Chapter 46

Chapter 46Frozen(8)

The door of the Mobile Research Centers vehicle opened, and employees from KG Chemicals entered, carrying boxes of compounds into the makeshift laboratory and placing them down.

Park Il-seong, the team leader, sitting in the passenger seat, sent a questioning gaze.

What are you doing?

Director Yoon Jaegil gave instructions.

Deputy Gong replied and went down. Soon after, Jeong-woo and Yoon Jaegil boarded the bus.

Oh, you?

Jeong-woo nodded to the surprised Park, greeting him with a nod, and headed towards the inner makeshift laboratory comfortably. He then opened his mouth to Yoon Jaegil.

Formate or element? It wouldnt be bad to use magnesium chloride hexahydrate as the base to enhance the exothermic reaction.

Hmm, we were excluding it due to production costs.

Well only use it temporarily. Is the price important?

Well, as long as its effective.

Yoon Jaegil opened the glass door of the laboratory.

Thank you.

Dont mention it.

Inside, Jeong-woo, wearing special gloves and a mask like someone preparing for surgery, began opening the boxes and transferring their contents into beakers.

Park, who had been watching, asked Yoon Jaegil.

What is that guy doing over there?

Hes creating a compound that can penetrate this snowfield.

Here?

Although he was a team leader, Park Il-seong was more of an administrator than a researcher, so he could only look at Jeong-woos actions with curiosity.

Jeong-woo, lets start recording the combination formula.

Yes.

Yoon Jaegil immediately turned on the integrated monitor and operated the keyboard to create a new section called [HJW-1 Snow Melting Compound].

Jeong-woo poured the compound into a rotating cylinder and then turned his gaze to Yoon Jaegil.

Is there anyone willing to buy this at a price hundreds of times more expensive than calcium chloride?

Of course. Every invention has its own application. If this compound shows the effects you mentioned, we could find sales channels in Russia and Nordic countries.

Its a global matter. I dont have a good sense for that.

The powder and liquid inside the beaker swiftly entered the cylinder through Jeong-woos hands, as if it was a childs play.

After applying heat to the rotating mechanism and passing electricity, the process of real-time compound injection continued.

Watching closely, Yoon Jaegil was amazed once again by the speed and precision of the process.

It can be said that he is a genius. Each and every act of effortlessly mixing and initiating reactions is impossible without a deep understanding and a chemical sense.

Whats the current ratio of magnesium compounds?

Um, 11 to 17?

Yoon Jaegil, who was recording the combination formula on the monitor, couldnt help but sigh at the absurd precision in Jeong-woos estimation.

Where else in the world can you find a chemist who can create a previously non-existent chemical product with such speed and accuracy?

After running simulations on the monitor based on the combination formula alone, Yoon Jaegil spoke.

It should be at least five times more effective than high-concentration calcium chloride. No, maybe ten times. The de-icing fluid used on airport runways isnt even this advanced.

Runway? Incheon Airport?

For Jeong-woo, who had never been on an airplane, the talk of airports seemed like a story from another world.

Taejin Precision Chemical supplies de-icing fluid there. Kim Myung-sik, the director, would be amazed to see this.

Im not familiar with that person.

Jeong-woo opened the lid of the cylinder. Yoon Jaegil focused his gaze on the resulting substance and said:

Do we really need to involve people from various companies? As long as we know it well at Yujin Chemical.

What do you mean?

Haha.

Yoon Jaegil laughed but then spoke half-seriously.

Im not joking.

As Yoon Jaegils expression gradually changed to a feeling of I want it, Jeong-woo the protein compound for preventing ice formation was transferred to the test tube through a pipette.

The most intriguing part of the manufacturing process. Creating a catalyst that properly binds this substance with the existing compound in such a short time was a part that Yoon Jaegil couldnt comprehend based on his common knowledge.

Jeong-woo, who had poured the contents of the test tube into the cylinder, glanced at Yoon Jaegil. Then he smiled brightly and reached out his hand towards the cylinder, murmuring as if reciting a spell.

What, what are you doing?

Wishing for a good mixing?

Observing the flurry of dust particles rushing into the cylinder with a storm-like reaction in the chemical world, Jeong-woo spoke.

I need to further research the catalyst. First, lets melt the snow.

Indeed. The vector inference for recombination didnt work well.

Well have to rely on luck.

There is already a combination formula for a catalyst that can perform the same action as those dust particles, but creating it took a long time.

This was the method chosen to shorten the working time, fueled by the desire to arrive in Seoul by 11 oclock at the latest.

Its almost done Ah! Team Leader Park!

When Jeong-woo called out, Park, the team leader in the co-pilot seat, turned his head.

Is it possible to get a manually operated fire extinguisher that can spray the chemical?

A pressure-based one? They should be in the cargo compartment.

Fortunately, they had the necessary equipment for quick dispersal.

Jeong-woo transferred the contents of the well-mixed substance in the cylinder to an iron box. He also scraped off the remaining powder onto the device brought by Team Leader Park.

With the iron container containing the highly concentrated de-icing agent and the pressure-based portable sprayer on his back, Jeong-woo stood at the entrance of the research institute.

Lets start with the first experiment.

In just 30 minutes, the de-icing agent was easily produced. Yoon Jaegil, filled with anticipation, followed Jeong-woo off the bus with a look of expectation in his eyes.

As soon as they stepped outside, a chilly wind rushed in, and Jeong-woo tightened his collar. After adjusting his posture, he placed the nozzle against the bottom of the research institutes vehicle and pulled the handle.

A certain amount of powder was scattered onto the area where the wheels and snow had accumulated. The powder began to penetrate the ice layer, releasing latent heat and digging into it in no time.

Lets see.

-Hey! You shouldnt do that.

Not sure if they heard him, Miles approached cautiously, trudging through the snow.

As Miles approached closer, the engine noise stopped. Miles stood next to the drivers window.

Hey there.

Tap, tap. When he knocked on the window, the driver inside flinched in surprise. The driver, looking startled not because of the cold but something else, tightly held onto the door handle and stared at Miles, even though the car door was locked.

Miles said smiling.

Dont scream. Im not a gangster or a thug. Im a firefighter.

After rummaging through his inner pocket and sticking his official ID card with a 119 mark on the window, the driver rolled down the window.

Why are you here?

You, sir. Its not safe to drive out from here. If you go up there and skid, youll end up crashing into the field.

Skid?

When the tires lose traction and you cant control the steering. Have you ever received skid training? They say they do it during drivers license tests in Finland or Norway.

Oh, no, I havent.

Miles pointed down the narrow road and said.

We have support coming from behind, so wait inside. Dont wander outside and risk freezing. Do you have enough fuel?

I have two bars left.

Its a bit risky to keep the engine running all night. I understand. Please dont unnecessarily spin the wheels and wait safely.

Miles moved away from the SUV and glanced at the long line of vehicles, as if realizing it was impossible, he put the megaphone to his mouth.

-Ah, this is Firefighter Miles from Seoul Central Fire Station. I have a message for the citizen waiting inside the vehicle.

Walking forward on the narrow road, Miles continued speaking into the megaphone.

-If youre running low on fuel, turn off the engine and if you see an empty seat in another vehicle, dont hesitate to knock on their door. Your pride can wait. Its not someone elses responsibility to protect your body.

A nearby vehicles window opened, and someone asked, Firefighter, when can we go? We called 119, but they only said theyll come and theres been no contact.

-Cheonans 119 is probably tied up in the city. They have hundreds of places to go while their bodies are limited. Cant you see it? This is not just snow. Its heavy snowfall. Instead of calling 119 to complain, why dont you call home and check on your loved ones?

The window of a vehicle that was partially stuck on the roadside ditch opened.

Is there any way for us to get out of here? As you can see, were stuck.

-The Central Fire Academy is sending support. They contacted me and said theyll arrive within about 20 minutes. If the students over there give us a push, well be out soon.

As Miles responded, the windows started opening every time he passed by.

Should we keep waiting?

-I dont know either. We cant predict when the snowplow will arrive, so we need to be prepared enough.

I really need to use the restroom

-If its something small, just go outside and do it. If its something big ah, just do it. The temperature isnt freezing enough to freeze your peppers.

Will it snow again, sir?

-Thats for the meteorological agency hey, kid. Dont you know about 131? Im 119.

Fire Chief, here.

One window opened, and someone handed a hand warmer to Miles.

As he accepted it and nodded in gratitude, he made eye contact with the pretty lady he had seen at the fire academy. He lowered the megaphone, winked at her.

So you were trapped here. Thank you.

Should I give you another one? I bought several at the convenience store because the car is cold.

No, its okay.

Take care, Fire Chief Miles.

With a bright smile on the girls face, Miles chuckled and resumed walking.

Song Boyeong watched as Miles approached the village bus parked on one side of the road and closed the window.

The two senior firefighters in the front seats were talking to their wives on the phone.

Hey, Eun-yeong. I think Ill be even later. Soyeon hasnt slept yet? Youre wainting for me? Go to sleep at 9 oclock.

No, honey. Its not that dangerous of a situation. Its just that theres a lot of snow, and our feet are stuck. Ah, why are you crying?

Listening quietly, Song Boyeong turned her head to Oh Seung-ju.

Arent you making any phone calls, Senior?

I just sent a text. I didnt want to worry them.

I see.

Did you contact your family?

Song Boyeongs gaze lingered on her phone.

In fact, ever since she started living alone, there was no one waiting for her to return home. It was nothing special, but she felt a bit melancholic and checked her list of friends.

Well, lets call when something good happens. Not in this situation.

She missed Jeong-woos playful banter. She regretted not taking the KG Chemical bus for transportation earlier.

Unable to trust the heater that kept turning on and off, she took out all ten hand warmers she had brought. It made the inside of the car somewhat bearable. She only wished she had something as warm as the one Jeong-woo had given her.

Looking at the town bus through the rearview mirror, she saw Miles helping the people inside to disembark and transfer to a small van next to it.

-The engine of this village bus wont start. Please help me out! If there are vacant seats, please flash the headlights! I kindly request you!

Beep beep.

Suddenly, Song Boyeong was startled by her ringing phone. As soon as she checked the caller ID, she felt her heart pounding. It was Jeong-woo.

Yes, Mr. Jeong.

-Where are you? Ive been driving for a while, but I dont see you.

Where are you going?

-Im going there while clearing the road.

Through the phone, she could hear the sound of tires squealing and the loud voices of other people talking.

-Were near the bus thats standing strangely right now. Huh? Fire Chief Miles?

At that sound, Song Boyeong opened the window and leaned her head out.

Is he nearby?

Finally, she saw dozens of flashlight beams illuminating the dark night sky, approaching in a lively manner.

-Well clear the mountain road soon, so dont worry about the other seniors. Tell them well be heading to Seoul today.

Mr. Jeong, what are you saying?

Song Boyeong hung up the phone but couldnt take her eyes off the back of the town bus for a while.