Game Director from Hell

Chapter 101: Butterfly Effect- 1

All memories fade.

Because humans are designed that way, and they must live that way.

Yet, there was a memory that never seemed to fade away.

A painful memory expressed as a scar or a wound, also known as a flashback.

For me, it was NQ from my past life.

Back then, every moment was painful and every moment was despairing.

It was an environment I couldnt endure, and I didnt want to endure.

But I persevered for one reason.

The dream I longed for was there.

Upstairs is planning an AAA-grade project. Yeonho, just follow my lead. Ill make sure to involve you in that project.

AAA-grade? Wasnt our company focused on mobile?

Its mainly for stock defense thats the primary objective. But this time, its not just a project we throw around like trash. Mobile is reaching its limit. The market wants something different. You know?

With the decrease in in-app purchases.

Yeah, the next trend is a game-like game that you can enjoy without spending. NeoSoft has already started moving. Youre smart, you understand what that means, right?

Will this project definitely proceed?

Yeah, youve been assigned by the higher-ups. Theres no one as detail-oriented and obsessed with quality as you, regardless of your grades.

It was an early 30s decision-making moment for me.

Director Jeong promised to pin me as the person in charge of the yet-to-be-concretized AAA-grade project. In return, he would actively participate in the project I was leading.

Like any other company, there is office politics in a game company.

To put it nicely, its loyalty; to put it differently, its playing the game.

I was Director Jeongs player, his loyal hunting dog.

So, I was just a disposable pawn.

Director, about the project

Its not the right time yet. This project is our hidden card. We should play it as a card for a public opinion reversal when the stock cant be defended anymore.

But

Yeonho, what are you worried about? Ive got you covered.

I believed those words.

I believed that Director Jeong was the person who could make my dreams come true, and no matter what happened, as long as I made an AAA-grade game, everything would be fine.

I was naive.

Hyung!

Kim Seonwoo.

Team Leader of Development Team 4, Kim Seonwoo.

The treasure of NQ, the golden egg-laying goose, the future of the company.

And the only person who was my friend in the company.

He was a socially adept guy, getting along well with everyone, always open to different opinions, and able to control the surrounding atmosphere. He had abilities naturally, unlike me, and we might not have had any connection if it werent for him being the only friend I had in the company.

Did you see the announcement for the AAA-grade project? Theyre selecting the team leader based on performance! I have a chance, right?!

He had the same dream as me.

He was the one who dreamed of creating a masterpiece in the barren land of the Korean gaming industry, that guy.

We thought our conversations flowed well.

We thought we were walking the same path, and we believed that only we could positively affirm each other.

So, we got closer to each other, and I congratulated him on the day he was chosen as a candidate for the AAA-grade project.

Congratulations. Do your best for my share too.

I need your help, huh? Thanks a bunch! If I succeed, Ill engrave your name in the Special Thanks credits!

Youre a useless bastard.

I tried to gather my courage and stand up.

Even if I couldnt achieve my dream, there were moments when I consoled myself, thinking that if my friend achieved it, that would be enough.

If only I hadnt heard those words, everything might have been different.

I heard that hes in trouble. His stubbornness is too much. What did he say? Artistic disease? Masterpiece disease?

Why did he say that?

Was it an issue of social reputation?

Was he trying to let the company know that he was different from me?

Why?

It was perplexing, and in the end, I left the company without finding an answer.

Looking back, it was like that.

Kim Seonwoo, that guy doesnt suit me. His physiognomy is too negative!

Jo Ayoon was right.

Kim Seonwoowas a born politician with the ability to confine trends in his hands. He entered NeoSoft right after that.

I am moving out

They hated me, and everyone I despised had met a peculiar fate.

It was ironic.

Eventually, our positions had completely reversed.

Shamefully, in that process, I had felt a childish thrill.

That I was right, and they were wrong.

I got lost in such thoughts and clung even more to my identity.

I wanted to succeed and appear before those people.

I wanted to say that I was a goose laying golden eggs.

No matter how deep the slimy emotions were.

However, strangely.

Nice to see you here! Is the land in Pangyo a bit tight? Nice to meet you! Im Jung Chan-ho, the manager of NQ!

Seeing these people again, my heart didnt flutter even a bit.

I received Director Jungs business card and handed over mine.

Despite the abrupt presence of this rude person spouting words, despite Kim Seonwoo looking at me with admiring eyes, and despite those who always looked down on me now showing bright smiles.

I never imagined such outstanding talent would emerge in Korea! And such a young one at that!

I felt nothing.

I realized.

I had truly become a person unrelated to these people.

There was no longer anything of substance in NQ.

I thought it would never be forgotten.

I thought the wounds would linger in my soul, tightening my throat every moment.

But that wasnt the case.

A strange sense of liberation pervaded my body, and gradually, like dew evaporating in the sunlight, it disappeared without a trace.

Really

It was nothing at all.

The twists and turns of life and memories somehow transformed into forms that people could endure.

As my heart became at ease, a faint smile crept onto my face.

Han Seorim looked at me with surprised eyes.

Meanwhile, I continued to let Director Jungs words flow.

The only discomfort left for me was his drunken behaviour, indulging in alcohol.

At that moment, he said something that couldnt be ignored.

But you should be careful about external perception, shouldnt you? Im worried about the president as an adult.

Everyone, except the intoxicated Director Jung, seemed to know that it was an impolite remark.

In the back, starting from Kim Seonwoo, all NQ employees turned pale.

Huh? If you always act like a clown when you go out, wont it tarnish the image of the directors? We should maintain some dignity too.

It was strange to bind us with the word we.

This person always separated me with the word you.

People shouldnt look too cheap. The president might not understand yet because hes still young

Thank you for the advice.

I cut him off.

And I said.

But its strange.

At least one thing I could say with certainty.

As if going back to that time in a past life, I scraped out the words I hadnt been able to say, the remnants of my emotions.

Why cant it be a clown? We are people who exist to bring joy. Entertainers.

He remained unchanged.

He saw the position, not the game.

We are people who create games, whether internally or externally, who give joy to the users. Thats the respect for those who enjoy the world we create.

In simple terms, I could not help but be the president.

I could have followed Yang Gilsang if I had really asserted authority.

But there was one reason I didnt do that.

Its not about dignity. Its about what we need.

If it brought joy, that was enough.

If it could give even a slight smile to those who loved the game.

If there was a way to express gratitude, it was right to do it.

Directors existed to provide joy.

I put the glass down.

Late, the employees restrained Director Jung.

Sorry! Our manager got too drunk.

Its okay. It was quite enjoyable.

I stood up from my seat.

Weve had quite a bit to drink, so Ill be leaving now. Seorim, lets go.

Oh, yes.

As I stepped outside, the refreshing air of the night filled my lungs.

The night air was quite cool.

Silently, Seorim walked alongside Yeonho, observing his complexion under the streetlamps reddish glow, perhaps indicating a slight intoxication. Despite that, his steps were steady, true to his usual composed demeanour. However, today seemed different, not because of any apparent change but due to the recent events.

Why are you looking at me like that?

Just find it fascinating.

What?

Seeing you talk so aggressively to someone, laughing at a strangerits all new to me.

Is it that strange?

A bit.

Maybe more than a bit.

The Yeonho just moments ago didnt seem familiar to Seorim. The usual impenetrable facade was replaced by an unexpected vulnerability, an immature and fragile side. Even though he stood upright and firm, there was a fleeting thought that he might collapse at any moment.

A peculiar sentiment stirred in Seorims chest, but it stopped there. Am I drunk? she wondered, expressing her emotions needlessly.

Then she spoke, By the way, I didnt expect you to be so sincere about cross-dressing.

What are you talking about?

Werent you saying youd continue cross-dressing? To that person, the manager or whatever.

Yeonho abruptly stopped. He turned his head towards Seorim. After a moment, he uttered, No. Ive endured enough at this point.

Then what was that about?

Well, if users like it, I might cross-dress. But that doesnt mean its truly me.

It was a moment. The shadow of Yeonhos face under the streetlamp changed into a defiant shape.

Gilsang seems to have some free time these days.

Seorim.

Yes?

Vengeance takes time, even if its ten years delayed.

The shadow with a smirk continued. However, his eyes remained chillingly cold. A shiver ran down Seorims spine.

She couldnt help but think, This person

Seemingly more profound than expected.

is what I meant.

After that encounter, some time had passed. As always, Rewind continued its development smoothly, with minor hiccups or accidents along the way.

Today was no exception. While having lunch with Yang Gilsang, Seorim took the opportunity to check his forehead.

Oh, Yeonho, did you see this?

What?

An internet article. Ah, Yeonho, you really dont know much about the world.

Chuckling, Gilsang handed over his smartphone. Curious, Seorim took a look. It was an online news article. The moment I read the title, my body stiffened.

Neo Softs Park Youngjun CEO Declares War on AAA-Class Package Market!

It was a CEO younger than what I knew, smiling in the article.

My eyes quickly scanned the content. It was astonishing. The future I knew had Neo Soft challenging the package market at least five years later. Why was this happening already?

The answer was in the article.

Do you see this part? The CEO is quite something now.

Gilsang pointed to an interview excerpt with Neos CEO. He acknowledges the potential in Rewinds success. Thanks to Director Cheon Yeonho.

Was there more to this?

The future has changed.

It was the butterfly effect.

The surprise didnt end there.

The CEO mentioned in the article wants to meet our boss. What should we do?

An unexpected proposal was laid before us.

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