An Investor Who Sees The Future

I lay in a hospital bed, skimming through the backlog of news on my tablet.

For a while, the earthquake was the hot topic.

California lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire and usually experiences frequent earthquakes. Most are offshore tremors and small enough that the general public hardly notices them. However, this earthquake was quite significant.

San Francisco Airport temporarily halted operations, and shaking was detected in LA as well. The media expressed concerns, stating it was the largest quake in years.

But the earthquake issue subsided within a day. After that, articles related to me began to flood in.

There was even an article analyzing the repercussions on the automotive and adult entertainment industries if I couldn’t wake up.

“……”

Okay, automotive I can understand, but why adult film?

Having relaxed, Ellie and my mother dozed off beside me. They probably hadn’t slept well due to worry.

I had told them to go rest at the hotel, but both insisted on staying by my side.

“I need some rest too. It’s hard to concentrate with so many people around.”

After several rounds of persuasion, my mother and Ellie returned to the hotel with Hyun-joo. Taek-gyu next to me finished the leftover pizza he had been eating.

He seemed ready to devour the entire box.

I wanted to join him, but the nurse warned that my stomach was weak and eating pizza could upset it; instead, she offered me thick soup.

I was hungry and ate it, but it tasted horrible.

Is tasteless hospital food a universal issue?

I continued to search for news about the earthquake.

Now that I think about it, something felt off from the moment I left for San Francisco. When I arrived and got off at the airport, I felt an inexplicable unease.

At the time, I thought it was due to my poor health, but could it have been something related to the earthquake’s forewarning?

And the fact that I collapsed too…

“The doctor said I was in a deep sleep state.”

“Then why couldn’t you wake up for a whole week?”

Taek-gyu asked cautiously.

“Could it be a side effect of Oracle?”

“Hmm.”

So far, the only side effect had been a brief moment of dullness. As long as it wasn’t while driving, there wasn’t really a problem.

“Has this happened before?”

I pondered and nodded.

“I experienced tinnitus and headaches like this twice before.”

“When was that?”

“The first time I saw Oracle. And when I tried to see when L6 would explode.”

“So that makes three times including this one?”

Unlike other times when Oracle naturally came to mind, those three instances felt like a sensation pushing its way through.

“Like you were overloaded?”

“Something like that.”

Taek-gyu spoke as if concerned.

“Thinking about it, it’s a bit strange to receive such tremendous power without a cost, right? Great power always comes with great sacrifices.”

“That’s true.”

“Now that you’ve made enough money, how about sealing your foresight from now on?”

“…….”

What does that even mean?

This ability didn’t come from constant effort; it appeared out of nowhere one day. I couldn’t see it just because I wanted to, nor could I ignore it because I didn’t want to see it.

Unless I were to throw everything away and retreat to a remote island where I wouldn’t hear any news and just fish, I would continue to see visions inevitably because I am in the finance industry.

“Anyway, you’re okay now, right?”

“I’m more than okay.”

After sleeping for a whole week, it feels like all the fatigue I accumulated has completely vanished.

I could be discharged right away.

***

I expressed my desire to be discharged as soon as the day broke.

“Is it because of the hospital bills?”

“…No.”

Do they think I would leave the hospital, dragging my sick body just because of costs?

I learned after seeing the medical bill that American healthcare costs were beyond imagination. If one gets seriously ill, wouldn’t a typical middle-class family go completely broke?

Seeing this makes me realize how excellent South Korea’s healthcare system is.

Since it was a work-related injury during a business trip, all expenses would be covered by the company. Although eighty percent of that company money is mine.

When Taek-gyu and I headed to the hotel, my mother and Ellie, who were getting ready to come to the hospital, were taken aback.

“You should be at the hospital. Why are you being discharged already?”

I calmly lied.

“The doctor said I can go.”

In fact, the attending physician suggested we do a couple more days of observation after the CT and MRI scans. I ignored that and just discharged myself.

“But you shouldn’t move around right after lying down for so long.”

“I understand.”

Following my mother’s advice, I decided to return to Korea after just one day.

Hyun-joo felt relieved and stayed locked in the hotel room to work, while Ellie, who had been beside me the whole time, seemed to have regained her energy and went to the hotel fitness center for a bit of exercise.

While my mother was slicing fruit next to me, she suddenly asked after Ellie left.

“I heard you’re dating that girl.”

“Who told you?”

“Hyun-joo. I noticed something from the first time I saw her; she’s really charming. I was worried you were too focused on work. When did you catch such a nice girl?”

I casually replied, “Is it okay that she’s a foreigner?”

My mother nodded at my question.

“Of course. In today’s global age, what’s the problem? You speak Korean well, so you don’t even feel like a foreigner. Hyun-joo praises that girl a lot. She’s a Golden Gate lawyer, right?”

“That’s right.”

“Pretty, smart, good job. Nothing to criticize.”

It seems she’s already finished her daughter-in-law scouting. She’s quick.

“When you were hospitalized, seeing her beside you made me trust her. Beauty and wealth mean nothing. A person’s character is the most important thing. That’s what I’ve learned in life…”

“……”

When will this nagging end?

I secretly texted Ellie for help. A short while later, Ellie came back, quickly showered, and said to my mother.

“Let’s go out together, Mom.”

“Huh? Where to?”

“It’s your first time in the U.S. Since you came all this way, you should explore San Francisco and visit the Golden Gate Bridge.”

“Golden Gate Bridge?”

I nudged her.

“The Golden Gate Bridge. You said you wanted to see it once. I will rest here, so you and Ellie go enjoy yourselves.”

“But you just got discharged…”

When I poked her side, Taek-gyu, who had been diligently eating fruit, spoke up.

“Don’t worry, ma’am. I’ll take good care of Jinhoo.”

After several refusals, my mother eventually set out for a tour of San Francisco with Ellie.

***

The news of my awakening quickly made headlines. OTK Company explained that while I had already regained consciousness, the announcement was delayed due to various check-ups.

This was to prevent any unnecessary rumors about health issues.

The attending physician and nurses knew the truth but couldn’t disclose patient information externally.

M Pizza held an event to celebrate my discharge by distributing pizzas throughout the hospital.

It seemed that they couldn’t lose, as Faceit planned to distribute six-month free access to adult sites for the medical staff, and wanted to host an event at the hospital with adult film stars… but I talked them out of it.

After the article was published, my phone rang nonstop.

I first spoke with my senior, Sang-yeop. He sighed in relief upon hearing that I was fine.

[Are you really okay?]

“Yes. Thanks to you, I had a good rest for a few days.”

[I was really worried when I saw the news about you collapsing. As soon as the article came out, your stocks took a dive. Remember, my livelihood and that of our employees depends on your health.]

“I got it.”

[When are you coming to Korea?]

“I’ll go tomorrow. See you at the office.”

[Take care on your way.]

Next, I had a call with Daryl and Chairman Im Jin-yong.

Daryl was relieved, and Chairman Im extended his congratulations. I also had a brief conversation with James C. Goldman, the CEO of Golden Gate, and Chase Southwell, the head of the Asia branch.

I even received a call from the White House. Due to his busy schedule, Ronald had his assistant convey congratulations on my discharge.

***

“There’s a private jet I came in, so I can just take this back.”

Seosung Group has a total of four private jets. They have corporations and factories all around the world, so executives need to travel quickly to handle business affairs.

Among them, the most advanced model is naturally the chairman’s private jet, which Chairman Im Jin-yong lent me.

There’s no such thing as a free lunch.

I owe him this time, so I’ll have to repay it later.

I boarded the private jet and greeted the captain.

“I’m glad you’re feeling better. The chairman asked me to take good care of you. I’ll do my best to ensure your comfort on your way to Korea.”

“We’re counting on you until we arrive safely.”

My mother looked around the plane with a surprised expression.

“I thought all airplanes were the same, but there are planes that look like this. Thanks to my son, I get to ride in such a nice plane.”

“You rode in it when we came, too.”

“Yeah, but back then I was so disoriented I didn’t realize it was this nice.”

As expected from a private jet used by a large corporation’s chairman, the seats were comfortable, and the interior was arranged for meetings and work.

When I opened the refrigerator, there were various beverages, including different types of whiskey and wine.

Come to think of it, didn’t Chairman Im Jin-yong like whiskey?

I took out a beer. My mother then asked,

“Is it okay to drink someone else’s?”

“I think so.”

Before I could finish my response, Taek-gyu next to me pulled out champagne. Without giving anyone a chance to stop him, he popped the cork.

“Let’s have a toast altogether as a memento.”

“……”

If Chairman Im Jin-yong finds out that one bottle of Dom Pérignon is missing, won’t he be shocked?

“Well, if needed, they’ll probably bill me later.”

We all raised our glasses for a toast.

The private jet flew over the Pacific Ocean. Perhaps exhausted, everyone soon fell asleep. The cabin crew turned off the lights inside.

Leaning back in my seat, I fell into thought.

After experiencing this event, I suddenly became curious about the nature of my ability.

The reason I, an ordinary college student, became an investor causing a stir in the world is entirely due to my foresight.

If, one day, this ability were to disappear…

Would I still be able to lead the company?

***

The private jet landed at Gimpo Airport.

My mother greeted the captain and crew individually.

“Thank you for all your hard work flying the plane. Please be sure to thank the chairman as well.”

“Yes. It was an honor to serve you.”

Outside the arrival hall, a car was waiting.

“If you feel unwell, go to the hospital and contact me. I’ll visit home soon.”

“Got it. Don’t worry.”

Still seeming uneasy, my mother held onto Ellie’s hand and said,

“Please take good care of Jin-Hoo.”

Ellie responded warmly,

“Don’t worry, ma’am. If anything happens, I’ll contact you right away. No, even if nothing happens, I’ll keep in touch often.”

My mother headed straight to Dongtan, while we made our way to the company.

The journey from the airport to Gangnam was quick.

Hyun-Joo and Ellie entered the Golden Gate Building, while Taek-gyu and I walked into the OTK Building.

Senior Sang-yeop warmly welcomed us.

“Is your health okay now?”

“Of course.”

Senior Gihong, who was next to him, bowed and said,

“We were worried, CEO.”

As the head of the PR team, he must have had a tough time dealing with articles and clarifications.

“You all worked hard without me.”

“It’s nothing! It’s touching to see you looking so healthy.”

Seeing him talk like that, it seemed he had become quite professional.

I wandered around the floors, greeting employees. When they saw my face in person, they sighed in relief.

OTK Company is an investment firm, so there isn’t much to do unless there are new investments.

As I skimmed through reports summarizing my work during my absence, a call came in from Professor Kim Ho-Min.

[Are you feeling better now?]

“Yes. The article was somewhat exaggerated.”

[That’s a relief. I was really shocked when I read the article.]

“I apologize for worrying you.”

[No need to apologize. By the way, is it okay if I continue to speak comfortably like this?]

“Of course. You’re the head of the research institute, and I’m just an investor in that institute.”

So, it can be considered a horizontal relationship.

Professor Kim Ho-Min said with a smile.

[If you’re not busy, can you come to the research institute now?]

“What’s the matter?”

[I have something to show you.]