Chapter 3
He spent the entire night staring at stock charts.
Then, at six in the morning…
“It’s over.”
The U.S. stock market had closed.
There was only one reason he had waited for the regular session to end.
[CoreWeave: 142.85 -2.34%]
[Previous Close: 146.27]
CoreWeave had closed lower than the previous trading day.
“It really went down.”
How should he interpret this?
After thinking for a moment, he reached a conclusion.
“I need to test it a few more times. One occurrence could just be a coincidence.”
He had to be cautious.
It would be reckless to invest based on this ability without verifying whether it was real.
But he had no intention of ignoring it either.
‘If this ability works the way I think it does… I could obtain unimaginable wealth.’
Perhaps this was an opportunity to earn far more than the 170 billion won he already possessed.
A few days later…
The chart changed.
[CoreWeave: 141.54 +1.12%]
[Previous Close: 139.98]
After several days of decline, CoreWeave finally turned upward.
“And the light I see has changed too.”
From blue…
To red.
It was almost as if the stock itself was telling him today’s closing price would end higher.
He switched programs and opened Excel.
Inside was a spreadsheet containing CoreWeave’s recent prices.
Today’s result had already been recorded.
“Based on five days of data… I think this ability shows me tomorrow’s closing price.”
Kang Hyun only summarized what he knew for certain.
- It shows the next day’s closing price for a specific stock.
- So far, it has only appeared on CoreWeave.
- It has been accurate one hundred percent of the time.
The third point was the most important.
A one hundred percent success rate.
For a trader, that was an overwhelming advantage.
“If I could maintain a 100% win rate, earning just one percent per day would multiply my capital by roughly thirty-seven times after one year.”
Two percent per day?
Over 1,300 times.
Three percent?
More than 48,000 times.
Even investing just one million won would grow into approximately 48.5 billion won after one year at three percent daily compounded returns.
That was the magic of compound interest.
“I still need to determine whether this ability works on other stocks… and whether it only applies to stocks.”
But one thing was certain.
“I’ve obtained an unbelievable ability.”
He grabbed an energy drink and took a long sip.
The exhaustion clouding his mind faded away.
As his thoughts became sharper, he remembered his original plan.
“When I first realized I had 170 billion won… I thought I’d just retire and live comfortably.”
One hundred seventy billion won.
An astronomical amount.
Enough money to live the rest of his life without ever working again.
He could travel the world.
Buy anything he wanted.
Eat whatever he wanted.
Wear whatever he wanted.
There would be no limits.
That was why retirement had seemed like the obvious choice.
“But now everything is different.”
It wasn’t greed.
He had been given the ability to beat the market.
Letting such a gift go to waste would be foolish.
“I need to adjust my portfolio.”
He wanted to challenge the market again.
The same market that had once defeated him.
A few days later, Kang Hyun visited a department store.
He walked into the Hermès boutique.
An employee quickly approached him.
“Good afternoon, sir. Is there anything specific you’re looking for?”
“I’m looking for a handbag as a gift for my mother. Is there anything available for immediate purchase today?”
“May I ask how old your mother is?”
“She’s in her sixties.”
“I’ll check which models would suit someone her age.”
The employee checked the inventory for a moment.
“As it happens, we have exactly one suitable piece left in stock. Would you like to see it?”
“Yes, please.”
The employee excused herself and disappeared into the back.
A few moments later, she returned carrying a navy-colored tote bag.
The elegant color appealed to him.
The design was simple and refined.
It looked perfect for his mother.
“I like it. I’ll take this one.”
“Certainly. I’ll prepare it right away.”
Watching the employee carefully package the handbag, Kang Hyun smiled.
‘The old me would’ve looked at the price tag first.’
This time…
He hadn’t even bothered asking the price.
‘Money really is wonderful.’
He currently had over 200 million won in available cash.
That included his existing savings plus the proceeds from selling one Bitcoin.
He also still possessed another 999 Bitcoins.
Buying a luxury handbag was now as effortless as breathing.
“The packaging is complete. How would you like to pay?”
“I’ll use this card.”
“Would you like to pay in installments?”
“No. One payment, please.”
She didn’t ask how many months.
She simply asked whether installments were necessary.
Apparently, she had already guessed from his demeanor.
Then again…
Anyone working in a luxury boutique needed excellent judgment.
“Your payment has been approved. Thank you very much for your purchase. If you need anything in the future, please feel free to contact me directly.”
The employee even handed him her business card.
Only then did he realize she wasn’t an ordinary salesperson.
She was the store manager.
Just as he bowed politely and turned to leave…
“Hyun?”
Fate really had a cruel sense of humor.
In a city as enormous as Seoul…
Among countless people…
He ran into the one person he least wanted to see.
“It’s been a while.”
“It has. What brings you here…? Oh… buying a bag?”
Han So-ye looked at the Hermès shopping bag in his hand.
Her tone immediately changed.
“So you’ve already found another woman? But isn’t buying Hermès for someone you’ve only dated a month a little excessive? Especially now that you don’t even have a job.”
It was an obvious attempt to provoke him.
The old Kang Hyun would have reacted.
But not anymore.
His heart remained calm.
Looking at So-ye stirred no emotions whatsoever.
He simply answered honestly.
“We’re not close enough anymore for you to worry about things like that. Looks like you’re shopping too. Have fun… and let’s not run into each other again.”
Without another word, he walked away.
He never looked back.
Watching him leave without the slightest hesitation…
So-ye stood there completely dumbfounded.
“…What?”
She couldn’t even laugh properly.
‘What’s with that relaxed attitude?’
‘Did he win the lottery or something?’
At that moment…
Someone approached from behind.
“Ma’am? May I assist you?”
It was the same Hermès manager who had just helped Kang Hyun.
She politely greeted So-ye.
Already irritated, So-ye snapped at her.
“Do you know who I am?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Then stop wasting time and show me the item that arrived.”
“Certainly. Please follow me.”
As they walked through the boutique, So-ye asked sharply,
“The man who just left… which model did he buy?”
“I’m sorry, but I cannot disclose another customer’s purchase.”
“You can’t even tell me that?”
“I’m very sorry.”
“Then at least tell me the price.”
“I’m sorry.”
Yang Hyun-joo, the boutique manager, maintained her professional smile.
Her calm attitude only irritated So-ye even more.
Watching her customer throw a tantrum, Yang Hyun-joo couldn’t help thinking…
‘The gentleman who just left had incredible manners… How was someone like him ever involved with a woman like this?’
Working at a luxury boutique meant meeting customers from every background imaginable.
Among them…
The man who had just left ranked among the most refined.
His behavior suggested his wealth matched his elegance.
‘The wealthier someone is, the more composed they usually become.’
As for the woman standing before her…
She couldn’t be certain…
But in her experience, newly rich people or women whose status suddenly rose because of the men they married often behaved exactly like this.
“I only divorced him recently, and he already found another woman?”
So-ye muttered quietly behind her.
She didn’t even care that the employee could hear.
Honestly…
That wasn’t unusual.
Many customers treated boutique employees like trees lining the sidewalk.
Because of that…
Yang Hyun-joo had already pieced together the relationship between the two.
And she arrived at one conclusion.
‘He escaped just in time.’
Kang Hyun arrived at his parents’ home in Anseong, Gyeonggi Province.
“Hyun! You’re here.”
“I’m home. These are for you.”
“Oh my… You didn’t have to buy all this. Wait… What’s this?”
He handed his mother several gifts.
There were premium fruits.
High-quality Korean beef.
But the first thing she noticed was the Hermès shopping bag.
“Is this… a handbag?”
“Yes. I bought it at Hermès. I hope you like it.”
“Oh my… This must’ve cost a fortune.”
No matter how old a woman became…
Or whether she was already a mother…
She was still a woman.
Even if she claimed she didn’t care about luxury brands…
Receiving one still made her genuinely happy.
When she opened the elegant packaging and saw the handbag inside…
She smiled like a little girl.
“Oh! I shouldn’t just stand here. Have you eaten yet?”
“No. I wanted to eat your cooking, so I skipped my last meal.”
“Sit down and rest for a bit! I’ll have everything ready in no time!”
“No rush.”
She carefully placed the handbag on the living room table as though it were a priceless treasure before hurrying into the kitchen.
Soon…
Delicious aromas filled the house.
The sounds of cooking brought warmth back into the quiet home.
A short while later, his mother called him to the dining table.
“Wow… This is a feast.”
“Eat as much as you want. You probably haven’t had a proper home-cooked meal lately.”
“Actually… Kwang-ho’s wife keeps making side dishes for me.”
“Kwang-ho’s wife?”
“Yeah. Ever since the divorce, Kwang-ho visits about once a week.”
“You two have always been so close. You’re practically brothers.”
Brothers.
There couldn’t have been a more fitting description.
Although they weren’t related by blood…
That was exactly what they were.
Both had grown up as only children, making their friendship even stronger.
“Kwang-ho told me to say hello. He said he misses your kimchi stew with pork belly.”
She laughed softly.
“Really? He always loved that dish ever since he was little. Tell him to come visit sometime.”
“I’ll bring him with me next time.”
“You’d better.”
They chatted while finishing their meal.
Afterward, they sat together in the living room.
His mother brought out sliced fruit.
As they ate dessert, she quietly spoke.
“I was planning to ask you to stay here for a while… but after seeing your face, I don’t think I need to.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I was very worried. Divorce isn’t easy. For me… I still had you after separating from your father, and I was too busy working to really dwell on it.”
His parents had divorced when he was in middle school.
Looking back…
It hadn’t affected him much.
They had never gotten along.
They had already been living separately before the divorce.
It simply felt inevitable.
“But you’re different. You also lost your job. I thought the shock would be much greater. I was worried… but after seeing you today… I guess I worried for nothing.”
“I’m really okay now. You don’t have to worry anymore.”
“That’s good.”
She reached over and held his hand.
It had been a long time since he had held his mother’s hand.
It was rough.
Covered with wrinkles.
Then…
A warm drop of liquid landed on the back of his hand.
Startled, he looked up.
His mother had lowered her head.
Her shoulders trembled.
“…Are you crying?”
“…I’m sorry. I let you experience something like that when you were little… and now this happened to you too.”
Her voice was filled with guilt.
His heart ached.
It wasn’t like that.
His parents’ divorce had never scarred him.
Yet…
His mother had blamed herself all these years.
“No, Mom. That’s not it. So-ye and I simply weren’t right for each other. Please don’t think like that.”
“I’m sorry… I’m so sorry…”
She continued apologizing for a long time.
Watching her…
Kang Hyun silently made a promise.
‘I have to become even more successful.’
‘Only then will Mom stop worrying about me.’
He had to show her that he could live an even better life than before.
That…
Would be the greatest act of filial devotion.
Several days later…
Kang Hyun sat inside a private dining room at a restaurant in Cheongdam.
He was waiting for someone.
Not long afterward, voices could be heard outside.
The door opened.
Kwang-ho walked in.
“Damn. Why’d you book such an expensive place?”
“Oppa! Long time no see!”
Kwang-ho wasn’t alone.
His wife, Kim Ah-yeon, was with him.
“It’s my treat today. Let’s enjoy ourselves.”
As he spoke…
He looked closely at Kwang-ho.
Perhaps sensing something unusual, Kwang-ho asked,
“What? First time seeing such a handsome face?”
“Handsome? You look more like a bear.”
His face wasn’t what mattered.
‘Why is his entire body glowing red?’
The same red light he had seen surrounding CoreWeave…
Now surrounded Kwang-ho.
It looked like the aura of a Super Saiyan.
‘Actually… it’s even stronger. More like Super Saiyan 2.’
If the glow around CoreWeave resembled Super Saiyan…
Then Kwang-ho’s aura was noticeably brighter.
‘Red means rising. Blue means falling… If it applies to people too, does that mean his wealth or abilities are about to increase?’
Based on the limited data he had collected…
That was the only reasonable conclusion.
‘And if the brighter glow represents a larger increase…’
Even in those brief moments…
Kang Hyun continued organizing every clue in his mind.
Meanwhile, Kwang-ho picked up the menu.
“I can order expensive stuff, right?”
“Huh? Yeah. Order whatever you want.”
“Perfect! We’ll start with tenderloin. Then shrimp skirt meat and short rib as well. Honey, you’re getting cold noodles, right?”
Watching Kwang-ho order without hesitation made Kang Hyun smile.
Being around his best friend always put him at ease.
‘I’ll think about it later.’
He was sharing a meal with people who genuinely cared about him.
For now…
That was enough.
After dinner…
Kang Hyun and Kwang-ho stepped outside for a cigarette.
Neither of them smoked regularly.
Only occasionally, to relieve stress.
Click.
As Kang Hyun lit his cigarette…
Kwang-ho looked at him.
“You look much better. A few weeks ago you looked completely dead.”
“It’s time I got myself together. I’ve still got a lot to do.”
“A lot to do?”
Kwang-ho’s question hung in the air.
Kang Hyun inhaled deeply.
Then slowly exhaled.
“Whoo…”
Without the slightest hesitation, he answered.
“I’m starting my own company.”
Kwang-ho’s eyes widened.
This is the end of Chapter 3.
