Armored Beasts and Shadow Tails
Two Escalades parked in the underground lot of the old apartment building in Seoul, along with the Maybach, rolled into the industrial site in Hwaseong—a total of three vehicles.
We might have to stay here until dawn.
Athena's words made me a little sad. Leaving a perfectly fine house behind to pull an all-nighter at an industrial site? "Do I have to stay up all night again?"
No, it won't be that long a job.
I'd finally gotten my sleep schedule back to normal, but heading back to Seoul at dawn would mess it up again. The thought hurt my heart. Distracted with random worries, I passed the factory entrance and circled around to see a massive steel gate. Standing before the enormous door I'd never seen anything like in my life, it rumbled open with a heavy clang.
We drove in one by one, parked, and got out. I could see Eric's eyes gleaming with anticipation. As everyone stepped out and scanned the dark space, the rumbling sounded again, and the gate closed. At the same instant, the factory lights flicked on, revealing rows of precision machining tools lining the walls, metal 3D printers, and a long vehicle maintenance lift stretching like a central runway.
"...Fuck, this is insane. Is that a titanium-exclusive laser printer?" Eric, taking in the lit-up interior, walked toward the machine like it was magnetic. He was caressing the equipment like a guy stroking his lover right before the wedding.
...Is he the type who gets excited over machines?
I doubted even the world's top beauty could draw that kind of reaction. Leaving Eric behind as he fondled the machine like a madman, I eyed the veiled objects. Then the vehicles started moving on their own.
Why are they moving?
We have to mod the vehicles. Strip off all the exteriors and install new ones.
Ignoring the three vehicles aligned on the lift, a few industrial robots approached. They moved less like robots and more like people walking.
You're controlling those, right?
One of the industrial robots turned to me at my question and waved. At the same time, the veils came off, revealing vehicle exterior parts that were the same color but looked three times thicker.
The industrial robots moved in perfect unison, stripping the exteriors from the Escalades and Maybach. A task that would take hours at a normal shop was done in minutes under Athena's control.
"This is crazy. The tolerances are in the micrometer range?" Eric wasn't just impressed—he plopped down next to the robots to watch up close. With multiple robots and robotic arms swarming, the stripped vehicles were reassembled in a flash.
The tires are run-flat structure—can hit 80 km/h even if punctured. The underbody has a V-shaped blast-resistant design that can withstand mine explosions.
Sounded familiar. "Doesn't the US President's car have something like that?"
Exactly. It's based on The Beast's blueprints, upgraded. Safe unless a tank shows up.
"So you stole The Beast's blueprints?"
"Referenced" sounds better than "stolen," don't you think?
Eric's machine fetish was dizzying enough, but Athena's response doubled my headache.
Can I have body control? Need to boss these guys around.
Nothing for a liberal arts guy like me to do anyway, so I handed over control obediently. My body moved on its own, and Athena immediately called out to Carlos.
"Carlos, grab a pneumatic launcher for that machine gun mount over there."
Carlos lit up at "machine gun" just like Eric. "There's a mount? Where?"
The heavy weapons guy seemed to lose it at the chance to do his old job. Might be illegal, but after stealing The Beast blueprints, this was small potatoes.
I popped the Escalade's trunk, and Carlos gleefully assembled the pneumatic launcher.
"Liam, Jacob. Change into these. Nanofiber-based bulletproof suits. Won't even feel a bullet massage. Wear them for operations."
Liam nodded, feeling the material. "Light. No mobility issues."
Everyone received gear tailored to them, testing it out and killing time. I'm the one with nothing to do.
Not like I was leading the shootout, so it made sense. Sitting on a plastic chair that clashed with all the high-tech gear, I watched when an industrial robot approached me.
"Why's it coming to me?"
A few things for you too, Master.
No sooner had Athena spoken than the robot handed me a box. Inside was a sleek black suit with a subtle sheen, a stylish smartwatch, and a mysterious silver ring.
"What's this?" The suit looked anything but ordinary, sparking my curiosity.
You're precious, Master. Better than the team's suits—deflects sniper rounds. Think movie vibranium.
A bit overkill, but made with me in mind, so I gratefully accepted. "What about the watch and ring?"
The ring's a high-output electric shock device. Touch an enemy in danger, and it fries 'em crispy.
Real movie gear. Electric shock ring.
The watch is just a watch, FYI. Hologram projection's about it.
The watch felt plain, but better than store-bought smartwatches, so thanks. I changed into the suit and came out to find the gear frenzy over—everyone turned to me in unison. The moment a regular 20-something college kid became a quirky VIP.
"Boss, we're ready. Let's move."
Jacob announced as rep. Time to escape this steel fortress and head home.
Cutting through the chilly night air back to Seoul, a report came from Athena.
Master, we've got a tail. Black sedan following since we left the industrial site.
Right after Athena spoke, Carlos's voice crackled over the radio.
Jacob, who had been joking while driving, switched tones instantly. "Acknowledged. Maintain distance and report."
...What the hell? Why tail me?
Athena should've erased most traces, so who could it be? The calm vibe vanished, replaced by a tense Jacob. First time in this situation, I panicked, but Athena broke the silence.
Master, the tail's the National Intelligence Service. Plate registered to an NIS ghost corp, using special encryption frequencies.
NIS? Why the hell NIS?
Our corp's offshore, so they're checking. Just surveillance—no worries.
Made sense, but "tail" still had my heart pounding. "Jacob, tail's intel agency. Just watching."
I calmed my racing heart and relayed the ID. "Roger."
Jacob's reply was curt, unlike usual, as he radioed Carlos.
Carlos confirmed receipt.
Spending was too massive; tripped the NTS anti-money laundering net. Bad luck—it went to NIS Economic Security Bureau. Just surveillance; tweak a few docs, and it'll vanish.
Thought Athena was busy in the tension, but she was digging intel. Did blow a ton after returning. Should've held back.
Guess I need to spend smarter for a while.
Exiting the highway into the office underground lot, the tail peeled off. "Too bad. Was getting that old vibe going."
Carlos fiddled with his mounted pneumatic launcher, chuckling. Athena's constant reassurances on the way home settled my pounding heart.
"Ruined the good mood at the end."
I'll clean it all up by tomorrow. No worries.
Worrying wouldn't change anything; trust Athena and the team, and it'd sort itself. Planned to take the Panamera home, but unease had me boarding the Maybach instead. Sent the rest to their hotel, but they insisted on guarding at the house for safety.
"Elites, alright. Spotted the tail right away."
Who'd I pick? NTS docs are already squared away. Sleep easy.
"How'd we trip it? You handle most stuff."
I'm a god in the digital world, but paper? Can't hack that. Your apartment, all those cash jeonse deals and rentals—physical docs flagged it. Fixed en route; NTS'll clear, NIS'll back off.
"The four jeonse listings in cash?"
Yeah, especially those—law firm admin lagged since I didn't handle all. Won't happen again; extra careful next time.
Athena sounded pretty bruised in pride. Anger in her voice hinted at moves I couldn't see.
"Nah, my fault for rushing 'cause I was lazy."
Still, got assurance no future issues, guards at home—could sleep sprawled out.