Chapter 64
Chapter 64
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: Overseas Test
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Na Gang-in made the suggestion.
"You said you came here to eat, right? We've only got cup ramen—want some of that?"
Shin Eun-ha hadn't trekked all the way here just to score some instant noodles.
"If Oppa's not the one cooking, then obviously we're going out to eat. Come on. I'll pay…"
Then another thought crossed her mind.
"No, wait. You're getting paid design fees for drawing this stuff, right? Oppa pays. Let's go for braised short ribs."
"Eun-ha."
"Yeah?"
"You're an actress. Don't you have to watch your figure?"
"It's fine. I'm on a break right now. And braised short ribs don't make you gain weight."
"You're talking like some cult leader. If braised short ribs don't pack on pounds, that's a straight-up modern miracle."
"Ugh… Fine, I'll pay."
Na Gang-in rose from his chair.
"Let's go. I was craving braised short ribs anyway."
Ironman Engineering produced actual bulletproof vests based on the blueprints Na Gang-in had sent them.
Being their first time tackling this, they ran into plenty of trial-and-error early on. Whenever issues cropped up, they'd send photos and videos to Na Gang-in for advice on fixes.
Eventually, he came by in person to help set up the manufacturing equipment.
That chewed up a few days.
In the end, the two test vests were finished a full week after receiving the designs.
In Ironman Engineering's conference room, the person in charge reported on the test results.
"The new custom-fit bulletproof vest held up against five 9mm pistol rounds. The first shot was perfectly deflected, but the impact transferred to the dummy increased with each subsequent hit."
President Lee Jung-min asked,
"And the sixth round?"
"After blocking five, the vest was completely destroyed, so it lost all protection on the sixth. The bullet directly damaged the dummy."
"Five shots is solid, then."
"Yes."
Lee Jung-min was pleased.
"In everyday situations, you're not getting more than five bullets to the torso anyway, right?"
"Of course."
"Impressive. Very satisfactory."
"Thank you."
"You're not the one who developed it—why the thanks?"
"Ah, well…"
Lee Jung-min inquired,
"What about rifle rounds? Did you test those?"
"Yes. It fully blocked one 5.56mm round, but the second penetrated the vest. Still, even the second hit provided enough protection to avoid a fatal wound."
"At that level, it'd handle sniper rifles using 5.56mm NATO rounds too. You're not eating two sniper shots in a row. What about 7.62mm?"
"We only made two vests for dummy testing, so we haven't tried 7.62mm yet. We'll produce more and test it."
"From the 5.56mm results, it'd probably stop one 7.62mm. Even if it penetrates, it should avert lethal damage."
"That's our assessment as well."
Lee Jung-min's gaze sharpened a bit.
"So, do you understand how that thin vest pulls off such defense? What's the principle?"
"Sorry. We get how it disperses impact at the individual part level, but calculating it across the whole assembly is beyond us."
"Hmm…"
Lee Jung-min tapped the table with his fingers.
"You got two blueprints, right?"
"Yes. One for dummy testing, one for human testing."
"So you've compared and analyzed the differences between them, I assume?"
"The part combinations differ significantly between the models. We analyzed why, but couldn't figure it out."
Lee Jung-min let out a deep sigh.
"Some guy in a machine shop makes these vests solo, yet our R&D lab can't even analyze them despite having blueprints and prototypes? Is he a genius, or are we incompetent?"
"It's probably him who's…"
"Think carefully before answering. I might slash your research budget."
"S-Sorry."
Headquarters Chief Lee Tae-seong spoke up to lighten the mood.
"The human-test vest was made from a scan of my body. It'll be ready tomorrow."
President Lee Jung-min blinked in surprise.
"Huh? Why tailor it to your body? You're not the one getting shot."
"We can't test it on actual people anyway. So tomorrow on my business trip, I'll wear it around and test the comfort firsthand."
Even though it was customized to Lee Tae-seong's build, they weren't making just one.
"Of course, I ordered a dummy molded to my exact specs for extra testing. Once it arrives, we can do live-fire tests."
Lee Jung-min nodded, convinced.
"Got it. For a luxury vest aimed at VIPs, comfort matters. Test it thoroughly yourself."
Omega Tech President Scarlett Kelly landed at Incheon Airport.
Scarlett spread her arms wide and said,
"Ahh. Feels like coming home."
Her friend and secretary, Jessica, pointed out,
"This isn't your hometown."
"My grandma's hometown is my hometown."
"When did Korea even become…"
Scarlett cut in quickly.
"Let's get to work."
"Starting at the airport?"
"Yep. Party prep?"
Jessica reported,
"The chartered yacht started setup today. Plenty of time before the cruise party in three days."
"Party food?"
"Contracted the top catering service for events."
"Guests?"
"Invites sent to everyone. 65% confirmed attendance."
"The other 35%?"
"They're either out of the country or have scheduling conflicts."
"They'll send reps if they need to be there for me."
"Right. 15% sending proxies. Only 20% skipping entirely."
"Four out of five invitees showing up. Not bad."
Scarlett scanned the attendee list, then looked up.
"Hold on. Why isn't Na Gang-in on the list?"
"He's in the 20% who declined."
"What? He turned it down? Why?"
"Said he's busy."
Scarlett asked, flustered,
"Did you just invite him as a regular guest or something?"
"Isn't he your guest…? No?"
"I should've hired him as the party culinary consultant! Just inviting him won't get him here—you know that, right?"
"Of course not! I don't even know who the guy is!"
Scarlett fanned her face with her hand.
"Jessica. I'm disappointed."
"Aigoo, President. Then ship your disappointing self to another department. Or give me a few months' leave. I like unpaid leave fine."
"No, not that. How am I supposed to work without you?"
Jessica sighed before replying,
"We'll contract Na Gang-in as party consultant. Have him help prep food on the day, then ease him into attending the party naturally."
"That's my Jessica! Exactly what I wanted."
Lee Tae-seong arrived at Incheon Airport for his overseas trip. There, in the lobby, he spotted Scarlett talking with her secretary.
"Miss Scarlett Kelly?"
Scarlett recognized his face too.
"Ah, Ironman Engineering's HQ chief…"
His name escaped her.
Jessica whispered from the side,
"Lee Tae-seong."
"Lee Tae-seong, right."
Lee Tae-seong asked,
"Didn't you just visit Korea recently? You come often."
"My grandma's Korean. Korea's like home to me."
Lee Tae-seong tilted his head.
'She didn't used to visit that much…'
Scarlett said,
"Oh, we sent party invites to Ironman Engineering too, for three days from now…"
Jessica checked the list beside her.
"Ironman Engineering's sending a proxy."
"Who?"
"Lee Tae-ho."
Lee Tae-seong explained,
"My brother's going in my place. As you see, I'm heading out today…"
Scarlett recalled Lee Tae-ho had been captured by Jackal's crew and rescued. She figured she could chat with him about it then. She was curious what went down between floors 5 and 6.
"No problem. That happens."
The East Asian nation's government announced a new procurement for police special forces protective gear.
Ironman Engineering and three companies from other countries competed for the contract.
All four were scheduled to present to a high-ranking government official on the same day.
The presentation venue was a luxury hotel in the nation's capital.
Outside the hotel, Lee Tae-seong spoke to the Korean government official who'd come along.
"Thanks to Manager Park here, we got to join this presentation."
"Government's got to do this much for private firms. But…"
Park Manager looked uneasy.
"I pulled strings for you, but I worry it'll be for nothing. Word is the winner's already decided."
"We know. But groundwork like this isn't wasted. It pays off in future deals."
"Ah, so you're laying seeds for the next contract?"
"You could say that."
Reps from the other three companies were gathered outside too.
Moments later, vehicles marked with the government's emblem arrived, escorted by armed police cars.
Park Manager noted,
"Chief Lee, this place has armed folks everywhere. Totally different vibe from back home."
This country had guards with rifles at shopping mall entrances.
"I know. You've done us a huge favor all around—care for drinks after the meeting?"
Park Manager chuckled.
"I didn't help for that. Hahaha."
A young woman in a white suit stepped out of the government car.
Park Manager explained,
"Sophia Diaz. Daughter of a top government figure, MIT grad genius with killer skills. She's the one who decides the bid."
Lee Tae-seong approached her. The other three company reps did too.
But none spoke first. Sophia openly chatted familiarly with one rep.
Lee Tae-seong clicked his tongue inwardly.
'Tch. Looks like that company's the inside pick.'
He wasn't here to win the contract anyway. The goal was building connections for the next big bid or two.
For that, he needed to make a good impression first.
Sophia gave light greetings to the second and third companies' reps. With Lee Tae-seong from the last entrant, Ironman Engineering, it was the briefest nod.
Suddenly, screeching brakes sounded from behind.
Lee Tae-seong whipped around toward the noise.
"What the—?"
A passing car slammed to a halt. Its window was down, and a submachine gun chambered for 9mm poked out.
Lee Tae-seong instantly guessed the target's priority. That way, he could distance himself.
'Those company guys? No. The VIP here would be… Wait, that girl?'
Trouble. He was standing right in front of Sophia Diaz.
Before he could react, the submachine gun spat fire.
The target was Sophia. Bullets thudded into Lee Tae-seong's chest, right in front of her.
Lee Tae-seong headed Ironman Engineering, makers of military and police gear. He often wore and tested company products himself. Some tests mimicked special forces training.
That training paid off now.
He scooped Sophia into a hug and dove behind a nearby planter.
On-site police and guards immediately returned fire. Engine roars mixed with chaotic gunfire as the attacker's car peeled out.
Sophia frantically pressed her hands to Lee Tae-seong's chest to staunch bleeding.
She shouted,
"Call an ambulance, quick!"
Lee Tae-seong replied,
"I'm fine."
Sophia checked her hands. No blood.
"Huh?"
She looked at his chest.
Three 9mm rounds had hit. Holes punctured his dress shirt.
But inside, a vest assembled from metal parts gleamed.
"Bulletproof vest?"
She hadn't noticed it before. It was that thin.
Thin vests existed, sure. But they only kept you from dying—getting hit still hurt like hell.
Taking three submachine gun bursts in one would crack ribs and drop you from shock.
Yet Lee Tae-seong looked totally unscathed.
Even he was shocked. He touched his chest and exhaled in relief.
'Never thought I'd field-test the vest with my own body.'
He'd worn it to this country, but not expecting real gunfire. Original plan was mobility testing during the trip—checking if it impeded movement.
'Didn't know the protection was this insane.'
He knew it'd stop 9mm for sure, but not from a submachine gun—and pain-free to boot.
'Better than dummy tests predicted. Why? Because it's on a human body, not a dummy?'