Chapter 004: A Masterpiece is Born at Aisopink (2)

Yegun received the photo of the sculpture and pondered for a moment.

It seemed much easier to make it with plaster or clay, but since even a clumsy attempt would be acceptable, there was no choice but to try.

He was also curious about how much he could utilize the hot wire, which he had just started to get used to.

Yegun began to create a simple rectangular prism, similar to a tall gravestone.

The shape was a simple rectangular prism, but the surface had a complex texture, with a bumpy, three-dimensional part and a smooth stone mixed together.

He thought it would be better to add the smooth engraved part later, so he started to carve out the unnecessary parts with the hot wire.

Manager Lee Juhong, who had been watching Yegun's work from the side, had his eyes widen.

"Surely not?"

He was about to shout something but quickly covered his mouth.

Although he had asked for something similar, he had never imagined that Yegun would pay such attention to the surface treatment.

Yegun's work proceeded quickly and precisely.

Now, all he could do was watch the process of a work of art being born in the hands of an intern.

He finished the bumpy surface and added a clean piece of Aisopink to the cut parts.

Although a rough cut would have been enough and no glue was necessary, he used adhesive to ensure the sculpture was perfect, in case it fell off later.

"Is this good enough?"

Manager Lee Juhong, with his mouth agape, nodded vigorously.

"Then, I'll start the next piece."

"Y-Yes."

Manager Lee Juhong hurriedly checked the clock on the wall.

1:30 PM.

The remaining sculptures had many curves.

He was worried about taking too much time and receiving a glare from Manager Joo Hyosub, so he was trying to gauge the time.

The second sculpture was a bit more complex than the first.

It had a shape like intertwined flat donut models cut in half.

Since Yegun had almost perfectly replicated the first shape, he seemed to be aiming for a similar level of accuracy this time.

Manager Lee Juhong thought it would take quite a bit of time to make it this way.

After a brief glance at the image, Yegun gauged the overall shape and immediately began working.

He rounded the surface of the long rectangular Aisopink and easily cut the inside into a round shape.

He laid the long half-circle on its side and cut it at equal intervals.

"Oh~. This will be done in no time."

Manager Lee Juhong's expression was one of admiration, and Yegun simply nodded and focused back on his work.

He cut out the overlapping parts of the donuts and connected them.

The three-dimensional shape, as if it had jumped out of the photo, made Manager Lee Juhong's face light up.

He didn't regret giving the model to Manager Joo Hyosub at all.

The second model took only 10 minutes to complete.

Manager Lee Juhong, who had only seen the hot wire used to cut square radishes, was amazed at the various ways it could be used, and could only marvel at the results coming from Yegun's fingertips.

"Hmm... the last sculpture."

Yegun furrowed his brow, looking perplexed.

"Why? Is it difficult?"

"The shape looks too chaotic. I'm sorry, but can I ask where these sculptures will be installed?"

Manager Joo Hyosub, who had approached from behind, answered.

"Princess City Hall. Wow, did you learn sculpture? I've never seen anyone use a hot wire like this."

Manager Lee Juhong knew that Manager Joo Hyosub's words were not exaggerated.

With 20 years of experience in architecture, he had seen countless models, but this was the first time he had seen someone create a shape so quickly.

The ability to create a three-dimensional object from a two-dimensional photo is a skill that only experienced professionals, who have spent years drawing perspective by hand, possess.

For Yegun, who had just graduated from university, to have such a skill could only be described as a natural talent for spatial awareness.

Manager Lee Juhong took out a perspective drawing from his bag and showed it.

"This is the building. The concept is a city hall that embodies the charm of history."

Yegun, without taking his eyes off the drawing, said,

"In contrast, the chosen sculptures seem too modern."

"Yes, that's right. But the person in charge of Princess City selected them from a list of local artists, so we had no choice."

"Wouldn't it be better to come up with an alternative that complements the traditional beauty of the building?"

Manager Lee Juhong found Yegun's suggestion appealing.

Although he had brought the images as they were sent by the person in charge, he had been troubled by how they didn't fit the atmosphere of the new city hall.

"Probably, the person in charge will like it."

"Then, I'd like to see the initial concept used in the plan."

Although the selection of sculptures to decorate the area was not solely up to the architect, he couldn't help but be curious after seeing Yegun's skills.

'Maybe I should let him try his hand at creating something. If it doesn't work out, we can always go back to the original images.'

Manager Lee Juhong took out an A3 report from his bag and showed the concept images of the building.

"The building looks like this. The concept is a city hall that embodies the charm of history."

Yegun, still looking at the drawing, said,

"The chosen sculptures seem too modern in contrast."

"Yes, that's right. But the person in charge of Princess City selected them from a list of local artists, so we had no choice."

"Wouldn't it be better to come up with an alternative that complements the traditional beauty of the building?"

Manager Lee Juhong found Yegun's suggestion appealing.

Although he had brought the images as they were sent by the person in charge, he had been troubled by how they didn't fit the atmosphere of the new city hall.

"Probably, the person in charge will like it."

"Then, I'd like to see the initial concept used in the plan."

Manager Lee Juhong, who had been curious after seeing Yegun's skills, took out an A3 report from his bag and showed the concept images of the building.

"Can I see more of the content?"

"Sure, sure."

Manager Lee Juhong handed the report to Yegun.

Yegun slowly flipped through the report, then took a plus pen and tracing paper nearby and started drawing.

Manager Lee Juhong and Manager Joo Hyosub, captivated by his focused drawing, held their breath.

Curious about the gathering, Manager Kim and Employee Lee Jiyeon also quietly approached Yegun's workbench.

Every stroke of the pen revealed the Geum River and the walls of Baekje.

Above them, a dragon danced as if ascending to heaven.

The sketch, which seemed to have come from an intern's mind, was full of spirit.

"Maybe it needs a bit more refinement later."

The completed design of the sculpture resembled a Chinese ink painting.

While worrying whether it could be made with Aisopink, Yegun started cutting the material with the hot wire without even looking at the drawing twice.

"Wow!"

The moment a dragon-like shape emerged from Yegun's hands, Jiyeon couldn't help but exclaim loudly.

"What is this...?"

Kim Junho was equally speechless.

The four gathered around, forgetting to breathe, focused only on Yegun's fingertips.

After some time, a dragon that seemed ready to ascend to heaven was revealed, along with a Geum River and mountain fortress that resembled a Chinese ink painting.

Despite the pink material, the calm brushstrokes of a Chinese ink painting were evident.

'What a genius!'

Manager Joo Hyosub looked at Yegun with a bewildered expression.

Yegun, looking embarrassed, placed his creation next to the other two sculptures on the table.

"Would it be okay to submit this instead of the third sculpture?"

"Of course, it's perfect!"

Manager Joo Hyosub glared at Manager Lee Juhong, who was about to say something unnecessary, and nodded.

"Of course. I like it too. But can I take the sketch? I'll need it to explain the sculpture."

"Sure."

Yegun readily agreed.

"Jiyeon, pack this carefully so it doesn't break."

"Ah! Yes!"

Jiyeon quickly packed the model and examined it again.

'He's insane. Really insane.'

All three sculptures were incredibly detailed.

Compared to the results of six months of cutting radishes, these were on a completely different level.

It was amazing that such results could be achieved with just a hot wire.

If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he would have doubted that it was made with Aisopink.

Jiyeon carefully placed each sculpture in a small paper box, filling the empty spaces with round sponges, and handed it to Manager Lee Juhong as if it were a treasure chest.

Manager Lee Juhong, entranced by Yegun's sketch, was lost in thought.

"Thanks, Jiyeon."

Manager Lee Juhong looked around the model room as if in a dream.

Joo Hyosub and Kim Junho, who had returned to their places, were still staring at Yegun, unable to focus on their work.

Manager Lee Juhong's gaze naturally turned to the clock on the wall.

It was just past 2:30 PM.

He took one last look at Yegun, who was calmly cutting radishes after demonstrating his amazing skills, and swallowed hard.

'He's too good to be wasted in the model team.'

Yegun's sketch was not something he had drawn in a day or two.

His skills instantly reminded him of the great Gaudi.

Well... maybe that's a bit too much?

Regardless,

The details that couldn't be captured in Aisopink were perfectly preserved in the sketch.

'If this can be made...'

It would undoubtedly become a symbolic and monumental sculpture for Princess City, regardless of the cost.

Now, it was his job to persuade.

He needed to prepare materials to convince the strict civil servants, and even starting now, it would be a tight schedule.

Manager Lee Juhong thanked the model room staff and hurried to the design room.

* * *

'As expected, it's hard to capture details with Aisopink.'

Despite what others might think, Yegun was not entirely satisfied with the results.

He was disappointed that he couldn't fully showcase his skills due to the time pressure, but the most important thing now was to complete all the surrounding buildings for the competition by the end of the day.

The large Conta, over 1 meter in both length and width, had a vast empty space for the surrounding buildings.

Yegun recalled Lee Jiyeon's advice when she assigned him the task.

'The model needs to be submitted next Monday, so it's best to complete the surrounding buildings by tomorrow if possible.'

No wonder the deadline is called a deadline.

He had always emphasized to his assistants that tasks must be completed neatly within the given time.

'If I hadn't remembered my past life, I might not have noticed, but if I can't handle such a simple task, it would be a disgrace.'

He didn't want to hear that he couldn't do the job.

Especially since architecture was as precious to him as life.

'No time for distractions. I need to finish as quickly as possible.'

Yegun focused and started cutting the rectangular prisms.

Thanks to his increased familiarity with the hot wire, the cutting was much smoother than before.

The Aisopink buildings began to stack up on the layout as if they were being mass-produced in a factory.