Chapter 45
Chapter 45
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: 8 Million Pre-Orders
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-reservations: 8 million.
Elysia Chronicles made a massive impact on the gaming industry the moment it launched. As a remarkably generous game, it held the top spot in popularity rankings for five straight weeks.
For months, the staff had poured their nights and days into this next big title. Hard work deserves fitting rewards.
During the end-of-month review, I offered the team some words of comfort.
"Everyone, you all did an amazing job. Hitting such an unexpected mega-hit has left me in a bit of a bind."
"Hahaha!"
The atmosphere heated up.
And rightfully so.
If the project had flopped, even I shudder to imagine the fallout. We'd braced for huge losses to make this game.
"Your paychecks this month will include performance bonuses. With summer vacation around the corner, you all fulfilled your duties for Elysia Chronicles despite the sweltering heat. You deserve proper treatment."
"Woooah!"
"P-performance bonuses!?"
Ads came flooding in from all sorts of industries.
This was a game with 8 million pre-orders, after all.
With such a massive user base, inquiries poured in nonstop, begging for even tiny in-game ad spots.
Honestly, accepting them would've brought in a fortune.
But I turned them all down to honor our promise to the players.
"Elysia Chronicles, the game we created, will elevate Starlight to Korea's top game company. Players no longer want games built just for monetization."
Simple controls and intuitive UI.
Content you can enjoy in short bursts.
Ongoing updates and events.
Fair monetization model.
Nothing is unimportant for a blockbuster title.
However.
I firmly believe there's something even more crucial. Why do we play games? In the old days, even without PvE or PvP, players chatted casually in some quiet corner of town, sharing everyday conversations.
I'm convinced Elysia Chronicles lets players take the lead, crafting their own stories instead of just following the system's prompts.
That's why it succeeded so wildly, despite the clear limitations of the idle genre.
"This is just the beginning. We must keep improving service quality so players can enjoy the game to the fullest."
Clap clap clap!
The room erupted in enthusiastic applause.
Some employees teared up recalling their grueling efforts, while others grinned brightly, thinking of the bonuses on the way.
From the planning department, art team, programmers, sound crew, QA, marketing, and more—
Team members across departments exchanged glances with their colleagues, clearly having learned the value of collaboration through this new hit.
"President!"
One employee raised their hand.
"Yes, speak up."
"Haven't you suffered the most out of all of us?"
Well, I did push forward despite overwhelming opposition.
But without them, Elysia Chronicles never would've succeeded.
"It's because of all of you that we achieved this. And by the way, company dinner tonight."
"Woooaaah!"
In the gaming industry, clocking out on time is the stuff of dreams.
I didn't just let them punch out early—I treated the whole team to premium beef barbecue in Cheongdam-dong.
"Long live the president!"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ I finally caught up with my closest buddy after ages.
Park Seong-ho, head of Selig's Korean branch.
He showed up with bags full of stuff and slammed them down on the table.
"Do-jun, dig in. Mom went all out with these."
"Hey, hey, why bring all this? Must've been a hassle..."
"What are friends for? Yun-ah will handle it, but I couldn't just show up empty-handed."
Japchae, braised short ribs, fermented seafood, freshly made kimchi—dozens of dishes brimming with care.
Seeing all that hearty homemade food made my stomach rumble.
"You eaten yet?"
Park Seong-ho grinned at my question.
"Knew you'd ask, so I skipped it."
"Then let's eat together!"
What followed was a lavish dinner.
We sat across from each other at the small table and stuffed ourselves silly. Seong-ho's mom's cooking was out of this world—better than anything at a five-star hotel, not a single dish lacking.
Maybe she whipped this up out of gratitude for putting her son in the branch head spot.
Not necessary, though.
"Seong-ho."
"Yeah?"
"You got that position because I believe in your abilities, not just our friendship."
"I know that. I'm studying my ass off every day to live up to it."
"Heh. You'll crush it."
Back in school, Park Seong-ho was famous for his diligence.
Teachers always called on him before class president or vice-president.
He never complained, even about tasks that weren't his.
"Oh yeah! Heard you're acquiring a hospital—is that true?"
"Yeah. Nothing too huge, just the right size."
"Not building in the States?"
"They're already maxed out there. They run fine without us."
"Fair. America's got the world's best basic medical system, after all."
Just look at giants like Moderna and Pfizer—their research labs and hospitals are on another level.
Clinical research labs.
Basic research institutes.
Genomics centers.
Mental health facilities.
Clinical psychology departments.
Fifteen types in total, each at least twice the size of Yeouido.
"There was that medical issue recently, right?"
"..."
Seong-ho must've heard.
His face darkened instantly.
"Korea's population density is insane compared to our landmass. Aging's accelerating, but the higher-ups are stuck in the past."
"Politics as usual. It's all about spin—call it a bracelet or a nose ring depending on where it hangs."
Korea's medical system has plenty of flaws, but unequal access stands out. The urban-rural gap is massive, leaving many without needed care.
It's not just services—public awareness is a problem too.
Take doctor helicopters.
People file noise complaints mid-flight while transporting patients. Pilots deal with endless headaches over it.
Next door in Japan, they can even get police roadblocks for landings. Imagine trying that here—what chaos?
To bridge the urban-rural gap, we need helicopters.
Selig's U.S. HQ has ten of its own for efficiency. When that's not enough, they borrow military transports from Jack Ryan.
Not just Selig—U.S. pharma companies use helos freely.
Of course, Korea has its own rules.
But we can adopt the good parts.
"How's the order from Bell Textron coming along?"
Im Yun-ah, mid-chop, answered.
"Seol-hwa's already wrapped up the basics."
"Parts supply?"
"They're handing inspections and maintenance to us."
"Makes sense. Civilian doc-helicopters, not military—no need for heavy security. They'll just watch the engines."
"Exactly."
Bell Textron.
A Fort Worth, Texas aircraft maker specializing in helicopters.
WWII self-developed planes flopped, but their massive facilities kept them afloat with parts production.
At least the P-39 Airacobra sold somewhat.
When word got out that Bell Textron was developing a new doctor helicopter model, Jin Seol-hwa jumped on the contract.
Other makers wouldn't license it out, but they gave the green light.
"Do-jun, you don't mean...?"
Finally piecing it together?
His face paled with shock beyond surprise.
Why the helicopters?
To build a hospital for critical cases only.
Not that we'd turn away regular patients.
No "no beds" or "can't treat you" rejections.
My ultimate target?
[Handong Medical Center Regional Emergency Medical Center]
A local hospital in Chungcheongnam-do.
They rely heavily on doctor helicopters for traffic accidents and trauma from all over.
I plan to expand Handong into at least five times its current size.
"Seong-ho."
"Yeah?"
He looked up from his meal.
"Wanna take on the board of directors?"
Pffft!
The food in his mouth finally escaped into the world.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Right before departing for Korea, Jin Seol-hwa visited the Johns Hopkins Children's Ward where her only little sister was admitted.
Normally, this place runs on 100% reservations, waiting for your attending physician.
But for her, with money and power in spades, getting her sister in was a breeze.
"Sis~"
"My Seol-young! Been good?"
"Yeah!"
Her sister's name: Jin Seol-young.
The late baby of the family—by Korean standards, middle school next year.
If not for leukemia, she'd be out with friends at eateries, movies, shopping.
Instead, as puberty loomed, Seol-young spent her days cooped up here.
"Bored?"
Jin Seol-hwa's question earned a headshake and a bright smile.
"No, I'm fine. Just having you here makes me grateful."
The charismatic leader others saw melted into pudding around her sister.
Thankfully, the new leukemia drug suited her perfectly—full recovery soon.
Then she could play outside like any kid.
"Gotta head to Korea briefly. Can you hang in there?"
"...Y-yeah. I'll be okay."
"I'll come back ASAP."
Her doctor said progress was excellent.
Youth helped, but her strong will was key.
Seol-young's dream wasn't greatness or riches.
Just living normally outside, like everyone else.
To make that real, Jin Seol-hwa gave her all, even to tasks she deemed trivial.
"Once the doc says you're cured, we'll go to Korea together!"
"For real?"
Her frail body trembled faintly on the bed.
"Absolutely! School, yummy food with friends... You know to take your meds steadily and listen to the doc for a quick recovery, right?"
"Yeah! I'll be super good!"
Settling her sister in Korea would take prep.
"See you soon!"
"Yeah. Bring souvenirs!"
"Hohoho, I'll grab a cute doll for my Seol-young."
"Pfft~ I'm not a kid anymore."
"Hohoho~"
"Hehehe~"
After the visit, Jin Seol-hwa boarded Jack Ryan's private jet to Korea.