October 10th, 2017 14:10

  Choongbook Chungju-si 17th Fighter Wing underground research facility X-20 lab (Superprotonic plasma generator research lab)

  The 8th-floor lab was built in July, with a large glass tube in the center. Inside was the small car-sized next-generation plasma superprotonic generator. Beyond the thick glass protective screen were around 20 researchers busy making preparations to start the first experimental run, with Namgoong-won among them. Han Hyung-gook, the head of the research department for nuclear physics, inserted the equation module card into the generator’s operation module.

  “Module insertion complete, Chief Jung operate ON.”


  “Yes, sir. Operation ON.”


  Chief Jeon Ho-tae turned on the operating switch, just as head researcher Han Hyung-gook ordered. A minute later, the plasma generator emitted a strange noise and began running. Small sparks flew from the generator

  Zap zap! Whirrrrrrrl!

  In response, the glass tube in the middle of the plasma superprotonic generator burst into massive flames. A red laser instantly formed from within, spreading out and thickening with time. An irregular spark flew from the glass tube, which was something the researchers had never seen before.

  Head researcher Han Hyung-gook continued to guide his researchers through the tense situation. “Researcher Ahn, check internal temperatures and external balance. Look for any irregularities in the magnetic fields as well.”


  “The internal temperature remains stable at 5 million degrees. The magnetic field and external balance are both stable, as well,” said researcher Ahn.

  “Researcher Kim, check for any irregular superprotonic levels,” said head researcher Han Hyung-gook.

  “Superprotonic levels are also stable,” replied researcher Kim.

  “All right, proceeding to stage 2. Pyroelectric rotators ON,” ordered head researcher Han Hyung-gook

  Once again, Chief Jeon Ho-tae pressed a red button according to Han Hyung-gook’s order.

  As the red laser in the clear glass tube slowly turned thinner and whitened, the irregular flying sparks began to disappear. The thin laser connected to the cores on each side making a tranquil noise, making the glass tube seem peaceful.

  Whirrrrrl!

  A new era of plasma superprotonic generation surpassing the fusion core technology was here; it wasn’t even commercialized yet!

  “We’ve performed another check. The internal temperature remains steady at 5 million degrees, the magnetic field is stable, and no external cracks are present.”


  When the checks were all clear, the researchers finally embraced each other in excitement. The room was filled with a celebratory atmosphere.

  “Everyone calm down! The test is still not over.”


  Head researcher Han Hyung-gook’s scolding silenced the researchers. The lab returned to the final stage of checking the power output as he ordered, “Check the current power output.”


  “The current suppliable power output is 1GW to 1.2GW.”


  Dr. Lee Su-jin finally spoke after silently watching the test the whole time. “My word. I didn’t expect such a small generator to output more power than a single nuclear plant. This single unit could be enough to power the airforce base and the entire city of Chungju. Don’t you think so, too?”


  Nervously concentrating on the tests, head researcher Han Hyung-gook wiped the sweat off his brow. He replied, “Ha! I didn’t expect the output to be this much, either. I estimated it to be within a range of 700MW to 800MW. Regardless, today’s test is a huge success.”


  “Indeed. Great work, Dr. Han. It looks like our nation will no longer have to worry about power, right?”


  “Hahaha! Yeah, you’re right. Every summer, people are always talking about blackouts and high power bills. With this, I guess we can supply free power now.”


  “Well, what about the Korean Electric Power Corporation? How will they make money?”


  “Huh? Is that how they would be affected? Hahaha.”


  The results far surpassed the expectations of Dr. Lee Su-jin, Head researcher Han Gook-hyung, and the rest of the X-20 lab’s researchers. They embraced each other in delight, believing that their hard work had finally paid off.

  * * *

  October 10th, 2017 16:20

  Choongbook Chungju-si 17th Fighter Wing underground research facility X-2 lab (Namgoong-won’s lab)

  After watching only a part of the plasma superprotonic generator test, Namgoong-won drank some coffee as he began preparing the next set of research data. There was various research from different topics going on right now. Since he had to convert each data into an organized document, he would have been busy even if he had assistance. At that moment, Assistant Manager Lee Hye-jin walked in.

  “Won?”


  “Ah! Assistant Manager Lee Hye-jin, my love.”


  “Hmm! What do you mean ‘my love’? You don’t even pay attention to me when you are busy.”


  She hugged Namgoong-won from behind and whispered in his ear.

  “Head researcher Namgoong-won, it appears you have a guest.”


  “Me?”


  “Yes, it is Lee Ja-sun from the NIS group training exercise cohort. He was that guy who was talking about the date and whatnot on the range, right?”


  “Lee Ja-sung? That’s him, alright. How did he know to visit me here?”


  “He is in the main hall lobby, so why don’t you head there and ask him yourself?”


  “All right. Assistant Manager, feel free to talk with Hocula here if you get bored.”


  “What?! Why would I amuse myself by talking to a computer? Nevermind.”


  “Hahaha, I’ll be back.”


  Namgoong-won swiftly opened the door and headed to the main lobby, where a man wearing black clothes and sunglasses sat.

  “Excuse me, are you Lee Ja-sung?”


  Upon hearing Namgoong-won’s voice, Lee Ja-sung turned around and embraced him with a hearty laugh.

  “Hey, Namgoong! How are you? Your big bro missed you so much!”


  “Hahaha. It really is you, Lee Ja-sung. It’s so good to see you again. Hey, how did you know I was here?” Namgoong-won said, seemingly both bewildered and glad to see him.

  Lee Ja-sung arrogantly pointed at himself with his thumb as he answered, “Really, Namgoong? Do you think a special agent of the NIS such as myself would not know something so trivial as your whereabouts?”


  “Well, with your jurisdiction level, you would never have known. Am I wrong?”


  “Hey, come on! I am a Chief now, got it? I was promoted a while back,” Lee Ja-sung said as he pulled out his ID card from the NIS and showed his rank with a smile.

  “Wow, that was fast. You’re promoted to a Chief in only a year? Damn!”


  “After your big bro did so well on one of the missions after training, the higher-ups promoted me to Chief. Hahaha, now you need to call me sir.”


  “Ha! Don’t make me laugh! I’m a head researcher here now! I am higher on the food chain here compared to you. You better not underestimate me, got it?”


  “What kind of NIS agents works in research? You’re making us look bad.”


  “Haha, it just sort of happened.”


  Namgoong-won brought two glasses of coffee from the lobby cafe. As he handed Lee Ja-sung one of the glasses, he asked, “So how did you get stationed here?”


  “C’mon, man! Didn’t I just tell you I came here because I missed you?”


  “Just tell me.”


  “You don’t believe me? Fine, the truth is I was stationed to bodyguarding here. Your Manager told me about you being here after I was stationed.”


  “Huh? Is that so? Then let’s have a good time while you’re here! Do you think you can handle being here? Life here is very dull, and you can’t go outside either.”


  “Why would it be dull when you’re here? Hahaha.”


  “Why, you! Hahaha.”


  “I also looked around. There are some hotties among the researchers, don’t you think?”


  “Wow…… when did you find the time to scan them all?”


  “Hey! You’re already dating your cute superior. Am I supposed to just stay here miserable and alone then?”


  “All right, all right. Hahaha.”


  “Hey! Let’s get some iced coffee! It’s way too hot!”


  “Oh, yeah! There is a cafe ran by the airforce base there. Let’s go!”


  Reunited after so long, Namgoong-won and Lee Ja-sung put their arms around each other’s shoulders and headed out.

  * * *

  October 12th, 2017 17:30

  Choongbuk Chungju-si Seowon-gu Bongmu mountain southwest construction site.

  Construction was in progress since March from south of Bong-mu mountain. At first glance, it seemed to be a small project. In reality, it was a major project that involved digging the entire underground area of Bong-mu mountain. It would’ve spanned the size of four football fields and reached a depth of over 100m; it would be like building a large 20 story building underground. Construction was only 30% complete, and it had a year left to reach its completion date next fall. Many excavators and trucks carrying the dug up dirt formed a long line.

  The man who wore a safety helmet seemed to have come in for an inspection. Through the commotion, he shouted to the man responsible for the construction site, “General Oh, sir, do you think there will be no issues in finishing construction next fall?”


  “The construction progress is very fast right now. We are working as hard as we can to meet the deadline, so no need to worry.”


  The man answering confidently was the commander of the second engineer regiment brigadier general, Oh Young-il. For security reasons, only one construction company was working on the building’s interior. The rest of the work was divided among the 4 other hardworking engineering corps from different regiments.

  “We hope everything goes well without any problems. The president is very invested in the construction of this site.”


  “Indeed. When we work, our top priority is our safety. With that in mind, please tell the president that he can rest easy.”


  “Yes, I will relay the message.”


  Secretary Ahn Yeon-hong, who was from the Blue House, had inspected various areas of the construction site since morning. He shook brigadier general Oh Young-il’s hand and left the site on the vehicle prepared for him.

  * * *

  October 20th, 2017 18:00

  Seoul Kangnam-Ku Korea Pharmaceuticals Headquarters.

  The androgen based balding cure, dubbed as New life-X for men and New life-Y for women, hit the shelves across pharmacies in Korea. Many citizens suffering from the unspeakable pain of baldness called the new medicine a dream cure, causing the product to be quickly sold out. The advertising the company did with 100 men and women showing their progress each week was effective, but the fact most people suffering from baldness would buy any product that claimed to help relieve the symptoms also influenced sales.

  No one realized there were so many bald people in Korea. Both types of baldness treatment sold out on day 1, and the sales department of Korean Pharmaceuticals had to be on the phone all day answering calls from pharmacies requesting additional purchases. To meet the demands, Korean Pharmaceuticals decided to run their factories for the baldness treatment on three shifts rather than two.

  Like before, the contracts for exports reached billions of dollars. Korea Pharmaceuticals garnered the attention of various press agencies across the world just as they did from the cancer treatment.

  Korea Pharmaceuticals began buying out smaller to middle-sized companies that were struggling with operations. New factories were built from these companies to meet the demands from both inside and outside the nation.