Master Smith Under Ministry of National Defense

016- An Irresistible Offer

‘I want it.’

The only thought that consumed Soo-jeong’s mind when she first realized the true nature of Myung-jun’s abilities was just that. If everything Myung-jun claimed he could do was true, then it would be the key she needed to complete the many inventions she had always wanted to finish but couldn’t.

Perhaps humanity could create the fantastical things they believed were impossible due to the physical laws of the universe. Hence, she felt a pressing need to somehow keep Myung-jun under her control. To her, the young man sitting in front of her was quite literally the ‘key to the future’. Listening to Myung-jun’s explanation, she desperately pondered what he might desire.

“Should I ask him out?”

She had never paid much attention to her looks as it was not directly related to her work. However, she was aware that she was not average-looking. She also knew how obsessed the young men she knew were with that ‘appearance’. But she felt there would be limits to simply tying Myung-jun down with a romantic relationship.

From the start, when she had taken off her welding mask to show her face, Myung-jun’s reaction was noticeably different from the typical young man’s. The young men she knew typically focused on her appearance and her status.

Even if they didn’t say it, their intentions were clear in their gaze and posture. From the moment she joined the mechanical engineering department, dominated by males, she was dubbed the ‘Engineering Goddess’. Many students approached her, trying to strike a conversation. Among them were those who blatantly stared at specific parts of her or tried to subtly smell her, and even someone who went through the trash to get her discarded welding gloves.

However, Soo-jeong didn’t particularly despise such obsessions from young male peers. She knew very well how others saw her appearance and didn’t hesitate to use it. After all, men, regardless of age, tend to be weak against beautiful women, which for her was an exploitable weakness. She had a lot of experiential knowledge to judge the nature and direction of men’s gazes towards her, but Myung-jun’s gaze was something she had never seen before.

It wasn’t the look of uncontrollable youth and bubbling desire, but a deep look, as if he had lived decades longer than his age. Looking at Myung-jun’s clear and calm eyes, reminiscent of a monk who has practiced for a long time, Soo-jeong realized that Myung-jun was not obsessed with women, or at least not someone with her looks.

‘Maybe he’s impotent or gay.’

Hence, Soo-jeong needed to offer another merit that would interest Myung-jun. From Myung-jun’s explanation, she was finally able to discover his unique trauma.

‘He seems to be extremely wary of the Korean government or military.’

As if he thinks he’d be arrested and exploited, Myung-jun repeatedly mentioned ‘to not get caught’. Relating that to the recently discharged Myung-jun, she soon realized what situation he wanted to avoid most.

‘He wants to avoid being forcibly taken by state power.’

Myung-jun was both a civilian and a reservist. And if the number of monsters increases exponentially, as Myung-jun said, it was foreseeable that the state would issue a mobilization order. As she began to piece together the puzzle, a conclusion began to form in her mind. A plan that Myung-jun could not refuse, a card to ensure he could not sever ties with her. She made her proposal to Myung-jun, who had offered her such favorable conditions.

“Myung-jun, you’re a reservist now, right?”

“Yes.”

“So even if we make an agreement, you can still be forcibly drafted into the military because of conscription. You’re saying these monsters will appear more frequently in the future? Then, wouldn’t a mobilization order also be issued to defend against them? Any physically fit adult male who has served in the Korean military would naturally have a legal obligation to comply with such an order.”

“That… is true, right?”

“What if I could remove that legal obligation for you?”

“Senior?”

“As I said, my mother is a researcher affiliated with DARPA. As you know, DARPA is an institution researching key technologies for the U.S. Department of Defense. If I ask my mother, you might be able to become a U.S. citizen protected from the Korean government’s orders. Essentially, you would be living in Korea as a foreign resident.”

“Isn’t the process to become a citizen complicated?”

“Under normal circumstances, yes. But if these monsters, which can deflect even bullets, continue to increase in number, and even stronger ones appear more frequently, it becomes a global issue threatening world security and peace. Currently, humanity’s basic response to such threats is simply to deploy a massive number of soldiers to the borders. The emergence of such entities within protected territories is unprecedented. You’ve captured a rank 2 monster with your abilities, haven’t you?”

“Yes.”

“Then, if you were to modify weapons, could an ordinary soldier hunt a rank 2 monster?”

Myung-jun paused for a moment and then nodded.

“Yes.”

“No government in the world would willingly surrender a being with such capabilities to another country. Especially if that country is the U.S., which holds global hegemony. So, grant me the authority to negotiate on your behalf, and I’ll secure protection from the U.S. government for you.”

“Is that possible?”

“If not, well… we stick to the original agreement. Although I do want to do you a favour, the initial condition you suggested isn’t disadvantageous for me. But, with such conditions, I’d feel a bit uneasy in case you betray me later on.”

“I won’t betray you.”

“Good. I trust you. But this is not just for you, it’s for my sake as well. I can’t afford to let the Korean government easily lose my most important collaborator. Let’s at least give it a shot. I’ll discuss it with my mom, saying I know someone in such a situation, without revealing your identity. If the U.S. government shows interest, we’ll formally negotiate.”

“That’s an irresistible offer. I agree.”

“Great. Regarding the workshop, you can use this one as you wish. If you want, I can even purchase a warehouse in your preferred location. To avoid revealing your identity, the warehouse will be registered in my name or my father’s. Let me know whatever equipment you need, and I’ll have it all set up for you.”

“That’s immensely helpful. I’m glad I came to you.”

As Myung-jun extended his hand with a bright smile, the woman also smiled in return.

Holding out his hand, Myung-jun said,

“Let’s work well together, partner.”

“I’m looking forward to it, senior.”

“So, are you going to make the weapon immediately?”

“I lost a lot of blood today thanks to you, so I’m still a bit dizzy. My sister is waiting for me, so I’ll go home today and come back tomorrow.”

“Okay? Can you give me your home address just in case?”

Myung-jun sent his home address to her using his phone.

She then looked at him with a meaningful smile and said,

“Alright, Myung-jun. See you ‘tomorrow’.”

“Yes. See you tomorrow.”

Myung-jun took her words, ‘See you tomorrow’, at face value, thinking they’d meet in the workshop the next day. However, he would only realize the next day that her words held a different meaning.

The next morning…

*********

In front of Myung-jun’s house, Soo-jeong was waiting for him in dazzling casual attire next to a fancy sports car. Spinning the car key on her finger, she threw it to Myung-jun as soon as she saw him come out of the house. Then, looking at the flustered Myung-jun, she smiled and said,

“Let’s go, Myung-jun. You have a license, right?”

“Is this your car?”

“What do you think? It’s a Porsche. Is it your first time seeing a Porsche?”

“I wasn’t asking about the model.”

“In that case, this is your car. As soon as you left for my place yesterday, I went to the dealership and picked one. Oh, I don’t have a license, so a dealership staff drove it here for me.”

“If you bought it with your money, it’s your car. Why is it mine?”

“It’s an investment. And to the outside world, it’s a fancy sports car gifted by a rich lady to her beloved boyfriend.”

“Boyfriend?!!?”

“Just get in. We can talk more on the way. Let’s go on a date!”

With that energetic shout, Soo-jeong got into the passenger seat before Myung-jun could reply. Staring at the car key, he took a deep breath and climbed into the driver’s seat. Adjusting the seat to fit him, he asked her,

“Now that I’m in, explain. Why a sudden Porsche?”

At that moment, she whispered to Myung-jun with a very serious expression, looking at the rearview mirror,

“Shh. We’re being followed. Start the car.”

Then, with a stern look just like hers, Myung-jun started the car, and the Porsche began to move with a roaring engine. Following them was a gray sedan with men in black suits.

“What’s going on?”

“After you left yesterday, I contacted my mom and told her about a man with the abilities you mentioned. I asked if the U.S. government could possibly protect him. And less than 3 hours after the call, those men showed up at my studio.”

“Could we have been wiretapped?”

“They’re not from the Korean government or the Ministry of National Defense. Probably agents planted in Korea by the U.S. government.”

“What do we do now?”

“Go to the address written here. I have a plan.”

Following the address she gave, Myung-jun arrived at a sizable material shop on the outskirts of Seoul. Following her inside, he received a box with numerous locks and put it in the trunk. During the process, he couldn’t find the trunk and was lightly scolded by her.

“The 911 has its trunk in the front. Looking at its sleek shape, how could you think the trunk would be at the back?”

“It’s my first time seeing this car.”

“You’ll see it every day now. Better get used to it. Now, Hurry”

Soo-jeong, with a deliberately exaggerated acting, pulled out a card from her wallet and handed it to Myung-jun.

“What is this?”

“It’s a card. Since the fuel costs might be burdensome, pay for the gas with this.”

“I have money too.”

“If you knew how much gas this car consumes, you wouldn’t say that.”

Thus, Myung-jun set off for the next location, receiving mysterious boxes five times along the way. After loading all the boxes, he headed to Cheongmyeong Street.

“Now, we have an hour. Tell me properly, senior. What’s going on? Why are we being followed?”

“I don’t know. I think I just told it as it was, but it seems to have become a big deal.”

“What are these boxes?”

“They’re empty. To hide where I get my materials, I asked all the businesses I know. If someone who’s following us sees, they might think there’s some special material inside.”

“So, are we really in a relationship? Why did you suddenly decide I’m dating you?”

At Myung-jun’s question, Soo-jeong’s eyes sparkled.

“Why are you asking that only now?”

“Can you just explain?”

“Listen, if what you say is true, you’ll be hunting monsters, right? And you might have to travel around the country since we don’t know where they’ll appear.”

“Yes.”

“If you suddenly travel here and there around the country when you should be going back to college or meeting friends, what will people think? Won’t they get suspicious?”

“Wouldn’t they just think I’m traveling?”

“Isn’t it more natural for them to think we’re a couple going on a drive? And if that girlfriend is crazy enough to buy a guy, who she just met, a sports car worth over 100 million, then it won’t seem strange for them to be overly attached. Two young people in the heat of their age, working all day in a workshop. Externally, it would seem like I’m dragging you around because I like you so much. But in reality, while I’m spending a hot night with you in a motel, you sneak out to hunt monsters.”

Myung-jun abruptly stopped the car.

“A motel?!”

“Yes, a motel. It’s less conspicuous to hunt at night. If we’re staying overnight in the provinces, it’s best to make it look like we went to a motel.”

Sighing, Myung-jun restarted the car and muttered about her being a ‘screw-loose mad scientist.’

“Senior, your enthusiasm is great, but there are some problems with your plan.”

“Like what?”

“Who would believe that I, who joined the army right after entering college, would suddenly date the most beautiful girl in school even before I return to college? Just the rumour of me dating you would attract a lot of attention.”

“I hadn’t thought of that.”

“And if we’re trying to stay inconspicuous, you should’ve bought a more low-key car. Don’t you see everyone staring at us? You attract attention just by walking, you’re like a giant neon sign.”

Feeling down from Myung-jun’s criticism, Soo-jeong sank into her seat. Seeing her like that, he said softly,

“Your basic idea isn’t wrong. It’s also my fault for not anticipating this situation. And above all, you did all this for me. I was moved. Who wouldn’t be thrilled with such a gift?”

“You like it?”

“I’d have accepted your confession right away. Not just because of the car, but because I appreciate your feelings.”

“You’re flattering me too much now.”

“I have to. Everything you did was for me, so it’s only right to acknowledge that. I think the idea of disguising through a relationship isn’t bad. There are just some parts we need to adjust.”

“Just tell me. I’ll do whatever’s needed.”

“Alright. Let’s discuss the revised plan.”

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