Free Web Novel“So, what brings you here exactly?”
Andreessen’s guard was still up.
“I came to talk. This will be good for you too, Andreessen.”
“I don’t know what you mean by ‘good for me’... but I don’t think I have anything to talk about with you.”
His wariness was stronger than expected.
Still smiling, I pressed on without missing a beat.
“Why don’t we chat over a meal? My treat. I heard you like Chinese food—is that right?”
At the mention of Chinese food, something shifted in his expression.
As always, the universal language is free food.
“If there’s a place you frequent, I’ll follow your lead. What do you say?”
“Well... it’s a bit pricey. Are you sure?”
“Yes. Absolutely.”
After a brief exchange with his friend, he led the way, and we followed behind.
We arrived at a nearby Chinese restaurant, got seated, and ordered. Once that was done, we resumed the conversation.
“You’re the one who developed Mosaic, right?”
“Oh! You know Mosaic?”
Released earlier this year, Mosaic had accelerated the popularization of the internet.
But by now, tensions were likely already rising between Andreessen and the university.
Technically, the browser belonged to the research lab. Andreessen had no ownership rights.
“Of course I know it. Nobody in Korea knows yet, but it’s the browser that opened a new world on the internet.”
As I praised Mosaic, a bit of Andreessen’s guarded expression finally eased.
He really was a textbook engineer at heart.
“Right? I got so fed up, I just built it myself. Me and this guy here barely slept for days...”
So this guy next to him was Eric Bina?
Just then, the food arrived.
We kept talking as we ate.
“Are you satisfied with Mosaic as it is?”
“Satisfied? We’ve barely started. There’s so much more I want to do...”
I spotted the opportunity in his frustration.
“No matter how hard you work on it, the rights belong to the research lab, right? You and your partner did all the work, but the university reaps the reward. And it’s not like they’re even supporting you properly.”
“Damn those university bastards. I don’t even have the energy to complain anymore. If they just gave us a bit of funding, we could make it ten times better... but when it comes to money, they always have some excuse...”
While Andreessen was venting, Eric Bina awkwardly scratched his head, visibly uncomfortable.
“Eric! Say something, will you?”
“Whoa, whoa. Calm down, Mark.”
I chuckled and addressed Andreessen again.
“Don’t get like that. Have you thought about doing this properly after you graduate? You’ll finish your master’s next year, right? No need to stick around after that.”
Andreessen let out a deep sigh.
“That takes money too, doesn’t it.”
“So if you had the money, you could build a better browser than Mosaic?”
“Of course! I’m Mark Andreessen!”
Still full of confidence and prone to excitement, just like in the future.
After graduating, he’d go straight to Silicon Valley and partner with a venture capitalist to found a company.
But this time, I was going to be that investor. Once they go public in ’95, their market cap will explode to $8 billion. frёeωebɳovel.com
“I’ll invest. I’ll put up the money. You build the product.”
“Then it’s not really my company, is it? How’s that ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ different from the university?”
Andreessen sounded unimpressed. I shook my head.
“No, it’ll be your company. Built and named by Mark Andreessen. I’m just investing. You handle management and development. I’ll only take... 40% equity.”
That made him fall silent.
Eric Bina was watching Andreessen carefully.
Time to close the deal.
“I have no intention of interfering in management.”
I paused my meal and waited patiently. Andreessen stroked his chin and thought for a while.
Then, finally, he spoke.
“How much are you thinking of investing?”
“As much as you want. Name a number.”
He twitched at my confident reply.
“One million dollars. I think that’d cover everything I need. Can you do that?”
Holding back a grin, I answered:
“Five million dollars. On one condition—no other investors. That must be written into the contract.”
He blinked in disbelief at the massive sum.
“Five million dollars for 40% equity? That’s all? Are you some kind of philanthropist?”
“I’ll cash out after the IPO. You’ll have the right to buy my shares then. But until that day, my stake can’t be diluted or tampered with.”
“Of course not. Five million dollars... damn. What the hell do you see in me?”
To be fair, I’d be suspicious too if a stranger offered me millions out of nowhere.
Lucky he didn’t think I was a scammer.
“I see the future in you. And I’m investing in that future. So, do we have a deal?”
“This is a no-brainer. Once I’m done here, I’ll head to Silicon Valley next year. Hey! Eric! Come with me. I’ll treat you better than the lab. Hell, I’ll even give you equity.”
Eric, who’d been staring wide-eyed the entire time, immediately nodded.
“If you’re going, I’m going. We’re Mosaic’s mom and dad, right?”
“My partner, right there.”
The two laughed and looked back at me.
I gestured toward Han Kyungyeong, who’d been quietly observing the whole time.
“This is James Han. He’ll be in charge of U.S. investments on my behalf. You’ll see him more than me. He’ll also handle the paperwork.”
Han Kyungyeong exchanged glances with Andreessen.
“Then let’s meet again tomorrow to sign. You have a lawyer at the university, right? You can bring them, or delegate to one I’ll bring. Your call, Mark.”
Andreessen and Han exchanged greetings.
“James Han.”
“Mark. Nice to meet you.”
“Haha, I just do what the boss tells me. Right, boss?”
Han winked at me.
Satisfied, we ended the meal with smiles all around.
“See you again tomorrow, then.”
As I paid and we stepped outside—
“Hey, why’d you offer him five million when he only asked for one? Got cash to burn?”
Kyungyeong immediately pounced with questions.
“Hyung, you trust me, right? Trust me one more time. That five million’s going to turn into billions.”
“Jesus. Say something that makes sense.”
I just laughed and climbed into the car.
Back at the hotel in Chicago, I explained the details to Kyungyeong.
“Got a lawyer?”
“Lawyer? There’s someone who helped with the company registration. Want me to call them?”
“Yes. Tell them to come to Chicago tomorrow and draft the contract with us.”
“Alright.”
I reiterated the key points from my earlier talk with Andreessen.
“You heard it earlier, right? The contract must state that no other investments are allowed. If additional funding is needed, we get first refusal. And my 40% stake can’t be diluted—ever. The lawyer will know how to handle the details.”
“That’s it?”
I nodded.
“Leave the rest. Let them run things on their own—that’s better than us meddling.”
“Sigh... I’ll go along with it, but it feels like we’re throwing money away.” fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm
Kyungyeong still didn’t grasp the future of the internet.
But give it one more year. When the IPO happens in ’95... he might faint from shock.
“Trust me! And hey, if we lose that five million, you’ll just earn it back for me, right?”
My grin made Kyungyeong burst out laughing in defeat.
He returned to his room, and I turned to Ma Seokdae.
“Let’s talk in my room for a bit.”
“Yes.”
I led him in and popped open a beer, offering him one—but he shook his head.
So I took a sip from mine.
“Section Chief Ma, do you still think I’m not worthy of your loyalty? Haven’t you seen enough by now? I’m not walking the path handed down by my grandfather. I’m carving my own. It’s time you made a choice. If I can’t trust you, how can I let you stay by my side?”
A flicker crossed his eyes, but his stare remained unwavering.
“If you still haven’t given me an answer before we return to Korea, I’ll find someone else. I can’t keep a personal assistant by my side 24/7 if they’re not my person.”
The beer cooled my throat and helped relax my tired body.
Then, finally, Ma Seokdae spoke.
“Is it alright if I answer before we return to Korea?”
“...That’s fine. But whether you choose to become mine or not, everything that happened on this U.S. trip stays secret. You can do that much, right?”
“Yes.”
“Then go rest.”
He bowed and stepped out.
I took another swig of beer, watching his retreating back.
“I wonder what you’ll decide. I like you, you know. I really want to have you.”
Murmuring to myself, I crawled into bed.
The next day, we flew out with the lawyer from New York and headed back to the University of Illinois to meet Andreessen.
We waited at a restaurant near campus until he arrived with what looked like a university-assigned lawyer.
“This gentleman supports student startups.”
“Ah, pleased to meet you.”
After the introductions, we sat and presented the contract.
The lawyer reviewed it for quite some time, then whispered something to Andreessen.
Then he looked at me and smiled.
“I’ve seen many investment contracts, but never one like this. It’s so favorable to Mark that I was shocked.”
“Haha, is that so?”
“But there are a few things we’ll need to revise.”
“Of course. Please discuss it with our lawyer.”
With a look, I signaled our side’s attorney, and both lawyers moved to another table to hash things out.
Andreessen looked utterly thrilled.
“Charlie! Thank you so much! I feel like I can finally do everything I’ve dreamed of. I won’t let you down.”
“You’ll do great. I’m sure of it.”
He beamed as he talked excitedly about the company he wanted to build.
Eventually, the lawyers returned, having finalized the terms.
They explained the changes to each of us and handed out copies.
“Then let’s sign.”
We each signed and exchanged contracts.
“The funds will be wired to your account the day you leave school. From then on, direct any inquiries to James. If you ever need additional capital, just ask—but understand that’ll dilute your equity.”
“Charlie, thank you.”
As he got up, Andreessen suddenly pulled me into a hug.
If anything, I should be thanking you.
Just like that, Netscape—the company that would spark the dot-com boom—was now in my hands.
Now... it was time to meet our dear friend Jobs, wasn’t it?
< First Investment > End
