Chapter 96
Chapter 96
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 96
Chapter Title: The Beginning of Change
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A sudden call from a congressman's office.
But I wasn't too flustered.
It was probably because, deep down, a small part of me had considered this might happen.
"Hmm, what might a congressman's office be calling me about?"
<<Are you aware that our congressman is currently focusing on the proposed amendment to the Game Industry Act, specifically the regulations on loot boxes?>>
"Yes, of course. It's quite the hot topic in the industry."
<<Regarding that, our congressman would like to speak with you, PD Jo Hyunsoo. He believes it would be a great help if you could share your thoughts on whether it's truly impossible to sustain the industry with console games like POD.>>
My mind raced.
The reason the congressman's office was looking for me was obvious.
They intended to use POD's success as ammunition to attack the existing Korean game industry, which is heavily reliant on monetization models.
While it partially aligned with my own goals, I was hesitant to jump at the opportunity.
'If I step in carelessly, I could end up harming my team members.'
Separate from my personal thoughts and beliefs, POD wasn't a game I made alone, and I had a team to be responsible for.
If I lent my support to that congressman, I might be able to nudge the industry, even just a little, in the direction I wanted.
But there was a high probability I'd be ostracized within NB Soft, and perhaps even by the entire Korean game industry.
The industry is notoriously small, and once you're branded, finding another job becomes difficult. For the sake of my team, I needed to be cautious.
"I'm very eager to help, and I view the purpose of the loot box amendment positively, but this is a sensitive matter, so it's difficult for me to give you a definite answer right away. This will likely require approval at the company level. It would be faster if you could contact us through the company's official channels."
<<Ah, yes, of course. We'll proceed that way then. Thank you for your response, PD-nim! On a personal note, I really enjoyed POD and Forgotten Andersen's Story.>>
"Aha, so you're one of our valued players. Thank you. I look forward to speaking with you again soon."
<<Yes, PD-nim! We'll be in touch.>>
With that, the call ended.
Judging by the context, it seemed the aide was the one actually handling this issue.
I seemed to recall hearing somewhere that congressmen are generally too old to enjoy games, so it's common for their aides to support them on game-related issues.
'And that aide is a fan of my game... This is shaping up nicely.'
For some reason, I had a feeling that things would go well with the congressman's office.
That was because, given President Oh Geoshin's hearty and straightforward way of assessing situations, I could roughly predict what decision he would make.
'He'll want to cultivate an image like, "NB Soft doesn't just make 'bad' loot box games; we also make good games like POD for the health of the market."'
It was obvious, but from a management perspective, it was a strategy to differentiate the company's brand at a very low cost.
Recently, public opinion had been boiling over about League of War's undisclosed loot box probabilities, with talk of protest trucks showing up in front of NB Soft. They would want to use me to quell the distrust in the company.
Well, in my opinion, it was a very shallow ploy that could backfire if handled wrong, but I didn't need to worry about that.
'Even if it does backfire, the situation will still turn in my favor.'
Just as NB Soft doesn't exist for me, PD Jo Hyunsoo doesn't necessarily have to act for the company.
The company and the individual are just in a relationship of mutual use for their own benefit.
I only need to think about my team members, and, looking at the bigger picture, up to Director Shin Chihwan's line of command.
What was precious to me were the colleagues with whom I could run towards the same dream and vision, not the nameplate of NB Soft.
"Hoo."
After the call ended, I leaned back in my chair for a moment and took a breath.
The workload was lighter than when I was developing the main POD game, but with calls coming in from all over, my mind was a mess.
The one saving grace was that it was Friday afternoon.
It seemed I'd be able to rest this weekend with a light heart.
"Precious people."
Just then, one person's face came to mind.
I slipped out my smartphone and began tapping away excitedly.
[Me: Rokhui, are you busy today? I think I can get off work early.]
[Rokhui: Oh no, this week's storyboard is running late, so I'm not done with my deadline. I think I'll have to work until noon tomorrow just to finish the manuscript.]
[Me: Oh man, is there anything I can do to help? Even typesetting or coloring.]
[Rokhui: Aww~ Hyunsoo, you're not a webtoon artist. How could I ask someone with a different job to do that? The thought alone is more than enough! It's okay, though. We can meet on Sunday after I finish my deadline.]
I hummed for a moment, scratching my chin.
'If Rokhui is cutting it this close to her deadline, the story must not be flowing well.'
As far as I knew, Rokhui was a very diligent person.
The moment a deadline passes, she immediately plans for the next one and always does her best to achieve more than she planned. -Perhaps I felt this way even more strongly because I'd spent my whole life watching Yoon Byeongjong, who would waste hours a day on Noutube and then whine and cram as his deadlines approached.-
She'd mentioned the story wasn't coming together well since around last week. It seemed she got completely stuck there, causing a delay in her schedule.
'Tsk. I feel bad for Rokhui for some reason.'
The animation work that went into the business proposal.
Creating the cinematic video through the Seoul Institute of the Arts.
And the frequent feedback she gave on POD's storytelling, and so on.
Throughout the process of making this game, I had received Rokhui's help time and time again.
But in reality, I felt like I had given almost nothing back.
And to the person I was planning to marry, no less.
'Hmm. What should I do?'
I turned my head for a moment to check the clock.
3 PM. There was nothing urgent to do today, and with many team members having taken the day off, the office was quiet.
'Alright, let's do that.'
After a moment of thought, I made a decision and sent a message to the group chat with Part Leaders Jeong Yosep and Heo Yuri.
[Me: I want to rest a bit today, so I'm using some hourly leave and heading out early. There's nothing urgent, so everyone else, take it easy and head home when you're done.]
[Part Leader Jeong Yosep: You worked hard!]
[Part Leader Heo Yuri: Ooh! Are you going on a date, a date! I'm so jealous! PD-nim! My stomach hurts so much I could die! Please put me down for sick leave!]
[Part Leader Jeong Yosep: LMAO. Part Leader Heo, isn't your energy a little too high?]
[Part Leader Heo Yuri: Ah, it's because I'm jealous! His game is a hit! His love life is going great! Our PD Jo used to get chewed out by the higher-ups with me, and we'd gossip behind their backs, and now look how successful he is! If I wasn't jealous, I wouldn't be human; I'd be one of the four great sages.]
[Part Leader Jeong Yosep: The four great sages?]
Seeing Part Leader Heo Yuri's ever-energetic antics today, the corners of my mouth curled up in a smile.
Even the blunt Part Leader Jeong Yosep, who usually just kept to himself, was bantering back and forth quite well, probably finding Heo Yuri funny. It was a nice sight.
[Me: LOL. I'll work even harder to repay that jealousy. Ah, and Part Leader Heo Yuri, could I ask you for a favor?]
[Part Leader Heo Yuri: Oing? A favor? What is it?]
[Me: I'll come over to your desk now :) ]
I walked over to Part Leader Heo Yuri's desk for a moment and asked if she had 'that thing'.
"Oing, I have one, but why do you need it, PD-nim?"
"Ah, I just need to use it for a bit. If you don't mind, I'd like to borrow it."
"Here you go."
"I'll put it to good use, Part Leader Yuri. I'll treat you to a meal on Monday."
"Nice! Scored a free meal!"
I took the item from the part leader, carefully placed it in my backpack, grabbed my coat, and got up from my seat.
"Well then, I'll be heading out first. Have a great weekend."
And with a quick bow, I left the office with a bright expression.
A moment later.
'Hmm. What should I do.'
Jeong Yosep was scratching his chin, deep in thought about something.
He had already finished all his work for the day, and his mind was completely filled with thoughts of one person.
Just then.
"Ah~ I'm so jealous of the PD! The weekend's almost here, but I have no plans! Guess I'll have chicken and beer by myself again today."
"Aigoo, again today? You said you had chicken and beer the day before yesterday."
"Hey, Mr. Kim Ho, you don't get it. The more often you see Lord Chicken, the better. This is a life of faith. A. Life. Of. Faith."
"I heard blind faith isn't a good thing."
"Mr. Kim Ho, you've been nagging a lot lately. You got a problem with your part leader?"
"No, no, how could I ever have a problem with the great Part Leader Heo Yuri."
He could hear the graphics part members chatting idly over there.
They looked like close seniors and juniors chatting at a university.
'That's it.'
Seeing that, Jeong Yosep felt his heart strangely begin to beat faster as he tapped on his keyboard in the group chat for the entire team.
[Part Leader Jeong Yosep: Anyone up for a drink after work today?]
[Part Leader Heo Yuri: Me me me me me!!!!!!!!]
[Kim Jina, Background Art: LMAOOOOOO Part Leader Yuri's reaction time is light speed LOL. If there's room, I'll go too!]
[Kim Ho, UI Guy: Oh~ I'd love to go, but I have plans with my girlfriend today, so I don't think I can make it! Such a~ shame.]
[Part Leader Heo Yuri: Ah! Let's kill Mr. Kim Ho! Jina, grab his arms and legs!]
[Kim Jina, Background Art: Yes, Part Leader! What should I use to cut his head off?]
[Part Leader Jeong Yosep: LMAOOOOOO ah, that's hilarious.]
For a moment, thanks to the lively group chat, soft chuckles could be heard from team members here and there.
And so, all the members of the Christian team were eagerly awaiting the exciting Friday night.
****
Around 4 PM, near Yangjae Citizen's Forest Station.
"Let's see. Got the coffee, got the groceries for dinner, and got that thing all packed."
I checked the items in my hand and headed for Rokhui's place, the same one I'd visited before.
Was it because it was the weekend, or was it just the situation itself?
For some reason, my steps felt light and my spirits were high.
[Me: Rokhui, I just sent a quick delivery service to your place. Just sign for it when it arrives.]
[Rokhui: A quick delivery service? What is it?]
[Me: Just something I sent so you can at least eat a proper meal since you're busy.]
[Rokhui: You're sending food by quick delivery instead of food delivery? What's this? Something smells fishy~]
[Me: It's nothing amazing, so don't get your hopes up.]
After walking for a few more minutes.
I entered the elevator of an officetel building down an alley and pressed the button for the 15th floor.
A moment later, the doors opened, and I rang the doorbell of apartment 1501.
"Who is it!"
A familiar and beloved voice came from inside.
My heart fluttered for no reason.
I cleared my throat to steady my voice and said as calmly as I could.
"Quick delivery!"
"Ah, okay!"
*Creeeak!*
The door opened, and Rokhui emerged from inside.
She was in a simple tracksuit, her hair tied up tightly with a hair tie, which I found quite cute.
"Oh. Huh? Hyunsoo?"
But a look of surprise and bewilderment appeared on Rokhui's face.
It seemed she hadn't expected me to show up at this time at all.
"I came to cheer you on with your manuscript work today. And to make you dinner."
I said with a smirk, lifting the paper bag.