“This is good!”
Su‑yeon’s jaw dropped; she could never hope to write prose this smooth herself.
After reading up to chapter 5 she asked timidly,
“Is the person who wrote this the new hire you mentioned?”
“It’s something Baek Young‑hoon wrote in the past,” Taeyeon replied.
“You mean Baek Young‑hoon from the level team?”
“That’s right.”
Taeyeon continued, ignoring her stunned expression.
“I’m putting Mr. Baek in charge of scenario design. You’ll stay on the project, but as a planner, not a writer. What do you want to do?”
Stay and learn planning from scratch?
Or leave and look for a better offer?
The latter was basically impossible. Su‑yeon earned 36 million won a year; few studios would pay that to a five‑year scenario writer—and she had neither the résumé nor the network for a big company.
And really, it wasn’t an insult: the more capable person should manage the team.
“Well?”
“I….”
Under Taeyeon’s quiet pressure, Choi Su‑yeon bowed her head.
A Meeting at Nexple HQ
While Taeyeon reorganized the scenario team, CEO Kang Geon visited Nexple and met Director Lee Taeyoung.
“Breakthrough is a charming game,” Lee said warmly. “Revenue keeps climbing, user reviews are great, and our operations team loves how easy it is to run.”
Kang beamed. After a bit of small talk he got to the point.
“As I mentioned, Pandemonium will be test‑ready in two months.”
Lee nodded. “Honestly, what you showed me before was already good enough. We could sign a publishing deal right now and start marketing.”
“There’s still plenty to polish,” Kang demurred. “In fact, I’m seriously considering jumping back into hands‑on development myself.”
Lee tilted his head. “Isn’t Producer Yoo Taeyeon leading the project?”
“You… know about that?” Kang forced a smile, then lowered his voice. “He was fine as a team lead, but once we added live‑service duties he started to flounder. He’s simply not PD material.”
Lee made a non‑committal sound. Kang brightened again.
“So don’t worry—just give us two months. I won’t disappoint you.”
When Kang left, Lee immediately called someone. Moments later Son Youngsang, Nexple’s head of development, strode in.
“Busy as hell—what do you want?” he grumbled, dropping into a chair.
Lee smiled. “Question: you know Producer Yoo Taeyeon, right?”
“Of course. I’m the one who recommended him to you. Talented guy—shame we missed out.”
Lee recounted Kang’s comments. Son clicked his tongue.
“Sounds exactly like what PD Choi told me.”
“Why bring up PD Choi?”
“You forgot? Taeyeon introduced Choi to us, and they’re still close. Choi swears by Yoo’s ability—says he carried their last project.”
Lee frowned. “So what’s Kang playing at?”
“Obvious, isn’t it? He’s afraid Yoo will outshine him—or he wants the spotlight for himself.”
Lee sighed. “He just asked to extend the internal test schedule… so he can push Yoo aside and take over.”
“Which hurts Yoo the most,” Son muttered. “He turned down a great offer and stuck with Kang out of loyalty.”
Son stood. Lee raised an eyebrow.
“Going to warn him?”
“Nah. Just meeting PD Choi.”
Lee chuckled as his friend left. “Bleeding‑heart meddler…”
“Make Room for Me on the Dev Team.”
Taeyeon stared blankly when Kang summoned him.
“Set up a desk for me in the dev room.”
“P‑pardon? You’re joining development again?”
“The company’s future is on the line. I have to do my part.”
There was no refusing the CEO. Taeyeon, uneasy, silently opened Kang’s status window.
[Kang Geon]
CEO / Game Producer
Game Dev Skill: 5/10
Live Ops Skill: 5/10
People Management: 5/10
Business Insight: 6/10
Affinity: –5/10
Affinity minus five?!
Did the CEO actually dislike him? Taeyeon forced a calm voice.
“When will you start?”
“Tomorrow.”
“I’ll have everything ready today.”
Outside the office Taeyeon replayed the numbers in his head, stunned.
His phone buzzed—Choi Jong‑hak, now a PD at Nexple.
They met that evening at their usual Japanese place in Pangyo. Over gyudon and later coffee, Jong‑hak got straight to it:
“Kang was here yesterday talking to Director Lee. I heard it all from Director Son—couldn’t just keep it to myself.”
Taeyeon listened, face pale.
“So… it’s true?”
“Word for word. Son likes you, you know that.”
Jong‑hak slammed a fist on the table.
“I told you not to trust Kang so much! Breakthrough and every title you’ve touched since DreamSoft have succeeded because of you. Anywhere else you’d already be rich!”
He exhaled sharply.
“So what now? He’s setting up a desk to steal your spotlight.”
Taeyeon nodded. “Seems that way.”
“Can’t walk away from Pandemonium, can you?”
“You know it’s my dream project.”
“Son Youngsang wants to recruit you—Nexple just grabbed a bunch of superhero movie IPs from the States.”
Taeyeon said nothing, just stared. Jong‑hak smirked.
“Face it, you’ve already decided. You just need resolve. Ready?”
Taeyeon closed his eyes, wrestled with himself, then nodded.
Kang dove into Pandemonium, first ordering detailed progress reports so he could “assume command.” Taeyeon obliged with a flawless presentation—he knew the man hated long meetings.
“One thing,” Kang declared solemnly. “I’m joining development, but this is still your project. I’ll produce, but you run day‑to‑day design. Understood?”
Once, Taeyeon would have taken that as encouragement. Now he heard the subtext: Do all the work while I take the credit. He kept his face neutral.
“I’ll do my best.”
“Good. You’re dismissed.”
Outside, Taeyeon’s eyes flashed cold.
Media Blitz
Headlines soon exploded:
- Star Developer Kang Geon Returns!
- Secret Casual MMORPG Set to Launch!
- Producer Kang Directs Again!
Fans of Breakthrough went wild. Reporters filmed the studio, interviewing the art director, lead programmer, and Kang himself. Taeyeon’s name barely appeared.
Jong‑hak rang, fuming.
“Told you he’d pull this stunt! Star developer, my ass!”
Taeyeon sighed. “I’m angry too, but there’s nothing I can do yet. You said to lie low, remember? Real development starts now—let’s see how he handles the fallout.”
Two Months Later: The Nexple Test
Nexple’s development and publishing divisions began formal testing of Pandemonium.
At a terminal, Son Youngsang rubbed his temples and took off his glasses. Director Lee approached, handing him an iced coffee.
“Well?”
Son sipped, then nodded decisively.
“This will be a hit—if that guy keeps making it.”
“You’ve already decided, then?”
“I always knew he was good. Now I’m sure.”
“Meaning…?” Lee prodded.
Son’s voice was firm.
“We’re bringing Producer Yoo Taeyeon to Nexple.”
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