Chapter 27
Chapter 27
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: Star Developer Coby Fox (2)
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>
> Chapter 27. Star Developer Coby Fox (2)
> 2022.06.27.
>
>
> [Sailmane: Whoa… so the developer of Christian is making a new game? I’m already tearing up in anticipation.]
>
> [Ganapie73: We have Yuna Kim’s left foot, Park Jisung’s right foot, Bong Joon-ho’s mind, and Christian Jo Hyunsoo’s games!]
>
> [Tumkaka: Damn… Jumo! To think *Forgotten Andersen's Story* is Korean. And he's standing shoulder to shoulder with Coby Fox. Is the Korean game industry finally about to change?]
>
> The live stream chat was buzzing with surprise about my identity and anticipation for my next game.
>
> Considering the reaction and the number of viewers, the company must have been desperate to push the Phoenix Project to the forefront.
>
> I get it… I really do…
>
> But I’ve spent my whole life understanding the company’s side of things, only to get screwed over time and again. Now, I want the company to understand me for a change.
>
> “The system for *Pass on a Dream* is being planned as something completely different from *Forgotten Andersen’s Story*. I’m thinking of a form where the game’s theme and system are perfectly integrated.”
>
> I poured all my energy into using the time I was given to promote my next game and convey its meaning.
>
> The PR team member conducting the interview wore a pained expression, like a puppy that desperately needed to poop.
>
> “...And so, I’m planning a new game with the theme of dreams and parents.”
>
> As I finished my sentence.
>
> Coby Fox and the chat window seemed filled with anticipation, but the atmosphere among the staff was ice-cold.
>
> To them, this was probably a major incident that had completely derailed the higher-ups’ instructions.
>
> “Uh… are there any other plans for upcoming games? Something you’re working on at the company, perhaps.”
>
> The interviewer looked at me with a pleading expression and asked again.
>
> His thoughts, ‘Please, just mention Phoenix,’ seemed to reach me like telepathy.
>
> Alright… shall I toss them a carrot this time?
>
> “And… I am currently working on a project at the company called the Phoenix Project. It’s not far from release, and I’m handling the scenario and world-building with Daeri Son Seokjin from my team. It will be a heroic epic about humans who inherit the blood of the Phoenix, fighting to overcome discrimination and complete a revolution. It’s a different style from my personal work, but I’m doing my best on it, so I hope you all enjoy it.”
>
> [Jangbob: Oh… a mobile game? Wonder how it’ll be.]
>
> [Sailmane: I’m not getting my hopes up lol. For mobile games, it doesn’t matter if a legendary developer or the ghost of a developer makes it, it’s just gonna be another mass-produced gacha game lol.]
>
> [Tumta: Still, wouldn’t it be different if Christian made it? I’ll probably try it when it comes out.]
>
> [GhillieGhillieSuit: Why is there a truckload of people already trashing it when it’s not even out?]
>
> The chat room was flooded with a mix of anticipation and cynicism for Phoenix.
>
> Around the room, the PR staff finally relaxed their expressions, as if letting out a collective sigh of relief.
>
> The problem was, I wasn’t finished yet.
>
> “And as for ‘Pass on Dream,’ which I mentioned earlier as my next project, if the company gives me the opportunity, I’d like to form a team within NB Soft to create it. It’s just a wish, of course.”
>
> The moment I said those words, everyone’s fortunes reversed.
>
> The interviewer looked dumbfounded, as if asking what I was talking about. Coby Fox nodded with interest, and the chat room…
>
> [Sailmane: Holy shit, for real? He’s making it with a team, not as a solo dev? But isn’t NB Soft a mobile game company? It seems impossible to make that for mobile…]
>
> [Jangbob: I’d say there’s a 99.9% chance it’s a platform game. Just because they’re a mobile game company doesn’t mean they can’t do it. With Christian on the dev team, what’s the problem?]
>
> [Kumtata: Holy crap lol Should I buy NB Soft stock? I’m so hyped. I don’t know when I’ve ever been this excited for the Korean game scene.]
>
> The reaction was nothing short of explosive.
>
> The thought of what Christian, the new star of the indie game world, could create with the backing of corporate capital.
>
> For gamers who were always thirsty for a decent game, it was bound to be exciting news.
>
> And…
>
> <<Sudden Quest ‘The PD’s Guts’ has been cleared!>>
>
> <<Your level has increased from 6 to 7! Your available points have increased to 15!>>
>
> The God Game Maker system notified me of the quest’s completion, as if to say I had spoken well.
>
> That brought my total accumulated points to 15, which I could use to enhance my abilities or access the Developer Shop in a crisis.
>
> <<Achievement ‘A PD’s Quality’ has been unlocked!>>
>
> -Reward: ‘Understanding’ level for developers with a lower total stat sum than player ‘Jo Hyunsoo’ increases by one rank.
>
> On top of that… the achievement reward was surprisingly good.
>
> ‘My understanding of people with a lower total stat sum than me goes up… This is definitely good.’
>
> The ‘Understanding’ ability, which provided a certain amount of information about the other person.
>
> I had already experienced several times just how ridiculously overpowered it was.
>
> And now, as long as their total stats were lower than mine, I could see them with an enhanced level of Understanding?
>
> My total stats weren’t low to begin with, and I could increase them with God Game Maker. This meant that someday, I’d be able to see almost every developer with a higher level of Understanding.
>
> As I was processing these thoughts… the staff member, troubled by my answer, replied with an awkward smile.
>
> “Haha… I, I see.”
>
> Sorry, but it couldn’t be helped.
>
> It’s fine to accommodate the company’s situation, but I didn’t want to abandon the identity of the renowned developer ‘Christian’ because of it.
>
> I don’t know how things were until now, but I am using the company to achieve my dream; I am not a being who sacrifices for the company.
>
> “Then… let’s continue with the questions.”
>
> After that, the questions turned to Coby Fox’s new game and future plans, and the interview, which lasted a full two hours, finally came to an end.
>
> “Thank you for inviting me, Christian.”
>
> Coby Fox, apparently pleased with the interview, came right over to me and shook my hand.
>
> “I look forward to your new work.”
>
> He even added that he was looking forward to my new game.
>
> To hear such words from my idol made my chest swell with warmth, reaffirming that my decision to become a solo developer had been the right one.
>
> I then called Daeri Seokjin over and let him take a picture with Coby.
>
> “Uhm… What are you doing, when you in Korea?”
>
> I asked in my broken English what he planned to do while in Korea.
>
> Coby Fox said he planned to enjoy some leisurely sightseeing in Korea for a few days with his girlfriend, who had accompanied him, before returning.
>
> We promised to meet again if our schedules allowed, and then he left the company.
>
> “Good work, everyone. We’ll be heading up first.”
>
> I gave a quick farewell to the PR team and took Daeri Seokjin straight to the elevator.
>
> The entire PR team had sour expressions on their faces.
>
> “Phew… it’s over.”
>
> “But, will you be okay, Gwajangnim Hyunsoo?”
>
> “About what?”
>
> “What you said during the interview earlier, it seemed a little different from what the PR team wanted.”
>
> “Well, I did everything they asked for. I mentioned the Phoenix Project, and I mentioned the company enough.”
>
> “That’s true, but…”
>
> Daeri Seokjin nodded, as he couldn’t say I was wrong.
>
> Then, as if something else occurred to him, he spoke again.
>
> “Ah, and thank you.”
>
> “What for this time?”
>
> “You mentioned my name during the interview, introduced me to Coby Fox, and let me take a picture with him. That’s something I can boast about for the rest of my life. It was all thanks to you, Gwajangnim.”
>
> “It was nothing… If you’re thankful, just work hard. There will be even better things to come.”
>
> “Yes, sir! Understood.”
>
> Daeri Seokjin replied playfully, giving me a salute.
>
> As he said, I had tried to look out for him both during and after the interview.
>
> Many employees would take such consideration for granted without even noticing, but Daeri Seokjin was quick to catch on in that regard.
>
> “I’m back, PD-nim.”
>
> As soon as I returned to the office, I gave Oh Gwangseok a brief greeting.
>
> Since I had spent time on personal matters while still being a team member, I thought a short greeting was proper etiquette.
>
> “Oh… Gwajang Hyunsoo, you’re back?”
>
> For some reason, his expression seemed uneasy.
>
> “Did anything unusual happen during your interview?”
>
> “Nothing I’d call special… Why do you ask?”
>
> “Well, it’s just…”
>
> PD Gwangseok suddenly pointed at his monitor and subtly stepped back.
>
> The portal platform Raeiber was open on the screen… and huh? What’s that?
>
> [Real-time Search Rankings]
>
> 1 - Jina dating rumor
>
> 2 - Tomorrow’s weather
>
> 3 - Busan Transportation Corporation
>
> 4 - Job postings
>
> 5 - NB Soft new game (NEW)
>
> 6 - Phoenix (NEW)
>
> 7 - National petition
>
> 8 - Coby Fox (NEW)
>
> 9 - Christian’s identity (NEW)
>
> 10 - Jo Hyunsoo
>
> “…What is that?”
>
> My name was on the real-time search rankings.
>
> And along with it, the company’s name and the Phoenix Project’s name.
>
> “It’s not just the real-time searches. Look at this.”
>
> PD Oh Gwangseok went to the internet news section and showed me a few articles displayed at the top.
>
> [Famous Indie Game Hit Developer! Turns Out to Be Korean?]
>
> [NB Soft’s New Game, Aiming for Not Just Commercial Success but Artistic Merit?]
>
> [Genius Developer Gwajang Jo Hyunsoo Joins NB Soft’s New Project ‘Phoenix’!]
>
> Damn it… What is all this?
>
> Internet articles were endlessly churning out stories, blowing me up as if I were some great historical figure.
>
> It was just a meeting between game developers, solo developers at that. I hadn’t expected it to catch fire this quickly.
>
> “Well, I don’t know how you’ll feel about this, but the stock… it’s rising for the first time in a long while.”
>
> And for the final blow, NB Soft’s stock, which had been on a steady decline for some time, was rebounding.
>
> All I did was be a little honest because I hated acting like a parrot spouting company lines, but to see this kind of reaction was astonishing.
>
> “Will this be a problem, PD Gwangseok?”
>
> “I’m not sure… This is the first time I’ve ever seen anything like this in all my years of game development.”
>
> It was a pointless question.
>
> Neither I nor PD Gwangseok had ever experienced a phenomenon like this.
>
> I bowed my head slightly and returned to my desk to start working.
>
> It was incredibly distracting how the other employees in the office kept subtly shifting in their seats to glance at me.
>
> ‘This is really getting on my nerves.’
>
> Well, whatever the outcome, I decided to think of it as a good thing for building my personal brand.
>
> *Bzzz-*
>
> Then my phone started vibrating nonstop.
>
> [Yoon Byeongjong: Yo, Hyunsoo, is that you trending right now?]
>
> [Me: It’s a headache, don’t talk to me right now…]
>
> Yoon Byeongjong, too…
>
> [Seol Rokhui: Hyunsoo, have you seen the real-time search rankings?]
>
> [Me: Yes… It seems so.]
>
> Rokhui, too…
>
> Many other people who knew me, oblivious to my turmoil, sent messages of congratulations, support, or how they knew I would make it big.
>
> It probably wouldn’t last long, but it felt like a one-day trial of how annoying and bothersome the daily life of a celebrity must be.
>
> I consciously tried to ignore the attention and placed my hands on the keyboard to focus on my work again.
>
> Just as I was about to…
>
> A notification lit up on the company messenger.
>
> [Bonbujang/Director Shin Chihwan: Hey~ Gwajang Jo Hyunsoo. I hear you caused quite the scene? Let’s have a little chat in my office.]
>
> [Me: Understood.]
>
> …
>
> I had a feeling the inevitable had finally arrived.
>
> “Daeri Seokjin, I’m going to have a meeting with Bonbujang Shin Chihwan for a bit. Message me if anything comes up.”
>
> “Yep, yep.”
>
> With a deep sigh, I headed up to the Bonbujang’s office.
>
> As I opened the door, the Bonbujang, as if he’d been waiting, threw his arms wide and shouted with even more exaggeration than usual.
>
> “Well, look who it is! If it isn’t our superstar developer, Gwajang Jo Hyunsoo!”
>
> “…”
>
> I stood there awkwardly, unsure how to respond. Shin Chihwan, perhaps feeling embarrassed, lowered his arms and spoke calmly.
>
> “Gwajang Hyunsoo, you’re not taking my joke so seriously, are you?”
>
> “To be honest, I was a little confused.”
>
> “Always so serious about everything. Sit, sit. I just called you for a little chat, so relax.”
>
> As I took a seat, Shin Chihwan perched on the edge of his desk and continued.
>
> “Just got a call. That old geezer, Director Jeong from the business department, was completely pissed and gave me an earful.”
>
> “What did he say?”
>
> “He was raising hell, asking why you didn’t follow the company manual. I think you’re completely on his bad side now.”
>
> “Hah, I’m sorry…”
>
> It seemed Bonbujang Shin Chihwan had become the scapegoat for my stubbornness.
>
> I didn’t care if I was the one getting chewed out, but the fact that the fallout had hit someone else—my superior, no less—made me feel a bit ashamed.
>
> But…
>
> “Sorry? What are you sorry for, you fool! You did great! I was so damn satisfied watching that old geezer seethe.”
>
> “What?”
>
> “No, think about it. What got worse because of what you said? The plummeting stock got momentum and rebounded, the Phoenix Project got promoted, it became known that you have connections with Coby Fox, the company’s image improved, and on top of all that, the ‘genius developer’ Gwajang Jo Hyunsoo has expressed interest in making his next game at our company? You even said it on a live broadcast, so now you can’t back out!”
>
> The words coming out of the Bonbujang’s mouth were the complete opposite of what I had expected.