Chapter 34
Chapter 34
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 34
Chapter Title: Production Base
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Three film directors and a drama PD found themselves seated at the same table during the wedding reception of an actor couple.
One of the directors took a sip from his glass and remarked,
"They're actually going through with the marriage."
"Yeah. I figured they'd just keep up the secret dating forever."
"Oh. She got offered the lead role in Sunny Day but turned it down, right?"
"Her schedule was already locked in at the time, so she had no choice. When Sunny Day nearly tanked over that drug party scandal, I thought she dodged a bullet..."
"But then it turns out she blew her shot at starring in a ten-million-viewer blockbuster."
"You think Sunny Day will really hit ten million?"
"Who knows? It's a sure thing to top five million, at least."
One of the directors recalled the film with admiration.
"Hand Director's script and cinematography were solid as always, but the action scenes were the real game-changer. Who'd have thought the guy who only did romances and rom-coms could nail action like that?"
Another director explained the reason.
"That action turned out so killer thanks to the martial arts director. Word is, he handled everything himself—from the choreography to the stunt double for every single scene."
The drama PD, who had been gloomily picking at his steak at the same table, looked up.
"That good?"
"Better than good. They say they shot it live on the spot—no pre-planned moves, no rehearsals."
"What? How's that even possible?"
"Hand Director was floored seeing it done. He ended up scrapping and rewriting the script that very night."
"Wait. So that's why they used pagers in the movie?"
The director chuckled.
"Ridiculous, right? I was stunned when I first heard. Apparently, every action scene was just one line: 'Fights coolly.'"
"Whoa..."
The PD, who had been in awe, brightened up.
"That's great. Our drama could use a bit of action—maybe I should give him a shot?"
"Sounds good. If PD Jung hires him first and it looks killer again, I'll bring him on too. I've got a few punching scenes; we could rewrite 'em into some real brawls."
"I'll step up then. Who do I contact? What's his agency?"
The directors exchanged glances. No one knew.
"Uh... PD Jung, you look into it. Broadcasting stations have better intel than us."
"But you're in films—can't you just make a few calls?"
"Already asked around the production companies. Their reps didn't have his number. He wasn't someone they scouted ahead."
"Yeah. I casually asked Hand Director, but he said the number he had was wrong."
Shin Eun-ha opened the front door and stepped inside, only to freeze.
Just one stand-up lamp glowed alone in the living room—the same one she'd left on.
Its light wasn't enough. The house felt oppressively dark.
She wanted to leave every light in the living room blazing, even when she was out.
But parading around like that would give the tabloids fodder for weird stories, so she'd settled for the small lamp. It wasn't enough to brighten the place.
She flipped every switch from the entryway to the living room. The house lit up like midday.
"Much better."
It had only been two weeks since she'd been rescued from the collapsing set.
At first, she'd thought she was fine.
But lately, nightmares of that moment had started creeping in—mostly dreams of being trapped under the dark rubble.
Those dreams were suffocatingly black.
Coming home to a dark house brought them rushing back, filling her with dread.
In the end, she'd decided to wrap up her schedule today and take a break for a while.
"Today's a little better, though."
Today, she'd scored a meal from Na Gang-in's cooking and chatted with him before heading home. Entering the dark living room didn't scare her now—just gave her a slight pause.
"Does hanging out with the guy who pulled me out stop the nightmares?"
She had no way of knowing.
"Right. Need to test it. I'll stick to him all day tomorrow."
Long-range recon required a car. For everyday mobility, he needed one anyway.
So Na Gang-in hit the used car market.
Shin Eun-ha grumbled beside him.
"Five million gets you a decent new car."
"Aren't you swamped lately?"
She flashed a bright smile.
"Movie's wrapped. I'm on break for now."
"Thought you were out doing promos."
"Our film's taking off without me lifting a finger. ...Nah. I carved out time from my packed schedule to help you—how sweet is that?"
"Not very."
They browsed the displayed cars, imports among them.
Shin Eun-ha pointed to one.
"Whoa, a new three-pointed star model, already used. Get this one. This."
The Combat Support AI, Jeon Ji-in, chimed in.
- More suitable vehicle detected.
Na Gang-in turned.
A car sat by the entrance, a man sighing heavily in front of it. The AI had recommended it.
Na Gang-in approached the man.
"Selling this one too?"
The man grumbled.
"Nah. Brought it to sell, but they say scrap it. Can't fix it—repair costs more than it'd sell for."
"Mind if I take a look?"
"Sure."
Na Gang-in popped the hood.
The AI scanned the engine bay. Through the AR Lens, a virtual cursor zipped over the internals.
He murmured softly,
"Can you fix something like this?"
The Combat Support AI replied.
- Battlefields often demand rolling even on wrecked vehicles.
"Even this relic? It's over ten years old now—for you, that's seventy-plus."
- Repair manuals go back a hundred years.
"Nature Robotics planned for raiding museums, huh."
- Affirmative.
"For real?"
- Requesting temporary hand control.
"Go ahead."
Moments later, the AI finished its check and reported.
- Electrical system faults confirmed. Powertrain issues as well.
"Can it be fixed?"
- Requires rewiring. Additional parts needed.
"So, doable."
Na Gang-in asked the man,
"How much for this car?"
"Huh? You're really buying? It stalls mid-drive. Engine sounds awful."
"I know. I'll pay more than scrap value."
- Delegate vehicle transfer paperwork to this dealer.
"Works for me. Haha."
Shin Eun-ha quickly grabbed Na Gang-in's arm and pulled him aside, whispering,
"Gang-in oppa. That car's way too... Short on cash? I can lend you some."
"This one's plenty."
"Want me to scout a martial arts director gig for a new film? Paycheck gets you a new ride."
"Nah. This is perfect."
Na Gang-in drove his new near-scrap used car to the junkyard.
Shin Eun-ha griped from the passenger seat.
"Bought a scrap heap and heading to a junkyard. What's there?"
"Gonna fix it."
Her eyes widened a bit.
"Huh? You know how to fix cars? Were you a mechanic before?"
"No certification."
She nodded knowingly.
"Ah, got it. Gonna fix what the shops couldn't, no cert, at a junkyard."
The junkyard sold salvaged parts—car audio, side mirrors, headlights, and more.
Na Gang-in scanned the racks. Semitransparent outlines highlighted piled parts.
The AI said,
- All these items required.
"Overkill?"
- Only cheaper at a landfill.
Na Gang-in bought all the AI-highlighted parts with cash and loaded them into the trunk.
They left the lot. From the passenger seat, Shin Eun-ha asked,
"Fixing it here with that junk?"
"Need more."
He stopped at a tool shop and electrical supplier for wires, tools, and a mini electric welder.
Shin Eun-ha complained,
"Gang-in oppa. You know how to use all that?"
"Heading out?"
Shin Eun-ha declared confidently,
"I've tagged along helping this much—you gotta feed me out of basic decency!"
"Didn't help."
"Gotta carry metal to count as help? I kept you from getting bored, chatting nonstop."
"...Jjajangmyeon?"
"Trying to fob me off with that?"
"On second thought, ramen's too good."
The menu dropped below ramen, and Shin Eun-ha switched to polite instantly.
"Gang-in oppa. Please make some food."
Na Gang-in's car was junkyard-worthy but didn't stall on the road. They headed to his place for lunch.
Shin Eun-ha ate his cooking and gave a thumbs-up.
"This is why I can't leave your side, oppa. So good—and free!"
"They say the rich are pickiest. Can't you just buy your own meal?"
After eating, the AI spoke up.
- Vehicle repair site required.
"Apartment parking lot no good?"
- Risks unnecessary suspicion.
"Gotta rent somewhere decent then?"
- Equipment production base located.
A semitransparent phone number appeared before his eyes.
- Recently closed small metalworking shop.
"Rental cost?"
- Current budget sufficient.
A map popped up too, a dot blinking on it.
- Seoul outskirts, remote—no neighbor attention.
"When'd you scout this?"
- Continuously collecting viable production base data.
"While I was spacing out."
North Seoul is full of mountains.
Head north from the apartment Na Gang-in had made his new base, and mountains loomed. Tucked under one in a secluded spot sat a small metalworking shop.
The modest, weathered building had the first floor as the workshop and the second as simple storage.
An electronic door lock guarded the first-floor entrance.
Na Gang-in punched in the code. The lock clicked open smoothly.
He pushed the door wide and stepped inside. Window light kept it from being too dim without the main lights.
The AI suggested,
- Modify windows for security upgrade.
Na Gang-in hit the light switch. The interior blazed bright.
"Windows are fine. The gear here's the issue."
The shop held busted old lathes and such. A few other machines too, but none worked.
Shin Eun-ha followed him in.
"Gang-in oppa. What's this place?"
"Used to be a metal shop. Owner retired after years, closed up. I rented it for a bit."
"When?"
"Wrapped it up with a call earlier."
Shin Eun-ha eyed him skeptically.
"Just to be sure... you're really fixing that junker yourself? Here?"
- Propose full acquisition. Convert to equipment production and modification base. No better option within budget.
The lathes were trashed—too old for more than scrap value.
Right under the mountain, no neighbors. Gyeonggi-do, not Seoul proper—land cheaper just over the line.
Still, couldn't snag the land, building, and junk gear for fifty million.
Na Gang-in smacked his lips.
"Short on cash."
Shin Eun-ha misunderstood.
"Gang-in oppa, five million buys a new car."
"Not about the car."
"You're not saying buy this dump? Zero investment value. Right?"
"Rented for a year."
Shin Eun-ha sighed in relief.
"Phew. At least that's sane."
"Why're you relieved?"
Na Gang-in flung open the shop's rolling door fully.
Then he backed the car inside a bit and popped the hood.
Slipping on gloves, he said,
"Just watch the repair show."
"Need an assistant?"
"You'll chip a nail."
"I'll cheer you on."
The AI said,
- Displaying repair procedure.
Blue lines circled the parts to disassemble. Beside them, a semitransparent hologram played a demo of the breakdown.