The Strange Book (3)

Lee Sang-hoon strode purposefully, the sun still hanging in the sky as the market closed. Although the sunlight beat down on him, he made no move to shield himself, choosing to bask in its brilliance to rouse himself.

Slipping a hand into his pocket, he toyed with a pack of cigarettes. Though he longed to pluck one out and take a drag, he lacked the resolve to do so.

He came to a halt in front of the district office library. Opening the pack of cigarettes he had been toying with, he bit into one, resolving to reexamine the book. His intent was to ascertain whether he had indeed foreseen the future or if he was merely suffering from a figment of his imagination.

Making his way to the section housing stock-related books, he carefully searched for the volume.

"Value Investment Strategy."

Pulling out the book, he settled in, the surrounding readers fading from his awareness. His focus was solely on the book before him.

As he leisurely delved into the opening chapter, nothing remarkable caught his attention. The book, which expounded on the principles of value investment, contained familiar stories about investment stances and stock selection criteria, which were not entirely foreign to Lee Sang-hoon, a reader with limited exposure to such literature.

The book's pristine appearance hinted at minimal prior readership or handling. He felt a pang of reluctance to turn its pages.

Reaching the section he had previously perused, he exhaled and resumed his scrutiny. The section where the existing book's content resided contained information about value investment. However, the outer portion held text in a different font.

"Luho continues to decline without recovering to 10,000 won. As the stock surges and appears to ascend, fervent buying activities ensue. Despite the overwhelming transaction volumes encompassing both KOSPI and KOSDAQ, it becomes a battleground for individual traders nationwide. Ultimately, no upward trend materializes, and the day concludes with a decline. The downward trajectory persists into the summer. Come June, it commences an ascent to the 2,000 won range, reclaiming past gains before returning to its initial position. The Luho crisis event triggers market foreclosure, scattering individual and operational stocks."

Returning to the present, Lee Sang-hoon gazed out the library window at the setting sun. Thoughts cramped by the unfolding narrative, he realized the contents had once again diverged.

He sought to preserve the contents by photocopying the section, even if he could not complete the borrowing process due to its tardiness.

However, the photocopy displayed differently from the original text, capturing only the Luho-related segment.

Turning next to a mirror, Lee Sang-hoon scrutinized the book. He contemplated the prospect of traversing the mirror. Standing before a full-length mirror near the entrance, he raised the book and peered at it.

To his bewilderment, when he observed the book through the mirror, the space that should have contained Luho-related information was vacant.

A sense of unease washed over him. Despite having a copy and seeing it in the mirror, the book still held the Luho content when viewed directly.

As he felt his legs weaken, the library's announcement rang out. Realizing the library would soon close, he considered his next steps.

"Our local library is open only until 5:00 p.m. Please return any books you have consulted back to their original locations, or simply leave them as they were, and our staff will handle it. Should you wish to read it later, please consider applying for a loan. Thank you."

Lee Sang-hoon realized the library's operating hours had concluded, yet found himself unintentionally clutching the books. He desired to bring the book home for further examination. Various concerns weighed on his mind, including whether the content was visible to others or solely his own.

Upon gathering the books and surveying his surroundings, Lee Sang-hoon attempted to exit through the door, only to trigger a loud alarm.

Beep beep beep beep

Startled, Lee Sang-hoon instinctively retreated. The anti-theft sensor positioned at the door blared loudly.

"What's the matter?"

An employee approached Lee Sang-hoon, who responded with a polite smile.

"My apologies. I mistakenly presumed it was my own book and inadvertently triggered the alarm. I will return this library book and retrieve my personal one."

The employee regarded Lee Sang-hoon with suspicion but refrained from further questioning as he maintained his affable demeanor.

"We installed sensors due to multiple incidents of book theft. Please exercise caution."

"Of course. I made an error in my haste to leave before the closing time. I apologize."

With a parting remark, Lee Sang-hoon headed to the bookshelf, glancing ahead as he walked, mindful not to appear suspicious. Standing before the original book, he gently placed both hands on the shelf, deep in thought.

"First, I should relinquish it and return later. Since I won't be able to borrow for a month, I'll leave it for now and revisit the library to continue my examination. When a loan opportunity arises, I'll retrieve it for further inspection."

Organizing his thoughts, Lee Sang-hoon returned the book to its place, lingering on the title for a moment.

"Our deadline has passed."

Another employee, different from the one who had previously interjected, approached Lee Sang-hoon to announce the library's closure.

"Alright, I understand."

Exiting the library, Lee Sang-hoon gazed up at the building, a cigarette in hand. There seemed to be no noticeable change regarding the book availability. For now... Lee Sang-hoon took a deep breath and departed for home.

The tale of Luho had been documented, though I personally deemed it unimportant. Despite my warning that the story was one of continued decline, I emphasized the importance of tracking rising stocks. Nonetheless, Lee Sang-hoon felt compelled to investigate further, eager to understand the nature of the book.

Upon his return home, Lee Sang-hoon resumed his place at the computer. Though his parents appeared to wish to speak to him, they refrained due to a prior incident. Disregarding their unspoken desire to communicate, Lee Sang-hoon retreated to his room, believing it would be best to discuss matters after work.

In just one day, the tone of the Luho bulletin board underwent a dramatic shift.

"It seems that Luho's journey has come to an end. I anticipate it will reach 50,000 won again."

"Are you not witnessing a significant increase in any of the sports? I foresee Ssangbong."

"I made a purchase today. How high can I expect it to go?"

"I staked everything yesterday at the lower limit and today I was extremely anxious, but there has been a major turnaround."

"I will confirm my purchase of Luho."

Those who had previously hoped for Luho's decline now boasted about their purchases, while some debated whether it was wise to buy it the next day.

Shaking his head, Lee Sang-hoon reclined on his bed. He found the public opinion on the internet regarding the matter to be ludicrous.

"I now understand why ants are referred to as ants."

When a stock that had been enduring 11 consecutive lows suddenly soared by nearly 10% from its low for the day, the narrative seemed to change. Lee Sang-hoon couldn't comprehend the shift, but he closed his eyes, believing it to be rather peculiar.

Lee Sang-hoon's household was bustling from morning. His parents struggled to communicate properly due to an incident involving Lee Sang-hoon the previous day. However, they continued to hover around him, seemingly wanting to express something. Lee Sang-hoon, in turn, pretended to be oblivious to his parents' intentions.

Whether it was porridge or rice, Lee Sang-hoon considered finishing it that day and having a proper conversation afterwards.

As Lee Sang-hoon searched the bulletin board with an apple in his mouth, he observed that the movement was not very serious from the time the Dong-Hwa issue began at 8:10.

The price hovered in the positive territory, and the trading volumes surpassed the explosive volume of the previous day. Although there were simultaneous bids, the quantity was not significant enough to dismiss them as mere jokes.

Observing more than 100,000 shares coming and going, Lee Sang-hoon made a decision while scrutinizing the fluctuating quotes of the simultaneous bidders.

"It seems prudent to sell and confirm the rising trend. Let's sell in advance."

Although he wanted to sell after confirming the upward trend, witnessing a price jump the previous day made him hesitant. Lee Sang-hoon placed sell orders for both his father's account and his main account at 9,800 won.

In contrast to the previous day's lower limit of 7,300 won, he planned to sell at a price of 2,500 won. This would potentially yield a profit of more than 500,000 won for Lee Sang-hoon and restore 25 million won for his father.

As the market opened, Luho experienced a sharp surge, commencing at 9,600 won, a 5% increase from the previous day's closing price of 9,200 won. The 9 o'clock market began with Lee Sang-hoon's 9,800 won orders within sight.

While the buying and selling trend initially struggled, the buying trend gradually gained traction, hinting at a continuation of the previous day's upward trend.

Breaking through 9,650 won in an instant, Luho swiftly surpassed 9,700 won before the selling trend took over.

"It looks promising. It could easily reach 9,800 won."

Lee Sang-hoon's heartbeat quickened. He harbored a glimmer of faith, but confidence eluded him. The sensation of peering through the fog over the river gradually dissolved as reality drew near.

200,000 shares at 9,800 won.

As the selling price easily fell to 9,700 won, walls began to emerge at 9,800 won. The volume of sell orders gradually rose. What started at 200,000 shares grew to 220,000, then 250,000, thickening the walls.

While not comparable to the 5 million shares stacked at the lower limit the previous day, this was enough to impede the buying trend's momentum.

At 9,770 won and 9,780 won, with 9,800 won in sight, buyers and sellers competed. Lee Sang-hoon's heart grew increasingly tense.

"Will I be content with this level?"

A difference of 9,800 won, 9,770 won, or just 30 won. For his father, it was 300,000 won, for Lee Sang-hoon, less than 1,000 won. Yet, he believed and wanted to verify. This moment wasn't about money. He sensed it might mark a significant turning point in his stock journey.

The notion lingered in his mind that selling at the right price was the initial step in the newfound stock life he had grown to trust and endure.

Luho, having reached 9,790 won, poised to breach 9,800 won despite numerous sell-offs. Ultimately, it touched the 9,800 won price.

Upon securing 9,800 won, Luho briefly teetered between buying and selling pressure, then swiftly collided with the wall of trade orders.

1,000, 5,000, 10,000 shares…

The sell-off persisted in erecting a barricade, but the vigor of the buying force overwhelmed it all.

"Done!"

Lee Sang-hoon leaped from his seat and exclaimed. In an instant, over 100,000 shares flooded in, shattering the 9,800 won barrier.

"The sell order has been completed."

Amidst Lee Sang-hoon's exclamation, a crisp female voice echoed from the speaker.