Performance Test (3)
Despite what I'd said yesterday about not wanting to move, now that things were kicking off, it felt like I'd have to relocate sooner rather than later.
"While you're looking for someone to protect me, scout some moving options too, just in case. I might not go right away, but it feels inevitable soon."
Understood. I've already shortlisted the three factories you mentioned earlier. Shall I show them to you now?
It would've taken me days to find them myself, but damn, AI is fast.
"Yeah, show me right away."
The first candidate is Kyungjoong Precision in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province. The president's gambling debts and reckless expansion have the company on the brink of collapse.
"Sounds like a ticking time bomb from the description alone. Any more details?"
It has a clean room and precision lithography equipment on-site, so with some time, it could make a comeback. But the president's gambling debt is the key—leverage that, and you can acquire it immediately.
"Okay. What about the other two?"
JSRL Bio in Siheung, Gyeonggi Province. It grew during COVID but tanked after the pandemic due to failed R&D. It has a BSL-3 lab and large culture tanks—perfect for profitable use post-acquisition.
I'm a liberal arts guy, so I didn't get 100% of it, but Athena's annotations helped me grasp the basics.
The last one is Taetan Industry in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province. The company itself is solid, but there's drama over succession between brothers. Throw them some cash, and they'll shut up and hand it over.
"So, what's the total cost to acquire all three?"
We're planning voluntary redundancies with two years' severance plus extras, so roughly 20 billion KRW, 11.5 billion KRW, and 14 billion KRW. Total: 45.5 billion KRW.
A bit higher than Athena's earlier estimate. But if five billion extra gets it done clean, it's a steal.
"Alright, proceed with the acquisitions. We got a private equity ghost corp among ours?"
Yes, one based in Singapore. Shall we use that?
"Yeah. Hire a law firm and wrap it up quick."
Understood. I'll handle the office through the law firm too.
Two days later, three lawyers showed up for Kim Doo-sik, whose gambling debts and overexpansion had him on the ropes, threatening both company and life.
"Who might you be...?"
Song Min-woo, partner at Kim & Jeong, pulled out his card with a deadpan face and cut straight to it.
"I'm Song Min-woo from Kim & Jeong, representing Black Ridge Capital, a Singapore-based private equity firm making an acquisition offer for your company."
"Black... what? Why's some foreign fund suddenly coming after me...?"
"No need to know the why. Just sign, and we'll clear all your gambling debts plus guarantee you an honorary consultant role at 600 million KRW for two years."
Kim Doo-sik's pupils quaked. Already in deep shit from debts, no reason to say no. He called the lawyers to the office, reviewed the contract, and signed on the spot.
"Wise choice."
No need for raised voices—the deal closed smoothly, and Song Min-woo cracked a faint smile. Then they gathered the staff, kept three for facility management and four for security, and offered voluntary redundancies to the rest with two years' pay plus bonuses.
Watching it all through Athena-hacked cameras, I confirmed the other two factories were done too and closed my eyes.
"Factories are set, but what about the office?"
Finalized Centersquare Office in Yeoksam-dong. Samsung-dong wasn't great.
"I don't care. Cost?"
Deposit, one year prepaid rent, interiors, etc.—about 11 billion KRW.
"...Am I gonna end up broke? Factories need equipment, robots for automation—that's more cash."
Factory upgrades and robots included: about 96.8 billion KRW outflow.
We'd had over 200 billion left after the trillion, but now nearly 100 billion gone in a day.
"I'm seriously gonna go bankrupt."
As if. You just made 200 million KRW while saying that. Big spends are done; extras won't be huge.
Made 200 million in one sentence? Mind-blowing.
"That 200 mil means no money worries forever."
Exactly. No money worries ever.
"Keep office interiors basic. It's a lease—no need to splurge."
Got it.
I'm hopeless at design, so Athena'll handle it.
"How long till factories are fully operational?"
Exactly one month. Unmanned systems at all factories are already under control.
"I'll leave that to you. Swing by once they're running."
No need to go out, so I was lounging on the sofa, YouTubing on TV, when Athena chimed in.
Master, office interior designs are done. Display them?
"One sec."
Quick bathroom break, eyes open—a hologram unfolded, crisp and immersive, like VR. I poked around every corner with Athena's help, and it matched my vague vision perfectly.
"Clean and nice. Go with this."
Yes! About three weeks.
Three weeks? Matches factory timeline.
"Cool. For guards, wait till factories run—load 'em with nanobots for peace of mind."
Understood. Starting candidate search now.
Money's infinite, but life's singular—gotta be picky. I'd done all I could; now wait patiently.
'I've changed a lot in days.'
Life was comfy before, but now money's meaningless, so I blew it wildly. Still, beats the boring old days—this one's exciting.
Time hanging, need hobbies. Deferred school; gaming at home'd turn me feral.
"Athena, office construction started?"
No, tomorrow.
Not owned, leased—but contracted, so see it myself.
"Can I check it out? Saw the render, but wanna see for real."
Yes. It's empty now, but seeing it live is good.
Grabbed keys, headed to Gangnam.
Passed the hotel-like lobby, hit floor 14—a vast center-core office with everything centralized.
Clang! Footstep echoed.
"Bigger than I thought. Wonder how it'll look finished?"
Hologram overlaid: sleek office appeared.
"Nice. Good call coming."
Too big for solo; staff would liven it.
"Athena, windows bulletproof?"
No, post-factory: nano-reinforced film for bulletproofing.
Pondered factory output—film confirmed smart buy.
"Parking for how many?"
One per 100 pyeong: five for us.
Five... flashy apartment cars can park here.
"Business vehicles?"
SUV or sedan preference?
Got sedan; want SUV.
"SUV? Already have sedan."
Cadillac Escalades—two—and one Maybach sedan?
Three? But better prepped for staff.
"Do it. Corporate title saves tax."
Yes.
"Singapore ghost corp's Korean branch—too flashy?"
Kim & Jeong as agents, taxes paid—NTS won't care.
"But it's a Singapore ghost—dig there, risky?"
Part of your trillion used there: leased office, hired agent/secretary. Years of faked records online—no worries.
"Yeah, you'll handle it fine."
Made a trillion overnight; fooling eyes is easy.
"Corp cars timeline?"
Four days. Premium rush, canceled orders secured. Reg and extras: parked in basement within a week max.
"More money... 100 bil down the drain?"
Soon, yeah. Aggro the trillion more?
"Safe?"
Yes. Middle East unrest perfect cover—no issues.
"Do it. Hearing 100 bil left had my heart dropping."
Oil hikes bummed me; now opportunity, mood lifted.