Chapter 65
Chapter 65
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 65
Chapter Title: Soviet Collapse (2)
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If someone asked why I'd come to the Soviet Union while focusing on shorting the pound and dealing with Barings Bank...
'Well, of course I had to. The Soviet Union's on the brink of collapse.'
This was my last chance in life to see the Soviet Union. There was a touch of tourism to it, too.
Of course, the biggest reason was that the chaos right after the collapse would be a total madhouse—I couldn't guarantee my safety if I showed up then.
-How about giving me those shares? I'll pay you for them.
-No thanks? Wait, on second thought, by communist distribution rules, shouldn't you, the bourgeois pig, be giving them to me? I'll spare your life, so drop the money and scram.
-...I don't like that either?
-Then die!
Hmm... I'm a bit of a foodie, but I have no desire to taste a blade steeped in the sorrow of a dying nation. Choi Yeon-ha would probably feel the same.
Ignorance is one thing, but knowing the Soviet Union was about to fall and not securing local connections beforehand? That'd be dereliction of duty.
Not every Western investor who struck it big during the collapse got lucky. Plenty had their shares ripped away right in front of them.
That was all because they lacked ties to the local power players... But at this point in time, a few gold bars could settle it nicely.
"Ahem, I'll take it for now... But who might you be, miss?"
Proving he hadn't landed the presidency by accident, Yuri Chebrikov eyed me warily. Gone was any lust for a pretty face—his expression sharpened like a predator facing another beast.
"Oh, I told you, didn't I? I'm the representative... of a company connected to Alpha Fund. Something like that."
"Representative? Ah, so you're from the royal family, then. Entrusting a sum this big to a young lady like you."
"Let's leave it at that."
I flashed a smile like a mask slipping into place and shook his hand.
"... "
"... "
A sticky tension hung in the air for a moment before Yuri Chebrikov sighed and spoke.
"So, no business with me, then. You want me to fetch my uncle?"
He said it while flicking a glance at the gold bar.
-You know I can't handle this alone, so you're pulling this stunt?
It was a silent gesture laced with reproach. He was right—without help, he couldn't even move it by himself.
"To be honest, I had no idea he was your uncle... Ahaha, talk about lucky. I've got time to spare, so no rush. The gold isn't going anywhere—let's chat at our leisure."
"... "
"Oh, and what's in your hand right now? Feel free to take it. It's a gift between 'friends,' after all."
"No, that's all right. I'll come back later—"
I curled the corner of my mouth upward and draped my arm around his neck. The moment my soft skin touched him, Yuri Chebrikov froze, his face going slack like he couldn't process it.
-Pat pat.
I smiled brightly and pressed the gold bar bag into his hand.
"Ehey, no need to be so uptight... Just take it. It's fine, really."
Yuri didn't refuse.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ After sweet-talking the naive (by Russian standards) young man, I returned to my hotel room to regale Choi Yeon-ha with the tale.
Soaking in a steaming bathtub, the fatigue from the long trip melted away.
"Mm-hmm, so the guy's face went beet red... Ahaha, it was seriously hilarious."
"Y-Yes, right? Ah, that... must've been... nice...?"
Choi Yeon-ha fumbled for words, trying to play along. She still hadn't quite adapted to my personality or figured out what hit my funny bone.
Well, enjoying being lusted after isn't exactly normal taste.
But I loved that moment. Seeing raw human instinct and desire reined in by reason, too intimidated to even try touching me...
They'd fold without resistance if I pushed with sheer power, but watching their fiery lust get smothered by the illusion of my social status and capitalist glamour? Utterly delightful.
No wonder dictators get hooked on parades. Bending people to your will delivers a dizzying rush.
"Ah, and... that thing you mentioned? It came."
Choi Yeon-ha rummaged in her bag and handed me a single sheet of paper.
It was a CDS contract.
"Hmm... Conditions look fine for now. Just the one?"
"Ah, yes. I went around Moscow meeting people, but the regulations and laws are... pretty unique. Talked to some bureaucrats, but legally it's all different..."
"Mm-hmm, this is the Soviet Union. They can barely issue proper bonds yet."
If they issued bonds, you could trade their credit risk too.
Which made what I needed to do obvious, right?
After the Soviet collapse, the Russian government would put off repaying Soviet-era bonds. Complicated with all the types and derivatives, but basically, they defaulted.
But they did pay the Russian Imperial bonds.
What Russia? This one right here.
I waved the crisp contract copy. One corner got wet and tore slightly.
That corner clearly read 'Imperial Russian Government Bond.'
"Um... miss. But... are you serious about this contract? Sure, Russia will take over after the Soviet falls, but..."
Choi Yeon-ha trailed off.
She was basically asking if this was really legit.
"You mean, will the Russian government actually pay off ancient debts? They will."
"... "
Right—Russia did pay the Imperial-era bonds. Debts from a whopping 80 years prior.
Sensible call. No inflation adjustment.
Russia's tradition of wrecked economies and mountains of national debt was much like the Soviets'. So if you had to pick one to pay, why not the Imperial ones?
"Solid deal. Snag Russian bonds on the cheap and take a short position on Soviet bonds."
Not a weird contract at all.
I'd invested in shaky Soviet companies. A CDS as insurance hedged the risk—even if the Soviet Union tanked, I'd be covered.
More companies were venturing into the Soviet market than in the original timeline, all thanks to these CDS deals.
They insured against risks like a communist resurgence or asset seizures post-collapse, making the Soviet market look pretty appealing.
The Russian bonds purchase, though... that was pretty insane.
The French government, holding most of them, had to be raising eyebrows.
-You're buying those? For real?
Of course, the French investors who'd HODLed for 80 years didn't just hand them over. And I didn't have enough cash to buy at full price either.
"Snagged 100 billion won face value for about 5 billion. If my hunch is right, minimum 50 billion profit."
Obviously, that 100 billion was 80-year-old money—trillions adjusted for inflation—but I'm not that ruthless.
And those French investors were burned out after 80 years of waiting. The country had collapsed, not just delisted.
Most hadn't held on—they'd buried it in the back of their minds. Plus, the original buyers from the Imperial era were long gone, generations past.
"...Must be nice, having the cash to throw 5 billion at a whim."
Choi Yeon-ha muttered, unable to hide her envy. I flashed a bright smile and rose from the tub.
-Splash.
"Love it—being able to splash around with sums this big. Which means... gotta hustle harder. Make that money, money."
"Ah..."
Time to meet the next person. Contacting the KGB would take time, so I had to make efficient use of it.
Having Grandpa's blessing made these outings a breeze.
Back in the day, I'd have sent Yoo Seon-jun or Si-hyeon... but without peeking over his shoulder, why not handle it myself?
I loosely draped a white towel over my key spots and handed my dripping hair to Choi Yeon-ha. The hairdryer blasted warm air, enveloping me in comfort.
I lost myself admiring my reflection for a good while. Long hair was a pain to manage, but damn if it didn't look gorgeous.
"Ahh, mm. Feels so good... Haa..."
As I savored my alone time (with myself, for real), I caught my secretary's flustered face in the mirror.
Hmm, running short on time?
I smirked and turned to Choi Yeon-ha.
"Yeon-ha, mind doing my makeup?"
"Y-Yes!"
Careful hands touched my face. True to her pretty features, Choi Yeon-ha did makeup at a pro level. Si-hyeon was naturally gifted; this one put in the work.
With light makeup added, my face took on a more mature vibe.
"All done, miss. Wow... you're seriously stunning. Not just saying that."
"Yeah, has to be."
Tricking all those people so far proved it—I didn't look a bit childish.
'Grew fast to begin with, and January birthday...'
Add fitting makeup, clothes, and chaebol-heir poise, and I clocked in late teens to early twenties.
Most guys would peg me early twenties. Few would admit to liking "young" girls, let alone see a teen as a business partner.
"Said to meet in the hotel room?"
"Yes! Booked the one next door."
"Thanks. Get things ready."
I slipped into a dress shirt, knotted a black tie, and prepped to meet a historical figure for the first time in ages.
Nick Leeson had come to the Soviet Union.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Another hotel room.
A white guy in round glasses waited for me.
The 24-year-old greeted me with a charming smile and brimming confidence.
"Oh, you're from Daeha Investment Bank? The ones who invented CDS?"
"Ahaha, that's us. Hello, Mr. Leeson."
I smiled with my eyes as I greeted the infamous swindler.