Chapter 8
CHAPTER 8
A few days passed since the black light appeared.
"No change is happening."
He observed the market after the light appeared. But the market flowed as usual. AI-related stocks were still strong, and stocks connected with black light also rose in price.
"I don't know what this means."
There was difficulty grasping it because the pattern changed.
"Let's register it in the system for now and collect news."
The assistant program also had a function to automatically collect news. Although there was an inconvenience of having to keep the computer on since a network environment was essential, it didn't matter much.
An alarm window popped up when registration ended.
"Let's rest on the trading side for the time being. Because there is no reason to trade unreasonably in a situation where there is something I don't know."
It's a mistake he also made in his rookie days. The act of unreasonably increasing trading frequency rather increased risk. Especially when there was something he didn't know, resting trading altogether was the correct answer.
"Let's enter startup preparation in the meantime."
There was a lot to prepare to set up a company. The corporation was being processed at Samil. Since it was a Family Office, there was no separate mandatory license. What was needed now was manpower.
"Since Gwang-ho decided to take full charge of the Quant program side, I told him to hire related employees himself."
What remained were personnel to handle back office, legal, and tax affairs.
"Legal and tax can be outsourced to Samil, and the remaining are personnel to assist back office and trading?"
Back office is personnel to handle accounting, settlement, etc. He planned to include personnel responding to regulations there. Because no matter how much he invested with his own capital, regulations were bound to follow. And trading assistance was also essential.
"I will mostly trade alone, but if funds grow, personnel to assist are also essential."
At first, he thought about leaving it to Gwang-ho. But if Gwang-ho, who will be the manager of the program team, takes on trading assistance too, work increases.
"For the back office side, I can look for recruitment by posting on sites, and for the trading assistance side, shall I contact acquaintances?"
Contemplating how to find people, Gang-hyeon organized things to do.
Yeouido. It was the center of finance in Korea. Currently, many companies have spread to various areas of Seoul like Yeoksam or Jongno. But in the public perception, the word Yeouido still came out when it came to finance. To that extent, Yeouido was a symbolic place. Recently, one story was circulating in such a place.
"Did you hear that story? They say an employee who resigned from MJ a while ago is setting up a new company?"
"MJ? Was there someone who resigned recently capable of becoming independent from there?"
"I heard he was junior level."
"What? How does a junior level set up a company? Isn't it another industry, not an investment company?"
"I also asked because it was strange, and they say it's personnel to assist trading altogether."
"Where does he have funds to set up a company?"
Rumors flowed quickly riding people's mouths.
"Turns out he was a silver spoon?"
"Ay. There is a story that I heard he received investment funds from a foreign investment company."
"They say the woman he meets is British royalty."
Rumors spread by word of mouth were dotted with wrong information. But among them, there was truth too.
"They say he hit the jackpot with Bitcoin."
However, the truth was also covered by wrong information and ended up as just another rumor. This rumor soon entered the ears of a man.
"How much is the investment scale?"
"I don't know well, but wouldn't it be over 10 billion? No matter if it's a Family Office, it should be that much to set up a company."
"What are you talking about? Family Office?"
"Ah, Team Leader Choi."
At the question of Choi Chang-wook, who is in charge of Team 1 of Clebus Asset Management, the subordinate continued the explanation. Interest rose in Choi Chang-wook's eyes listening to the explanation.
"Ah, you don't have to get up. Rather than that, the Family Office you just mentioned. Can you tell me in detail?"
Gang-hyeon's existence was slowly becoming known among officials.
Gang-hyeon was preparing to move along with interviews for employees. Getting an apartment he liked was the priority, but thanks to Kim Mi-ju stepping up, it was resolved quickly.
"How is it? Isn't the Han River seen directly from the living room really wonderful?"
The Han River view he only heard about was art. The panoramic view of the Han River and Seoul Forest looking down at a glance felt like healing just by looking at it.
"Security is also really excellent. Many celebrities and businessmen live here, but privacy is well protected."
The biggest strength of a high-end apartment was in privacy. This place also boasted the highest level of security in Korea in terms of security.
"Plus, cultural life is possible in one stop, so it's really convenient."
Everything was to his liking.
"I will contract here. And please look for one more apartment nearby."
"One more?"
"Yes. It's a place for my mother to stay. It doesn't matter if it's the same apartment, and a different place is fine too."
"Oh my, then just in time there is one more good listing. Shall I show you?"
"Yes, please."
Like that, he saw two listings. They were all things he liked.
"I will contract."
A large sum of 7 billion was used combining two apartments. Indeed, money could be used quickly once he made up his mind to use it. But Gang-hyeon didn't mind.
If not times like this, when will I do filial piety.
He did it because he had leeway.
"By the way, CEO. Did you hear that story?"
"What story?"
"CEO Jeong Sang-woo who sold the building to you."
"Ah, yes. Is there something wrong?"
"They say he sold the building because he lost a lot of money gambling."
It's a part he expected to some extent. Becoming certain like this, he thought gambling is indeed dangerous.
"Thanks to that, his father went crazy."
"His father?"
"Originally, that building was in Jeong Sang-woo's father's name and transferred. It wasn't just a fuss that he sold that building. He came all the way here and insisted on returning it back?"
"Haha! You suffered."
A contract cannot be undone once the stamp is placed.
"I sent the down payment. Let's proceed with the contract on the date mentioned."
"Really thank you."
"No. Then keep up the good work."
Gang-hyeon, coming out of the brokerage office, looked up at the sky. He thought the appearance of the blue sky spread out, which he didn't know when working at the company, was beautiful.
"Weather is good."
He felt better than ever.
Office construction proceeded quickly. Since the 5th floor was originally used as an office, it wasn't difficult to add interior there. Buying appliances and furniture to use at the company, a month of busy days disappeared before he knew it. In the meantime, Gwang-ho resigned and joined the office.
"Wow~ still, now it's equipped quite well."
"Is it decent?"
"Not just decent? The system is almost top-tier at this level, and I was surprised that the interior is much better than seen from the outside."
"The building itself was built a long time ago, so the outside is a bit old."
"Still, what's important is that it's your building. Ha! If I had kept Bitcoin back then, I would have bought one or two buildings by now."
"Still, you have an apartment."
"Tsk, that is true."
He smirked watching Gwang-ho swallowing regret about Bitcoin.
"Did you set up the company corporation?"
"Yeah, it came out a few days ago. Currently looking into partners."
"Where do you intend to contract?"
"Thinking of Hanbit side."
Hanbit Investment Securities. A large securities firm counted among the top three domestic securities firms. It was a place where huge transactions took place to the extent that both of them had dreamed of entering there.
"True, with your capital, you'd be a big hand to them too."
"Plus, I got acquainted with the Gangnam branch manager of Hanbit Bank when purchasing the building here. If I talk to that side, they'll connect me, so it seems convenient."
"I've thought since before. You seem to be the specimen of J (MBTI Judging type) itself."
"Haha, only when working."
"Then what about global? Since you recruited me, you're going to trade directly at the company too, right?"
"Yeah. That side, I'm thinking of IBKR. Since that side will be most convenient for us."
Interactive Brokers was one of the most convenient broker companies for traders. Large-scale stock trading or futures using leverage, and foreign currency trading could be done properly only by involving such a broker.
"Kyaa, Hanbit and IBKR as partners for a company just starting up. If this news is conveyed, it will be crazy on the Yeouido side again."
"Did rumors spread already?"
"Ah, you wouldn't have heard since you left the industry. Recently, the Yeouido side is noisy because of you. Since one of the employees who suddenly resigned from MJ established a Family Office, it's understandable."
It's a part expected to some extent. He contacted acquaintances to find employees to assist trading. It was a self-evident fact that rumors would spread through some of their mouths.
Well, doesn't matter.
It's not like he did anything illegal. Above all, he didn't care anymore whether others chattered or not. Because he knew they couldn't affect his life. What was important now was what to do in the future.
"By the way, take this."
Gang-hyeon took out a business card from his bosom and handed it to Gwang-ho.
"What is this?"
Gwang-ho, who received the business card, examined it in detail. Clean design on high-quality paper caught his eye.
[Im Gwang-ho]
[Head of Quant Systems]
The corners of Gwang-ho's mouth went up confirming it was his business card.
"Kyaa, I'm finally wearing a Head title too."
"I count on you in the future."
"Likewise."
The two friends held hands.
While the work in the office was reaching the final stage, Gang-hyeon came out to a meeting with Hanbit Investment Securities.
"I am Team Leader Han Chae-kyung in charge of the VIP team. It is an honor to meet the VIP like this today."
The woman who identified herself as Han Chae-kyung was a young woman looking to be in her early 30s. When he shook hands with her, who had a clear feeling of a career woman, others followed with self-introductions.
So many came out just to deal with me alone.
The meeting with them, all experts in each field, proceeded quickly.
"If you choose our Hanbit, we promise the best service. As you know, Hanbit's system can provide the fastest and safest trading."
Hanbit's advantage was clear. As the largest domestic securities firm, the system they provided was top level.
"And when the customer needs a loan, we will provide cheap products through special interest rates."
They appealed their advantages quickly. Actually, he already knew such things. And coming to this place was also a situation where he had already made up his mind.
Domestically, there is no broker like Hanbit.
Gang-hyeon decided after listening to all explanations.
"I look forward to working with you."
"We will do our best."
Thus, the domestic broker was decided as Hanbit.
Gang-hyeon visited the office a day before the opening.
"Yo, came?"
"What? Why are you here?"
Gwang-ho was already at the office. He was sitting in front of the desk that would become his seat working on something. Approaching and looking at the monitor, he could see him programming.
"There's a tool I'm developing, so I was supplementing it."
"You're coming to work from tomorrow anyway. Why not spend some time with A-yeon."
"We stuck together for nearly a month. Let me enjoy some freedom too."
"Geez! The guy who stuck every day saying it's good talking about freedom."
"Dude, do you know the grievances of a married man?"
"I was also a married man until a while ago?"
"Now you're single. That too a rich single."
He smirked at Gwang-ho's words. Being with the guy was comfortable because he could always laugh.
"But why did you come?"
"Today is the day to deposit to the broker. Doing something like this feels better in the office than doing it at home, right?"
"Is that so? You can just click at home."
"Anyway, no romance. No romance."
"Romance my foot. How much are you going to sell?"
"Thinking of selling 300."
"Hey hey, then wait. Let me take some profit on mine before you throw yours."
"That's insider trading?"
"If I cared about such things, I wouldn't work at a Family Office."
Since a Family Office is a place rolling individual funds, it was not managed by financial authorities. So what Gwang-ho did wasn't a problem either.
"It will drop a little and rise again anyway. Why sell that?"
"I only do scalping after liquidating 500. This much is enough."
"Do as you please."
Saying so, Gang-hyeon pulled a chair, sat down, and accessed the exchange. Since he had already sent them from the cold wallet, 300 Bitcoins had already arrived at the exchange.
Confirming the balance of 55 billion, his heart became comfortable.
"Did you clear all?"
At Gang-hyeon's question, Gwang-ho touched the screen a few times and soon clenched his fist.
"Okay! Ate 5 percent. You can sell."
It was when he smiled at the appearance of his happy friend and looked at the screen again.
"Hm?"
Blue light emitted from Bitcoin. That light slowly became intense and soon turned black. And the black light spread like a web and connected with other coins.
This is...
It was the same form as the black light seen in the prototype of Trading Assist received from Gwang-ho.
Clearly, it shone blue at first. That means one thing. Decline.
That too shone very intensely. More intensely than the blue light that shone from Jeong Sang-woo's body.
Jeong Sang-woo became like that with gambling in just a few days even with that much light... If it's a more intense light than that, what happens?
Bitcoin season end? I can expect that. If Bitcoin's season ends, other coins will also crash in conjunction.
Bitcoin has repeated great rises and great falls. Coiners called these price fluctuations 'Seasons'. Season ending meant the crash of coins. If the captain stock Bitcoin falls, naturally other coins also fall. When his thought reached there, he could guess what the web of black light meant.
"I should buy back when the price fluctuates briefly when you sell coins."
At Gwang-ho's words, Gang-hyeon spoke firmly.
"Absolutely do not buy."
"Huh? What are you talking about suddenly? And why is your expression so serious?"
"Do not buy Bitcoin for the time being. Understood?"
"Geez, you should at least explain the reason."
To Gwang-ho asking as if frustrated, Gang-hyeon placed an order and spoke, no, prophesied.
"Coin, I think the season will end."
(End of Chapter)
— Translated by Prime Works —