Money Keeps Piling Up No Matter How Much I Spend

Chapter 163

Translator: DreamscribeWhen it comes to console games, what’s the first thing that comes to mind?

That would be Sunny’s Play State.

Commonly known as PS, this game console opened up new horizons for console gaming and was practically dominating the market.

Because of this, Microsoft felt a sense of crisis.

They judged that the PS could potentially push PCs out of the market.

If PS were to drive out PCs, it would be fatal for Microsoft, a company that made PC software.

So they jumped into the console market as a latecomer.

To stop the expansion of Sunny’s PS.

“That’s how the Circle Box was born. They poured in an enormous amount of money, but their market share is only 16%.”

People say money solves everything, but reality says otherwise.

Even though Microsoft invested a massive amount of money, they couldn’t tame the wild force of Play State.

“Sure, Play State had established its place before we did, but honestly, that’s just an excuse. What’s the most important thing? The games themselves. That’s what we need. That’s why we’re trying to acquire Cyclone.”

The Console Games Division was watching Microsoft’s attempt to acquire Cyclone with great interest.

After all, Cyclone was a game company recognized worldwide.

But the acquisition process wasn’t going smoothly.

That was because Microsoft wasn’t trying to manage Cyclone by buying a certain percentage of controlling shares, they were trying to buy up every single share and completely absorb the company.

This would lead to a problem.

Cyclone would be delisted from the stock market, and because Microsoft was already operating the Circle Box, they would face sanctions under antitrust laws.

“Isn’t that why headquarters is running around from country to country trying desperately to get approvals?”

“That’s right, Director. They’ve pretty much secured most of the approvals now.”

“Yeah. And with Cyclone’s market cap going down lately, we’ve been deliberately dragging things out. Anyway, we’ve almost got Cyclone in our hands.”

All that was left was to make an official announcement to the market.

They planned to announce that they would buy up all the shares currently circulating in the stock market at a price 30 to 40% higher.

“But what the hell is going on here?”

Just before they were about to make the announcement.

Someone else made a move first.

“Why is Kwangwoon suddenly buying up Cyclone shares!?”

Kwangwoon had nothing to do with games.

Why on earth were they suddenly trying to acquire a game company?

“The media giant Netflix, the top SNS PicPic, and even AMD, which overtook Nvidia to claim the number one spot in the graphics industry. They even invested in a game company in Turkey, which apparently just hit it big recently. Maybe that’s why they’re now seriously considering investing more into the game industry?”

“Then don’t those guys fall under antitrust laws too?”

“They don’t operate a console business like we do, and they’re not focused solely on the game industry either. So there’s no issue with antitrust laws.”

That part was fine.

The problem was, Cyclone had been on Microsoft’s radar for a long time.

Normally, when a company of Microsoft’s scale shows interest, other companies don’t even dare enter the acquisition race.

Because if they unnecessarily soured relations with Microsoft, there was no telling what form of retaliation might come.

Microsoft’s greatest strength is that it produces the world’s most widely used software.

Using that strength, they have intentionally attacked numerous companies and completely driven them out of the PC market.

Because of this, the United States and Europe had imposed sanctions on Microsoft, but honestly, the punishment was barely a slap on the wrist.

Microsoft was simply too big to take down, and since they had many ties to political circles, people had basically given up on touching them anymore.

“But this is blatant hijacking. How can someone just snatch away a company that Microsoft was openly preparing to acquire!?”

A force emerged to obstruct Microsoft’s acquisition.

Without fear, they even intercepted the company mid-process.

It was something unthinkable.

“But the thing is... the board has decided to abandon the Cyclone acquisition.”

“What? Why? If we say we’ll buy it with an added premium, everyone would surely want to sell, wouldn’t they?”

“That’s true, but the moment they heard Kwangwoon entered the acquisition race, the board completely withdrew from the M&A...”

“Wait. Are you saying our higher-ups backed out because they were intimidated by Kwangwoon?”

“Yes.”

"They're just throwing away this project that we spent over 20 months working on? Really?"

Sean, Director of the Console Games Division, couldn’t make sense of it.

The Microsoft board, known for being arrogant and high-handed, had panicked at the mere mention of the name “Kwangwoon” and fled from the acquisition?

“The other departments involved in the acquisition protested, but the board declared everything null and ordered never to speak of it again.”

“......”

Sean was well aware of the conspiracy theories about Kwangwoon circulating online.

But as was the case with most conspiracy theories.

Conspiracy theories were nothing more than conspiracy theories.

There had once been widespread fear that Microsoft was putting something into vaccines to control people.

So he had thought the Kwangwoon theories were just more of the same.

"But...... that wasn't the case?"

Yet, the board of none other than Microsoft, the mad dogs known for never letting go once they bite, had come to their senses at the name Kwangwoon.

It was as if the real madness had made the fake madness recoil and back away in fear.

“No. But what the hell are those guys trying to do with such a huge company?”

***

“Director. Twelve pirate ships operating in the waters have been sunk.”

“What about the base we discovered last time?”

“Our unit was deployed and eliminated everyone. We kept a few alive for intel.”

KW Sentinel was functioning perfectly normally.

How to put it.

Everything was very smooth.

Perhaps because all the operatives and agents were veterans in operations and intelligence, there were no hiccups.

“And this is intel from the Africa side.”

“Where did you get it?”

“It came from the CIA and MI6, so it should be accurate.”

Anthony Watson, General Director and now Head of Sentinel, looked over the documents and nodded.

“What’s the situation in Nigeria? Any signs of unrest?”

“Since the last rebel incident, we eliminated a few politicians, and nothing has surfaced since. They probably have no evidence, but from circumstantial impressions, they seem to sense that opposition forces are being removed, so they’re keeping as quiet as possible.”

“And the Nigerian military?”

“They’re very favorable to us. Thanks to continued funding from Kwangwoon, their naval forces have drastically improved. They’re taking down pirates as soon as they’re spotted. Also, they’re in the process of wiping out the criminal organizations that were a major headache, so public opinion in Nigeria is very positive.”

Anthony smiled in satisfaction and set the papers down.

“Everything is unfolding exactly the way headquarters wanted.”

Sentinel was a PMC, but the ones currently eliminating pirates and criminal organizations weren’t Sentinel. It was the Nigerian military.

However, the Nigerian military was being operated from behind the scenes by Sentinel.

“From the rebels to the crime syndicates and pirates, we have excellent justification to act. Especially with the pretext of clearing out criminal organizations, we can now deploy our personnel not only to Nigeria and Congo, but all over Africa.”

"Don't you also think what Kwangwoon wants from us isn't just the Nigerian military?"

“Yes. Just by looking at how the Kwangwoon Scholarship Foundation keeps sending new employees and pouring in massive donations, it’s clear they want something more, starting from this place.”

Anthony had a vague idea of what that was.

“Could it be... they want all of Africa.”

“Yes. Anyway, the famine engulfing Africa can never truly be resolved. But using that as an excuse to throw money around, they can use it to take over countries. Just like how we’re gradually taking over the Nigerian government now.”

Especially in countries like this, subterfuge works all too well.

Moreover, the justification of wiping out criminal organizations made it the perfect excuse to build up military forces.

And if Kwangwoon continued investing here and improving their quality, they would eventually have a military force that only they could control.

"Anyway, this company never gives us a moment's rest. There's just so much to do, it's a problem."

“Yes. But isn’t it fun, though?”

“Heh heh. That’s true. When I was with the CIA, there were so many damn restrictions.”

That’s why the staff here were thriving like fish in water.

“Oh, and this is intel from the EU.”

“EU? Why there?”

“Our Sentinel is trying to set up bases in multiple countries for security purposes, right? So we’re planning to build a center in Europe as well, but the EU is opposing it. In particular, one of the Vice Presidents is strongly against it.”

Vice President Never Kylie, from Greece.

But somehow, her face looked familiar.

“I think I’ve seen her in one of the old scandal files... Dig into her background.”

“Would that be okay? We’re currently handling the Africa side. Are we even allowed to mess with Europe...?”

“We need to show headquarters what we’re capable of. Do you really think placing Sentinel around the world is just for security? It’s to eliminate obstacles like this. If we can’t even handle this, how do you think HQ will evaluate us?”

“But so far, we’ve made sure no one can trace our connection to HQ, and we’ve never made a proper report.”

Let not your right hand know what your left hand is doing.

That was Sentinel’s company motto.

“Don’t worry about that. Kwangwoon already knows everything, including the fact that we’re having this conversation right now. Seeing us working to take control of the African region, they’re probably quite pleased, thinking we’re doing a great job.”

***

I was smiling in great satisfaction while reading the report that came in today.

“Is it good news?”

“Yes. Very good news. The Scholarship Foundation recently sent staff to Africa, and they’re helping people suffering from hunger and water shortages. Look at these photos of the children smiling.”

Seeing children smiling so brightly like this, even the coldest-hearted person would naturally crack a smile.

“Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you indulge in luxury, CEO-nim. You always seem to spend your personal money on donations.”

“I indulge in luxury too. I live in the penthouse of Kwangwoon Tower, don’t I?”

“But even that... wasn’t it provided by the company?”

Now that he mentioned it, that was true.

I didn’t really spend much money on myself.

I wasn’t into collecting watches or cars like other people, so money just kept piling up in my bank account every day.

“I just prefer things like this.”

What I eventually found was donation.

Now I think I understand why famous billionaires keep donating and trying to help the world.

Just seeing children freed from hunger and smiling brightly with the money I donated gave me a sense of fulfillment.

Thanks to that, I felt every day like I was doing something right.

“That’s why I’m going to continue helping people however I can. Doesn't happiness grow the more you share?”

“You’re absolutely right. That’s why I’ve also opened a separate account to make regular donations to the Kwangwoon Foundation. Not just me, but everyone in our department as well.”

“I never meant to pressure anyone... but I’m thankful that everyone’s joined in.”

With Sentinel now established in Nigeria, they could bring bodyguards into other African regions as well, making it much safer and easier for volunteer workers to enter than before.

More helping hands were now reaching those in need.

“And we’ve secured the minimum controlling stake necessary to take over Cyclone. Wingard and Whiterock have agreed to align with us as well.”

“That’s a relief. What about Microsoft?”

“They tested the waters for a bit, but apparently decided it wasn’t worth it and fully backed out.”

Given Microsoft’s infamous reputation in these matters, I had been a little worried.

But thankfully, they backed off on their own.

“That’s good. Then please bring me the internal structure of Cyclone and the list of employees. We need to do a full reorganization this time.”

Now that Cyclone had been acquired, there was a lot of work ahead.

First, a sweeping cleanup was needed, then the operating system had to be completely changed to normalize the game. On top of that, there was so much that needed to be developed in order to integrate KW Coin and XPT AI.

“To recruit talent for that, it might actually be better to acquire some startup companies instead. It would be more efficient than hiring completely raw developers.”

“That sounds like a good idea. Please have them look into what companies are out there.”

“Yes, CEO-nim.”

There’s a saying, after all.

If you think game management sucks, go do it yourself.

So that’s exactly what we came to do.

***

“This time, due to a lack of agreement between the senators and representatives, it looks like the budget cut bill won’t pass. They’re even talking about a filibuster.”

“.......”

Celine, President Aiden’s new Chief Secretary, cautiously gauged his reaction.

How to describe it?

His eyes looked... vacant.

Aiden stared blankly into space, not even responding to Celine’s report.

Lately, his behavior had become so odd that rumors were already circulating internally that he might be developing dementia.

Celine had experienced several moments like this herself and was beginning to harbor a reasonable suspicion that it might actually be true.

“And... Kwangwoon has secured the minimum controlling stake in Cyclone, giving them management rights.”

“...What?”

But at the mention of “Kwangwoon”, President Aiden’s sleepy eyes suddenly snapped open.

“Kwangwoon took over Cyclone? Isn’t that a game company?”

“Yes, it is.”

“Why would they suddenly do that?”

“The exact reason hasn’t been made public. But since Kwangwoon already dominates the media and SNS sectors, there’s speculation they’re now seriously entering the gaming industry. Right after taking management control, they started a major reorganization and are rapidly acquiring numerous startup companies.”

Kwangwoon entering the game industry, huh.

In some ways, it might have been an inevitable move.

“That’s why Wall Street is on edge right now.”

“Wall Street?”

“Yes. There are rumors circulating that Kwangwoon didn’t acquire Cyclone just for gaming.”

“What kind of hidden agenda?”

“That part isn’t clear, but many believe there’s definitely something more going on.”

And that wouldn’t be surprising.

Every time Kwangwoon pulled off one of these eccentric moves, there was always a major aftershock that followed.

“Cyclone’s a fairly big company, isn’t it? With Kwangwoon getting involved at that level, is no one trying to stop them?”

"It seems Kwangwoon was conscious of that as well, as they're currently meeting and communicating with various political figures."

"Didn't that chairman come and go last time? Did he come again?"

“No, this time someone else came in the capacity of a senior advisor to Kwangwoon HQ and is meeting with many people now.”

“Who is it?”

At that, Celine hesitated.

“What? Tell me. If Kwangwoon is putting him forward, it means he’s well connected on our side, right?”

“Yes, that’s correct. But the thing is...”

With dry lips, Celine finally answered.

“It’s your former Chief Secretary... John Hamilton.”

“What?”

In that moment, Aiden couldn’t believe his ears.

“W-who did you say?”

“Former Chief Secretary John Hamilton.”

“!?”

Aiden’s legs gave out, and he staggered helplessly.

“M-Mr. President!!”

If Celine hadn’t caught him, he would have slammed his head straight into the floor.

“J-John... are you telling me he really went under Kwangwoon?”

“Yes...”

At that moment, it felt as if all the unanswered questions had suddenly been resolved.

Why information had been leaking all this time.

Why Kwangwoon had been one step ahead in everything they did.

“John... D-Don’t tell me, all this time, he was...!”

The person he had considered a lifelong comrade, a lifelong friend, his closest ally, had in truth been a spy for Kwangwoon.