Chaebol

"How much have we sold so far?"

"They've made over 50 billion won in sales in both the U.S. and Japan within the first week of release."

Ha!

It's a good thing they're counting royalties. If they had included physical card sales in the total, they would have already surpassed the target.

Park Yong-hak immediately began to calculate.

For every card pack sold, a 5% royalty is assigned.

This means that they need to sell 60 billion won worth of cards just to recognize 3 billion in sales.

Even though they're preparing new cards in the form of an expansion pack…

"That still doesn't add up."

At this rate, there's a high chance they won't hit their target, even with record-breaking sales.

'There's no way that kid wouldn't know that. Is there something else he's planning?'

"Hmm…" 

A few ideas came to mind, but every one of them involved diminishing the brand's value.

No way.

"Is it just about hitting the sales numbers? Does he think anything is forgivable as long as it makes money?"

Park Yong-hak glanced down at the card pack on the desk.

A package so luxurious it was hard to believe it only cost 10,000 won.

"So what's the next move?"

Park Yong-hak quietly smirked as if intrigued.

***

Hannam-dong, Publishing House Headquarters.

"It's done!"

When Hyung raised both his arms, the other developers sighed in relief.

Let's try again.

If we do it again, we could do better.

Should we think about it again?

Again, again, and again.

And if it still doesn't work, endless meetings.

After three weeks of this cycle, they finally got the OK.

"Can we go home now?"

"Of course. It's time to go."

He said it so coolly… you'd think he would let them go home every day… but the Japanese developers had been living in the office for over two weeks.

Even though their homes were just around the corner.

"I'll be heading out now."

"Me too…"

Were they afraid he might change his mind and make them redo it?

Everyone hurried out, even Martin, not just the Japanese developers.

"Ji-hoon, we just need to create the illustrations now."

Hyung approached me with tired eyes.

I wanted to tell him he did a good job.

But, unfortunately, he beat me to it.

"They say the cards are selling like crazy, right?"

I nodded.

"Will we be able to hit Grandpa's target once the expansion pack is released?"

"It won't be easy."

"Huh?"

I explained the 5% royalty and how many more cards we needed to sell.

"We still have that much left to sell?"

Hyung looked genuinely surprised.

Making tens of billions of won through royalties…

Achieving those numbers through conventional means is nearly impossible.

Of course, if we resort to unconventional methods… we could meet the target.

Did he sense what I was thinking?

"What's going on?" Hyung asked cautiously.

"It's simple. We introduce a gacha system."

"Gacha?"

Also known as a loot box system.

It's a highly toxic monetization element that would later become common in mobile games.

"We break the card packs into smaller parts and randomize the contents."

That way, people would have to keep buying packs until they get the card they need.

It's a business model designed to drain wallets, particularly from older men.

"There's another way."

"…?"

"We let people buy card packs as usual but introduce tiered bonuses."

Think of idol albums, which often include photo cards.

If there are nine members in the group, fans will have to buy at least nine albums to collect all the member-specific photo cards.

If you can't win over the general public… 

You adopt a strategy to milk the most devoted fans.

"Is that really the only option?"

There is another way.

We could go to Grandpa and ask him to adjust the royalty percentage.

If we argue that the current 5% is unfair and get him to raise it to 10%, it would immediately relieve some of the pressure…

'But in the long run, that would be a foolish move.'

After coming this far to prove Hyung's abilities, would he really beg for mercy at the critical moment?

'That would be a weakness that would haunt him forever.'

In the end, none of the options seemed ideal.

However, Hyung didn't miss the quiet confidence in my eyes.

"There's something, isn't there?"

"…"

"What is it? What's your plan?"

After all, everything happening now was orchestrated for Hyung to succeed the throne.

So what I'm saying is…

"You have to be the one to put the final period on this."

***

A few months later.

"On the first day of December, we bring you the KBC News."

Jung Young-joo, chairman of Daebo Group, was watching the TV screen with a peculiar expression.

For the past year, he had been laying the groundwork for a presidential run.

Now it was time to see the results.

Today's 9 p.m. news was the beginning.

For the first time, Jung Young-joo's name would appear in a public opinion poll for the next presidential candidate.

It was only natural that it would be the top story.

"Hmmm."

As Jung Young-joo gazed at the screen with a deliberately calm expression, it finally came.

"Our first story tonight."

At last!

Jung Young-joo's presidential bid…

"We have news that the Korean-made card game 'Dream Quest' is breaking records in sales day after day."

"What?"

Jung Young-joo couldn't believe his eyes.

But the screen soon changed, showing a long line of people at a bookstore in the U.S.

'This game, planned by the third generation of Hyungang, is a record-breaking hit? So! They think this is more important than a story about the next presidential candidate?'

As Jung Young-joo's brows furrowed in anger, the anchor continued.

"This unprecedented success of 'Dream Quest' is due to…"

Then came reactions from foreign media.

"The secret to this game's success is its overwhelming gameplay and incredibly clever sales strategy… (omitted) … 'Dream Quest' is now a phenomenon, marking a new era in the gaming industry."

At that moment, a troubling thought crossed Jung Young-joo's mind.

Park Yong-hak!

'Yes, that sly old man must've pulled some crafty trick! He can't stand the thought of me becoming president, so he inflated his grandson's game success to overshadow the election poll news!'

Just as his head was about to explode with anger, the first news segment ended.

He wanted to turn off the TV right then and there.

"…"

But he had to suppress the rage boiling inside him.

Maybe the story would come up in the second segment.

So, he kept his eyes on the screen, albeit reluctantly.

"Earlier, we mentioned how 'Dream Quest' is causing a stir across the U.S. Now, let's take a look at Japan's reaction."

'What… what?! Even the second story… is about that damned game? Damn it, did that old man Park bribe the entire news station with bags of money?'

Enraged, Jung Young-joo yanked the TV plug out.

***

All the news outlets were reporting on the success of 'Dream Quest.'

Selling three million units without even using a gacha system — of course, it drew widespread praise.

The release of the expansion pack only fueled its continued success.

However, despite all that, it was no easy feat to meet the target with just royalty revenue.

What could they do?

It's not like they hadn't anticipated this.

"Ji-hoon foresaw it all," Park Yoo-geon thought, boarding a plane to Japan with an air of calm.

Though he thought he'd been to Japan plenty of times, going alone for the first time had him feeling unexpectedly nervous.

"Phew."

To steady himself, Park Yoo-geon recalled the preparations he had made with his younger brother.

They had practiced so much.

He had memorized everything to the point of reciting it even in his sleep.

"Still, I'm nervous."

Time passed slowly until, at last — thud.

The plane landed on the runway.

Thump, thump.

As soon as he arrived at the airport, Park Yoo-geon hailed a taxi.

"Where to?"

"Please take me to Goten-yama."

The driver tilted his head in curiosity but quickly put the car in gear.

An innocent-looking student from Korea asking to go to the heart of Japan's economic center? It must've seemed a bit odd.

But the driver didn't ask any more questions and focused silently on driving.

As they neared the destination, the streets became busier.

There was a chance he could be late to his appointment.

"Can you drop me off here?"

"Of course."

After paying, Park Yoo-geon headed down the main street.

Even though it was his first time in the area, it didn't matter much.

He just had to walk toward the biggest building nearby.

Minus 10 degrees Celsius.

Most people were huddling in their coats, but Park Yoo-geon didn't feel the cold as he kept walking.

It was around 6 p.m. when he arrived.

"I really made it…"

The scene he had only pictured in his mind was about to unfold before his eyes.

Park Yoo-geon exhaled deeply, mentally preparing himself for what was to come.

'If I can't handle this, Ji-hoon will have to step in eventually. Yes, I need to do my part.'

Park Yoo-geon confidently approached the receptionist in the building lobby.

"I'm here to see Director Oda of the Entertainment Division."

"…The director?" 

The receptionist tilted her head in slight confusion but, being a seasoned employee, quickly erased her doubts and asked, "Do you have an appointment?"

"Yes. Just tell him Park Yoo-geon, the developer, is here."

"The developer… are you him?"

"Yes."

"Could you wait for a moment?"

A moment later, after making a phone call, the expression on the receptionist's face noticeably changed.

"Oh, yes. I'll escort him personally."

She hung up the phone and immediately straightened her uniform before turning to Yoo-geon with a bright smile.

"I've been asked to treat you with special care. Would it be alright if I escorted you?"

After exiting the elevator, a middle-aged man with neatly combed hair approached Park Yoo-geon with quick, purposeful steps.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Director Oda of the Entertainment Division."

His greeting was incredibly polite, prompting Park Yoo-geon to bow at a 90-degree angle in response.

"I'm developer Park Yoo-geon."

"I had wanted to meet you at the airport myself…"

"No, it's fine. A taxi ride was quick and easy."

With an operation of this scale, it's no surprise they have a dedicated protocol team for the entertainment division. Sending a car to the airport would have been a simple task.

'Ji-hoon said not to owe any favors before the negotiations.'

Following Director Oda's lead, Park Yoo-geon headed toward the meeting room.

"You must've visited Tokyo often for business."

Director Oda casually made small talk, asking how such a brilliant game was developed, and whether balancing schoolwork and game development was difficult, among other things.

Once the initial awkwardness seemed to fade, Oda cautiously brought up business.

"We've been eager to expand into gaming, and when you reached out, we were thrilled."

"You've been focused on music and film, I've heard."

"Yes, that's true for now, but we're gradually planning to shift more toward the gaming sector."

After re-emphasizing his interest in the gaming industry, Oda continued.

"We've reviewed the proposal you sent. You're looking to transfer the rights to 'Dream Quest,' correct?"

"To be exact, it's the rights to the physical card sales…"

"Ah, I see I generalized too much. My apologies. Rest assured, the contract will specify everything clearly."

'Did I come off as too strict?' 

His immediate apology left him feeling an unexpected pressure…

Phew.

'Stay focused. Just do it the way Ji-hoon and I practiced. I can do this, right?'

Just then, Director Oda spoke again, this time more carefully.

"Since you've expressed a desire to sell, the most important part now is negotiating the price."

"…"

"I hate to bring this up when you've come such a long way, but our Entertainment Division is currently heavily focused on acquiring foreign companies."

'If what my brother said was true, they were on the verge of acquiring CBS Records and Maryland Pictures, turning them into a major force in the content industry.'

"So, with that in mind…"

"If cash is tight, you can offer shares instead."

"Excuse me?"

'Was I being too bold? No, this is just the beginning. If Ji-hoon were here, he'd push even harder at this moment.'

"It's an IP that generates hundreds of billions in sales per quarter. To ensure fair compensation, I don't think there's a need to insist on cash."

"Ah."

"Receiving shares isn't such an unusual case either…"

"That's true."

"So, could you report it?"

"Report…?"

Park Yoo-geon stared intently at Director Oda, as if to say, "Aren't you not in the position to make decisions about share transfers directly?"

This kind of response would have been unimaginable from the old Park Yoo-geon, but it was the result of his intense and repeated training. It seemed Oda, too, sensed that Park's reaction wasn't ordinary.

"Then, as you mentioned, I'll report it to the higher-ups."

"Yes, please go ahead. I also need to make a quick call."

"…?"

"I came all the way to Japan and forgot to let people know I arrived safely."

"Oh, in that case, of course…"

Showing the gray phone on his desk, Oda continued, "I'll be back as soon as possible."

After Oda left the meeting room—

"Phewwww!"

Park Yoo-geon let out a long, suppressed breath. 

He had tried to keep his cool, but he was clearly more nervous than he realized. He could barely remember half of what he had said.

Still, he had managed to handle things up to this point. But…

"This is just the first stage… the real challenge starts now…"

His brother had emphasized this part over and over.

Park Yoo-geon heavily picked up the receiver. Even though he had dialed the number countless times, today it felt strangely unfamiliar.

"Hello, it's Yoo-geon. Can you connect me to Grandpa's study?"

A moment later—

(What have you been doing this whole time?)

The future scenario played out clearly in his mind, and even just hearing his grandfather's voice made his heart tighten.

"…I'm in Japan."

(You're going off without a word now?)

"..."

(Why are you in Japan again?)

"I'm here to hit the 100 billion won sales target."

(And how do you plan to meet that target?)

"I'm here to sell the IP."

(What?)

"Revenue from the sale of IP counts toward the total, doesn't it?"

(...!)

It was an unexpected answer, for sure.

Maybe that's why it took his grandfather a while to respond, holding back the words forming in his mouth.

(So, to hit your sales target… you're planning to sell off a cash cow?)

"We can always make another game."

(Ha!)

A reaction full of disbelief.

(So, how much do you plan to sell it for?)

"I think we should aim for at least 50 billion won."

(Who's going to give you that kind of money in cash?)

"No one. That's why I plan to take shares instead."

(Shares? What company would hand over 50 billion won worth of shares? That'd shake the very foundation of their business…)

But after a brief pause, the reaction changed.

Japan.

A company willing to part with more than 50 billion won in shares in one go.

With just those two pieces of information, had his grandfather already figured it out?

His voice trembled slightly as he asked,

(Yoo-geon… where are you?)

"In Tokyo."

(Where in Tokyo?)

"Goten-yama."

(Could it be… you're…)

At that moment, Park Yoo-geon closed his eyes tightly and answered,

"I'm at the Sonus headquarters right now."