Chapter 61
Chapter 61
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 61
Chapter Title: Short Selling Lessons
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The food Lee Dae-hwan was pointing to was the whole tuna sashimi in a large tub at the center of the table.
Seojin Group had seven.
Daehan Group had four.
Combined, their eleven affiliates were listed on the KOSPI and KOSDAQ.
On top of that, in the KOSPI market cap rankings for affiliates, Seojin Electronics was number one, and Daehan Electronics was number three.
It was meant to convey that they shouldn't bicker in little old Korea—they needed to venture out into the world.
If the two groups formed a friendly alliance and shared technology and know-how...
They'd dominate not just the Korean economy, but Asia as a whole.
"And if you arrange a meeting with Chairman Seojin, we'll make sure to suitably reward you for your efforts, Secretary."
Lee Dae-hwan suddenly switched to polite formality, and Kim Jin-taek's mouth stretched into a wide grin.
"It's not about getting rewarded. This is all for the sake of Korea's economy."
Was he humble-bragging while feeling pleased at the mention of a reward?
Contrary to his words, a greedy smile hung on Kim Jin-taek's lips.
Lee Dae-hwan didn't miss the way the corners of Kim Jin-taek's mouth turned up.
'Pathetic.'
If the man had any pride, he should have gotten angry at the word "reward."
As the mastermind of this venture, he ought to demand "a share," not a "reward."
In other words, for all his bluster, Kim Jin-taek instinctively knew he wasn't the owner—just a lackey, a mere cog in the machine.
'Fine. Gotta use the cog while it lasts.'
Clack!!
Lee Dae-hwan set down his chopsticks and continued.
"I'll pour a round of sake first."
His tone and gaze had shifted from moments ago, now warm and gentle.
***
After his meeting with Jeong Hee-joo, Lee Dae-hyuk had been carrying on with his daily routine as steadily as possible.
Most people would hole up in their rooms, trembling in fear if they knew a killer was targeting them.
But Lee Dae-hyuk didn't have that luxury.
'Time is of the essence right now.'
His enemies weren't just Wolfgang.
He needed to seize Daehan Group as quickly as possible, then snatch Seojin Group from Yoo Jae-man and exact his revenge.
'Can't just sit idle while Jeong Hee-joo's people track down Wolfgang's tail.'
It was a brief respite—not quite leisure, but close enough.
Lee Dae-hyuk was making the most of this short break for his own growth.
Specifically, by studying economic theory under Kim Jae-woon.
After dealing with Wolfgang and Park Jung-ki's crew, he'd have to head to America to meet Steven Gibson and Aple.
Conversing with them would require at least some management knowledge and sophistication.
There were plenty of tough concepts that were hard to grasp while learning, but it was also a welcome distraction from Wolfgang's pressure, if only for a moment.
Kim Jae-woon's perspective was a bit different, though.
"......"
Frustration weighed on his chest.
Even so, he kept his expression neutral and asked carefully.
"You don't know what short selling is?"
"...Yeah."
Hearing Lee Dae-hyuk's response, Kim Jae-woon cleared his throat awkwardly, managing his expression.
His counterpart was his boss and benefactor.
He had to show maximum respect to the man who'd changed his life.
"Ahem... ahem..."
As Kim Jae-woon cleared his throat to compose himself...
Lee Dae-hyuk stared straight at him, cheeks flushing.
Truth be told, Lee Dae-hyuk didn't want to expose his own ignorance either.
But what could he do?
In his past life, he'd been a gangster.
And even skimming his memories, there was no economic knowledge to draw from.
So for now, all he could do was humbly seek instruction.
Kim Jae-woon, meanwhile, felt a twinge of admiration for Lee Dae-hyuk.
Looked at another way, wasn't he leagues better than those spoiled chaebol heirs who crashed cars and caused scandals left and right?
"Not a big deal, really. Plenty of third-gen chaebol kids are even dumber than you, boss."
Those types just lived off dividend checks while stirring up trouble.
Compared to the idiots who made headlines with power trips, sexual assaults, drugs, or military scandals, Lee Dae-hyuk was a saint.
"Alright, let's start with short selling. The explanation's kinda funny at first, but basically, you borrow shares arbitrarily and sell them. Then, after a set period, you buy them back. Say there's a stock worth 100,000 won. You short sell it. But stocks drop sometimes, right? Like when that 100,000-won stock falls to 80,000. You buy it back there and return it—what happens?"
"...You pocket 20,000 won profit. Got it, crystal clear."
Grasping the principle of short selling, Lee Dae-hyuk felt a strange sensation.
To make money in stocks, you needed all sorts of stock-related info.
Money followed information.
Those who controlled info were the ones who profited from stocks.
Of course, some didn't just gather info—they manufactured it.
Like Yoo Jae-man.
"Goon-woo, if you wanna make money in stocks, you gotta know how to run scams too. If you can't lie like you, it's tough. Stocks are a psychological game anyway. And what drives that psychology? Info. So how do you get your hands on that info?"
"Dunno..."
"Simple. Make it yourself."
Back then, he hadn't understood Yoo Jae-man's words.
But now, after death, regression, and possession, he finally got how Yoo Jae-man made his money.
With info and capital, buy first when stocks rise.
Short sell when they fall.
'What an unfair game.'
But right now, he had to be the winner of that unfair game.
Confidence welled up in Lee Dae-hyuk.
He knew the future, and he had ample funds.
Who else was more suited to victory?
As he smiled meaningfully, Kim Jae-woon's next question came.
"If you don't know short selling... I bet convertible bonds are new to you too?"
"I know private loans inside out."
The private lending world had been his expertise, after all.
Five years in the mob, working as a loan shark at a subsidiary lender.
Lee Dae-hyuk nodded confidently for once and said boldly.
"Convertible bonds—so what do you convert the debt into?"
"......"
An inexplicable despair washed over Kim Jae-woon as he hung his head.
***
At that very moment, as Lee Dae-hyuk studied economics with Kim Jae-woon...
Kim Min-gyu and Kim Hak-soo were on an awkward stakeout together in Busan.
The two were lying in wait in front of Haemyeong Construction to kidnap Park Jung-ki.
"I've heard a lot about you. Senior."
Kim Min-gyu, behind the wheel, broke the ice.
Three days into their partnership, and the awkwardness lingered, so he tried to close the gap first.
But Kim Hak-soo frowned, clearly displeased with the "Senior" title.
"Senior? Am I your senior?"
"We're in the same line of work, aren't we? Haha."
Kim Min-gyu laughed awkwardly and scratched the back of his head.
"...Just call me 'Mr. Kim Hak-soo.'"
"...Got it."
Kim Min-gyu gave a curt reply.
He turned his head to glare at the building, hiding his embarrassment.
Work was work, after all.
No need to get chummy with Kim Hak-soo, who might become an enemy someday.
Instead...
'Help him out when it counts.'
For now, they were allies. Treat him like a colleague.
But Kim Hak-soo saw things differently.
He still hadn't let go of his suspicions about Lee Dae-hyuk.
'An unpredictable guy.'
Lee Dae-hyuk was beyond anything he could scheme against.
Naturally, he had to stay on guard.
The same went for Kim Min-gyu, sent by Lee Dae-hyuk.
From observing him on the job, he seemed sharp and competent.
But ultimately, he was just a watcher tagging along.
They could've handled Park Jung-ki on their own.
Yet Lee Dae-hyuk had "requested" Kim Min-gyu come along.
He must've read Jeong Hee-joo's play to swallow up Haemyeong Construction.
'Attaching a watchdog and getting nitpicky. Or did he read my moves?'
Either way, it felt like dancing in the palm of Lee Dae-hyuk's hand.
Infuriating, but one thing was clear.
Someone with skills like Lee Dae-hyuk could never be turned into...
'An enemy.'
Do that, and they might end up like Park Cheon-ho.
'For now, just focus on nailing the job and getting out.'
As Kim Hak-soo sorted his thoughts...
Thud-thud-.
Footsteps approached from the building entrance.
'Here he comes!'
Park Jung-ki emerged from Haemyeong Construction with his men.
Unlike usual, he seemed in a rush, striding quickly to pile into a van.
"What’s the play?"
Kim Min-gyu asked first.
Catching Park Jung-ki wasn't hard.
But even at midnight, they couldn't start a brawl on a main road.
Kick up a fuss, and it'd spell trouble not just for Jeong Hee-joo, but Lee Dae-hyuk too.
"Not yet."
Kim Hak-soo shook his head.
For the past three days, Park Jung-ki hadn't left his men's side.
Probably because his number two, Jeong Hyeok-soo, was laid up in the hospital.
Wary of retaliation or hits from Lee Dae-hyuk or rival gangs.
'Damn it...'
Wrinkles creased Kim Hak-soo's brow.
Kidnapping Park Jung-ki had gotten trickier.
But they couldn't just watch forever.
Plus, Jeong Hee-joo back in Seoul was a worry too.
"Let's keep tailing him for now."
Kim Hak-soo scowled, out of better options.
Hearing that, Kim Min-gyu turned the wheel.
Exactly thirty minutes later.
Smiles crept onto both their faces.
"Lucky break. Uh, Mr. Kim Hak-soo."
"No need to call in the backups."
Kim Hak-soo and Kim Min-gyu had each brought about ten men to Busan.
The subordinates were split into four-man teams, waiting nearby.
But best of all would be snagging Park Jung-ki just the two of them—no reinforcements needed.
Stealthily, without a soul knowing.
"Smash 'em!!"
"Tear it apart!!"
Haemyeong Construction workers in masks stormed the scene.
"Hey, don't hit people—wreck the building only. Can't break bones. We're gangsters, right?"
"Yeah. Smash the house like pros!!"
Crash!
Boom!!
Crack!!
Workers in masks or bandanas wielded pipes and clubs, demolishing homes.
Likely pounding the houses of residents resisting redevelopment and refusing to vacate.
"Argh, you bastards! This is my house! My home!!"
"You filthy scum!! Heaven's wrath'll strike you!!"
Elderly folks and ajummas with headbands grabbed at the Haemyeong laborers, rolling on the ground.
But civilians couldn't take on gangsters alone.
"Outta the way!!"
"We'll compensate later!! Bring your receipts!!"
"Eek!"
"Ack!"
Pushed aside by the Haemyeong crew, the shocked residents tumbled to the dirt.
"Those gangster bastards... Should we trash 'em all?"
At Kim Min-gyu's question from the wheel, Kim Hak-soo flushed red.
"...Pot calling the kettle black. Shit-stained dog scolding the snot-stained one. We're no different from those pricks, are we?"
"......"
"Don't get it twisted. We're here to work, not play hero."
"Ahem... Right."
Kim Min-gyu cleared his throat quietly at Kim Hak-soo's words.
"Just grab Park Jung-ki."
Kim Hak-soo spat it out, glaring at Park Jung-ki's van.
He was pissed off too, just like Kim Min-gyu.
Might look hypocritical.
But even as gangsters, he'd never bullied civilians or the weak before.
Park Jung-ki's men were crossing a line.
'Yeah... shit dog or snot dog, a dog's a dog.'
What good did cursing them do?
Just show it with actions.
"Let's go!"