Chapter 14: “The Scholarship Scandal”
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Thursday – 9:00 a.m. – Dae-Hyun's Apartment
Dae-Hyun sat cross-legged in front of his phone, holding a slice of toast in one hand and his head in the other.
> [Current Balance: ₩693,800,000]
[Suggestion: Create a National Scholarship Fund]
[Name: "The Worthy Dreamer Grant"]
[Conditions: Must Be a High School Student, Must Have a Dream, Must Submit a 1-Minute Video]
[Anonymous Setup: ON]
He sighed.
"I just wanted to quietly help broke kids… not start a motivational Olympics."
> [Action Confirmed.]
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That Afternoon – Internet Chaos Begins
📱 @ScholarshipBuzz:
> "A new anonymous fund is offering ₩20 million to selected students… all they have to do is prove they have a 'worthy dream' in a one-minute video?!"
📱 @GhostGrantFan:
> "It's HIM again. It's totally the Ghost Investor. This time… he's funding our dreams. I'm crying."
📱 @KDramaKid:
> "My dream is to marry Jisoo and become a space barista. WHERE'S MY MONEY."
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Dae-Hyun's Room – 2:45 p.m.
Min-Ji sat beside him on the floor with her laptop open.
"Okay… we're at 11,000 submissions. Some of them are really good. And some… are not."
She clicked PLAY on a video.
A boy in a cape stood on his roof yelling,
> "MY DREAM IS TO INVENT CHICKEN THAT NEVER GETS COLD!"
Next video:
A girl held up a hamster.
> "I want to open a hamster law firm. For animal justice!"
Next video:
A guy, dead serious.
> "My dream is to punch the Moon."
Dae-Hyun blinked.
"…I think we've broken society."
Min-Ji laughed.
"Yeah, but at least it's entertaining."
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The Next Day – High School Frenzy
News spread fast.
Schools erupted into warzones of ambition.
Clubs competed.
Teachers gave students "tips" like talent show judges.
One kid tried to submit an interpretive dance about algebra.
In one classroom, a fight broke out between two students:
Student A: "Your dream isn't even real! You just want a gaming PC!"
Student B: "So?! E-sports is a dream! Let me be great!"
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Saturday – Surprise TV Segment
Dae-Hyun and Min-Ji were eating ramen when the news interrupted the regular programming:
🎤 "Today we explore the phenomenon known as Scholarship Showdown! Thousands of teens have submitted videos for the mysterious 'Worthy Dreamer Grant,' and some are going… a little too far."
Cut to footage:
A student standing in a public fountain reciting poetry.
Two kids in penguin suits performing synchronized juggling.
One boy screaming his dream into a karaoke mic for six straight minutes.
Back in Dae-Hyun's apartment:
"I think I've started a cult," he whispered.
Min-Ji slurped her noodles.
"At least it's a cult of dreamers."
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That Evening – Rooftop
Dae-Hyun stood alone with his phone.
> [System Update: Top 10 Most Heartfelt Videos Selected.]
[Approval Needed to Distribute ₩200,000,000 Total Fund.]
He tapped through the videos.
One showed a girl holding her little brother, whispering,
> "My dream is to become a nurse, so kids like him can smile even when they're sick."
Another showed a boy fixing old bicycles in a garage.
> "I want to open a free bike service center for my neighborhood."
His hand hovered over the confirm button.
He pressed it.
> [Distribution Confirmed. Scholarships Sent.]
And in that quiet rooftop moment… he actually smiled.
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Later That Night – Online Explosion
📱 @GhostInvestor4Life:
> "Ten random students just received ₩20 million each. My faith in humanity is RESTORED."
📱 @DreamerGirl23:
> "I got the call. I GOT IT. I can go to university now. I don't care who you are, Ghost Person. Thank you."
📱 @HamsterLawyerApproved:
> "My client would like to thank you. Squeak squeak."
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Back in Dae-Hyun's Room
He collapsed onto his bed face-first.
"I just spent ₩200 million… and I still live in a shoebox."
Min-Ji popped her head in.
"Yeah, but you're a legend in disguise."
He turned his head toward her.
"…Want to help me design a quiet little coffee shop for people like them?"
She smiled.
"Only if it serves hamster-sized donuts."
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End of Chapter 14