Upon arriving at the office, Todd guided Zen to the most distinguished seat.

“Don’t stand on ceremony.”

Zen, sitting as if it were a familiar place, crossed his legs and spoke to Todd and the employees who were still standing.

“Sit down. We can’t talk while standing, can we?”

“Yes.”

As Todd sat down, other employees followed suit.

Looking at the employees who were just watching, Zen asked curiously.

“I don’t like wasting time, so I’ll ask you directly. What do you think about Baeum’s future?”

“What?”

Suddenly such a profound question? People were dumbfounded.

Not liking that response, Zen looked at them with an even sharper gaze and said,

“I said I don’t like wasting time. Or is it something else? Don’t you want to make money?”

Upon Zen’s sharp threat, employees immediately thought.

‘He must be an investor.’

It was the presence they were waiting for. Employees hastily opened their mouths.

“Of course, we think it’s bright.”

“On what basis?”

They briefly hesitated, then discussed the history of humanity challenging the automotive technology industry so far, the discovery of stable fuels different from the past, and the differentiated technology in the emerging means of transportation.

“Do those reasons prove the future of this company?”

“As much as automobiles are not something that will disappear with a passing trend. And, of course, we have the most excellent technology in this industry…”

“But the current technology is severely lacking.”

Zen laughed contemptuously and said. The factory manager opened his lips, sweating coldly.

“It’s not so lacking even now.”

“Really? The shaking of the chassis, noise, speed, there’s nothing satisfactory.”

“But other foreign companies’ technological capabilities ”

“Does Baeum only need to not fall behind other companies?”

Only a small sigh came out of the open mouth, and no answers, neither yes nor no, came out.

“Admit it and move on. Currently, the biggest rival in this business is people’s perception.”

After all, people distrust unfamiliar things. Moreover, Baeum’s cars weren’t outstanding enough to overcome various drawbacks.

“Everything born for the first time is bound to be lacking. I admit that. But eventually, successful things had a revolutionary technological leap significant enough to change people’s perception.”

“…”

“But has Baeum had a significant technological leap since its founding?”

At that moment, the key technology development manager, Eugene, who had been silently listening to all the talk, spoke.

“Why are you saying this? I understand enough, but development is impossible without investment.”

Eugene said he spoke with courtesy, but he couldn’t completely hide his anger. Colleagues who had been watching him for a long time looked at Eugene and then at Zen, who was staring at Eugene, with busy expressions.

“In other words, does Baeum lack capital to invest in technological development?”
When Zen smirked and spoke, the employees’ gaze turned to Todd. Todd remained silent, seemingly unperturbed by his rude words.

“Oh, well. To invest in technology, the sales revenue should be overwhelmingly high. However, Baeum’s current sales are just average, and Baeum is even slow in processing orders.”

“We cannot compromise on the production speed.”

Despite any humiliation, Todd, who seemed like he would keep his mouth shut like a rock, spoke up. However, his voice was not more intense than usual.

“With such a production speed, we’ll end up producing only the current model until the end of next year.”

“As I mentioned before, we plan to purchase another factory, hire more employees, and expand the scale of production.”

Zen chuckled, lazily pointing his finger.

“So, investment in factory expansion, investment in employee wages, and it will even take time.”

“It can’t be helped.”

Zen, who had been silently staring into Todd’s eyes, slowly smiled.

“That’s why I…”

A heavy sigh mixed with the voice spread like smoke. Instead of finishing his sentence, Zen closed his eyes tightly, taking a deep breath.

“I’ll give you one week.”

Zen opened his eyes again. The mocking gaze that had been directed at them was nowhere to be found.

“Bring an investment plan that even a sharp person like me, no, someone sharper than me, can feel attracted to. If Baeum doesn’t get investment this time, it would be better to think that Baeum is done.”

With those words, Zen left the office. The air outside was worse, and he couldn’t take a deep breath, but it didn’t matter.

‘A factory…’

Zen looked around and unfolded the mental map of this place in his mind.

‘That factory used to be a textile factory.’

Zen gazed attentively at the factory located east of Baeum. Though not as much black smoke billowed from there, harsh gray smoke rose steadily, covering the sky.

Perhaps just going near that factory would make the distinct smell of chemicals sting one’s nose. Employees would probably be moving like wooden figures without emotions, covering their mouths with rags. They would endure even coughing.

‘You must have been in a place like that too.’