Chapter 6
Chapter 6
Kim Tae-sung, chairman of Mirae Group, frowned as he read Kim Deok-su’s resume.
“Kim Deok-su? What an awkward name. The school isn’t bad… but convenience stores, cafés, construction labor, logistics centers… why so many part-time jobs?”
“It seems his family circumstances weren’t good. I suspect he paid his own tuition.”
“He worked hard. But why did Yuri bring him in? He has no experience in finance.”
“Well, the team leader said he served under her when she was a communication platoon commander.”
Kim Tae-sung’s brow furrowed.
He already didn’t like that his daughter had been in the military, and now a military connection carried over into the company.
“Did Yuri have a say in hiring him?”
“I couldn’t confirm that. Sorry.”
Kim Tae-sung pressed the intercom.
“Connect me to Yoo Jae-cheol.”
“Yes, Chairman.”
A moment later, Yoo Jae-cheol, president of Mirae Securities, called nervously.
“Looking for me, Chairman?”
“Did you participate in selecting this intern?”
Straight to the point.
“No. It was done by independent HR committee members.”
“I see. There’s an intern named Kim Deok-su. He knows our Yuri, right? Did that influence his selection?”
“No, I don’t think so.”
“Good. Then how did he get in? He’s older and inexperienced.”
“I can’t say. Sometimes these cases happen.”
“Really? Lucky kid, then.”
There seemed to be no irregularities in the hiring process.
That was the frustrating part.
If there had been an issue, he could have used it as a reason to reject him.
Kim Tae-sung didn’t like that a poor-background kid was next to his daughter. He was a dirt-to-rich man himself but wanted a gold-spoon peer for his child.
He also disliked Deok-su’s lanky appearance and lack of experience.
‘What should I do?’
If he directly fired him, people might gossip—it would be an unfair dismissal.
Normally, it wouldn’t matter, but the SCP Group chairman was recently arrested for unfair labor practices. He had to tread carefully.
Even if he couldn’t fire him now, he wanted to prevent him from becoming a full-time employee.
“What are the criteria for hiring an intern permanently?”
“Practical skills, adaptability, growth potential, and feedback from colleagues. Also, part of their mock trading results are considered.”
“Mock trading results?”
An idea struck Kim Tae-sung.
“How much weight do the mock results carry?”
“Twenty percent.”
“No, 20 percent?”
“??”
“Who’s the best employee at a securities firm?”
Yoo Jae-cheol was speechless.
“The one with results. The guy who makes the most money. That’s the top performer.”
“Y-yes.”
“So, let’s hire full-time based purely on the mock trading competition this time.”
“What? Really?”
Yoo Jae-cheol was stunned by the sudden instruction.
“Yes.”
“And how many to hire?”
“Five.”
“One. Just one. No point hiring a bunch of underperformers.”
“Yes, sir.”
Yoo Jae-cheol had no grounds to argue—last year and this year’s profits were poor.
Asset management, in particular, had taken heavy losses.
“Then handle it.”
“Yes, sir.”
Kim Tae-sung hung up.
He dismissed the secretary, leaned back in his chair, and rubbed his temples.
Raising children was truly the hardest task.
His daughter Yuri was unpredictable, and he worried she would inherit the company recklessly.
She could have stayed home quietly, gotten married, yet she wanted to work—concealing her identity and joining the company as top of her class.
If only her performance weren’t good, he could fire her, but he couldn’t.
In the underperforming asset management division, only Yuri showed significant results.
Frustrating.
‘If only she weren’t my daughter…’
She resembled his temperament too much. He couldn’t hand over the company he had poured his soul into to someone else’s spouse.
Mirae Group had to be inherited by someone with the Kim bloodline—his firm conviction.
“Deok-su, not buying today either?”
“Not exactly… I haven’t seen anything appealing yet.”
Sigh.
The team leader exhaled loudly.
I understood her frustration. Three days had passed, yet I hadn’t started the mock trading.
Unlike me, other interns invested actively. Their average return was 5 percent; the top was 9 percent.
Seeing everyone advance made me anxious. But I couldn’t invest recklessly. I had to wait.
“You’re not thinking of ELWs again, right?”
“No.”
“Strange. On the first day, you went all-in like someone dying because you couldn’t invest.”
“…That was because I caught a pleasant scent.”
For three days, I’d searched the mock trading screen, but no stocks had that scent.
I was the most frustrated.
Then, a sharp-looking man entered our team. Clearly a superior.
I stood and bowed.
“Hello.”
“Uh, your name?”
“Kim Deok-su, intern.”
“Oh, nice. I’m Kim Yu-seong, Risk Management Department.”
At that moment, the team leader spoke in a businesslike tone, lacking any warmth.
“Why are you here, Director?”
“Just passing by. Curious how Kim is doing.”
“She’s doing well. No need to worry.”
“Can’t help it. She invests as she pleases, ignoring the rules.”
“Still, her returns were good.”
“That’s just luck.”
“Luck is also skill.”
Kim Yu-seong chuckled.
“By the way, did you hear?”
“Hear what?”
“One intern will be hired this time.”
“What? I thought five?”
“Yes, but upper management cut it to one due to poor performance.”
The team leader sighed deeply. I was startled too.
I had hoped for five slots; now the chance was slim.
I really wanted to work at a real securities firm…
“Did the number suddenly change because of you, Director?”
“Me? I have that power?”
She glared; he shrugged with a sly smile.
“Selection will be based solely on mock trading performance.”
“Really? Mock trading?”
“Yes. The top performer, only one person, will be hired.”
The team leader’s sigh deepened.
She clearly didn’t expect me to take first place.
But I did.
Top return? Excellent news. Worth trying.
I was confident I could achieve a high return with my ability.
Even though I hadn’t sensed a scent since that thrilling first day.
“Maybe you should go. Risk Management must be busy.”
“Alright, if Kim says so. Take care.”
Kim Yu-seong left, grinning.
Now it was just the team leader and me.
Her face was full of concern.
I wanted to act, but couldn’t invest recklessly. Waiting was the best option.
I opened the mock trading screen, reviewing stocks one by one.
It took too long, and I realized this wasn’t the right approach.
‘Analyze the industry first.’
Not difficult.
By reading economic papers, research reports, and securities analyses, one can make good predictions.
From various sources, I determined the semiconductor industry would be promising.
“Team leader, the semiconductor industry will continue to grow, right?”
“Of course.”
She agreed.
“Planning to invest in semiconductors?”
“Just reviewing.”
“Then read this.”
She sent a file via messenger detailing semiconductor industry prospects and promising companies.
“Thanks.”
“Thanks? Buy me a drink.”
“Coffee, not alcohol.”
She looked a little disappointed.
“Ice vanilla latte, right?”
“No. I’ll get it. It’s a bet.”
“No, I should, since you gave me the report.”
“Ah… alright.”
I went to the café, bought an iced Americano with an extra shot and an iced vanilla latte with syrup.
“Here. I added syrup.”
“Really? Heh.”
She acted cute, half-moon eyes smiling.
Not bad at all, considering she was always stern as a platoon commander.
I sipped the bitter coffee, opened the file, and focused.
I selected Sammi Semiconductor.
A company developing automation equipment for semiconductor packaging with world-class technology.
Its stock fell sharply due to a patent lawsuit against Samhyun Electronics, the world’s largest semiconductor company.
Samhyun allegedly stole Sammi’s tech and transferred it to a subsidiary.
David versus Goliath.
A small company suing a global giant isn’t easy, but confidence in their tech made it possible.
Technologically strong, currently undervalued—buying could be good.
Then, a pleasant scent reached my nose.
“This…”
I clicked Sammi Semiconductor on the mock account.
No scent.
Curious… maybe because it’s a simulation?
I used my real account, clicked Sammi Semiconductor, and the scent appeared.
Back in the mock account, no scent again.
My ability didn’t work with virtual money.
I’d wasted three days searching stocks, unaware.
I invested the entire 100 million won mock money into Sammi Semiconductor.
At 8,500 won per share, I could buy 11,764 shares. The order executed instantly.
Then in my real account: 79 million won.
20 million reserved for my parents, plus what I owed the team leader—leaving 49 million won.
I bought Sammi Semiconductor fully: 5,700 shares.
[Order executed.]
Instantly filled.
“What did you buy?”
“Sammi Semiconductor.”
“That one? Weren’t they hit by Samhyun Electronics?”
I nodded.
“You think its stock will rise?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
I couldn’t say it was because of the scent.
I explained the data instead.
“Global-level technology and heavy R&D investment.”
She sighed.
“Deok-su, are you value investing now? Monthly returns matter…”
“It will rise.”
It would—timing unknown.
She pressed her temples.
“Also, you should know… small companies in Korea struggle when targeted by large ones.”
I knew.
Small companies can’t be on big corporations’ bad side.
Who’s right or wrong doesn’t matter. Money and power are law, justice, and virtue here.
“Let’s watch it a day or two. If it doesn’t move, sell. Decision’s yours. And if anyone asks why you bought it…”
“Don’t tell them.”
Traders don’t reveal their strategies.
“Alright.”
“Only because I’m the team leader.”
“Even to me, you don’t have to.”
“Yes. But I’ll tell the team leader. I’m still an intern with much to learn. I can’t miss learning from Mirae Securities’ top prop trader.”
“Appreciate that thinking of me that way.”
She smiled. I seemed to have pleased her.
The market closed.
I summarized the day and drafted research reports.
Then prepared tomorrow’s investment report.
Time flew until quitting.
“Team leader, your account number?”
“To return money?”
“Yes, to repay you.”
“Later is fine; use it as seed money.”
I didn’t want to owe anyone, even the team leader, thinking of my parents’ debts.
“No, I’ll take it.”
“…Alright.”
I sent ten million won to her account.
“Team leader, plans tonight?”
“Pilates day.”
She exercised too, not just drinking.
“Oh? I planned to buy you a drink.”
“Why all of a sudden?”
“Repay interest.”
She chuckled.
“Ah, Pilates is tomorrow.”
“Just smear some on your lips.”
She smirked slyly, stood up, grabbed her bag.
“Let’s go.”
She placed a refreshing soju-and-beer mix in front of me.
“One shot!”
We clinked and drank it in one go.
“Ahh.”
The fizzy drink hit the throat, stress of the day gone.
Team leader makes the best soju mix.
“Deok-su.”
She pointed at the TV.
Sammi Semiconductor signs 200 billion won supply contract with KS Semiconductor.
Good news.