Life Reversal with Stock Cheat

Until yesterday, my bank account held 13.92 million won. But now, my portfolio was valued at 22.06 million won.

"8.14 million won in just one day?"

Having worked in the finance department for six years and spending my time in prison running mental calculations, my ability to crunch numbers was sharp. But what truly shocked me wasn't the amount itself.

"A 58.5% return."

The fact that my money had grown by nearly 60% in a single day was crucial. It meant that the daily profit potential wasn't capped at just 30%—it could go even higher.

Though tomorrow's gains might only be 5%, I had unlocked the magic of daily compound interest without losses.

For now, my portfolio was just over 20 million won, but by the end of the real investment competition in a month, it would have grown exponentially. Even with a conservative 10% daily return, I could amass 1.2 billion won by the end of the competition. And with another month of compounding…

"A humble beginning, but a grand finale."

I couldn't suppress my grin.

"What's up? Something good happen?"

No Yoori asked with a bright smile. It wasn't something I could share, so I waved her off.

"Nothing much."

"Skipping work on your first day?"

"Skipping work? No way."

A guilty conscience made my back sweat.

"Then how about a coffee break? I've been working nonstop since morning and could really use one. Minseok, join us for a cup!"

"Just let me finish this first."

"Come on, the boss isn't around anyway."

She pouted before standing up.

"Let's just go without him."

---

Work wasn't difficult. My job title said 'Customer Service Representative,' but with few customers, there wasn't much to do. Instead, I spent my work hours researching the company's trajectory through its website and online searches.

It was still a small startup but had strong growth potential. The only issue?

"This will need a lot of investment."

Expanding the business model would require substantial capital. Not to mention, marketing would need even more funding.

"Hanul will figure it out."

It wasn't my concern. Just yesterday, he had an interview with a magazine, increasing our exposure. Despite his laid-back demeanor, he was excellent at securing deals.

"I should focus on my own work."

The ability to analyze five random stocks every morning was proving to be more useful than I had anticipated.

"Out of five stocks, at least one gains over 5%."

Since the 'Great Stock Investment Competition' started 13 days ago, the KOSPI index had plummeted from 3,000 to 2,800 due to the ongoing downturn.

Yet, I hadn't lost a single won. It was an almost supernatural ability.

"And I've only had one day where the maximum gain was just 5%."

That was the day after I hit a 59% return. Since then, I'd been consistently picking high-yielding stocks, turning my initial deposit of 10.4 million won into 40 million won. Just looking at my balance made me smile.

"Jaegu, you seem happy."

"Not really."

I quickly controlled my expression.

"You were grinning just now. Thinking about your girlfriend?"

"Girlfriend? No way."

My face hardened involuntarily. My ex-wife's face flashed in my mind. I had been in such a good mood, but this unexpected reminder soured it instantly.

No Yoori gasped and covered her mouth.

"Oh! I'm so sorry. That was a slip of the tongue."

If Hanul hadn't told her about my divorce, she wouldn't have known. And Hanul wasn't the type to gossip.

"No, I just bit my tongue."

"Oh, you scared me."

She giggled and playfully swung her fist.

I swiftly pushed my chair back to evade her range, making her punch the air.

"Oh, come on."

A faint blush appeared on her cheeks.

"Wait… what's with this atmosphere?"

Hanul smirked as he approached.

"Ah… it's nothing."

"Really? Nothing at all?"

"Seriously."

"Anyway, let's have dinner together tonight. Anyone free?"

"Out of nowhere?"

"Kangmin got off work early. Jaegu, you should come. You haven't seen him in a while."

"As long as it doesn't go too late."

"We're broke, so it won't."

Hanul chuckled and playfully punched my shoulder.

"Then I'm in."

"Would you have skipped if it ran late?"

"My parents worry."

"Momma's boy now, huh? Minseok, you free?"

Minseok mumbled as he took off his headset.

"I… I'd love to. Haven't had a team dinner in ages."

His nervous stammering was almost endearing.

"Ah, youth."

I smiled. But if he kept being this spineless, women wouldn't like him. Offering advice would make me sound like an old man, so I kept quiet.

"Anyone against samgyeopsal?"

"I love it!" Yoori clapped her hands excitedly.

"Time to grease up our bellies."

---

At a spacious samgyeopsal restaurant near the office, the air was thick with the delicious aroma of grilled pork. Yoori sniffed eagerly.

"Wow, I feel full just smelling it."

"Then you can go home now?"

Her playful pout reminded me of Ha-yeon. Cute.

"Here! Over here!"

A sharp-looking man waved at us. Hanul smiled and headed toward him.

"Kangmin! Long time no see!"

Yoori leaned in and whispered, "That's Kangmin from sales. He's super insecure about his hair loss, so don't bring it up."

"Thanks."

Noted. I appreciated the heads-up. If only I could raise Ha-yeon to be this perceptive.

Once we were seated, Kangmin handed Hanul a soju bottle.

"Boss, let me pour you a drink."

"No business talk today. Just relax. I drove here."

"Too bad. I wanted to drink with you."

"By the way, this is Kim Jaegu, our new customer service manager."

"Nice to meet—"

As our eyes met, Kangmin's pupils trembled for a split second. Then, regaining composure, he smiled and extended a hand.

"I'm Kangmin from sales. Pleased to meet you."

"Kim Jaegu. Looking forward to working with you."

Though we shook hands and smiled, something felt off.

"Strange. Why does he seem familiar?"

I'd met countless people in my corporate career. Some faces stuck, others faded. But something about him felt different.

"Let's drink! Jaegu, welcome aboard!"

Kangmin filled my glass, and I raised it.

Whatever this unease was, I'd figure it out later.

---

A month had passed in the blink of an eye. Between work, stock trading, and investigating my past fraud case, time flew.

I checked my brokerage account.

[296.39 million won]

The number was surreal. And it was still growing.

"Holy—"

"What are you doing?"

Hanul's voice startled me. I quickly exited the trading app, but the icon on my home screen betrayed me.

He narrowed his eyes.

"Are you still trading stocks?"