Chapter 31
Chapter 31
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 031
Chapter Title: Buying at the Bottom
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Months had passed since the new year of 2013 dawned, and it was one day in March.
The new year was well behind us, but Girls Memorial was still sailing smoothly.
Three months straight at number one in combined sales on both the Japanese Apple Store and Google Store.
For a domestic mobile game, this was uncharted territory, so posts about it exploded across online communities.
While periodically browsing those communities, one post caught my eye.
The post itself was a perfectly ordinary introduction to a new game.
The new game's title was Bakery Lady.
It was an SRPG with that cheap, charming pixel art vibe unique to indie games.
The only standout features were that it was a rare Chinese indie title and its concept art looked pretty good.
Even by my intrigued standards, that was the extent of it, so the comments were predictably lukewarm.
But thanks to my memories from before my regression, I knew what kind of potential this indie studio's rep would unleash.
About three years from now.
The studio's head would team up with a publisher founded by a friend and drop a bombshell new game that would shake up the subculture mobile market.
Of course, there'd be plenty of trial and error along the way, plus legal battles with the publisher...
'The rep's name was... Wonjung, right?'
The name was so common it was hard to remember, but the viral meme "Wonjung without eyebrows" jogged my memory.
Mulling over those pre-regression memories, I eventually opened the proposal template.
Even without my involvement, this director was destined for success just like before.
But with various forms of support and advice based on my future knowledge, I could minimize those missteps.
I didn't want to pass up this chance to back a surefire hit and reap the rewards.
*
Once I'd made up my mind, there was no point dragging my feet, so I drafted the proposal right away and sent it up to Suyeon.
That said, I didn't have high hopes when I submitted it.
Unlike with Girls Memorial, I hadn't detailed any solid basis for my future predictions this time.
Thinking about it, it made sense—I couldn't exactly provide objective evidence.
'I have memories from before my regression, and this indie studio is an untapped blue-chip stock, so I'm proposing an investment.'
I couldn't write something like that.
In the end, the vaguely justified proposal went straight to Suyeon, and I was summoned to the president's office.
"You're here? Have a seat on the sofa for now."
The one who'd called me, Suyeon herself, seemed swamped with work. She was wearing glasses and hammering away at her keyboard.
"New glasses?"
"These? My eyes have been acting up lately."
"I see."
About five minutes of this small talk passed when she finally finished up, took off her glasses, and approached me.
Spring must've put her in a casual mood—jeans and a beige knit shirt.
"What do you want to drink? Tea? Coffee? Soda?"
"Soda's fine."
She headed to the fridge and grabbed a can of coffee and a soda.
"Our director knows why I called you to the president's office, right?"
"Y-yeah..."
She plopped down on the opposite sofa and pulled out the proposal I'd submitted.
"Hojin, you know I trust you. Right?"
"Of course."
"So I was planning to approve this like always, if only the reasoning had been solid."
"......"
"But this proposal doesn't feel like you at all. The basis for your predictions is way thinner than with Girls Memorial or Yena."
She tilted her head, eyeing me.
"Forget the vague stuff in the proposal. Tell me the real reason you're hooked on this indie studio."
I froze, unable to answer right away.
I had no clue where to start or stop.
Misreading my hesitation, her voice softened.
"This is making me disappointed in you... Is that really all there is?"
"No, it's not that... I just don't know where to begin explaining."
"From start to finish, just like it happened."
"Just like it happened... Got it."
Urged on by Suyeon, I spilled everything I knew—minus the pre-regression future memories.
Her expression shifted to one of utter bewilderment as she listened.
"So to sum up, this dev has wide connections in the Chinese subculture scene and shows game potential, so you picked them?"
"Yes, exactly."
"Sigh... Hojin, no family history of shamans or anything, right?"
"No way."
"Then how can you confidently predict success based on just that?"
I shrugged at her skepticism.
"Gut feeling."
"Gut... feeling..."
She looked deep in thought at first, but her face relaxed at my answer.
Then, with a helpless smile and a shake of her head.
"If your gut's telling you that strongly, I can't argue... Do what you want."
"Really?"
"We've come this far thanks to your instincts. Gotta trust them again."
"Th-thank you."
"Just to check—no personal connection to this game studio's rep or anything?"
"None at all."
She nodded and stood.
"Alright, that's it for today. Head back down. Yumi will relay the rest."
"Got it."
*
With the proposal approved, things kicked into gear.
But even approved, issues abounded—the most urgent being the support method.
Direct investment was out: too much red tape, and it'd burden Suyeon.
Without that, no other options came to mind.
I racked my brain for ages until Yumi casually solved it.
"For supporting an indie dev? Just use our in-house indie game support program~"
"We have an indie support program?"
"Yup. Didn't you know~?"
"First I've heard of it."
"It's pretty new, so that explains it. Check it out, Director~"
Sure enough, the program existed.
Development funding, know-how transfer for live ops, partnership deals—the works.
Perfect for Wonjung, who was stumbling through trial and error without live service expertise.
With the support method sorted, next up was contacting the man himself.
At this point, Jacky Team was a pure indie outfit without even an official homepage.
Even knowing where Wonjung lived from my memories, reaching him was impossible.
After digging around, Enson Korea's China branch helped us land a meeting.
On the appointed day.
Entering the company reception room with Yumi, I spotted a familiar-looking guy.
Short neat haircut, black horn-rimmed glasses.
Jacky Team's rep, Wonjung, exactly as I remembered.
I extended my hand for a shake.
"Honored to meet you. I'm Ji Hojin, General Director leading the mobile game dev team at Enson GT. And this is..."
"Kang Yumi, handling Business PM for the mobile game dev team, same as Director Hojin. Nice to meet you."
Wonjung stood hastily and shook our hands.
"I'm Wonjung. Huge Girls Memorial fan—been dying to meet you, Director. Thanks for inviting me today!"
"No need for that. Please, sit."
Handshake done, Yumi and I took our seats.
Wonjung awkwardly settled into his chair opposite us.
"As I mentioned in the email, we're here because we want to support you and Jacky Team."
He nodded, looking troubled.
"I got that. Grateful for the opportunity, but... why us specifically?"
His confidence visibly lacked.
Considering his position, it made sense.
Enson had no reason to back Jacky Team right now.
They weren't a Chinese company, no personal ties to Wonjung.
Bakery Lady hadn't blown up overseas or anything.
It was like finding gold on the street—suspicion was natural.
Only one way to address it.
The honest truth.
"I played Bakery Lady a few weeks after release. Surprisingly fun for an indie."
"Th-thank you."
"Might sound harsh, but coming from China—the subculture wasteland—this quality SRPG is mind-blowing."
He gave a faint smile.
"Doesn't offend me. It's true."
"Glad to hear it. Anyway, I looked into you, the creator, and saw your thick network with big names in Chinese subculture."
"......"
"Bottom line, my reason for supporting you is simple."
He watched me tensely.
I met his gaze.
"I'm betting on your talent and connections. Betting on your success."