After setting up the investment...
I logged into my usual online community.
Heading into the cryptocurrency section, it was flooded with posts about the current crash.
Back when I'd discovered Bitcoin and sold off, the place had been packed with nothing but praise for it.
This drop definitely didn't feel temporary.
💬 Forum Thread— Anon1Save me! Fuck, why does it tank the second I jump in?!— Anon2Honestly, this isn't even a real crash. Think about all the gains up to now.— Anon3Screw that. If I didn't make a dime, it's a goddamn crash!— Anon4Shit. Alts got fucked the hardest. Quit your whining.
Everyone was venting their despair over the plunge.
But the majority still clung to the belief that it was just a temporary dip and prices would rebound soon.
Unlike me, who'd bet on the downside—they were all expecting another rally.
"That's odd."
Normally, reactions like this would make me nervous, but instead, they filled me with even greater certainty.
This wasn't temporary at all.
Even if I turned out to be wrong...
"I've got 90 billion won left."
Money I couldn't have even dreamed of before was now sitting in my accounts.
I was at a crossroads.
Live out my days as a billionaire with the 90 billion.
Or nail this investment, spot the potential, and chase an even richer life.
Either choice was more than satisfying.
"Investment's set for now..."
It wasn't a decision I needed to rush.
I pushed investing aside and pondered what my rich life ahead would look like.
First up: a luxury pad overlooking the Han River and a fleet of supercars.
Things I'd always wanted to achieve if I made it big. I just hadn't expected it to happen this fast—or on this scale.
"Hmm..."
There was a problem.
I had the cash, but I was still just a regular guy.
I didn't have a clue where to start with buying real estate or supercars.
And even if I bought them, I wouldn't know if I was paying fair market value or getting scammed like a chump.
These weren't cheap toys—getting ripped off would hurt bad.
Looks like I had something more urgent to handle before chasing my desires.
'Time to hire some people.'
I needed folks to handle the stuff I couldn't be bothered with. Hell, rich people don't do this crap themselves anyway.
Guess I hadn't fully shaken off my broke habits yet.
I hopped online to search.
Headhunters existed for exactly this.
Tomorrow, I'd hit one up and ask them to connect me with a chief of staff type.
"Money really is the best."
I could even buy my way out of annoyances.
What couldn't money buy?
Hadn't found it yet.
For now, that was the plan...
"Pretty girls on Tenpro are doing cam shows now, right?"
I recalled something I'd overheard.
That all the hot girls were switching to female cams.
Music to my ears—I'd always been a fan of internet streams.
"Good thing tomorrow's my day off."
I was too wired to sleep.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Never thought a day like this would come."
Checking the daily recharge limit on AfreecaTV? Unheard of for me.
Hit 10,000 and it maxed out.
I immediately contacted a balloon recharge proxy service.
"They're hustling."
24/7 operation meant a reply came right away. I shared my ID, and they handled the proxy top-up.
This time: 100,000 balloons. Total cost: 10 million won.
Someone might call it overkill, but to really catch a camgirl's eye? This was the minimum.
Girls pulling tens of millions a month don't budge for pocket change.
I slipped into one of my regular cam rooms.
Around 100 viewers. Not a huge crowd.
But her draw was on par with the top ones.
After fees, she was probably clearing 20 or 30 million monthly.
Entered the room.
💬 Stream Chat— Viewer1😱— Viewer2Insane.— Viewer3Looking gorgeous as always.
There she was—Seol-a, still drop-dead pretty.
I'd put her up against any idol and she'd hold her own.
Of course, that was easy to say since I'd never seen a real idol up close.
Still, wasn't she better than untouchable idols? Actual interaction with Seol-a? No contest.
Though with my new status, who knows...
— SystemSuddenRich gifted 10,000 balloons!⭐ Chat Spike— ViewersWhoa, insane.
New whale?
Never seen that name.
ㄷㄷㄷ 10k panic gift??
Seol-a spotted the balloons and froze, hands clamped over her mouth as she gulped.
Viewers were shocked too—10,000 wasn't chump change.
"Whoa! Oppa! What's this?! Where'd this angel come from?!"
Cute. Felt rewarding.
This was the rush I'd never gotten before when wondering why anyone sponsored balloons.
Guess you have to spend to know that joy.
A stunning girl who's ice-cold to approach IRL was now chatting with me, acknowledging my existence.
Worlds apart from being just another faceless viewer.
"Reaction time!"
Reaction. Her sexy dance payback for the balloons kicked off.
I couldn't help but grin.
"I'll handle room sales. And you're manager now."
Manager appointment message popped up.
Manager chat from Seol-a incoming.
💬 Manager Chat— Seol-aOppa, who are you? First time in my stream?— SuddenRichUsed to lurk, started sponsoring this time.— Seol-aEeee! Thank you, oppa! I'll stream so hard!— SuddenRichMind if I get your Kakao ID?— Seol-aSo thankful... but that's diehard fan exclusive... Sorry!— SuddenRichNah, totally get it.— Seol-aReally, really sorry. I wanna share it, but it might stir drama.
I was genuinely fine with it.
Wanting her Kakao for a measly 10k? That was on me.
— SystemSuddenRich gifted 30,000 balloons!— SystemSuddenRich gifted 30,000 balloons!— SystemSuddenRich gifted 30,000 balloons!
Dumped the remaining 90,000 all at once.
Instant "new diehard fan" message.
Her stream wasn't super established, so the threshold was lower than vets.
— ViewersWhat did I just witness...
Whale alt account?
Reality hitting hard.
10 mil in 10 mins?
Plus taxes, another mil.
ㄷㄷㄷ Diehard again instantly.
100% illegal charges.
Don't hate.
Chat exploded in shock as Seol-a stood speechless, eyes welling up.
Even top cams don't snag 10 million in a single day easily.
If they did, salaries would top 300 million easy.
"Haa... I'm seriously gonna cry. SuddenRich oppa, thank you so much..."
Her eyes were genuinely glassy.
"How do I even show this gratitude..."
Today's goal: Kakao ID.
Manager chat continued.
— Seol-aOppa, here's my Kakao ID... Thank you so, so much.
Snagged the ID, watched a bit more, then bailed.
Exhaustion hit hard—eyes barely staying open.
Checked the community.
Afreeca section had a post about me.
Cam posts were super rare there, so I felt a swell of pride.
📰 Breaking NewsInsane. Massive whale just dropped into Seol-a's room.— Anon1What kinda life lets you blow 10 mil on a camgirl?— Anon2Lmao total sucker.— Anon3Afreeca's mega mark appeared.
Lots of trash-talk aimed at me, but it bothered me less than the empathy it sparked.
Matched my old mindset to a T.
Ha ha.
Now I knew exactly how to clap back.
"When that money's pocket lint, you can spend it just fine."
10 million won.
Chump change to me now.
And scoring Seol-a's Kakao with it? Pure win.
One hell of a night.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Next day.
Called the headhunter firm—landed an appointment same day.
Arrived at the cafe right on time.
I was ten minutes early, but the rep was already there.
"Hello. You're from the headhunting firm, right?"
"Pleasure to meet you. Baek Min-seok, headhunter."
Shook hands and sat.
"Haven't gotten your full brief yet. Looking for a job yourself, or staff?"
"Staff."
"Got it. Impressive you're hiring at your age—must be killing it. Mind sharing your requirements?"
"Someone from a big corp's strategy office would be ideal. Bonus if they served the owner family. Plenty of experience."
"..."
He looked stunned at my specs.
Money aside, I still gave off part-timer vibes.
No wonder.
"...Apologies, but for that caliber, you'd need to guarantee at least 200 million annual salary."
"I'm good for more. Just bring top talent."
"..."
"1 billion salary's on the table. Please match it with the right person."
"Kek!"
Choked from the shock.
"S-sorry. Caught me off guard. If you'll give me a little time, I can line up candidates matching that..."
"Take your time."
Time was the one thing I had plenty of.
Even more than the money.