Controlled by an AI chapter 29

The AI, Zijin, reported.

[I’ve been analyzing existing data throughout the afternoon and have extracted additional information.]

The AI, Zijin, projected a hologram of the structure before it collapsed. The hologram highlighted three areas in different colors, and an analysis report prepared by the AI was also displayed.

Na Kang-in pointed alternately at the floor and the hologram.

“This light was probably positioned over there. The structure connected to the broken cable was likely around here, and this thing here must have been over there, without the support, of course.”

The detective looked up. The set had collapsed to the roof, so all he could see was the sky.

“You explain it like you’re actually seeing it. Go on.”

“These were all critical points for the stability of the upper structure.”

“So, you’re saying someone tampered with something like the lights during the filming, but it went wrong and the whole ceiling collapsed?”

The AI, Zijin, said.
[We haven’t found concrete evidence yet. The evidence might be buried in the debris.]

Na Kang-in explained, “That’s possible. But if I’m right, the evidence might be somewhere in the wreckage.”

The detective swallowed hard and asked, “Are you sure about all this?”

“The probability is thirty to forty percent.”

“What?”

“The probability that it just collapsed due to some other defect is sixty to seventy percent.”

The detective looked exasperated.

“Are you kidding me? You got us all worked up and now you’re saying this?”

“If we analyze all the debris here, we can increase the accuracy of the prediction.”

“Oh, right. Sure. Yeah, of course.”

The detective jotted down what Na Kang-in said in his notebook, then looked at him with a slight squint.

“But, really, can you just figure this out at a glance?”

The AI, Zijin, said.
[It’s a conclusion derived using a combined skillset for analyzing structural weaknesses for enemy base destruction and allied field fortification construction, based on post-battle site analysis systems.]

Na Kang-in said, “Well, to some extent.”

“But you run a food truck, not a construction expert or engineer.”

The AI, Zijin, said.

[The detective doubts your statement.]

Na Kang-in responded, “It’s just a hobby of mine.”

“A hobby… right. Good hobby. I took your words seriously and wrote them all down.”

The detective didn’t really believe Na Kang-in. His claims seemed too far-fetched.

But this was a kidnapping case. No matter how unfounded it sounded, it couldn’t be ignored.

“There might be some connection between this collapse and the kidnapping case.”

“I’ll relay your statement to the forensics team. Oh, I mean the police forensic team. They’ll probably laugh at me.”

***

Na Kang-in prepared dinner.

The set was in the mountains, so there were no restaurants nearby. He cooked enough food for the police officers investigating the scene as well.

He put a large amount of ingredients into a giant cauldron and brought it to a rolling boil, adding plenty of seasoning.

Kim Byung-ho, the owner of the food truck, was taken aback.

“Hey, Kang-in, if you add that much seasoning….”

“It’ll be tasty.”

“Of course, it will. But that’s when you add the right amount. It looks like you’re just throwing it in without measuring….”

“My hands know the measurements.”

The AI, Zijin, took care of such things.

Na Kang-in lifted the cauldron and shook it as if he were handling a frying pan.

Kim Byung-ho was amazed.

“I was impressed at lunch, but dinner is even more impressive.”

Right now, he was not impressed by his cooking skills. But how Kang-in was handling the wok.

“That wok isn’t something you can just lift and shake like that.”

“It’s manageable.”

“Well, with strength like that, no wonder you took down those kidnappers so easily. It was really impressive earlier.”

Na Kang-in put various ingredients into a large wok, cooking both at maximum heat.

He alternated between the wok and a pot, controlling them skillfully.

“Seems like you came here to play.”

“Haha, no, not that. Oh, those people have been waiting for you….”

Lee Tae-ho and Jang Mi-jung were waiting for Na Kang-in to finish his work. When their eyes met, Lee Tae-ho quickly waved both hands before extending them towards the others.

Kim Byung-ho laughed awkwardly.

“The CEO of the film company seems to know everyone here is hungry. Hahaha.”

The cooking didn’t take long to finish. Na Kang-in and Kim Byung-ho served the dinner.

Two detectives came first to get the food for their team.

“Thanks for the meal.”

Kim Byung-ho, the food truck owner, said, “You’re working hard, so you deserve this much.”

The other detectives were reporting what they had investigated to their team leader, including Na Kang-in’s explanation about the set collapse.

The team leader asked, “You’re saying the set might have collapsed because someone tampered with it?”

“Yes, Na Kang-in analyzed the scene and said there’s about a thirty to forty percent chance.”

“How did he analyze it?”

“He said analyzing building structures is his hobby.”

The detective team leader scoffed.

“A hobby? Who has a hobby like that?”

“Exactly.”

“Who is this guy, really?”

“He’s definitely not just a food truck operator.”

The other detectives set the rice soup they received in front of the team leader.

The team leader took a spoonful and said, “We saw the video. Clearly, he’s not just a food truck operator… huh? Why does this taste so good?”

The other detectives were also impressed.

“Wow, this tastes like home.”

“Your hometown is famous for fried rice, right?”

“Wow, this is as good as the best restaurants back home!”

“Yeah! This place is definitely a hidden gem.”

The team leader said while eating the soup.

“If this keeps up, this place could become a real hit.”

The detective team leader looked at Na Kang-In, who was serving food with Kim Byung-ho, the owner of the food truck.

“What an interesting person.”

***

Film company Manager Kim approached Na Kang-In.

“I can help with the serving. Our boss has been waiting for a while.”

Kim Byung-ho, the food truck owner, chimed in.

“We’ll handle the serving. Go and meet the boss.”

Na Kang-In wiped his hands and stepped out of the food truck, walking towards the two people.

Actress Jang Mi-jung, mother of Lee Min-ji, bowed deeply.

“Thank you for saving my daughter.”

AI Zijin spoke.

[The Earth Union and Natural Robotics prioritize the safety of citizens…]

“When I realized the child was being kidnapped, I just did what anyone would do.”

[My excellent combat support made it possible. An ordinary person would die jumping into a moving car.]

Jang Mi-jung shook her head.

“No. I saw everything in the video. You jumped into a moving car, stopped it, and fought off a knife-wielding attacker. You risked your life.”

[The rescue operation proceeded smoothly. There was no moment when the agent’s life was in danger.]

“It was manageable.”

Jang Mi-jung didn’t believe those words.

‘He risked his life multiple times, and he says it was manageable… That can’t be true.’

She didn’t understand why he risked his life for her daughter, but her daughter was safe thanks to him. That was enough for her.

Jang Mi-jung bowed her head again.

“Thank you. Truly, thank you.”

Lee Tae-ho, standing next to her, also bowed his head.

Child actor Lee Min-ji felt better after eating the delicious dessert made by Na Kang-In.

Jang Mi-jung, seeing this, spoke to Lee Tae-ho.

“We should take Min-ji home.”

Lee Tae-ho also wanted to do that if possible.

“She’s still scared and doesn’t want to get in the car. She also refuses to ride in an ambulance. How can we take her?”

“What should we do then?”

Na Kang-In, standing nearby, asked.

“How different is the interior of your car from the kidnappers’ van?”

“My car is completely remodeled with top-notch interior. Totally different.”

“Has Min-ji ridden in your car often?”

“Of course. She’s been riding in it since she started elementary school.”

“Then she should be fine. But you’ll need to ride with her.”

Just as Na Kang-In suggested, Min-ji got into Jang Mi-jung’s car without much resistance. Before leaving, she made a promise.

“Mister, don’t forget you promised to make me cookies and dessert again.”

“Call me first. I’m often not at the PC bang.”

“Okay!”

Lee Tae-ho stayed behind. He desperately wanted to go back with his daughter, but the situation had changed, and there were many decisions he needed to make on-site.