Chapter 62
As if he had anticipated my saying something like this, Taeyun asked in a wry voice.
“You think so too, don’t you?”
“Of course. Once it gets to that point, it’s a *Battle of Wits*, isn’t it? It’s better to escape before you become part of the sacrificial burial party.”
“Haa... I don’t know how it ended up like this.”
“Indeed.”
With that, the conversation paused, and silence fell.
Taeyun seemed to be deep in thought, as if the reality of his impending resignation was finally sinking in, and I chose not to disturb him.
I knew from the start that he wasn't the type to enjoy being comforted.
He’ll sort it out himself once he’s done thinking.
About ten minutes passed as I waited, sipping my half-melted iced Americano.
Taeyun, his expression considerably relaxed as if he had come to terms with things, finally spoke.
“You know, no matter how much I think about it, you’re right.”
“I told you. Staying with that *Project* until the end won’t gain you anything. It’ll only ruin your career.”
“Yeah... Thanks.”
“Thanks for what? I just gave you a little push.”
“Still, man.”
“Anyway, have you thought about what you’ll do after you resign?”
At my question, Taeyun shook his head with an ambiguous expression.
I thought he’d say he was going to start his own Game Company again, like Before Regression...
The answer that came from Taeyun’s mouth was the exact opposite of what I expected.
“That... I’m not sure.”
“Really? You once said you wanted to make games. Or was that not you?”
“No, you’re right. I still want to make a game with my *Illustration*s... but after going through this *Project*, I feel a bit broken.”
The confidence that was usually evident in Taeyun’s expression was missing.
“It’s frustrating, so tell me clearly what the problem is. Only then can I give you some advice.”
“So, what happened was...”
Taeyun recounted the full story.
After it passed the first, unilateral feedback began to pour in from the time the *Project* entered its second year.
This feedback included in-game content like siege warfare, but there was also a lot of feedback regarding art.
In addition to the previously mentioned issues of exposure and *Character Gender Ratio*, there was also *Gaslighting* disguised as feedback on Taeyun’s art style.
“*Gaslighting* is scary, you know. I had pride, and I thought my art was second to none, but after being nitpicked about my art style for a whole year, I started to wonder, *Is my art style really not good enough?*”
“Your art style isn’t good enough? What kind of crazy talk is that?”
The more I listened to Taeyun’s story, the more absurd it seemed.
If one just looks at *ND Soft*’s main games, there are hardly any that weren’t influenced by Taeyun’s work.
In fact, it felt less like *Project* feedback and more like a malicious *Attack* on Taeyun and *Subculture* itself.
“Hyung, can you show me any recent *work* or drawings you’ve done? Excluding *project* *work*, since that’s confidential.”
“*Work*? Just a moment.”
Taeyun rummaged through his bag and handed me a tablet.
“The other folders are *Project* *Work* backups, so just look at what’s in the *Personal Folder*.”
Following Taeyun’s advice, I immediately went into the *Personal Folder*, and various drawings appeared.
Drawings that clearly bore Taeyun’s distinctive style were recognizable to anyone.
As I looked through them one by one, I discovered unexpected materials.
They were animated GIFs that moved fluidly as if the images had joints, and it looked like he was practicing *Live 2D*.
Live 2D was a key feature of Destiny Familiar, the game Taeyun had created by founding his own Company Before Regression.
Although he said otherwise, it seemed Taeyun was, just like *Before Regression*, ready to create his own game.
While the quality itself might have been inferior to the *Before Regression* *Official Launch* version, that wasn't a big problem.
After all, Taeyun had already dominated the market *Before Regression* with just his *Live 2D* and *Illustration* quality.
If he were given time, capital, and personnel, he would undoubtedly deliver the quality he had in *Before Regression*.
Given all these circumstances... this was an opportunity that wouldn't come again.
An opportunity to pick up a winning lottery ticket for free.
Moreover, given his current state, Taeyun didn't seem to have any intention of starting his own *Company* like *Before Regression*, so I decided to bring him into our *Company*. Of course, based on *Before Regression*, there were many negative issues and noises regarding his management and conduct... but this was within the scope of what I could provide feedback to him on.
To do that, I first asked Taeyun.
“Hyung. Since you haven’t decided what you’ll do after resigning... how about coming to our *Company*?”
“Your *Company*? As an *Artist*?”
“No, not as an *Artist*. Of course, if you came to our *Studio* as an *Artist*, I’d welcome you with open arms, but it would be awkward for you, wouldn’t it, having to work under *Yerin*.”
Taeyun grimaced at that and said.
“Under *Yerin*? That’s a bit much.”
“So, instead of an *Artist*, how about coming in as a *General Director* and making the game you’ve always wanted to make?”
“?”
I offered further explanation to Taeyun, who had frozen as if experiencing a *Brain Freeze* from the sudden offer.
“What’s your biggest problem right now, Hyung? You want to make a game, but your self-esteem has been eroded by *Gaslighting*, making you afraid to do anything, right?”
“That’s right.”
“So, come to our *Company* and make a game. Unlike *ND Soft*, our *Company* operates under a *Studio System*, so we can guarantee maximum autonomy for each *Project*.”
“Ah.”
Only then did Taeyun seem to understand my proposal, and he looked at me with a complex expression.
“I really appreciate the offer... but will it be okay? I don’t have any *General Director* experience, to begin with.”
“Who has *General Director* experience from the start? Everyone gets recommended, comes in, gains experience, and becomes a seasoned professional.”
“What if the game I make fails?”
I replied to Taeyun’s apprehension in my usual voice.
“It won’t happen, but even if it did, no one would care, would they, considering how much I’ve earned for the *Company*.”
It was a half-joke, but Taeyun also seemed to deflate, letting out a chuckle.
“It really means a lot to hear you say that... But can I give you a definite answer later? I need to go home and talk to my *wife* about it.”
“Of course. Just contact me before it’s too late.”
“Okay.”
A week later.
After receiving a call from Taeyun, I visited the *CEO's Office* with the *Project* proposal he had sent.
Perhaps because I had called ahead, Suyeon was waiting, seated on the *Reception Sofa* rather than at her *Executive Office Desk*.
“Hojin-ssi, you’re here?”
Suyeon’s expression, as she offered her *Greeting*, was full of interest.
It was like seeing children who had discovered Santa Claus.
She seemed to be anticipating what new item I had brought this time.
To satisfy Suyeon’s expectations, I handed her the *Project* proposal Taeyun had sent.
“Please take a look.”
“...It hasn’t even been a month since the *Korean Server Launch*, and you’re already preparing for the next *Project*?”
Suyeon took the proposal, looking at me with a puzzled expression, as if she didn’t understand.
Seeing her reaction, I realized my mistake.
“Ah, this isn’t a proposal I wrote; it’s one written by an *acquaintance* of mine.”
“Then why are you showing it to me...?”
“Just read it first.”
At my suggestion, Suyeon began to read the proposal with a bewildered expression.
Initially, her expression was deflated, but as she read more, her face relaxed, as if she were becoming interested.
After all, the contents of that proposal were about a game that had truly succeeded.
Silence filled the room, broken only by the sound of Suyeon turning the pages of the proposal.
The silence was broken after Suyeon finished reading the proposal and set it down. She tapped the armrest of the *Sofa* with her finger, as if needing some *Time to Think*. Then she looked at me and asked.
“Judging by your expression, Hojin-ssi, you want to hear my thoughts on this proposal... right?”
I honestly nodded at Suyeon’s question.
“Well, yes.”
“As you know, Hojin-ssi, I don’t know much about games, so I’m not sure if I can give you the answer you want... but it was certainly interesting.”
Suyeon took *a sip* of water, as if to collect her thoughts, then continued.
“The story wasn’t particularly outstanding, but it was captivating, making me curious about what would happen next. And the attached *Character Design Samples* and in-game content explained with images were also intriguing.”
“It seems you really liked the proposal, seeing you praise it so highly.”
At my words, Suyeon smiled faintly and nodded.
“Hojin-ssi, if you had brought this, I probably would have given *Project Approval* without a second thought.”
“It was that good?”
“Yes, it was that good. So, I’m asking: Why did you show this to me?”
Getting to the main point, I nodded and replied.
“I want to bring the *acquaintance* who wrote this proposal into our *company*.”
“An *Acquaintance*? At that level, if you just tell the *HR Team* you’re recommending an experienced professional, they’d make a spot for the professional, wouldn’t they?”
“This person has a lot of *industry* experience, but they’ve never held a *General Director* position. More importantly, the *company* they’re currently working for is *that* kind of *company*...”
“Which *company* do they work for?”
“*ND Soft*.”
“Really?”
Suyeon made a playful expression at my answer.
She seemed interested in the prospect of poaching *Key Personnel* from a *Competitor Company*.
“Hojin-ssi, be honest. You have some lingering resentment towards your former *Workplace*, don’t you?”
“I can’t say I don’t.”
“Bringing this person to our *Company* is also then...”
“That’s not it.”
“Really?”
“Of course, it’s not that I don’t feel that way, but more than that, I truly felt that this *Project* proposal would succeed.”
“Really? So, you have a good feeling about this one too...”
Suyeon, who had been contemplating my words, eventually made a decision and nodded.
“Alright, I understand. You can go now. Just give me that person’s contact information before you leave.”