Chapter 113. Before the Photoshoot, Something Else First...
Chapter 113. Before the Photoshoot, Something Else First...
I was a little flustered.
But Laila nodded as if she already knew.
'Laila doing a photoshoot, huh...'
My mouth watered...
That was when it happened.
As if sensing the mood, someone approached.
Neatly combed hair and a clean suit.
It was the game company's director.
"Hello. I came because I wanted to greet you personally."
He politely introduced himself and handed over a business card.
I gave his hand a light shake and nodded.
"Hello. But this photoshoot you mentioned...?"
"Ah, yes. We mentioned it before, but... it seems it hasn't been communicated yet. Let me explain this part."
The director quietly continued.
"Actually, our game has done a lot of advertisements and promotions targeting streamers affiliated with Pajijik. We have quite a long-standing partnership with Pajijik."
"Ah...?"
"So I thought maybe we could shoot a simple photoshoot and release it as merchandise, or as an event product."
I glanced at Laila beside me.
"Well, since Laila said it's okay, I don't mind."
"Haha, thank you."
The director bowed his head as if breathing a sigh of relief.
"The shoot isn't that difficult. We'll take a few simple shots, and our side will handle the editing."
He paused to choose his words, then continued with a sparkle in his eyes.
"We plan to edit it with a magazine cover concept and release it as merchandise. On the back, we'll include a coupon for in-game currency, of course."
"Oh..."
"We really intend to make it look like a magazine cover. Actually, we did some preliminary research on this, and the response was very good."
I nodded slightly at his words.
I got the gist of it.
So they're making it look like the cover of those magazines soldiers read a lot in the barracks, right?
Meanwhile, Laila quietly spoke from beside me.
"But I think it'll be really fun. I've wanted to try taking this kind of photo at least once!"
Hearing that, I felt my burden lighten somewhat.
As our conversation continued, the director glanced at his watch and smiled.
"It's about time for Part 3."
The director lightly clapped his hands and stood up.
"Then shall we head back again? Everyone will be waiting."
I rose from my seat and met Laila's eyes.
She whispered with a playful smile.
"Of course, the scenes that don't make it into the photoshoot, I'll show them to you, Hero, separately."
Countless thoughts rushed through my mind.
Ah... I wore thin pants...
---
The Part 3 event was already in full swing.
The audience seats were still packed with no room to spare, and outside the barricades, fans lined up, stretching out their arms and raising their phones.
"I'm really looking forward to seeing which character look she'll appear in this time."
"Miss Laila, show yourself!"
As the caster's voice rang out, Laila, now in a new costume, quietly walked onto the stage.
Again, tremendous cheers and applause poured from the audience.
"Haha, everyone has so much they want to say~"
The caster was reading the viewers' chat messages on the screen.
"Big sis, won't you do a swimsuit skin or a bunny girl skin for us?"
A mischievous smile appeared on the caster's face as he read the viewer's blatant question.
"Wahahaha!! That's right. I like that skin very much too."
The caster said that and handed the microphone to Laila.
"Hmm~ I wonder?"
Laila looked around, and her eyes met mine from a distance.
"If you all love the game a lot, I might show you?"
She smiled faintly, blinked, and winked.
And she lightly licked her lips with her tongue.
The audience, thinking this was all part of Laila's performance, shouted and cheered.
"Hahaha, she really is like a professional model... She has the fans on an emotional rollercoaster!"
I nodded.
With as much experience as any celebrity, Laila had stood before people many times.
'As the Saintess, she always communicated with people...'
Then the caster paused for a moment and looked at the audience.
"Now, actually... we have one more thing prepared for you all."
A murmur of anticipation spread through the audience, and the caster smiled slightly.
"That is... we plan to release photoshoot merchandise of Laila here!"
The caster stretched out his hand with exaggerated flair to point at the screen behind him.
Then, on the screen, the cover description, contents, and price appeared.
"It's practically a beginner package deal, super generous?"
"Wow, the price is incredibly cheap too."
The audience buzzed with excitement, as if about to explode.
Calls of her name, applause, shouts, and the sound of camera shutters erupted from all around.
"And for this event, we've prepared a gift for you all."
Various items appeared on the screen.
"Huh...?"
"This freebie is kind of sweet."
"But it's an item related to the merchandise?"
An item that creates a bigger synergy when used together.
The game company provided such items to the users.
'Mm... as expected, the game company doesn't just give things away for nothing.'
Viciously(?), it's a scheme to make you absolutely buy the merchandise.
"All profits from the merchandise will be used for those in need. In other words, by purchasing Miss Laila's beautiful photoshoot merchandise, you'll also be making a donation at the same time."
This time, applause followed.
Even the fans who were crazy about the event applauded willingly, now that a charitable angle had been added.
And then it was time to close.
The caster and streamer looked around the stage once, then smiled with a hint of regret.
"Today's KXGF ends here! But you know there's tomorrow too, right?"
The audience shouted in response.
"Tomorrow, even more streamers and cosplayers will join! And there's a special event match where users, developers, cosplayers, and streamers form teams to enjoy the game together, so you'll all definitely come tomorrow, right?"
"Haha, by the way, tomorrow I'll also be participating as a streamer."
Amidst the cheers, the final lighting enveloped the stage and slowly dimmed.
The caster's voice faded, but the audience's fervor still hadn't died down.
---
"Wow... I'm completely drained..."
"Haha... we're always nervous around this time too."
The game company director nodded and laughed, as if he understood completely.
And behind him, Laila appeared, having changed into a new outfit.
"Oh..."
A look of disappointment spread across my face.
Seeing my expression, Laila approached with a grin.
"Why? Are you disappointed?"
"Ah, no..."
"Pfft..."
I turned my gaze away for no reason, looking for Max and Emir.
But then I spotted them not far away.
"What are they doing?"
"Ah, they're playing a game at the experience booth?"
"...?"
Because Max's build was so huge, the monitor in front of him looked almost like a tablet.
"Haha, you've worked hard today. Let's all go eat together."
The destination was a nearby private premium Korean beef restaurant.
It was a quiet, upscale restaurant, and we were guided to a spacious private room.
Thanks to his consideration, Max, Emilia, and even Emir joined us.
"Ooh..."
In particular, low-irritant healthy dishes for the pregnant Emilia had been carefully laid out on one side.
"I asked cautiously... and was told you're pregnant. So I prepared in advance in case it might be uncomfortable."
Soon, the premium Hanwoo arrived one after another, and we began eating.
"Thanks to you, we successfully completed the first day's event. I'm also grateful to Max Hunter and Emir Hunter."
"Puhaha! I didn't do anything though? I just came to play!"
"No, just coming like this and showing interest has a tremendous promotional effect. And when else would I ever get to dine with S-rank hunters like you!?"
He playfully raised his glass as he finished speaking.
After a long conversation, the director spoke up again.
"Tomorrow, the photoshoot will probably take place. We've already prepared everything, so you can take it easy."
I nodded.
Anyway, I heard the shooting location was an area where the public cannot enter.
"Ah, come to think of it... you're acquainted with Miss Lucia, right?"
"Yes, I am."
"I heard she'll also be participating as a cosplayer tomorrow. Also, some streamers close to Mr. Song Hoon will be joining."
I looked a bit surprised, but soon nodded with an indifferent expression.
After a while, the director checked his watch and stood up.
"Shall we... get going soon?"
As people were getting up one by one, I suddenly glanced at him heading toward the cashier.
'...was that an amount you'd see at a barbecue restaurant?'
But at my glance, the director grinned and said.
"The event was a big success. The company will understand this much."
We came outside, got into our respective cars, and quietly drove back to the hotel.
After parking, just before going into the room, Laila spoke to me.
"Hero, um... could you buy something I need and bring it?"
"Hm? Sure, whatever."
"Anyway, it'll take me a while to wash up...!"
---
I finished the errand Laila had asked for and went up to the room.
"Huh, huh?"
I rummaged through my pockets, but the key card was nowhere to be seen.
"Ah... does Laila have the key card?"
─ Ding-dong!
"Just a moment~ I'll open it right away!"
Laila's voice came from inside.
And then I heard Laila's footsteps approaching, and the door opened.
"Huh...?"
─ Thud...
Surprised by her appearance, I accidentally dropped the bag I was holding.
"Ta-da!"
"..."
At her tremendous impact (?), I couldn't utter a single word.
"The shoot tomorrow is all-ages, right? Today's shoot... is adult, you know?"