God of Money

After the presentation, it was time for Q&A.

Many developers raised their hands.

“So is it really true that we need to create the test codes?”

“I realize it might not be possible if you have a lot of other projects to do, but at the very least you need to do them for the main function.”

Another developer raised his hand.

“Could you explain further regarding your plan for using the prototype and develop it as you go rather than wait to finish the final product?”

“As you saw during my presentation, we should release a prototype that can do the main function first. It would take too long to release it if we wait to complete the final GTT.”

“So you are suggesting we create the PoC (Proof of concept) ASAP and release it first, then continue to work on it using test codes.”

“Yes, that’s exactly right.”

As he answered more questions, the audience appeared to accept Woosung’s idea.

“I think it’s a solid plan.”

“Hmm… The biggest problem when programming is the relationship between the developer and the user. His concept will improve that.”

“The customers will get the product quicker, and we will continue to communicate with them and apply their suggestions to further develop the program.”

“Hey, did you take good notes?”

“No worries. He said he will send us the copy of his PPT.”

“Oh…”

Nam Kyungsang didn’t like how this was going.

‘He was just an intern, but now…’

Before Woosung came, he had the answers to everything here. He was the one making all the good suggestions, and they always accepted his motions. However, ever since their rival company hired Woosung, Nam Kyungsang’s reputation left .as he arrived They now knew him as a person who gives the wrong answers.

This was his chance to embarrass Woosung.

He was well prepared.

“May I ask you a question?”

When Nam Kyungsang raised his hand, Woosung’s eyes sharpened. He knew what Nam Kyungsang meant to do.

Something filled Nam Kyungsang’s eyes with obvious hate.

“Yes. Ask away.”

“Agile’s, especially TDD’s, biggest advantage is that it allows us to spend more time on coding rather than writing reports, but if we still need to write the same number of output and development reports for Nuri Finances, wouldn’t the application of agile method mean more work for us?”

Some developers nodded in agreement. Woosung sighed and answered.

“I already explained this at the beginning of the presentation. Nuri Finances already agreed to decrease the amount of reports we need to write.”

Many nodded again to Woosung’s clear explanation. This was not the reaction Nam Kyungsang hoped for. He asked again, but this time his voice wavered slightly.

“T-this worried most of us who makes test codes; this on top of all the program codes may be too much for us. How do you plan to fix this?”

Woosung massaged the back of his neck and gave an exasperated answer.

“If you paid attention to my presentation, you wouldn’t be asking these questions. This is very disappointing.”

Nam Kyungsang’s face reddened brightly as Woosung continued.

“When we calculate Man/Month, do we calculate only the quantity of work? No. We consider the quality and complexity of the programming too. The more test codes you create, the easier your workload will become. This concept is already being applied at Google and Microsoft. The effectiveness of this system will easily outweigh the increase in the amount of work.”

“I understood that, but what I meant was your plan may work in certain cases but not all. What you said is only an example and you cannot promise anything at this point.”

Woosung realized there was nothing he could say to convince him. Nam Kyungsang was refusing to accept it. It was a waste of time.

“Then let’s do this. You should continue your work as is. In fact, anyone here who doesn’t agree with me can continue to do the same. We will provide those who would like to follow my proposal with all the help you need. We will do a trial of 3 months, and afterward, we can compare the result of the point system.”

“I-I didn’t mean that I refuse to accept your idea.”

“Then do you have a better plan in mind?”

Nam Kyungsang became silent. He had nothing.

The only thing he could come up with was the disadvantage of the agile method.

He wanted to embarrass Woosung in any way possible, so this was what he came up with. Knowing this, Woosung looked at him and continued.

“You think my plan isn’t good, so what you need to do is prove that the existing system is better, or do you think you can’t do it?”

Nam Kyungsang had to nod to Woosung’s public challenge. Kwon Hyungeun grimaced.

***

Leaving the conference room, Kwon Hyungeun asked a worried question to Nam Kyungsang.

“You are confident you can do this, right?”

Nam Kyungsang was a man of determination.

“I looked into it, and agile method is nothing special. It just sounds fancy.”

“It’s a method Nuri Finances’ IT team leader approved, which means it’s not nothing.”

“He is not planning to apply a brand new system. He is only changing the development method. In Korea, it is best to use the existing Korean method.”

“If you say so.”

Kwon Hyungeun still looked concerned though.

“You’ll see. If I put my mind to it, I will win.”

“I don’t doubt your skills.”

Nam Kyungsang’s face darkened as he saw two people nearby.

Kwak Jungwook from Nuri Finances was whispering to Woosung.

Nam Kyungsang couldn’t stand it. Until recently, he was the most competent developer, but now, everything has changed.

‘I hate his guts.’

As the two soon took the elevator, Nam Kyungsang glared at them.

***

After the presentation, someone called Woosung to visit the CEO of Nuri Finances.

There were a lot of unfamiliar people in the CEO’s room.

‘I must have done something right if I get to meet the boss.’

In his previous life, he never got to see the CEO, Na Jaeman.

He was an older man who was just losing his hair.

“Haha, so you are the famous developer.”

“How do you do. My name is Woosung Kang.”

“I see. Have a seat. You too, Assistant manager Kwak.”

When they sat down, Na Jaeman introduced them to everyone in the room.

“This is the one who really wanted to meet you, so I arranged this meeting. Mr. Jang, this is the developer you wanted to see.”

Solidly built Jang Gwangchul laughed as he offered his hand to Woosung.

“Haha, hello. My name is Gwangchul Jang. You made me a lot of money recently.”

Woosung has never seen him before. When he looked confused, Jang Gwangchul explained.

“I am a customer of Nuri Finances. I noticed how great the HTS has become recently, so I asked to see the developer.”

He was so confident. He was straightforward and self-assured. Woosung suddenly realized.

VIP.

Jang Gwangchul was probably one of the major traders.

“I appreciate your compliment. I am happy that you like my work.”

“Like it? No, I LOVE it. I have been recommending Nuri Finances to every trader I know.”

Na Jaeman added.

“Haha, that’s why we gained so many new users recently. It was all thanks to you, Mr. Jang.”

Jang Gwangchul shook his head.

“Not me. It’s all thanks to your wonderful developer.”

Everyone was in such a good mood. When the meeting ended, Kwak Jungwook and Woosung left the room. Kwak Jungwook was flustered.

“W… Woosung, I can’t believe Mr. Jang was interested in you. Wow, this is unbelievable.”

Jang Gwangchul.

Woosung couldn’t remember him from his previous life.

“Don’t tell anyone but Mr. Jang is our black level customer. His trading limit is 10 million dollars.”

10 million dollars.

Woosung was someone who would wield billions of dollars if everything went according to his plan. 10 million didn’t feel much to Woosung.

“Oh, I see…”

“He is very famous on the internet too. Do you know how many members he has on his website?”

Before Woosung could reply, Kwak Jungwook answered.

“30,000 people. 30,000…!”

However, Woosung still appeared to be unimpressed.

“Mr. Jang rarely gives out his business card. Take it out and have a look.”

Woosung took out the card from his pocket. Paper was usually the material used for a business card but not this, this one was plastic. Jang Gwangchul’s name was written on it in bright gold. Woosung asked.

“He likes flashy things.”

“That’s real gold.”

Woosung finally seemed surprised and impressed.

“What? Real gold?”

“He asked people to write his name in 24K gold. If you sell it, you’ll be able to get about 200 dollars.”

“T-then why did he give it to me?”

“It means that he approved your work.”

Woosung murmured.

“I need no one’s approval.”

Kwak Jungwook laughed.

“Haha, you are so confident. I think that’s why the boss likes you even more.”

Woosung looked at him curiously when his cellphone beeped.

There was a text message.

“It was nice to meet you today. I heard I am older than you, so please consider me your older brother.”

It was a message from Jang Gwangchul. Woosung pressed delete immediately.

“Would you like to delete the message?”

“Yes.”

“I am an only child. I don’t have an older brother.”

“What?”

“Haha, I was just talking to myself.”

As they walked back to the office, Kwak Jungwook continued to talk about Jang Gwangchul, but Woosung wasn’t listening.

‘He thinks he’s so great because he’s rich. Why would I treat him like an older brother?”

Jang Gwangchul’s demeanor reminded Woosung of Choi Gichul. He grimaced.