Chapter 42
Chapter 42
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: By Chance, van Gogh (2)
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"I hope this exhibition has helped you all learn more about the artist, van Gogh. This has been your docent, Shin Woochul."
After about thirty minutes, the docent's guided tour came to an end.
I thought he would guide us through the entire exhibition, but it seemed his role was to explain the overall curatorial intent and discuss the key pieces.
'Well, listening to explanations for hours on end would have been tiring anyway.'
Based on the docent's commentary, I began to view van Gogh's works.
He had explained in great detail van Gogh's circumstances and the references he used while painting, and the exhibition itself was arranged to help visitors understand his life in relation to his art, which made it enjoyable in its own right.
After about an hour and a half of wandering through the exhibition hall, we finished our viewing and made our way out.
"Oh... looks like they're selling merchandise here."
"Should we take a look?"
Near the exit, they were selling various merchandise, including booklets explaining the exhibition, magnet stickers, and posters.
Feeling the limitations of finding materials online, I bought the booklet and a few other items.
"This is a gift for you, Rokhui."
I then handed Rokhui the bag containing the merchandise.
"Oh... yes? What's this?"
"Please think of it as a gift for coming to the exhibition with me."
"Thank you. I was actually thinking of buying something since I like van Gogh's paintings."
Seol Rokhui seemed to hesitate for a moment before accepting the bag.
Fortunately, it seemed she was quite fond of van Gogh's art.
She mentioned she had been debating whether to buy a magnet sticker of 'The Starry Night' in particular.
Seeing Rokhui's smile, as bright as a sunflower, lifted my spirits for some reason.
"Especially this Starry Night magnet sticker. It would look great stuck right on the fridge!"
She didn't just say whether she liked it or not; she explained specifically why the gift was so nice.
An excellent way of speaking that makes the giver feel good.
It was hard to put my finger on it, but I was certain that Rokhui was a good person in many ways.
I said with a gentle smile.
"Shall we grab a bite and talk more about the art?"
"Let's do that. And since I've received a gift, I'll do my best to contribute to the conversation!"
We headed to an Italian restaurant across the street and a block away from the Seoul Arts Center.
The prices were a bit steep, but the chef's skill apparently made it worth the cost.
Since I was the one treating, I had made a reservation here.
Iberico steak, tomato burrata cheese caprese, and tortiglioni pasta.
After ordering some of the familiar-looking recommended dishes, we talked about our impressions of the exhibition.
"I got the feeling that van Gogh's paintings influenced the Fauvist painters who came after him. The use of color and the texture of his brushstrokes..."
"Fauvism? Like Matisse? ... The brushwork did have a bit of that feel to it..."
I wondered if she was always this interested in exhibitions.
Seol Rokhui shared her impressions and thoughts on the exhibition, adding her own opinions.
I chimed in with what I knew, trying to see if I could draw any ideas from her words.
After we had exchanged a few more opinions, I got to the main point.
"While listening to the docent earlier, a game system idea popped into my head. Would you like to hear it?"
"Oh, really? Yes, yes, please tell me."
"The part that sparked the idea was when he said the reason van Gogh used so much yellow in his paintings was his absinthe addiction. I was thinking, what if we incorporated that into the game in the form of a 'potion'?"
"Hmm... I can't quite picture what you mean."
I paused to gather my thoughts, then slowly continued.
"If we interpret the act of painting as combat within the game, then just as van Gogh had absinthe, the potion could act like alcohol, granting various inspirations or emotions. But, as is always the case with alcohol, overusing it would also have negative effects on the player character."
"Combat as the process of painting? If it's implemented well, that sounds really fun! By using that potion, you could portray a creator's self-destruction and their anguish in the process! I've had plenty of times when I drank because I was stuck on my own work!"
"Me too. Alcohol can be inspiring at times, can't it?"
Once she understood my intention, Rokhui's eyes sparkled with interest as she poured out her own thoughts.
Since she didn't know much about game development, most of her ideas were rough and difficult to implement, but listening to her still made my mind feel more flexible.
'Good... I can use this as a base to organize the system.'
The core direction for the combat system was set.
If I work based on this, I can use God Game Maker to refine it.
'Okay, the most important problem is solved.'
I felt a sense of relief and decided it was time to change the subject.
"It seems my problem is more or less solved. Shall we talk about your work now, Rokhui? I've given it a lot of thought."
"Ah! That? I just mentioned it on a whim back then..."
"If you receive something, you should give something in return."
I took a file folder out of my shoulder bag and handed it to Rokhui.
It was a document I had put together just last night, outlining rough skill concepts for her new character, taking into account the backstory, personality, settings, appearance, and class.
It was quite a lot of material, but thanks to God Game Maker's acceleration ability, the actual work only took about two to three hours.
"Wow... did you write all of this yourself?"
"Yes."
After reading through the folder, Seol Rokhui asked me again with a surprised look on her face.
"Wow! This is going to be incredibly helpful! I think I can use at least 80 to 90 percent of these ideas. How on earth did you come up with all these skills?"
"It wasn't too difficult since the character settings in your work are so vivid and charming. Besides, this is the kind of thing scenario writers and concept planners do all the time at game companies."
"I'll make good use of them, Hyunsoo! I'm really receiving a lot of gifts today. This... this is going to be a huge help. Really..."
Uh... for some reason, Rokhui's voice was choked with emotion, and her eyes grew slightly red.
"Um... Rokhui, did I perhaps do something wrong...?"
"No, no, it's not that. I was just having a really hard time because of this."
It made sense. She must have been struggling to have called me to vent like that.
The pain each creator feels is different, but as someone who also gets incredibly stressed when work isn't going well, I could understand a little of how she felt.
Besides...
'Her previous work was quite successful, so the pressure must have been even greater.'
All creators face fear when starting a new project.
If the new work you've poured your heart into doesn't live up to the previous one, it can really break your spirit.
I also felt anxious that my current project might not perform as well as 'Forgotten Andersen's Story,' and I imagined Rokhui was feeling a similar pressure.
"But I was so moved that you thought about it so seriously and prepared all this for me, Hyunsoo. I'm not just saying that—I'm truly grateful."
"Ah, if that's the case, I'm glad."
"Yes, yes. I'm not crying because I'm sad, so you don't have to worry."
Seeing Rokhui like this, I felt a sense of kinship.
The fact that we could empathize with each other and share our struggles as fellow creators.
Aside from Yoon Byeongjong, I had never met anyone like this before, and I felt a strange emotion welling up inside me.
Just then...
<<Seol Rokhui influences your game development.>>
<<Registering Seol Rokhui to the 'Understanding System'!>>
'Huh...'
<<Your understanding of Seol Rokhui has increased significantly!>>
'Rokhui is being registered to the Understanding System?'
God Game Maker suddenly displayed a message.
Until now, it had never reacted to people unrelated to game development, so I couldn't help but be a little flustered.
[#. Webtoon Artist / Seol Rokhui]
- Webtoon artist Seol Rokhui. She enjoys playing games and is a fan of your work.
- She considers you a good partner for sharing deep creative inspiration.
※ The higher your Understanding, the more you can learn about artist Seol Rokhui.
- Understanding: E- (※ When your Understanding of Seol Rokhui reaches its maximum level, a new ability will be unlocked.)
Unlike the Understanding windows for other developers, I couldn't see any detailed stats.
Well... I guess that's because Rokhui isn't a game developer to begin with.
More importantly... one phrase caught my eye.
'When Understanding reaches its maximum level, a new ability will be unlocked?'
A new ability.
I didn't know what it was exactly, but every time a new ability was unlocked, my skills improved by leaps and bounds.
I felt I should try to max out her Understanding to unlock that as well.
Though, separate from that, I wanted to maintain a good relationship with Rokhui anyway.
We continued to talk about our work for a long time after that.
I'm not sure how much time passed... Seol Rokhui checked her smartphone for a moment and said with a hint of surprise.
"Wow, I had no idea. It's already almost seven."
"Seven o'clock?"
How absorbed in our conversation had I been? I thought it wasn't even six yet, but when I turned my head, it was already dark outside.
I suppose that's how much I enjoyed talking with Rokhui.
"Well, should we get going? Do you need to head home now, Rokhui... or."
Before I could finish, Seol Rokhui replied with a grin, the corners of her mouth turning up.
It was a wonderful smile, the kind that makes your heart skip a beat.
"It'd be a shame to call it a night, right? We still have so much to talk about. The second round is on me, so let's go."
"Uh... I'm fine with a second round, but let me pay, okay? I was the one who asked to meet."
"Hey, I have a conscience! How can I let you pay after receiving all these wonderful things?"
Seol Rokhui said, holding up the paper bag in her hand.
It contained the van Gogh merchandise and the file folder with the skill settings I had given her.
I smiled back in response.
"In that case, I guess I'll let you treat me."
I followed Rokhui, walking as if being drawn into the colorful, glowing night streets.
Hoping that our drinking session tonight would give birth to ideas that would make our works shine even brighter.
****
The office of Seo Donghyuk, Head of Division 1.
Across from him sat a man in his early forties with sharp features and a short, marine-style haircut.
Division Head Seo Donghyuk took a sip of the coffee on the table, then spoke with a cynical smile.
"Do you have any idea why I called you here?"
"Well... poor performance since *League of War*... I assume you're looking to change that situation, aren't you?"
The man sitting across from him was Lee Hyeonho.
He was a star PD who had worked at several major game companies anyone would recognize by name, launching over ten games and turning more than seven of them into hits.
And he... was also a junior of Division Head Seo Donghyuk from K University.
Despite his outstanding skills, Seo Donghyuk had never recruited him to work under him before.
'Raising a lion cub under me would be a burden, even for me.'
For one, as a successful PD, his recruitment conditions were demanding, and Seo Donghyuk knew he wasn't an easy card to play.
Lee Hyeonho wasn't a dog, but a man with the blood of a wolf.
Seo Donghyuk was well aware of the danger that mishandling such a man could result in getting his own throat bitten.
That was why he had chosen Oh Gwangseok for the Phoenix project, and because of that choice, Seo Donghyuk had ironically found himself in a difficult position.
"Besides, I hear that Gwangseok fellow you picked made a huge mess of things, then went over to the Head of Division 5 and made a successful game, right?"
"You're well-informed..."
"Have you forgotten? This is Lee Hyeonho, Division Head Donghyuk. I also heard you were compared to the Head of Division 5 by President Oh Geoshin, didn't you? That you'd be in trouble at the shareholders' meeting if you don't perform."
"...It seems there are a lot of loose lips around here."
Even though it was only his first day at work, Lee Hyeonho spoke with that same cynical smile, as if he already knew everything.
He casually used harsh expressions that an ordinary PD wouldn't dare utter.
And in front of the formidable Seo Donghyuk, no less.
Lee Hyeonho scratched his chin and slowly spoke again.
"The creator of the hit indie game 'Forgotten Andersen's Story,' the so-called 'Christian'... PD Jo Hyunsoo. 'I will make artistic and fun games'... This rookie must be getting on your nerves."
"He is. Like a thorn in my foot."
At that, Lee Hyeonho dusted himself off, stood up, and spoke with one corner of his mouth raised in a smirk.
"Don't you worry. I, Lee Hyeonho, am an expert at making money with mass-produced games. With my results... I'll make it so that punk can't even breathe in this company."
"...I'm counting on you."
Lee Hyeonho turned and left the division head's office.
Then... left alone, Seo Donghyuk let out a deep sigh and muttered to himself.
"To use a hunting dog... I suppose I have to endure this much humiliation."