Chapter 96
Chapter 96
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 96
Chapter Title: The greatest show(3)
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"Therefore, at SA-Cheolhwa Techwin, we will enable integrated operations for the entire force based on IT technology."
Seo Yun-ji's clear, ringing voice echoed through the microphone's metallic feedback.
She had clearly sharpened her blade to a razor's edge.
Under the dazzling spotlights, she poured out her passion until beads of sweat formed at the tip of her chin.
"From the lowliest soldier to the highest commander. By building a system that shares what they see, hear, feel, and judge, just like a single organism...!"
Images flashed on the screen: soldiers in camouflage uniforms at the front lines, fighter jet squadrons in formation.
The content shifting brilliantly across the display made it seem like national defense reform was just one spark away from ignition.
She unleashed her fighting spirit right up to the final moment.
Beneath her mesmerizing solo performance that drew everyone in, Seo Yun-ji finally bowed her head after spilling every last detail.
"This concludes the presentation prepared by SA-Cheolhwa Techwin. Thank you!"
In response to her farewell, applause erupted immediately.
On this one-sided playing field, Seo Yun-ji had claimed the highest ground.
Her closing bow signaled the end.
Amid the endless clapping from the audience that showed no sign of stopping, I felt only one thing.
"She looks just like ours. Exactly like it was copied straight from the template."
"Right? They ripped it off outright. Tsk, people these days have no shame. What's the point if you do that?"
An integrated battlefield concept based on IT technology.
Real-time situational awareness sharing from small units all the way to top command.
And even the development roadmap for the hardware that would make it all possible.
"Talents leaked to China. Looks like Seo Yun-ji's side squeezed every drop out of them."
"No doubt it's former President Lee Tae-gyu's handiwork. Thinking about the crew he smuggled to Guangzhou still makes my temples throb."
"You can see how hard they wrung them out."
"That guy Lee Tae-gyu was always good at driving his team for short-term results. It's just that he couldn't create anything groundbreaking."
Seo Yun-ji's presentation was laced throughout with the ideas I'd championed, as if she'd peeked at advanced military systems from the future.
They might not have been perfectly refined, but the raw texture still carried the full aroma.
*Tap, tap, zing.*
Seo Yun-ji was already descending from the podium.
Every broadcast camera lens was trained on her.
This presentation hadn't just captivated the audience here.
Surely... beyond those camera lenses, she was pleading with the masses like this.
'No matter what controversies arise, SA-Cheolhwa Techwin lacks no legitimacy.'
Even after toasting heavyweights like Yoon Hak-gil and Ham Pung-deok, Seo Yun-ji was securing her final safety net.
As she descended the stairs from the podium step by step, I let a single phrase slip from my lips.
Utterly casual, brimming with the sense that it would be all too easy.
"She must think the stage she designed is perfect."
"Heh heh heh. Characters in a play-within-a-play always mistake themselves for the real protagonist."
A play-within-a-play starring Seo Yun-ji.
I couldn't help but chuckle at Uncle Kim Won-cheol's words.
The microphone had now passed to Kim Cheol-geun, the deputy minister of defense handling proceedings.
"Ahem, we just heard an excellent presentation from SA-Cheolhwa Techwin's CEO Seo Yun-ji."
I gripped the armrest of my chair tightly and stood up.
Seo Yun-ji's carefully staged play-within-a-play ended here.
Now... the story's current would surge back to its main channel. It was time to show who the true protagonist of this stage really was.
On this grand stage of the Ministry of Defense's new weapons procurement project—the Ammunition Group's leap toward the future.
"Next up... we have a presentation from Ammunition Group Chairman Han Seo-jun. Please give him a warm welcome with your applause."
Unlike the roar for Seo Yun-ji earlier, the applause was noticeably subdued.
With each step I took, the welcoming fervor dwindled to a feeble murmur, faint enough to hear the surrounding voices clearly.
"Looks like Ammunition Group's in trouble this time. Their presentation was good, but the atmosphere's totally different...."
"You can tell from the top brass at the Ministry. They're openly backing one side."
"There's even talk of ties between SA-Cheolhwa Techwin and the Ministry. This one's basically decided already."
Murmurs from the reporters, grasping at clouds.
And in the distance, Seo Yun-ji's figure.
Her face, flushed with the glow of imminent victory, wore an unshakable smile.
"Now... head backstage."
As I climbed onto the podium with heavy steps, I turned my head and casually surveyed the room.
The players on this Ministry of Defense stage, and the audience beyond the camera lenses.
The wait I'd held back in my throat had gone on long enough. Shattering the brief silence that had settled over the stage, my voice filled the hall.
The voice of this stage's true protagonist.
"I'm Han Seo-jun, Chairman of Ammunition Group. I'll begin the presentation now."
* * * *
Incheon Port.
Even amid the salty, biting sea wind, the container unloading operations showed no signs of slowing.
If anything, the site buzzed more frantically than usual, urging the workers on.
"Hey, you bastard! Get your ass over here right now!"
A bed manufacturer yelling at a site supervisor in a hard hat.
Having been entrusted by Minister Ham Pung-deok with overseeing the barracks modernization project for the troops, he was obsessed with maximizing his profits.
"Y-Yes...! Have you arrived, President? Ack!"
The site supervisor rushed over, sweat pouring down in thick drops.
Proving the woes of a wage slave with his body, he let out a death rattle from the pain shooting up from his shin.
"I told you to finish unloading by last week! Why the hell do you make me come all the way out here because you can't get it through your thick skull!"
"Ugh... I'm sorry. The schedule here was fully booked, so...."
"You dimwit, now you're talking back...!"
*Thwack.* A dull thud as the bed manufacturer's shoe connected with the supervisor's other shin.
A groan erupted against the backdrop of screeching seagulls.
Only then did his anger seem to subside a bit. The bed manufacturer pointed at the containers with his finger and barked some orders.
"Finish all of this by tomorrow! Or write your resignation right here! Respond!"
"Yes... Understood. No matter what, we'll finish by tomorrow, President."
After that, the bed manufacturer wandered the site, checking for issues.
Gazing at the massive stacks of barracks beds in the distance, he stroked the head of his son who'd come along and said,
"Our family's made it now. We might not crack into chaebol status, but at least we'll be known as local fixtures for generations."
"But Father, isn't this... too dangerous? This military supply deal."
*Flutter.* His son flipped through the documents in his hand, his eyes trembling with anxiety.
Shoddy quality that couldn't be worse, paired with outrageously inflated supply prices.
His face full of worry and concern, the son cautiously voiced his opinion.
"If we get tangled in a military procurement scandal... prison time and fines could blow the family to smithereens."
"Tsk tsk tsk. That's why I still can't hand everything over to you and retire."
The bed manufacturer climbed into the car with a swagger.
On the way back to Seoul, he continued lecturing his son relentlessly.
In a demeanor utterly opposite to the one he'd shown before the high-and-mighty recently.
"Minister Ham Pung-deok and insiders in the military. Do you have any idea how many safety nets I've layered for this deal!"
"That's true, but...."
"And word is Ham's teamed up with that Yoon Hak-gil guy. Know what that means!"
He pounded the inside of the car door with his fist.
Soon, the car filled with the thunderous voice of greed he couldn't contain himself.
"This project is safe until the regime changes! It'll be forgotten after the statute of limitations! How is this so hard to grasp!"
Only then did the son realize he couldn't dissuade his father anymore.
Setting the documents aside, he sighed and replied,
"...Understood, Father. I won't argue anymore."
"Good. As long as you get it. All this yelling's made me hungry. Pull over for a bit. Let's grab some food somewhere."
Time had slipped past lunchtime to 2 p.m.
They pulled up at a hanwoo short rib joint near Incheon.
The sizzle of meat on the hot grill wafted through the air.
Apparently bored while waiting, the bed manufacturer pressed the call bell for the server.
"Hey, ma'am. No other customers but us—why not switch the TV channel?"
"Yes, sir. What would you like?"
"Let's see... Put on the news. I heard they're live-streaming something from the Ministry about a new weapons project."
"Got it. One sec."
Pointing at the TV screen with his chopsticks, the bed manufacturer addressed his son across the table in a haughty tone.
"Perfect timing. Watch closely. See the power our high-ranking allies—sailing the same ship as us—really wield."
The presentation began right away.
Seo Yun-ji's clear voice and flashy demo ended, followed by a torrent of applause.
It was just the start, but the momentum had already swung their way.
"You must've felt it too. That's the government-business cartel for you."
"The mood definitely tilted toward SA-Cheolhwa Techwin...."
"Look at that. Even the great Han Seo-jun's squirming up there. Total contrast to that pretty young lady from before, huh?"
Cackling with laughter, the bed manufacturer shoveled grilled meat into his mouth.
His endless greed filled his belly like he was possessed—but it didn't last long.
Like he'd swallowed poison, his face turned pitch black in an instant.
"Uh... wait, hold on...."
"Father?"
It had been a sure victory... but the atmosphere flipped in a flash.
In the blink of an eye—a mere split second—everything changed.
*Clatter.* Chopsticks hit the floor as the throat that had devoured greed choked shut.
Filled only with the echo of denial, refusing to accept reality.
"W-What's that! Why the hell is that coming out of there now!"