Chapter 83: Hellic 3 Release (1)

Chapter 83: Hellic 3 Release (1)

“You’ve worked hard.”

I said to the directors of Development Team 2.

The two smiled awkwardly, and their eyes met, exchanging a knowing glance.

Consistent as always.

The only noticeable changes were the shift from nerdy fashion to functional clothing and a decrease in body fat with an increase in musculoskeletal mass.

A fleeting thought crossed my mind that something might be wrong, but I brushed it aside.

Whatever it was, as long as the directors were good at development, wasn’t that enough?

Health is just one of the requirements for their well-being.

So, let’s set aside any trivial matters between the two directors, like the sparring match.

Now, ahead of the release of Hellic 3, it was time to assign a new task to those who had completed one.

“You’ve had about two months of rest.”

“Yes!”

“Mr. CEO! I body felt so itchy!”

“Yes, let’s get straight to the point. Please prepare for the next project.”

That moment arrived.

“Oh, about that.”

Nishimura adjusted his glasses and took a step forward.

“Could you take a look at this?”

“What is this?”

“During the break, we discussed and came up with a brief proposal.”

I was somewhat surprised.

They hadn’t just been idling, it seemed.

As a director, it was satisfying to see their enthusiasm.

“Let’s check it out.”

As I got handed over the proposal, I swallowed my surprise.

Copson spoke.

“Demon’s Relic. A RPG that combines cute girl dating simulation and JRPG.”

I had thought about this to some extent.

As I listened to the details in the proposal, a thought crossed my mind.

‘Is there some kind of external force?’

In my past life, the team Kawaii Demon, led by them, had created Demon’s Relic, and now, in a different time and space, it seemed to have reappeared in the same form.

Suddenly, the idea flashed through my mind that this might be the result of some inexorable force beyond human control.

But that thought was soon erased.

I could derive an answer to this question, both rationally and humanely.

‘...Every creator harbors their own worldview.’

It was quite a famous saying.

Following that logic, the result of this Demon’s Relic was probably the collision of the worldviews completed by Jelen Copson and Nishimura Keisuke.

It seemed like an interesting chemical reaction.

Their polar opposite natures could complement each other’s weaknesses.

The theme of the 72 demons of Solomon was probably Copson’s choice.

Adding moe elements to these demons and turning it into a dating simulation was likely Nishimura’s idea.

To reconcile both features, JRPG seemed to be the compromise.

It was quite intriguing.

I hadn’t played this game in my past life due to personal preferences, but that was from the perspective of a user, not Director Cheon Yeonho.

‘I might learn something.’

If this collision of unexplored ideas called Demon’s Relic could provide me with inspiration, it could be valuable for maintaining the series’ legacy and securing my personal skills.

“It looks good. Of course, since it’s just a draft, I can’t say much, but... yes, I think we can proceed with this.”

As I handed back the proposal, smiles spread across the faces of the two.

It was a relief.

“We’ll work hard!”

“Please trust us!”

“Huh?”

“What?”

The two turned their heads abruptly and exchanged knowing smiles again.

I spoke.

“...You can go now.”

If they were going to fight, I wished they’d do it somewhere else.

***

The world is rushing by.

There are moments when the future, once thought to be distant, suddenly approaches, and events that were thought to be long-awaiting turned out to be ‘already?’ moments.

It was the release of Hellic 3.

Sometime in mid-October.

The pre-order for Hellic 3 had begun.

With special benefits for those who pre-ordered.

Jin Wooohung, Reporter for Jin Sungilbo Daily

It’s a level that I can strongly recommend to someone.

The reactions became even more enthusiastic.

Of course, all of this happened at a time when the game had not yet been released, so it was too early to judge the game hastily.

However, the time of such controversy was not long.

A week is a short time unless you are a soldier about to be discharged.

‘(Chatter) WaitingforHellic3: Delivery Complete!’

October 29th.

The day to open the lid has come.

***

Community nickname ‘WaitingforHellic3,’ real name Kang Seokhoon.

Until the release of Hellic 1, he was a job seeker, and by the time of Hellic 2 was released, he was a new employee. Now, he has established himself to the point where he is called ‘Manager Kang.’

Even with the passage of time, the innocence remained.

In any case, feeling such nostalgia, Seokhoon checked the message that appeared at the top of his smartphone screen.

[Sujin♥: Oppa, tomorrow is our 1st anniversary hehe]

Kang Seokhoon, in his first year of dating.

He never thought he would be in a relationship for his lifetime, but somehow, he met someone, and tomorrow would mark their 1st anniversary.

In the societal atmosphere and public perception, it was deemed that the first anniversary of a relationship is a day to celebrate with your significant other. It’s a day to eat at a nice place, talk, and celebrate the fruition of love.

Seokhoon knew this.

If it was an ordinary day, he would willingly choose to go to bed early tonight to conserve energy for the special day.

Well, if it’s the first anniversary date, it’s natural to spend the entire day together, right? He should save up energy for that.

However, it was not possible.

‘Why on earth...!’

Why did the first anniversary and the opening run of Hellic 3 have to be on the same day!

A once-in-a-lifetime crossroads, Seokhoon pondered.

‘Hellic 3 or Sujin.’

He had waited for Hellic 3 for the past three years.

Or, should he celebrate the first anniversary with his girlfriend and go to bed straight away?

The current time was 11:40 PM.

Only 20 minutes of agonizing decision-making time remained.

Seokhoon felt a queasy sensation in his stomach and clenched his teeth.

Nothing was unimportant.

Both were crucial events in Seokhoon’s life.

Seokhoon wished he had two bodies.

One could go on a date, and the other could participate in the opening run of Hellic 3.

He wished for two bodies, especially on a night like this!

Sweat was dripping, and before he knew it, the time was 11:55 PM.

That was the moment.

Ding!

On the refreshed community page, he saw a post:

『(Event) SweetBlElNam42: Planned an event for the open run,,, @―@

I,, getting older,,, games are not easy,,,

But passion,,, as a middle-aged man,,, let’s put our hearts into the game,,, and plan an event,,,

If our community family,,, can clear it for the first time,,, we will give away department store vouchers,,, 50,000 won each,,, coolly,,,!』

Thunk—

Seokhoon’s rationality was cut off.

‘Oh?’

Then, couldn’t he play Hellic 3, get department store vouchers, and use them to give Sujin a high-quality gift?

A clear thought came to him.

A bright smile appeared on Seokhoon’s face.

‘Yes! That’s what I should do!’

At least, Seokhoon thought so.

...That’s how humans were.

In fact, when faced with a problem where the answer was already apparent, the heart could easily be swayed by small variables.

At the moment of decision, 11:59 PM.

Tick-tock!

Seokhoon immediately grabbed his pad and started the game.

He shouted inwardly.

‘Sorry, Sujin! I’ll make it up to you twice as much on our 2nd anniversary!!!’

His eyes widened.

The scene where someone would sigh and say, ‘Even a guy like him is in a relationship,’ unfolded!

No one could stop Seokhoon today!

Not even his mother could stop him (he lives on his own)!

[Aaahhh!]

With the familiar intro scream, Seokhoon’s play began.

/RomanceMTL