Joon exhaled slowly, his eyes scanning the Trade Journal one more time. Dongjin Motors was done. A clean, strategic exit. Not just profit—discipline. And the System had rewarded him with both XP and confidence.
But as the thrill faded, a whisper of anxiety crept in.
"What now?"
He still had ₩243,900 in capital, and the system hadn't issued a new quest yet. But he could feel it—like pressure building in the air before a summer storm. Something was coming.
System Notification: Quest Unlocked – Riding the Momentum
Objective:
Identify a stock exhibiting strong upward momentum.
Enter after confirming a continuation pattern.
Hold for a minimum of 3 days.
Exit before signs of exhaustion.
Reward: +70 XP
Bonus: Unlock Active Skill – "Momentum Read (I)"
Failure Penalty: -30 XP
Joon stared. This was the first time the system had shown a penalty. His heart beat faster.
"Alright," he muttered, "you want me to learn about momentum."
He cracked his knuckles, then opened his bookmarked resources on continuation patterns—flags, pennants, rising wedges. His research stat wasn't just for flavor now. He actually understood the technical terms he used to fake confidence about.
It took two hours of analysis to find his candidate: Koryang Textiles.
A low-key company that had pivoted to high-performance fabrics used in smart clothing. Its chart had been steadily climbing, and the last five days showed a flag pattern—a sideways channel after a sharp rise.
Volume had dipped during the consolidation. Classic bull flag.
"This is it."
But he waited one more day. No impulse.
The next morning, as he sat on the rooftop of his grandfather's shed—his favorite thinking spot—he watched the market open.
Fifteen minutes passed.
Then twenty.
Koryang broke upward from the flag pattern. Volume surged.
Confirmation achieved.
Purchase: Koryang Textiles – 120 shares @ ₩2,000 = ₩240,000
Remaining Capital: ₩3,900
System Notification: Entry Confirmed – Continuation pattern breakout detected
Step 1 Complete: Ride the Momentum Quest
Now he just had to hold.
Day 1 passed: price rose to ₩2,060.
Day 2: minor dip to ₩2,020.
Joon clenched his fists, remembering the penalty warning.
But he stayed calm. The pattern was still valid. No exhaustion signs.
Day 3: a new high – ₩2,120.
System Notification: Step 2 Complete – Held for 3 days
Next Objective:
Exit position before signs of reversal.
Momentum exhaustion includes:
Sudden volume drop
Reversal candlesticks (e.g., doji, shooting star)
Industry downgrades
Joon reviewed the intraday chart closely. He noticed the volume was still healthy.
Then Day 4: Volume dropped. A long wick formed on top of the candle.
His breath caught. This was the reversal signal.
No hesitation.
He executed the sell.
Sell: Koryang Textiles – 120 shares @ ₩2,110 = ₩253,200
Capital: ₩3,900 → ₩257,100
System Notification: Final Step Complete – Exited on reversal signal
Quest Complete: Riding the Momentum
+70 XP
New Active Skill Unlocked: Momentum Read (I)
XP: 290 → 360 / 500
[Status Window]
Level: 6
XP: 360 / 500
Capital: ₩257,100
Market Insight: 10
Negotiation: 2
Stamina: 2
Research: 3
Titles:
Beginner Trader
Pattern Seeker
Value Seeker
Skills:
Long-Term Perspective (Passive I)
Momentum Read (Active I) — Allows Joon to receive hints from the System when analyzing fast-moving charts.
Features:
Trade Journal
Later that evening, Joon opened the Trade Journal again.
Trade Summary:
Koryang Textiles – 4-day swing, classic bull flag breakout.
Entry Reason: Flag continuation confirmed with volume
Exit Reason: Reversal wick + volume drop
Emotional Note: Nervous about penalty, but used fear to stay analytical.
Lesson: When the pattern plays out, trust it—but don't fall in love with the stock.
System Notification: Reflection Bonus – +5 XP
XP: 360 → 365 / 500
As he sipped barley tea in the kitchen, his halmeoni peeked in. "You're not playing games, are you?"
Joon chuckled. "No, Grandma. Just studying."
And he was. Not for school—but for the hardest subject of all: life and decision-making.
No multiple choice.
No teacher.
Just risk, reward, and conviction.
The system was shaping him—not just into a trader, but into someone who faced pressure with discipline.
He smiled as the soft chime of a new notification appeared before his eyes.
System Notification: New Quest Available – "Contrarian Play"
Tomorrow would be a whole new challenge.
But tonight? He had earned the quiet.
And the confidence.