Chapter 32
Chapter 32
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: Visit to Headquarters
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Once we succeeded in persuading Wonjung, the conversation started proceeding smoothly.
But that was as far as I would step in.
The explanations about support measures and plans afterward were Yumi's domain, not mine.
"From here on, Yumi next to me will explain it directly."
With that, I gave Yumi a look signaling her to get started.
Yumi nodded at the signal and handed Wonjung a thick stack of documents.
"This is...?"
"It's a guidebook for our company's indie game support program. Take a look."
Wonjung nodded at Yumi's urging and began reading the booklet.
I was starting to feel bored by how meticulously he was reading it when
he finally set the program guide down, his face full of confusion.
"Is there something in the booklet you don't understand?"
Wonjung lightly shook his head at Yumi's question.
"No, that's not it. It's just... reading the guide, it seems like all the benefits are one-sided in our favor."
I could fully understand Wonjung's confusion.
China was a country that ran on connections, after all.
But right now, there were no connections whatsoever between Wonjung and our company.
For a foreign company with zero ties to essentially give them everything while taking a loss?
It would be weirder if he didn't feel confused.
As if she'd anticipated Wonjung's reaction, Yumi replied in a calm voice.
"Of course, this support program isn't something we're providing entirely for free. Instead, we're giving you options, Wonjung."
"Options?"
"Yes. You didn't really come here expecting fully free support, did you?"
It was blunt talk that could offend, but Wonjung readily nodded.
"We'll cover everything big, like development costs, live service development know-how, server support, and partnerships. And the small stuff too, like management fees and rent. In exchange..."
"In exchange?"
"You just pick one of the two, Wonjung. Publishing fees or company equity."
Wonjung looked stunned as he asked back.
"Equity? But... we're just a dev studio in name only right now—basically a university club. We don't have any equity to give."
"We know that."
"Then...?"
"You're planning a mobile game right now, aren't you?"
"Ah, yes. That's right."
"Once you release it anyway, you won't be able to maintain live services with your current company size. So use this chance to properly establish a corporation and transfer equity to us."
"H-How much equity...?"
"20%."
"20%?"
Wonjung seemed shocked by the larger-than-expected demand.
But judging by Yumi's expression, she had no intention of backing down.
'She's usually so sweet, but as the ace of the business team, she's razor-sharp when it counts.'
"Th-that 20% is a bit..."
"Too burdensome?"
"Y-yes."
I could roughly guess what was making Wonjung uneasy.
He was scared they'd interfere with management.
It was just like Wonjung, who as a kid had insisted on becoming the one who hires others instead of going to university.
"How about this, then?"
"Yes?"
"We take the equity, but we won't interfere with management."
"Really?"
"Yes. If you don't believe us, we can add a separate clause in the agreement."
With Yumi's final words giving him assurance, Wonjung nodded.
"Thank you so much."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The meeting with Wonjung wrapped up successfully.
Through it, Wonjung gained support like a drought-ending rain: development funds, live service know-how, and more.
And I got a lottery ticket guaranteed to win.
Of course, I'd have to wait at least two—no, three years—to claim the prize.
Yumi returned after seeing Wonjung off and slumped into her chair.
"I'm gonna die from this morning on..."
"Good work. Want some coffee?"
"Director's treat?"
"Of course."
"Then we have to go...! I'm getting something expensive since I worked so hard today—brace yourself."
"Yeah, yeah."
I took Yumi, excited at the thought of free caffeine, down to the Starbucks on the first floor.
The cafe was bustling with company folks despite it being a weekday morning.
I asked Yumi to order my Americano too and handed her my card.
I went ahead to grab a seat and wait, and soon Yumi came over with two drink cups.
The sizes were obviously different at a glance—she'd really gone for venti.
I sat across from Yumi, took a sip of coffee, and asked,
"By the way, has the schedule after the support program been set?"
"I heard if they pass the business team's support eligibility review, it starts right away."
"Really?"
"Yeah. And since this case already has a released game, the review should pass quickly."
"Just for that?"
At my words, Yumi slurped her coffee through the straw and nodded.
"A senior on the business team told me it's no joke over there. Indie devs hanging a sign and sucking up funds before vanishing, or half-assing it and demanding more..."
"Guess wherever there's money, those types show up."
"Tell me about it..."
Yumi and I sighed in unison, took our break, and returned to the office.
Then one day, after cleanly wrapping up work and spending ordinary days with no special events,
I got a call on my smartphone.
The caller was Jo Suyeon.
Our company's president.
When I hung up and went up to the president's office, Suyeon was sitting in her chair, looking troubled.
"You called for me?"
"Oh, you came? Our director."
"You said you had something to say..."
"Yeah. Have a seat for a bit."
I sat on the sofa as Suyeon said and waited.
Then Suyeon brought two cans of coffee from the fridge and handed me one.
"Hojin, you got any busy schedule tomorrow? Like external meetings."
I thought for a moment at Suyeon's question and shook my head.
"No, nothing in particular."
"Great. I think you should come with me somewhere tomorrow."
"Where to...?"
"Enson Korea headquarters."
"Why the headquarters...?"
Suyeon let out a sullen sigh at my question.
"Because you're doing too well, Hojin."
"Pardon?"
"I'm not joking."
"...Really?"
Suyeon sighed again at my question and explained what had happened.
"So, Girls Memorial's revenue exceeded expectations and reached the chairman at headquarters—my father's ears—and he wants to see me?"
"That's right."
"This is my first time dealing with something like this... Honestly, I don't know what to say."
Amused by my flustered look, Suyeon chuckled and waved her hand.
"No need to panic that much. My father probably doesn't have any special reason for calling anyway."
"I see..."
"Oh, but your brothers and sisters might say weird stuff to you—just ignore them, got it?"
"Weird stuff?"
"My siblings run subsidiaries too, just like me. They take after our father—they're all talent poachers, it's a family trait."
"Ah..."
Suyeon crossed her legs and asked in a sly tone.
"Hojin... you can really be trusted, right?"
"Of course."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The next morning.
Instead of my usual casual clothes, I dressed in a suit and waited for Suyeon on the first floor.
Then a familiar voice called from behind.
I turned to see Suyeon approaching with a smile, dressed in a black two-piece suit.
"President, you're here?"
"Our director made it right on time?"
"Can't be late for a scheduled appointment."
"Good job. Shall we go?"
"Isn't it a bit early?"
"It's fine. My father comes in at 7 every day anyway. This timing should be perfect."
I just nodded at Suyeon's confident reply.
No one knew the Enson Korea chairman's schedule better than her.
Thankfully, Suyeon looked in a much better mood than yesterday as we got in the car and headed to Enson Korea.
"I'll briefly explain how to act once we arrive at headquarters."
"Okay."
"Just answer Father's questions truthfully. He won't ask anything sensitive anyway."
"Is that alright?"
"Yeah. I know you well enough not to blunder with words."
"Understood."
"And like I said yesterday, if your brothers and sisters say anything weird to you, ignore it completely."
"Anything else... Well, nothing much to watch out for, but I have one request for you, Hojin."
"What is it?"
"Hiring you was the first rebellion against my father in my whole life."
"Ah..."
"So if he's a bit cold to you, you'll understand, right?"
"Naturally."
We exchanged various stories like that, and before we knew it, the car carrying us pulled up to the Enson Korea main gate.
Confirming the car had fully stopped, Suyeon opened the door and said,
"Don't forget what I told you earlier. Just stick close behind me."