The next morning felt different—not because the air was colder or the sun brighter, but because Joon now had momentum.
He sat at his desk with a fresh cup of green tea, opened his laptop, and reviewed his new quest.
Quest Active: Diversify
Objective: Allocate capital into three distinct sectors (e.g., tech, manufacturing, energy). Each position must be held for 7+ days.
Reward: +60 XP
Bonus: +30 XP if one or more positions gains 10%+
Capital Available: ₩208,250
Joon leaned back, exhaled, and began planning.
Step One: Sector Selection.
He opened a spreadsheet and listed industries.
Technology
Energy
Consumer Goods
Biotech
Logistics
Food Manufacturing
Green Infrastructure
He eliminated ones that felt too volatile or unfamiliar.
After an hour of reading and cross-referencing financial news, he narrowed it down to three sectors:
Tech – A reliable semiconductor company
Green Energy – A mid-sized solar firm with government contracts
Consumer Goods – A local bottled tea brand rising in popularity
He grinned. "Three sectors. Three stories."
Step Two: Company Selection.
For Tech, he picked Hana MicroTech—a well-established chip packaging company with stable returns and moderate volatility.
Price per share: ₩1,480
He bought 50 shares.
Purchase: 50 × ₩1,480 = ₩74,000
Remaining Capital: ₩134,250
Next, for Green Energy, he chose Solvine Corp., a solar panel manufacturer benefiting from recent tax incentives.
Price per share: ₩1,950
He bought 40 shares.
Purchase: 40 × ₩1,950 = ₩78,000
Remaining Capital: ₩56,250
Finally, for Consumer Goods, he bought into BoriTea Ltd., a niche brand Joon had seen on shelves in Seoul convenience stores.
Price per share: ₩1,850
He bought 30 shares.
Purchase: 30 × ₩1,850 = ₩55,500
Remaining Capital: ₩750
System Notification: Diversified Holdings Confirmed
Tech: Hana MicroTech – Confirmed
Green Energy: Solvine Corp. – Confirmed
Consumer Goods: BoriTea Ltd. – Confirmed
All positions must be held for 7 days to complete the quest.
Passive Effect: Long-Term Perspective (I)
Research bonuses active for all 3 companies.
Joon smiled. He felt like a small-scale fund manager—only his fund was powered by ramen, willpower, and a glowing System window.
Over the next few days, Joon tracked not just price movement, but news catalysts and public sentiment.
He read forums, quarterly reports, and government updates.
He even practiced explaining his logic aloud to himself in the mirror, saying things like:
"I invested in Solvine because the Ministry of Energy just approved new solar grants. That boosts long-term demand for domestic panels."
It felt nerdy.
But it worked.
Each time he broke down his rationale, he felt his Market Insight and Research instincts tighten like guitar strings.
Daily Research Detected: Solvine Industry Analysis
+5 XP
Current XP: 100 → 105 / 500
Daily Research Detected: Consumer Brand Survey Read
+5 XP
Current XP: 105 → 110 / 500
Daily Research Detected: Semiconductor Report Read
+5 XP
Current XP: 110 → 115 / 500
On Day 4 of the hold period, Solvine's stock jumped.
News had leaked about a major export deal with Vietnam.
Solvine rose to ₩2,180 per share.
Unrealized Gain: ₩230 × 40 = ₩9,200 → +11.7%
Bonus Condition Progress: 1 Position exceeds 10% return (✓)
But Joon didn't panic sell.
He remembered the quest condition: Hold each stock for 7 days.
"Stick to the plan," he whispered.
It was the first time he saw a jump like that and didn't act impulsively.
On Day 6, he received a message from his cousin Junho again.
Junho: "Dude, you're holding three stocks now?"
Joon: "Yeah. One tech, one solar, one consumer."
Junho: "You're basically a baby ETF."
Joon: "😂"
Junho then sent a voice note:
"Joon-ah. I'm proud of you. Seriously. Most beginners just throw darts. You're building something real. Keep going."
Joon played the message twice before closing the app with a quiet smile.
Day 7.
The final day.
He logged in at market open.
Hana MicroTech: ₩1,505 (↑₩25)
Solvine Corp.: ₩2,170 (↑₩220)
BoriTea Ltd.: ₩1,900 (↑₩50)
Net Gains:
Hana MicroTech: ₩25 × 50 = ₩1,250
Solvine Corp.: ₩220 × 40 = ₩8,800
BoriTea Ltd.: ₩50 × 30 = ₩1,500
Total Gain: ₩11,550
Joon clicked "Sell All".
Capital Gained: ₩219,800
(₩208,250 initial + ₩11,550 gain)
Quest Complete: Diversify
+60 XP (Main)
+30 XP (Bonus: 1 stock exceeded 10%)
XP: 115 → 205 / 500
[Status Window]
Level: 6
XP: 205 / 500
Capital: ₩219,800
Market Insight: 10
Negotiation: 2
Stamina: 2
Research: 3
Titles: Beginner Trader, Pattern Seeker, Value Seeker
Skills:
Long-Term Perspective (Passive I)
That night, the System gave him something else.
New Quest Available: Strategic Depth
Objective: Execute a multi-phase plan—buy during dip, hold, then scale out in 3 parts.
Reward: +80 XP
Unlocks "Trade Journal" feature upon completion
Note: Quest is designed to teach advanced entry/exit logic. Expect emotional pressure.
Joon swallowed.
He was stepping into higher waters now.
But with every trade, every XP, and every win or loss, he was becoming more than just a kid with a dream.
He was becoming someone the market couldn't ignore.