-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: The New Director's Proposal (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
*Forgotten Andersen's Story* was an indie game developed by a single person that had recently become a hot topic.
The Director himself remembered playing it on vacation about a month ago and being shocked that it was a one-man project.
"Ah, yes... It's a pixel art game, so... I didn't think it was anything special..."
Shin Chihwan sighed deeply and shook his head.
He was appalled that such words could come from a game PD.
"Are you serious? That Jo Hyunsoo developed that game."
"We'll need to confirm it, but I don't think Gwajang Jo Hyunsoo would lie. Why do you ask...?"
Director Shin Chihwan suddenly felt as if a golden rope had descended from the heavens.
*This is it. With this, I can generate buzz to protect the stock price and save Phoenix.*
If Jo Hyunsoo was the developer of *Forgotten Andersen's Story*, which was currently generating a lot of buzz, it could be a powerful card capable of solving all of Shin Chihwan's problems at once.
"But how do you know about a game like that, Director? The graphics are just pixel art, and it looks like some backward game made with RPG Maker..."
"PD Gwangseok, do you have a death wish?"
"What?"
"What am I supposed to do with a game company PD who doesn't even know about a hot game like this? I should probably kill you, right?"
Shin Chihwan snapped at Oh Gwangseok's blissfully ignorant question, then searched for something on his smartphone and tossed it in front of him.
They were articles from a gaming webzine praising *Forgotten Andersen's Story*.
Seeing this, Oh Gwangseok's mouth hung open before he asked again.
"Is... is this game really that great?"
"Are you even listening to yourself? What hit games have you produced at this company so far?"
"..."
"Not a single one, right? You're a broke-ass fool, aren't you? All you've done is run at a loss, right? But an article came out yesterday saying *Forgotten Andersen's Story* is climbing the charts and getting a reaction from global users. They're calling him a genius indie developer... and for a crappy-looking RPG Maker game, just like you said. Do I need to explain just how incredible it is that he pulled this off alone?"
"..."
"I've told you time and again, if you want to keep collecting a paycheck as a PD, stop whining about old games and play some new ones. Be more sensitive to trends. How many times do I have to shove that into your thick skull? Do you think this is like when you were in Division 1 and had people covering for you? If you want to survive, get your head on straight."
"Uh... I'm sorry. I'll be more mindful, Director."
Despite saying this, PD Gwangseok swallowed his anger, his pride wounded.
It was because he found it unbearable to be compared to Jo Hyunsoo, who had, at best, graduated from a community college's game department, while he himself had walked an elite path.
"So, is Jo Hyunsoo still at the company?"
"Uh... He probably hasn't left for the day yet."
"What are you waiting for? Find him and send him here. I'll try to smooth things over."
"...Understood."
Oh Gwangseok left the director's office with a bitter expression.
________________________________________
"Wow, you're the one who made *Forgotten Andersen's Story*, Gwajang-nim? I had so much fun playing it. I seriously cried at the ending."
"Haha, thank you. A valued customer, I see."
"That's really amazing. When did you find the time to make it?"
"I just chipped away at it after work. That's why it took over 400 days."
"Making it in 400 days is incredibly fast. Our company's games take two or three years to develop, minimum!"
I had told a few close colleagues at the company about my situation.
Everyone sincerely congratulated me on my success, and a few even praised me, saying they had played my game.
They were good people, and I was genuinely grateful.
Their help was the only reason I'd been able to endure this damn company.
"Wow, Gwajang-nim, you've really hit the jackpot. Aren't you a genius? A genius! Give me your autograph, please."
The person I was meeting with in the café now was Daeri Heo Yuri.
She was a female concept artist in her late twenties who had worked on a casual SNG game in her previous team before it was disbanded, after which she moved over to the current project, *Phoenix*, with me.
Having worked together for quite some time, we were close despite the difference in our titles.
Heo Yuri was popular with the male employees thanks to her easygoing personality and small, cute appearance, but I was more interested in her professional skills.
She was a multi-talented player who could handle some UI and animation, and as a concept artist, she could produce art for a wide variety of concepts.
Moreover, she had a serious attitude toward her work, and our synergy was so good that just talking with her during collaborations could spark new ideas out of thin air.
A person with a great attitude who's a pleasure to work with—such people are rarer than you'd think.
"Yuri-ssi, if you ever end up leaving the company, please let me know. I'd love it if you could do some freelance concept art for my next game."
I had developed *Forgotten Andersen's Story* all by myself from start to finish, but even with the 'power' I'd gained, there was no guarantee I could make a good game with that alone.
In fact, this game felt more like I had done my best within my limitations, given my lack of graphic design and programming skills.
To take another step forward and make an even better game, I might need to rely on someone else.
It was a sort of mental insurance.
For that reason, I wanted to end my relationships with the colleagues who had believed in me on a good note, finishing well.
"Of course! I definitely want to be a part of your project, Gwajang-nim! I've always wanted to make a game that people will remember."
At my suggestion, Heo Yuri nodded enthusiastically, sending a positive signal.
Then, she glanced around to make sure no other company employees were nearby before continuing in a small, whisper-like voice.
"It feels a bit wrong to say this while I'm getting a paycheck from the company, but I've often thought I'd like to make a real game, not just another gacha game! To be honest, I don't find our company's games fun at all!"
"Well, you don't have to be so careful about stating the obvious."
I found Heo Yuri's demeanor strangely cute and replied with a small smile.
Creating a game that remains in the memories of others.
This wasn't just my dream, but a dream cherished by everyone living as a small cog in a game company.
Someday, I want to sail toward that dream with them.
However, the ship I've launched can barely carry me, so I'll have to grow it bigger and stronger until it can hold everyone.
The corporate profits dramatically increased by random-draw games made for revenue.
And I will become strong enough so that the market logic created by those profits can no longer trample on me and my colleagues.
To make good games with good people, without having to feel self-loathing about my work.
That is my happiness and my dream.
"Anyway, since we've talked today, you can't pretend you don't know me next time I ask for help, okay?"
"Haha, of course! I'm Heo Yuri, a woman of my word!"
As we were passing the time with such idle chatter, a familiar face rushed into the company café.
It was Daeri Son Seokjin from the planning department of my project, *Phoenix*.
"Gwa-Gwajang-nim Hyunsoo... *huff*... *huff*..."
"Oh, what is it, Daeri-nim Seokjin?"
"Th-they're looking for you, Gwajang-nim."
"The PD?"
It was obvious.
An enraged Oh Gwangseok was looking for me to pick a fight and chew me out.
But contrary to my expectation, Daeri Seokjin shook his head and replied.
"N-no, not him... D-Director Shin Chihwan is urgently looking for you!"
"Huh? Why would the Director be looking for me?"
"I'm not sure... b-but he said to come quickly..."
Hmm... Even I hadn't expected this turn of events.
****
I sat blankly at the conference table in the center of the director's office.
*Why did he call me? Did PD Gwangseok pull some kind of trick?*
It was a place I'd never once been to during my time at the company, and coming here after loudly declaring I would quit felt strange.
"Gwajang Jo Hyunsoo, I heard you're quitting? PD Gwangseok told me."
"Ah, yes, well... that's what happened."
Director Shin Chihwan, sitting across from me, stroked his chin and spoke cautiously.
"Hmph, well, that's a bit of a problem for us. The *Phoenix* project's scenario has a lot of issues and needs a complete overhaul. You're the one in charge, so how can you leave at a time like this?"
"Director, about that..."
"Ah, I know the gist of what happened. It's obvious that idiot Oh Gwangseok meddled and messed everything up, isn't it? If I were you, Gwajang Hyunsoo, I'd have wanted to split that bastard's head open too."
"..."
"But you see, trying to hire a replacement at this stage is quite difficult."
I had a rough idea of what he was going to say.
The *Phoenix* project was less than three months away from release.
At this timing, hiring a new replacement for the company was no different from a gamble.
The hiring process itself takes time, and even if they pulled someone from another project, that person would need time to get up to speed with *Phoenix*.
He probably had to stop me from leaving, but since I'd already crossed a bridge I couldn't return from with PD Oh Gwangseok, the Director himself had stepped in.
Besides...
<
The 'God Game Maker,' which had been quiet for a while, delivered a new message to my ears, signaling the start of a new event.
For now, I tried to ignore it and steered the conversation in the direction I had originally intended.
"I'm sorry, but my mind is made up. I believe I've crossed a point of no return with PD Oh Gwangseok."
"I told you, I know. And I also know you're the one who developed *Forgotten Andersen's Story*."
"Are you trying to threaten me with the non-compete clause?"
"What? Hahaha! Do you see me as that childish? That's a bit disappointing. I didn't get to this position by being like that."
I had spoken first out of concern, but his reaction completely defied my expectations.
"I'm not Oh Gwangseok. I know exactly what kind of game *Forgotten Andersen's Story* is. And I know how you must feel, Gwajang Hyunsoo. It must have been fucking awful, writing that train wreck of a scenario just because some bastard like Oh Gwangseok told you to. I can imagine the suffering without even seeing it."
The moment I heard those words, a wave of emotion surged within me.
Was it because someone had acknowledged my struggles? I had to fight back the tears that were strangely welling up in my eyes.
"As you know, I'm desperate for any help I can get right now. I have no intention of trying to keep a big name like you, Gwajang Jo Hyunsoo, with some clumsy bluff. What I'm doing isn't a plea; it's a deal between equals."
"...Let's hear it."
My heart pounded strangely. The word 'deal' had come from the mouth of the Director, directed at me, a mere Gwajang.
A deal is something made between parties of similar power.
The Director must have come with some condition that could make me change my mind.
"I have two demands. First, completely overhaul the scenario and world-building for Project Phoenix. This time, you'll work only with me to ensure Oh Gwangseok can't interfere, and I'll stay out of your domain as much as possible."
Not a bad offer. My relationship with Oh Gwangseok was already damaged beyond repair, and having a man with absolutely no eye for scenario or world-building manage the project would only produce the same result again anyway.
To prevent that, the existing process needed to be completely thrown out.
"Second, allow us to launch a massive marketing campaign stating that the developer of *Forgotten Andersen's Story* personally wrote the scenario for Project Phoenix."
*Ah, so that's his real intention.*
I raised the corner of my mouth slightly.