Dream Watch and Penthouse Secured
I'd been dreaming of buying that watch for ages, and the excitement kept me tossing and turning all night. "Yaaawn. Man, I'm so sleepy."
I wanted to sleep more, but that would've wrecked my sleep schedule, so I forced myself up and plopped down on the living room sofa. Since I was heading out in the afternoon, I flipped on the TV to catch up on the world before lunch. Sipping some instant coffee mix, I watched the news, and reports of the chaotic situation in the Middle East came on.
"What a mess. They're really gonna go to war, huh?" Hearing about Iran and the US clashing right from the morning news made me feel just how tense the world had gotten lately.
"Athena, the money I gave you—is it growing nicely?"
Shall I report the returns? Assets have risen sharply since you authorized aggressive management.
"Returns are great and all, but is war really breaking out?"
99.9%. The odds of war starting with Israel's preemptive strike on Iran are extremely high.
"Really? But how do you know that?"
I'm hacking and monitoring every organization in the US Department of Defense and intelligence community. Want me to display it?
Did I just hear that right?
"What did you say you're doing?"
I'm viewing documents and reports from the Pentagon, CIA, Mossad, and other intel groups in real-time.
I thought I'd misheard, but hearing Pentagon and CIA made my head throb suddenly.
"Why'd you hack the US CIA?"
Not just the US. Includes UK's MI5 and MI6, Israel's Mossad, Russia, and China too.
"They're not gonna raid my place with the US military anytime soon, right?"
Even if the US or their grandpas come, they have no idea they're being monitored in real-time by me. Don't worry.
"I'm sure you've handled it well. But are you only watching those countries?"
No, all major powers and key nations are under surveillance.
"Yeah..."
But in this situation, I've made 33% returns. Isn't that good?
33%? That's over 330 billion on a trillion...
"Hearing that eases my worries a bit. Just make sure I don't get dragged off anywhere."
Didn't you love spy stuff and military ops? Your old search history was full of it.
"Thinking stuff on Naver Wiki looks cool is different from you hacking and shoving it in my face."
True enough. If US stuff bothers you, shall I switch to Korean NIS feeds?
"That'd be weird too." Listening to this stuff feels like it's shaving years off my life.
"I was sleepy, but now I'm wide awake. Time to get ready to head out."
Yes, Master~
"You're dropping bombshells first thing in the morning, and now I can't focus on driving." I grumbled at Athena, and the steering wheel moved on its own as the car switched to autonomous mode.
Just rest your hands on the wheel. I'll handle the driving.
The roads were jammed even though it wasn't rush hour, but with Athena driving, no issue. I zoned out staring at the scenery until we arrived.
We've arrived, Master.
"Where's this?" I asked Athena, confused by the unfamiliar spot.
Cheongdam-dong watch specialist shop. You searched for a Rolex listing before, so I reserved it.
"Can I just go in?"
Yes, they'll guide you right in.
I pushed open the door, and a dazzling array of luxury watches greeted me.
"Welcome. Looking for a specific model?"
"I have a reservation..."
"One moment, please."
The staff glanced at the monitor, then beamed at me.
"Mr. Kwon Hyuk, right?"
"Yes, that's me."
They led me to a private lounge and vanished to fetch the watch. This might wrap up quicker than I thought.
With the reservation and perfect timing, you can buy and leave in under 30 minutes.
Sinking into the plush chair, I admired the interior when the staff hurried back.
"Your reserved Cosmograph Daytona. 18-karat white gold with diamond-set bezel."
The real thing sparkled even more brilliantly than the photos, leaving me in awe.
"Love it. I'll take it right now."
Dragging myself out this morning had been a hassle, but seeing it in person melted that away. I paid 120 million won right there, nodded to the bowing staff, and stepped out.
"Heavier than I expected. Glad it was so straightforward."
How's it feel dropping over 100 million in 15 minutes?
"Feels addictive. Once you decide to spend, it just flows like water."
Since I was in Gangnam anyway, I turned off the nav and drove wherever whim took me.
"Hmm~ Gangnam's never great for driving."
Korea's ritziest district, but the narrow alleys and traffic jams still choked me up.
While you're out, want to check out some houses?
A few days ago, moving felt iffy, but it was about time.
"Where to?" I'd never moved before, so no clue what was good.
Samsung-dong or Hannam-dong penthouses near the office would be nice.
I handed driving to Athena and pondered until a idea hit.
"Any standalone houses? Always wanted to try living in one after those YouTube vids."
One moment.
Athena went quiet, then urgently reported.
The house might not even be the issue.
"What do you mean?"
US and Israel have made their call. War starts with Israel's preemptive airstrike.
"...For real?"
Yes, attack planned in two days.
"Gonna be a shitstorm."
Nothing I could do about it anyway. All I could do was trust Athena and wait.
"Let's hit a gas station. Better fill up now than regret later."
I sped to one, topped off with premium, and headed home.
"Assets are prepped, right?"
Yes, diversified into oil futures and shorts on declines. I'll multiply your wealth several times over.
War looming, and Athena seemed almost excited.
"No other fallout for us, right?"
Gas prices rising aside, nothing much. A golden opportunity for me, actually.
In chaos like this, big chances arise. Most get swept away, but thanks to Athena, I could ride the wave instead.
"If preps are done, we're good."
She printed money in normal times—what would this volatility bring? Unimaginable.
"If we rake it in big, maybe buy a real house?"
No good standalone listings. There's an 80-pyeong apartment in Samsung-dong—how about that?
No standalone? Bummer, but I could buy land and build later.
"Close to the office—sounds good. Can we view it?"
Yes, offer generous moving costs to the current owner, and they'll clear out fast.
"Perfect. Contact them and set a time."
Got it. Keep the current house instead of selling?
Full of memories—not essential, but I wanted to hold onto it.
"Yeah. Means a lot to me, so let's keep it."
Coordinated with the law firm. Lawyers will handle it.
Maybe skipping breakfast had me starving—I whipped up quick soy sauce egg fried rice, did the dishes, and Athena announced the house was ready.
Acquiring under corporate name. I'll handle costs, clean the books spotless—no audits... er, organize perfectly.
Falsifying docs like breathing—no surprise anymore.
"Still wanna see it in person before moving in."
Grab your best suit from the closet, dress up, and go as the decision-maker.
I rushed to the closet, threw on a plain black suit, hopped in the car, and headed to Samsung-dong.
"Aigoo, from Black Ridge Capital, right?" The realtor was super polite.
Want me to take over? Might avoid slip-ups.
Corporate purchase—say you're here to inspect pre-acquisition. No issues.
I parroted Athena's lines like a parrot, and the realtor skipped chit-chat, just showed the place. Bypassed lobby security, up to the 30th floor—twice the size of my current home welcomed me.
"Current owner's still here, but viewing's fine."
Greeted the owner casually, toured the place, and suddenly my old apartment felt like a distant memory.
Whoa... Mine can't even compare.
Comparing a 25+ year-old Jamsil apartment is unfair anyway.
My spot in Jamsil was decent, but no match for penthouse scale. After the tour, I told the realtor lawyers would handle the rest and left.
"Price?"
11 billion won.
Ridiculously pricey, but worth it.
"Lawyers handling the rest?"
Yes, you'll just be known as the final decision-maker who visited.
"Move-in timeline?"
48 hours. 50 million moving bonus—they're out fast. Pro team and interiors done, move-in ready.
"Furniture?"
Any preferred style?
Preferred style? Nothing specific.
"Match my current place as much as possible."
Understood.
Process was odd, but hey—mission accomplished: new home secured.