New Employees With an Annual Salary of 1 Trillion Won - Chapter 33

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

Chapter 33. Simple Payment System (3)

 

 

 

After finishing my company work, I went to see the Branch Manager.

It was to conduct the English lesson I had postponed yesterday, but it was also an opportunity to report on Rollbook’s sales.

 

“You started the paid service yesterday, right? How’s the response?”

“Daily sales reached 35 million won. It’s a figure that far exceeds expectations, and sales are still continuing to increase.”

“That much with just bank transfers, without credit cards or simple payment systems… I never expected sales like that either.”

 

The Branch Manager didn’t hide his surprised expression.

He raised his eyebrows and lifted his thumb as he continued speaking.

 

“Please keep doing just like this. At this rate, even bigger sales will be possible in the United States.”

“Could I know how the U.S. expansion is progressing?”

“Of course. We’ve already changed the site language to English, and we’ve prepared to open next month.”

 

I wasn’t leading the U.S. expansion.

The Branch Manager had separately hired programmers to reorganize it American-style.

I was just occasionally fixing insufficient parts or suggesting necessary features.

 

“I’ll work hard to help the U.S. Rollbook achieve good sales too.”

“If the sales from Korea also come from the United States, annual sales of over 10 billion won would be possible. In that case, what do you think Rollbook’s value would be?”

“I think it would be at least 10 billion won.”

“No. If we factor in future growth potential, it could be anywhere from 3 times to as much as 10 times that.”

“10 times… are you talking about 100 billion won?”

 

The value of the site I created is 100 billion won?

A thrill ran through my entire body.

It wasn’t because I could make a lot of money, but because my creation was being recognized.

 

“Ultimately, value is determined by the buyer. If I step in, I could sell Rollbook for around 70 billion won within this month, even if not the full 100 billion. Of course, we’d have to split the equity here and there.”

“I didn’t know the value would skyrocket like this just from having a revenue structure.”

“This is thanks to the IT bubble. So, would you like to sell now? If the IT bubble bursts as expected, the value could plummet.”

 

The Branch Manager spoke with a serious expression, but I let it go in one ear and out the other.

I had no intention of selling Rollbook.

 

“Even if the value drops immediately, it’s fine. I plan to take a long-term view with Rollbook.”

“That’s a good mindset. Or maybe you think even 70 billion is too cheap. But today’s lesson might start a bit late – is that okay with your schedule?”

 

The lesson time had never been off schedule before.

Changing the time would have a significant impact on my routine, but the Branch Manager wasn’t someone who would change the time without good reason.

 

“The time is fine. But is there something else going on?”

“The Enex CEO is coming here now.”

“For acquisition negotiations?”

 

The Branch Manager nodded.

I never expected negotiations to proceed so suddenly.

I ended up having to meet the PG company CEO without making any plans or preparations.

 

“Nice to meet you. I’m Seo Chang-su, CEO of Enex.”

“I’m Kang Dong-ju, Branch Manager of Tiger Fund Korea Branch. And this is our employee, Employee Lee Jung-hoo. He’s a talent who will play a very important role in this negotiation, so I specially brought him along. Is that alright?”

“That’s fine with me.”

 

CEO Seo Chang-su’s face seemed somehow familiar.

It wasn’t that I felt like I’d seen him somewhere, but rather his face looked worn from overwork like the Nexpin employees, which made him feel more familiar.

 

A newly established startup company.

He must have had to handle so much work, and I could feel his fatigue without even looking closely.

The Branch Manager immediately got to the point to help relieve CEO Seo Chang-su’s fatigue.

 

“I’ll speak directly to the point. We want to acquire Enex.”

“I appreciate the offer, but I have no intention of selling. I came here for equity investment negotiations.”

 

CEO Seo Chang-su was firm.

But the Branch Manager didn’t bat an eye, and instead smiled at me.

 

“It’s not too late to refuse after hearing the amount.

We’ll acquire Enex in full for 5 billion won. We’ll guarantee employment for all employees, and we’d like to keep you as the continuing manager. Of course, we’re also thinking of offering you a top-level annual salary.”

“5 billion…?”

 

CEO Seo Chang-su’s voice changed.

It was the Branch Manager’s strategy to crush him with an overwhelming amount despite his stated refusal.

 

“If you don’t want to continue managing Enex, we’ll help you start another business. We could even support you in starting up in Silicon Valley.”

“I’m grateful for the tremendous offer. But… there are still many things I want to achieve through Enex.”

“Are you perhaps worried that Enex’s growth will stop if we acquire it?”

“…”

 

CEO Seo Chang-su lost his words for a moment, as if hit right on target.

The Branch Manager didn’t miss that opportunity and immediately continued speaking.

 

“If you want Enex’s growth, you should sell to us even more. We already have various internet payment systems in place.”

“Those words alone aren’t very convincing.”

“Have you perhaps heard of a site called Rollbook? It’s a site our employee created.”

“Rollbook? Is that the place that distributed Millennium Bug patches for free? We’re also using patches we got from Rollbook.”

 

I didn’t know it would connect like this.

I had distributed patches to raise Rollbook’s recognition, but I never imagined even Enex was using them.

Thanks to that, I could easily speak up.

 

“I developed those patches too. And starting yesterday, Rollbook began paid services, and daily sales exceeded 35 million won.”

“Daily sales? Not monthly?”

“There’s no reason for me to lie. If you’d like, I can show you the sales data.”

 

CEO Seo Chang-su couldn’t hide his suspicious look.

The Branch Manager stepped in to dispel his doubts.

 

“As you can see, we already own a profitable website. This means Enex’s payment system has a structure that can generate revenue right now.”

“Certainly, if we link it with Rollbook, sales would increase significantly.”

 

CEO Seo Chang-su was already halfway convinced.

The Branch Manager seized this momentum to present Enex’s vision.

 

“If we acquire Enex, we’ll develop it into Korea’s number one PG company. And the fact that CEO Seo Chang-su created Enex will never change.”

“Could you give me a little more time? I think I need to consider this more before making a decision.”

“Actually, there are several PG companies we could acquire at cheaper prices. Yet the reason I chose Enex is… because I feel sorry for it.”

 

Did he mean that CEO Seo Chang-su was the one blocking Enex’s growth?

In a way, it could sound like criticism, and it seemed unnecessary to bring up in a negotiation.

But contrary to my expectations, CEO Seo Chang-su accepted it calmly.

 

“I was also concerned about that. This is a company I raised like my own child, but it hasn’t grown as I had hoped.”

“We’ll fill in the gaps for you. Isn’t it a parent’s wish to see their child spread its wings and fly far? And… instead of 5 billion, we’ll acquire all equity shares for 5.5 billion won. Since I know how much you cherish this company, I can’t bring down the price.”

 

This was completely different from the negotiation methods I knew.

Usually, people try to lower the price, but the Branch Manager raised it even though CEO Seo Chang-su hadn’t asked for it.

 

“Thank you for saying that. But I still have lingering attachments.”

“Let me make one final promise. We won’t change the company name ‘Enex.’ Please accept our commitment to inherit your philosophy. And… if we ever need to sell this company someday, we’ll make the first offer to you, and we’ll specify this in the contract.”

 

The right of first refusal was the deciding factor.

The comfort that he wasn’t completely leaving the company, just temporarily letting go.

Those words moved CEO Seo Chang-su’s heart.

 

“…I understand. I’ll accept those conditions.”

“The contract is already prepared.”

 

The Branch Manager very naturally pulled out the contract.

Seeing this, I was shocked.

Didn’t this mean he had already predicted this situation would unfold this way?

 

“I never thought I’d be leaving Enex like this. I’m truly counting on you.”

“Don’t worry. We’ll make this company Korea’s best PG company.”

“I trust you.”

 

CEO Seo Chang-su finally stamped the contract with his seal.

Before the ink from his thumb even dried, the Branch Manager extended his hand first.

 

“The 5.5 billion won has already been deposited into your account. And whenever you want to see Enex, feel free to visit. Even if we’re busy, we’ll make time for you somehow.”

“For now, I want to live without thinking about anything.”

“You should take care of your health too. You’ve worked so hard raising Enex. Don’t drive today. We’ll send a driver so you can get home safely.”

 

CEO Seo Chang-su naturally exited, led by the Branch Manager’s hand.

Until the very end, he only stared at the ink on his hand as he headed outside the building.

 

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“Employee Lee worked hard too. How was the negotiation?”

 

It felt like watching a well-orchestrated play.

It was thanks to the Branch Manager continuously maintaining control and leading things in the direction he wanted.

 

“Even while listening and watching from the side, the situation flowed so quickly that I couldn’t properly understand it. But I definitely felt that you moved the other party’s heart.”

“That’s enough. Negotiation is ultimately about giving the other party what they want. CEO Seo Chang-su needed peace of mind, justification, and money. And I simply dug into his heart in ways he didn’t even realize.”

 

It wasn’t exactly a beautiful scene.

After all, it was like playing with the other person’s emotions.

But it was also hard to call it ugly.

Because I also agreed that to obtain something, you had to use whatever methods necessary.

 

“I’m not sure if it’s something that can be learned through study, but I’ll remember it well.”

“Someday Employee Lee will also lead negotiations like this. As Nexpin grows and Rollbook expands, that day might come even sooner. Now! Shall we start the lesson?”

 

The Branch Manager had just finished an incredible negotiation.

But he tried to start the lesson as if nothing had happened.

I quickly erased CEO Seo Chang-su’s face that still lingered in my mind and focused on the English conversation lesson.

 

***

 

Rollbook’s sales continued their steady upward trend.

Starting next month, we planned to introduce the simple payment system, so expectations were rising even higher.

 

“CEO! Sales went up again yesterday. The skins made by Korea University Art School students are especially popular. Skin sales alone exceeded ten million won.”

“Korea University Art School is definitely different. Are you handling the settlements properly?”

“I was just about to start the first settlement today. But the commission for the Art Student who made the ‘Sea Skin’ exceeds 1.5 million won.”

 

Only five days since we started monetization.

Yet someone was already earning over 1.5 million won in commission.

This meant that many users were purchasing points to decorate their pages.

 

“The amount is quite large since the commission is 10%.”

“That’s why artworks have been flooding in from the art school lately. They’ve caught on that it’s better than part-time jobs. Even graduates are sending their work pieces.”

“But what is this Sea Skin? What makes it so popular? I’d like to see it too.”

“I’ll show you right now.”

 

The Sea Skin that recorded first place in sales.

On the surface, it didn’t look particularly special.

To me, it actually looked messy.

To my eyes, it just felt like an unfinished work that was poorly optimized.

 

At that moment!

A hidden giant cogwheel floated into my mind.

I hadn’t learned anything new, just looked at a single skin. But why?

 

I’d had similar experiences a few times before.

But this was the first time such an alien and massive structure had appeared.

I could even hear meaningless sounds created by a mixture of discord and harmony.

 

 

 

 

“Is the person who made this Skin also coming to receive their commission today?”

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