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Translator: uly
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: An Irresistible Offer
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A coffee shop near the alley where Lee Dae-hyuk's bodyguards had caused a commotion.
At the window-side table, Lee Dae-hyuk and Kim Jae-woon sat with a lemon ade and an iced Americano in front of them, respectively.
But even after quite some time had passed, neither glass had diminished.
It was because of Lee Dae-hyuk's sudden proposal to entrust him with managing his assets.
"...I can't believe it. Why would you make that kind of offer to me?"
Kim Jae-woon's voice trembled.
Yeouido was teeming with top-tier fund managers and personal wealth advisors boasting prestigious degrees and careers.
He couldn't fathom why such a proposal would come to someone like him, who hadn't even set foot in college, let alone graduated high school.
'What should I say to explain this?'
I am a regressor who returned from death and now inhabits the body of a chaebol heir.
I know your future of succeeding in stocks.
That's why I've come to you for help.
No way he'd believe that.
He'd probably call me crazy and storm out.
So, Lee Dae-hyuk had to explain in a way Kim Jae-woon could accept.
"By chance, I came across a few posts you wrote on the forum. You showed real insight into global stock markets."
"Ah, yes... Thank you."
"Someone with that level of ability would be helpful to me. That's why I went out of my way to track you down."
"Even so... pinpointing my exact PC café doesn't add up. Did you... trace my IP or something?"
"A chaebol heir can do a lot of things."
Lee Dae-hyuk brushed off Kim Jae-woon's question vaguely.
From far in the future, when Kim Jae-woon had become a superstar in the stock world—
"My life changed at Bulbada PC Café. Why do I still remember the name? Because back then, my life was a complete inferno, a hellfire. Haha. Guess the place and my code matched perfectly."
He couldn't say he'd tracked him down from remembering a TV economic program interview.
'Still, it's amazing. To remember events from years ago so vividly. Is it because I'm young again?'
Truth be told, some memories had faded with age.
But just because he'd gained a young body again, those past memories were crystal clear?
If that was possible...
He could probably recall other necessary memories too.
Grateful inwardly for the sharpened recollections, Lee Dae-hyuk heard Kim Jae-woon's voice in his ear.
"...Yes, you're right. That's not the important part. I won't ask any more pointless questions."
"Thank you for your consideration."
As Lee Dae-hyuk replied with a subtle smile, Kim Jae-woon stared at his face for a moment before downing his drink.
His heart was pounding.
His instincts were telling him.
He'd just seized a chance to change his life.
'I absolutely can't let this slip.'
Finally, letting out a shallow sigh, Kim Jae-woon spoke.
"Whew... Just now, you said you saw insight into global stocks in my posts, but honestly, it's just stuff anyone poking around the stock scene could piece together. Like assembling a puzzle. But..."
Explaining his situation honestly, Kim Jae-woon trailed off.
Bragging might make him lose Lee Dae-hyuk.
Better to be upfront about his abilities.
So.
"I believe that puzzle is the right answer."
Kim Jae-woon subtly asserted his conviction.
'As always, a boom is followed by a bust.'
'Not just Wall Street, but economists worldwide are ignoring it... but the downturn is coming soon.'
Having laid out his puzzle like that, Kim Jae-woon fell silent.
Now it was time to wait for Lee Dae-hyuk's response.
And as if waiting for that moment, Lee Dae-hyuk continued.
"But there are people who think like you, Kim Jae-woon. And financial products like that already exist."
"You're talking about Credit Default Swaps."
"Exactly."
Lee Dae-hyuk nodded.
Truth be told, he lacked specialized knowledge in economics.
He had assisted Yu Jae-man, but his roles were mostly bodyguard duty or persuading—or threatening—people.
However, they did share hobbies outside of work, one of which was watching movies.
'Who would've thought that movie I watched back then would help like this...'
It was ironic.
A film loosely based on a real person who made a fortune during the subprime mortgage crisis, seen while loyally serving Yu Jae-man, would become the starting point of his revenge plan.
'I have one year from now. I need to prepare within that.'
He'd bet all the money earned using his foreknowledge on Credit Default Swaps.
Then use those funds to acquire as much Daehan Group stock as possible—that was Lee Dae-hyuk's plan.
Control went to whoever held the most shares, after all.
'Yes. I need Daehan Group to get my revenge.'
Did he think of Yu Jae-man's Seojin Group?
Unknowingly, Lee Dae-hyuk clenched his fist.
But suppressing the boiling rage inside, his gaze on Kim Jae-woon was calm—almost cold.
Whew—!
After a short deep breath to regain composure, Lee Dae-hyuk continued the conversation.
"Actually, I've done some studying on Credit Default Swaps as you mentioned. That's when I came across your posts and tracked you down."
"Studying... And you even have the capital to act on it. Honestly, I'm jealous."
"..."
An unintended slip of true feelings.
Realizing his blunder, Kim Jae-woon bowed his head.
"Ah, sorry."
His face flushed with embarrassment at revealing his pathetic side.
But Lee Dae-hyuk let out a self-deprecating chuckle.
"No need to be jealous.
The former Kim Geon-woo, and even the original owner of this body, Lee Dae-hyuk, lived horrific lives.
Far from enviable—lives that inspire pity.
But with no way to know that past, Kim Jae-woon could only mutter bitterly.
"Haha. Hearing that from you yourself doesn't make it feel... "
"Do you think investing in Credit Default Swaps will definitely succeed, Kim Jae-woon?"
At Lee Dae-hyuk's pivot, Kim Jae-woon nodded.
"I'd stake my entire fortune on it. No, my life too."
No hesitation even mentioning his life.
Pleased even more by that conviction?
With a satisfied look, Lee Dae-hyuk continued.
"Then no need to envy me. It won't be my success—it'll be ours."
At those words, Kim Jae-woon's eyes sparkled.
Our success? Could it be?
A flicker of expectation rose.
And as he hoped, Lee Dae-hyuk offered a very sweet deal.
"If you take on my work, I'll give you 1% of the future profits directly."
"...Pardon?"
"I know it's not much. So I'll provide a salary and other benefits too."
"Pardon?"
"While handling my affairs, you'll get 5 million won a month. Contract until December 31, 2008. After that, we'll renegotiate based on the situation."
"..."
Kim Jae-woon doubted his ears.
Unimaginable terms.
5 million won monthly plus 1% of investment profits.
1% might seem small, but if his prediction hit, it'd be an enormous sum.
An amount he'd never even dreamed of.
'Is this a dream? No, it can't be.'
Stunned by the unbelievable offer, Kim Jae-woon confirmed again.
"S-So... if I manage your affairs... base salary of 5 million won a month plus 1% of profits?"
"Yes."
At Lee Dae-hyuk's firm confirmation, Kim Jae-woon widened his eyes.
"Really? Wait, before that—how much are you planning to invest?"
"The amount I can invest right now is only 1 billion won."
At those words, the excitement on Kim Jae-woon's face froze solid.
The investment amount Lee Dae-hyuk mentioned fell far short of his expectations.
It was a shocking offer with great terms, but 1 billion was woefully insufficient to seize the opportunity of a lifetime.
And naturally, Lee Dae-hyuk knew exactly what Kim Jae-woon was worried about.
If he could only make 1 billion, he wouldn't have sought him out.
Unlike the visibly disappointed Kim Jae-woon, Lee Dae-hyuk asked leisurely.
"When exactly do you predict that crisis you foresaw will fully erupt?"
At the question, Kim Jae-woon hesitated briefly.
Anxiety that, without a contract, they might just steal his knowledge.
But if Lee Dae-hyuk was that kind of person.
'Then my judgment was wrong.'
If his judgment was off, he'd take responsibility.
Kim Jae-woon spoke calmly.
"...In two years."
He was certain.
Within the next two years. The U.S. and global economy would hit rock bottom.
And.
As always, the world economy would rebound.
Ride that cycle without missing it, and he could change classes.
But...
'1 billion is too small.'
Plus his cut was just 1%.
Not enough to leap classes.
The chaebol heir's life before him wouldn't change much either.
For a chaebol third-gen with everything, this might just be amusement.
'Even if it's amusement, I lose nothing. But... it's such a waste.'
With hope of breaching class barriers gone, disappointment was inevitable.
Reading those feelings, Lee Dae-hyuk tossed out a playful remark.
"That's not enough for the big play. That's your expression."
"...Honestly, yes. To properly catch the overshoot, 1 billion is way short."
Kim Jae-woon laid out the facts straight.
This was a time when massive fortune-moving luck lingered.
Wasting it over insufficient funds felt regrettable.
And though a bastard son, Lee Dae-hyuk was still chaebol third-gen.
By being honest, maybe he'd scrape together more capital? A bold straight pitch.
"..."
"I just explained the honest situation. Sorry if I was rude."
As Lee Dae-hyuk fell silent in thought, Kim Jae-woon bowed his head.
Worried he'd offended him.
But Lee Dae-hyuk was smiling warmly instead.
"No. Quite wise, actually."
"W-Wise?"
"I wanted a partner, not a subordinate. For big things, you need colleagues on equal footing who speak frankly. Like you, Kim Jae-woon."
"...!!"
Stunned by the unexpected response, Kim Jae-woon just gaped.
A chaebol heir talking like this? Impossible by his common sense.
But ignoring the shock, Lee Dae-hyuk pressed on.
"And you seem to have misunderstood something, Kim Jae-woon."
"Yes?"
"The seed money is 1 billion—not that it's the end."
Lee Dae-hyuk grinned slyly, steering the talk.
"I'll prepare the seed money soon. At least 10 billion or more."