Chaebol

After about an hour of being completely engrossed in the game, Togashi spoke up.

"So, you're planning to release this on the Family platform?"

He asked as if questioning whether it was even possible.

"There's no keyboard, so you can't release it as a text-based game…"

"Of course, we'll add graphics."

"Hmm, with this much content, just creating the maps will take up a huge amount of memory."

"You're right. Miyamoto-san pointed out the same thing."

"And yet, you still plan to release it?"

I nodded.

"…How?"

"Miyamoto-san came up with an idea."

I quickly explained the concept of the card game. 

Even though I was describing a genre that didn't exist, Togashi understood it perfectly.

When the explanation ended, Togashi clapped his hands in excitement.

"So that's how it works… As expected, Miyamoto-san is incredible."

With Togashi's interest in the game at its peak, I naturally moved the conversation forward.

"But there are some issues."

"The story, right?"

"You noticed, huh?"

"It's not so much that I noticed… But the higher the degree of freedom, the less emphasis there is on the story…"

At that point, I looked at Togashi intently. 

Perhaps sensing my intentions, a crease formed on Togashi's forehead.

"You're not saying you want to ask a mere background artist to write the game scenario… right?"

"A mere background artist? You're a bona fide writer."

"A writer? That's ridiculous. I don't even have a published work yet."

Hearing Togashi's words, Kazuhiro, who was standing in the back, nodded vigorously.

I smirked.

Knowing what the future held, their reactions were a bit surprising to me.

"Is it a budget issue or something?"

"Of course not. This is a project Miyamoto-san is involved in."

"Then why…?"

"You're well-versed in games, Togashi-san. You also have a sense for storytelling. Naturally, I believe you're the right person for the job."

The name "Miyamoto" must carry a lot of weight.

While he had immediately turned down a serialization, he was at least considering this.

"I'm naturally a lazy person…"

"But you play games diligently, don't you?"

"Well, that's true…"

"And you focus more than anyone when it comes to things you like."

"Do I? I've never really thought about it…"

"Above all, you've always been quite interested in game development, haven't you?"

"How did you know?"

I've read "HunterxHunter" up to volume 36 three times.

That's how much I know about you…

"Turning down serialization made me sure you had other aspirations. Since you love games so much, it's only natural you'd be interested in development."

"Hmm."

His original dream was game development.

Furthermore, this was a project involving Miyamoto, whom he deeply admired.

There should be no reason for him to refuse, but…

"The thing is… I'm not that strong when it comes to storylines."

Togashi gave an entirely unexpected response.

"I'm not the type to specialize in grand narratives. I usually focus on the finer details. Like the characters' backstories…"

True enough.

Togashi was a creator who obsessed endlessly over character details.

Rather than unraveling a sweeping main plot, he preferred to concentrate on the intricate interactions between characters.

"Even when I was playing earlier… I kept coming up with ideas for each character. They were good enough that I wanted to jot them down… But…"

"…?"

"Nothing came to mind that could form a big central story. So, even if I were hired as the scenario writer, I wouldn't be much help."

Togashi finished speaking, seemingly trying to swallow his disappointment.

His expression suggested he really wanted to participate if he had the ability, but he was reluctant because it wasn't his area of expertise.

Right then.

"Then why not have Togashi-san only create the characters?"

The editor-in-chief, who had been standing behind us, cautiously interjected.

Perhaps wanting to make up for his earlier blunder, he quickly added more.

"I know someone who's great at crafting stories. We could leave the main plot to him… and have Togashi-san handle the characters…"

"Who's that?"

"Pardon?"

"I asked who this person is who can handle the main plot."

"Oh, he's a rookie writer… goes by the name 'Ryunosuke'… He's a big fan of games…"

What?

Ryunosuke?

Why is that name suddenly coming up here?

If my memory serves me right, he is destined to become…

"Should I give him a call?"

The editor seemed to think he had just made a major play!

I nodded vigorously.

***

Meanwhile, in Seoul.

Park Yong-hak had been deeply immersed in a game all afternoon.

His two grandsons were collaborating to make a game.

Shouldn't he at least get a sense of what this whole gaming thing is about?

That's how he started, and now, several hours had passed.

Of course, he started off forcing himself to play.

Controlling a tiny spaceship to shoot down space monsters?

"It's literally child's play."

If it weren't for his grandsons, he would have turned off the game console a long time ago.

But then, to his surprise, he started to find it strangely appealing.

"Super Mario," supposedly created by Shigeru Miyamoto, certainly had a good sense of speed and control, making it quite impressive.

However, the genre that truly captivated him was different.

Park Yong-hak found PC games more appealing than console games.

Particularly the simulation genre.

True to his nature, Park Yong-hak preferred simulation games where he could do as he pleased rather than those with a linear progression.

He had a temperament that would get him riled up if he couldn't have freedom… ahem.

Of course, he wasn't entirely satisfied.

Perhaps it was due to technological limitations.

He couldn't find a title that fully satisfied him.

"A game where you build and manage a city would be fun."

If not that, then perhaps a game where you sail and trade.

Or even a game that spans and advances through the history of civilizations.

"Hmm."

As Park Yong-hak was lost in thought, licking his lips.

Knock, knock!

"Who is it?"

In response to Park Yong-hak's question, the chief of staff entered the office.

"Chairman, I came to report something regarding the youngest grandson."

"Ji-hoon?"

The look on his face asked what the kid had done this time.

"Yes. It appears that he's made a large-scale investment in 'Weekly Manga,' a subsidiary of Japan's Shueisha Publishing."

"Again?"

"I'm not sure of the exact reason, but it could be that the consumer base for games and manga is similar…"

"Is it because of Yoo-geon?"

"If not, it could be that he's seen the future value of the company and made a strategic investment…"

"At this particular time? A strategic investment?"

"..."

The chief of staff looked troubled, unable to discern Ji-hoon's intentions.

Well, who could possibly understand what's going on in the mind of the youngest grandson?

"How much did he put in?"

"Five billion yen."

"That's quite a large sum."

"..."

"What kind of place is it?"

"They publish a weekly manga magazine. It sells around a million copies every week."

"A million copies?"

"Yes. Sales are expected to continue rising thanks to the success of their flagship series, 'Dragon Ball.'"

If that's true, it's not a losing investment.

But that information alone isn't enough.

"That… Dragon… what?"

"'Dragon Ball,' sir."

"Right, get a copy of that."

"Sorry?"

"If he's put in five billion yen, that means he's seriously invested. We need to see what he's banking on, don't we?"

"Oh, yes, Chairman. I'll arrange that immediately."

After the chief of staff bowed and left.

"..."

Park Yong-hak appeared deep in thought.

He's already been playing video games because of his grandson.

Now, it looked like he'd end up reading a manga, something he'd never expected to do in his life.

"People might think I've lost my mind."

Despite his words.

He smirked.

It seemed he wasn't entirely displeased.

***

Tokyo, Japan.

After being summoned by the editor-in-chief, Ryunosuke rushed to the publishing office.

Being a rookie who'd only had some short stories published.

"So, I just need to play this game and then come up with a storyline?"

He regarded the editor-in-chief's words as law.

After playing the game thoroughly.

Ryunosuke spoke with a determined expression.

"Okay! I've got a title. How about 'Dramatic Question'? Doesn't it sound intriguing?"

The editor-in-chief looked to me, the decision-maker.

My response was straightforward.

"The title 'Dramatic Question'… Did you just come up with that?"

"Pardon?"

"I'm wondering if it's something that came to you while playing the game or if it's a title you've had in mind for a long time."

"Wh-why do you want to know…?"

But after a moment, Ryunosuke confessed.

"Well, actually… It's the name I had in mind for a serialized long-form work."

I thought so!

As expected, Ryunosuke was the father of Japan's national game, "Dramatic Question."

Though right now he was just a rookie author without a serialization, eager to please his editor, he would eventually create the "Dramatic Question" series and leave a significant mark in gaming history.

But this… could this mean…

Will the game my brother created end up with the name "Dramatic Question"?

In any case!

As the creator of "DQ," he immediately started pouring out story ideas on the spot.

It was the kind of immersive story that could captivate you within a minute.

But here came a reasonable doubt.

"Is that the plot for your next project by any chance?"

"No, no. While I might've borrowed the title, there's no way I'd squeeze the entire plot in here. I'm just improvising based on ideas that popped up while playing…"

Ryunosuke scratched the back of his head, looking embarrassed.

But he didn't stop talking.

What was interesting was that Togashi was the one listening most intently to his story!

They say great minds recognize each other.

It seemed Togashi immediately recognized Ryunosuke's genius.

Indeed, as soon as the epic story reached its grand finale.

Whip.

Togashi immediately approached me.

"If you hire this person as the scenario writer… I'll consider joining as the character designer."

For someone like Togashi, this was practically a definite agreement.

Now, the only thing left was Ryunosuke's decision.

"I'd be content to get my foot in the door, whether it's manga or games. That's enough for me. Haha."

The combination of Togashi, with his obsession over detail, and Ryunosuke, the father of "Dramatic Question"!

It was the moment a dream team, unparalleled in Japanese gaming history, was born.