Chapter 4
Chapter 4
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 4
Chapter Title: The Chairman's Summons
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“The car is ready, Team Leader.”
It had already been a month since I started this job.
During that time, I had focused on gauging the internal atmosphere at Jaewoo Thales and building teamwork with the staff.
Today, I was scheduled to visit the Thales research institute, a trip I had been looking forward to for some time.
“Have you spoken with Professor Myung Seung-eun?”
“Of course. And I've organized the documents you requested so you can read them on the way down.”
Secretary Kim was, as expected, sharp and efficient with her work.
It was almost puzzling why someone so capable had remained by Hyun-seung's side until the very end.
At one point, thinking she was a bit too close, I considered the possibility that she was a spy planted by Jin Hyun-cheol. But the connection between her and Hyun-seung I found in the chains of my memory left no room for such suspicion.
“I'll give Professor Myung my regards.”
“There's no need. We talk on the phone about once a week. My cousin tends to lose interest in everything else when he's absorbed in his research, so I'm usually the one who calls.”
“I'm envious. To have such a close bond between cousins.”
Watching her smile, it was hard to believe she was related to Professor Myung.
How could that rigid man and her elegant face possibly be related?
The phrase 'Beauty and the Beast' would never find a more fitting pair.
”We're departing now, Team Leader.”
Come to think of it, Secretary Yang was an unexpected character as well.
His unwavering steadfastness, unshaken by anything happening before him, and his tight lips, which seemed they wouldn't open even with a knife to his throat.
If Hyun-seung hadn't brought him in, he probably would have won several gold medals as a national judo athlete.
“Do you have any regrets?”
I asked nonchalantly just as the car entered the highway.
A successful athlete versus a secretary.
The difference in status was obvious to anyone.
But the answer I received was unexpected.
“Not at all. If it weren't for you, Team Leader, my mother would have passed away long ago.”
It was an event from the past, I wasn't sure how many years ago.
At the time, Secretary Yang had collapsed in despair in a hospital corridor, unable to afford his mother's medical bills, and Hyun-seung, who happened to be passing by, had helped him.
True, if there was one thing Hyun-seung had in spades, it was compassion.
“Let's consider that debt fully repaid by now. If you want to, you can quit at any time. I won't mind.”
Secretary Yang glanced back, a hint of a smile in his eyes.
He hesitated for a long moment, as if holding back something he wanted to say, before finally speaking in a low voice.
“To be honest, I did think about it a few times before, but not anymore.”
“Why is that?”
“Because serving a Team Leader like you are now for the rest of my life doesn't seem like it would be too difficult.”
In other words, he was saying that he was more comfortable with me now that I was staying out of trouble and keeping quiet.
Well, for a secretary, there's no better working condition than peace of mind, I suppose.
It seemed I wouldn't be suddenly losing one of the few trustworthy people I had.
“Anyway, you're quite a peculiar person yourself, Secretary Yang.”
“Come on, not as much as you, Team Leader. But how long are you going to speak so formally to me? I think it would be more comfortable if you just spoke the way you used to.”
“Even if it's uncomfortable, bear with it. I'm enduring things far more uncomfortable than that.”
“...”
After our short conversation, I looked out the window again.
My thoughts, one after another, turned to a contemplation of my current situation.
*'I've made my way in, but...'*
I had successfully established a stable foothold in Thales.
Once the performance improvements on the new armor-piercing shell are complete and mass production begins, it won't be too difficult to regain Chairman Jin's trust.
The remaining question was how to establish a firm enough position within Thales to lead new weapon development.
No matter how I thought about it, I needed one more definitive blow.
Something like a smart shell, for instance.
*'Yes, it has to be at least that advanced to be considered a weapon truly ahead of its time.'*
“We're arriving soon, Team Leader.”
Before I knew it, the research institute's massive building was visible through the window, showing off its grandeur.
The place where technology a full twenty years ahead of its time would be realized.
With the advent of that new armor-piercing shell, history would likely turn a new page.
***
“It's been a while, Professor.”
“Welcome.”
Professor Myung looked exactly as I remembered.
At only fifty-five, his hair was completely white, and he still wore the same horn-rimmed glasses he'd insisted on his whole life.
Knowing that he would die of liver cirrhosis in ten years, I couldn't bring myself to show pure delight at seeing him.
“Still drinking like a fish, are we?”
“Old habits die hard.”
“No thoughts of quitting? At this rate, it wouldn't be surprising if you got sick at any moment.”
“What's the big deal about life? You live like this, and when it's your time to die, you die.”
I could sense subtle emotions in his casually tossed words.
What was it? A feeling that he was somehow sulking?
I had a pretty good idea why.
“It seems you're disappointed that we can't share drinks as often anymore.”
“Why would I be disappointed when you're finding your place? It's just a shame that life has gotten a little dull. By the way, how is our Jiah?”
“Secretary Kim is always having a hard time because of me.”
“Hard time? From what I hear, she says she's so comfortable these days she could die.”
Unlike Chairman Jin, Professor Myung never asked about the origin of the technology.
Not when we spoke on the phone to verify the technology, and not even now that we were face to face.
Why?
Was it because he trusted Hyun-seung that much?
Or did he find it suspicious but figured it was none of his business?
Whatever the reason, it saved me some trouble, so there was no need for me to bring it up first.
“Seeing your bright expression, I take it the alloying process yesterday went quite smoothly?”
“We had all the necessary equipment. There's probably nowhere else in the world with as diverse a range of material processing facilities as Jaewoo Thales.”
“In fact, that's precisely why I'm so keen on Jaewoo Thales. Does this mean a test production run will be possible by next month?”
“It might be, if we can solve one remaining problem, but this thing just won't crack.”
“What kind of problem is it?”
“The weight change is almost zero, but during simple tests, we're repeatedly seeing a drop in muzzle pressure.”
A short, dry laugh escaped me.
I, too, had struggled with the exact same problem for a full two weeks in my past life.
“That's probably caused by a change in instantaneous air pressure inside the muzzle due to the projectile's shape.”
“...! Damn it, why didn't I think of that?”
Professor Myung stared at me blankly for a moment.
Of course, he must have been stunned.
After all, I had instantly solved a problem that even he, considered the best mind in this field in South Korea, had been struggling with.
But it wasn't because Professor Myung lacked ability.
It was simply because I had more experience than he did.
The reason I was so determined to keep him in my shadow was because I highly valued his outstanding abilities across various fields.
“Heh, well I'll be...”
A sigh, seemingly of resignation, escaped Professor Myung's lips.
He muttered something to himself for a while, then suddenly tossed out an unexpected question.
“See? Didn't I tell you? No matter how I look at it, you're a better fit as a researcher than a businessman.”
“Did you say that to me?”
“Huh? Was that something I said to Jun? No, that can't be right. Ah, speaking of which, I have no idea if that kid Jun is dead or alive. Have you heard anything?”
I was startled by the sudden mention of myself.
But from his tone, it seemed he didn't know anything about my situation either.
With that, the faint hope I'd harbored on the way here lost its meaning.
“I'm also looking for news about Jun, but I haven't heard anything yet.”
“Well, he's probably doing fine somewhere. Anyway, what about it? Seriously consider staying on as a researcher.”
“I appreciate the advice, but I'm fine as I am.”
“Why not? You said you were going crazy from the stress of family matters.”
“Not anymore. In fact, I'm starting to enjoy the jungle-like atmosphere.”
“...”
***
“Good morning, Team Leader.”
The day began just like any other.
The team-by-team work reports that followed my arrival were the same.
As was the task of reviewing the experiment results that had come in overnight.
“Shall I get you a cup of coffee?”
If anything was different, it was Secretary Kim's unusually bright expression today. She looked like a child hiding a Parents' Day gift behind her back while looking at her parents.
“Is there some good news? I don't recall giving you a raise recently.”
“You're sharp as a tack. My current salary is more than enough. Actually, my cousin... I mean, Director Myung Seung-eun sent over the video report from the firepower test. For your information, the report was already sent to the Chairman yesterday.”
She immediately placed the CD she was holding on my desk.
Had another month passed already?
I'd been living so hectically that I'd long since lost track of the date.
“Which number report is this?”
“The 20th.”
“Then this must be the final test video. Go ahead and play it.”
Even though it was news that the development was complete, I felt no particular emotion.
Having seen it used in actual combat in my past life, how could I be impressed?
Boom!
But contrary to my resolve, when I saw the front of a K1 tank—said to have some of the best armor in the world—being pierced like tofu, my fists clenched unconsciously.
“The Reaper.”
“Pardon?”
“That's what people will soon call it.”
“...”
In my past life, that's what people actually called that armor-piercing shell.
A nickname given because the target was guaranteed to be finished the moment it was fired.
Would it be any different in this era?
My prophecy would soon be realized.
“I'm sorry, but I don't really understand what I'm looking at.”
It was indeed a difficult matter for her to grasp.
How could I explain it clearly?
After thinking for a moment, the perfect words came to mind.
“Penetrating the front of a K1 tank, which inherited the design philosophy of the Abrams, means that every existing tank in the world has just been rendered a hunk of scrap metal. Because of this, North Korea, China, and Japan will soon be foaming at the mouth.”
“...”
Secretary Kim stared blankly at my attitude, as if I were stating the obvious.
But what could I do?
I was just talking about events that had already happened.
And that's not all. Once the 'smart shell' I'm preparing becomes a reality, we'll get to watch as the response tactics of hostile nations change completely.
“By the way, you said the Chairman was briefed yesterday?”
“Yes, according to Director Myung Seung-eun.”
“Then he'll be demanding a decision on mass production from the military soon. Just in case, please organize the supplementary materials in advance.”
Secretary Kim hurried out of the room.
About ten minutes later, her excited voice rang out again.
“Team Leader! The Chairman has summoned you.”
“Already?”
It seemed my prediction was correct.
Then again, it would be stranger if he saw such an incredible scene and didn't get antsy.
Even so, preparing for a mass production meeting after just one day felt overly hasty.
“He's so impatient. Alright, please organize the documents as quickly as possible. Don't forget to format them properly, since they're for the military. Oh! And while you're at it... What are you doing? Get ready.”
As I was speaking, I noticed her staring intently at me.
She, who had been smiling the whole time, suddenly grabbed my suit jacket hanging on the wall.
“He said to come to the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Gangnam, not the company.”
“A hotel?”
“Yes, he wants to have lunch with you, so he said to be there on time.”
No matter how I thought about it, this was a first.
I wondered if there was a problem and wracked my brain, but the bigger problem was that I couldn't think of anything that might be wrong.
“What's going on?”