Chapter 58

It’s not even halfway through July, and the weather’s gone crazy.

How hot must it be for me to almost go eat charcoal-grilled seasoned pork ribs, thinking it was the last day of the heatwave?

If it’s like this now, what kind of hell awaits us in August?

I was already scared.

This can’t go on.

I immediately contacted Mos.

—

†Han Yoorim: How much money can I spend?

—

“Please ask those kinds of questions in a private message or a call…”

—

†Han Yoorim: Got it. So, how much money can I spend?

†Pape: Are you buying a house or something?

†Bunny Run: Let’s have a housewarming party, unnie.

—

“…I sent a message.”

After consulting with a tax accountant and setting aside money for taxes, I headed to the battlefield.

All the world’s technology comes from America.

It’s only natural since they absorb all the world’s talent and resources while using the money cheat (dollars).

So, if you want new technology, exploring America is the fastest way.

After scouring global startup databases, binge-watching American startup communities, and stalking SNS, one company stood out.

A startup founded half a year ago, researching ‘Carbon Induction Capture Technology.’

I don’t know how advanced their technology is or if what they’re aiming for is really feasible.

But just by looking at the single photo of the company’s people on SNS, I could feel it.

I felt their ‘sincerity.’

These guys might go crazy developing technology, but they wouldn’t party away the investment money.

Exactly the kind of talent I wanted.

Without further ado, I sent an email to the company asking how much they were willing to invest.

By the way, in movies, investing in startups gets you shares. How does that work? Do I need to hire a lawyer separately?

Thinking this, I was about to start game development.

A reply came.

This fast?

I was flustered but calmly read the email.

Summarized, the email said:

‘Should I come to Korea right now?’

Moving precious talent violates international law.

The best option is to send a lawyer as a proxy to America. Does anyone know someone like that?

Hmm.

—

†Han Yoorim: Malangmabang, do you happen to have a lawyer’s license?

—

“Of course not.”

—

†Han Yoorim: Why so sharp, Malangmabang?

†Pape: I didn’t think you were like this, Malangmabang.

†Bunny Run: Apologize to unnie, Malangmabang.

—

“Everyone, get out of my stream.”

—

*

Still, thanks to Mos, I somehow found a lawyer.

With this, the risk of users disappearing due to global warming buying games has decreased.

Now, only one thing remains.

I need to develop the game.

I banged my head on the desk, then lifted it.

On the monitor, characters were practicing swordsmanship on the deck.

Something, something was missing.

The swordsmanship duel was lacking, and I didn’t like that they were on a ship.

The East Sea cruise ship, the old secret base, and the first-place race gave me a lot of inspiration, but not all.

Just one piece of the puzzle is missing to complete the game, but I can’t figure out what it is.

It’s a frustrating situation, but there’s always a way.

I rushed to Pape’s stream.

—

†Han Yoorim: You didn’t get first place, did you?

Currently 3rd lol

‘Han Yoorim! I won this bet!’ <<Actually said

---

"Go do your stream."

After our last showdown, Pape took a three-day break for some reason. So, he still hasn't gotten first place.

Well, judging by the pace, he'll get there soon.

I should make the most of it before then.

I felt a bit better.

I crossed my arms and sank into thought.

Inspiration is a flash.

It comes at any time.

While eating, bathing, getting hit by an apple, or struck by lightning.

Swimming, hiking, traveling, kissing.

Inspiration truly comes in all sorts of moments.

It's not for nothing that creators talk about muses descending.

Inspiration is very much like a divine revelation.

That's why it's hard to control inspiration artificially. Unless you're a shrine maiden, you can't summon divine revelations at will.

However.

There is a way to summon inspiration.

After much deliberation, creators have made a kind of template.

A list of things to do when you need to stimulate inspiration.

What is it?

What else? A sauna.

I checked into a famous 5-star hotel in Seoul. I chose it after reading blog reviews praising its excellent sauna facilities.

The suite on the top floor was quite spacious.

About 23 pyeong.

I unpacked and looked outside. Maybe because it was lunchtime, the view wasn't particularly pretty.

But even at night, it's just the city lights, right?

Anyway, that's not important now.

Humming, I headed to the hotel sauna.

True to its reputation as a 5-star (or even 6-star) hotel, the facilities were excellent.

Soaking in the large bath, which reminded me more of a Japanese ryokan than a spa, I felt my mind relax.

It felt like someone was ironing my brain.

Truly, the 'Novella Hotel.' It learned well from its parent company, 'Novella.'

Especially in adopting the best from everywhere, regardless of nationality.

Though 'Novella' is Japanese, my point is, I commend them for bringing such a hotel to Korea.
I soaked my body in the hot spring to the limit and then lay down on a nearby wooden bed to rest.

Once my body cooled down, I planned to go back in.

Then.

Click. A sound came from beside me.

At the same time, my head turned unconsciously.

Upon checking, it wasn’t a ghost but another guest using the hotel.

Enjoying a weekday lunch staycation? They must be pretty free.

I turned my head back toward the ceiling. Since it wasn’t a stalker, specifically not Bunny Run, there was no reason to worry…

……

I turned my head again.

Then, I made eye contact with the guest who was staring at me.

“What’s the matter?”

“……”

“Is this a reserved seat?”

Ordinary people might not understand, but if you suffer from OCD, you might act like that.

If it’s not the seat they’ve decided on, they just can’t handle it.

At first glance, OCD might seem trivial, but it’s actually quite dangerous.

There was even a case where someone formed an evil organization and attacked a hot spring because they couldn’t use a private locker room.

Scary.

“……”

The woman was still staring at me. If it’s not OCD, then, hmm.

“You got it exactly right. You must be a physiognomist.”

If this isn’t a reserved seat, there’s only one answer.

My face must show that I’m destined to become an ultra-super-hyper developer who’ll never make it big in the industry.

“It’s really Han Yoorim.”

The woman blurted out.

Wait. How does she know my name?

Is she a psychic?

Ignoring my shock, the woman brushed her hair behind her ear and continued confidently.

“I’m Arena.”

“You must be a foreigner. But you look completely Korean, so are you mixed?”

“I’m Arena, the broadcaster.”

The woman, Arena, emphasized each word.

Broadcaster Arena… Hmm.

Is there such a person?

First time hearing about it.

“I know. Arena. The mukbang YouTuber, right?”

“Han Yoorim, don’t pretend you don’t know me.”

For some reason, Arena suddenly dropped the formal speech.

Scary.

“I really don’t know, what can I do?”

“You got permission to use my broadcast clips on MTube, and now you’re lying?”

“MTube is entirely handled by my editor.”

“July 5th, around 1 hour and 10 minutes into the broadcast. ‘Is that Amano Yukiko? Could it be her?’ What’s this?”

“A pro gamer I know really likes Amano Yukiko.”

“July 7th, around 57 hours and 43 minutes into the broadcast. ‘Amano Yukiko’s lecture? Wouldn’t Arena be better at that?’ What about this?”

She’s crazy.

Run away.

“Are you a stalker? Did you follow me to Novella Hotel?”

“I’ve been staying here since three days ago. You just arrived today, so if anything, you’re stalking me.”

“I’ve been staying here for four days.”

“You were broadcasting until yesterday and were just chatting with Mos and Pape. Don’t lie.”

Pape is one thing, but how does she know about Mos?

Checkmate. It’s been a while since I’ve been cornered like this.

I had no choice but to confess.

“Actually, I recognized you from the start.”

“Then why did you pretend not to know?”

“Well.”

“Well?”

“If our first meeting was in the nude, it’s a bit awkward, right?”

I’m already cursed.

Every time I see ‘Amano Yukiko,’ I think of Arena’s voluptuous chest…!

“……”

“Even if we go back to the initial situation, time won’t rewind.”

“Still, your chest is bigger than I thought. Did you shrink it in your avatar to cater to specific tastes?”

“The avatar is dressed, so it looks like that. It’s similar in real life when dressed. And trying to erase the first meeting with shocking words won’t work.”

“Really?”

As soon as the conversation ended, we both headed back to the hot spring without hesitation.

“Why are you in the same bath as me?”

“Same reason.”

“You must like the temperature of this ‘hell bath,’ Arena.”

“I like it because it’s spacious.”

After that, we kept going back and forth between the wooden bed and the hot spring before finally heading out.

I grabbed a complimentary coffee milk and drank it.

Is this really a ryokan? What’s with this rootless collaboration in a Korean hotel spa?

But I liked it.

In a drowsy state of body and mind, I took the elevator up.

Arena was with me.

“……”

“Arena, are you in a suite too?”

“What about you, Han Yoorim?”

“It feels awkward with the sudden formal speech. Just talk like before.”

“I was out of my mind earlier…”

I don’t know why I was out of it, but I’d prefer it if we kept it casual.

I glanced at Arena and asked.

“If it’s okay with you, want to grab a meal together?”

“I have to start broadcasting soon.”

“Even better. I’ve got a setup ready, so you can use that for your broadcast.”

*

The collaboration with Arena was completely unexpected but received a lot of support.

How much did they like it? One of the viewers even came to visit.

“Unnie. It’s me.”

“…I’ll call the hotel to add one more guest.”

“You’re the best, unnie.”