Chapter 7: Securing the Future
Chapter 7: Securing the Future
📅 Date: March 25, 1991
📍 Location: NexTech Studios, Seoul, South Korea
The tension in NexTech Studios was thick. Employees whispered in worried tones, and the developers, who had been riding the high of Battle Zone's success, now looked uneasy.
Jin Hoshino sat at his desk, flipping through rejection letters.
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❌ Korea Development Bank – Loan Rejected
❌ Daehan Investment Group – Declined Funding Proposal
❌ Shinsei Capital – Withdrawn Offer
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His company needed ₩2 billion to manufacture the first batch of NexBox consoles, but GameSphere had shut every financial door in his face.
They had bribed banks, spread rumors, and manipulated the market to choke NexTech before the NexBox could launch.
Jin expected them to fight back, but he underestimated how far they were willing to go.
This was no longer just business warfare—it was an attempt at total destruction.
He needed a way to secure funding—and fast.
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Option 1: Stock Market Manipulation
Jin checked the Korea Stock Exchange (KSE).
✔ His investments in MicroWorks (Microsoft) and Rainforest (Amazon) were already growing.
✔ The tech boom was starting, and certain stocks were about to skyrocket.
✔ If he moved smartly, he could flip investments and raise the money himself.
📌 Plan:
1️⃣ Sell 30% of his current stock holdings to raise ₩800 million.
2️⃣ Use system predictions to make a high-risk, short-term investment.
3️⃣ Pull out before the market shifts and secure at least ₩2 billion.
Risk:
🔻 If the market didn't move fast enough, he might fall short.
🔻 GameSphere might try to block his trades.
It was a gamble, but if he played it right, he could fund NexBox himself without relying on any investors.
But there was a second option…
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Option 2: A Dangerous Partnership
Jin's phone buzzed. An unknown number.
He answered. "Jin Hoshino speaking."
A deep voice responded. "You need money. I have it."
Jin's eyes narrowed. "Who is this?"
"Lee Tae-sung. CEO of Daewon Group."
Jin's grip on the phone tightened.
Daewon Group was one of Korea's most powerful conglomerates, with deep ties in real estate, finance, and government. But they weren't exactly known for clean business tactics.
"I heard GameSphere is trying to bury you," Tae-sung continued. "I admire how you're fighting back. I want in."
Jin remained silent. A chaebol backing NexTech could be a game-changer… or a trap.
"What's your offer?" Jin asked cautiously.
"₩2 billion in funding for a 30% stake in NexBox."
Jin's eyes flashed coldly.
A 30% stake? That was too much control for a single investor.
This wasn't just a financial deal—Tae-sung wanted a say in the company's future.
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Jin's Decision: The Power Move
Jin exhaled slowly.
Two choices:
1️⃣ Stock Market Manipulation – High risk, high reward, full independence.
2️⃣ Daewon Group Partnership – Fast funding but loss of control.
And then…
A third idea clicked.
Why not both?
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The Execution
✔ Step 1: Jin sells 30% of his stocks and raises ₩800 million.
✔ Step 2: He meets with Daewon Group—but counters their offer.
✔ Step 3: Instead of 30%, he offers them a 10% stake in NexBox + future business collaborations.
✔ Step 4: At the same time, he places high-risk stock investments, predicting a ₩1.2 billion gain.
✔ Step 5: Within one month, the stocks hit and he secures ₩2 billion without losing major company control.
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The Result: NexBox is Fully Funded
📅 Date: April 1991
Jin had done it.
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✔ Stock investments raised ₩1.2 billion.
✔ Daewon Group invested ₩800 million for only 10% equity.
✔ GameSphere failed to stop NexTech's financial growth.
✔ NexBox's first production batch was secured.
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GameSphere's Reaction: The Next War Begins
GameSphere executives were furious.
📌 They failed to cut Jin off financially.
📌 NexBox was moving forward despite their sabotage.
📌 Public perception was shifting—NexTech was now seen as the underdog genius fighting corporate greed.
Their next move?
🔻 They bribed government officials to stall NexBox's production approval.
🔻 They tried to poach Jin's lead engineers with higher salaries.
🔻 They began secretly developing their own CD-based console.
They wouldn't stop until Jin was crushed.
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Jin's Counterattack: The Pre-Launch Strategy
Instead of waiting for NexBox's 1992 launch, Jin took immediate action.
✔ He leaked information about NexBox's advanced specs to the press, increasing hype.
✔ He began recruiting global talent, hiring Japanese & American developers for a world-class gaming lineup.
✔ He secured early distribution deals, locking GameSphere out of certain markets.
✔ He formed alliances with top Korean media companies, ensuring full marketing control.
GameSphere wanted a war.
Jin was about to give them one.
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End of Chapter 7