Son Jinho Becomes a God

"Nice to meet you, Sanghyeok."

"Ah, yeah... Nice to meet you too."

The 15-year-old Daesanghyeok shook hands with Son Jinho, his hand trembling as memories from the past few days flashed through his mind.

A few days before his meeting with Son Jinho...

That explanation brought a sigh of relief. It wasn't on the level of a massive corporation, but hearing the name of a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠world-famous soccer star eased his dad's worries too.

Of course, he was still uneasy. In this cutthroat capitalist world where even big corps got scammed in Korea, fame didn't guarantee honesty.

'What if they're impersonating Son Jinho...'

Entering the café with a face full of suspicion, Daesanghyeok froze in shock.

"...Whoa. It's really Son Jinho. Is this a glitch?"

There he was—Son Jinho in the flesh.

"What do you want to drink?"

Even with the club 'owner' telling him to relax, Daesanghyeok felt stiff.

There was the awkwardness between employer and employee, sure... but more than that.

'It's just... the vibe.'

The atmosphere was completely different. Just a one-year age gap, yet Son Jinho somehow reeked of an adult.

"Back in my day, no ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠one thought you could make money gaming..."

'What is this... boomer energy?'

'Definitely a boomer.'

They talked for a good while—mostly Son Jinho speaking, Daesanghyeok listening.

"So, what's your dream, kid?"

"See you next time. Get home safe."

"Yes, hyungnim. I'll keep in touch."

I nodded as Daesanghyeok walked away.

Truth be told, e-sports wasn't the best investment. Like most Korean sports leagues, it was a sea of deficits.

But early e-sports losses weren't huge. In 2014, LoL Champions winners got around 30 million won monthly, with the lowest salary at 20 million.

Right now, in 2012, there weren't even minimum salaries.

Compared to the star power Daesanghyeok would have later, this was dirt cheap.

That could be covered by 'friendship fees' from companies.

If big shots could squeeze voluntary donations from corps, why couldn't I?

Without real power like them, I repaid with simple product shoutouts.

"Uh... Do we really need that disclaimer?"

"We got paid for it. No disclaimer makes it fraud."

I wanted to go long without scandals. I knew the backlash coming; no need to get lumped in.

The public cheered my honesty, and opinion swung my way.

"As expected of our hyung!"

"Straight-up real!"

My bold, frank review ads got rave reviews online.

Products I endorsed became premium buys, even at markup. Companies with solid goods but no promo flooded me with ads.

Oh, and founding the club? Another 'friendship fee.'

Instead of ad cash, I snagged the team a telecom giant planned for Dec 2012 cheap—Daesanghyeok's future team.

They didn't know his potential.

'Only I know Daesanghyeok's future!'

Dortmund fans might scoff at swapping Mario Gotze, Mbappe, Haaland for him... but those in the know? Different story.

Anyway, no grand reason for e-sports. Just fun. Teens/twenties have less buying power than thirties/forties now, but they'll age into it. Huge potential.

Most of my ventures targeted them anyway—no big loss.

Post-2018, Chinese cash would spike salaries... but till then, low overhead.

'If it flops, sell then.'

Money? No worry. I had coins.

Started mining hard—halving hit 6 months early vs. original timeline.

2013's massive boom came sooner. Bitcoin at $1,200 each now.

Pennies compared to future... but still.

I'd become the god of capitalism.

"Bitcoin is invincible, and I am god!"

Meanwhile, Han Gyeowol was fuming. She poured her rage into rapid-fire messages.

Son Jinho's ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠nonchalant "What's the problem?" made Han Gyeowol's hands and feet shake.

It felt like betrayal. She'd fixated on him alone, even followed to Germany.

'Looking at other girls besides me!'

Imagining him giggling with a girl group in some shady spot made her nauseous.