“This test is...”

“The content of the test is...”

White Shark and Ackman spoke at the same time.

Their gazes tangled in the air for a moment.

After a brief silence, Ackman yielded the floor to White Shark.

“The test is an 'Idea Dinner.'”

Idea Dinner.

An informal gathering often held on Wall Street to share investment ideas.

However, there was a small problem with this.

In most investment circles, sharing ideas is a disadvantage.

It means you have to share the pie you could have kept all to yourself with your competitors.

And yet, these gatherings exist for a simple reason.

No one ever reveals their core ideas in full anyway.

Usually, such gatherings are used to drop hints, gauge reactions, and probe competitors’ positions.

In other words, it’s no different from a poker game.

A high-level psychological battle where you show just a few cards while hiding your true hand.

But to make such an Idea Dinner an entrance test?

I couldn’t help but tilt my head.

“That’s unexpected. I thought there would be something more special.”

“Of course, it’s not your average Idea Dinner. There are a few special rules.”

White Shark tapped the table lightly as he continued.

“To become a full member, a majority of the members have to actually invest in your idea.”

That was a bit interesting.

“So they vote with their wallets instead of their hands.”

“Exactly.”

To pass the test, the approval of the members was essential.

But what if it was a simple hand-raising vote?

The voters would have no responsibility or risk, so they would likely rely on their subjective judgments.

Personal dislikes toward me or subtle prejudices against Asians could influence the result.

However, the moment money is on the line, everything changes.

Personal feelings disappear, and only a cold, rational analysis of profitability remains.

Still, something felt off.

“So, I just have to convincingly present my investment strategy?”

It seemed too easy for a test to join such a heavyweight club.

White Shark laughed as if to say, “Of course not.”

“Of course not. In this game, sabotage is allowed.”

“Sabotage?”

It meant acts of interference.

“From reverse betting, delaying timing, obstructing policies, to putting pressure on institutions... practically all forms of disruption are permitted.”

In other words, they could interfere by any means necessary.

For example, if I predicted a stock price would rise?

They could drive it down through short selling.

Or if I claimed that a new product launch would be a decisive catalyst, they could move boards or large institutions to delay the launch date.

“In reality, there are already forces working to keep you in check. You must overcome their sabotage and convince a majority to follow your investment. Moreover, you must produce actual profits from that investment for it to be considered a success.”

“That’s... quite interesting.”

To make them follow my investment, I would have to reveal my strategy in detail.

But at that moment, I would also be exposing every weak point to my enemies.

“To put it in poker terms, I’d have to show my whole hand and still win.”

“Exactly.”

After finishing his explanation, White Shark glanced at his wristwatch and continued.

“You must have already come up with a few ideas, right? If you share them, I could give you a sense of how the members might react...”

“You’re offering to help me?”

“That’s right.”

I couldn’t help but laugh.

On Wall Street, there’s no such thing as pure goodwill.

“I’m still thinking over the details.”

I drew a firm line with a resolute tone.

This test was an intelligence war.

I couldn’t reveal my cards carelessly.

White Shark nodded.

“Yes, sometimes keeping quiet is wise. But if I may offer one piece of advice, your true weapon is storytelling. Especially your skill at flipping the entire board with just one small detail — I believe that’s truly outstanding. Why not use that strength to the fullest?”

However, before he could finish, Ackman sharply interjected.

“No, your true weapon is something else. It’s that 'army of retail investors.' That’s a unique force no one else on Wall Street can control.”

At those words, White Shark frowned and spun around toward Ackman.

“You’re not seriously saying the reason you lost was just because of those retail investors, are you?”

“It was an unprecedented, unpredictable variable in history, and that’s undeniable.”

“Well, in my view, the real reason for your loss was your arrogance in ignoring that new variable and pushing forward recklessly.”

A tense atmosphere filled the space between the two.

‘They’re both recommending the very tactics they suffered from.’

It was as if they wanted me to beat the other members using the same strategy.

That way, they could rationalize their own defeats.

But...

‘Is that really all?’

For these two to come see me in person was already a huge blow to their pride.

Yet, they didn’t stop at just visiting; they even offered to help me.

There had to be some deeper calculation behind this.

That’s the feeling I got.

‘Should I dig a little deeper?’

What I needed was information.

Not the information they willingly gave, but the information they were trying to hide from me.

“You, weren’t you defeated by a powerless rookie at an investment bank?”

“Even so, my fund is still standing. I didn’t have to suffer the humiliation of forced liquidation like you.”

“Of course the stakes were lower, so the losses were smaller when you lost.”

The two exchanged sharp jabs at each other.

Then.

“I will not take this test.”

At that one sentence, both men froze and turned to look at me.

Their faces clearly showed their shock.

Well, that was only natural.

They must have made all their plans assuming I would take the test, and I had just casually overturned that assumption.

“Why...”

“What’s the reason?”

I shrugged and answered calmly.

“Isn’t it obvious? This crosses the line.”

“Crosses the line?”

“To take this test, I’d have to reveal every detail of my investment idea, which is proprietary information that should never be carelessly shared with outsiders.”

My investment strategy is not public property that anyone can access.

My fund’s clients pay 2% of their investment and 20% of their profits precisely to gain access to this information.

And yet, to distribute this premium information for free at an Idea Dinner?

“This is a clear violation of my duty of good faith and fidelity. I cannot cross that ethical line.”

“Did you say ethics?”

“You?”

A look of disbelief spread across White Shark and Ackman’s faces at the same time.

Their faces seemed to say, “Since when did you ever care about that?”

However, I answered confidently.

“I have always stuck to my principles.”

I didn’t understand why they were making those faces.

I do have clear principles, after all.

“Anyway, I was planning to attend out of curiosity since I received the invitation... but if you’re asking me to betray my duty of good faith and fidelity, that changes things. I can’t participate in such a gathering.”

Of course.

I looked them straight in the eyes and gave a meaningful smile.

“However, if a value equivalent to it is offered... I might reconsider.”

In other words, it meant I needed to be compensated.

It also meant that if they wanted me to take the test, they’d have to pay an equivalent price.

“You’re both suggesting that I play a dangerous game where I show all my cards. If I’m going to jump into such a match, shouldn’t the prize for the winner be enticing enough? But as it stands... well. There’s the benefit of becoming a member of a prestigious group, sure, but I question how much actual advantage that would bring.”

Beyond the superficial appeal of belonging to an elite group, there must be something more.

The reason those two were clashing so fiercely had to be because of that “something.”

“Are there any special privileges or benefits given only to Triangle Club members?”

At that question, asked in that context, White Shark’s expression instantly hardened.

“That is something we cannot disclose to non-members due to confidentiality agreements.”

“So, you’re saying they do exist.”

“Yes. To the extent I can say without breaking secrecy... know this: there are privileges that cannot be obtained through any other network or capital on Wall Street.”

‘Privileges that can’t be obtained anywhere else on Wall Street…?’

What kind of privilege could only be offered by the highest echelon of Wall Street’s titans?

Honestly, I had no clue.

In my previous life, I had never made it to that summit.

White Shark quickly shifted the topic.

“So, about that idea…”

I nodded immediately.

“Actually, I also believe the storytelling strategy would be more appropriate.”

“Really?”

“Yes, there are too many variables when trying to control the retail army.”

When I showed my agreement with White Shark’s opinion, Ackman’s expression hardened.

However, I leaned even more enthusiastically into supporting White Shark and continued.

“Besides, wouldn’t the storytelling approach be more effective in proving my fundamental abilities? Using the retail army feels like borrowing someone else’s strength to win...”

“Exactly! A true expert should win using only their own abilities!”

As I kept supporting White Shark’s view, I glanced briefly at the masterpiece on my wrist and continued.

“It’s already gotten so late. I heard there’s a special event starting soon — would you like to go see it together?”

“Special event?”

“Yes, a match between champions, only the winners from the current boxing matches will participate...”

“That won’t work. I’m too busy.”

White Shark flatly rejected my suggestion.

It was the expected response.

After all, the “special event” I mentioned was the match between White Shark and Orca.

“I already have my next appointment scheduled. Anyway, if you need advice about your strategy, feel free to contact me anytime.”

He immediately stood up and started walking toward the door.

Meanwhile, I turned my gaze to Ackman.

“How about you? Would you like to go watch the special event?”

“Explain it to me a bit more. From what I roughly saw on my way here, it looked like all the White Sharks were just getting beaten and eliminated… So isn’t it basically a festival for Orcas now?”

Ackman’s question was clearly intended to provoke White Shark.

In response, White Shark gritted his teeth and snapped.

“Well then, I’ll take my leave.”

He opened the door and disappeared.

After confirming that White Shark had completely left, I quietly closed the door and turned toward Ackman.

Of course, there was a reason I had mentioned such a ridiculous event and hurried White Shark out.

“Do you have something you want to tell me in private?”

Earlier, I had pretended to agree with White Shark’s suggestion.

From that exchange, it implied that Ackman was now in a disadvantageous position.

“I didn’t get a chance to mention this before, but I’m also considering the idea of using the retail army. However, I currently lack the ‘motivation’ to choose that approach. If an appropriate ‘reward’ were offered, I might change my mind...”

The meaning of my words was clear.

‘If you reveal the true privileges of the Triangle Club, I’ll seriously consider the retail army strategy you want.’

“Whew...”

Ackman let out a deep sigh and then slowly raised one hand.

“Let me have your phone for a moment.”

When I looked at him curiously at the sudden request, he elaborated.

“If what we’re about to discuss were to be recorded in any way... that would be quite troublesome.”