Chapter 33
Chapter 33
Half of the 7th floor was allocated to our TF team, the other half to the trading team.
The TF team had traders, analysts, and its own risk management staff—it was sizable. Honestly, despite being called a TF team, it was basically its own asset management division.
The TF team had the authority to invest in anything that could make money: stocks, futures, options, real estate, bonds, NPLs, oil, commodities—you name it.
We entered the TF team area.
A separate security card was required to get in.
Yet, within our team, there was an office. Directly behind me, in fact.
What was that?
I glanced at the nameplate and was shocked.
[Executive Director of Asset Management, Kim Yu-ri]
‘Whoa… this is…!!’
Why was the director’s office here?
I had planned to support from afar, but now she was right behind me. A bad feeling hit me—escaping seemed impossible.
Not that I particularly wanted to escape.
“Good morning, Team Leader Kim.”
“And good morning, Director.”
She opened the door and smiled at me.
Her faint dimples were charming. Stop smiling so much—it’s growing on me.
“Asset Management TF Team, fighting!!”
“Yes! Director, fighting as well!”
We cheered each other on.
Morning meeting time came.
All the team members gathered in the center of the office. Every pair of eyes was on me.
“Welcome, and thank you for joining the TF team. Let’s do our best together.”
“Yes!!”
Over twenty team members answered in unison.
“I’ll introduce myself first. I’m Kim Deok-su, team leader…”
Next, Deputy General Manager Choi introduced himself, followed by prop trader Choi Chung-sik, Park Sang-ah, Kim Tae-hoon, Lee Hoon, and analysts Seok Dong-min, Cha Hwa-jung… as well as risk managers Woo Man-yong and Yang Sung-gu, among others.
Not all, but most were people whose aura I had sensed—people advantageous to me. I wondered what kind of results this TF team could achieve together.
The main meeting began.
Analyst Seok Dong-min briefed on overseas markets, while Cha Hwa-jung covered domestic incidents and issues. They shared files with necessary issues and highlighted companies worth attention.
Then the trader team explained today’s trading strategy.
After hearing them, I looked at the traders. It was time to decide how much capital to allocate.
TF team traders had excelled in futures, oil, commodities, and forex. Whether as prop traders or fund managers, each had managed at least 30 billion won.
I wanted to entrust more than half the capital to them.
“We need to allocate investment capital.”
I looked at the traders after speaking.
But…
Their gazes were different from what I expected. Gentle, almost like obedient lambs—ready to follow orders without question, like privates in the army.
Not the predatory eyes of beasts hunting prey in the jungle.
“Our total capital allocation is 300 billion won. If anyone wants a specific amount, speak up.”
“….”
No one spoke.
Why?
Deputy General Manager Choi looked troubled.
“Team Leader, I have something to tell you.”
“Go ahead.”
“Regarding capital allocation, I discussed in advance with the prop traders. The conclusion is 250 billion for you, team leader, and 50 billion for us to manage.”
Far less than I expected. Why?
They weren’t lacking ambition.
“Why so little?”
“All the traders here joined to learn from your investment strategy rather than just earn money. Initially, the dominant opinion was that the team leader manages the full 300 billion while we support your positions. I felt 50 billion should be managed by us, so that’s the conclusion.”
“They want to learn?”
“Yes. Your win rate has been 100%. Profit rates over 10,000%. Naturally, they want to learn. They may not match you, but they want to try.”
“Oh… I see.”
Traders reputed to dominate Mirae Securities wanted to learn my strategy. Unexpected.
Still, I couldn’t manage all the capital alone. Focusing purely on returns, I could control everything and direct positions.
That would definitely yield the highest returns.
My ability to sense aura would guarantee it over 100%.
But that could hinder the traders. If they only follow my positions, they’d lose their instinctual trading sense.
I could never allow TF team traders to stagnate.
So!
“Hm. I don’t share my strategy recklessly. I will only teach my proven strategies and know-how to those with verified returns. I’ll allocate 10 billion won to you. Do your best.”
“Yes?”
“Verified returns… meaning your profitability?”
The team members instantly transformed. The gentle-lamb eyes became those of starving predators.
Finally, it felt right.
As for the “proven strategies and know-how”… what should I call them? “Diligence”? “Consistency”? Damn, difficult.
“Manager Woo Man-yong.”
I called the risk manager.
“Yes.”
“Take a look at this.”
I handed over the report recently received from Kim Yu-seong.
“I’m curious about the report’s quality.”
“Understood.”
“And everyone knows Na Yi-ri, right? The stock manipulator recently arrested.”
Everyone nodded.
“The prosecutor plans to short-sell the unlisted stocks confiscated from Na Yi-ri. I want a report on this.”
“Yes, team leader. Will prepare ASAP.”
Analyst Seok Dong-min replied.
“Alright, let’s hit a jackpot today.”
“Yes!”
The meeting concluded with energetic voices.
I leaned back in my chair. While the team followed instructions well, being team leader was stressful.
I had thought promotions made leadership easier, mostly issuing commands. But seeing the TF team’s reality, the pressure was heavier than expected.
“Phew… being team leader isn’t easy.”
The director truly impressed me.
—Ding.
A notification appeared on my monitor—from the director’s office behind me.
[Kim Yu-ri, Director: Congrats! That was impressive.]
[Kim Deok-su, Team Leader: Did you see it?]
[Kim Yu-ri, Director: Nod]
[Kim Deok-su: I can handle this, right?]
[Kim Yu-ri, Director: Of course. If you can’t, who can?? Don’t worry! You’ve got this.]
Cliché, but empowering.
[Kim Deok-su: Thanks! Lunch?]
[Kim Yu-ri: Not decided yet.]
[Kim Deok-su: Want to try the new pasta place across the street?]
[Kim Yu-ri: Sure.]
[Kim Deok-su: See you later. Thanks for today, nuna.]
[Kim Yu-ri: …you too.]
Once the chat ended, the market opened.
The market was boring with low volatility. Five minutes before lunch, I closed the oil and commodity futures positions I’d bought in the morning.
Profit: 250 million won.
“Not much, huh.”
I laughed lightly at my own words.
250 million. Just a few months ago, I could never imagine making that. Now, half a day’s work wasn’t enough to satisfy me.
‘Kim Deok-su has grown a lot.’
Then Seok Dong-min sent a message.
[Thought you might be curious, sending the list of unlisted stocks Na Yi-ri owned. Detailed analysis by tomorrow.]
I forwarded it.
[Kim Deok-su: Kim Yu-seong, sending a file.]
[Kim Yu-seong: Got it.]
[Kim Deok-su: Can you analyze these unlisted companies critically?]
[Kim Yu-seong: Critically? Of course.]
He answered without hesitation. I didn’t trust him in other areas, but I trusted his talent for finding flaws.
U-Castle’s reputation precedes him.
The next day.
Before the morning market opened.
I planned to buy each of the ten unlisted stocks owned by Na Yi-ri.
From the ten, I sensed the aura in six.
Vivari Paprika, Carrot, MarketColly, Donnamu, MachineR.
In these five, I detected the strong floral jasmine scent I had smelled at Jalnolja. Other scents too—fresh, green apple-like aromas.
My aura-sensing ability had refined. I could detect more details.
There was also a scent I hadn’t encountered before.
Beomhan Resources.
Not a partial stake, but 100% ownership. Buying this company gave off a correct aura.
The scent was floral but slightly different—green floral hyacinth.
It evoked a cold, chilling feeling. A sense of betrayal and secret power struggles. My feeling didn’t matter; what mattered was that this company was advantageous.
Yet, I didn’t know what Beomhan Resources actually did. A small building in Jongno.
‘Why did Na Yi-ri hold this?’
I couldn’t understand. Maybe he’d been scammed himself.
This short sale was unusually sold in bulk, to quickly compensate victims.
How much to buy the whole thing? Could I determine the total price through scent?
I tried.
100 million gave a dizzyingly strong scent.
200 or 300 million—less clear.
900 million—no change.
But imagining 1 billion…
“There it is.”
At 1 billion, I could smell the aura clearly. Six scents became distinguishable, whereas before they had been jumbled.
1 billion… for unlisted stocks? Estimated 200–300 million would suffice…
1 billion was too much.
“Team Leader.”
Kim Yu-seong stood beside me.
“Report you requested, done.”
“Already? I thought it’d take three days.”
He finished much faster than expected.
“Such tasks must be completed in a day. It’s just a startup, not a big corporation.”
“What’s your conclusion, Kim Yu-seong?”
“Five companies are worth investing in.”
“Five? That’s Donnamu…”
He nodded.
“Yes, exactly those five.”
“And Beomhan Resources?”
“Too little data. I made no judgment.”
I was inwardly impressed. I could sense the aura, but he didn’t—yet he could analyze weaknesses naturally. Fascinating.
“I’ll read it thoroughly. Off you go.”
“Understood.”
“After the morning market, attend the TF team afternoon meeting if you have time.”
He paused mid-step.
“Really? Thank you.”
“Just attend. No big deal.”
“Yes.”
He left. I read his report.
Not a single positive note. Only flaws.
But it was mostly cold, analytical evaluation rather than emotional or subjective. Some mockery, but objective.
Any company owner seeing this would feel insulted, maybe even sue.
Yet his critical analysis was sharp and direct.
He evaluated tech, organizational culture, market, growth, and CEO ability.
Four companies were rated as disastrous—bankrupt soon wouldn’t be surprising.
For the five I sensed, he didn’t criticize much; one was undecided.
After the market, the TF team afternoon meeting began.
Topic: whether to join the short-sale of unlisted stocks and at what bid price.
I proposed participating. No one objected.
The issue: purchase price.
Analyst Seok Dong-min, Deputy Choi, and risk manager Woo Man-yong assessed fair value at 20 billion won. I suggested 110 billion—a huge gap.
“Team Leader, what’s your price?”
Curious eyes stared at me.
I met their gaze and spoke clearly.
“I’m thinking 100 billion.”
“100 billion?”
Far more than expected. Everyone’s jaw dropped.
‘I suppose someone will object?’
I looked at their faces. But their reactions were far different from what I anticipated.
“Though five times the fair value, if the team leader thinks so…”