Chapter 54: Encounter 3

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The ST Capsule and Robotics' collaboration turned into a fast current, and Junhyuk's work until then became meaningless.

"I should concentrate on advertisement?"

"Correct," Department Chief Eunseo said calmly. "This advertisement's shoot will take three days and two nights, so you should be free on the coming Wednesday, Thursday and Friday."

Maybe it was better this way? He had to go to the Dimensional Battlefield the following week, but the shoot was scheduled for that week.

"I understand."

"We already have the concept for the ad. Here."

Eunseo sent the contents from her tablet to his, and he looked over the concept and was a little surprised.

"So, I will travel with them for three days and two nights?"

"Right. This time, the people who received their metal model prosthesis will be traveling with you. The concept is that people with metal models will be able to live a daily life."

Junhyuk nodded calmly.

"Right. Should I prepare something on my own?"

"No, not really. The Marketing Department is supporting this shoot."

"I will work hard."

It was a jam-packed schedule traveling through South Korea. During the trip, they would check the effectiveness of the metal model. There was a scene at a hot springs and one playing a simple match of kickball.

"There are six members in the group, including me?"

"Yes. Tomorrow, there is a meeting, so don't be late. Don't try too hard. Empty your mind and just show that you are enjoying the trip," Eunseo looked him in the eyes. "However, realize that they no longer have a handicap and show it on camera."

"I will."

People with the metal model were no longer handicapped. They couldn't overcome every situation, but they could move their limbs freely.

"Here are the profiles on the people you will meet. Look them over."

She sent him more materials.

"I will."

"So, shall we sign the contract?"

"What?"

They already had a written contract? He worked as an employee advertisement model and still had money in his bank account. He wanted to buy a new car, but hadn't been to a dealer yet.

Eunseo looked calm and pushed a contract forward.

"This ad is not just for ST Capsule. It's limited to this collaboration project, but the metal model will be developed further, and the first impression is very important. So, we need another contract with you, Mr. Junhyuk Lee."

"OK."

He pretended to understand what she was saying and looked over the new contract. It was almost the same as the previous one, but the amount of money had doubled. Junhyuk was really surprised and lifted his head, and Eunseo said calmly:

"We are a major corporation, and so is Robotics."

ST Capsule couldn't compare with Robotics in size yet. He didn't think his pay would decrease, but he thought the current offer was too high.

The ad would play for one year, and the offer was of over one million dollars. Junhyuk shivered, but signed the contract and gave it to her. Eunseo signed it as well and gave him a copy.

"So, please do your best."

"I will."

Junhyuk got up from his seat, and Eunseo said:

"You weren't there last time when the company dined out."

Junhyuk was curious about how she found out, and Eunseo fixed her glasses.

"It was for a Strategic Planning Department's dinner. I was there as well."

"I am so sorry. I was feeling sick."

"They told me your cousin came to visit you, a beautiful high school student?"

Her voice was sharp. Was he imagining that? Junhyuk smiled awkwardly.

"Since that kid showed up, she took care of me."

It was effective to refer to her as a kid. There was a small change in Eunseo's cold expression. He couldn't describe how her haughtiness had changed, but he felt it had.

"Go to the Marketing Department. Mr. Han has something to tell you concerning tomorrow's meeting."

"I'll get going."

Junhyuk went outside, and Eunseo smiled secretly and tapped on her tablet.

---

The five men all had stories of their own.

Sukho Kim was in his late 30s and used to be a painter; he lost his right arm in an accident. He put his dream of becoming a famous painter on hold and became the first person to get a metal arm. After that, he started painting again. Junhyuk had seen the paintings, and the metal arm allowed him to have the delicate brushes of painter.

Manwoo Jung used to be a soccer player. He was in an accident involving an abnormal narcolepsy driver and lost both legs. After that, he attempted suicide multiple times but was never successful and, now, he received the gift of the metal legs and started playing soccer again.

Chulsu Anh was a chef with bright future, but he lost both arms. He had been equipped with metal arms and had started cooking again.

Joseph Lim was a professional gamer who lost his left arm. He had held the number one spot in the rankings as a professional gamer. He had been an eager gamer, and when he lost his left arm, he left the pro league and started to play games with just his right hand. He used to beat his opponents by using just his right hand, and that created a stir in the gaming world. He now had a metal arm and might go back to being a pro.

Jinsu Kim was a bus driver who lost his left arm and his right leg. Compared to the others, he had an ordinary job, but he was also able to get a metal arm and a metal leg.

On Tuesday, he met them during a meeting, smiling and greeting them:

"Hello! I will be making the ad with you. My name is Junhyuk Lee."

They were all sitting inside of a coffee shop and were focused on using their new metal arms and legs. They all knew the differences between metal arms and legs and regular limbs, but the public couldn't know about the metal model yet. Mr. Han, from marketing, accompanied Junhyuk.

"Have you all met? Finally, tomorrow is the day we start the shoot," Mr. Han continued. "All you have to do is follow the program and enjoy the trip."

Manwoo smiled and said:

"Can I think of it as a reality show?"

"Sure. That should be easy to understand."

Mr. Han looked at Jinsu.

"Tomorrow, we will be getting an RV, and I want you, Mr. Kim, to drive it."

Junhyuk had the most problem with accepting that. The trial period had finished for the metal model, but could they drive? Jinsu had driven for many years, and he would be OK. In South Korea, bus drivers were quite skilled at what they did.

If something were to happen, there would be an accident, but the people making the ad were willing to take that chance. Junhyuk had to risk his own life to film the ad.

Maybe, he was being paid a lot of money because it was dangerous.

Luckily, Junhyuk would be riding shotgun. If something were to happen, he could step in.

"They will give us cooking materials, and Mr. Anh will be doing the cooking. For the rest of you, just enjoy your camping trip."

Since their accidents, they hadn't been outside. To them, this trip was kind of a challenge, and the focus of the ad was to capture that challenge.

Junhyuk went over each of their roles, one by one.

"Then, enjoy your gathering, and tomorrow morning at 8:00 a.m., we will meet at ST Capsule's building. I'll see you tomorrow."

Mr. Han got up and asked Junhyuk:

"You got a second?"

"Yes."

Junhyuk followed him to the counter, paid for a coffee and gave him the credit card.

"This is a corporate credit card. Tonight, take them out to dinner and send them home."

"I understand."

There was no reason to refuse a company credit card. The corporation would pay for everything, so Junhyuk took the credit card, and Mr. Han tapped his shoulder.

"Because of your ad, our corporate image has improved. Do well this time as well."

"I will do my best."

Mr. Han waved, and Junhyuk went back to the group. They were not yet used to each other's company, so Junhyuk told them:

"We should go out to dinner. It's on me."

Chulsu asked:

"Then, may I suggest a restaurant?"

"Of course!"

A chef's recommendation on a restaurant couldn't be bad.

"Let's go."

They all showed a different side to them now that Mr. Han was gone. They ate their dinners and also had some drinks. Junhyuk sent them home in taxis and collected all of the receipts.

The company would pay for all of that.

He had meant to only drink a little, but he might have drunk too much. He had a nice buzz going and got in a cab and pulled out his cell phone.

He was calling Sarang.

The phone rang twice, and he heard Sarang's bright voice:

"Whoa! Big brother! What's going on? You are even calling me!"

Junhyuk told her:

"Sarang. I won't be home from tomorrow until Friday."

"Where are you going? Take me with you!"

"It's a company trip, so NO."

"So, you are calling me because the house will be empty?"

"Right. Because you should know."

"I understand, but I want you to bring me a present."

Junhyuk laughed.

"I'm not going on vacation."

"I know it's not a vacation! Bring me a present. For sure! Bring back two presents!"

Junhyuk smiled.

"You heard about the mummified bodies incident?"

"I watched it on the news."

"You never know, so stay home. Don't come by."

"OK. You won't be there."

Junhyuk gave her the key so that she could practice. She was not understanding it right, but he didn't correct her. He was seriously worried that she might encounter the vampire while he wasn't there.

"OK. I will be back on Friday. We will meet on the weekend."

"OK. Have a safe trip."

"OK."

He hung up the phone, leaned back on the seat, and the taxi driver said:

"Because of the mummy incident, there is a new urban legend."

"Right."

"The CSI* unit will report on it soon."

He was talking to the taxi driver when he got a notification on his cell phone. It was Sarang, wearing her school uniform and giving him the Bronx cheer.

Underneath the picture, there was a message:

[When you get lonely, look at my picture. Do bring me a present. For sure! Two presents!]

Junhyuk laughed.

"Do you have something going on?"

Junhyuk shook his head and looked out the window.

"Nothing. I just got a funny message."

The scenery outside the window passed by quickly, and Junhyuk looked at his cell phone. There was one more message.

It was Sarang's picture, but this time she was smiling.

[You are looking at my picture. He-he. Have a safe trip.]

Junhyuk smiled warmly.

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CSI - Crime Scene Investigation, a unit of the police that who is responsible for identifying, collecting, preserving, and packaging physical evidence at the scene of a crime.