Big Life

“Ah… Yes.”

Nam Gyu-Ho continued with enthusiasm, even leaning forward as he added, “I hope you’ll put your trust in me this time as well. I’m considering to develop it into a PC game.”

“A PC game?”

“Yes, specifically a high-quality MMORPG.”

Ha Jae-Gun was at a loss for words. Nam Gyu-Ho smiled and crossed his arms with confidence.

The world of MMORPG had grown tremendously with the development of 3D graphics. Popular MMORPG games were usually magnificent with vibrant colors. This was also partly due to the fact that there were many more features that could be implemented in the game compared to mobile-based MMORPG games.

The highly prided, detailed, and three-dimensional world was displayed through vibrant graphics in the battle-filled MMORPG game.

Ha Jae-Gun recalled the MMORPG games that Park Jung-Jin enjoyed playing, and his heart began pounding. The thought of having another of his fantasy s turn into a large-scale game once more was clearly exciting to him.

However, he also felt anxiety aside from the excitement. He was afraid that the times had completely changed, as this was the era when people would be on their phones most of the time instead of staying at their computers all day.

“I suppose so.” Ha Jae-Gun nodded.

He turned down the fire of the reduced tofu hotpot and said, “Of course, I would welcome it with open arms, regardless of its profits. But… I’m slightly worried, wondering if it would work out well.”

“Making it successful is my job,” Nam Gyu-Ho replied confidently, like always.

Despite feeling reassured, Ha Jae-Gun still smiled bitterly. “I wholeheartedly believe in your abilities, Director Nam, but I still can’t help but worry. You must be more well-informed than I am, but many MMORPG games released in Korea are struggling to stay afloat.”

Nam Gyu-Ho nodded in agreement. “Well, there are indeed many games that had to shut down shortly after their releases since the development costs are much higher than mobile games, but…”

Nam Gyu-Ho trailed off, but an aggressive smile appeared on his face. “If I had to worry every time I develop a new game, I wouldn’t be able to stand here right now.”

“...”

Nam Gyu-Ho’s words were overflowing with passion and conviction, and it made Ha Jae-Gun gulp in slight fear.

“What do you think? Will you leave it in my hands?” Nam Gyu-Ho urged, his eyes longing for an answer from Ha Jae-Gun as he looked at him with a gentle gaze.

Ha Jae-Gun took a sip of water and calmly said, “Actually, there were offers from two other companies.”

The smile on Nam Gyu-Ho’s face disappeared completely at the news. “Two companies?”

“If I include the mobile game offers, there will be over ten offers. But amongst them, only two had offered to develop MMORPG games. XM Games and Endisoft.”

Nam Gyu-Ho immediately straightened up, turning anxious without his knowing. Ha Jae-Gun wasn't just a close friend. He was also a writer whom he had business dealings with. Had he let his guard down unknowingly just because he was in a relationship with Ha Jae-Gun’s sister?

“Excuse me, Writer Ha.” Nam Gyu-Ho fixed up his loosened necktie and said in a hurry, "Yes, XM Games and Endisoft are great game developers, I do not deny that. But regardless of what they have offered you, I can do better than them. On top of that, you've partnered with us at Nextion for a while now, so you must be familiar with our work style—"

"I'm going to work with you." Ha Jae-Gun waved his hand, cutting Nam Gyu-Ho off.

"...!" Nam Gyu-Ho's eyes grew.

"R-really?"

"Yes. I apologize for cutting you off so abruptly. I just thought that it would be rude of me to just listen to you quietly when I've long decided to work with Nextion."

"I can even have a kettle of it."

However, Ha Jae-Gun blocked him just in time. "I have something to ask as well before we order the wine."

It was time. His fingers started trembling under the table.

"I heard that you're seeing my sister." Ha Jae-Gun said, going straight to the point.

Nam Gyu-Ho remained silent as if giving some sort of acknowledgment.

"I apologize for bringing this up. There's actually no need for me to talk about this, but it's because she's very precious to me. She's getting old, and I earnestly hope that she'll meet someone nice soon."

"No, I understand… Yes."

"I'm not requesting you to do something about it, and I don't have the right to do so. I just have a question. Director Nam…what are you planning to do with my sister?"

Nam Gyu-Ho was quick-witted, so he instantly understood what Ha Jae-Gun was trying to say. Ha Jae-Gun was afraid that his sister would get hurt if Nam Gyu-Ho was just planning to date her on impulse. Ha Jae-Gun was hoping that Nam Gyu-Ho would break it up with his sister if he had no plans of marrying her so that she could find another man sooner rather than later.

"I'm planning to marry her," Nam Gyu-Ho replied after a while.

"...!" Ha Jae-Gun was so surprised that he looked up in an instant.

"I'm seeing Ms. Jae-In because I really want to marry her. I am planning to do everything I can to get permission from my father. I will definitely do my best."

"Thank you…."

Ha Jae-Gun reached out and pressed the service bell, and a kettle of Dongdong wine was served. The two men raised their filled glasses. Their hearts were conveyed to each other through their toast. No further words were needed as they emptied their glasses.

***

[Unusual and unconventional casting for a first-time female lead, what were Hong Ye-Seul's previous works?]

" Jae-Gun hyung, shouldn't we have a company dinner since your is going into reprint again?"

"How do you connect every little thing to a company dinner?"

Yang Hyun-Kyung, who was working on his beside Lee Yeon-Woo, added, "I hope we can have dinner together as well. Min-Ho hyung and Eun-Young noona will be getting married soon and leaving the office, so it'll soon be harder for all of us to gather."

Lee Yeon-Woo then pretended to whine lightly, "Aren't you too much, hyung? You didn't listen when I asked but suddenly agreed to it when Hyun-Kyung hyung asked."

Excited at the news, Lee Yeon-Woo and Yang Hyun-Kyung gave each other a high five. Meanwhile, Jung So-Mi looked up from her drawing and smiled.

Ha Jae-Gun pulled out his phone and grinned as he looked at the caller ID. He stood up immediately and answered Lee Soo-Hee's call.

"Why did you call at this hour?"

— I was just calling before heading out for lunch. Have you had yours?

"I'll be going soon. How are you?"

— I'm good. Oh, I just got off a call with Director Nam.

"Director Nam? What did he say?"

— He wants me to return as soon as possible. He needs to develop a large-scale game but says that I'm the only person fit to head the project.

Lee Soo-Hee chuckled and said,

— And our Writer Ha knows what that game is, right?

— Why are you laughing? That's no fun. You don't like it?

"Of course I do. Why are you asking the obvious?"

"Don't do this. There are other writers here with me…." Ha Jae-Gun said softly, looking around him.

Lee Soo-Hee then continued mischievously.

— What? What about me? You should finish your sentence.

"I… like you more."

— Hear yourself, you're so soft. I'll overlook it this time, but you're going to get it from me when I get back.ᴛhis chapter is ᴜpdated by Novᴇ(l)ꜰɪre .ɴᴇt

"Just come back soon already."

"Yeah, let's talk again in the evening."

Ha Jae-Gun was about to discuss the company dinner with the others after hanging up, but another call came in.

This time, it was a call from the U.S. agent, Chae Yoo-Jin.

"Hello?"

"Yes, hello. You sound happy today."

"Thank you. I'll take a look after lunch."

— And I'm also in contact with a few other publishers aside from Knobble. The sales volume depends on how powerful the publishers are, aside from things like advanced royalties and distribution of the first prints. Their connections with the media are important as well. In fact, Knobble doesn't specialize in fantasy s, so I'm slightly concerned, even though their conditions were great.

"I can seem to imagine how hard an agent's job is. You've been working hard because of me."

— Don't mention it; it's my livelihood as well. You don't have to thank me for it. I'll call you again once there's more progress.

"Thank you. I hope you have a good day, I'll be waiting for your call."

***

Chae Yoo-Jin got out of the bathtub after the call. While wiping her body dry with a towel, she felt a strange sensation again. She frowned and lifted the toilet cover before sitting down.

After coming out of the bathroom, she opened the fridge out of habit and took some cut oranges. She was only left with one orange after preparing a week's worth of food.

Thinking back carefully, she hadn't been eating much recently either. Chae Yoo-Jin tilted her head as she went to the sink to start peeling a new orange. The sour scent attracted her, and she began putting a few pieces in her mouth.

"A phone call always comes in when my hands are dirty," Chae Yoo-Jin grumbled as she wiped her wet hands. She subconsciously caressed her belly while going to her phone. The caller ID showed Oh Myung-Suk's name.

"...?" Her hands stiffened. Something struck her as soon as she saw his name. Her mouth slowly opened, and her eyelids slowly opened fully. One of her hands was still caressing her belly.

1. A type of makgeolli ☜