Chapter 65
Chapter 65
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 65
Chapter Title: Sounds Like You're in Finance (2)
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“You son of a bitch, what did you just say?”
At the class president's words, Park Hyungyu's face flushed with anger, his fists clenched tight.
Naturally, the eyes of everyone else in the restaurant were drawn to them.
The class president pushed up his glasses and continued in a cold voice.
“I told you to pay for what you ate and then leave. Did I say something wrong? We're not high schoolers anymore. At thirty-four, you should pay for your own meal. It's not like you're some kind of punk.”
“Hey! Class President!”
In that moment, Park Hyungyu couldn't control his temper and yelled.
At that, everyone's gaze in the restaurant naturally gravitated towards them.
Even someone as brazen as Park Hyungyu would find this situation hard to bear.
“Fuck, you cheap bastards. Fine, I'll pay. I'm paying because you're all so pathetic!”
Park Hyungyu took money out of his wallet, threw it irritably into the air, and stormed outside.
The class president, Jang Ho, casually got up from his seat and picked up the 30,000 won that had fallen to the floor.
“The guy who claims to make so much money just throws 30,000 won like a cheapskate. That punk mentality never changes, and now he's added pathological lying to his repertoire.”
The friends watching smirked in satisfaction.
Yoon Byeongjong even slung an arm around his shoulders to show his camaraderie.
“Wow, our Jang Ho has a surprisingly tough side to him, huh?”
“Tough? What are you talking about? I just said something because it was frustrating that nobody was saying anything to that bastard.”
Then, Jang Ho shrugged off Yoon Byeongjong's arm with an annoyed look, turned his gaze back to me, and asked a question.
“Anyway, now that the trash is taken care of, shall we continue our conversation?”
“Oh, sure.”
“Jo Hyunsoo, I'm working in the game industry now. As a level designer, no less.”
<<Your understanding of Jang Ho has increased!>>
A system message appeared at the same time as the class president's words.
Only then did I understand why God Game Maker had recognized the class president, and how he had recognized me.
“That's surprising. I thought you'd be working for a big corporation or as a teacher, something like that.”
“Tell me about it. And it's all your fault.”
“Huh? My fault?”
“Back in high school, you passed around that game you made for us to try. I actually had a lot of fun with it back then.”
Jang Ho, who had shown exceptional talent in math throughout his school days, had apparently gone on to study statistics at the prestigious S University.
“But since all I did was study, a thought suddenly struck me in college—you know, that angsty teenage stuff like 'Who am I?' 'What do I like?' 'What do I want to do?' When I thought about it, I realized I didn't have any particularly happy memories.”
As if a dam had burst, Jang Ho continued speaking fluently.
“But then, I remembered that time you gave us the game you made to try. That game was pretty fun. I can't quite explain it, but it made me think I wanted to do that kind of work too. So I looked into it, and apparently, a lot of people who are good at math become level designers. I just ran with it like crazy, and well, here I am.”
The class president shrugged, as if it were no big deal.
I felt a strange emotion at his words.
‘So I could even influence someone as amazing as the class president.’
A smart friend like Jang Ho, who had never lost the top spot in our class, was saying that the game I made back then had influenced his life.
I had always thought I was a nobody before creating Forgotten Andersen's Story.
But now, I started to think that maybe that wasn't true.
Just as Jang Ho finished his story, God Game Maker sent me a notification.
<<Your understanding of Jang Ho is increasing!>>
<<Congratulations! Your understanding of 'Jang Ho' has been rated D+!>>
<<You can now view the Understanding window!>>
I immediately opened the system window.
[Jang Ho / Level Designer / Class President]
- Works at Marvel Soft, Gwajang-level Level Designer.
- Exceptional mathematical ability and was a good student.
- Graduate of the prestigious S University.
- Started game development under the influence of Jo Hyunsoo.
Understanding: D+
[Planning] B (※ A planner specialized in level design and balance planning.)
Story - 3 / Direction - 3 / Concept - 3 / System - 27 / Balance - 42 / Level Design - 41
(※ More information will be revealed as your understanding increases.)
‘Wow, his stats are so easy to understand.’
To put it simply, Jang Ho's planning ability was all-in on math.
His tendencies were the complete opposite of mine, with no overlap whatsoever.
And that ability was exactly what I needed right now.
“I agonized over whether to contact you or not, but when I heard you were coming to the reunion, I rushed right over.”
“You should have just called me sooner.”
“Hey, it's not that easy. We haven't spoken in almost ten years. Suddenly contacting a successful person... it just doesn't look good.”
“It's not like I'm anyone that special.”
“Hey, don't be so modest. In the game industry right now, especially among planners, there isn't a single person who doesn't know your name. That's pretty special.”
The alumni at the surrounding tables were gradually starting to eavesdrop on our conversation.
Even if they weren't interested in games, seeing the once-great class president praise me like this must have made them think there was something to it.
‘Jang Ho had a good personality back in school, and he was always a good communicator.’
I chatted casually with Jang Ho about the industry, my mind racing.
Level design—the very thing that was giving me the biggest headache while making POD.
It was because I thought the class president might be able to solve this problem for me.
“Jang Ho, where are you living these days?”
“Me? I rented an apartment near Gyeonggi Gwangju Station. Why?”
Gyeonggi Gwangju Station is an area that's been developing rapidly lately.
It's only a 20 to 30-minute subway ride from Pangyo Station, so a lot of game company employees live there.
It's also not far from Suji-gu Office Station, where I currently live.
This was exactly the situation I was hoping for.
“Hey, would you be willing to do me a favor?”
“Huh? What is it?”
“I'm making a game right now, and I need some help with the level and balance design. I'll pay you properly for the freelance work.”
“Hmm, are you talking about that POD game you're making?”
“Yeah, the first build review is in a few months.”
“You're checking the balance in the first build?”
“Well, the internal situation at the company is a bit complicated.”
I vaguely explained the situation between me and Lee Hyeonho, being careful not to cause any problems.
“Ah, so you're in a situation where you have to raise the quality no matter what.”
“Exactly.”
The perceptive Jang Ho understood my vague explanation perfectly.
“I have one condition, though.”
“What is it?”
“Let's talk about this outside for a second.”
“Okay.”
We stepped into the alley next to the pub for a moment.
He must have judged it was better to talk where our old classmates couldn't hear, since it was a sensitive topic.
“Hoo.”
Jang Ho took an e-cigarette out of his pocket, took a drag, and then started talking again.
“Jo Hyunsoo, if that game is coming out on console, it'll have ending credits, right?”
“Yeah, of course.”
“Then put my name in the ending credits.”
“Huh? I don't mind, but wouldn't that get you in trouble at your company?”
This was on a completely different level from making and selling a game on your own.
It meant using his skills to help a competitor's project.
That's why even freelance work should be done as secretly as possible.
“Well, if you use my nickname, the company will never know. And I know a way to eliminate the risk.”
“Eliminate the risk? What's that?”
“I won't take a single penny from you.”
“Ah?”
Indeed, to violate the non-compete clause, there's a provision that the worker must gain a 'tangible benefit.'
It's a broadly interpretable clause, but it usually refers to 'money.'
If he didn't get paid?
Even if his company found out, it would be difficult for them to make an issue of it since he hadn't profited. And even if they did, there would be clear limits.
In fact, if he wasn't getting paid, it wasn't freelance work or anything of the sort.
He was just volunteering to help a friend.
“Still, this isn't a small job. It doesn't seem right for you to do it for free. You should get something out of it too.”
“Hey, this is a chance to get my name in the credits of a project developed by 'Christian' himself. How is that not a benefit for me? And I have one more favor to ask.”
“What is it?”
“If a spot ever opens up on your team that I'd be a good fit for, pull me in. I want to work on an interesting project and make a great game too. I'm sick and tired of these mass-produced titles.”
Jang Ho said with a serious expression, pushing up his glasses.
Beyond his cool gaze, I could sense the emotions he was feeling.
‘So Jang Ho has a dream game he wants to make too.’
I'd only ever seen him studying in high school, so even when he said he worked at a game company, it never occurred to me that he actually loved games.
But game developers are, by and large, people who like and love games.
Like the many developers who had gathered on my team, Jang Ho must also want to create something 'meaningful' by his own standards.
“Alright, if you're satisfied with that. It's a great deal for me.”
If I could make this project a success, I was planning to make a quantum leap to an even bigger project next.
I was handling the planning all by myself for now, but as projects get bigger, I'll need fellow planners.
And Jang Ho's abilities were already guaranteed by God Game Maker.
If a proven talent were to join my team, I'd be more than grateful.
“Hyunsoo, how long are you in Danyang?”
“I don't have a set date. I was planning on heading back slowly.”
“Then since we're here to see everyone today, let's just relax and drink. How about we meet up separately tomorrow afternoon, when we're sober, and talk about the details?”
“Okay, sounds perfect.”
We exchanged phone numbers right away.
Jang Ho grinned happily and put his arm around my shoulders.
“Man, I can't believe I get to work with a developer like you. I look forward to working with you, PD Jo Hyunsoo.”
“Ugh, hearing you say that gives me the creeps. Save it for when you actually join my company.”
“Yes, yes, PD-nim. I'll be sure to serve you well when the time comes.”
I'd come down to Danyang to clear my head, but things had worked out unexpectedly well in this surprising place.
The last time, when I was conceptualizing POD, I got a hint from my hometown too. It almost felt like this place was enchanted with good luck.
“Well, let's head back in. The others are probably waiting.”
“Alright.”
We went right back into the pub.
Our friends' eyes were on me and the class president, and seeing this, Yoon Byeongjong raised his hand and shouted.
“Hey, what were you two talking about so intimately?”
“Agh, that little punk.”
I gave Yoon Byeongjong a hard slap on the back and sat down.
Then I naturally blended back into the conversation with my friends.
“Hey Hyunsoo, I looked you up on my phone. You've become really famous, huh?”
“Man, this guy's been making games since our school days. He really made it big.”
“I just got lucky and things worked out well.”
Of course, I could feel the focus of the conversation shifting more towards me than before.
I did my best to remain humble, choosing my words carefully so my friends wouldn't feel awkward around me.
I didn't want to act like an arrogant fool at a gathering that had brought me such good fortune.
As we went through a drink after another, I started to feel a pleasant buzz and was in a good mood.
‘It's amazing how something I did in the past has come full circle and returned to me like this.’
A pleasant wind was blowing in my direction.