Chapter 46
Chapter 46
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: The End of the 80s (5)
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German reunification is actually harder to predict than the collapse of the Soviet Union.
The Soviet Union had been showing signs of crumbling for more than a day or two..., and above all, the sequence has German reunification coming first.
The fall of East Germany alone is sufficient grounds for predicting the Soviet collapse.
There are evaluations that Gorbachev's reforms might have succeeded if not for the August coup..., but honestly, up to the coup is something I can predict.
It's just that no one expected it to collapse so pathetically—no one saw that coming—but there were plenty of scholars predicting the Soviet Union would fall.
But... the fall of the Berlin Wall? That's not in the realm of prediction. That's prophecy territory.
'I can't even be sure this history will follow the exact same path.'
If the party spokesman had returned from vacation early enough to read the report thoroughly, and hadn't answered the reporter's question about when East Germans could leave through the Berlin Wall with "right away, without delay," and if the Italian reporter who didn't speak German well hadn't misheard it as "immediate demolition of the Berlin Wall," or even if the printing press worker who accidentally erased the footnote in the report the spokesman read had been a bit more careful...,
History would have changed.
'...Tch, looking at it this way, it really doesn't seem like it'll follow the original history. So many variables.'
The butterfly effect I've caused so far is very small..., but doesn't even a slight change in a few people's schedules alter history?
'The resilience of history' isn't all that great, but there's no helping it. It's time for anti-communist warrior Yoo Ha-yeon to step up for the suffering East Germans.
"Miss, you're not thinking something weird right now, are you?"
Lee Si-hyeon, who was applying oil to my back as I lay prone, asked with a dubious look.
"Why? No, nothing like that."
-Flap flap
I swung my legs, burying my feet in the sand with thuds, and shook my head.
"You're grinning to yourself for someone saying that..."
Can't be helped. I might be the one tearing down the Berlin Wall myself—how could I not smile?
"Just ticklish, hehehe. Come on, put on more oil. Here too..., yeah."
Still, I had to keep this from Si-hyeon, so I just spouted nonsense and let out a silly giggle.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ A few days later.
I crossed over to Wall Street and met Ha Young-il.
"Hi! Been well?"
"...Miss? Oh..., you've grown a lot, huh. Time flies."
Ha Young-il's gaze lingered on my chest for a split second before he cleared his throat as if nothing happened and looked at my face.
'Still young, after all.'
I might look like a middle schooler thanks to my past-life perks accelerating my growth, but I'm still a kid.
I teased him with a playful smile.
"You're still in your twenties yourself—what's that supposed to mean? Overflowing with energy, huh?"
"...Hm."
For the first time in a while since arriving here, a genuine smile crossed my face. In a cheerful mood, I took in the familiar yet unfamiliar sights of Wall Street.
This was my first time on Wall Street in this life..., so it carried a special sentiment.
"Wow, that bull statue is cool."
The "Charging Bull," which would later become an icon of Wall Street, was still shiny and pristine, having been installed not long ago.
The first time I set foot on Wall Street, I touched those horns and wished to make some money..., and well, it sort of came true.
'Ugh, those balls are huge. Didn't think much of it as a guy..., but touching them now feels kinda weird.'
Better stick to the horns.
-Yup.
I stood on tiptoes, stroked the horns, dusted off my hands, and flashed a grin.
"This was put up recently, right? Around Black Monday."
"...Yes, it was installed illegally and is slated for removal, but so many people like it that I'm not sure what'll happen."
I shrugged at Ha Young-il's odd look.
"Why the sour face? We made money during Black Monday, but that doesn't mean the crash was bad."
Anyone hearing that might think I caused Black Monday.
Shh shh.
"..."
Ha Young-il shook his head like he was done with me and led the way.
"The Alpha Fund building is too famous now for you to visit..., so I'll take you to another secure location."
"Yeah, sure. You got lunch ready?"
"I grabbed sandwiches from Subway for now..., you eat fast food?"
"Not my thing, but since I'm in America, I should try it once out of courtesy, right?"
I wouldn't have at home, but I'm working now, so it's fine. Plus, it's my first Subway in this life.
'Wonder what it tastes like. Probably different from back then.'
I tilted my head briefly, then suggested dinner.
"How about a restaurant for dinner? Even if I don't care, I want to show my secretary around New York."
"Oh, right—you're new to New York, aren't you, Miss? My mistake. I know a friend who's a foodie..., I'll ask him later."
"Nah, I'm fine. It's for Si-hyeon."
"Understood."
No, really, I'm fine.
Now it looks like I'm using Si-hyeon as an excuse to save face.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ A dimly lit room with blackout curtains.
"So..., what do you need me to do this time? Miss."
Ha Young-il asked with a chilling smile.
"Would've been more atmospheric without the sandwich in your mouth."
Ha Young-il shook his head as he crunched the leftover cabbage.
"...That's because I've been running nonstop without time to eat properly thanks to you. Damn, now that you mention it, it's been forever since I had proper white rice.... Sometimes I regret taking your offers."
Hm, come to think of it, Ha Young-il has been working pretty hard.
He needs steady rest and loyalty management too. Maybe even more than Si-hyeon.
He's handling an insane amount of money now. In sheer volume, it rivals what Daeha Group manages.
"So, you gonna pass?"
"...No way. This is my peak right now, and I'm always grateful to you, Miss."
Ha Young-il grinned cheekily and bowed his head.
"Yeah, be even more grateful from now on. Your life's high point is still a ways off."
"Ooh..., hearing that from you is scary. What are you planning this time? Alpha Fund already made a killing on CDS sales."
People who used to dismiss him since he wasn't front-facing the fund anymore? All gone now.
"Gonna keep nibbling at Eastern Europe, then go big on the Soviet Union."
"Ah, I heard the rumors.... But really, will the Soviet Union collapse?"
"It'll fall eventually. I don't know exactly when, but I'm guessing 2-3 years. And even if I'm wrong, it doesn't matter much."
There's just so much meat to devour—so enormously huge—that I'm just pondering the best way to eat it....
Come late to the feast, early, share with others—Soviet Union is a giant slab that'll burst your belly either way.
Just trimming parts I can't eat, like military or Red Mafia stuff.
"Relatively low-risk, high-margin business, then."
"Exactly."
Surprisingly, but...
I'm risk-averse.
No dying from external causes means immortality—no need to take risks.
Big money means big risk, sure, but knowing future history slashes that risk to near zero. That's why I seem like a thrill-seeker.
"How's the fund doing anyway?"
"Not bad. Projecting 40% returns this year."
Hm, just right.
Even in this hedge fund golden age, 40% is huge..., but factoring me in, it's not that dramatic.
Soros's Quantum Fund hit over 30% annually without future knowledge, peaking at 68%.
"No major issues this year, so that's decent. Still, if you'd followed my tips exactly, you could've made more."
Ha Young-il scratched his head and sighed.
"Ah..., truth is, my influence in the fund weakened a bit. But it'll be fine soon—big win on CDS this time."
"Yeah, people hate aggressive moves. I get it. But... don't let it happen again, got it? Gotta firmly grip your underlings."
I quietly patted his shoulder.
"...I understand."
Ha Young-il took a deep breath and nodded. Trusting he'd handle it, I got to the point.
"This job's important..., and needs someone reliable."