Golden Spoon Investment Portfolio - Chapter 400

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

400. It suddenly feels like I’ve won the lottery.

“So the MC Soft investment contract is completely finalized then?”

Yu Hyun-deok, the department head, answered immediately to Seok-won’s question as he sat in the center seat with one leg crossed.

“Yes, sir. We’ve reached a final agreement to invest 3 billion won and receive a 25% stake, and we’ve already completed the contract documentation.”
“Good work.”

Leaning back against the sofa, I barely suppressed the smile threatening to break through.
MC Soft was the game company that created Linea, one of the two pillars that drove PC room popularity in the early millennium era alongside StarCraft from Blizzard, which I had already acquired.
Having both of them in my grasp now, my joy was only natural.
Until now, MC Soft had been an enterprise software development company based on the internet, not a game company.
But when the game company developing Linea fell into financial difficulties due to the foreign exchange crisis, MC Soft acquired it entirely, naturally entering the game market.
However, the aftermath of the economic downturn that swept in didn’t spare MC Soft either.
So when they fell into hardship, they had no choice but to seek new investment, but the timing was problematic.
When liquidity dried up in the market and, to make matters worse, the IMF bailout was announced, no one stepped forward to invest.
That’s when I heard about this situation and moved quickly to make an equity investment.

‘When it went public on KOSDAQ around 2000, the subscription competition rate for IPO shares was 239.2 to 1, showing tremendous interest.’

At the time of listing, the market capitalization soared well over 300 billion won, hitting the jackpot so to speak, but that was just the beginning.

‘MC Soft’s stock price peaked in 2021.’

While the original hit series Linea was still generating profits, anticipation for the upcoming new releases combined to push the stock price beyond 1 million won.
And as it ascended to emperor stock status, the market capitalization reached a staggering 22 trillion won, enjoying its golden age.

‘But that was the last brilliant firework.’

MC Soft was the prime example of how the higher the peak, the endless the fall.
After reaching its zenith, MC Soft subsequently saw all the accumulated bad news explode, sending it down the path of sudden collapse.
But that was a matter for later; what mattered now was that investing 3 billion won today would yield a 183,233% return when the market capitalization reached 22 trillion.

‘Missing out on such a massive investment opportunity would be foolish.’

Of course, as the company grew, additional capital would naturally be required, but even so, I could recover my investment through dividends, so my returns would only increase, not decrease.
While I was thinking these thoughts, Eom Tae-jun, the Finance Director sitting on the sofa to my left, carefully gauged my reaction and smoothly changed the subject.

“Have you happened to check the exchange rate today?”

I could roughly guess what he was about to bring up, but I answered as if I didn’t know.

“It seems to have dropped slightly, probably due to yesterday’s announcement of the IMF agreement.”
“To be precise, it exceeded 1,500 won per dollar but has now fallen to 1,491.36 won.”

Eom Tae-jun leaned forward and continued speaking carefully.

“It appears the upward trend in the exchange rate has broken. How about we convert our currency now?”
“I think that would be the right move.”

Yun Ki-hun, the Executive Director who was with us, chimed in as if they had discussed this beforehand.

“I was actually planning to bring that up myself. Good timing.”

When I answered casually, Eom Tae-jun’s expression brightened immediately.

“I knew you were already thinking about it.”

But his expression froze at my next words.

“We’ve already converted everything sequentially starting from when it exceeded 1,500 won, and the Fund Management Department has been investing the funds in stocks and rolling the capital. There’s no need to worry.”
“…!”

All three were startled by the revelation that I had already converted the dollars and poured all the funds into risky stocks.
Eom Tae-jun in particular turned completely pale and asked urgently.

“You mean you’ve put all 950 million dollars into stocks?”

When I shook my head, Eom Tae-jun’s expression showed some relief.

“Then….”
“It’s not 95.4 million dollars, but 657.02 million dollars.”
“Pardon?”
“What do you mean by that….”

Seok-won responded calmly as he observed the bewildered expressions on the three men’s faces.

“I mentioned that the Fund Management Department has been investing the capital rather than letting it sit idle all this time.”

Eom Tae-jun, the Finance Director, immediately grasped the implication and his eyes widened.

“Y-you’re not saying you’ve already multiplied the funds that much in such a short time!”
“That’s right.”

As Eom Tae-jun lost his words in shock, the other two men also dropped their jaws, their faces registering disbelief.
It was only natural—they had generated over 806% returns in merely a few months.
Eom Tae-jun, his speech faltering, asked again as if seeking confirmation.

“You’re truly saying you’ve achieved such extraordinary profits?”
“Yes.”
“That’s… that’s impossible…”

Even with Seok-won present, Eom Tae-jun kept muttering in bewilderment, asking how such a thing could be possible.
The shock was immense, and Yun Ki-hun, the Executive Director, and Yu Hyun-deok, the Department Head, felt the same way.

“Ninety million dollars transformed into six hundred million dollars…”
“We would have been satisfied with just interest… but to think it would balloon this much.”

While the two men clicked their tongues in amazement, Eom Tae-jun stared at him with trembling eyes.
He couldn’t believe that someone could sit there so calmly after generating such staggering profits.
As everyone struggled to recover from the shock, Seok-won spoke first.

“You don’t need the funds immediately, correct?”

Eom Tae-jun, caught off guard by the question, answered reflexively.

“Ah. Yes. That’s not the case.”
“Then I’ll continue growing it. Just keep that in mind.”
“…”

How was he supposed to respond in a situation like this?
Eom Tae-jun’s mind went blank, and he simply lowered his head in a daze.

“Y-yes…”

Yun Ki-hun, the executive director, couldn’t hide his bewilderment either, simply staring at Seok-won.

A moment later, Eom Tae-jun, the financial director who had just exited the President’s Office, spoke to Yun Ki-hun with an expression as if he’d been bewitched.

“Do you think what the President said in there is really true?”

Yun Ki-hun turned his head to gaze back at the President’s Office before answering.

“It’s hard to believe, but… the President wouldn’t have a reason to lie about something like this, would he?”
“That’s true.”

Eom Tae-jun nodded in agreement, then let out a heavy sigh.

“Sigh. Six hundred and fifty million dollars. Is it even possible to multiply money that much in just a few months, not even a year?”

Yu Hyun-deok, the department head present with them, couldn’t join the conversation, but his expression showed intense agreement.
Yun Ki-hun likewise found it difficult to believe, so he furrowed his brow, pondered for a moment, and came to a decision.

“This won’t do. I need to verify it myself to be sure.”
“What do you mean?”
“Since the Fund Management Department handled the money, we can just ask Manager Choi about it, can’t we?”
“Ah, yes, that would work.”

Then Yu Hyun-deok, the department head, quickly stepped forward and spoke.

“I’ll go fetch Manager Choi right away.”
“No. Let’s go ask him directly while we’re at it.”

Yun Ki-hun shook his head and immediately set off, with Eom Tae-jun and Yu Hyun-deok hurrying after him.

* * *

“The market has closed!”

Noh Hee-won, whose voice sounded brighter than usual because it was a weekend with only morning shifts, announced that today’s trading had ended.
Then Jung Hwan-yeop, the manager sitting in front of the computer with multiple monitors, raised both arms above his head and stretched with a loud groan.

“Ahhhh, now it’s finally the weekend!”

Manager Ho-geun stood up from his desk and addressed his team members.

“Staying late doesn’t mean you get paid extra. Everyone wrap up and head out quickly.”
“Yes, Manager!”

After hearing his team’s response, Manager Ho-geun turned to Jung Hwan-yeop and spoke to him.

“It’s cold out. Let’s go to the sauna together.”
“Oh my. I’m sorry, but I have a prior engagement.”

Jung Hwan-yeop replied apologetically while tidying his desk.
Manager Ho-geun’s brow furrowed—on any other day, this man would have eagerly jumped at the chance, exclaiming about the manager treating him to sauna fees, but now he was suddenly backing out.

“What prior engagement? You’ll just be scratching at the floor of your room all weekend anyway.”

Jung Hwan-yeop then flashed a smile he was itching to wipe off his face and pulled out cologne from his drawer, spritzing it on.

“I have a date tonight.”

As he shrugged his shoulders with the pride of an attached man, Yu Seok-hyun, who was preparing to leave, asked.

“Are you going to meet Bella?”
“That’s right.”

Jung Hwan-yeop made a V-sign with his fingers and chuckled.

“Wow. You’re lucky. A date with a beauty like Bella… I’m jealous… Ow, ow, ow!”

Yu Seok-hyun, who had casually chimed in, got his side pinched by Hong Jae-hee at the next desk.
While Noh Hee-won suppressed her giggles at the sight, Manager Ho-geun watched Jung Hwan-yeop, who was now humming a cheerful tune, with a disapproving gaze.

“Just you wait until she dumps you and then asks me to buy you consolation drinks.”
“It won’t be consolation drinks—I’ll be giving you a wedding invitation soon, so look forward to it. And Manager, you should also head home early on weekends so your wife thinks fondly of you.”
“That’s enough. Really.”

As the two of them continued needling each other, Noh Hee-won spotted Yu Hyun-deok entering the office hesitantly and quickly stood to greet him.

“Department Head. Welcome.”

Upon seeing Yu Hyun-deok, the other team members rose from their desks.

“It’s fine. Continue with your work.”

Yu Hyun-deok waved his hand dismissively and approached Manager Choi Ho-geun, asking him a question.

“Manager Choi. Are you busy?”
“No, sir. I was just finishing up after the meeting ended.”
“Then come with me to the Break Room for a moment. I’d like to talk with you.”

Manager Choi Ho-geun wondered what urgent business had brought the department head here, but he nodded in agreement.

“Of course.”

Together they left the Office, and Yu Hyun-deok led Manager Choi Ho-geun to the Break Room at the end of the corridor.
The Break Room was furnished with a coffee vending machine and a sofa—a space where employees commonly gathered to chat over coffee or smoke.
At that time, indoor smoking was still permitted, so this was an ordinary occurrence.
When Manager Choi Ho-geun entered the Break Room, he was startled to see Yun Ki-hun and Eom Tae-jun waiting there, and he quickly bowed his head in respect.

“You’re here. Sorry to call you away when you’re busy.”
“Not at all, sir.”

Yun Ki-hun hesitated for a moment before speaking.

“Since you’ll need to leave soon, I’ll get straight to the point without beating around the bush.”

He glanced at Manager Choi Ho-geun as if testing him, then spoke.

“About the company funds that the Fund Management Department has been managing—the President mentioned that we’ve made substantial profits. Is that true?”

Manager Choi Ho-geun, who had been inwardly tense wondering if something serious had happened, quickly grasped the situation and felt relieved.
He smiled inwardly and replied.

“Yes, that’s correct.”

Then Eom Tae-jun could no longer contain himself and interjected.

“So it’s true that you’ve turned the 90 million dollars entrusted by the Ministry of Finance into 650 million dollars!”

At the confirmation-seeking question, Manager Choi Ho-geun nodded with a composed demeanor.

“To be precise, it’s 652 million, 723 thousand, 359 dollars.”
“!”
“Good heavens.”

All three men simultaneously dropped their jaws, unable to conceal their astonishment.

“Phew. The President was telling the truth.”

As Executive Director Yun Ki-hun exhaled sharply, Financial Director Eom Tae-jun also spoke with a flushed face.

“Six hundred million dollars? How much is that in won?”

Then Manager Choi Ho-geun helpfully calculated the exchange rate and replied.

“992 billion, 52 million, 7 thousand, 2 hundred and 90 won.”
“N-nine hundred billion!”

At a sum beyond imagination, the three men’s mouths fell open once more.
Manager Choi Ho-geun felt a laugh threatening to burst forth, which he struggled to suppress, while inwardly savoring a sense of pride.
Though unspoken, Manager Choi Ho-geun and the Fund Management Department staff had transferred from securities under Seok-won’s leadership, and thus had been treated as outsiders rolling in without warning.
Moreover, since this was a department directly overseen and managed by the owner Seok-won himself, there had been envy and jealousy, causing them to endure some stress—but now that burden evaporated in an instant.

“How on earth did you multiply the funds like that?”

Financial Director Eom Tae-jun asked with an expression of burning curiosity.

“I’m sorry, but I’m unable to disclose that.”
“I… I see.”

When Manager Choi Ho-geun spoke with finality, Financial Director Eom Tae-jun withdrew with a disappointed expression.

“The one thing I can tell you is that even during our time in securities, we invested under the President’s guidance when he was the department head, and we achieved the highest profit margin on record.”
“Ah, I see. So the President had a plan all along.”

Executive Director Yun Ki-hun nodded as if understanding dawned upon him.

“Did the president instruct you to invest in domestic stocks this time as well?”
“Yes, he did.”

Everyone nodded in understanding, but Eom Tae-jun, the Finance Director, asked with a slightly anxious expression.

“The stock market hasn’t been great lately. Surely we’re not taking losses, are we?”

Manager Choi Ho-geun answered confidently with unwavering self-assurance.

“I’m not sure if I’ve mentioned it before, but the president has never failed in an investment. Not even once. And this time will be no different.”

The three men seemed slightly taken aback by Manager Choi Ho-geun’s unconditional faith in Seok-won, but they genuinely hoped this investment would succeed, just as he said it would.
It was an enormous sum—900 billion won, or even exceeding 1 trillion won when combined with the funds the Fund Management Department managed independently. The mere thought of investment failure made them dizzy.

“I see. Understood. You must have plenty to do, so go ahead and get back to it.”

Then Yun Ki-hun, the Executive Director, suddenly called them back as if he’d just remembered something.

“Oh, by the way. Is there anything you’re lacking or need? If it’s something that would help with your work, I’ll support it however I can.”

Manager Choi Ho-geun responded immediately, as if the timing was perfect.

“We send and receive a lot of faxes when conducting transactions, so it would be nice to have an additional fax machine. And we need extra monitors and phones as well… Oh, and if possible, I’d like to replace the chairs our team members sit in with more comfortable ones.”
“Sure. I’ll mention it to the General Affairs Department, so don’t worry.”
“Thank you very much.”

Manager Choi Ho-geun bowed with a smile.

“Then I’ll be going now.”
“Go ahead.”

After giving a respectful bow, Manager Choi Ho-geun left the Break Room, and Eom Tae-jun, the Finance Director, spoke with a flushed face.

“The president really meant what he said. I feel like I just won the lottery.”
“Tell me about it. I still can’t quite believe it.”

As Yun Ki-hun, the Executive Director, responded, Yu Hyun-deok, the Department Head beside him, nodded in agreement.

“Make sure both of them have no difficulties in their work at the Fund Management Department. Pay them special attention.”
“Of course. They’re bringing in so much money—there’s nothing we wouldn’t do for them.”

Eom Tae-jun, the Finance Director, spoke with a bright expression.

“First, we need to take care of the fax machines and office equipment as Manager Choi mentioned.”
“Yes. I’ll relay that to the manager right away.”
“While we’re at it, install three more units instead of two. Replace all the other supplies with the most expensive and highest quality options.”

Under normal circumstances, Yu Hyun-deok, the Department Head, would have objected to such preferential treatment, but even he nodded without complaint this time.

“Understood.”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————