Chapter 7
Chapter 7
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: Sound Director (2)
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“What’ll you have? Soda? Coffee? Green tea? And you, miss over there?”
“I’ll take green tea.”
“Um, soda’s fine for me...”
Chaeyoung handed us our drinks, grabbed her canned coffee, and returned to her seat.
“Long time no see. Last time was before I quit, so... over four years?”
“Five years. You retired after year-end.”
“Oh, right... Who’s this? Girlfriend?”
Chaeyoung’s sudden remark made Yumi panic so hard she spat out her soda.
“Cough cough! N-nooo...!! We’re absolutely not that kind of...”
“Spouting nonsense again.”
“Then who is she?”
“Our team PM.”
“PM? ND Soft had a PM this pretty?”
“Didn’t you hear? I transferred to Enson GT this time.”
At my words, Chaeyoung scratched her head with an awkward look.
“After switching to broadcasting, I deliberately walled off that industry’s news.”
“Well, now you know.”
“Yeah. You look a lot better these days, too.”
“You too, senior. How’s broadcasting? Manageable?”
“Same everywhere people work. Not super satisfying, but...”
“Senior, you don’t really like your job much, do you?”
My sudden jab made Chaeyoung frown.
“What’s that out of nowhere...?”
“We haven’t just met yesterday. With your personality, if you liked it, you’d be all hyped up bragging about broadcast life first thing. Right?”
“......”
“Be honest. Broadcasting’s got tight schedules and strict guidelines from what I know. You satisfied working there?”
“......”
“And from what I remember, even at the game company...”
“So, what’s your point, Hojin?”
I sensed the bite and was about to push, but her question deflated me.
“I’ve told you before: keep it to the point.”
Feeling a pang of regret at Chaeyoung Senior’s regained composure, I handed her a proposal.
“It’s my first project after transferring. Need a director to handle BGM, OST, effects... all sound work overall.”
“Hmm... So you want me for Sound Director?”
“Exactly.”
At my offer, Chaeyoung began scrutinizing the proposal.
About five minutes passed as she frowned thoughtfully while reading.
She set it down, crossed her arms, seemingly done thinking.
“So, what do I gain by joining this project?”
“Gain?”
“Even as director, everyone knows sound’s a precarious spot. Screw up the project, you’re gone—no surprise.”
Couldn’t argue against Chaeyoung’s blunt fact-drop.
Sound had lower priority than other roles and could even be outsourced.
“So, to drag me back to games, you need some bait, right?”
“What do you want?”
At my question, she raised her middle finger like she’d been waiting.
“First: no remote work hopes, but guarantee five days a week with fully flexible hours.”
“That’s not a big deal... But why the hours?”
“I’m the type where gluing my butt to the chair on off days kills efficiency.”
“That much I can do...”
“Second! Full authority over my work until completion.”
“Isn’t that obvious?”
“Thought so back in games, but broadcast taught me otherwise. Let me own it till done.”
“No issue there.”
“Finally! I’ll make sure it doesn’t interfere, but...”
Chaeyoung, who’d been talking smoothly, looked troubled, avoided my eyes, and continued in a fading voice.
“Can I... maybe drink a little while working?”
“......”
I couldn’t hold back and shot her a look of contempt.
“N-no...! Hear me out!”
“Go on.”
“...Broadcast work piled up so much I ended up remote naturally. Sipping beer or low-proof stuff boosted my quality so much...”
“So you want to work with drinks?”
“...Yeah.”
Ridiculous, but her claim wasn’t incomprehensible.
Not like chugging whiskey or cocktails blackout-style,
and if drinking improved quality as she claimed, no real reason to block it.
“Senior, doesn’t seem like a big issue to me, but...”
“Really?!”
“Not my call alone, though. I’ll step out and make a call.”
“Okay, I’ll wait.”
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Explained the situation to Suyeon over the phone from the break room.
[What’s the problem? All doable.] [I think so too... but is it okay?] [Overtimers sneak convenience store booze for coding anyway. Proven vet at this? Bargain.] [Got it.] Suyeon’s words were clear: snag her at all costs. Back in the recording room, they were chatting.
Despite the age gap, they seemed to click surprisingly well.
“Company bearable? Hojin’s team must bury you in work.”
“Hehe... Project’s new, so not sure yet...”
“World’s not just game companies. If it’s rough, think transfer like me.”
“Ah, y-yes.”
“Don’t corrupt a good kid with bad influences.”
“Bad influences? Life advice from a senior.”
Shook my head at her shameless reply and returned to my seat.
“Made the call. All your conditions are good to go.”
“...Really?”
“Why would I lie about this?”
But oddly, despite getting what she wanted, Chaeyoung showed no joy.
‘While I was out, her indecision must’ve kicked in again...’
Her face said no answer today.
“Sorry.”
“Knew it.”
“Thought it over. Just doesn’t pull enough to quit broadcasting.”
“No helping it. Can’t force you.”
I stood, seeing her apologetic look.
“Schedule’s tight. Heading out.”
“No escort needed?”
“Wasn’t expecting. Just keep in touch. Oh, and...”
Pulled a temp business card from my pocket and set it on the desk.
“If you change your mind, call this.”
Tapped the card with a finger and left the recording room. Yumi hurried after.
“Senior, that’s it? Producer said must recruit her.”
“Don’t worry. Left the card.”
“Still...”
“She’s got a rebellious streak. Push one way in that state, she bolts the other.”
“Ah...”
“So we just wait.”
My prediction hit the same day.
Before the next day even dawned, Chaeyoung Senior called.
Receiver blared noisy clinks of glasses—some bar?
Amid the din, her sloshed, slurred voice came through.
-Hojin, sorryyy! Judged too hasty in daylight...
Chaeyoung Senior sobbed.
-Please take me...!!
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ “She’s totally smashed.”
Whispers leaked in Enson GT’s fifth-floor corridor.
After morning tasks, PC game dev team leaders gathered, eyeing the elevator.
The elevator they watched carried soundproofing materials and audio gear—recording studio stuff.
“Heard? Mobile team’s project is the new prez’s all-in bet.”
“Full support, yeah. Why parachutes suck.”
“Phone games make bank? New biz fever got him.”
After venting on the mobile team and prez, the leaders sighed it off.
“Anyway, sixth floor’s top dogs now. Lay low for a bit.”
“Yeah. Time’ll show prez who was right.”