Chapter 31: The Wolf of Wall Street (5)

“Why? Did you think I’d work you 14 hours a day without a vacation?”

“Ah… no, you pay well, so it’s fine.”

“You’ll feel differently once you start handling more money.”

Giving orders is convenient, but superiors have their own burdens. Especially when subordinates aren’t outwardly complaining.

Lack of stress management leads to betrayal. Even without explicit complaints, it’s the same.

I wish they’d speak up, but people are like that. Initially manageable, but resentment builds.

Remember, people aren’t like otome game characters who never lose favor once you max their affection.

I wipe my mouth with a napkin and smile.

“You’ll have no time for spending. You’re busy managing yourself, my tasks, and my needs. You barely see your siblings.”

Furthermore, Sihyeon won’t marry or have a family. I won’t allow it.

It’s a terrible thought, but I won’t let her go.

“That…”

“Sihyeon, why work for me? Other jobs might be better. Maybe not in the past, but now…”

…It’s all thanks to you, Miss. I need to repay you.

I was generous with the new employee. But it’s temporary; her thoughts will change.

“I’ll keep using you even after you repay me. And after that? Once your siblings are independent, you’ll likely find my service bothersome.”

She must remain my secretary. My first loyal subject; I won’t let her go.

Marriage and retirement are common; if Sihyeon marries, she’ll quit to raise children.

She’s not from a prominent family to defy social norms. It’s certain.

‘Even I think it’s terrible.’

My dwindling conscience aches. It was essentially coercion, though she agreed to work for me.

She doesn’t seem unhappy now…

But I’ll provide ample material compensation, just in case.

“Anyway, I’ll give you some time off. You barely have any tasks now.”

“…Yes.”

Sihyeon nods vaguely, seemingly not fully grasping this.

The short lunch break ends.

“Alright, that’s settled… let’s get back to work.”

It’s a light appetizer for me, but a feast for others.

The Tokyo Stock Exchange is that big.

***

The Japanese market closes at 3 PM; two and a half hours remain after lunch.

Korean and Japanese Standard Time are the same, simplifying calculations.

“Summer time made time calculation difficult; it’s easier now. They’re so concerned about leaving early…”

An employee jokes after lunch.

Summer time was in effect this year and last due to the 1988 Olympics. It was exhausting waking up early.

It ended last week; there was a one-hour time difference with Japan.

“They’re saying it’ll be implemented next year… a hassle.”

Tsk, doing this just to increase broadcasting fees.

I have little interest in the Olympics, sighing softly, focusing on the charts.

The Nikkei index isn’t changing much, but most semiconductor stocks are down 10%.

“Toshiba opened at 1,500 yen?”

“Yes, 1,521 yen. Now it’s around 1,400 yen.”

It’s not bad…

But it’s not great, considering the effort of orchestrating a short sell across Japan.

“…The impact is less than expected. Is this okay?”

Someone murmurs anxiously. The impact on the market is less than anticipated.

“The important part is next week. The major fall will start in New York… haa, it needs to fall further.”

I stare intensely at the screen, my small hand clenched tight.

The key variable is the time difference.

It’s October 16th in Japan and Korea, but October 15th in the US. In the original timeline, the Nikkei fell -15% not on the 19th (Black Monday), but the 20th.

The original timeline was: US market crash -> Japanese market crash.

But I’m aiming to trigger the US crash by manipulating the Japanese market. Failing to overcome this time difference will prevent major deviations from the original timeline.

Controlling variables is my task.

“Monitor the situation; everyone rests Saturday. No plans to leave from Sunday to Tuesday, understood?”

Employees nod gravely. I plan to remain at the office, skipping school.

Fortunately, there’s a flu outbreak at school. I have Monday and Tuesday free.

“What’s Jusung saying? He spread information to individuals and small securities firms. He can now reach higher targets.”

His connections will elevate the information I leaked into high-level intelligence.

“He’s contacted Nomura and Daiwa. He gave them accurate information, so negotiations should proceed smoothly… One moment.”

An employee checks the contact list, turning to me with a bright expression.

“They’re asking!”

“Who?”

“Nomura. They seem to expect a large-scale crash triggered by this!”

Nomura Securities… Ha Jusung’s former employer…

The firm that later acquired Lehman Brothers after the subprime mortgage crisis—undeniably Japan’s largest securities firm.

They have insight.

“Good, wait until closing… then contact Hong Kong to spread the rumors. Tell Ha Youngil to begin.”

“Yes!”

The office is filled with the sounds of bustling employees and ringing phones.

Some time later.

-Thud.

The screen flickers; new numbers appear. Toshiba has broken 1,400 yen, approaching 1,300 yen.

1,340 yen.

1,320 yen.

1,310 yen.

The stock price is plummeting. Japan’s largest securities firm is moving; the impact is significant. Selling pressure is building.

Panic selling.

“Crazy… how much did they short sell?”

Despite the obvious benefit to us, employees look pale and shaken.

“I-is this a limit down?”

The Japanese market uses a limit down system, not a percentage, setting a specific price. Toshiba opened at 1,521 yen… the limit down is 300 yen.

1,221 yen is the limit down.

“Maybe. It should be.”

It’s 2:30 PM. The Japanese market closes at 3 PM, reopening Monday. The weekend is a risk.

Normally, the expectation of a weekend recovery would limit the fall… but short selling has changed things.

Not only Toshiba, but NEC and Hitachi are also plummeting.

“Thirty minutes until closing! Toshiba broke 1,300 yen!”

“…NEC broke 1,500 yen.”

-Ring! Ring! Ring!

The phone rings continuously.

I can almost see the chaos in the Tokyo Stock Exchange. I enjoy the thrill, focusing on the screen.

Toshiba 1,290 yen, NEC 1,474 yen, Hitachi 1,430 yen.

Three leading Japanese semiconductor companies are nearing their limit down.

And at 2:48 PM.

1,221 yen, 1,420 yen, 1,360 yen.

The prices stop moving; the market hasn’t closed.

Limit down.

Three companies simultaneously hit their limit down.