Chapter 34
Chapter 34
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 34
Chapter Title: Mini Bull Market
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I peered over Yura's shoulder at the screen.
The Reddit page was filled with a long English rebuttal post crammed full of text.
The sentences flowed one after another, reading like an academic paper.
Mixed in were numbers and statistics here and there—it looked like this guy had come prepared.
Of course, I couldn't read a single word.
"Yura, what does this say?"
Yura skimmed the screen, then translated it with an irritated tone.
Her expression suggested it was no small matter.
"'Your analysis relies only on surface-level data. Have you even looked at the Shanghai port data properly? The actual drop in cargo volume is only around 15%, and alternative routes have already been secured. Plus, your claims about consumer debt completely contradict official statistics. Check the Fed report.' Stuff like that."
As Yura finished translating, I let out a silent sigh.
It was far more specific and accurate than I'd expected.
"......That son of a bitch."
The words slipped out naturally after hearing Yura's translation.
This guy was dismantling the "phantom fear" I'd made up on the spot at the PC bang yesterday, point by point, with facts.
And doing it extremely accurately.
It was like he'd peered into my head, zeroing in on the weak spots in my logic.
The real problem was the dozens of upvotes under his rebuttal.
Most of the comments supported him too.
💬 Reddit Comments — User123 "Thanks for the fact check, this was exactly what I needed" — DataNerd88 "Finally someone with actual data" — TrollKing "OP got destroyed lol" Overseas investors were buying into this guy's words.
The seeds of fear we'd carefully sown yesterday were being neutralized in an instant by this one post.
If this keeps up, all the fear we've spread will collapse.
I kicked my brain into overdrive.
In Post-Nut Clarity mode, my mind started spinning like a supercomputer.
I analyzed his rebuttal points one by one, constructing counterarguments for each.
15% cargo drop? Point out the pitfalls in official stats.
Alternative routes secured? Highlight the rising shipping costs and delays.
Fed report? Mention the gap between official announcements and reality, like during the subprime crisis...
But at the same time, a bad premonition crept up.
This guy's meticulously prepared rebuttal meant our opinion campaign had caused more waves than expected.
And that implied someone was paying attention to us.
"Yura."
I leaned close to her ear and whispered, lowering my voice to cut through the PC bang noise.
"Write this: 'The Shanghai port data you cited is from three weeks ago, and the latest data hasn't been released.'"
Yura's fingers danced across the keyboard, the tapping rhythmic.
"Then add: 'Also, the alternative routes you mention are theoretical. Actual shipping costs have surged 280%. This will lead to hidden cost burdens for companies.'"
I kept whispering instructions. In Post-Nut Clarity mode, my brain had already calculated the next moves perfectly.
"End with this: 'More importantly, it's the shadow debt not shown in the Fed report. Even during the subprime crisis, official stats claimed safety until the end.'"
As soon as Yura posted the English translation, reactions poured in.
Each refresh showed comments piling up in real time.
💬 New Comments — CuriousTrader "Wait, is this actually true about the shipping costs?" — ShadowWatcher "Shadow debt... that's genuinely concerning" — ChillInvestor "The subprime comparison just gave me chills" The mood seemed to be shifting our way.
But as I'd predicted, that "named" guy didn't back down easily.
Less than five minutes later, another rebuttal appeared—even longer and more systematic.
📰 Rebuttal Post 『The subprime crisis comparison is inappropriate. The financial regulatory environment then and now is completely different. Also, please provide a source for the 280% shipping cost increase claim.』 Yura translated it, and I scratched my head. If he started demanding sources, our fabricated story would unravel fast.
"Ah, fuck! This bastard's relentless."
I scratched my head again.
Once he demanded sources, our made-up fiction had no legs.
That 280% was just a number I'd pulled out of thin air to sound plausible.
Then, Chaewon, sitting next to me, suddenly chimed in.
"Hey, check his profile."
Chaewon clicked the named guy's profile, and the info popped up.
Among the join date, karma score, and all that, the portfolio section stood out.
『Portfolio: BTC 65%, ETH 25%, Cash 10%』 "Huh?"
Seeing that portfolio, it hit me like puzzle pieces snapping together.
"This fucker's... totally long-positioned."
Now I knew why he was desperately blocking our "fear campaign."
He was an investor expecting a crypto bull run, just like us.
The difference? We were aiming for the post-CPI pump, while he wanted it right now.
He probably thought the flood of similar fear posts from the same IP range meant we were an organized short-selling force.
"Yura, let's change strategy this time."
I whispered in her ear again, but this was a completely different tack—not logical rebuttal.
"'Looking at your portfolio, I can see why my analysis doesn't make sense to you.'"
Yura turned to me with a puzzled look.
"What? What's that mean?"
"Keep going: 'I'm currently 80% in cash. That means I'm not hoping for a drop—I'm just waiting for a better entry point.'"
Yura's eyes lit up. She got it.
"Oh, so he thinks we're short-sellers?"
"Exactly. And end with: 'You and I are on the same side. I just think we need a pullback for the bigger pump. Best of luck.'"
As soon as Yura posted it, the vibe shifted instantly.
The heated comment war cooled off like someone had dumped ice water on a debate hall.
Even the named guy went quiet for a while.
He must've realized we weren't enemies, but allies with a different timing strategy—fellow bulls, not shorts.
A few minutes later, he posted his final comment.
⭐ Final Reply — NamedGuy 『Interesting perspective. We see different timings, but I agree on the long-term direction. Good trading.』 "Ooooh!"
Chaewon clapped. The sound echoed in the PC bang, drawing glances from nearby seats.
"Hey, isn't this basically a truce?"
I grinned in satisfaction.
"That's psychological warfare—don't beat the enemy, turn them into an ally."
Yura chimed in, impressed.
"Damn, your brain really works overtime. So what's next? The flame war's over."
"Now we launch the real 'volume operation.' That was just warm-up."
I called the PC bang staff to extend our time, then sat back down. My cup ramen lunch had already digested, but hunger could wait—bigger things were at stake.
"Chaewon, check how far our posts have spread on domestic communities."
"Yura, hit a few more overseas sites."
"And from now on, switch to 'conspiracy theory' mode."
Both girls stared at me.
"Conspiracy theories?"
I smirked and explained the new plan.
"Facts put us at a disadvantage. But conspiracies? You can't prove or disprove them."
"Like what?"
"'Wall Street whales are faking CPI numbers to shake out retail investors.' Something like that."
Chaewon nodded, her face showing she fully grasped it.
"So people think, 'No idea if it's real, but better safe than sorry'?"
"Exactly."
I grabbed the keyboard and started crafting new "conspiracy" content.
My fingers flew, weaving fresh tales of terror.
[Emergency] Something's Off with This CPI. Shocking Truth from an Insider.
As afternoon neared 3 p.m., Chaewon suddenly checked her phone and stood up.
"Huh? Where you going?"
"Gotta pick Haneul up from daycare. It's time."
"Wrapping up for today?"
"Yeah, sorry. Can't leave Haneul alone."
Chaewon grabbed her bag, looking apologetic.
"What can ya do? See you tomorrow, though?"
"Yep, Mom's watching Haneul tomorrow, so no worries."
"Take care, Mom~"
After Chaewon left, the PC bang felt suddenly quiet. Just me and Yura now.
"Alright, let's get serious."
I opened a new notepad and placed my fingers on the keys.
My Post-Nut Clarity brain fired up.
This time, pure fiction—no facts.
But plausible enough to make people think "just in case."
"Yura, brace yourself—this is gonna be wild."
"How wild?"
I started writing the first conspiracy post.
📰 Conspiracy Post [Emergency Tip-Off] All Goldman Sachs Executives on Vacation Day Before CPI? Shocking info from an anonymous source. Right before CPI drops, key Goldman Sachs execs have all taken "personal leave." Even more suspicious: Their vacations all end right after CPI. Coincidence? An insider said, "They never take off together like this. Something big's coming—it's scary." What does Wall Street know that we don't? "Whoa, you totally made this up, right?"
Yura asked with a dumbfounded look.
"Obviously. Who knows if Goldman execs are on vacation or not?"
I started posting it across domestic crypto communities, tweaking titles and details slightly each time.
"Yura, translate to English and post on Reddit."
"We can really post this?"
"It's fine. 'Anonymous tip-off'—no way to verify."
Yura sighed and began translating.
I churned out the second conspiracy.
📰 Conspiracy Post 2 [Warning] Weird Pattern Spotted. This Happens Every CPI Eve Analyzed 6 months of data—shocking pattern. Every CPI day before, exactly at 3 p.m., massive Bitcoin sell orders hit from the same region's exchanges. Then CPI always comes in higher than expected. Coincidence? Or does someone know ahead...? I added specific numbers and times for realism.
"Damn, this gives me chills."
Yura said after reading.
"Even I almost thought it was real."
"That's the point—make 'em wonder, 'What if it's true?'"
I kept going with third and fourth theories.
📰 More Conspiracies [Shock] Fed Whistleblower: "CPI Was Set 2 Weeks Ago" [Exclusive] Crypto Exchange Employee Spills "Black Thursday" Scenario [Danger] This CPI Could Be the Final Stage of Market Manipulation All shared hallmarks: unverifiable "anonymous tipsters," "insiders," "whistleblowers," mixed with specifics for believability.
"Yura, pick up the pace. Gotta flood overseas too."
"You'd be a killer scammer."
"Cool, right?"
".......Idiot."
Yura's fingers sped up, her English making translations smooth.
An hour later, our conspiracies spread across the net.
"Hey, check this."
Yura pointed at Reddit.
Comments were rolling in on one of our posts.
💬 Reddit Reactions — ShockedApe "Holy shit, is this real?" — FishyTrader "I knew something was fishy..." — Explainer "This explains a lot actually" "Oh, it's working?"
"Even I, who knows nothing about coins, can tell this is total bullshit... Crazy that people buy it."
I grinned at Yura's words.
"Crypto doesn't run on logic."
"They know it's BS but think 'just in case'?"
"Yep."
That was the crypto trader psyche.
Smarter and more analytical than most, but at the end, swayed by "what if."
I know it doesn't make sense, but what if it's real?
No loss in playing it safe.
What do others think? I'm not the only idiot, right?
Those thoughts snowball and move markets.
Humans know it's irrational but act irrationally anyway.
"Let's check domestic sites."
Our conspiracy posts were climbing tops with upvotes.
Comments as expected.
💬 Domestic Comments — AnonCoiner "Whoa, if this is real, it's huge" — GS_Hater "Goldman Sachs knew something, as expected" — Skeptic "This is why I don't trust crypto"
>"Still, better sell just in case" I nodded proudly.
"People are reacting exactly how we want."
"But... is this really okay?"
Yura looked worried, fingers paused over the keys, screen light casting a blue glow on her face.
"What?"
"Lying to trick people like this."
I paused and looked at her.
"Crypto's zero-sum. Someone loses for us to win."
"......"
"Why? Feeling guilty?"
"A bit? You see it in the news sometimes. People jumping off bridges after bad trades."
Her voice was quieter than usual. She really felt a pang of conscience.
"Yura, isn't this better than us jumping off Han River Bridge?"
"Ah......"
Yura seemed to accept our reality.
After all we'd been through, this felt like self-defense.
"Got it? Let's call it and rest. Tomorrow's D-Day."
I shut down the computer.
The PC bang noise sharpened as the monitor went dark—keyboards clacking, mice clicking, curses flying.
Post-Nut Clarity was fading.
My mind fogged up, like mist settling in my brain.
"...Words with bite? 'Go rest'? Where? Your place?"
Yura glared, eyes screaming "here we go again."
"Rest and a quick backshot? Heh."
Post-Nut Clarity over, I reverted to my usual sleazy self.
No more market-overlord strategist—just a 20-something dude cracking sex jokes, complete with cocky grin.
"You're out of Post-Nut Clarity now, right?"
Yura clocked the change instantly.
"Yup."
"Fuck... No trading tonight, so use a condom."
Her conditional OK.
Unnecessary for Post-Nut Clarity, but her rule for fun times: safety first.
"...Playing dirty?"
"Yup."
"Bitch."
"Don't like it? Don't do it."
Yura shrugged and grabbed her bag, fatigue from hours of typing evident.
We left the PC bang. Night had fallen.
Neon signs flickered on as commuters rushed home.
Some might be reading our conspiracies right now.
Heading to my place, I reflected on our journey.
Weeks ago: dirt-poor vet, bullied college kid, single mom.
Now? Shaping internet opinion, swaying markets.
Not successful yet.
Everything hinged on tomorrow's CPI.
Would our fear and anxiety bend the market our way?
Or bubble burst?
For tonight, though, worries on hold.
Yura was quieter, exhausted from endless translations and uploads.
Wrists sore, eyes strained.
Yet tomorrow meant more—her face darkened at the thought.
"Gotta wake early tomorrow too..."
She muttered with a sigh.
"Yeah, hit Post-Nut Clarity before markets open, assess."
"Must be nice. Flip it on and you're a genius."
"But a moron otherwise."
"True that."
Yura chuckled faintly, opening the door to my AC-less studio.
For tomorrow's war, we needed rest tonight.