Chapter 77: Chapter 78: Chuseok (1)

The variation in endings based on the user’s play style was not a particularly new challenge. Many already released games had adopted such variations, and many upcoming games also planned to use such variations.

Even the highly anticipated GTA 5, set to be released by the end of this year, adopts a multi-ending system based on player actions.

Compared to those, the multi-ending pursued by Hellic 3 seemed to be relatively concise. Only the appearance of the final boss would change.

“Three boss battles? Are you dividing them into phases?” Seorim asked.

“No, we’re going to use completely different boss battles.”

As I answered Seorim’s question, I added an explanation.

“We’ll use the Mark System as an evaluation factor for combat. When entering the final boss, the battle will change based on the Marks collected up to that point.”

The map of Hellic 3 was naturally structured with three branches connecting organically at each junction. Players could choose the path they wanted at three different junctions, and if they didn’t like the chosen route, they could change it at the next junction.

Chapter evaluations were based on ‘which route was used the most’ in that chapter.

The normal route was composed of ‘Blind Steps’, the short route was ‘Breath of Escape’, and the sub-route was ‘Grip of the Sufferer,’ prioritizing intuitiveness.

The final boss battle also followed the route with the highest number of Marks collected.

It wasn’t difficult.

“In fact, in terms of art, the only thing to pay attention to is rigging and cinematics. Regardless of the route, the final boss is confirmed as the War Saga.”

“Ah,” Myungkyu nodded in understanding.

“Does the attack pattern or combat style change?” he asked.

“Yes, that would be accurate.”

Myungkyu, who was probably the most experienced among us in playing games (excluding online games), quickly caught on.

If that’s the case, there’s probably no need for a long explanation.

Putting aside the combat style, to cut to the chase, the ending I witnessed was ‘Blind Steps.’

I entered that as the normal ending.

The scenario was a form of desperately blocking overwhelming power.

As such, the boss battle would focus on executing gimmicks, similar to Hellic 2, and the ending would follow what I already knew.

The short route ‘Breath of Escape’ became a happy ending.

Actually, the combat rhythm wasn’t expected to be that long.

Finally, the sub-route, the ‘Grip of the Sufferer,’ would be the most difficult.

“The true ending is on this path. Practically.”

Contrary to what I observed, the true ending of this game would be that route.

It was an IP-based approach.

Expressing the confrontation between Warden Gansu and the Sinister Sword, which had already been hinted at through Hellic 2.

Adding one more thing,

‘A hidden boss.’

To make 1, 2, and 3 truly one story, a boss that completes an organic connection.

To say more, the battle with Warden Gansu would be included as a continuing from Hellic 2.

Details of the method and concept would need more consideration, but for now, let’s leave it at that.

The presentation of the rough concept was over.

“I’ll give detailed instructions to each department. Today’s meeting ends here.”

Clap! I felt the eyes turning to me as I clapped my hands.

“Now it’s been a year and a half since development started. We’ve achieved quite a bit quickly. But, as you know, complacency is not allowed. We have less chapters ahead than we’ve done so far, right?”

Now, only 2 out of the 7 remain.

Considering that the first six months were solely dedicated to developing the combat system, the actual production time didn’t seem that long.

Meanwhile, there was one harsh reality.

“We’re aiming for a release at the end of 2014. About a year and three months from now.”

Given the relatively fast progress, it seemed possible to meet the deadline if the schedule was adhered to.

At least the modeling will be completed in a little over six months from now, around March of next year, and the time after that will be spent on various programming, debugging, and adjustments to the physical specifications.

Of course, as it’s a rough schedule, it’s uncertain how things may change in the future.

“Let’s endure a bit more. That’s it.”

The meeting concluded in that manner.

***

The developer’s time passes swiftly.

Not in a physical sense, but in the perceived sense. Essentially, creative activities, rather than repetitive labour, accumulate tasks so that when one is completed, two more emerge, leading to the feeling that a year or two can easily slip by while dealing with the next.

For those unfamiliar with game development, it might seem tedious to spend years creating just one thing. However, that’s not the case.

So, why tell this story?

Simply because time has swiftly passed once again.

However, life is never entirely smooth.

Adversity tends to strike just when things seem to be going well, and I was no exception.

Now it’s September.

What does that mean?

“You’ve worked hard, everyone.”

“Oh, it’s nothing. The team worked harder than I did.”

“Modest!”

“I’m so moved!”

“Zhu, have a joyful Chuseok!”

Now, it’s Chuseok (Korean harvest festival).

Suddenly, Han Seorim spoke.

“Oh, by the way, what are you all doing for Chuseok?”

“Well, I have an event…! What about you, Unnie…?”

“I’m going home. I asked just in case someone was working.”

“Ah, no way…”

“Yeonho, you said you’re taking a break this Chuseok, right?”

He nodded slowly in response to Myungkyu’s question.

While the last Lunar New Year just passed without any special events, it was inevitable to show up in front of relatives at least once a year. This time, it meant going down to the ancestral home.

Suddenly, a strange sense of unease crept in.

Well, usually, the reason why bosses suffer during Chuseok is because they have to prepare incentives or holiday gifts for their employees. But I don’t have such worries. Everything has already been taken care of by Assistant Manager Yang Gilsang, who left work three weeks ago.

My concern was elsewhere.

—Yeonho, I heard that all the relatives are coming this holiday.

Relatives.

The more I pondered, the more fearful the word became.

***

Let’s skip the family history museum about the Cheon family. It was originally a business venture, and even relatives laughed it off as a minor incident. Even if there wasn’t such a thing from the beginning, relatives have enough reasons to be apprehensive.

In society, there was a saying that was often joked about, the top 5 most annoying things to hear during holidays. It included issues like academics, dating, dieting, job hunting, and marriage. I, too, couldn’t avoid such matters in my past life. While academic and job-related issues were somehow manageable, dating… especially after reaching a certain age, became a nightmare that haunted me, eventually turning into marriage problems.

What comes to mind now are those things.

―Yeonho, isn’t it about time you got married?

―Oh, now that I think about it, didn’t we know a girl named Seongsim before? She was really kind and pretty…

―She’s not the only one, and Hyungjun’s daughter has also start looking for a partner. Yeonho, have you considered a blind date?

Our relatives generally get along well. Moreover, they are the kind of people who love to meddle in each other’s affairs, showing more interest in my marriage than anyone else. However, their interest didn’t just end with curiosity; it went as far as setting up meetings.

I ended up going on about four blind dates pushed by them.

The results were dismal, though.

―Yeonho, did you take Seongsim’s daughter to a beef soup restaurant?

―Yeo-ho, did you go for spicy stew with Hyungjun’s daughter?

―Yeonho, why did you go to a PC bang when you were supposed to meet a potential partner?

―Why…

I did my best, but from the perspective of my relatives, these were awkward situations. After that, the disapproving glances towards me became a bit more pronounced, and after crossing my thirties, everyone, including my parents, gave up on my marriage.

Holidays became a thorny issue.

That memory suddenly surged, making me tremble with fear!

I raised my head and looked at the ancestral home I had arrived at.

A 30-square-meter apartment in Seoul, which would skyrocket in value eight years later, becoming a treasure for my parents. Despite having such a valuable asset in front of me, my heart felt uneasy.

I felt melancholic.

I needed to pull myself together.

Fortunately, there was a way.

‘Who am I?’

Cheon Yeonho, 27 years old, CEO, not ready for marriage yet.

When I silently shouted to myself, my heart felt considerably lighter.

Yes, I’m in my twenties.

I have a stable job, I’m still young, and talks about marriage are premature for a lively young man like me.

Who could possibly stop me!

“I’m here!”

…I used to think that way.

“Yeonho, have you arrived? Come, have a seat.”

“Yes?”

“Oh, my, the head of the family is here in our humble abode. I didn’t realize how proud this aunt would be.”

“Hehe! Do you have to make him feel so pressured as soon as he arrive? Yeonho, come and have a drink with your uncle! But hey, what’s with this picture? Did you wear a skirt again? And why is your chest so big?”

“Hyung-ah! Hyung-ah, you became a sister?!”

“No, Yeonho, well, Seongsim’s daughter just turned twenty-five this year…”

“…”

I had thought wrong.

I didn’t realize that age and position weren’t that important from the beginning.

“I’m now twenty-five, and…”

“Yes? Yeonho, you should get to know your potential partner well. Date for a while and spend time together. That way, you’ll know what kind of person they are.”

“Ah! What if Yeonho, our CEO, attracts a gold digger now?”

“…”

Marriage, what on earth is it?

In the eyes of relatives, there was a glimpse of madness, and I couldn’t help but shrink under their gaze, reminiscent of my past life.

This year, my seven-year-old cousin’s son sneaked into my room amid the chaos and was rummaging through my game goods.

“Oh, that’s a limited edition.”

“Yumin, that…”

“Yeonho, come here and talk to your brother.”

I couldn’t stop it.

In the midst of my precious limited edition figure of Loin Crusader, which I had cherished for over ten years, being desecrated by Cheon Yumin (7 years old), there was nothing I could do.

“Sorry…!”

In that moment, I realized.

Nietzsche was wrong.

The trials that couldn’t kill me only made me more miserable.

It was a heart-wrenching moment.

“Ah!”

The TV screen was filled with live baseball broadcasting.

It was a match between the Giants and the Eagles.

The previous hit was by the Eagles’ batter.

“Oh no!”

“Hyungnim, stop lifting your legs like that. Dont the Giants lose every day?”

“What? What did you just say?”

“If you’re angry, at least stop speaking in that dialect. So, stop supporting the Giants and support the Eagles.”

Dad’s forehead flushed.

Uncle (Dad’s high school junior and Eagles fan) chuckled.

“Ah…”

My heart felt awkward in the showdown.

Uncle was enthusiastic even in such a situation.

“Yeonho, is there anyone you’re interested in these days?”

The decision was quick.

“Escape.”

I couldn’t stay here any longer.

***

A detached mansion in Cheongdam-dong.

In front of a well-set dining table, an elderly couple dressed in traditional Korean clothing led a family of ten in a quiet meal.

The restrained atmosphere was accompanied by discussions about something.

“Brother, this time in Seocho-gu, the land…”

“This redevelopment…”

It was a conversation about money, more precisely, about land for money investment.

Somewhere among them, Seorim picked at her food while fidgeting with her smartphone.

Her older brother, Jinkyung, was nursing a hangover from the previous night’s drinking spree.

It was at that moment.

Ding dong!

A messenger notification arrived for Seorim.

It was from Yeonho.

The attention of relatives turned towards Seorim.

“Who has Seorim been contacting so eagerly?”

“Has Seorim found a man?”

“Hmm? Is our granddaughter getting married?”

“Not that. Grandfather, it’s an alarm for work.”

Despite the suspicion, a single frown from Seorim silenced her relatives.

Seorim was the forbidden fruit of the household.

“Working even during Chuseok?”

“It’s not something big. Just a moment.”

Seorim immediately opened the messenger.

She didn’t check the content, but based on what she had seen over the years, Yeonho wasn’t the type to contact about non-work matters on holidays.

Considering the urgency, Seorim finally nodded.

[Yeonho Sunbae: Help]

One unfamiliar word intensified her doubts.

At the same time, there was only one thing she could think of.

“It doesn’t seem urgent.”

Since he didn’t mention the matter, it seemed appropriate to respond later.

With that, Seorim closed her smartphone and resumed her meal.

She briefly answered her relatives’ questions.

Ding dong!

Another message arrived.

[Yeonho Sunbae: Are you sleeping?]

“?”

Seorim truly couldn’t understand the message.

However, the vague words were unsettling enough to make her shiver instinctively.

/RomanceMTL