[TS] Formula One Streamer - Chapter 103

“I just want to do it.”

Logan was dumbfounded.

It was one thing to say it out loud, but to utter the word “just” in front of someone who was called a living legend in this field.

There had never been a single newcomer who dared to give such a fearless answer until they picked hundreds of members that make up the F1 Ferrari team.

Most respondents had come prepared with grand meanings behind their answers; it was the first time Logan encountered someone who said, “I want to do it, so I’m doing it. What’s the point of asking this?”

Such bold and honest answers usually remained in the realms of fantasy, like thinking about using supernatural powers to beat up bullies. Yet, here was someone who had the audacity to bring it into reality.

Logan’s speech was completely choked because of this.

As he tried to sort out his confused mind, it was unclear whether it was the impact of the word “just” or the boldness and innocence of the person named Won-jin that was affecting him.

The fragments of ideals that had long settled in Logan’s mind came to a standstill on their way to reassume their places.

“Perhaps…”

Perhaps the word “just” is the most essential phrase for all actions. It might be the phrase that adheres to the essence most faithfully.

As humans breathe, eat, defecate, and sleep merely because their bodies are set to do so, these activities are performed simply because they must uniquely occur.

“Just” is the most powerful motivation for actions stemming from instinct and can become everything in itself.

Of course, it’s true that the word “just” is often used in the opposite context, but that didn’t seem to apply in this case.

Logan could feel the faint glimmer of instinct toward the profession of engineer in Won-jin’s eyes. Instead of scolding, he kept his mouth shut.

Perhaps it was right to say it couldn’t be helped.

Thinking that he was old enough to not let his roots of thought shake anymore was a mistake.

Logan sneered at his own arrogance and spoke to Won-jin. It was his first directive.

“Go to Zone 1 and find Enrique Tinko. Help Enrique finish the low rake and high rake design.”

“What about the engine…”

Won-jin looked at Logan with a disappointed expression when given an order that was not the long-awaited engine design.

However, this time, Logan did not change his mind.

“Our team is currently focused on aerodynamics, weight reduction, and driving system design, rather than the engine. Engine design will come later.”

“When can we start the engine design then? If we haven’t touched it at all with the season opening just around the corner…”

Though it was behavior that should never be done to a superior, Won-jin, being a bit naive, couldn’t hide his disappointment and questioned Logan.

However, there are lines in the workplace that even a child cannot cross. The hierarchy dictated that. In the world of an F1 team, which must function like cogs in a machine, disobedience and overstepping are not tolerable actions.

For the future of this child, Logan felt it was necessary to teach him that coldness, wiping recognition from his face, he sharply admonished Won-jin.

“Shut your mouth. This is not a place where you can do as you please. There are hundreds of employees. For the group to function as one body, one must not question orders. Orders are the law and the heart that drives the collective.

And I am the one who issues those orders. Make sure you never question again.”

“Understood….”

Though he spoke more sternly than necessary, it is said that the importance of first experiences is paramount. If boundaries are clearly set from the beginning, it makes things easier afterward.

That said, Logan was not someone rigid and obstinate. He accepted reasonable opinions even if they were contrary to his own. If he believed an employee’s thought was valid, he was always willing to change his mind.

A prime example of that was how he humbly accepted the earlier statement of “just.”

A common person would understand how remarkable it is for a master of a field to have the will to act and think that way.

However, unspoken thoughts always lead to misunderstandings, and what is expressed in words merely decorates the surface of the individual.

“… clown.”

It would not be strange for the word “clown” to slip out of the frustrated mouth of Won-jin.

“What… did you just say?”

“Nothing. I’m going to head out now! You said orders are law, the heart, and such! If that’s the case, I should hurry to follow. See you!”

“Hey, wait…”

Unlike the tense demeanor he had upon entering, Won-jin darted out of the office, relaxed.

Was it possible only because he was young, or was it because Won-jin was that kind of person? Thinking about it, how remarkable it was that he had adapted so well to such a massive corporation, “For One,” especially as a close aide to Michael Nantz, the CEO, who even wrote a letter of recommendation for him to Ferrari.

You could say Won-jin’s capacity was impressive from the start.

“In many ways… I’m looking forward to it.”

As Logan gazed at the spot where Won-jin had departed, he felt an indescribable sensation. It felt like something significant was about to change.

No matter how exceptional the old generation may be, the new generation inevitably emerges as a new focal point in the world, breaking the faded glory of its predecessors.

The old things vanish into the shadows of history while the new ones take their place.

“A new wind is blowing… is that what it is?”

The rising supernova of “For One,” Yooihyun, who quickly became a Ferrari driver.

Enrique Tinko, who was recruited based on her recommendation, has no experience yet achieves results beyond himself.

And the century’s genius, Won-jin, who penetrated the security system of “For One,” though completely different fields.

The generational shift that began with Yooihyun was already in its early stages.

Yes, before realizing it, the new wind was already blowing.

As spring awakens and gives life to the stirring earth and warm sprouts, summer brings changes that cannot be predicted or avoided with heat and rain.

As autumn slowly tints the trees, which extend in hundreds to thousands of branches, with natural reds, and winter, like a white blanket, prepares a clean slate for new changes.

They were slowly, unpredictably, inevitably, and surely approaching.

***

“Hello, I’m Won-jin! I was sent by Head Engineer Logan. I look forward to working with you!”

Avoiding Logan’s sharp words, Won-jin immediately moved to Zone 1, where Enrique Tinko was located. He had heard from Logan that it was a place where they studied race car settings for low rake and high rake.

And since he was told to find Enrique, he assumed he would be the head of the system design team, someone at a high rank, and greeted him as politely as possible… or rather, he practically bowed.

His nervousness and clumsiness as a newcomer were entirely focused on conveying his intentions clearly, so describing it as “bowing” wouldn’t be strange.

Indeed, Won-jin’s voice clearly resonated in Enrique’s ears.

Having accomplished his intended purpose, Won-jin calmly awaited Enrique’s reaction.

“Who are you?”

“I’m Won-jin, the new engineer. The one with the Barcode Nickname from the KiwiChi Championship…”

“Oh, that Barcode nickname… so it’s you.”

“Yes… that’s me.”

With a curious expression, Enrique looked at him before finally nodding. He had just received an incomprehensible message from Logan saying, “The core geek is here.”

Setting aside the blueprint, Enrique stood up and extended his hand for a formal greeting.

“I’m Enrique Tinko. I’m also a new engineer who just joined. Let’s do our best together.”

“Wait? You’re a newcomer too? Not the head of this department?”

“That’s correct, I’m the head but also a newcomer.”

“You must be incredibly good at your job…”

While slowly shaking their joined hands, Won-jin took a moment to examine him from head to toe. It wasn’t a dismissive gesture but an action born from admiration.

“Oh, I’m sorry. It’s just fascinating since you say you’re a newcomer and a head.”

“It’s nothing special.”

“How can it be nothing special? You seem quite young, but it’s impressive.”

“That applies to you too, Won-jin.”

Enrique, who had held the title of the youngest engineer on the team until Won-jin joined, looked at the 18-year-old before him with sparkling eyes.

Although age felt lightweight, the significance was substantial. He was the genius known for hacking into the robust security program “Steel” created meticulously by the genius Michael Nantz.

What should he be called? At least for now, he could be considered an unparalleled genius in human history.

Even Enrique, who had always been confident in his own abilities, felt like an average person before him.

Now he stepped into the unknown realm of engineering from the field of programming. Though they belonged to entirely different areas, he was certain that with such extraordinary talent, he would leave an indelible mark on humanity, regardless of the field.

That gaze of respect and admiration also reflected in Won-jin as he looked at Enrique.

To one side of Enrique’s desk lay the blueprints for high and low rake designs.

Road conditions, tire conditions, temperature, wind direction – all variables that could occur during a race were densely inscribed in calculations that allowed the system to adjust settings and determine positions autonomously.

It was a realm that could not be reached without madness.

Having penetrated “Steel” and witnessed it for himself, Won-jin knew immediately upon seeing the blueprints that Enrique had stepped into that realm as well.

Won-jin and Enrique stood there holding hands, gazing into each other’s eyes for a long while.

Both were unaware of the influence they would have on one another.

The meeting of geniuses came together in a way that was both humble and grand.