Big Life

Chapter 198 - What? Dragon Rider? (4)

“Ah... Yes.”

Ha Jae-Gun nodded his head, recalling how Ha Jae-In had brought up Nam Gyu-Ho looking for a way to bring The Breath into the game market in one of their conversations a while back.

Nam Gyu-Ho continued with caution. “Amongst all of your works, I enjoyed The Breath the most. I've always wanted to turn the novel into a game. I've become even more convinced of its potential because of the success of your Oscar’s Dungeon.”

Nam Gyu-Ho continued with enthusiasm, even leaning forward as he added, “I hope you’ll put your trust in me this time as well. I’m considering to develop it into a PC game.”

“A PC game?”

“Yes, specifically a high-quality MMORPG.”

Ha Jae-Gun was at a loss for words. Nam Gyu-Ho smiled and crossed his arms with confidence.

‘He’s turning it into an MMORPG?’ MMORPG meant massive multiplayer online role-playing games where multiple users could connect online and enjoy the game simultaneously with others in the same world.

The world of MMORPG had grown tremendously with the development of 3D graphics. Popular MMORPG games were usually magnificent with vibrant colors. This was also partly due to the fact that there were many more features that could be implemented in the game compared to mobile-based MMORPG games.

The highly prided, detailed, and three-dimensional world was displayed through vibrant graphics in the battle-filled MMORPG game.

‘...Will it work?’

Ha Jae-Gun recalled the MMORPG games that Park Jung-Jin enjoyed playing, and his heart began pounding. The thought of having another of his fantasy novels turn into a large-scale game once more was clearly exciting to him.

However, he also felt anxiety aside from the excitement. He was afraid that the times had completely changed, as this was the era when people would be on their phones most of the time instead of staying at their computers all day.

While Ha Jae-Gun remained silent, unable to give Nam Gyu-Ho an answer, Nam Gyu-Ho uncrossed his arms and continued. “The world of The Breath is vast. Not only the knight and the dragon but there are countless other characters that intertwine with each other, creating various interesting playstyles. There will definitely be a limit to how much the mobile game version can express that world.”

“I suppose so.” Ha Jae-Gun nodded.

He turned down the fire of the reduced tofu hotpot and said, “Of course, I would welcome it with open arms, regardless of its profits. But... I’m slightly worried, wondering if it would work out well.”

“Making it successful is my job,” Nam Gyu-Ho replied confidently, like always.

Despite feeling reassured, Ha Jae-Gun still smiled bitterly. “I wholeheartedly believe in your abilities, Director Nam, but I still can’t help but worry. You must be more well-informed than I am, but many MMORPG games released in Korea are struggling to stay afloat.”

Nam Gyu-Ho nodded in agreement. “Well, there are indeed many games that had to shut down shortly after their releases since the development costs are much higher than mobile games, but...”

Nam Gyu-Ho trailed off, but an aggressive smile appeared on his face. “If I had to worry every time I develop a new game, I wouldn’t be able to stand here right now.”

“...”

“Moreover, it’s The Breath we're talking about here. It’s the best-selling novel you have, and it's also scheduled to be released in the U.S. I am most confident that it’ll turn into a huge hit. No, not just confident, I will definitely make it happen, not just in Korea but all over the world.”

Nam Gyu-Ho’s words were overflowing with passion and conviction, and it made Ha Jae-Gun gulp in slight fear.

“What do you think? Will you leave it in my hands?” Nam Gyu-Ho urged, his eyes longing for an answer from Ha Jae-Gun as he looked at him with a gentle gaze.

Ha Jae-Gun took a sip of water and calmly said, “Actually, there were offers from two other companies.”

The smile on Nam Gyu-Ho’s face disappeared completely at the news. “Two companies?”

“If I include the mobile game offers, there will be over ten offers. But amongst them, only two had offered to develop MMORPG games. XM Games and Endisoft.”

Nam Gyu-Ho immediately straightened up, turning anxious without his knowing. Ha Jae-Gun wasn't just a close friend. He was also a writer whom he had business dealings with. Had he let his guard down unknowingly just because he was in a relationship with Ha Jae-Gun’s sister?

“Excuse me, Writer Ha.” Nam Gyu-Ho fixed up his loosened necktie and said in a hurry, "Yes, XM Games and Endisoft are great game developers, I do not deny that. But regardless of what they have offered you, I can do better than them. On top of that, you've partnered with us at Nextion for a while now, so you must be familiar with our work style—"

"I'm going to work with you." Ha Jae-Gun waved his hand, cutting Nam Gyu-Ho off.

"...!" Nam Gyu-Ho's eyes grew.

Ha Jae-Gun then added, "For The Breath's MMORPG game."

"R-really?"

"Yes. I apologize for cutting you off so abruptly. I just thought that it would be rude of me to just listen to you quietly when I've long decided to work with Nextion."

"Haha, my, my... Mr. Ha, you're really..." Nam Gyu-Ho laughed, scratching the back of his head. Feeling both happy and embarrassed, he said, “I’m feeling thirsty all of a sudden. They sell dongdong[1] wine here by the glass. Would you like some? Although it's still relatively early, let's have some to toast."

"I can even have a kettle of it."

"Ah, let's order a kettle then." Nam Gyu-Ho reached out to press the service button at the end of the table.

However, Ha Jae-Gun blocked him just in time. "I have something to ask as well before we order the wine."

"Ahh, mm... sure." Nam Gyu-Ho retrieved his hand.

It was time. His fingers started trembling under the table.

"I heard that you're seeing my sister." Ha Jae-Gun said, going straight to the point.

Nam Gyu-Ho remained silent as if giving some sort of acknowledgment.

"I apologize for bringing this up. There's actually no need for me to talk about this, but it's because she's very precious to me. She's getting old, and I earnestly hope that she'll meet someone nice soon."

"No, I understand... Yes."

"I'm not requesting you to do something about it, and I don't have the right to do so. I just have a question. Director Nam...what are you planning to do with my sister?"

Nam Gyu-Ho was quick-witted, so he instantly understood what Ha Jae-Gun was trying to say. Ha Jae-Gun was afraid that his sister would get hurt if Nam Gyu-Ho was just planning to date her on impulse. Ha Jae-Gun was hoping that Nam Gyu-Ho would break it up with his sister if he had no plans of marrying her so that she could find another man sooner rather than later.

"I'm planning to marry her," Nam Gyu-Ho replied after a while.

"...!" Ha Jae-Gun was so surprised that he looked up in an instant.

"I'm seeing Ms. Jae-In because I really want to marry her. I am planning to do everything I can to get permission from my father. I will definitely do my best."

"Thank you...."

Ha Jae-Gun reached out and pressed the service bell, and a kettle of Dongdong wine was served. The two men raised their filled glasses. Their hearts were conveyed to each other through their toast. No further words were needed as they emptied their glasses.

***

[Ha Jae-Gun's original novel, Storm and Gale, confirmed for movie adaptation through China's Teencent Pictures, with lead actors Park Do-Joon and Hong Ye-Seul]

[Unusual and unconventional casting for a first-time female lead, what were Hong Ye-Seul's previous works?]

[Hong Ye-Seul, female lead of Storm and Gale: I'll squeeze out every last ounce of energy I have for the person I'm grateful for]

[Ha Jae-Gun's Storm and Gale book goes into reprint after movie adaptation announcement]

" Jae-Gun hyung, shouldn't we have a company dinner since your novel is going into reprint again?"

"How do you connect every little thing to a company dinner?"

As the winter season comes, Ha Jae-Gun's news had taken over the internet by storm once again. Along with the news of the movie adaptation of Storm and Gale, other articles related to that flooded the news and social media as well.

"Hyung, we haven't had a company dinner in a while. Since you're almost done with Oscar's Dungeon, let's have a company dinner today, please?" Lee Yeon-Woo begged Ha Jae-Gun like a child once more.

Yang Hyun-Kyung, who was working on his novel beside Lee Yeon-Woo, added, "I hope we can have dinner together as well. Min-Ho hyung and Eun-Young noona will be getting married soon and leaving the office, so it'll soon be harder for all of us to gather."

"Hmm, shall we have one then?" Ha Jae-Gun mumbled, nodding in agreement.

Lee Yeon-Woo then pretended to whine lightly, "Aren't you too much, hyung? You didn't listen when I asked but suddenly agreed to it when Hyun-Kyung hyung asked."

"Then you should be more persuasive with your words. Alright, let's have a company dinner tonight. It'll be my treat in commemoration for Storm and Gale." Ha Jae-Gun agreed readily.

Excited at the news, Lee Yeon-Woo and Yang Hyun-Kyung gave each other a high five. Meanwhile, Jung So-Mi looked up from her drawing and smiled.

Bzzt!

Ha Jae-Gun pulled out his phone and grinned as he looked at the caller ID. He stood up immediately and answered Lee Soo-Hee's call.

"Why did you call at this hour?"

— I was just calling before heading out for lunch. Have you had yours?

"I'll be going soon. How are you?"

— I'm good. Oh, I just got off a call with Director Nam.

"Director Nam? What did he say?"

— He wants me to return as soon as possible. He needs to develop a large-scale game but says that I'm the only person fit to head the project.

Lee Soo-Hee chuckled and said,

— And our Writer Ha knows what that game is, right?

"Hahaha...."

— Why are you laughing? That's no fun. You don't like it?

"Of course I do. Why are you asking the obvious?"

— Who do you like better? Me, or The Breath?

"Don't do this. There are other writers here with me...." Ha Jae-Gun said softly, looking around him.

Lee Soo-Hee then continued mischievously.

— I'm going to drag this out if you don't give me an answer soon. Me or The Breath?

"Ha... Of course, it's you."

— What? What about me? You should finish your sentence.

"I... like you more."

— Hear yourself, you're so soft. I'll overlook it this time, but you're going to get it from me when I get back.

"Just come back soon already."

— All right. Ah, Deputy Seo is out. I'm going to go for lunch now. Enjoy your lunch, Writer Ha.

"Yeah, let's talk again in the evening."

Ha Jae-Gun was about to discuss the company dinner with the others after hanging up, but another call came in.

This time, it was a call from the U.S. agent, Chae Yoo-Jin.

"Hello?"

— Hello, Mr. Ha. This is Chae Yoo-Jin. Hohoho.

"Yes, hello. You sound happy today."

— It might be because I had a great meal in Korea. Things have been going well lately, and I'm in a good mood, too~ I called to let you know that the translated version of The Breath is complete. I'll send it to you via email, so please take a look.

"Thank you. I'll take a look after lunch."

— And I'm also in contact with a few other publishers aside from Knobble. The sales volume depends on how powerful the publishers are, aside from things like advanced royalties and distribution of the first prints. Their connections with the media are important as well. In fact, Knobble doesn't specialize in fantasy novels, so I'm slightly concerned, even though their conditions were great.

"I can seem to imagine how hard an agent's job is. You've been working hard because of me."

— Don't mention it; it's my livelihood as well. You don't have to thank me for it. I'll call you again once there's more progress.

"Thank you. I hope you have a good day, I'll be waiting for your call."

***

Beep!

Chae Yoo-Jin got out of the bathtub after the call. While wiping her body dry with a towel, she felt a strange sensation again. She frowned and lifted the toilet cover before sitting down.

'Why do I go to the toilet so often these days? Nothing's coming out either.'

After coming out of the bathroom, she opened the fridge out of habit and took some cut oranges. She was only left with one orange after preparing a week's worth of food.

'How did I finish this so quickly? Am I gaining weight recently?'

Thinking back carefully, she hadn't been eating much recently either. Chae Yoo-Jin tilted her head as she went to the sink to start peeling a new orange. The sour scent attracted her, and she began putting a few pieces in her mouth.

Bzzt!

"A phone call always comes in when my hands are dirty," Chae Yoo-Jin grumbled as she wiped her wet hands. She subconsciously caressed her belly while going to her phone. The caller ID showed Oh Myung-Suk's name.

"...?" Her hands stiffened. Something struck her as soon as she saw his name. Her mouth slowly opened, and her eyelids slowly opened fully. One of her hands was still caressing her belly.

1. A type of makgeolli ?