New Employees With an Annual Salary of 1 Trillion Won - Chapter 127

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 127. Indulgence (1)

We spent over a week analyzing the situation.

To secure more data, we mobilized all companies under Tiger Fund and even our connections, reaching one conclusion.

“Something definitely seems about to explode.”

“It appears an aviation-related incident will break out. Otherwise, the current anomalies can’t be explained.”

“What industries are expected to plummet so far?”

“Aviation and insurance sectors are expected to fall, while energy, defense, and security are expected to rise.”

As more data was secured, everything began converging toward one point.

Therefore, we continued our conversation as dryly as possible, restraining our emotions.

“The most likely scenario would be terrorism.”

“If it’s short positions targeting both aviation and insurance simultaneously, it’s likely aircraft terrorism or airport terrorism. The next most likely situation is a Middle East-originated war. Finally, a global financial shock event.”

“All three cases carry excessively high risks.”

What we faced this time wasn’t simple financial risk.

Terrorism, war, and even events that shake the financial system itself.

If we just went in targeting money, the White House or government level could make it an issue.

“Especially if terrorism becomes reality, there’s risk we could be identified as the masterminds.”

“Investigation shows considerable funds that shorted aviation and insurance came through German brokers. We can’t know exactly who’s behind it, but it’s likely investment fronted by paper companies.”

“Then should we also proceed with investment through paper companies?”

Indirect investment through paper companies didn’t eliminate the risks.

Rather, it could draw greater suspicion and make us targets, leaving us to shoulder all responsibility.

“I’m wondering whether we should drink from this poisoned chalice.”

“There is a way to remove the poison from the chalice.”

“What’s the method?”

“Resolve suspicion in advance, then proceed with investment.”

If you’re suspected after making money, whatever you say only sounds like excuses.

But if you start the conversation before making money, that can become evidence, not excuses.

“How do you propose to resolve suspicion?”

“Report the current situation to the White House. If we get permission and build shorts, we can resolve suspicion.”

“A fund getting government permission to invest… It’s pride-damaging. But it’s also the only way to avoid suspicion.”

“We need to create an alibi to avoid suspicion. And there’s no more reliable guarantor than the White House.”

It was a method that could perfectly eliminate risks.

Of course, Tiger Fund’s pride might be hurt.

But if we could make the White House a reliable ally in exchange for bending our pride a little, it was profitable enough.

“It seems worth trying. Let’s meet with Advisor Karl Rove and discuss. Branch Manager, you should come along this time too. Going to the United States will let you see and feel much more data firsthand.”

“Understood. I’ll provide support.”

“No. I’ll be providing support. This investment will be led and conducted by the Branch Manager.”

The General Manager was right.

This investment was designed by me and directly proposed by me.

It was also a necessary process to secure profits for semiconductor business expansion.

So even if it disrupted my routine, I had no choice but to go to the United States.

And the business to conduct in the United States wasn’t just this investment.

Since I needed to visit the United States for the semiconductor business too, I prepared for the US trip without showing any signs.

***

Unlike Korea, Washington’s air was much cooler.

Of course, the stinging sunlight was beating down just the same, so I hurriedly took shelter inside a dilapidated restaurant with the General Manager.

It was the very restaurant where I’d met Advisor Karl Rove at the inauguration.

“General Manager, it’s been a while. First time since the inauguration.”

“Sorry for contacting you urgently, Advisor. I took the liberty because there’s a matter to report.”

“Contact from the General Manager is always welcome. I heard the Middle East situation is being handled well too.”

“I was actually going to report on Middle East matters. We sold the oil field drilling rights to a French company and Aramco.”

The sale process was really long and complex.

We negotiated for over half a year and could finally sell off the drilling rights.

Advisor Karl Rove was already nodding and continuing, apparently having heard information through various channels.

“Did you achieve satisfactory results?”

“The immediate cash received is only 500 million dollars, but we agreed to receive a portion of the oil field’s revenue for 10 years, so it’s not such a losing result.”

It was an achievement made possible thanks to the General Manager and Division Manager.

The Division Manager practically lived in the Middle East for nearly half a year, and the General Manager also visited the Middle East to handle matters whenever events occurred.

“I feel proud that we seem to have kept our promise.”

“It was an achievement made possible thanks to the Advisor’s support. But if there’s something received, shouldn’t there also be something given? We’ll start supporting the reelection camp.”

President Bush, whose term had only begun half a year ago.

Bringing up reelection talk already seemed somewhat early.

But generally, US presidents activate reelection camps upon election, so support was possible.

“Thank you for supporting the reelection camp.”

“Since there’s still time until the election, we’ll support about 20 million dollars for now. We’ll increase the scale when the full season comes.”

“You said 20 million dollars? Tiger Fund really has deep pockets indeed. I’ll quietly inform the President about Tiger Fund’s support.”

A smile spread across Advisor Karl Rove’s face.

Before bringing up the main topic, I’d brought up the support money story first to win his favor.

“And there’s something to tell you. The Korea Branch Manager detected anomalies and wants to invest, but needs White House permission.”

“Is there investment that requires permission? Is it related to the Middle East perhaps?”

“Branch Manager, please report.”

Now it was my turn.

I began speaking while presenting organized materials.

“Currently, massive short volumes are accumulating in airline and insurance-related stocks. Simultaneously, flight tickets and accommodation reservations and cancellations are abnormally repeating near airports and in specific areas. Synthesizing all this data, we judge there’s high possibility of an incident equivalent to terrorism occurring.”

“You mean terrorism?”

“We can’t be certain of terrorism, but we’re viewing the possibility of similar incidents as high.”

Advisor Karl Rove examined the materials.

Since they were well-organized materials easy to understand at a glance, he could skim through to the last page in less than 5 minutes.

“There certainly are several strange parts visible. But suspecting terrorism based on this level of information seems too far-fetched. Did you receive any other information?”

“We received absolutely no related information. Do you know any information?”

“I didn’t know well before entering the White House, but once inside, terrorism is almost like daily routine. Cases that lead to actual incidents are rare, but threats and suspicious circumstances pour in countless numbers.”

Advisor Karl Rove answered cynically.

It seemed because he encountered countless terrorism-related incidents.

“We think so too, but the financial world is a group that moves with the flow to make money. We’re trying to build shorts in aviation and insurance too – would that be alright?”

“Do as you please. You don’t need to report every single thing like that.”

“I mentioned it just in case. If the situation we’re worried about actually occurs, please contact us anytime. We’ll do anything that can help.”

“Those words alone are encouraging enough. And the possibility of terrorism actually happening isn’t high. Trust the US government. Of course, that doesn’t mean don’t take short positions.”

I obtained a definitive answer.

Of course, I didn’t get official documents.

But just reporting related matters to someone called President Bush’s right hand was equivalent to obtaining an indulgence.

“We trust the US government more than anyone. We’re just thinking of investing according to the flow.”

“That intuition would be superior in the General Manager compared to me. Don’t worry about the White House and invest freely.”

“Thank you.”

“Then I’ll get up now. I’ll report the support money story to the President today.”

Advisor Karl Rove stood up, extending his hand for a handshake.

Unlike him moving toward the front entrance, we exited through the back door and got in the car.

“This should count as obtaining an indulgence, right?”

“We couldn’t record out of courtesy, but Advisor Karl Rove’s fingerprints remain on the materials we prepared. If he plays dumb, we could at least request fingerprint analysis.”

“It won’t come to that situation, but… we’ve still secured solid justification.”

Having secured an indulgence, we could now move without hesitation.

We headed straight to Fund Headquarters and began executing the investment strategy we’d meticulously prepared since Korea.

***

The first thing we did after returning to headquarters was check our operating funds.

Since much of our funds were already invested in corporate acquisitions, equity acquisitions, or real estate, the actual available funds weren’t that large.

“The cash we can deploy immediately is about 4 billion dollars.”

“How much leverage would be possible?”

“Up to 5 times is possible. That would allow us to build a 20 billion dollar short position. Though I’ll need to contact the prime brokers.”

The General Manager called without hesitation.

And we heard the voice of a broker who had been dealing with us since the IT bubble.

[General Manager, it’s been so long. How have you been?]

“I was preparing for a large-scale investment. Now I’m ready to start in earnest, would you like to join us?”

[Of course, if it’s with you, General Manager, I absolutely have to go along. How can I help you?]

“I hear short selling volume is building up in aviation and insurance lately. Would there be room for Tiger Fund to enter?”

Perhaps because he’d made plenty of commissions thanks to us.

The prime broker answered the call ready to give us his liver and gallbladder, and provided the answer we wanted.

[It’s definitely possible. What scale are you considering?]

“The investment principal is 4 billion dollars, and we’re thinking about 5 times leverage. Is that possible?”

[For that amount, you’d need to make separate contracts with other prime brokers too, but I can broker that for you.]

“We’d like to secure short selling volume as quickly as possible.”

[I’ll gather as much volume as possible within this week.]

“We’ll compile and send you the list of target stocks for short selling separately.”

Just one phone call.

With that alone, a 20 billion dollar short selling contract was agreed upon, and now we just needed to proceed with detailed coordination at the working staff level.

“We’ll have a bit more breathing room than during the IT short selling.”

“Back then we faced liquidation even with slight stock price increases, but now we have sufficient operating funds to hold out indefinitely.”

“But even if the situation we predicted occurs, it doesn’t seem like we’ll get the level of returns the Branch Manager wants.”

The expected returns from this investment were only about double.

Even earning 4 billion dollars would only be enough to secure the initial investment funds needed for the semiconductor business.

“I’m continuing to look for other investment opportunities. I’ll report soon.”

“I’d like to know what industry it is.”

“It’s real estate related. It seems like it’ll be a somewhat complex approach, so I need to think about it more.”

“If you hit any roadblocks, feel free to consult with me anytime. Don’t try to do everything alone.”

Of course I had no intention of handling everything alone.

However, I wanted to at least sketch out the basic framework before reporting, so I still needed more time.

“I’ll report soon. Instead, I need real estate related materials and specialized personnel.”

“There are several real estate experts at headquarters too, so feel free to utilize them. You don’t even need to report to me – just request through the secretary office and they’ll come straight to the Branch Manager’s office.”

For this short selling, we had no choice but to wait for the time being.

Since we couldn’t know when the incident would break, we could only watch and wait, and in the meantime I planned to design new investments.

***

I holed up in the conference room for over two weeks, focusing solely on design.

I gathered dozens of real estate experts and financial product specialists to collect data, and now finally the basic framework was beginning to take shape.

“Let’s start organizing this properly now.”

I began fitting the framework together like assembling a puzzle.

I gave instructions to the experts like a conductor, and just as the design was nearing completion.

Bang-!

A sudden explosive sound erupted from beyond the window.

The conference room shook as if an earthquake had struck, and a moment of silence followed.

“What’s happening?”

“I’ll find out.”

I hurriedly pulled back the curtains.

Between Manhattan’s densely packed buildings, a massive pillar of fire and black smoke was rising.

Without even a moment to blink, we could only stare blankly at the scene, no one able to speak.

Is this it?

The identity of the major accident I had only vaguely predicted.

Before my mind could process it, another ear-splitting explosion echoed once more.

“The Twin Towers… it’s the South Tower!”

A massive passenger plane had crashed straight into the South Tower.

That scene was etched clearly like slow motion, and I turned my head away, unable to watch any longer.

What entered my vision at that moment was the calendar hanging on the wall.

Today was… September 11th.

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