions.
"We'll consider your proposal," she declared firmly, locking eyes with Evie. "But this isn't something we're going to rush into. We'll need time to discuss it among ourselves."
Evie nodded graciously, her smile calm and understanding.
"Of course. We wouldn't expect anything less. Take the time you need. The opportunity will remain open, but do know we'd like to move forward sooner rather than later."
With that, the meeting was effectively over. The four entrepreneurs stood up, offering polite farewells as they left the room, leaving the three students to their thoughts. For a moment, the room was filled with silence, thick with unspoken questions. Finally, Jin-ho broke the stillness, stretching casually as though they hadn't just been handed a life-changing decision.
"Well, that was... something," he muttered with a faint grin, glancing at Hye-su and Hae-won.
Hye-su wasn't having it. She shot Jin-ho a sharp glare.
"You think this is funny? We don't even know who these people are."
"Does it matter? They've got the money, and they're interested. Besides, it's not like they held us at gunpoint. They gave us a choice," Jin-ho shrugged.
"A choice?" Hye-su scoffed. "We have a business card and a phone number. That's it. They didn't even tell us where their funding is coming from or how they plan to proceed beyond a vague partnership."
"They did say it's from the prince's family," Hae-won pointed out softly. "That's not nothing, Hye-su."
"I know, but... it feels like we're walking into something without enough information. It's too clean. Too smooth. Something's off," Hye-su sighed, standing up from her chair.
"Maybe," Jin-ho said, unfazed. "But it's not like we have a ton of options. We're just students. We can't develop this tech any further on our own. Not without more resources, testers, and an insane amount of capital. At least these people seem competent."
Hye-su shook her head but didn't argue. Deep down, she knew Jin-ho was right. Their hands were tied. The Realm device, as revolutionary as it was, couldn't move forward without external support. Still, something in her gut told her to be cautious.
"We'll think about it," Hye-su repeated as they all stood up to leave.
The trio walked out of the office room and through the corridor, following the same path they had taken earlier. Once they exited the building, they were greeted by the warm sunlight and the sight of a towering, polished office building behind them. The three of them stood there for a moment, staring at the grand structure, feeling oddly out of place.
"Not much to go on, is there?" Hye-su said, glancing up at the sleek, glass-paneled façade. There were no logos, no company name, no indication of who they had just met with.
"They're private, I guess," Jin-ho said, pocketing his hands as if he didn't have a care in the world. "That or super shady."
"You think they're shady?" Hae-won's brow furrowed.
"Nah, not really," Jin-ho replied with a half-smile. "But I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't want too much attention. After all, they're trying to get their hands on cutting-edge tech before the rest of the world catches up."
"Well, it's working," Hye-su muttered, pulling out the single item they had been given: a plain white business card. There were no logos or company names on it. Just a phone number. That's all they had to go on—a phone number to call if they agreed to move forward.
The three of them stood there, staring at the card as if it held the answers they desperately sought. But it didn't. It only presented more questions and more uncertainty.
"What now?" Hae-won asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"We go back. We think about it. And we make sure we're not walking into something blind," Hye-su looked at the card, then at her friends.
"If you say so," Jin-ho shrugged.
With that, the three of them began walking away from the building, leaving behind the mystery of who these people were and what their intentions might be. They had no ride back, and no offer of transportation. Just their feet, the open road, and the weight of the decision hanging over them.
As they left, Hye-su tucked the business card into her pocket, feeling the weight of the choice they would eventually have to make. A phone number. One call could change everything. And yet, making that call would bind them to forces they didn't fully understand.
For now, all they had was the uncertainty of what lay ahead, the open possibilities, and a decision that loomed large over them. The world had noticed their invention, and sooner or later, they would have to decide whether to embrace it or walk away from the opportunity of a lifetime.
And with that, they walked away from the building, still hung between choice and decision, unsure of what their next step would be.