Chapter 59

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Translator: Wjin

Chapter: 59

Chapter Title: The Start of 2013

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Kangyul sat alone, watching TV.

Even though it was the weekend, his parents were busy and out of the house. The only ones home were the three triplets.

The biggest change from 2012 was, first and foremost, the new president.

Lee Myung-bak's term had ended, and Park Geun-hye had been elected.

'Well, I already knew that.'

She'd be impeached after just a few years anyway, but at this point, people were full of high hopes for the new government.

Kangyul listened to President Park Geun-hye's inaugural address with a bored expression.

Another change was the new computer at home—for the triplets.

Their parents had kept their promise to buy one for the next birthday.

The problem was there were three kids but only one computer.

"Yes! I win!"

"Big brother. My turn now."

Deokyul and Jiyul often fought over the computer and got scolded for it.

Kangyul didn't cling to it much himself—he was already sick of games.

He only subbed in occasionally when his brothers begged him to win for them.

"Big bro! Beat this guy for me!"

"What clan?"

"Ulsan Clan!"

As Deokyul stepped aside, Kangyul took his seat.

He immediately swapped his gun for a sniper rifle and headed to sector B.

He ran into enemies along the way but dispatched them cleanly.

"Whoa! As expected of Kangyul bro! The best!"

"One left."

Kangyul's fingers danced across the keys, maneuvering his character with flair.

It had been months since he'd played properly, but his skills hadn't rusted.

Besides, no one in casual matches could beat him anyway.

Bang!

"We won!"

Kangyul finished off the last opponent neatly and handed the computer back to his brothers.

"Just a bit longer, then shut it down. Got it?"

"Yeah!"

"Got it!"

Kangyul patted his brothers' heads—they always said the right things—and headed to the bathroom.

His phone was still taped to the ceiling there.

If he'd lost his company, his money, and his phone, Kangyul might've sunk into real depression.

"Wonder how high it's climbed today."

These days, his one joy was checking Bitcoin prices.

From the end of 2011, he'd been buying the dips for two years straight, amassing over 2 million BTC.

Average cost of 48,290 KRW—that was nearly 900 billion invested out of the 1.1 trillion he held.

Bitcoin had already broken past 120,000 KRW.

It had barely hit 100,000 before China approved Bitcoin activity—a steeper rise than in his past life.

'Maybe it's partly because of me.'

Kangyul had been active in the Bitcoin cafe lately.

He'd drop tips now and then on how to buy and why.

A lot of people had followed his advice and made decent money.

So now, every post he made drew a flood of comments.

The moment Chinese capital started flowing in December, Bitcoin would spike to 1.3 million KRW.

But just 15 days later, they'd clamp down again, causing a crash, followed by a string of bad news that led to a prolonged slump.

'Even in the slump, it'll settle around 600,000. Buying now is a sure win.'

Kangyul skimmed the new posts on the cafe and hid his phone again.

By evening, the nanny arrived home with her grandson, Lee Jaeyoung.

She often came with him on weekends.

Lee Jaeyoung was currently dominating in Midas Corporation's Sudden Attack pro gaming team.

'His unique work ethic is paying off.'

"President. Reading the paper again?"

"Bored."

"Papers bore me even more. As expected of you, President."

Jaeyoung still called Kangyul "President."

Somehow, the word had stuck as his nickname.

"Go play with the kids. Your brothers have been waiting all day for you."

"Really?"

If Deokyul and Jiyul had idols, it was Lee Jaeyoung.

To them, he was probably a gaming god.

Kangyul's house wasn't just visited by the nanny and Jaeyoung.

Midas Corporation's new president, Jang Deokcheol, came with his son Jang Seongtae.

"President, there's a proposal to open a new branch for Midas Bank."

"Sounds good."

"We're thinking of buying some land in Pyeongtaek under the investment firm's name. What do you think?"

"Good."

In truth, Kangyul's advice was limited to fragmented memories from his past life.

Whenever Jang Deokcheol asked, he just said yes unless it really felt off.

And it seemed to work wonders.

'Or maybe the employees are just that talented.'

Midas Corporation had grown into Korea's top MCN agency.

Midas Mutual Savings Bank had expanded to five branches.

The land in Pyeongtaek and near Sejong City that Kangyul had recommended? All massive wins.

Word of Kangyul started spreading even within Seonjin Group.

When Jang Deokcheol told him about the rumors, Kangyul burst out laughing.

'Haha. President's a president—what's with "the real" one?'

One thing was clear: plenty of people were eagerly awaiting Kangyul's growth and return.

As time dragged on, Kangyul grew more listless.

For a mind that was already an adult, elementary school life was brutally dull.

'Sigh. Bored to death. Maybe I need a hobby.'

Just then, Im Myeonghan was sitting in his chair, watching economic news.

Kangyul plopped down beside him to watch too.

'Yongsan development? That one's doomed to fail.'

In his past life, plenty had bought in hyped on rising land values—only to go bust.

The culprit was right there on the news: the Yongsan project.

"It's gonna tank anyway. Tsk."

Kangyul forgot Im Myeonghan was next to him and muttered under his breath.

"You think it won't work out, Kangyul?"

"Not sure, but it feels like it won't."

"Why's that?"

Kangyul pretended to think for a moment.

'Can't exactly say "because of the future." What to say?'

"Hmm. They fight with Korail every day."

Im Myeonghan nodded.

"You're right, Kangyul. The news calls it bickering, but the conflict is intense. That's why even Seonjin Construction sold its stake and bailed."

From that day on, watching news with Im Myeonghan became Kangyul's new hobby.

His father would occasionally ask for Kangyul's take, or share his own thoughts, turning it into real conversation.

Learning terms like "court receivership" and "debt default" brought a fresh thrill.

One day, Im Myeonghan made a proposal.

"Kangyul, want to try stocks?"

"Stocks?"

"Isn't it too early for Kangyul to invest in stocks?"

Park Jeong-a, listening nearby, jumped in alarmed, but Im Myeonghan shook his head.

"I hear kids of foreign entrepreneurs start before age 10. Builds economic sense."

"...Kangyul already knows way too much!"

Im Myeonghan cleared his throat but didn't back down.

Soon after, Kangyul had a brokerage account.

"Daddy put 1 million won in as a first-account gift. Do whatever you want with it."

"Whatever I want?"

'...Stocks, huh.'

Now that he had permission, Kangyul felt meh about it.

To someone already deep in Bitcoin, stocks seemed like a low-yield snooze.

'Difference from coins? Investing in actual companies with assets, I guess.'

He didn't know many companies.

'At least the ones that thrive long-term won't flop.'

Kangyul decided on Naver and Kakao stock.

He wasn't sure how high they'd go, but no way they'd lose.

'Hmph. 1 million's too little.'

Even buying shares at around 60,000 each, it'd only get him 15-16 shares per company.

He figured he'd use spare cash anyway and withdrew 20 billion from his overseas deposits.

10 billion ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠each into the two companies.

'Just let it sit. Check when I remember.'

Kangyul quickly lost interest and shut down the computer.