"Calling it a prediction, you’ve been continuously appealing to me... It feels like you knew in advance that the financial real-name system would be implemented this year. Am I wrong?"
I looked at my grandfather’s eyes without averting my gaze, calmly.
"Everyone could have predicted it. It was clearly stated in the campaign promises. However, everyone was so convinced that it wouldn’t be implemented that they didn’t take it seriously. That was the difference between you and me."
My grandfather was speechless for a moment, just staring at me.
Then, he suddenly burst into loud laughter.
"Hehehe. Interesting. Very interesting. The difference between you and me. You’re saying that you saw something I didn’t?"
You knew it would work.
I smiled calmly.
"Not just you, but all the conglomerates and the privileged class thought the same. Believing it, the president implemented it abruptly, using the extreme method of an 'emergency decree,' which hadn’t been used since the Third Republic."
My grandfather, who had a satisfied look on his face, nodded in agreement.
"Muhyuk, you’re right. Even though I knew, I might have turned a blind eye. Still, I didn’t expect it to happen so quickly."
"Neither did I."
"Haha, no need to put on a show. Still, because you kept talking to me, I managed to clean up most of the anonymous accounts. Otherwise, we would have lost a lot of money..."
My grandfather trailed off, lost in thought for a while.
During that time, I also wandered around his study, lost in my own thoughts.
Under the dim brown lamp, a few specks of dust were floating.
'He must be thinking of moving assets overseas again. It took too long to find them this time...'
While pondering if there was a better way, my grandfather spoke up.
"Muhyuk."
"Yes."
"Since I’ve already given you enough money, let’s transfer all the stocks I have to you."
"Really?"
"I was planning to observe a bit longer, but I think you’ll use them well. You can sell them for cash or keep them. It’s up to you."
These were stocks he hadn’t transferred to me until his last days.
My grandfather, who owned shares in most of the major corporations in our country, also held a significant number of shares at the top of the circular shareholding structure.
This was an asset that couldn’t be compared to money.
"This will be the last gift I give you while I’m alive. Do you understand?"
"Yes, thank you."
I bowed my head, genuinely expressing my gratitude.
My grandfather looked at me with a pleased expression and said,
"What do you think will happen from tomorrow?"
"Probably... extreme chaos. Not only large corporations but also small and medium-sized enterprises and ordinary citizens will rush to the banks to withdraw cash. There might even be a situation where the banks don’t have enough money to pay out."
My grandfather nodded in agreement.
"The stock market will also crash. However, I don’t think this chaos will last long. In a situation where most citizens conduct financial transactions in their own names, the chaos will be quickly resolved, and the stock market will likely recover."
"Hmm..."
"Ultimately, the conglomerates’ nominee stocks and slush funds, as well as the funds of loan sharks, will be the ones to suffer. This will lead to them moving their slush funds overseas."
A shadow fell over my grandfather’s face.
"I think it’s inevitable that funds will flow overseas. However, the financial real-name system is necessary. It’s bad news for you and me, but..."
After that, I continued a long conversation with my grandfather.
* * *
"What is this?"
On TV, the president’s statement was being broadcast.
In the heavy atmosphere of the Il Sung Group’s chairman’s office.
Chairman Seo Yong-geun of Il Sung Group was looking at his secretary, Lee Seok-min, with a cold gaze.
Swallowing hard, Lee Seok-min bowed his head without answering.
"Answer me. Didn’t you say the financial real-name system would never be implemented?"
"I’m sorry."
"Don’t just say you’re sorry. What’s the plan? Why didn’t our people in the Blue House give us a heads-up?"
"There was no contact."
Seo Yong-geun, his face contorted, threw the papers he was holding onto the desk.
"Is this the best you can do? Are you getting old? If so, just say so."
"I’m sorry."
"Phew... What about the slush funds?"
Lee Seok-min hesitated before answering.
"About 300 billion won will be frozen."
"300 billion won?"
"Yes... The accounts under non-existent names have no solution. The accounts under employees and their families can be found."
Seo Yong-geun rubbed his forehead, looking troubled.
"Phew... Find and bring what you can. We’ll think about the rest slowly."
"Understood."
Meanwhile, Chairman Song of Daehyun Group was also watching the president’s announcement of the financial real-name system at his mansion.
"Phew... That kid was right..."
Chairman Song muttered, feeling defeated.
"Without connections in the Blue House, we couldn’t foresee this... It’s my karma, my karma. So, what are the kids doing?"
"I’ll check."
"No, leave them alone. They’re probably in a mess. They’ll handle it on their own."
"Understood."
"Contact Chairman Cheon and have him call Kim Muhyuk tomorrow. I have something to discuss with that kid."
The secretary bowed and left the room.
"Phew... I must be getting old... I’ve become stubborn. Stubborn..."
* * *
The announcement was made in the evening after the banks had closed, so from the early morning, the banks were swarmed with people trying to withdraw cash.
Of course, before the banks opened, the big shots from large corporations and loan sharks had already withdrawn all their money.
And... when the bank doors opened a bit later than scheduled, the banks were paralyzed, unable to conduct proper business due to the overwhelming number of inquiries.
The stock market also opened with over 1,000 stocks hitting the lower limit.
Korea was truly in turmoil.
'Just as I expected.'
Standing a step back from the center of the chaos, I observed the situation and headed to Chairman Song’s mansion in Jongno to meet him.
A short while later, I arrived at Chairman Song’s house and was led to the study by the secretary waiting at the entrance.
"Nice to see you again, Chairman."
"You’re late. Come in and sit down quickly."
I sat down, smiling inwardly at his unusual urgency.
"So, how did you know about the financial real-name system? Did Chairman Cheon tell you?"
Chairman Song, who seemed unusually eager, asked me as soon as I sat down.
I shrugged.
"I just predicted it."
I repeated what I had told my grandfather to Chairman Song.
"Phew, just predicted... Did a mere twenty-year-old predict something that no one else could? The thoughts of that century-old political master, the president?"
"It was obvious if you stepped back and thought about it."
Chairman Song let out a sigh, a mix of frustration and admiration.
"Even the smart people in our company couldn’t predict it, but you did. It seems the ones who were truly smart were them, not you."
"No, Chairman."
"No, this time I learned from you. My stubbornness clouded my judgment. Otherwise, I would have predicted this."
I remained silent, but Chairman Song continued.
"By the way, you also asked another question back then. About Korea defaulting, right?"
This question made me a bit uncomfortable.
"That was a general question about all countries, not just Korea. Many countries are at risk, especially developing countries and most of Africa."
"Maybe, but your words keep echoing in my mind. About Korea defaulting."
"Ha ha ha..."
I tried to laugh it off, but Chairman Song wasn’t someone who could be easily fooled.
Studying my awkward smile, he had a peculiar expression.
"This will be interesting to watch. By the way, do you have a girlfriend?"
"Me?"
Confused, I looked at him, and Chairman Song smiled mischievously.
"If not, I have a granddaughter who’s 18 this year. Would you like to meet her?"
18 years old... Chairman, that’s a crime.
"Ha, ha. I’m not thinking about dating yet. I prefer meeting someone naturally rather than through an introduction."
"Hey, just meet her. She’s beautiful, not just because she’s my granddaughter!"
Though he said it jokingly, it seemed he was partly serious. He sighed when I continued to refuse.
"Hmm, don’t delude yourself into thinking you can be happy with an ordinary person. That’s a fantasy."
"I’m still young. I don’t want to be tied to a strategic marriage."
Suddenly, my ex-wife came to mind.
She was the one who left me first when I fell, but she was someone I truly loved and married.
'This time, it won’t happen.'
I thought it was for the best, but it left a bitter taste in my mouth.
"By the way, you haven’t mentioned your mother. Do you remember anything about Misuk?"
I shook my head.
"She passed away when I was young, so I don’t have many memories. I only saw her in photos."
Chairman Song’s face softened as he recalled the past.
"Misuk was a very kind girl. I remember her small hand holding mine and smiling... She was a good listener of Chairman Cheon’s words, but one day she left home because of a man... It’s been so long. Time