Chapter 8

Jang Young handed over six cartridges for testing. Four were Contra, two were Tank Battle, all working perfectly.

The familiar opening game screens flashed, the secret "thirty lives" code worked, and sound and visuals were flawless.

"Wow, these are solid—no worse than the official ones. But what about the exposed boards? If you bump them, won't they break?" Kangsu carefully studied the bare circuit cards.

"Don't worry, they'll be in plastic shells—absolutely identical to the real thing. You believe our tech now? I haven't even asked for a deposit! We'll deliver your first batch in two days. Sell them quietly, see how fast they go. I'll get you the rest within two weeks, but you'd better get the cash ready," Jang Young said, half-smiling.

"Don't worry, I can produce millions in cash if I need to. If it's more, I'll just borrow from my sister." Kangsu grinned with new confidence.

"Keep everything low-profile. Don't let word get out too soon," Young reminded.

"I know, I'll close shop that day and handle everything in private. Let's both make a fortune—big share for me, but you'll do great too."

"Deal. We'll get rich together." Young stuck out his hand, and Kangsu shook it, both of them beaming.

For Kangsu, this was his chance: if things went well, he could stop running the late-night video parlor and rely on his own business skills, not just his brother-in-law's connections.

After leaving, Jang Young biked across town to the county print shop.

"Excuse me, can you print custom stickers here? The kind that's sticky on one side—like for books or desks?" he asked the old gatekeeper.

"Young man, we do bulk orders. If you just want a few, check the stationery store down the street—plenty there. They've got Sson Goku, movie stars, even math tables."

"I'm not a student buying a sticker. I'm here to place an order—my older cousin will be handling the money. I just look young." He tried to sound convincing; everyone underestimated him because of his appearance.

"Order, huh? How many? How big?" The guard eyed him more seriously. "It's no joke putting in a print order."

"A dozen designs, one hundred copies each for now—more later maybe. Just this size, top-bottom symmetry. What would it cost?"

"Can't say. Go inside—the planning office is the white building, second door on the left. Someone will help you there." The guard stepped aside, impressed enough by Young's directness not to argue.

Business was slow in the print shop at year end, and every extra job meant better year-end bonuses for the staff, so no one refused.

Jang Young quickly negotiated a first run of several hundred stickers—payment and pickup to follow. With no official stamp or ID, the printers weren't willing to deliver, but were fine preparing a trial batch if he paid on collection.

The price, for now, was ten won per sticker—since small batches were less efficient. If he ordered over a thousand, he could get four or five won each.

Back at Yongcheon Electronics, Young was pacing anxiously by the door.

"Why so jumpy? Xiao Kim went out on the bus—should be back any minute," Chief Jang said, trying not to look worried himself. "By the way, you told Kim what to pick up?"

Young nodded, holding in his nerves. In his hand was a sheet of paper with Kangsu's "signature" and handprint—a contract of sorts, though it was completely forged!

Finally, Kim returned, lugging a heavy bag. "All set, chief. The supplier sent a hundred plastic cases as a trial run. When these pass inspection, they'll deliver the other nine hundred. Ten won apiece for the lot, but these first ones aren't counted."

Young frowned. The price is still high, even when the factory themselves order! Guess plastic really is a hot commodity these days.

"Good, let's get to work—put everything together. The first shipment has to go out for delivery." Chief Jang motioned, and the workers gently placed the cases on the table, curious.

Each finished card snapped into a bright yellow plastic shell, ready to go. Young took one, compared it to Kangsu's genuine Japanese import—identical.

He carefully placed a custom "Contra" sticker on the shell. Perfect symmetry.

Lined up side by side, the homemade cards looked just as good as the originals. With a cheap plastic bag, they were ready for the shelf.

"All right, pay attention—don't mix up the games, don't mess up the stickers. If one is misapplied, just peel and do it again. Stickers are cheap, but if you get two on top of each other, the card is ruined—that's twenty-five thousand gone!"

"You don't have to lecture them, Young. They've assembled more electronics than you've ever seen!" Chief Jang said, amused.

"Someone's got to be careful. If the sticker's crooked or doubled, nobody will buy it, and the factory loses big," Young replied, resolute.

Chief Jang grinned. "And when did you learn to burn game cartridges?"

Young shrugged, "Oh, I read it somewhere—maybe a magazine in the library. I just tried, and it worked. You don't believe your own son?"

Chief Jang rolled his eyes. "Of course I trust you. I ought to tell your mother, though, and see what she thinks."

Young laughed it off. "No need to drag Mom into every little thing. Anyway, keep letting me handle Kangsu. You stay out of this one."

Chief Jang nodded, yet couldn't help but feel bot

h proud and bewildered. Just how far could his son take this crazy plan?