The flustered headhunter gathered himself, asked for a moment, and pulled out his tablet.
His fingers and eyes were moving busily, clearly searching for candidates that matched my requirements.
A few minutes passed, and he began introducing several people.
"This person came from a major corporation's strategy office and has outstanding connections. They'd be a great help in running a business."
"This one contributed to the success of multiple projects at a major corporation..."
"A former lawyer who rose to chief of staff..."
"Young, entered the strategy office at a tender age, with a bright future ahead..."
None of them quite moved me yet.
What I wanted wasn't someone who'd help with business ventures specifically, but someone who was simply excellent at their job.
For someone like me, who knew nothing, jumping into business just because I had money would be a sure way to flush it down the drain.
I just needed someone to protect my money and handle all the hassle for me.
"What about this person? They might be a disadvantage for business ventures, but their abilities are top-tier. They became a political scapegoat in a power struggle among the heirs of a major corporation. It could be tough for businesses tied to big corps, but having managed the royal family, they have a wealth of experience and exceptional skills."
Finally, someone who fit the bill.
Not much help for business, but outstanding in ability.
"This one looks good. Could I meet them?"
"For someone like this, the salary might be higher than the others. At least 500 million won base..."
"Yes, please connect us."
"...Understood. I'll contact you once the meeting is scheduled."
Would I skimp on money when hiring top talent?
Stingy on 500 million and hire someone mediocre, only to lose billions later? No thanks.
I'd have to meet them and talk first to know for sure.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
After hearing they'd contact me once the schedule was set, I headed back home.
Aunt was out at work, so the house was empty.
Seol-hyun noona had just started her job and often worked late, while Si-hyun, freshly turned adult, was frequently out drinking with friends.
"How much should I set the monthly rent at?"
I pondered how much to offer for the regular monthly rent. I'd initially thought 1 million won, but it didn't sit right.
With 1 million won, they could find a decent place with a small deposit.
Aunt's place was in Seoul but not exactly prime real estate, so 1 million would make moving out tempting.
In short, offering 1 million would kill my justification for staying.
"500,000 won feels right."
After weighing options, 500,000 won seemed perfect.
Take it slow. No need to splash cash yet.
500,000 wasn't pocket change; its sudden absence would hit hard.
Of course, it wasn't something to cling to at all costs.
But what if it grew to over 1 million with time? Millions?
For Aunt, adapting to her changed life, it would be money she couldn't let slip away.
By then, saving wouldn't matter.
"Yeah..."
It hit me anew: I wasn't a good person.
But no self-loathing. I believed in the innate evil of humanity.
I'd just become someone who could do whatever he wanted.
"Maybe catch some shut-eye."
After the wild night at the room salon yesterday and late-night cam shows, I was exhausted.
Aunt wouldn't be home for a while, so I decided to nap till then.
A little later.
"...He's out cold."
I'd passed out so deeply I didn't notice falling asleep. Blinking awake, it was night.
More than enough time for Aunt to be home.
I pulled 500,000 won in cash from my bag and put it in an envelope.
Grabbing it, I headed to the living room.
"...Is she asleep?"
Normally, she'd be cooking for her late-returning daughters, but today, exhausted from work, she was dozing on the living room sofa.
Whoa...
Seeing her like that made me swallow hard.
Gulp.
There were those "mature beauty" images floating online.
Comments were full of drooling emojis.
Now I got it.
Aunt, even more captivating than those pics, sprawled on the sofa— I couldn't help but gasp.
She was so alluring I nearly closed my eyes and thought about touching her.
I held back.
Get greedy too soon, and I'd be out on the street.
Before I could act, she stirred and woke.
'Wh-what's that...'
My eyes darted to her nightgown dress hiked up over her thighs.
With pure white panties peeking out.
Damn, this is insane.
I rushed back to my room before she fully woke, then pretended to emerge just now.
Aunt checked her nightgown, looking flustered.
Probably worried if I'd seen.
"D-Do-yoon. Have you been out in the living room?"
"Huh? I just woke up, haven't been out. Why?"
"Nothing. Just Aunt drooling in sleep, looking a mess."
"Hm... Even if I saw, I wouldn't think weird of it."
"Oh? You sure know how to talk sweet, Do-yoon."
"Nah. Here's last month's rent I mentioned."
Aunt took the envelope awkwardly, checked its thickness, and sighed in relief.
A mix of meanings there.
Relief at a bit more breathing room, and that I wasn't overdoing it.
She probably thought the bills inside were 10,000-won notes.
I decided not to correct her yet.
She'd find out when she checked.
"You sure this is okay?"
"Of course."
"I'll take it then. Aunt'll make you tasty food more often."
"Thanks."
Seeing her smile, I knew staying here was the right call.
How was she more alluring than the young woman from last night?
I handed over the money and returned to my room.
Soon after, a gasp from the living room.
The door flew open.
"D-Do-yoon! What's all this?!"
"Huh?"
"Who pays 500,000 won rent?!"
"Basement apartments in Seoul go for 500,000, and this place deserves more—I'm just bummed I can't give extra."
"That's 'cause location matters."
"Grateful heart, and it's fine at that amount."
"...Thanks. Aunt'll put it to good use."
"Glad I could help."
"Really... it helps a ton."
Nice.
I felt stronger too.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
After dinner, back in my room, I had a message.
From the headhunter I'd met earlier.
The person he introduced was free anytime—said to pick a convenient day.
No need to drag it out.
I scheduled it for tomorrow after my part-time shift.
Next, I checked Seol-a's KakaoTalk, added yesterday.
I'd told her to message, so no issue.
[Hey. Finally texting back.]
Right before her stream started, a quick reply came.
[Oppa! I waited so long yesterday. Thought you ghosted me.]
[No way.]
[Phew. Can I guess your age, oppa?]
[23.]
[Huh?! Only a year older than me?]
[Ended up that way.]
[Whoa! Gold spoon then?]
[Something like that.]
[Tease. Wanna chat more, but stream time. Talk later!]
[Sure. Have fun.]
[No more streams?]
[When I can.]
[Ok, oppa~ ♡]
Oppa evolved to oppa~ ♡.
My lips twitched into a grin.
With time to spare, I sat at the computer, thinking of peeking at her stream.
Also to check yesterday's plummeting Bitcoin.
But then.
"What the..."
Similar to yesterday.
What?
I couldn't grasp it at first.
Too unbelievable.
"Ah... Yesterday's drop rate hasn't updated yet?"
Makes sense.
Yesterday was -7%, so maybe another 1% down.
That tracks.
Now at -8%.
Profits up another 2 billion or so?
"..."
Bullshit.
I shot up from my seat.
Leaned into the screen like it'd run away, gripping it with both hands.
"Whoa..."
An awe-struck gasp escaped.
Not 70 billion plus 2 billion to 90—it was 70 plus 16 billion, totaling 23 billion in profits.
Ah...
Not continuing yesterday.
Another 8% drop today on top.
Shocking.
How massive a plunge in just two days.
Not just me—communities and news sites buzzed with Bitcoin's crash.
Everyone denying reality.
"...Huh?"
Wait.
Am I an investment genius?
I knew it was luck.
Still, the thought crossed my mind.
23 billion in two days? Fair enough.
And not from 100 billion seed, but 15 billion to 23 billion profit.
Wow.
I was dumbfounded.