Chapter 46
Chapter 46
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: Aftermath and a New Trial
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Two topics rose to prominence at the same time.
Neither was unimportant, but humans are, after all, creatures of curiosity.
The players reacted more keenly to the new mystery than to the facts they had just learned.
『[Chat] CrystalClear: Isn't that a teaser for Hellic 3? Looks like the next protagonist, right?
[Chat] BangbaeBloodyLord: I saw it live, and it gave me chills. They seemed hostile to the Warden. Maybe they're from another faction in Hell?
[Chat] zGodHand: Could be an individual prisoner trying to stand against Hell.』
The post-credits scene was only twenty seconds long, and the mysterious figure itself appeared for barely seven.
All the figure revealed was a single sword, with veins pulsing across its surface.
Yet its impact was so profound, heralding a new, ominous turn after the heartwarming ending, that the ripple effect was immense.
The theory that it was a teaser for the next game was already being accepted as fact.
The claim that the sword would be central to the sequel gained credibility, and discussions about what the sword was and who its owner might be continued endlessly.
Of course, no clear answers emerged.
Since Studio Rewind, the developer, remained silent on the matter, no other opinions could be formed.
Players, in their impatience, posted questions on the official social media accounts, but the only response was “no comment.”
In the end, the sequel bait couldn't sustain the fire for long and burned out, leaving only the embers of the players' curiosity.
『[Chat] WaitingForHellic3: I guess it's shameless to be waiting for news about the next game when Hellic 2 hasn't even been out for a month.
BangbaeBloodyLord: ?
CrystalClear: Gay?
ProcrastinatingSwordsman: Homo?
CherryLipsJaehee: Dude, change your username first;』
Normally, this would have been impossible, but this time, it was.
As mentioned before, this was because the other topic was big enough to overshadow any disappointment.
『[Chat] NationalExamTime: So glad it was a happy ending TTTT
[Chat] CherryLipsJaehee: Maybe the happy ending is the true ending? You know, since the sequel teaser was hidden in that ending too.
[Chat] SweetBloodElf39: It's definitely,,, the true ending,,, ^^』
The hidden ending was satisfying enough to thoroughly please the players.
With the image of mother and daughter reuniting and holding hands, leaving room for an “If or…” scenario, it was bound to leave a lasting impression.
How should one describe that feeling?
…Yes, it was like the lingering feeling that comes after closing the final page of a book you were completely immersed in.
That would be the best way to describe it.
Just as readers return to reality when a story ends, the players returned to their own realities, filled with a sense of fulfillment.
Though whether their realities aligned with any universal standard was another matter entirely.
『[Guide] <3Poppy<3: Here's how to enter the hidden route!
[Chat] WaitingForHellic3: Let's go for the event!!!』
The emotional moments were over. Now it was time to prepare for the event in earnest.
The method discovered so far was to enter the final boss battle with the ‘basic weapon’ equipped.
Next, you had to hit the Warden 100 times with the basic weapon within three minutes.
You didn't need to fight all the way to the final boss with the basic weapon.
You just had to use the un-evolved version of the basic weapon.
Hardcore players had already added their know-how to this method, creating guides for each route.
In other words, to participate in the event, all you needed was about fourteen hours to reach the final boss and make an attempt.
But it was now the ninth day since release, meaning there were only five days left in the event.
For players with day jobs, it was a rather tight schedule.
『[Chat] BangbaeBloodyLord: I can't do it. Already used up all my vacation days.
[Chat] ProcrastinatingSwordsman: Got caught after playing for three days straight without sleep. Internet's cut off. Not taking questions…』
Regretfully, quite a few players gave up.
Conversely, there were also many who were determined to try, even if it meant cutting into their sleep.
『[Chat] zGodHand: Sleep? Isn't that something you do when you're dead?
[Chat] CrystalClear: Amateurs lol
[Chat] WaitingForHellic3: Yeah~ I'm gonna die playing this game~ I'm definitely getting that merch~』
They were time billionaires.
It was the same not just in Korea, but abroad as well.
The merch set for the review event consisted of three items: an Alice figurine and two yet-to-be-revealed products.
As it was a limited-edition set no gamer could pass up, the number of challengers swelled.
And so, five days passed.
The review event concluded with exactly 3,870 posts submitted.
* * *
“So, is the next game really about that? The sword with the veins.”
“You’re only asking that now?”
“I’ve asked you several times, but you never answered. Do you have early-onset dementia, sir? And besides, does it make any sense that I don’t know the details of a cinematic you told me to create?”
Han Seo-rim’s response was quite sharp.
I had nothing to say.
“…Let’s move on to the main agenda.”
“You always use meetings as an excuse when you’re at a disadvantage, don’t you?”
“This is actually important.”
Leaving Han Seo-rim to narrow her eyes at me, I turned on the beam projector.
There was something more important than the next game right in front of us.
“This is Hellic 2’s current status.”
Two weeks since release, 1.47 million copies sold, a Metascore of 94, and a user score of 90.
Let’s sum up those numbers in one word.
“It’s joined the ranks of masterpieces. Based on the reviews so far.”
A masterpiece.
Not a masterpiece acclaimed by someone's emotional praise, but one defined by the numbers.
All the team members were dumbfounded.
No, to be precise, they seemed to be having trouble grasping the reality of the situation.
It was understandable.
Even Myeong-gyu, who knew the most about games, preferred online games.
He wouldn't know much about the gap between Metacritic and user scores, or the evaluation standards those scores represented.
How could he easily comprehend how absurd this was, how record-breaking it was for an indie game to receive such an evaluation?
I had no intention of needlessly gilding the lily for our company.
I was just stating the facts.
“We’ve broken the initial sales record for an indie game. Globally.”
The impact of Hellic 2 had spread beyond Korea and North America to other countries.
Of course, it was still struggling in a few countries where consoles dominated, like Japan, but even there, it was recording significant sales.
In other words, the name Hellic was now known throughout the world.
Only then did the team members seem to realize the reality of it, their faces blank.
“…We really sold that many?”
“Yes, hyung. We sold that many.”
“R-r-r-really…?”
“Th-that’s right, A-yun. You’re the sound director for a game that broke the indie record.”
“Gasp…!”
After Myeong-gyu, who questioned it with a hint of doubt, and the shocked Jo A-yun, came the dramatic duo.
“…”
“…”
The two of them looked like their souls had left their bodies.
It wasn't because they were too surprised.
“…Tallying the event entries must be tough, huh?”
That was because the two of them were in charge of the review event (decided by rock-paper-scissors).
The problem was that we hadn't formed a dedicated marketing team yet.
No point in provoking them.
I moved on and looked at Han Seo-rim.
“…”
Han Seo-rim, who had been glaring at me over the sequel issue, now had a dazed expression on her face.
It seemed reality hadn't sunk in for her either.
She looked like she wouldn't notice if a fly flew into her mouth.
Then she asked a question.
“…You’re lying, right?”
“Why do you think so?”
“Because your expression is too calm.”
“No, Seo-rim. I’m really excited right now.”
I pulled the corners of my mouth into a smile.
But Han Seo-rim didn't believe me.
She just made her usual contemptuous face.
I guess that kind of humor doesn't work in this day and age.
…Putting aside such sentiments, yes, Han Seo-rim was right.
“…To be honest, I’m not overjoyed. It’s a record that’s going to be broken again soon.”
“Broken again?”
“Minecraft. It’s a game about to have its official release, and it’s already set untouchable records in its demo version. It's almost certain that game will crush our record.”
The open-world sandbox game, Minecraft.
The legendary indie game that nurtured the dreams and hopes of children worldwide, its value skyrocketing until it was acquired by Microsoft.
After a long demo period, its official release was around this time.
In other words, Hellic 2’s sprint to the top was a three-day reign.
“We need to stay on our toes. We have to do better.”
At those words, the team members finally returned to reality.
One by one, their faces hardened.
Clap!
I clapped my hands to lighten the mood.
“Anyway, that’s that. The awards ceremonies are still a ways off. I just wanted you to be aware. For now, it’s okay to be happy. We’re getting rich. Your incentives are going to be pretty hefty, too.”
“Ooh!”
Their eyes sparkled at the mention of money.
I guess the best employee benefit is the salary.
Myeong-gyu, especially.
Come to think of it, his collection of weird T-shirts has been growing lately.
I wish he’d pay less attention to fashion… Pushing that thought aside, I spoke.
“We won’t be busy until the end of the year. So sort out your personal schedules until then and…”
Now, it was time to discuss the matter that would determine the fate of Studio Rewind, which had successfully completed the Hellic 2 project.
My voice naturally lowered.
“…A-yun.”
“Y-yes…!”
All eyes focused on Jo A-yun.
Jo A-yun wore a stern, solemn, and serious expression.
Right. That’s how it should be.
“How many weeks until the college entrance exam?”
Because the fateful day was approaching for Jo A-yun (19), the exam candidate.
Jo A-yun clenched her fists and widened her eyes.
“T-two weeks left!”
Well, her confidence was admirable.
I know that juggling work and studying for the exam isn't easy.
Indeed, she had often been seen dozing off like a sick chick while trying to balance her roles as a student and a sound director.
I was proud of her and sorry for her.
However, Jo A-yun absolutely had to achieve a meaningful result on this exam.
It wasn't just for the practical reason of her promise to her mother.
“All our hopes and dreams are riding on you, A-yun.”
Language, Han Seo-rim.
Math, Go Myeong-gyu.
Foreign Language, Cheon Yeon-ho.
Inquiry, Kim Hye-ji and Jeon Yu-mi.
For six months leading up to the exam, Jo A-yun had been receiving intensive, subject-specific tutoring from five members of Korea University.
This was a matter of Korea University’s pride.
I asked.
“What are your current mock exam grades?”
The answer that came back should never have come back.
“Language, level 2! Math, level 3! Foreign Language, level 4! Inquiry, levels 4 and 5!”
“…?”
“My average is 3.8!”
Jo A-yun giggled.
She began to puff out her chest as if proud, and my mind went blank.
‘Doesn’t she need to meet the minimum grade requirement for three subjects?’
And the minimum grade was level 3.
So why were there only two subjects above level 3?
I unconsciously glanced at the dramatic duo.
The dramatic duo looked back at me.
Only then did I realize what the problem was.
“…You only need to meet the minimum for three subjects. I thought she’d get them in Korean, English, and Math.”
“M-me too…”
That was it.
‘Crap.’
Two other people had been thinking the same thing I was…!
“Sir?”
A vein bulged in Han Seo-rim’s eye.
“What is going on here?”
“Hehe…”
Jo A-yun’s laughter followed the murderous tone.
She looked happy just to have met the cutoff for two subjects.
My heart sank.
‘A-yun, A-yun…’
This is not the time to be laughing.
* * *
I take full responsibility.
Yes, things were quite busy leading up to Hellic 2’s official release, and I admit I paid less attention to Jo A-yun’s studies.
When you get down to it, it’s my fault for not fulfilling my role.
The only saving grace was that Jo A-yun, whose internet was cut off (and still is, since the qualification exam), had reached a point where she had nothing else to do but study.
For that reason, she did have some knowledge stored in her head.
“It’s close. But if you study just a little more, you can get to level 3.”
I wasn't just saying that.
In Foreign Language, or English, which I was in charge of, she was fluctuating between levels 3 and 4 by a margin of one or two questions.
If she could just master one problem type from the 30s section, she'd be able to meet the minimum grade.
At my praise, Jo A-yun’s eyes sparkled.
“I-I worked hard…!”
Was she hoping for more praise?
I gently patted the top of her head, and she started to grin bashfully.
“Hehe…”
Is it okay as long as she’s a good kid?
‘…No.’
I steeled myself.
This was a clear crisis.
The biggest crisis to befall Studio Rewind since the qualification exam.
I had to get Jo A-yun to a stable level 3 within two weeks.
Once again, I needed to firmly boost her motivation before we began our intensive tutoring.
What could I say to help her overcome the immediate hardship?
I recalled my own time as a student, and soon, a plausible idea came to mind.
“A-yun.”
“Yes!”
“What do you want to do after the exam?”
I just had to remind her that the finish line was near.
As I recalled, it was a rather effective form of feedback for short-term focus.
Jo A-yun answered immediately.
Like a true student, she didn't even have to think abou—.
“Play Maple Saga!”
…Shouldn’t she have thought about it?
“While my internet was cut off, they said leveling up got way easier…! I need to raise my rank quickly…”
“…Right, I see.”
“I-I’m jealous of Mr. Myeong-gyu. He just plays games whenever he has a break…”
“…Is that so.”
“What was it called? Dungeon & Final?”
“Oh, you mean Dungeon & Final?”
“Ah, yes…! I see him secretly playing that sometimes…!”
I see. So Myeong-gyu had been playing Dungeon & Final during work hours.
No wonder he was furiously typing away at his computer lately, even when he shouldn't have had much to do.
Many thoughts crossed my mind.
Myeong-gyu (public service worker) playing Dungeon & Final during work, and Jo A-yun (exam candidate) obsessed with Maple.
Studio Rewind, are we going to be okay?
“I-I want to hurry up and finish the exam so I can…!”
“Let’s play games at home. For now, shall we study?”
“…Okay!”
…I gave up thinking about it.
The college entrance exam was in two weeks.