Morning sunlight filtered through the leaves outside Joon's window, painting shifting patterns across his desk. He opened his laptop not with the usual anxious energy, but with a calm purpose.
Today, he would begin his first long-term position.
Quest Active: Fundamentals First
Objective: Invest in a company based on financial research, not chart patterns. Hold for at least 10 days.
Reward: +50 XP
Bonus: +₩20,000 if return exceeds 6% in 10 days.
His chosen stock: Keonjin Foods Co.
Price: ₩1,150 per share.
He could afford 150 shares with his current capital.
Buy Order Placed: 150 shares @ ₩1,150 = ₩172,500
Remaining Capital: ₩3,000
He stared at the order confirmation.
This wasn't a scalp. This wasn't a gamble.
This was trust—in numbers, in patience, in himself.
The next few days passed in an unusual rhythm.
Joon didn't open the trading screen every five minutes. Instead, he opened company reports, watched lectures on intrinsic value, and even took handwritten notes.
Every night, the System watched.
Passive Effect: Long-Term Perspective activated.+5% bonus applied to research efforts.
Background Research Detected: Keonjin Foods – Revenue stability, dividend history, and CEO interview reviewed.
+5 XP (Insight Gained from Research)
Current XP: 45 / 500
On Day 4, he received a surprising call.
"Joon-ah, it's Grandpa."
His grandfather rarely called.
"I heard from your mom you're trading stocks. Is it true?"
Joon paused. "Y-Yeah… but I'm learning. Slowly."
"Good. You know, your uncle lost a lot of money in the 2008 crash because he didn't study what he was investing in. Promise me something."
"What?"
"Don't treat money like a dice game."
Joon's grip on the phone tightened.
"I won't," he said. "I'm building. Not betting."
His grandfather chuckled. "That's what I wanted to hear."
By Day 6, Keonjin's price had ticked up slightly to ₩1,185.
Nothing dramatic. But Joon wasn't looking for drama.
He logged in, checked the price, then logged out.
At lunch, he read up on Return on Equity.
At dinner, he looked at cash flow statements.
Each night, the System rewarded his efforts silently.
+5 XP (Consistent Research and Discipline)
New XP: 50 / 500
On Day 8, something changed.
A press release appeared on the company's investor page: Keonjin Foods announces partnership with major convenience store chain.
The stock jumped to ₩1,240.
Potential Gain Detected: Unrealized return at 7.8%
Bonus Quest Condition Met (Preliminary)
If price remains above 6% gain by Day 10, +₩20,000 bonus will apply.
But Joon didn't celebrate.
He waited.
He knew price spikes often corrected.
Day 10.
Market open: ₩1,250.
Midday: ₩1,230.
Closing bell: ₩1,235.
Unrealized Gain: ₩85 per share × 150 = ₩12,750
Total Capital if Sold: ₩185,250
Quest Complete: Fundamentals First
+50 XP
Bonus Achieved: Return exceeded 6%+₩20,000 bonus credited
Current XP: 50 → 100 / 500
Joon hovered over the sell button.
He wasn't forced to exit.
But the System had delivered its promise.
He clicked.
Sell Order Placed: 150 shares @ ₩1,235 = ₩185,250+₩20,000 bonus
New Total Capital: ₩208,250
That night, he received one final notification.
New Title Unlocked: Value Seeker
You have completed a full research-based investment cycle and held firm. Long-term traders trust numbers, not noise.
Effect: +5% increased XP from research-based quests
And alongside it:
New Quest Available: Diversify
Objective: Allocate capital into three distinct sectors (e.g., tech, manufacturing, energy). Each position must be held for 7+ days.
Reward: +60 XP
[Status Window]
Level: 6
XP: 100 / 500
Capital: ₩208,250
Market Insight: 10
Negotiation: 2
Stamina: 2
Research: 3
Titles: Beginner Trader, Pattern Seeker, Value Seeker
Skills:
Long-Term Perspective (Passive I)
Joon closed his laptop with a soft smile.
He'd earned every won, every XP, and every lesson.
And he wasn't just becoming a trader anymore.
He was becoming a thinker.