With the IMF loan secured and the immediate threat of national default resolved, the composite stock index staged a rebound.

Riding the momentum of expectations that the new administration's policies would finally turn things around in the new year, the index — which had sunk as low as 350 — leapt all the way up to 570.

The investors at Future Asset who'd closed their short positions once the index broke below 400 couldn't get over Chung-seop Jo's judgment.

Having unwound the short at exactly the right moment, Chung-seop looked to them more prophetic than any shaman in a trance.

But Chung-seop himself worshipped Seong-ho Kim as a god.

Because he knew the truth: he himself was merely a medium possessed by that god — the real god was Seong-ho.

Still unable to tear his eyes from the newspaper, Chung-seop spoke.

"So should we treat 280 as the floor and start accumulating stock from here?"

"Who knows where the true bottom is. But if we buy in roughly around here on the assumption we won't take a loss, don't you think we could make quite a lot of money?"

"That's true, but... the wave of companies going under still hasn't stopped..."

Chung-seop lifted his eyes from the newspaper and glanced up at Seong-ho.

The domino chain of corporate bankruptcies still hadn't slowed.

Wake up, and a construction company had gone under. Step out for a meal, and a department store had shut its doors.

Bankrupt clothing companies hawking their stock on the street had become an everyday sight.

Given all this, it was only natural to be afraid of investing in stocks.

Future Asset itself had told its clients to hold off on investing, and had been telling its own staff to pour their energy into acquiring securities firms rather than pursuing new positions — playing it safe.

And yet here was Seong-ho, suggesting they buy in right now.

Seong-ho lifted the corner of his mouth and leaned back into the sofa.

"Just as you're worried, President Jo, the current situation isn't optimistic. Dozens of companies are collapsing every day,…