Chapter 24
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: Game Friend
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It had been so long since alcohol wrecked my condition that my memory was getting hazy.
The peaceful weekend—only two days out of the week—had finally arrived.
My throbbing head was finally starting to settle down.
'No booze for at least a month from now on.'
Man, the weather outside was perfect today.
The sun was shining bright—ideal for a date.
If things had gone according to plan, I'd be showering and getting ready to head out by now.
To meet Lee Soo-yeon at our usual café.
'We could've brainstormed some video ideas there and enjoyed a date on the side...'
Unfortunately, today's plans got canceled.
I'd just gotten a text from Lee Soo-yeon.
[Doesn't look like we can meet today.]
[Called back home...]
What...
If it's a family summons, there's nothing I can do.
[Sudden family event came up. Can't skip it.]
[Sorry.]
Right as I read it, an apologetic follow-up arrived.
Family event, huh.
I've never seen her with family, so I have no idea what it's like.
I replied coolly, though my disappointment dripped through.
[Can't be helped.]
[Have a safe trip.]
[Family comes first.]
The second I hit send, the 1 vanished.
She must've been clutching her phone, waiting.
[My Min-jae...]
[Your reaction's too neat and tidy?]
[Don't tell me you're bummed about the kiss I promised today getting canceled.]
...How'd she know?
That was 98% of my regret.
She reads me like an open book.
But admitting it felt like losing.
Instead of replying, I sent a single emoticon of a puppy covering its eyes in embarrassment with its paws.
[Looks like our 'oppa' is shy?]
[So cute.]
[See you next week.]
[I'll make it deep... and let you do other stuff too.]
[That's a secret for now.]
Lee Soo-yeon called me "oppa" for the first time.
Next week...
She's got a real talent for building anticipation.
[Got it. Stay out of trouble and have a good trip.]
I tossed my phone aside and bolted up from the bed.
Plans were off, but I couldn't waste this gorgeous weather rotting in my room.
Time to go out and soak up some sun solo.
I threw on some clothes and headed out.
I fired up my Avante in the parking lot.
Destination: our usual café.
We always went together, but the coffee was great and the owner was generous—I figured I'd go alone anyway.
"Welcome!"
The bell jingled as I opened the door, and the lady owner greeted me warmly.
She recognized me and widened her eyes.
"Oh? By yourself today? Where's that... super pretty girlfriend of yours?"
"Family stuff today, so she couldn't make it. And she's not my girlfriend, by the way."
"Pfft, liar. You two don't look like just friends."
The owner grinned mischievously.
She clearly wasn't buying it.
Fair enough—who'd believe a guy and girl stuck together giggling like that were "just friends"?
"Seriously, she's not. Family business kept her away."
"Hmm, got it. You didn't fight or anything, right?"
"Nah, nothing like that."
The owner chuckled.
Without even showing me the menu, she started tapping the POS machine.
"Since you're alone today, special service. Coffee's on the house—relax and enjoy."
"Huh? No way, you gotta make a living."
"VIP perk for regulars. And a bribe to keep coming back."
She winked playfully.
Free coffee? Score.
Best not refuse kindness.
I bowed my head in thanks.
"Appreciate it. Oh, can you add a shot?"
"Of course. You like it strong, right? I know."
The owner added the shot like a pro.
Her instincts were spot on.
I grabbed the iced Americano—no buzzer needed, it was ready—and headed to my corner seat.
Plopped down and took a long gulp.
The slight acidity hit my stomach, snapping me awake.
'How's this only 2,000 won coffee?'
The rumors must be true.
The café owner owns the building.
After a sip, I pulled wireless earbuds from my pocket and popped them in.
Opened Nertube and checked my channel out of habit.
Refreshed once, and the numbers spun wildly.
[Views: 41.2 million]
"Whoa..."
A sigh of awe escaped me.
Darkness Soul Land teaser views were skyrocketing endlessly.
'I made it, but damn, I nailed it.'
AI did all the work, but...
It's 100% my tastes!
I replayed the video.
The knight swung his sword, monsters crumpling like leaves.
Impact, speed, flair.
Flawless.
'Too good a game to keep to myself.'
I could have AI churn out endless games like this.
Chosen by AkaIlect (AI god) for sure.
Lost in the video, smirking to myself...
Suddenly, my view darkened.
"?"
Power outage? I looked up.
No.
A person's shadow.
A woman I'd never seen was peering down at me.
More precisely, staring holes through my phone screen.
I yanked out one earbud and turned.
"Who are you?"
"S-sorry."
She bowed frantically.
Low self-esteem vibe, keeps bowing nonstop.
Her face? Stunningly beautiful.
With a decadent allure too.
Only one type wanders around like this on a weekend afternoon.
Someone dragged out of work.
Her ID badge confirmed it.
"I-I wasn't trying to peek, but the video caught my eye..."
"The video? The teaser?"
"Yeah. Saw you watching the Darkness Soul Land teaser... couldn't help it."
Her eyes locked back on my screen.
But darted to the floor the instant we made eye contact.
No confidence.
"Big fan of the game?"
"Y-yeah. Huge... I'm super hyped for it."
Her stammer smoothed out at the game talk—voice gained strength.
Smells like a gamer.
But that badge nagged at me.
Blue lanyard, plastic card.
Leaned in closer...
Company name looked familiar.
[Eclipse Studio]
"Huh?"
That company...
Game developer.
Established a while back, still cranking out PC and mobile games.
She flinched as I stared at the badge and flipped it over.
Then introduced herself in a tiny voice.
"I-I'm Yu Mi-na... director of the RPG Chrono Rea..."
"Ch-Chrono Rea?!"
I blurted way too loud.
The owner peeked over, wondering what was up.
I lowered my voice quick.
"For real? You're the director of Chrono Rea?"
"Y-yeah... not great at it, but..."
Yu Mi-na squirmed, embarrassed.
I was floored.
Chrono Rea was my go-to game before enlistment.
A long-runner, over 25 years in service.
Popularity tanked lately—peak logins under 500.
Still, a nostalgic classic for many.
"Whoa, I played the hell out of Chrono Rea as a kid. It's my all-time fave."
I got a bit hyped, and she looked up.
Less shy now, more engaged.
"R-really? For real...? Hardly anyone plays it these days..."
"Totally. Mind sitting and chatting a bit?"
I suggested sharing the table first.
She blinked, stunned.
Thought she'd refuse, but she nodded eagerly, beaming.
"Y-yeah... sure. I don't have anyone to talk games with either... was feeling kinda bored."
What luck.
Came for solo sun time, end up with this.
We talked Chrono Rea and Yu Mi-na for over two hours.
Mostly me asking, her answering, one-sided as it was.
Learned about her and Eclipse Studio.
She's the 15th director of Chrono Rea.
Turns 29 this year.
A year older than me—unnie.
From her talk, zero dating experience.
Soulmate in eternal singledom.
Felt an instant bond.
"Honestly, the game's in the red... server costs are barely covered..."
"Figured as much."
"But the company's profitable. Rents out the Seoul HQ floors below and nearby lots... black in the green from rent."
"...?"
Profitable thanks to rent?
Landlords over gods, even game devs ain't exempt.
Funny part: Chrono Rea itself loses money.
"Still... it's the company's symbol. Boss promised lifetime service... make money on rent, just keep it breathing."
"Glad to hear. Thought it'd fade into memories."
"But... seniors quit one by one, so I got shoved into director..."
She sighed deeply.
Not a parachute hire—pushed up after everyone bailed.
Explains the zero confidence.
"I-I'm way less skilled than past directors... but I've tidied up gameplay and convenience..."
"Heard news about huge convenience improvements."
She sighed again.
Said it didn't mean much without proper patches yet.
But chatting, her passion rang true.
Hardcore player herself.
"Remember that raid boss... Arcadia patterns?"
"Huh? Yeah! Phase 3 AoE, gotta dodge pixel-perfect!"
Boss mechanics talk lit her up—voice louder, eyes sparkling.
This is who should direct games.
Made me wanna return if it picks up.
That wrapped Chrono Rea talk.
She glanced slyly, then ventured.
"Um... can we talk Darkness Soul Land now...?"
Reason she approached, after all.
I nodded slightly.
"You hyped for Darkness Soul Land, Min-jae?"
Mouth itched to spill.
I'm the world's first and only player.
Couldn't though.
Eun Ha-min swore me to secrecy.
"Obviously. That hack-and-slash speed combat especially."
Her reaction shifted at that.
Eyes lit up like stars.
Like a fave streamer's comment hyping the same thing, on her face.
"R-right! That's the part I'm dying for too...!"
She raised her voice in excitement.
Suddenly stood, leaning in close.
"Other games feel mushy on impact—this one's heavy yet fast, perfect for me!"
"That's hack-and-slash charm."
"And that monster AI... you see it? Predicts player moves! Deep learning only way..."
She ranted tech specs.
Frames, hitboxes, physics engine.
Jargon flying.
I just nodded.
"Plus those light effects! Ray tracing vibes, but optimized insanely."
"Maybe high-end PC?"
"Nah... didn't look it. Probably national average specs."
Oh, my rig: 5600X and 3060.
Textbook average.
Pro director dissecting my video? Thrilling.
Praise dances whales, they say.
"Sigh. Hope it launches soon. Taking vacation, pulling all-nighters day one."
"Same. If online, we'd hunt together."
She froze, realizing she'd overexcited.
Face beet red, she settled back primly.
"S-sorry... got too carried away..."
Ears crimson, head down.
Fingered the table, mumbling.
"First time clicking with someone like this..."
"Huh?"
"N-no... girls don't dig these games... guys hard to talk to... first time."
She whispered meekly.
Only work talk with male colleagues, no personal chats.
But with me, shy yet easy—scratched her ear.
"I usually clam up around strangers... but you're comfy, Min-jae..."
Her dopey smile was adorable.
I chuckled.
"Then keep talking to me. Phone?"
"Huh? Why your phone...?"
"Number swap. Game buddies from now on."
"Oh..."
She fumbled her bag.
Phone nearly slipped.
I punched my number in hers, hit call.
Mine buzzed.
Confirmed, hung up.
"Save it."
"Y-yeah! Saving!"
She gripped it like treasure.
Didn't expect such joy.
Must've been lonely.
Gamer isolation? I get it.
"Now you've got a game talk friend."
Stuck out my hand.
For a shake.
Face exploding red, she wiped her hand on her clothes, offered it politely.
"Th-thank you... friends... honored."
"Pfft, honored my ass."
Cute reaction.
Lost the Soo-yeon date, but scored a fun connection this weekend.
"Well... gotta head back to the office..."
Checked her smartwatch, stood.
Team pinged her probably.
"Take care. Text ya later."
"Yeah! Definitely! I'll wait!"
She bowed repeatedly, left the café.
'Eclipse Studio, huh...'
Ask Eun Ha-min to buy shares?
She could handle games.
AI does dev anyway—just maintenance.
Which she's good at.
Huh, sounds solid?