The composite index kept climbing, day after day. As the rising index drew ever more attention, and more and more people around them said they'd made money through the Buy Korea fund, the rush of people only kept building. The fund index, having started at 100, had before anyone quite noticed broken past 130. For anyone who'd bought into the Buy Korea fund at the very start, that meant a 30% return.

At start of work, at lunch, at end of work, and in every odd break in between, office workers lost track of time talking about the Buy Korea fund and the market.

"What did I tell you?"

Assistant Manager Kim of the PR office said to Assistant Manager Park of General Affairs, his voice thoroughly worked up.

"Didn't I say buy the Buy Korea fund? I put in 5 million won and it's already swelled to 6.5 million."

"How is that possible?"

"What do you mean, how is it possible? What are you even saying?"

"Where in the world does anyone grow money 30% in under a year?"

"Where? Right here."

Assistant Manager Kim spoke to Park in a voice full of pity.

"Only people who think like that are the ones who can't make money. Honestly, you."

"Is it real? Really up 30%?"

"I keep telling you it is."

Kim took his phone from his pocket, punched in a number, and held it out to Park.

"Hold it to your ear and hear it for yourself."

"Hear what?"

"Ugh. Just listen first and then talk."

Kim forced the phone into Park's hand. Then he held his own phone up to his ear and gestured for Park to listen carefully to what came through.

Park, with a face that said he had no idea what was going on, quietly held the phone to his ear. And he listened to what came through.

—Ilhyeon Securities informs you. As of today, the Buy Korea fund's index stands at 130.4. Once again: as of today…

"What's this?"

Park pulled the phone from his ear and looked at Kim as though it…