I’m Not That Villain

23 – Underdog (3)

Seo Ji-soo glanced at the documents with the results.

Ten carefully selected people. They seemed to have basic knowledge, so I picked them…

But after looking at about six people so far, none of them really stood out.

Most of them were clumsy. They pretended to press buttons with the attitude of someone touching a machine for the first time, but all their actions were wrong.

To begin with, if tools could be operated with just one button, there would be no need for experts.

If it were about making other equipment, just following the machine’s instructions would be enough. But the specialized field I create requires dedicated equipment.

It involves controlling parts that machines can’t handle with human senses.

You have to respond immediately to the constantly changing information of the supernatural elements on the spot.

The realm of humans where biotechnology and mechanical engineering are intertwined. That’s what dedicated equipment is. It involves various complex technologies, and because of that, you have to rely on the sense of touch to navigate through the dark depths…

The pinnacle of technology that only humans can achieve.

That was the technology of crafting specialized equipment.

Of course, it is oneself who holds the reins. But, to provide some assistance, shouldn’t one at least have the eyes to see the flow?

You need to know what I’m doing up front to assist or not. Therefore, you must possess at least minimal skills.

It has to be that way…

“…Tsk.”

No talent.

Well, that’s true. Seo Ji-soo knew it too.

The talent she wanted must have already found a place somewhere. Knowing at least the basics in this field means that they are skilled enough to be called veterans in the general weapon manufacturing field.

Whatever they make, they will make it well. Isn’t it a world where handmade cold weapons sell like hotcakes? Moreover, here in Seoul, they are freely making gunpowder weapons… It is natural to turn to that side.

If a mass production system is established, that side is indeed more profitable.

But, specialized equipment is truly beautiful. The moment you think about controlling the supernatural factors that humans thought they couldn’t handle, the explorer’s spirit soars.

That’s why I can’t let it go. Seeing the completed equipment is immensely enjoyable.

“…….”

Anyway…

Should I be satisfied with this level?

Seo Ji-soo clicked her tongue and slumped in her chair. She popped a candy into her mouth and lightly rolled it with her tongue.

Well, yeah… If something is lacking, I can teach it myself.

I should be satisfied that they have basic knowledge. Why would a talent ready for immediate deployment come to a place like this? Right.

Let’s try them out for a month, and if they seem okay, I’ll attempt to recruit them. If they learn quickly, that’s good in its own way.

The workshop opening I’m preparing is also almost certain due to a friend’s support…

Let’s gather the personnel. Somehow.

At least three people are needed for the workshop to run smoothly.

Click.

The closed door opened. A man walked in.

A man who had been pressing down his hat and mask tightly since he came in. He had a fairly large build. He was quite tall as well.

Just by looking at his eyes, you could say he was quite good-looking. But his hands, which were slightly visible, had many small scars.

“…….”

…Something.

This time, it seems like a decent person has come.

“So…”

He glanced at the documents.

In the name field, the name ‘Lee Seo-jun’ was written. Age: 26.

Seo Ji-soo did not believe it. Most people here lied about their age and name.

It was just a means to distinguish people. That was the role of names in Seoul. Seo Ji-soo stared blankly at the man in front of her.

Well, the face. It didn’t matter. It wasn’t something to worry about when working together.

The same went for herself. In the workshop, the distinction between men and women became meaningless. If you mixed such emotions while making things, would proper products come out?

And…

There was something more noticeable than his appearance recorded in the documents.

Seo Ji-soo smiled brightly.

“Do you know that you are the only one who got a perfect score?”

“Ah. Yes.”

He awkwardly scratched his cheek.

Seo Ji-soo quickly looked through the remaining documents.

As expected, there was nothing. The resume section, which others filled with lies, was completely blank.

Should she call it honesty?

Or should she see it as hiding something else?

But a perfect score is a perfect score. That alone was already half the pass. Having basic knowledge was very important.

Seo Ji-soo cautiously spoke.

“Have you ever learned skills from others?”

“I have, but…”

He hesitated as well.

“Most of it was self-taught.”

“Self-taught…”

It wasn’t impossible.

The names of tools could be learned sufficiently through self-study. Seo Ji-soo put down the documents with a thud.

Various things stood out, but all these were just basic tasks to determine the ‘real’ thing.

The most important thing was still the practical test. Even if you got a perfect score on the tool name test, it was meaningless if you failed in practice.

“Shall we proceed with the practical test then?”

She didn’t expect him to be perfect.

Just be a little better than the so-called technicians before you.

Seo Ji-soo prayed earnestly.

. . .

“……”

Wow.

I stared blankly at the machine. This is one of those high-performance machines I once considered buying from the black market.

Even the added features alone would be dozens of times more than what I currently have. To casually place something like this here…

I’m so jealous.

Really!

“Do you know what this is?”

“…Isn’t it an ability factor extractor?”

“Yes, that’s right. And this is the blood drawn from an ability holder.”

She waved her hand.

“Please extract the ability factor with this.”

“…….?”

Well, what.

I thought she was going to ask me to do something difficult, but no.

I reluctantly accepted the glass tube containing the blood. After holding it up to the light, I checked its condition.

…Wait.

The concentration is strange.

“Did you dilute the blood with water?”

“…Yes?”

“If you extract it like this, you won’t get a proper ability factor. This is a boring prank.”

“…….”

Seo Ji-soo smiled.

“Good. It’s the first time someone noticed that.”

No, if you have eyes, you can see the blood looks strange at a glance. How could they not see it?

“Use this one.”

A proper glass tube was handed over. I lightly placed it into the machine and turned it.

Since the machine is so high-performance, it only took a few commands to finish. Seo Ji-soo’s eyebrows twitched.

“…Hmm.”

A feeling of satisfaction. After that, we operated various machines together.

When I showed her the state of the stored ability factor and how it was cultivated, Seo Ji-soo smiled brightly.

“Very good.”

We skipped the ability factor improvement machine. This was the most important course, involving the know-how of each artisan, and the machine itself was sensitive.

If one setting was wrong, the result could be tens or hundreds of times different, so it was only natural.

Instead, we were tasked with understanding the structure of the already improved ability factor and finding the metal to be used as the base.

Well, it wasn’t that difficult. Easier than eating. Based on the ability factor report, I discovered a metal.

The user assimilation rate of the alloy made this way was only 89%. Now I know this is much higher than the average, but…

Sigh.

It’s a pity.

I deliberately swallowed my emotions. There could be many reasons for the low assimilation rate…

The biggest reason was probably that the ability factor was not properly improved. But she opened her eyes wide, seemingly surprised by the 89% figure.

“…How did you figure out that it would match well with that material? With just one test…?”

With the ability factor structure recorded in such detail, wouldn’t it be strange not to know…

I swallowed the words I was about to say. No, I can’t. My original purpose was to steal the successful secret as an industrial spy.

It’s best to appear just ‘competent’. Yes, that’s right. If they know that the person who came to steal the secret is more competent than themselves, they will naturally be wary.

I feigned ignorance.

“I was lucky.”

“Lucky…? Well, let’s try the rest.”

I processed the items lightly. It didn’t take long. But compared to other interviewees, it was an absurdly long test time.

Just in case, I didn’t show all my abilities and fumbled a bit, and the applicants waiting in the inner room came out slightly.

“Um… how long do we have to wait…”

“Oh.”

Seo Ji-soo snapped back to reality and turned around. After a moment of contemplation, she smiled brightly.

“Everyone can go back.”

“What?”

“You can all go back. Here’s your transportation fare.”

“But, I haven’t even taken the practical test yet…”

“Oh. It’s okay. It’s fine. Go back. Come on.”

The people who came for the interview left with a bitter expression, holding their envelopes. It seemed like they were really sending everyone back, so I finished the work I was doing.

“Weren’t you going to hire two people?”

“Two people? Ah, two people. Yes, that’s right. It was two people. But it seems one person is enough.”

Her eyes sparkled like stars. For the first time, she smiled brightly and whispered to me.

“I think the practical test is enough for now. When can you start working?”

As expected.

At least she has a good eye.

“I can start from tomorrow.”

“9 AM. We’ll decide the rest of the details when you come. Here, transportation expenses. I added a bit more.”

I didn’t refuse. Why would I refuse free money?

Hehehe. Sorry, Seo Ji-soo…

I’ll take as much as I can! The well-kept business secrets!

. . .

“Why that person? They seemed suspicious.”

Seo Ji-soo smiled brightly and opened a beer. She poured it straight into her mouth.

Why that person?

Damn it!

Anyway, those who only know how to swing their fists don’t know how to recognize treasures!

Seo Ji-soo shrugged her shoulders. Ah, it’s good. So good.

She found a real treasure among treasures. Not a gem buried in the mud.

A gem already processed.

And that skill…

It was more than enough to be helpful to her.

“…Delicate touch. Precision at the fingertips. Judgment. Sense. Knowledge.”

Even a fellow craftsman would be attracted by such charming hand movements.

The finishing was a bit rough, but even that was excellent. Processing equipment with a set frame was excellent in itself.

If there was a slight problem, it would be the crude design. But that was something that could be taught.

“Everything is there. All of it.”

“…Is it that great? All they did was make a spherical object.”

“Disqualified the moment you called it ‘just a sphere.’ Lee Min-ho. Aren’t you going to leave soon? I want to be alone.”

“…As I said before, as you become more famous, 24-hour close protection is absolutely necessary…”

“I said I wouldn’t do it. Who’s going to pay for it, God? No. Just go home already.”

Lee Min-ho naturally sat next to her. He spoke in a gentle voice, almost whispering.

“There’s no cost to having a drink with a friend after work.”

“…Really?”

Seo Ji-soo stood up abruptly. She went to the fridge and took out another can of beer.

And of course.

After finishing her own can, she started to drink from his.

“Find another woman. I’m not the one.”

“…….”

“Get out. Quickly. Don’t you remember I said I didn’t want to get involved outside of work?”

“…Ji-soo, that’s really a misunderstanding…”

“Misunderstanding or whatever, were we ever in a relationship where we needed to clear up misunderstandings? I don’t think so. Get out. Right now. How many times do I have to tell you I want to be alone? Do you want to be cursed at? Is that your fetish?”

Lee Min-ho sighed. He opened the door and stepped outside.

In the now completely quiet house, Seo Ji-soo lay her weary body on the sofa.

After sending away five wretched women.

After sifting through a hundred applicants who weren’t even applicants.

Among the people she finally selected…

She finally met the real deal.

“……”

Tomorrow’s work might be a bit enjoyable. Seo Ji-soo chuckled.

If there’s one thing that bothers her, it’s his situation, which he knows nothing about…

Well, it’s just a test for now, so we’ll see how it goes.

Tomorrow, she plans to find out more.

How far he can go.

“…I can look forward to it, right?”