Chapter 38
Chapter 38
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 038
Chapter Title: Change
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Enson GT headquarters, first floor cafe.
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The look on Myunghoon's face across the table was full of bewilderment.
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"Uh, so, Hojin? I didn't hear you wrong, did I?"
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"You heard me right."
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"So you're saying you'd like me to take over as director?"
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"Yes."
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"Why? Is something going on?"
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"The project for the next game is starting soon, and I have to move over there."
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Myunghoon's eyes widened at the bombshell I'd dropped out of nowhere.
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"For real?"
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"Why would I lie to you about something like this, hyung?"
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"I'm just surprised they're already starting production on the next one. Girls Memorial hasn't even been out for a full year yet."
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"A year is plenty of time to start prepping the sequel. Mobile games have short lifespans, so now's the perfect timing."
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"Well, that's true enough... But why me? There are plenty of other people."
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"Come on, who else but you, Myunghoon hyung? Yerin? You know she's essential for art and has to move to the next project."
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"Yeah, that's right..."
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"If not Yerin, then Yumi? Her workload's about to double with the new project, so that's out of the question."
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"True..."
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"Last options: Seol-i? Chaeyoung Senior? Seol-i's personality makes it tough, and Chaeyoung Senior... well."
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Myunghoon nodded reluctantly, as if picturing Seol hiding her face or Chaeyoung Senior chugging beer during overtime.
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"You make a good point, Hojin. But you know me—I'm a born engineer. I can't do the streaming or public face stuff like you."
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"Don't worry about that."
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"Why not?"
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"I'll handle all the public-facing stuff. You just take care of the director duties behind the scenes."
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"Why didn't you say so earlier?"
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His expression relaxed once he heard that.
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"The reorganization plan should be announced soon. I'll give you a heads-up as soon as it hits the intranet."
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"Thanks."
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*
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A week after getting the proposal approved by Suyeon.
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The mobile game development team's reorganization plan had passed the executive meeting and gone up on the intranet announcement.
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Honestly, I'd figured it'd take at least two weeks to get approved.
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I was floored that it had gone through in less than half that time.
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'Did the president pull some strings?'
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No matter how favorable the execs were to me, shortening the timeline like this was nearly impossible, so I couldn't help suspecting.
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The problem was, since I hadn't expected it to pass so fast, I hadn't told the team yet.
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And now my phone wouldn't stop buzzing.
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This was bad.
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Feeling a headache from the vibrations against my thigh, I headed into the team office.
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Suddenly, stares from all directions.
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Some looking shocked after checking the announcement.
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Others blankly staring in stunned surprise.
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A few whispering to colleagues, not getting it.
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What they had in common: they were all regular team members, too hesitant to approach me directly.
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They were peeking around, afraid to ask outright—until Yerin and Yumi came to the rescue.
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"S-Senior?! Did you see the intranet?!"
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"Directooor...! Reorganization announcement?!"
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I set aside their demands for explanations and scanned the room.
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If these two were this worked up, the other two probably were too...
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Myunghoon was the only one I'd tipped off in advance.
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Sure enough, there was Seol-i peeking from the planning team entrance.
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I beckoned her over.
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Realizing she'd been caught, she let out a squeak and shuffled toward me.
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"I'll explain everything... but has anyone seen Chaeyoung Senior today?"
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Yumi raised her hand.
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"I saw her this morning on the way in. She was half-asleep, heading to the bathroom."
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Figures.
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Too buried in overtime to check the intranet.
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I'd even guaranteed flexible hours to avoid overtime, but here we were...
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I'd never understand it, even after all these years.
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Anyway, about five minutes after Yumi went to fetch her,
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Chaeyoung Senior arrived, sleep mask pushed up on her forehead, dragged in by Yumi.
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"What's this about... Can't it wait just a bit?"
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"It'll only take a minute. Hang in there."
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"Ugh..."
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Ignoring her grumbling protest, I circled the office.
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Still feeling all those stares.
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I opened my mouth.
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"I know the sudden reorganization announcement has everyone confused. Right?"
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"Yes!!"
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I nodded at the chorus of replies and continued.
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"First off, I'm sorry I didn't give you all a heads-up sooner."
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"I didn't expect the plan to pass this quickly either, so I missed the timing. My apologies again."
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I bowed my head, and applause erupted from all around.
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"The reorganization has two key points. First, the mobile game development team will be disbanded and restructured into studios."
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"Second, Girls Memorial will move to GM Studio, and the new project to a new studio."
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The office instantly buzzed with murmurs.
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I calmed them down and went on.
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"But moving to GM Studio won't change much. Most of you here will stay with GM Studio, and only a few senior members will shift to the new studio for the sequel."
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"No details on the new project yet—I'll update you later."
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I wrapped up without taking questions and headed back to my office.
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The team members followed right after.
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No surprise—they were our team's directors, minus Myunghoon.
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"Senior, give us a proper explanation."
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Yerin sounded a bit miffed, and the others nodded in agreement.
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"Not much changes for you guys. The team just becomes a studio, and a new headquarters will oversee the studios."
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"So, separate offices for each studio?"
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"Probably."
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Yerin nodded and asked again.
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"What about the sequel?"
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"Same deal. The proposal passed, so a studio for it will form soon."
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"When did you even start prepping it?"
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"Not long. Two or three months, tops?"
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"You finished the proposal in two or three months? With all your company work?"
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"Seol-i helped a ton with the story outline."
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The stares shifted to Seol-i.
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Like they were wondering why she hadn't told them.
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I cleared it up before misunderstandings spread.
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"Just to clear things up: Seol-i didn't say anything because I asked her not to."
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"Why hide something this big, Senior?"
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"Didn't want rumors tanking office morale, especially this close to the one-year mark."
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"Ah..."
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"Sorry I couldn't loop you in sooner. The announcement came too fast for me to time it."
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"It's fine. You had your reasons, and it wasn't like you were hiding it on purpose."
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Looking around, their expressions had softened.
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They'd probably felt hurt that I hadn't told them right away...
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I'll have to be more careful from now on.
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"Anyway... Any more questions?"
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A hand went up behind Yerin.
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It was Chaeyoung Senior, looking a bit less sleepy.
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"If we move, who fills our spots? Do we need to scout replacements?"
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"That'd be ideal, but no big deal if not. I heard they'll post job openings if needed."
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"When does the sequel project start?"
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"Still need a senior dev for TD. As soon as we hire them."
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"Got it...?"
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Relieved it wasn't immediate, she yawned and flopped onto the sofa.
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"If you're sleeping, go to the nap room."
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"I'm not sleeping, so don't worry."
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"Whatever. Get up soon—Myunghoon hyung's coming for the handover."
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*
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Once the team members ebbed away like the tide,
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Myunghoon entered the office shortly after.
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"You're here."
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"Yeah... What first?"
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"Have a seat on the sofa. I'll grab the handover docs."
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I gathered the materials while he headed to the sofa.
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They hadn't seemed heavy on the desk, but damn, they were hefty.
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Like they symbolized the rough handover ahead.
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"Alright, let's start the handover."