Chapter 32
Once I succeeded in persuading Won-jung, our conversation started to progress rapidly.
But my role ended here.
From this point on, explaining the support measures and plans was Yu-mi's domain, not mine.
"From here on, Yu-mi will explain everything directly, not me."
I then gave Yu-mi a look signaling her to start.
Yu-mi nodded at my glance and handed Won-jung a stack of documents.
"What's this...?"
"It's an information booklet about our company's indie game support program. Please take a look."
At Yu-mi's suggestion, Won-jung nodded and started reading the booklet.
He seemed to be reading more thoroughly than expected, and just as I was starting to feel a bit bored,
Won-jung put down the program guide, his expression filled with confusion.
"Is there anything in the booklet you don't understand?"
At Yu-mi's question, Won-jung lightly shook his head.
"No, that's not it. It's just... after reading the guide, it seems like we're getting all the benefits one-sidedly."
I could fully understand why Won-jung was confused.
China was originally a country that ran on guanxi, after all.
But currently, the relationship between Won-jung and our company didn't even have a point of contact, let alone guanxi.
In the end, a company from another country with no connections was willing to take a loss to help him out?
It would be stranger if he wasn't confused.
Yu-mi, seemingly having anticipated this reaction from Won-jung, answered in a calm voice.
"Of course, we're not offering this support program for free. Instead, we're giving you a choice, Mr. Won-jung."
"A choice, you say?"
"That's right. You didn't really expect to receive support completely free of charge, did you?"
It was a blunt statement that could offend some people, but Won-jung nodded readily.
"Broadly speaking, we plan to support you with development costs, live service development know-how, server support, and partnership agreements. For smaller things, we'll even cover management fees and rent. But in return..."
"In return?"
"You just need to choose one of two options: publishing fees or company shares."
At those words, Won-jung asked with a bewildered expression.
"When you say shares... Right now, we're a development company in name only, more like a university club. We don't have any shares to give."
"I know."
"Then...?"
"You're planning a mobile game right now, aren't you?"
"Ah, yes. That's right."
"Once you release the game, you won't be able to maintain live service with your current company size. So take this opportunity to establish a proper corporation and transfer shares to us."
"The, the shares... how much?"
"20%."
"20%?"
Won-jung seemed surprised by the higher-than-expected share request.
But judging from Yu-mi's expression, she had no intention of backing down.
She might look gentle usually, but I guess being the ace of the business team makes her sharp as a knife when it comes to work.
"Well, 20% is a bit..."
"Too much?"
"Y-yes, it is."
I could roughly guess what Won-jung was anxious about.
He was probably afraid of interference with management rights.
It was a typical worry for Won-jung, who had insisted on becoming someone who uses others instead of going to university when he was young.
"Then how about we do this?"
"Pardon?"
"In exchange for receiving shares, we won't interfere with your management rights."
"Is that really true?"
"Yes, and if you don't believe us, we can include it as a separate clause in the agreement."
Seemingly reassured by Yu-mi's last words, Won-jung nodded.
"Thank you so much."
*
The meeting with Won-jung concluded successfully.
Through this meeting, Won-jung gained support that was like rain in a droughtâdevelopment costs, live service development know-how, and more, and I obtained a lottery ticket that was guaranteed to win.
Of course, I'd have to wait at least two, no, three years to collect the prize money, but still.
Yu-mi, who had returned after seeing Won-jung off, slumped into her chair.
"I'm exhausted, and it's only morning..."
"Good work. Want to grab some coffee?"
"Are you treating, Director?"
"Of course."
"Then I have to go...! I'm going to order something expensive to match how hard I worked today, so be prepared."
"Sure, sure."
I took Yu-mi, excited at the thought of a free caffeine boost, down to the Starbucks on the first floor.
Despite it being a weekday morning, the cafe was bustling with company people.
I asked Yu-mi to order, including an Americano for me, and handed her my card.
Then I went ahead to grab a seat and wait. Soon after, Yu-mi approached with two drink cups.
Judging by the visibly different sizes of the cups she was carrying, it seemed she really had ordered a Venti size.
Sitting across from Yu-mi, I took a sip of coffee and asked:
"By the way, has the schedule after the support program been decided?"
"From what I heard, they say support will start right away if we pass the business team's eligibility review."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. Plus, they say this case will likely pass the review quickly since there's already a released game."
"Just for that?"
At my words, Yu-mi sucked her coffee through the straw and nodded.
"From what I heard from a senior in the business team, it's no joke on their side either. Some put up an indie game sign, take the support money and disappear, or make something half-baked and say 'screw it'..."
"Wherever there's money to be made, there are always people like that, huh."
"You can say that again..."
Yu-mi and I sighed simultaneously, then took a break before returning to the office.
***
One day, as I was going about my usual routine without any special events after neatly wrapping up work,
I received a phone call on my smartphone.
The caller was Jo Su-yeon.
Our company's CEO.
After hanging up, I went up to the CEO's office to find Su-yeon sitting in her chair, looking contemplative.
"You called for me?"
"Oh, you're here? Our dear Director."
"You said you had something to tell me..."
"Yes, that's right. Have a seat for a moment."
I sat on the sofa as Su-yeon suggested and waited.
Then Su-yeon brought two cans of coffee from the fridge and handed me one.
"Ho-jin, do you have any busy schedules tomorrow? Any external appointments?"
I thought for a moment at Su-yeon's question, then shook my head.
"No, nothing in particular."
"Really? That's good. I think you'll need to come somewhere with me tomorrow."
"Where... exactly?"
"Enson Korea Headquarters."
"Why the headquarters...?"
At that question, Su-yeon exhaled with a blank expression.
"Because you're too good, Ho-jin."
"Pardon?"
"I'm not joking around here."
"...Really?"
Su-yeon sighed again at my question and explained what had been going on.
"So, because Girls Memorial's sales were beyond expectations, it reached the ears of the Chairman at headquarters... my father, and he wants to see me?"
"That's right."
"Well, this is a first for me too... honestly, I'm not sure what to say."
Seemingly amused by my flustered appearance, Su-yeon chuckled and waved her hand.
"No need to be so surprised. Father probably doesn't have any particular reason for calling us in anyways."
"I see..."
"Oh, but my older brother or sister might say some weird things to you, just ignore them. Got it?"
"Weird things?"
"My siblings are also managing subsidiaries like me. Being greedy for talent is a common trait among us siblings, just like our father."
"Ah..."
Su-yeon changed her posture, crossing her legs, and asked in a low voice.
"Ho-jin... I can really trust you, right?"
"Of course."
***
The next morning.
Instead of my usual casual attire, I dressed in a suit and waited for Su-yeon on the first floor of the company.
Then I heard a familiar voice calling me from behind.
I turned around to see Su-yeon approaching with a smile, wearing a black two-piece suit.
"CEO, you're here."
"Our Director, you arrived right on time?"
"I can't be late for a scheduled appointment."
"Well done. Shall we go then?"
"Isn't it too early? Will that be okay?"
"It's fine. Father goes to work at 7 AM every day anyway. If we go now, we should arrive just in time."
I simply nodded at Su-yeon's confident answer.
After all, no one would know the Enson Korea Chairman's schedule better than Su-yeon.
Fortunately, Su-yeon seemed to be in a much better mood than yesterday as we got in the car and headed to Enson Korea.
"I'll briefly explain how you should behave when we arrive at headquarters."
"Ah, yes."
"Just answer Father's questions as they are. He won't ask about anything sensitive anyway."
"Is that really okay?"
"Yes. I know you're not the type to make careless remarks to others."
"I understand."
"And like I said yesterday, if my sister or brother says anything weird to you, just ignore them completely."
"Other than these things... there's not much else to be careful about, but I have one favor to ask of you, Ho-jin."
"Go ahead."
"Recruiting you was the first act of defiance I've ever shown my father in my entire life."
"Ah..."
"So even if Father seems a bit cold towards you, you'll understand, right?"
"Of course."
As we exchanged various conversations like this, before we knew it, our vehicle had arrived at the main gate of Enson Korea.
Confirming that the car had come to a complete stop, Su-yeon opened the door and said:
"Don't forget what I told you earlier and just follow behind me."