08.LUMINA
“Ms. Min Ji-ah is personally handling that matter.”
“Ji-ah is?”
Chairman Go Yeong-man looked displeased. A string of recent events—Go Muyeol’s murder of Jeon Seong-hyun, Seong-hyun’s brother’s assassination of the Chief Prosecutor, and now, Min Ji-ah taking it upon herself to deal with their family—seemed almost comedic to him.
Muyeol killing Seong-hyun was no issue. A direct line family member could kill someone from a collateral branch. Besides, hadn’t Seong-hyun tried to covet Muyeol’s female servant? If so, he deserved to die. That wasn’t a problem.
The problem was what came next.
Instead of accepting their fate for his brother’s crimes, Seong-hyun’s sibling retaliated by openly killing the Chief Prosecutor in a way that everyone could see. How dare a collateral family show such defiance against a direct line?
“What’s Ji-ah doing, managing her husband’s relatives so poorly? She should’ve had them under control ahead of time. Useless woman. Tsk, tsk.”
“…”
“Tell her to handle it thoroughly.”
“Yes, Chairman.”
The chairman crumpled the report detailing Ji-ah’s actions and tossed it aside. The secretary quickly retrieved it, smoothing it out before placing it back in the briefcase. To the chairman, Min Ji-ah was nothing. But to the secretary, even Ji-ah was a high authority.
“So, what’s that boy been up to? I doubt he’d be hiding away in fear.”
“Master Go Muyeol is the same as always, sir. Oh, and about the stock investment I mentioned before—it was a massive success.”
“A massive success?”
When he’d first heard about it, he’d scolded Muyeol. Since adolescence, all Muyeol had cared about was drugs and women, so what could he possibly know about stocks? And investing his entire fortune in Goryeo Entertainment?
He’d been annoyed but decided to indulge him, considering he’d quit drugs. But now it turned out to be a massive success?
“Yes, sir.”
The secretary handed over a new report.
“Master Muyeol sold all 9.3 million shares of Real Productions, generating a return of approximately 2.8 trillion won. That’s a 3,733% profit.”
The chairman’s eyes practically popped out of his head.
“What? T-Two trillion? 2.8 trillion won?!”
“Yes, sir.”
While billions weren’t a big deal to him, the profit rate was shocking. He’d invested 750 billion won and made 2.8 trillion won in just over a month?
“This… must’ve been a stroke of luck.”
“…”
The chairman, who had leapt from his seat, slowly sat back down.
“He’s also been short-selling recently. Same stock, and already 800 billion won worth.”
“2.8 trillion, with an 800 billion won short? Can the market handle that?”
“As of yesterday’s close, Real Productions’ stock price was 310,000 won, even higher than when Master Muyeol sold his 9.3 million shares.”
“What kind of company is this to be so resilient?”
“They recently launched a new game.”
“A game company… it shouldn’t be holding up this well.”
“With the entertainment sector plummeting, funds from there seem to have shifted into Real Productions, which was on the rise. The sums involved are nearly identical.”
The secretary handed him additional data.
“Hmm… Wasn’t it your grandson who caused the entertainment sector to crash?”
“Yes, indeed. Master Muyeol was behind a special investigation targeting entertainment agencies for various scandals, which started the drop.”
“So, he bought Real Productions shares in advance, orchestrated a crackdown on agencies to force the capital out, and had it flow into Real Productions, causing the stock to surge even more, right?”
“And then he sold, sir.”
“It’s just a bubble, so the price will fall soon. That’s why he’s shorting it… From start to finish, this was all his plan?”
“As far as we can tell, yes.”
“Haha.”
Of course, there were some leaps in logic. Especially the part about buying Real Productions in advance to drive capital into it by taking down entertainment agencies—there were too many elements of luck involved.
But what was certain was that Muyeol had gained an astonishing 3,733% profit. And if Real Productions couldn’t sustain its bubble, his ongoing short position would yield significant additional gains.
The profit rate could exceed 5,000%. And that’s at the billions-to-trillions level.
And that’s not all. With this maneuver, Muyeol was scooping up a considerable number of celebrities now left without agencies. He’d already secured contracts with 137 of them, with more negotiations underway.
If things continued like this, he would effectively seize control of Incheon’s entertainment industry, at least on the female side.
“Did my grandson… have a talent for this all along?”
“He must think so, sir, as he’s currently in the process of establishing a corporation.”
“What’s that about?”
“Here, he’s preparing under the name ‘Muyeol Finance.’”
“Muyeol Finaunce???”
The chairman’s words trailed off.
“What the hell! What kind of name is that for a company?!”
“…”
“The company’s name is its face! What is he thinking, sticking his own name on it like some neighborhood shop?”
“…”
Frustrated by the absurd name, the chairman tapped the report, letting out a long sigh.
“…Well, let him do as he pleases. You said he’s still shorting the stock?”
“Yes, he’s continuing.”
“Monitor the timing, and then break up Real Productions.”
“Yes, Chairman.”
“Good. And that thing—has it been handled?”
“Oh! Yes, following discussions with the Chairman of the Go Association, we’ve scheduled a press conference and professional induction test for November 2nd.”
“November 2nd? Hmm. Good job.”
Once the secretary left, Chairman Go Yeong-man took out a Go board with a satisfied expression. He gently caressed the board, which still had faint traces of blood on it—traces he hadn’t bothered to clean.
+++
Since Aunt Go Min-young told me not to interfere with anything related to Jeon Seong-hyun, I planned to stay out of it for now. I’d just receive occasional updates from Min Ji-ah and eventually call her to reap the rewards.
Though, honestly, there wouldn’t be much in terms of rewards.
If I called Ji-ah in, and she was nothing special, I’d just take the report. But if she were someone like Aunt Go Min-young, possessing overwhelming beauty, then I'd “enjoy” her.
But chances are, she’d be attractive enough, wouldn’t she? Even if she’s treated like a slave as a collateral branch member, that’s just within the Goryeo Group. From an outside perspective, even the collateral branches of Goryeo Group are incredibly wealthy and powerful. Take that worthless scum Seong-hyun, for instance. He didn’t even have anything to his name, yet the Incheon Chief Prosecutor was powerless to resist and ultimately followed his orders to summon In-ae.
Considering this, I doubt someone like Min Ji-ah, who has even closer blood ties, would be incapable of managing her appearance.
“Master, the short selling is underway. We've already sold 2.5 million shares worth 800 billion won, but Real Productions' stock keeps rising.”
“It’s ridiculously resilient.”
I’ve already sunk 3.6 trillion won alone, yet even I can’t fully grasp the sheer scale of this amount. Could it withstand this level of supply? Just how many people are holding onto Real Productions? Even if the entertainment stocks have plummeted...
“Just keep going with it.”
“Yes, Master. Oh, and about the corporate establishment: we need to register finance experts and audit staff before the financial authorities can approve it.”
“Handle it as you see fit.”
“Yes, sir.”
As I prepared to leave for work, I called In-ae. She answered after about three rings.
“Yes, Master~ I was just about to report; the investigation target has been mostly confirmed for the time be-”
“You’re working on loosening up back there, right?”
“-B-Back there…?”
“Making sure your rear is ready. Your back entrance, your ass.”
I’d told her to start expanding it this week, so I could use it.
“…”
She went silent on the other end. She better not have neglected this.
Well, it’s her problem if she has. I’ll force it if I have to. This is partly a punishment, after all.
“It’s Friday morning now, and we have the regular Jojob meeting tomorrow. Just remember, it’s happening tomorrow.”
“M-Master, wait a sec-”
Ignoring her frantic voice, I hung up.
“She’s never sounded so desperate before. Kind of entertaining.”
“…Master, should I prepare as well?”
“You?”
“I was your first Jojob member…”
I looked at Soo-ah for a moment. There wouldn’t be any harm, but I’m only trying anal play out of curiosity and to assert some control.
“Well… you can prepare.”
“Yes, Master!”
She answered enthusiastically, clearly pleased. I find it strange that she’d be happy about this request, but it seems she’s taking it as a form of recognition.
“…My Lord, should I prepare as well?”
Baek Seol chimed in from the side. Luckily, Se-eun Mi didn’t say anything; she actually seemed uncomfortable with the idea. It made me want to force her more.
‘Next time I catch her spying, I’ll have her trained back there.’
“All right. You, too, get ready.”
“Yes, My Lord.”