The clatter of keyboards merged into a deafening roar.
"Group One has closed all positions!"
"Group Two has closed all positions!"
Massive sums of capital rapidly completed settlement across the international markets, safely withdrawing enormous profits into Sega's offshore accounts.
Two hours later.
Managing Director's Office.
Hoshino pushed the final profit settlement sheet across the desk to Nakayama Takuya.
Nakayama Takuya picked up the sheet. That long string of zeros was enough to drive the president of any Japanese listed company out of his mind.
This sum was far, far greater than what Sega earned from selling game consoles in an entire year.
"It's safely in the bag." Hoshino leaned back in his chair and let out a long breath, slumping into it as though all strength had drained from his body.
Nakayama Takuya put the settlement sheet into a drawer and locked it.
"Thanks for the effort." Nakayama Takuya stood, walked over to the coffee machine, poured two cups of black coffee, and handed one to Hoshino.
Hoshino accepted the coffee and took a large gulp.
"Managing Director, the funds are completely freed up now." Hoshino set down his cup, leaned forward, and said, "Asset prices in South Korea have hit rock bottom. The Korean Won has depreciated by more than half, and the stock market has crashed. Should we enter now?"
Hoshino took a small notebook from his pocket and opened it.
"Those semiconductor foundries we had our eyes on, along with the stakes in several local Seoul television stations—if we negotiate now, we can definitely force the prices down to their absolute lowest." Hoshino spoke faster and faster.
Nakayama Takuya carried his coffee back behind his desk and sat down.
"No." Nakayama Takuya refused outright.
Hoshino froze, his notebook suspended in midair.
"The prices are indeed cheap."