Outpost (2)
Yeonamdang also operates complimentary dormitories for a limited selection of employees who request them. There are several officetels and apartments owned by the company in Jamsil, which is not far from Gangnam.
Yeonamdang truly was something else.
“In addition, we provide vehicle support and assistance with public administrative tasks as part of our employee benefits. Corporate loans are also available at interest rates in the low one-percent range.”
Just how much money did they have?
“Since the two of you will be joining as full-time employees, you will naturally receive every available benefit. This includes vacation allowances, year-end bonuses, and—ah, I believe we also cover university tuition.”
All of this was possible?
“Ah, we have arrived. It is the officetel listed third on the sheet.”
Myeong-yun and Sang-hyun rode in Seo-hyun’s car, touring the nearby officetels and apartments one by one.
Most of the properties Yeonamdang used as employee housing belonged to high-end residential districts.
Of course, there were hardly any cheap places left in Seoul…
“This officetel has a commercial district on the ground floor, and it is only a twenty-minute walk from here. Being on the fifteenth floor, it enjoys excellent sunlight… Security is also solid, with guards on duty twenty-four hours a day. The only drawback is that the floor space is slightly smaller than the other options.”
Even calling it small, it was still a two-room officetel of roughly sixty square meters.
It was more than enough space for two people who were not merely living together, and it overflowed with room for a dedicated streaming studio.
“In my opinion, this location offers the best overall conditions. What do you both think?”
“It looks good to me too. There is a café and convenience store inside the building, and plenty of places to eat nearby… It is excellent. Besides, the only room we really need is one for editing. Yun-ah, what about you?”
Sang-hyun turned to ask for Myeong-yun’s opinion.
Myeong-yun stood by the living room window, gazing down at the view outside.
From fifteen floors up, so much was visible.
The nearby amusement park, the lake, and many other sights spread out before him…
“The scenery is not bad at all.”
“He seems to like it too. Let us go with this one. Then… what else remains?”
“We will need to furnish it. The essential pieces for broadcasting will come as part of the basic package. Since it is a two-room unit, both rooms will receive professional soundproofing as standard…”
While Sang-hyun and Seo-hyun discussed the furniture layout, Myeong-yun overlapped the landscape before him with the scenery of Sapaeng Murim.
The towering apartment buildings reminded him of the skyscrapers in that virtual world, and the people walking below seemed almost like martial artists.
For a moment he even felt the urge to open the window and leap out, simply to feel the wind on his face.
Of course, that would cause a real accident.
To think… I had been missing Murim this much.
It became a moment of reflection on feelings he had not even realized he possessed.
He had transcended the mortal realm, reached the divine stage, and believed he understood every human emotion.
Yet the realization that he still did not fully know his own heart brought a bitter smile to Myeong-yun’s lips as he murmured.
“It seems this lord still has a long way to go.”
“Why are you suddenly acting so gloomy? Hey, take a look at this.”
Sang-hyun pushed a tablet toward Myeong-yun.
The screen displayed a detailed studio layout.
He must have created it just moments ago; the current studio had been rendered in 3D so they could discuss what furniture was needed. Now he had come to gather Myeong-yun’s opinion.
“When did you even make this?”
“Just now. But that is not important. Should we use the right room as the editing and recording studio, or the left one?”
“Hmm.”
Myeong-yun pondered the question briefly before answering.
“The right room. It appears quieter than the left, and its position is more favorable.”
“Okay.”
“That was a quick decision. You seem to have an excellent sense of location as well, Heavenly Demon-nim.”
“This lord has studied a bit of feng shui.”
“Ooh. As expected of the Heavenly Demon-nim.”
Seo-hyun gave Myeong-yun a thumbs-up before turning back to Sang-hyun to review the necessary equipment.
Since Myeong-yun knew little about the subject, he simply let the two of them talk.
“You are even providing a new computer?”
“Yes. As the 3D quality continues to improve, you will need high-performance machines for editing, will you not? Aside from the main unit itself, please send us a list of monitors, desks, chairs, keyboards, and anything else you require. We will handle it through company expenses.”
“Yeonamdang’s benefits are insane.”
“We cannot have our creators falling behind the competition. Would an STX9600ti graphics card be sufficient?”
“More than sufficient.”
At the mention of a brand-new computer, Sang-hyun’s face lit up with joy as he began listing the exact specifications on the spot.
Then Seo-hyun turned to Myeong-yun.
“Is there anything in particular that you need, Heavenly Demon-nim?”
“It is fine. As long as this lord has New World, nothing else is required.”
“In that case, how about a New World-exclusive recliner bed?”
“A recliner bed? Exclusive to New World?”
“Yes. A third-party furniture company partnered with Yeonamdang has produced a dedicated recliner bed for New World. The focus is on providing users with an optimal, comfortable play environment through direct integration with the game.”
“It sounds excellent.”
“Then I will send you the detailed product page later. Simply tell me your preferred color and we will have it installed.”
“Very well.”
Seo-hyun was a true professional.
During their conversations in the car, she had mentioned she was only twenty-six.
Yet her ability to handle tasks was remarkable.
If the former master of the Lotus Pavilion from my previous life had seen her, she would have done everything in her power to take her as a disciple.
Passing on her martial arts to Seo-hyun might not be a bad idea.
Though she was a little old to begin training, her bones and muscles seemed suitable, and her firm spirit suggested she would not fall to demonic influence.
I should draw up a plan soon.
Asking her outright to learn martial arts would dampen the mood no matter how much of a fan she was.
Myeong-yun’s plan to rebuild Murim in the virtual world was only just beginning.
“Today was truly informative. Thank you.”
“No, we should be the ones thanking you.”
“Thank you for everything.”
After driving Myeong-yun and Sang-hyun home, Seo-hyun waved with a bright smile and departed.
With all the arrangements complete, she estimated everything would be finished before January once the furnishing began.
She would also provide regular progress reports, so the pair simply needed to wait until the studio was ready.
Thanks to Sang-hyun’s efficient 3D layout that optimized movement paths, there was truly nothing left for Myeong-yun to do.
On the way home, the two headed toward Myeong-yun’s house as usual since a broadcast was scheduled.
As they walked, Myeong-yun spoke.
“It seems Yeonamdang possesses a truly staggering amount of wealth.”
“Obviously. They are the world’s top gaming company. They own hundreds of IPs alone.”
While they walked, Sang-hyun explained what kind of company Yeonamdang was.
What games they had released, what hardware they had produced, and what they were currently aiming for.
He spoke with such endless enthusiasm that Myeong-yun eventually listened in silence before uttering a single sentence.
“Stop talking.”
“Hey, you asked first.”
“This lord does not recall doing so.”
Sang-hyun shrugged with an incredulous laugh and let out a hollow chuckle.
Myeong-yun gave a small smirk. Before entering the house, he picked up the delivery box left in front of the door.
“It has arrived.”
“Oh, the New World high-end model? The one you are using now cost a bit over seven hundred thousand won… How much was the high-end version again?”
Sang-hyun searched the price on his smartphone and blinked.
“I knew it was expensive, but two point four million won? This is crazy. It is on another level. The more expensive it gets, the worse the value—exactly your kind of hobby.”
“I wonder if it is truly acceptable to receive something this costly.”
“It is not exactly free, is it? You are giving them data in exchange. Just think of it that way and relax.”
“Is that so?”
Sang-hyun naturally entered Myeong-yun’s room, hung his coat on the rack, and continued.
“So, are you going to start streaming with the new one today? We will need to set it up again, so let us do it quickly.”
“…No. Let us finish Sapaeng Murim with the original device.”
Myeong-yun had originally planned to switch the moment the high-end model arrived, but he now felt he wanted to conclude his time with the old unit in proper fashion.
It would be the final game played on the original model. He intended to burn brightly until the end.
“Really? Then I will take my time with the setup. Since we signed with Yeonamdang, it would be good to make a major announcement right at the new year.”
“Agreed.”
Myeong-yun changed into comfortable clothes, lay on the bed, and activated New World.
The moment he placed the device on his head, his consciousness drifted far away before his vision suddenly expanded.
As his real body transformed into the Heavenly Demon within virtual reality, Myeong-yun—now fully switched on—clasped his hands behind his back.
“If we simply extend the chatting segment, there will be no problem.”
“Indeed.”
At Sang-hyun’s words, Myeong-yun snapped his fingers and summoned four Fighting Spirit Dolls.
The dolls charged at him in unison.
Myeong-yun met their attacks head-on, loosening his muscles as he fought.
He handled the four dolls—opponents no ordinary person could defeat even one of—with the ease of playing with toys.
After knocking down every last doll, he let out a long breath, finally feeling properly warmed up.
“Magnificent.”
Perhaps because of the thought that he could return to Murim once more, his condition had reached its peak.
And then the promised ten minutes had passed.
“Understood.”
The stream had begun thirty minutes earlier than scheduled.
Nevertheless, the chat scrolled upward at a terrifying speed.
Myeong-yun, who had been quietly observing the flood of messages, finally opened his mouth.
“It is good to see you, my young ones. Let us enjoy ourselves to the fullest once more today.”