Chapter 87
The Large Conference Room is located at Sign Games Headquarters.
The Executives of Sign Games were waiting for us there for the Copyright Negotiation.
There were a total of four of them.
Seeing that they were all *elderly*, I felt a little more at ease.
Being *elderly* meant they were Executives who pushed pens, far removed from *Practical Work* on site.
In their intense gazes directed at me, I sensed another emotion besides hostility.
*Look at these guys!*
That emotion was contempt and ridicule.
These were emotions I had experienced terribly often at ND Soft *Before Regression*.
When I suggested making a *Subculture Mobile Game*, the Executives looked at me with exactly that kind of gaze.
Honestly, I felt their contempt, but I skillfully hid my *True Feelings* and sat down with the *In-house Legal Team* who had come with me.
To proceed as planned before entering negotiations, I had to accommodate the other party as much as possible in the beginning.
There were still over 10 minutes left until the appointed time, but I bowed my head first.
The Sign Games Executives, who had seemed displeased, appeared to relax slightly at my action.
Among them, an Executive with a stubborn expression, seated in the center, shook his head and spoke.
After finishing my words, I subtly began to observe each of the Sign Games Executives.
The stubborn-looking *old man* who had just spoken was *Managing Director* *Kato Nobuo*.
The white-bearded man on the far left, appearing to be in his mid-to-late 50s, was *Executive Director* *Takahashi Yuichi*, whom *Yui* had informed me about beforehand.
The other two appeared to be *Managing Director* *Kobayashi* and *Executive Director* *Kimura*.
*Kobayashi* and *Kimura* were among these four.
The opponents I needed to be wary of in today’s negotiation were *Yuichi* and *Managing Director* *Nobuo*.
I nodded and spoke again at *Nobuo*’s affirmative.
First, as I’m sure everyone here already knows, allow me to reintroduce myself. I am Ji Hojin, here as the Representative for EnsonGT in this negotiation. And these are...”
After my introduction and the introduction of all the *Legal Team* *Lawyers*, and then the brief *Self-introduction* of the Sign Games Executives, the *Full-fledged* negotiation began.
“What I wish to purchase today is the complete *IP Rights* for *Chronicle Connect*. That is, all *Commercial Rights* such as copyright, trademark rights, and patent rights.”
As I took the initiative to open the negotiation, *Managing Director* *Nobuo* asked with a serious expression.
“So, *Director Ji Hojin*? May I ask just one thing first?”
“Please feel free to ask anything.”
“As you know, *Chronicle Connect* is an IP that has already been deemed a failure in the market. What exactly do you plan to do with these *IP Rights*?”
I shrugged and replied to Nobuo’s question, asked with an intense gaze as if demanding I reveal my true intentions.
“Actually, I was a *Ranker* in *Chronicle Connect*. It was a game I really enjoyed, so I thought I’d take this opportunity to buy the *IP Rights* and try my hand at a *Media Mix Business*.”
“*Media Mix Business*?”
“Yes. Even though *Chronicle Connect* failed as a game, its characters and various settings were well-received by *Users*, weren’t they?”
Of course, everything I had just said was a blatant lie.
Perhaps my answer was unexpected, as the Sign Games Executives began to whisper among themselves.
Watching the Executives, I waited patiently, like a fisherman who had cast his bait.
Soon, Managing Director Nobuo raised his head and asked me again, as if his opinions had been organized.
“If *Media Mix* is the condition, there’s no need to purchase all *IP Rights*, is there? Simply leasing the *License* for a certain period would be sufficient.”
“Of course, if we limit it solely to Media Mix Business, Managing Director Nobuo’s words are correct. However, who knows how things will turn out in this world? For instance...”
I intentionally paused for a moment, then continued.
“What if the Media Mix works are so well-received that a situation arises where we decide to develop the game again?”
At my words, all three Executives, except for *Executive Director* *Yuichi* whom *Yui* had mentioned earlier, burst into laughter.
“Young man, aren’t you getting a bit too arrogant just because you’ve succeeded with a few games? You’re saying you’ll *develop* a game that has already failed in the market again?”
“It’s not arrogance; it’s simply a natural conclusion when considering my abilities. There’s no law saying a game that failed once is destined to fail again.”
The Sign Games Executives, excluding *Yuichi*, burst into laughter once more at my words.
But this time, their laughter was closer to mockery than before.
“He’s so young; he can’t control his youthful vigor, can he? Don’t you agree?”
At *Nobuo*’s question, the surrounding executives chimed in with their agreement.
“*Director Ji Hojin*. Just a word of caution: Executives like you and us must never speak carelessly. Why? Because Executives’ positions require them to prove their *Words Spoken*.”
“*Managing Director* *Nobuo*, it seems you believe I won’t be able to prove it... Is that right?”
Nobuo chuckled at my question; then his expression completely changed, and he replied with a stern voice.
“Of course, it’s natural to think you can’t! There’s no law saying a game that failed once won’t fail again? Do you think this *industry* is a joke just because you’ve succeeded with a few games?”
Even under *Nobuo*’s angry glare, I calmly shook my head and said.
It's not that the Industry looks like a joke; it's my confidence in my own abilities.
Still talking back...!
“And besides, if *Managing Director* *Nobuo*’s words are true, isn’t this actually an opportunity for you?”
“What? An opportunity?”
If, as Managing Director Nobuo says, a Competitor Company in the Industry is engaging in a Foolish Endeavor with a Game IP that has already failed in the market, shouldn’t an Executive from a rival company welcome such a situation with open arms?
“Ahem, ahem...!”
Perhaps speechless by my rebuttal, Managing Director Nobuo avoided my gaze and cleared his throat instead of arguing back.
“So, *everyone*, you can decide. If you are truly afraid that I might succeed with this *project*, then let’s have a *negotiation breakdown*.”
I paused for a moment, looked around at the executives, then continued.
“If not, if you truly believe this is merely the recklessness of a young man who cannot control his youthful vigor... then you can sell us the *IP Rights*.”
When the choice was offered to the Executives, tension began to fill the *Large Conference Room*.
I looked around at the Executives, whose nervous expressions were evident, and asked.
“What will you do?”
***
As I left the Sign Games *Headquarters* and made a call, a familiar female voice answered soon.
[Did you... succeed?]
Yui asked with an urgent voice, as if she had been waiting for my call.
“Yes, I succeeded.”
A *Sigh of Relief* could be heard from beyond the receiver at my answer, as if she had finally relaxed.
“Let’s meet and talk first. I have quite a few things to tell you.”
Yes, will the *Cafe* we went to last time be all right for the location?
“Let’s do that.”
I’ll be right there.
After finishing the call with *Yui*, I leisurely made my way to the *Meeting Place*.
Yui, who was already there, arriving about 10 minutes earlier than the appointed time, greeted me.
Based on *Yui*’s face, which looked like she’d lost half her weight, it seemed she had gone through a considerable amount of *Mental Suffering*.
Indeed, if this *Negotiation Breakdown* had occurred, the work she had poured her entire career into would have almost come to nothing.
I handed *Yui* the *copy of the contract* I had brought from Sign Games *Headquarters* and said.
“First, to get straight to the point, the *IP Rights* for *Chronicle Connect* have all been transferred to our side.”
Yui nodded at my explanation, examining the contract.
“...Honestly, I had half given up, but you succeeded.”
“I was lucky. And it cost a bit of money too.”
At those words, *Yui* stood up from her seat and bowed her head to me.
“Truly, thank you, thank you so much. I don’t know how I can ever repay this favor...”
I had no choice but to stop Yui hastily from her sudden action.
I could feel the gazes of the *cafe customers* turning towards us.
“It’s alright. Please stop and sit down for now.”
“...Yes.”
Yui, who sat back down at my urging, also seemed to have noticed the attention, as her face was slightly flushed.
The atmosphere at the table instantly became awkward.
This atmosphere eased only after our ordered drinks arrived.
Yui took a sip of her Americano and then asked me in her usual voice.
“So, what’s the schedule going forward?”
“First, we plan to help you, Yui-ssi, get a visa as quickly as possible so you can work in Korea. If there are any Team Members from your time at Sign Games who would like to transfer with you...”
At that suggestion, *Yui* gave a bitter smile and shook her head.
“That’s alright. The team itself was small back at Sign Games, and there weren’t any *team members* close enough to follow me to *Korea*.”
“Understood. We’ll proceed with the visa like that... And one more thing, *Yui*-ssi, I have a request for you.”
“Ah, yes! Just say the word.”
“Looking through the *Project Document*, I noticed many *Abstract Parts* in the background and regional settings. I’d like you to elaborate on these.”
“Oh, um... Could you give me a few *Specific Examples*? I need to get a sense of direction.”
“I’d like you to *Specifically* describe settings such as the *Architectural Style* present in each country, the appearance of the *City* where the *Residents* live, and the overall view of the *Guild Office* that serves as the main background.”
*Yui* asked, with a *Puzzled Expression* as if she didn’t quite understand my explanation.
“Since Director Ji Hojin says it’s necessary, I’ll do the work, but honestly, isn’t it unnecessary to create such detailed settings for a mobile game?”
“Usually, yes. Most *Mobile Games* only have a few lines of *Story Setting* and that’s it, so there’s no need to invest resources into it.”
“Then why...?”
I shrugged and replied to *Yui*’s question.
“Because the *Remake* of *Chronicle Connect* we’re planning won’t fall into that “most” category.”
Seeing *Yui* looking flustered by my sudden *Bombshell Statement*, I continued.
“We plan to *develop* this *Chronicle Connect* *Remake* as an *Open World* *ARPG*.”