Game Director from Hell

Chapter 46: CSAT Jo Ayoon (1)

Two topics simultaneously emerged.

Everything seemed important, but humans are curious creatures by nature.

Users reacted more sensitively to new questions than to what they already knew.

『(Chat) ClearSkiesWithoutT: Isn't that a teaser for Hellic 3? It looks like the next protagonist will be introduced next time, right?

(Chat) LordOfBloodshedInBangbaedong: I watched it in real-time, and it gave me goosebumps. It seems like there's a hostile relationship with the Warden, isn't he from a different faction of Hell?

(Chat) InTheZoneHanSu: It could be a prisoner trying to defy Hell personally.』

The video was only 20 seconds long, and the actual appearance of the stranger lasted about 7 seconds. Despite its brevity, the impact was significant, and it foreshadowed a new sense of foreboding beyond the warm ending, creating a substantial ripple effect.

The claim that it was a teaser for the next project was widely accepted as a fact. The argument that the sword was the main element of the sequel also gained credibility. The discussion about what the sword was and who its owner might be continued without a clear answer.

Of course, Studio Rewind, the production company, remained silent on the matter, leaving no room for confirmations.

Users, impatient, posted their questions on the official social media channels, but the response was "no comment." In the end, the teaser for the next project remained a mystery, fuelling users' curiosity.

『(Chat) WaitingForHelic3: It's only been less than a month since Hellic 2 was released, and people are already waiting for news of the next project. Seems a bit heartless, doesn't it?

<Comment>

LordOfBloodshedInBangbaedong: ?

ClearSkiesWithoutT: Seriously?

DeferredDraftDodgingProsecutor: Really?

CherryLipsOfFlowerHee: Please change your nickname.』

Normally, this wouldn't have been possible, but this time it was. As mentioned earlier, other unresolved mysteries were significant enough to overshadow this disappointment.

『(Chat) TakingTheCivilServiceExam: I'm relieved it was a happy ending. ㅠㅠㅠ

(Chat) CherryLipsOfFlowerHee: Actually, I think the happy ending might be the real ending. Why? Because there was a teaser for the next project in that ending too.

(Chat) SweetBlueElfMan39: Definitely a real ending,^^』

The hidden ending satisfied users enough to leave a lasting impression. With the image of the mother and daughter joining hands again, it left room for "what if," and that's why it left an enduring impact.

How should they describe that feeling? Well, it was like the lingering feeling when you close the last page of a book you've been immersed in.

Explaining it like that seemed appropriate.

When the story ends, readers return to reality, just like the users who felt fulfilled and then returned to their own realities. Of course, whether their reality aligns with the universal standard is uncertain.

『(Strategy) PoppyS2: Here's how to access the hidden route!

(Chat) WaitingForHelic3: Let's go for the event!』

It was certainly moving. Now it was time to prepare for full participation in the event.

So far, the method revealed is to enter the final boss battle with the "basic weapon." Next, within 3 minutes, hit the Warden 100 times with the basic weapon. There was no need to use the basic weapon all the way to the final boss. You just had to use the basic weapon from the unevolved route at the end.

Hardcore users had compiled various tips and route-specific strategies for this method. In other words, to participate in the event, you only needed about 14 hours to reach and attempt the final boss battle.

However, it was now the 9th day since the release, which meant there were only 5 days left for the event. For users with day jobs, this was a tight schedule.

『(Chat) LordOfBloodshedInBangbaedong: I can't do it. I've already used up all my annual leave.

(Chat) DeferredDraftDodgingProsecutor: I played without sleeping for three days and got caught, and my LAN got disconnected. They won't answer my questions...

(Chat) InTheZoneHanSu: Sleep? Isn't that what happens when you die?

(Chat) ClearSkiesWithoutT: Amateurs. 😂

(Chat) WaitingForHelic3: Well, I'll just play until I die and definitely get the goods.』

These users were like time billionaires, not only in Korea but also abroad.

The event's merchandise included an Alice figure and two unrevealed items, for a total of three limited-edition products that no gamer could resist, so there was a significant increase in challengers.

So it's been five days.

The event ended with exactly 3,870 posts.

***

"So, is the next project that one?"

"You're asking that now?"

"I've asked several times, but you haven't answered. Senior, is this onset of  dementia? Or does it even make sense for me not to know the cinematic content you asked me to make in the first place?"

Han Seorim responded sharply.

I had nothing to say.

"Let's move on to the meeting."

"If it's very unfavourable, you're going to call for a meeting, right?"

"It's because it's something really important."

Ignoring Han Seorim's narrowed eyes, I set up the projector.

Because something more important was right in front of us.

"Hellic 2 Status."

In the second week of release, it sold 1.47 million copies with a Metascore of 94 and a user rating of 90.

Let's put those numbers into words.

"It's become a masterpiece. According to the ratings so far."

It's a masterpiece.

Not someone's ecstatic praise, but numbers declaring it a masterpiece.

All the team members were dumbfounded.

Or rather, they seemed to have an attitude of not fully understanding reality.

It was understandable.

Even Myungkyu, who knows about games, leans more towards online games.

The gap between Metacritic and user ratings, and the evaluation line that the scores acknowledge, are things they might not know well.

Is it easy to grasp how absurd this is, and how unprecedented it is for an indie game to receive such ratings?

I had no intention of exaggerating things for our company.

I was just stating the facts.

"We've broken the indie debut record. Worldwide."

Hellic 2's impact spread beyond Korea and North America.

Of course, in some countries, such as Japan, where consoles are strong, it has not been able to gain much traction yet, but meaningful sales have been recorded there as well.

In other words, the name Hellic has become known worldwide.

Only then did the team members seem to realize the reality and their faces showed astonishment.

"... Did it really sell that much?"

"Yes, Myungkyu. We sold that much."

"Is it t-t-true...?"

Myungkyu responded with a doubtful look, and Jo Ayoon was amazed. As for the enthusiastic duo

"..."

"..."

The two of them seemed to have lost their souls.

Not because they were too surprised... it wasn't that.

"...Was it difficult to tally the event results?"

Those two were in charge of the event (we decided it with rock-paper-scissors).

It was a burden not to have a separate marketing team yet.

There was no need to push too hard.

I moved on and looked at Han Seorim.

"..."

The Han Seorim, who had been concerned about the next project, now had a foolish look on her face.

It seemed like she wasn't fully aware of reality.

She wouldn't even notice if a fly entered her mouth.

But then, she asked a question.

"...Is it a lie?"

"Why do you think that?"

"Senior, your expression is too calm."

"No, Seorim. I'm just really excited right now."

I raised the corners of my mouth.

But Han Seorim didn't believe it.

She just made her usual scornful expression.

Maybe it's a joke that doesn't work in this day and age.

...Erasing such sentiments, Han Seorim was right.

"...To be honest, I'm not that happy. It's a record that will probably be broken again soon."

"If it's broken again?"

"Minecraftt. It's a game that's about to be officially released, and it's a game that has already achieved a record that can't be reached in the demo version. It's almost certain that the game will break our record again." [ TL: Oh the best game of the Decade is going to release soon. Its a fact btw. Refuse to accept any other opinions]

Minecraft an open-world sandbox game.

A legendary indie game that nurtured the dreams and hopes of children around the world and saw its stock price soar to the sky before being merged into Microsoft.

After a long demo period, the official release was scheduled soon.

"We need to stay focused. We have to do better."

Only then did the team members come back to reality.

One by one, their faces stiffened.

Clap!

I clapped my hands to lighten the mood.

"Anyway, that's that. The awards ceremony is still in the future. I just mentioned it so you know. You can be happy for now. We're all getting rich. Your incentives will be quite substantial."

"Oh!"

Money talk always makes their eyes sparkle.

Especially for Myungkyu.

Come to think of it, there's been an increase in strange T-shirt variations lately.

I wish he cared less about fashion...

"Now, there won't be much work until the end of the year. So, organize your personal schedules reasonably until then..."

Now it was time to discuss the issue that could make or break our studio Rewind, which successfully completed the Hellic 2 project.

My voice naturally trailed off.

"...Ayoon."

"Yes..."

All eyes focused on Jo Ayoon.

Jo Ayoon had a strict, dignified, and serious face.

That's right. That's how it should be.

"How many weeks are left until the college entrance exam?"

The fateful moment was approaching for the high school senior, Jo Ayoon(19).

Jo Ayoon clenched her fists and opened her eyes wide.

"Two, two weeks left!"

Well, at least she had confidence.

It's not easy to juggle work and preparing for the college entrance exam.

In fact, there were moments when she looked like a sleepy chick as she juggled being a high school senior and sound director.

It was admirable and I felt sorry for her.

But Jo Ayoon had to achieve meaningful results in this exam.

It wasn't just a matter of a practical promise with her mother.

"All of our dreams and hopes rest on you, Ayoon."

Language, Han Seorim.

Math, Go Myungkyu.

Foreign languages, Cheon Yeonho.

Science, Kim Hyeji, Jo Yumi.

Jo Ayoon had been receiving focused tutoring in each of these subjects from the top five students at Korea University for the past six months.

This was a matter of pride for Korea University.

I asked, "What are your current mock exam scores?"

The answer came back with hesitation.

"Korean 2! Math 3! Foreign language 4! Science 4, 5!"

"..."

"Average 3.8!"

Jo Ayoon laughed happily.

She began to straighten her shoulders as if feeling proud, and my mind went blank at that.

And the passing grade is above 3.

But why are there only two subjects above 3?

I casually looked at the duo of troublemakers.

The troublemaker duo also looked at me.

Only then did I realize what the problem was.

"...You only need to pass in three subjects, right? I thought you would excel in Korean, English, and math."

"I, I also..."

That's right.

"Oh no."

There were two more people who had the same thought as me...!

"Senior?"

Han Seorim's eyes were bloodshot.

"What's going on?"

"Hehe..."

Jo Ayoon's laughter followed a grim voice.

She was happy that she had at least met the cut-off line in two subjects.

My heart sank.

"Ayoon, Ayoon..."

Now is not the time to be laughing.

***

Yeah, I was quite busy leading up to the official release of Hellic 2, so I have to admit that I didn't pay as much attention to Jo Ayoon's exam preparation as I should have.

When I think about it, it's true that I didn't fulfil my role properly.

The only fortunate thing is that Jo Ayoon, who has been free(still free after the college entrance exam), has reached the point where she's studying because she has nothing else to do.

That's why there is still some knowledge in her head.

"It's a close call. But if she studies a little more, she might be able to reach the passing grade."

It wasn't an empty compliment.

In the subject I was responsible for, English, she was teetering between grades 3 and 4, with only a difference of one or two questions.

Even if she just memorized one problem type from question 30, she could secure the minimum grade.

When I praised her, Jo Ayoon's eyes sparkled.

"Yes, I worked hard!"

Was she hoping for praise?

I patted her on the head, and Jo Ayoon began to smile bashfully.

"Hehe..."

Well, maybe she's doing well because she's a good kid.

"...No."

I pulled myself together.

This was a clear crisis.

The biggest crisis that had come to Studio Rewind since the college entrance exam.

I had to pull Jo Ayoon up to the stable zone for grade 3 within two weeks.

Before starting the intensive coaching, I needed to boost her motivation.

What could I say that would help her overcome the immediate difficulty?

I recalled my own high school days, and soon, a convincing statement came to mind.

"Ayoon."

"Yes!"

"What do you want to do after the college entrance exam?"

I just had to mention that the exam was coming soon.

In my memory, short-term intensive focus often led to significant feedback.

Without hesitation, Jo Ayoon replied.

Just like a typical high school student, she didn't even hesitate to think.

"I want to play MapleStory!"

...Maybe she should have thought about it.

"Well, levelling up in the game is much easier for me now... I need to raise my ranking quickly..."

"Yeah, I see."

"And, Myungkyu oppa is so lucky. He gets to play games whenever he has free time..."

"...Is that so?"

"What was it called? Dungeon and Fighter?"

"Yeah, Dungeon and Fighter?"

"Oh, right! Sometimes he play that secretly when you are not looking..."

I see. So Myungkyu was playing Dungeon and Fighter during work hours.

No wonder he kept tapping on his computer even when he didn't have much to do these days.

Many thoughts crossed my mind.

Myungkyu, the programmer, playing Dungeon and Fighter during work hours, and Jo Ayoon being obsessed with MapleStory as a high school student.

Studio Rewind, is it okay like this?

"I... I also want to finish the college entrance exam quickly!"

"Let's play games at home. But for now, let's focus on studying, okay?"

"...Okay."

I stopped thinking about it.

It was two weeks before the college entrance exam.