Preparation Work
Though I'm introverted by nature, after meeting Athena, I'd been running around way too much. After spending a full day crashed out at home to recharge the energy I'd burned hustling outside, I got word that the apartment interior was done.
"Time to move."
The stuff from my old place—items loaded with memories or ones I wanted to keep—were already packed up.
"Guess now I just need to show up with my body?"
Yes, the Center staff will handle the rest.
Those internet posts about moving companies damaging stuff popped into my head, but since this was a VIP specialist outfit, I trusted them with it.
I've already photographed everything, so no worries.
The really important stuff I'd transport myself in the car anyway, so it didn't matter. I headed to Samsung-dong with the items for the new place and finished settling in.
"It's a bit spacious, but I like it."
Moving from the old apartment to this new one felt great.
Master, security system takeover complete.
"What'd you do this time?"
I've taken over the entire apartment complex's security system.
It felt a bit overkill, but it was for my safety, so I didn't say anything. If the CIA could hack it, taking over an apartment security system was probably tame by comparison...
Lounging on the sofa I'd brought from the old place, scrolling YouTube, Athena chimed in.
Shall I report the returns from trading since the war started?
Back in the day, I'd have freaked over my melting stock account, but now? Total non-issue.
"How much did we make?"
+280%. Total of 4.9 trillion won.
Not even surprising anymore. Just numbers on a ledger—what did they really mean?
"Almost 5 trillion..."
Insane amount, but I'd never spend it all in this lifetime anyway. Before the big money hit, I'd had a ton of things I wanted to do. Now that it was here? No clue where to start.
"With this, I could buy a company, huh?"
Want me to scout some acquisition targets?
"Nah, just kidding. No confidence in running one anyway."
Just hire professional management. Let me know whenever you get interested.
True, I wouldn't be the one managing it—what was the problem?
"How long till the factory remodel and startup?"
About two weeks left.
Two weeks... long if long, short if short.
"If I throw some of this cash at it, can we speed it up?"
If we push max acceleration, I can get it done within five days. Proceed?
It'd cost more, but money was no reason to hesitate anymore.
"Do it right now. Accelerate as much as possible without overstraining."
Got it.
"And set aside a chunk of this profit for immediate use."
Already done. 1 trillion won in cash, ready anytime.
No matter how many rich folks in Korea, few could drop a trillion in cash on the spot.
Also, Master, the two Escalades and Maybach you ordered are due for delivery today.
Four days since ordering—right on time.
"They're coming to the office, right?"
Yes, all three delivering to the office.
Perfect, I was bored—time to check out the new rides.
The office interior was still under construction, so I couldn't go inside, but visiting was fine. Soon, a Maybach S-Class rolled off the transport truck.
Cool as hell, but kinda dad-car vibes too.
You're not driving it yourself—you'll ride in the back, so no issue.
True, they'll just think I'm some rich kid.
Exactly.
The stately S-Class hit different from the Panamera's sporty feel, bringing a whole new wave of awe. After taking delivery, we moved it to the underground parking, and the total shift in vibe from the Panamera left me a bit thrown.
"Athena, this car's feel is off."
I'll drive.
The parking was spacious, but the width threw off my sense? Couldn't adjust right away. After parking, while admiring the car, word came the two Cadillacs had arrived, so I headed back to the first floor.
Stepping out the lobby doors, two massive black beasts with green plates loomed right there.
Maybach was big, but this? Straight-up tank.
After factory startup and mods, it'll basically be an armored vehicle—not wrong.
Never felt intimidated by a car before, but this black behemoth gave off real menace.
You're definitely driving this one. No way I can handle it.
Of course.
Parked in the underground lot: two Escalades and one Maybach in a row—like a movie scene.
"Thought I was blowing cash when buying, but seeing them lined up? Money well spent."
I snapped a pic of the parked rides. Before heading home, I wondered about checking the construction.
"Still doing interior work now?"
Yes, not recommending a visit. Full of lung-irritating stuff.
They were pros I'd paid top dollar for—no likely screw-ups, no need to go.
"When's the interior done?"
Synced with factory restart—within five days.
Perfect. Heading home from the parking lot, I remembered Athena mentioning bodyguard recruitment.
"Athena, how's the bodyguard search going?"
Candidates found, but fully recruiting them needs the factory online.
"Why the factory?"
Remember the bio factory we acquired?
I remembered. No clue why, though.
"Yeah, vaguely..."
We need drugs from there to restore physical impairments.
"What for...?"
Ex-special forces guys—ones with physical/mental issues from service, or caring for dying family. Targeting them for recruitment.
"So nothing till next week, then."
Right. Prep for a US trip next week too.
US trip, huh. I'd thought about traveling someday, but not like this.
"My English sucks, though?"
I could get by, but not fluent free-talking.
I'll handle that—no worries.
God-made AI? Translation's gotta be flawless. Fancy cars wouldn't raise eyebrows.
Most cars in that underground lot are high-end—no one'll bat an eye.
Good, since I wanted more.
"Gonna think it over and grab a few more."
Cars are nice, but how about a plane?
"A plane? Like a private jet?"
Yes. Commercial flights every time you go overseas? Nah.
Made sense, but I knew zilch about planes. Maintenance costs were insane, though.
"If we're buying a private jet, you'd handle everything from A to Z, right?"
No problem.
"Just scout some options for now. Too soon to buy."
Understood.
How often would I even fly? But if a lot, private jet made sense.
"So those bodyguards—what's their background?"
Mostly US special forces.
"Like Navy SEALs?"
A bit higher. Delta Force and DEVGRU operators lined up.
"Kinda overkill..."
You only got one life, Master. Better than regretting it after you're dead.
Couldn't argue with that.
"Can't poach active duty, so how?"
Targeting retirees medically discharged from severe injuries, or ones with family on death's door—recruit via cures.
Way more secure than just cash.
"You handling all treatments?"
Yes. With my tech, anything short of raising the dead is doable.
She could make superconductors—regrowing limbs? Easier.
"Looking forward to it. But guns are banned in Korea?"
Factory makes 'em. More advanced than modern guns—better performance.
"Firing in Korea would flood the news..."
No shooting unless life-or-death. No issue.
"What, like that's gonna happen?"
Who knows with life, but I hadn't done anything shady—doubt it'd come to that.
"Once factory's running, can we make needed gear right away?"
Drugs immediate. Other gear varies by specs.
Suddenly building a private army in Korea.
"You mentioned nano bulletproof something last time—how long for that?"
That too—within a day.
"Mods and such with the robots there?"
Yes! Robots for most, bodyguards for hands-on parts.
Over 50 billion sunk in—what could it churn out? Too exciting. No going back to ordinary dischargee life, but this new one was way more fun for sure.