Chapter 3
Chapter 3
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 3
Chapter Title: Episode 2. Park Dahye
-----------------------------------------------------------------
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Deep breath in. Okay, time to check KakaoTalk!
[Loving Manager Park: Kwon, sorry. I have to go into work tomorrow.]
Damn it. Sakura.
She should just delete the chat.
[Me: But I already used my annual leave?]
[Loving Manager Park: Didn't you get the message? Deputy Kim has the flu.]
Again with "that flu."
[Me: Still, I took the day off...]
[Loving Manager Park: Hey. I'm asking you because it's you. You're just gonna play games all day anyway.]
Damn.
Yeah, that's the problem with always watching what you say at work.
Manager Park knew my entire schedule, including my game login times.
At a company dinner, I'd gotten excited when the topic of games came up and ended up spilling all my hobbies...
Karma, I guess.
[Loving Manager Park: In return, take four days off starting tomorrow, including the weekend. Sound good? You'll do it, right?]
[Me: Should I head out right now?]
[Loving Manager Park: Don't overdo it. I'll send you the files, so check them in the morning and handle the meeting. These are originals I picked myself, so take good care of it. Use the corporate card to treat yourself to something nice.]
[Me: Loyalty! Loyalty!]
Still, it's a relief that the person I blabbed to was King God Emperor Admiral Park Majesty.
Battered by all sorts of human trash, crushed by deadlines—if it weren't for Manager Park, I'd have quit this company ages ago.
This time too, for Manager Park's sake, I'll head in.
Glancing at the clock, it was already past midnight.
Time just vanishes once I log into Billion Saga.
Regrettable, but if I have to go out tomorrow, that's it for gaming tonight.
Not sure how many hours of sleep I'd even get if I lay down now.
I suffer from severe insomnia.
[Me: Hey, it turned out just like you said ㅠㅠ]
[Kim Pokttal: lololololol I knew it from when you were excited about taking leave. No paradise where you run off to. ]
[Me: Still, I should get off early tomorrow? Let's raid again at 2, okay?]
[Kim Pokttal: Good good. But I have an appointment tomorrow, might be late.]
[Me: You? An appointment?? That's weird? No way?]
[Kim Pokttal: I have something called business too! I'll go make some money!]
[Me: lol Sure, been a while since you acted like a real person. Take your time.]
Kim Pokttal having a day off? Unbelievable.
Strange, but I don't dwell on it.
Tomorrow, we'll be together again anyway.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The moment dawn broke, I checked my email.
It had the meeting location and time, and the attachment contained the other party's personal info.
Personal info—something about the phrasing feels off...
No resume or self-introduction, just basic details.
'Name Park Dahye, age twenty? No experience? That's it?'
No photo either—just name, age, address, and two image files.
Even these seemed handwritten by Manager Park, not sent by her.
What the hell is going on...
Anyway, time's tight, so I'll check on the way.
Current time: 11 AM. Appointment in 30 minutes.
I arrived at the cafe near the office, our meeting spot.
Our company is a mid-sized game developer, decently reputable.
I'm a deputy in HR.
I manage and hire freelance original artists and 3D modelers.
Five years in the field this year.
But Manager Park personally picking someone who didn't even send a resume? First time.
'Manager Park must really like her.'
It reeked of forced progress, but I could instantly see why Manager Park was going all out.
'Whoa... no wonder Manager Park lost his mind.'
The two attached drawings said it all.
Using our company's art style but surpassing the originals in quality.
Plus, the subtly reinterpreted anatomy made you swallow hard—purely captivating artwork.
Popular character from our flagship game Eternal Princess Crown.
A special avatar illustration of Rosanne the Unemployed.
'Theme is forest fairy?'
Rosanne sitting in the middle of the woods, surrounded by spirit beasts and small animals.
Light filtering through trees, reflecting off dust for a mystical vibe.
Animals, leaves, flowers, countless shadows and light.
Despite the complexity, all my senses locked onto Rosanne.
The artist's intent, no doubt.
Genuine mastery.
'If we don't sign this artist, Manager Park will cry.'
Whew, heavy pressure, but now it's my turn.
Win her over and bring her onto our team as an original artist—that's my job.
For the record, I'm pretty damn good at it. Unless the world ends, I can snag her at my target salary.
Sounds boastful, but it is.
That's why Manager Park dragged me out on my day off.
'Twenty years old. First kid, but...'
No matter how genius, she won't beat me.
Show an opening, and I'll rip her to shreds.
Ding-a-ling!
Then a woman entered the cafe, looking around.
Late morning, prime coffee-craving time.
Place was packed, so hard to tell if she was the artist.
Especially without a photo.
But artist or not...
She stole all my senses away.
Just like when I saw Park Dahye's artwork moments ago.
Why? Because...
'Whoa, Rosanne's alive.'
Skin white as snow.
Alluring eyes.
The waist peeking under her pink crop top looked barely a handful, thanks to the elegant hips below.
Not just pretty—otherworldly, like a fantasy creature.
Every customer at the tables stared, pinned by her presence.
Even the women.
"Would you like to order?"
"Ah, um... I have an appointment here..."
She met each gaze with anxious eyes, scanning the crowd.
Her demeanor showed fear despite her beauty.
Finally, her eyes landed on mine across the sea of stares.
"Um..."
Oh, it's the artist.
Doesn't look it from her face, but her voice is pure twenty-year-old.
Then...
Get it together, Kwon Seonghyeon. Business time.
Pretty or not, she's just a woman.
Women are dust to me.
"Nice to meet you. You're Park Dahye, the artist, right? I'm Kwon Seonghyeon, deputy from Narrative Games."
"Whoa, really? Phew... You were already here. What a relief."
Huh? First time hearing a greeting like that in five years.
"A relief? Busy day today?"
"No, it's just... I've never ordered coffee before. I was worried I'd have to wait outside if you weren't here."
Plot twist.
Cafes are full of high schoolers these days, but a twenty-year-old with no cafe experience?
She looks like she'd haunt every Insta-famous spot.
Clinging in fear over her first order—not your typical kid.
But if she can't even order coffee...
The contract must terrify her.
Cruel thought, but this might make things easy.
I see the opening! Bite, Kwon Seonghyeon!
"Hahaha, glad to hear it. Total relief. Want to try ordering this time? I'll help."
"Huh? But, um... I didn't bring my wallet."
"Obviously I'm buying today. Gotta make a good impression on you."
"R-Really? Hehehe. Then... can I get cake too?"
"Of course! Even two is fine."
Cake's the issue? She could take home a bag of beans.
Corporate card's free today.
I'm invincible.
Office district cafe menus rival seafood buffets.
To a proper adult, only iced americanos register.
"Whoa... I was worried, but this is insane. So much coffee. Where does coffee start and end?"
"Espresso to iced cappuccino. There are sweet ones like smoothies and fresh juices too."
"Hmm... Juice is tempting, but I should get coffee today. Gotta learn to order alone next time."
"Brave choice. I'll explain each one, so take your time."
"Okay!"
I stood with her at the counter, far enough to scan the menu together.
What this coffee is, how it tastes, what's in it.
Not work-related, but valuable.
One personal connection beats a hundred pitches.
Especially with someone this young.
Park Dahye listened with sparkling eyes, mouth agape at the steamed milk part of cappuccino.
"Milk foam? Like cocoa?"
"Just coffee flavor. The foam's smooth, though."
"That one! I'll take it!"
"Great pick. Milk ones are easiest for first-timers. Want to choose your cake?"
"Yes!"
Park Dahye plastered herself to the showcase, drooling over the options.
Like a puppy.
The glamorous beauty from entering? Gone from her back now.
What was that aura earlier...
Crop top? Pfft, hilarious in hindsight.
Her "crop top" was just a too-small character T-shirt showing navel.
Jogger pants? Knee-bagged sweatpants. Vintage hoodie? Just worn out.
Wearing that to a meeting—bold or clueless?
But they say fashion's finished by the face.
She outshines my suit, no makeup even.
Damn. Why'd you laugh, you loser?
"I picked! Chocolate mousse."
"Time to order. Here's the card."
"Yup! What'll you have, Deputy Kwon?"
"Cappuccino for me too... and cheesecake."
"Got it. Two cappuccinos... chocolate mousse... and cheesecake. Done!"
This is like babysitting.
Handed her the card, she scampered to order.
She flinched big at cinnamon powder, but I was ready and explained from behind.
Look at her satisfied head shake.
So adorable.
Finished ordering, she strutted back with a proud huff.
"I was so adult, right?"
"Totally. Super cool."
"Hehe. Deputy Kwon explained so kindly, I was full of confidence."
Of course—salary negotiation incoming.
Internal rapport fully charged.
But nothing's free. Time to pay up.
While waiting for drinks, I hyped her art, boosting her ego to the clouds.
Then smoothly slid over the contract.
The one with the lowest salary.
Easy peasy.
But twist.
Bottom line: my contract rejected.
Flat-out.
Why did artist Park Dahye turn down the job offer?
"I have to play games."
That's it.
So don't get cocky, Kwon Seonghyeon.
He who rises by games falls by games. ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇