Chapter 26
Chapter 26
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: Daeha Securities (3)
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July 1, 1987.
As President Chun Doo-hwan's June 29 Declaration set South Korea ablaze and everyone's attention was glued to political issues,
I was in a dimly lit room deep within Daeha Securities, plotting schemes and grinning with delight.
"Si-hyeon, isn't this fun?"
"...What do you mean?"
She seemed to have barely caught half of what I said, scribbling down everything I uttered and struggling with it.
"You know... like, scheming something sinister in this dark, dingy room?"
"You have that kind of taste...?"
She stared at me in disbelief for a moment. I shrugged.
"Yeah, something like that."
I’ve always loved this kind of thing. Dark underground games… that sort of stuff.
Childish? Sure, but what can you do when it's fun? If I ever got to see the world dancing to my tune, it'd be a high better than any drug.
So yeah, I'm a power addict by nature.
Lee Si-hyeon sorted a few documents before looking at me.
"Of all times, discussing this amid the current chaos... not a coincidence, right?"
"You know it. In this messy political climate, siphoning money on the sly is a breeze."
Smuggling foreign currency out of South Korea or legally receiving funds in the US—either one's no small feat.
I've played it legal so far, so the US side's fine, but Korea's the issue. Illegal transfer here makes it illegal there too.
Bottom line: you need government approval.
But in times like these, a little bribe to the right official solves both. Can't miss the opportunity.
"...Guess that's on me, huh?"
"Yep. That's why I have a secretary, right?"
I flashed a grin, outsourcing the dirty work to her.
"Sigh... Never thought I'd end up handling this when I started. Figured I'd just be a nanny, but look at me now... some shady operator."
Lee Si-hyeon sighed, staring at her hands like they were foreign objects.
"Don't worry, I'll pay you handsomely. And eventually, no more grunt work for you—just enjoy it while it lasts."
Lee Si-hyeon is the first real confidante I've gained in this life. A valuable asset I can't waste on errands forever.
"...Ugh, your expectations are way too high. If we get caught, we're dead, right? What, am I gonna end up silenced and buried in the hills?"
"As long as you don't betray me, nothing like that. Though... if you screw up and they trace it back, I might have to cut ties..."
She recoiled, shaking her head at my words.
"Sigh, you're talking like a gangster."
In reality, it won't come to that. I'm not diving into anything that illegal anyway...
But it's fun, so let's tease her more.
"Hmm, still, I trust you'll off yourself at the right moment. I'll take good care of your siblings then."
I whispered with a sinister smile. Goosebumps prickled her arms.
"...And if I miss the timing? You force it on me... like that?"
"Probably. At least no torture—silver lining, right?"
"That's kinda harsh. Way too cold."
"I'll mourn you properly for a day, shed a flood of tears. I've got that much left in me."
"Those aren't tears—they're from slurping Shin Ramyun. Saw you last time..."
She snickered, stretching her arms wide.
"..."
Still got energy for jokes, huh? Good she's not scared off.
"You'll figure out the job on your own, right?"
Can't involve outsiders. No help from the Secretary General's office—this is all on Lee Si-hyeon.
She'd seemed a bit soft so far... I was worried.
Would my first secretary be ready to get her hands dirty?
"You bet. Leave it to me, miss."
She nodded firmly.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ I glanced at the calendar.
July 1, 1987...
The year was running out fast.
There was another reason I hadn't mentioned to them.
Why now, of all times?
'Black Monday.'
Any finance guy worth his salt wouldn't miss this. This was my launchpad in the US.
What was Black Monday?
October 19, 1987—the Dow Jones plunged 508 points in a single day.
22.6% drop. Even during the Great Depression, nothing like that happened in one day. Insane.
The cause? Still debated. But suddenly, everyone panicked and lost it.
I do know the stock market's early computerization played a role. Real-time trading accelerated the panic.
Normally: people meet, rumors spread, then trades happen...
But tech made the plunge visible instantly, plus automated selling systems kicked in.
Systems that auto-sell below certain levels. Recipe for panic selling.
Afterward, policies changed—no more instant crashes. Circuit breakers, sidecars... those were born from this.
Like yanking the computer's plug to cool heads: "Take a break, you're not thinking straight."
But as I said—this crash created those rules. Right now? None exist.
Anyway, Black Monday's the ultimate day trade...
A tiny stake could seed a hedge fund.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ A few days later.
I visited Ha Joo-seong at Daeha Securities again. But not the three of us this time.
"This the guy? Who's gonna run... our fund."
I'm still a minor, after all. Need a proxy.
And one I can trust completely.
"Yes, Ha Young-il. I've heard a lot about you, miss."
A tall, handsome young man bowed. Decent height, good looks—appearance: pass.
"But... hmm, the last name... feels familiar?"
No way?
I eyed Ha Joo-seong. He proudly clapped the young man's shoulder.
"My son. Conceived during my US stint, so he's got US citizenship too. Ivy League grad."
"..."
He checks all my boxes. Can operate in the US, financial knowledge from his dad...
Korean origin? Wall Street cares about results. George Soros was a Hungarian immigrant.
Might even be a plus—key to closed-off Korea. Big welcome in the '90s.
Korea's no backwater. Post-Japan bubble, it'll shine in East Asia.
Koreans undervalue themselves next to Japan and China, but Wall Street saw potential. Primitive finance, but a semiconductor giant? Prime for the plucking—like boneless chicken.
And son of an affiliate prez? Local power connections.
This'll work.
And... damn, trustworthiness off the charts, ability aside. No contract needed—family ties bind us.
Blood's the best, huh.
I just grokked why chaebols do nepotism. Family's the only answer.
"How old are you?"
"Twenty-three this year."
Hmm, three years younger than Si-hyeon... Twenty-three...
This... right?
I glanced at Ha Joo-seong. He grinned innocently.
"Well, you're only ten, miss."
True, but...
Wall Street values talent over age or experience. The guy who sank 230-year-old Bear Stearns? Twenty-eight.
Hmm...
Whatever, screw it.
Twenty-three-year-old Ha Young-il: hired!
Great—you're gonna be a Wall Street legend.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ On the way back after meeting Ha Young-il, Lee Si-hyeon whispered in my ear.
"My siblings are almost adults now."
"...So?"
"Just saying... plenty of trustworthy folks."
...Hmm, maybe hear the names.
"Alright, who? You've mentioned siblings but never names. Two, right?"
"Yeah, the boy's Si-woo, girl's Si-ah. Twins."
Goddamn it.
My life's greatest enemy was right there. Brutus, even!
"Rejected. Tell 'em to change names and come back."
"Why? What's wrong?"
The names just rub me wrong.