Chapter 17: <Planning for the Future>

After a meeting, Yoon Gihwan wanted to talk to Woosung in private.

“Are you aiming to become a quant?”

Quant.

If you buy at A and sell at C, you could profit 2 cents.

If you buy at D and sell at E, then you could profit 2.5 cents.

But If you sell A at C, you have a 20% chance of losing 7 cents.

If you sell D at E, then you have a 25% chance of losing 10 cents.

With the above premises, which scenario would give you the best chance of profiting the most in a month? A quant was a person who composed complex mathematical models to detect investment opportunities. Companies scouted talented quants. As a skilled quant, you could become successful in both finance and in reputation. You had to be smart, and Yoon Gihwan knew Woosung could be an incredible quant.

“I haven’t decided yet.”

“Really? Then why do you want to know about algorithm trading?”

“That’s not my goal but knowing about it can still make me rich.”

“So you are thinking about opening your own business with it?”

Woosung followed with all honesty.

“I am trying to make it into my weapon.”

Yoon Gihwan, now more curious than ever, asked.

“All right… but why do you want ME to teach you? If I was the best at algorithm trading, I wouldn’t be working at a place like this.”

“I need your experience.”

Yoon Gihwan laughed.

“Hahaha, newbie. You need something from ME?”

“More like I need experience.”

“Yet you still have been so rude to me?”

“As you know, some experiences are…”

“Not important?”

“Something I can overcome with knowledge.”

“But algorithm trading is different?”

Woosung sighed. There was no end to Yoon Gihwan’s questions.

“You have a lot of questions.”

Yoon Gihwan nodded and played with his coffee cup.

“I have been working for 20 years in this field and I have never seen a newbie like you. Of course, I would be curious about you.”

“Please teach me how to apply algorithm trading in real life and how to create an architecture in large scale. I need you to help me create a personal and stable algorithm to use in trading. Will you help me or not? I want no more of your questions.”

“And all I get is to keep my job as a general manager at Daesan, which is only a secondary outsource company to Nuri Finances…”

Swallow.

Woosung swallowed. After much thinking about his future, the answer he came up with was algorithm trading. It wasn’t something that interested him. Only the best of the best can become a quant. He didn’t know how Yoon Gihwan got into this field., he only knew of it because Yoon Gihwan mentioned when he was drunk.

‘I became smarter after my death, so I think I could make money using the algorithm. If I can apply the concept to cryptocurrency dealing… I should be able to make a lot of money.’

Woosung was confident of the newfound intelligence he gained. What he has done so far was not something he could have done in his previous life. While Woosung was deep in his thought, Yoon Gihwan continued.

“I feel like I should get something more out of it. My experiences aren’t cheap.”

“Well, if you feel that way, I guess that’s that. I will look elsewhere.”

Woosung gave up easily. There was no guarantee Yoon Gihwan was good, anyway. Yoon Gihwan seemed confused.

“W-wait.”

“…”

Woosung remained silent. Yoon Gihwan continued.

“Let’s do it together.”

“What?”

“I want to be your partner in whatever you’re planning.”

“Can you be more specific?”

“Even if algorithm trading doesn’t work out, you will continue to try other things. I will be here to help you with whatever. All I want is for you to share your profit with me.”

This piqued Woosung’s curiosity.

“I am only a newbie, so how can you trust me, and how can I trust you?”

“I know you will succeed. My instinct tells me so. Even if you don’t trust me, you can still use me till you don’t need me anymore.”

Woosung closed his eyes. What should he do? He couldn’t do everything by himself. He also needed help with algorithm trading.

“You’ll be able to help me in every way?”

Yoon Gihwan nodded. Woosung expected to have him as an enemy, but having a partner at his workplace could make things easier.

“I will let you have any vacation time, early leave, or late start. I can make things happen for you at work.”

It was a tempting deal. Woosung put out his hand and Yoon Gihwan shook it.

“Then let’s do it.”

“Perfect. I will teach you everything I know, and whenever you make a profit, you must share it with me.”

Woosung nodded.

They left the coffee shop and returned to the office. Woosung asked him questions he wanted to know. Unlike before, Yoon Gihwan’s manner of answering softened. Things felt right between them. They were even laughing together. Park Junwoo looked at them in confusion. Kim Yonggun also noticed the difference and asked Park Junwoo.

“Manager, what’s happening?”

“I don’t know. I was worried they might have had a fight but…”

“They look so friendly now. What did the newbie do this time?”

“Believe me, I wanna know too, it’s shocking to see Yoon Gihwan laugh like that.”

They stopped whispering as the two came close. Yoon Gihwan told them in an unusual caring voice.

“What are you guys still doing here? It’s time to go home. Think of your families waiting for you.”

Park Junwoo’s eyes widened.

Kim Yonggun became speechless.

Woosung looked at them and added.

“Let’s get going. The general manager has decided from now on, our department will follow the strict work hour.”

Park Junwoo asked in confusion.

“But what about the problems the server team brought up today…?”

Woosung replied.

“I will take care of them first thing tomorrow. I have a good idea of what they are.”

Yoon Gihwan smiled and agreed.

“Well, that settles it then, right, or do you still want to work late?”

Kim Yonggun didn’t need to ask a second time. He grabbed his bag and stood up.

“Nope! I am ready to go home.”

He prompted Park Junwoo. When Park Junwoo stood up, Yoon Gihwan turned off his computer.

He murmured in disbelief.

“This is the first time we all left on time… This feels so strange.”

Kim Yonggun nodded in agreement.

***

8PM.

Woosung sat down at his desk at home with a book Yoon Gihwan recommended. It had a title of “Basics of Algorithm Trading.”

“The biggest opportunity occurs when there is a big change in the market. This could be my way to make money during the financial crisis…”

Even if he couldn’t make enough money during the financial crisis in October 2008, he could still make more with cryptocurrency. The more chances he took, the better. Woosung focused and opened the book.

-History of algorithm trading

The 300-page book started with the history of the system. As he read, Woosung again confirmed he was now smarter. Unlike in his previous life, it was now so easy to comprehend any information. It was effortless; he felt the joy of learning. He used to not be able to read for more than an hour, but now he read the entire book in one sitting.