Joon sat on the roof of his house, a chipped notepad on his lap and his phone open beside him—not for social media or games, but for watching the market live ticker and reading financial articles. A soft breeze blew across Seongcheon village, rustling the rice paddies below and the wires above. The peace of the countryside was worlds away from the frenzy of the financial market he had now immersed himself in.
But this quiet was perfect. Here, he could think.
Current Status:
Level: 2
XP: 110 / 150
Capital: ₩164,250
Stats:
Negotiation: 2
Market Insight: 3
Stamina: 1
Stat Points Available: 0
It had been five days since his last trade, and Joon had been cautious, deliberate, almost obsessively so. He knew now how easily excitement could cost money. His confidence was slowly sharpening—not arrogance, but clarity. The system wasn't some magical shortcut; it was a mirror that reflected his effort. And he was beginning to understand what it meant to "see" the market.
As he analyzed charts, his system window suddenly appeared with a crisp ping.
[NEW QUEST RECEIVED]
"Spot a Rising Star"
Identify and invest in a low-value stock that shows signs of potential growth.
Requirements: Invest a minimum of ₩50,000 in a qualifying stock.
Reward: 50 XP
Joon's eyes lit up. This was different from the previous quests. This wasn't just a study task—it was a real test of judgment. A mission that could change everything if he got it right.
He opened up his market simulator and set filters: under ₩2,000 per share, small-cap, high growth indicators, sudden volume spikes, insider buying. Then he scrolled. And scrolled.
Names popped up: Samjin Parts. HyoSung Logistics. ShinTech Bio. Nothing jumped out—until he found it.
Daeyang Robotics.
A small company that had just signed a partnership with a midsized Korean electronics firm. Its stock was still low—₩1,800 per share—but news chatter was picking up. Joon dug deeper. The financials weren't bad, and the volume had doubled in the last two days.
He checked three news sources, investor blogs, and even a translated Japanese site discussing potential import deals. Everything pointed to cautious optimism.
"I'll do it," Joon murmured.
[MONEY TRANSACTION]
Invested: ₩54,000 in Daeyang Robotics
Remaining Capital: ₩110,250
He clicked confirm, heart pounding slightly. The investment was done.
[QUEST PROGRESS – 100%]
[QUEST COMPLETE: SPOT A RISING STAR]
Reward: 50 XP
XP: 160 / 150
LEVEL UP!
The window flashed bright gold, then dimmed into soft pulses of light. Joon grinned like a kid who'd won his favorite toy at a fair.
[LEVEL UP – LEVEL 3 REACHED]
+3 Stat Points Awarded
New Passive Perk Unlocked: "Instinct Pulse I" – Occasionally highlights undervalued assets during browsing (chance-based).
The moment felt almost sacred. He could feel his mind buzzing with possibilities. With deliberate calm, Joon opened his stat window.
[STAT POINTS AVAILABLE: 3]
Joon didn't hesitate this time.
+2 Market Insight → Total: 5
+1 Stamina → Total: 2
He had learned that sharp thinking was his best weapon, but the long hours were wearing on him too. The extra Stamina would help him keep up his discipline.
Updated Stats:
Negotiation: 2
Market Insight: 5
Stamina: 2
He closed the window and leaned back. The system wasn't a crutch—it was an extension of his ambition. He wasn't playing pretend anymore.
He was becoming someone real.
As he stared at the sky, an idea struck him: What if he started recording his thoughts on trades? A sort of video journal to track how he made decisions. Maybe… even share it one day?
But that would come later.
For now, he would wait and watch Daeyang Robotics—and keep learning.
Post-Chapter Summary (After Chapter 7):
XP: 10 / 200 (Next level: 200 XP required)
Capital: ₩110,250
Stats:
Negotiation: 2
Market Insight: 5
Stamina: 2
Perk Unlocked: Instinct Pulse I (chance-based insight during stock browsing)