TDWAD 03

Chapter 3

2017 was the year the cryptocurrency craze swept the nation.

Bitcoin led the charge, followed by rising stars like Ethereum and Ripple.

The guardian deities of Korea watched warily as the masses chased illusions and sank into the quagmire.

“Spending hard-earned money on intangible fluff doesn’t seem right.”
“It’s the tulip bubble all over again. At least tulips are pretty—what the hell is a coin?”
“Even Newton lost his fortune investing. We’ll be lucky if people don’t start jumping into the Han River en masse.”
“We can’t let this continue. What if I show up in the Justice Minister’s dreams?”

But contrary to their worries, the crypto market didn’t collapse.

In fact, it benefited from the “Gate Incident,” and remained a pillar of Korea’s asset market right up to its downfall.

“…Honestly, I still don’t get what this is. But if people assign it value and it lasts—then it’s not just a stone anymore. It’s gold.”

That was all Do-yoon needed to know.

He launched the Coin Basis app, and the coins currently being traded appeared on the main screen:

• Bitcoin: ₩2,710,000 (-23.24%)

• Ethereum: ₩167,000 (-36.63%)

• Ripple: ₩240 (-48.7%)

• Litecoin: ₩18,977 (-34.64%)
  …
  …

Rain poured down relentlessly.

Not just on the streets, but on investors’ portfolios and the hearts of their descendants.

Even for a notoriously volatile market, this kind of crash was rare.

Do-yoon closed his eyes.

“…Late May 2017. The crypto crash was due to—”

• China tightening regulations

• SEC warnings in the U.S.

• Major players cashing out profits

“Stacked bad news. Anyone would panic-sell. But…”

A smirk tugged at Do-yoon’s lips.

“Buy in fear, sell in euphoria. That’s investing 101.”

May 27.

He could already see today’s chart in his mind.

Bitcoin, having crashed to the basement, would begin a sharp recovery at 7 p.m. that evening.

By the next day, it would claw back a staggering 36%.

“First, I need seed money.”

His first thought: an emergency loan—just a click away.

Low interest rates, no face-to-face paperwork, minimal impact on credit score.

[Loan Approved]
Loan Amount: ₩3,000,000

“Too bad that’s the limit.”

Good terms always came with a catch.

So how to get a bigger loan?

“I’ll go darker. High-interest, bloodsucking lenders. Let’s find one.”

Dust-free loan office.

“Hello, I’m Kim Seok-jin, the branch manager. You requested a change in your loan advisor?”

Seok-jin buttoned his crisp, tailored suit and took his seat.

“I’ll handle your consultation personally. Let’s see…”

In truth, he didn’t need to look.

‘Early twenties, decent face. Probably blew money on nightlife, begged all around for more.’

Pathetic.

Still, he swallowed his rising contempt.

Professionalism was key—keep that friendly smile, devour them quietly.

That was Kim Seok-jin’s specialty.

“You’re Hyun Do-yoon, correct? What kind of loan are you looking for?”

“I need cash immediately. Same-day loan, if possible.”

“First, I’ll need some details. What’s your job and monthly income?”

“Part-time at a convenience store. Around ₩1.4 million a month.”

“Ah, I see.”

Seok-jin barely held back a snort.

‘At least the kid’s working. Cute.’

He peered at the monitor, expression now serious.

“With your credit and income, you qualify for up to ₩10 million. Five-year term, 27.9% interest. Is that acceptable?”

“That’s fine.”

‘What an idiot…! Walking straight into the fire!’

That wicked thrill seeped into his veins.

27.9% on ₩10 million meant ₩2.79 million per year—about ₩230,000 monthly. Sounds manageable.

But stretch it to five years, and it balloons to ₩24 million.

Do-yoon would burn ₩14 million just on interest before even starting life.

‘And once his credit tanks, no more legit loans. You know what that means? He’s just a breathing piggy bank now.’

All Seok-jin had to do was wait for the pig to fatten.

He rubbed his hands with satisfaction.

“Submit the listed documents and we’ll notify you of approval within the hour. Funds are transferred immediately.”

He accepted the papers from the new piggy bank.

“Yes, application received. If you don’t mind me asking, it’s rare to see someone so young here. May I ask why?”

“Crypto investment.”

‘Of course. This kid won’t last the night.’

“And actually, I still need more funds. Wondering if you can open another channel for me.”

“…?”

Seok-jin’s smile faltered.

‘How does he know?’

That “other channel” was Seok-jin’s little side hustle.

Even though this was a legal loan firm bound by the 27.9% cap and restrictions on using gangsters for collection…

There were worse places. Truly illegal loan sharks lurking deeper underground.

Seok-jin’s side gig was to sniff out prime suckers, then hand them over for a cut.

Luxury cars, designer suits—it was all from those commissions.

And this Do-yoon kid was clearly green. No way he was referred.

“What are you talking about? We don’t broker illegal loans. You must be mistaken.”

“Oh really? Darn. Thought you guys did i-l-l-e-g-a-l lending. Guess I was wrong?”

“Shhh! Shut your mouth!”

“Yoon Sang-ho, Choi Dae-hyun, Park Shin-young, Oh Tae-hwan.”

The moment those names were listed…

It was Seok-jin who froze.

‘Th-those were the guys I sold out…’

The kid who looked like a harmless piggy bank—was now a knife-wielding assassin.

Cold sweat trickled down his back.

“H-how…”

“This isn’t the time for questions. Want to be summoned to HQ? Or should we go straight to handcuffs?”

“…What do you want?”

Seok-jin glanced around. Everyone else was busy with their own consultations.

“I just want the money. You take your cut, I get my lump sum. Win-win, right?”

“That’s it?”

“Yup. Clean and simple.”

“You… better stick to that.”

VROOOOM.

Seok-jin floored the gas pedal in his BMW, Do-yoon in the passenger seat.

Even with empty lanes, he felt like he was being chased.

‘What’s this kid thinking?’

He glanced in the rearview mirror.

Do-yoon had his eyes closed.

This road led straight to hell.

The moment you stepped out of this car, you were shackled by high-interest debts—your blood, flesh, bones… even your organs ripped out.

And yet this “livestock” was calmly walking into the slaughterhouse with its owner’s leash in hand?

‘No way. He’s hiding something.’

They arrived at a crumbling building on the city’s outskirts.

Up a creaky elevator, through a dim hallway—until a gray steel door with no nameplate or sign greeted them.

Seok-jin pressed the bell and looked into the camera.

“It’s me.”

Creeeak.

The door opened, and a bear-like man peeked out.

“Seok-jin hyung! Long time no see.”

“Hey, Sang-il.”

“Wow, you brought someone? Come in!”

Seok-jin hesitated.

Smoke and an unknown stench clung to the air.

A shabby couch, stained table, rough-looking men lounging around.

This was a different beast entirely from his polished office.

Here, no one needed masks.

“Boss Choi.”

“Branch Manager Kim, long time!”

Choi rushed over, clasping Seok-jin’s hands.

He was oddly friendly today.

“Was just thinking of calling you. What a perfect match!”

He turned to Do-yoon.

“What brings you here?”

“Need a loan.”

“Brought a client too? As expected from Kim!”

“Haven’t had work lately?”

Seok-jin chuckled inside.

Choi had ignored him for a while, whining about worthless leads.

“Not exactly. Business strategy shifted. Forget what I said before—bring more clients.”

“Sure, but not today.”

“Huh?”

Seok-jin smiled darkly.

“That guy threatened me.”

“What are you talking about?”

“He just walked in and started listing the clients I passed along. He has a list. We need to find out how.”

Choi’s expression turned grim.

“A cop?”

“Checked his ID. He’s 23—not a detective.”

“Bold little bastard. Let’s see how tough he really is.”

The loan sharks stood up.

Do-yoon remained still.

Then moved his lips:

“You’re already breaking our deal.”

“Pffft!”

Seok-jin burst out laughing.

“Deal, my ass! Are you stupid? You really followed me here?”

“Grab him.”

Choi’s command unleashed chaos.

Do-yoon’s fate was clear—begging for his life on his knees like a dog.

“You dug your own grave, idiot.”

Rough hands lunged—

“—Huh?”

Seok-jin’s eyes widened.

Do-yoon was… gone?

WHACK!

“Ugh.”

One of the men collapsed with a single blow.

Resistance: 6

A fist came flying.

Agility: 5

Do-yoon countered perfectly.

CRACK!

Bones snapped.

“Urgh…”

The man clutched his mangled fist, writhing in disbelief.

CRACK. CRUNCH.

The rest followed, turning into bloody messes.

“What is he?! Sang-il!”

“On it.”

Sang-il lunged for Do-yoon.

Finally, Seok-jin relaxed.

The guy was a former judo athlete.

If he grabbed you, it was game over.

Or at least—it should’ve been.

“…!?”

Sang-il’s face turned red.

“HRRAAAH!”

He poured in all his strength—yet couldn’t move the guy.

Like he was glued to the floor.

“That’s some strength. 12? No, maybe 13?”

Do-yoon smirked.

“You should’ve been an athlete, not a scumbag.”

“Damn it… why won’t he budge?!”

Because—

[Stats]
Strength: 17 (+1)
Stamina: 16 (+1)
Agility: 18 (+1)
Regeneration: 20 (+1)
Resistance: 20 (+1)
…

The class gap was absurd.

Do-yoon lifted Sang-il into the air.

Everyone watched in disbelief.

“Let go! What are you—AAARRRGH?!”

They couldn’t believe their eyes.

That massive body went flying over Do-yoon’s shoulder—

WHOOOSH.

—and slammed into a glass table.

CRASH!

Glass exploded everywhere.

But no one dared move.

Either frozen in fear—or pain.

“Mr. Hyun? I mean, sir! Let’s talk this out!”

“I’m done with you.”

THWACK.

Do-yoon casually swatted Seok-jin away. He clutched his throat and collapsed.

“The boss, Choi, right?”

“Y-you…”

Choi trembled violently.

“W-who the hell are you? Why are you doing this?!”

“I told you. I came for a loan.”

Do-yoon glanced at the clock on the wall.

6:33 PM

Plenty of time left.