The Conglomerate Family Became A Villain [EN]: Chapter 4

4. Becoming a Villain in a Chaebol Family – A Man of Many Talents 03 –

The thing that Jung Hyun-woo wanted to immerse himself in, even putting off his return to school, was game development.

In the 21st century, most large-scale games were massive projects involving hundreds of developers. Therefore, solo game development was focused on indie games.

However, in 1981, even officially released games required only about 3 to 5 people for development, making solo game development entirely possible.

Moreover, Jung Hyun-woo had three years of experience working at a game company.

‘Many early game developers had little to no experience.’

At a time when the game industry was just emerging, three years of experience was significant.

Of course, there was a big difference between the environment when he developed games and now.

‘Game console manufacturers don’t support game engines or tools, and there isn’t even a third-party established.’

In the absence of third parties, game console manufacturers wanted to monopolize everything.

So, some game developers even released games without the permission of the console manufacturers through reverse engineering.

Nevertheless, he was confident.

‘The fact that game development requires only a small number of people means that there isn’t a big difference in the graphics or the outwardly visible quality of the game.’

If the graphics are the same, the competition would likely be about completeness in reducing bugs, new concepts, and ideas.

‘I have plenty of ideas in that regard.’

Of course, the ideas he had were merely glimpses of games created by the masters of the game industry.

Jung Hyun-woo had no intention of abusing the footsteps of the masters he knew.

‘I’m just going to make enough money and get out.’

He had no intention of dominating the game industry with future knowledge. If he were to do that, he felt like something ominous might happen.

‘I don’t know what a twisted, transcendent being might do.’

Everything was still cautious.

Bleep, bloop.

The computer being operated with buffer sounds had specs that made him sigh. [Buffer sounds refer to the noises made during data processing.]

The 8-bit computer had no internet or even a hard disk.

He picked up a 5.25-inch diskette.

“This is an ancient artifact.”

The oldest floppy disk he had used in his previous life was 3.5 inches.

Using a larger 5.25-inch floppy disk was a first for him too.

“It’s thin.”

The 5.25-inch floppy disk wobbled differently from the 3.5-inch disk.

‘Is it unavoidable because of the size?’

The important thing was not the hardware but the software.

‘After the idea, it’s time.’

If he had plenty of time, he might not have taken a leave of absence.

‘I have to make it within the next year.’

The reason he set a time limit was because of a typhoon that would hit the game industry.

– The Atari Shock.

A major event that collapsed the game market as supply exceeded demand.

Many people cited the flood of low-quality games as the cause of this Atari Shock.

‘The reason why low-quality games could flood the market was that games were selling too well.’

Jung Hyun-woo was planning to jump into that excessively well-selling market and make a fortune.

‘The Atari Shock I know is coming in the early 1980s.’

He didn’t know the exact timing. However, he knew that it would happen before 1985.

Complete game development, release, and distribution by 1982.

He had made the extreme choice of taking a leave of absence for this.

‘I guess I have no choice but to immerse myself again this time.’

As he did at the drug rehabilitation center, he had no room to turn his attention to other things this time.

He devoted all his time, except for classes with Sarah Hilton, to this game development.

***

“Wouldn’t it be good to exercise sometimes?”

The one who suggested exercise to Jung Hyun-woo was Choi Kyung-min, the butler and secretary.

“Isn’t exercise something that old people do?”

Choi Kyung-min frowned at his lukewarm response.

“You shouldn’t be confident in your health just because you’re young.”

Jung Hyun-woo wasn’t just young, he was a child.

Anyway, he had no intention of exercising.

“Let’s at least take a walk.”

“A walk?”

“Don’t expect more.”

Choi Kyung-min thought Jung Hyun-woo was like an old man.

‘He’s too precocious to be called a troublemaker.’

He wouldn’t have gone astray if there had been someone to correct him.

“Is what you’re doing in your room a game, young master?”

“Are you saying games are bad for your health?”

“Wouldn’t it be bad for your eyes?”

Looking at a low-resolution black and white screen for a long time was definitely tiring for the eyes.

‘But what can I do? I have to make a game here.’

It was an era without high-resolution monitors, let alone color monitors.

Besides, a clumsy color monitor was more harmful to the eyes than a monochrome monitor.

“I’m doing it in moderation.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

Jung Hyun-woo sighed deeply and went back into his room. Choi Kyung-min clicked his tongue while watching his retreating figure.

“It’s good that he’s not causing trouble, but…”

He felt like he was leaving a young sibling who was just playing around.

“Is it just unnecessary worry?”

He picked up the newspaper.

Ring, ring.

The phone rang around that time.

He hurriedly ran to answer the phone.

“This is Choi Kyung-min.”

A strange voice was heard when he picked up the receiver.

“This is Director Jung.”

Director Jung Min-seok.

The second son of Daewoon Group Chairman Jung Woo-sun and the de facto successor of Daewoon Group.

In terms of position, he was below Chief Secretary Hong Won-ik, but considering his power and future potential, he could be said to be more than Chief Secretary Hong Won-ik.

‘A call from a high-ranking person without notice?’

Choi Kyung-min couldn’t help but be nervous.

“Director, shall I connect you to the young master?”

“No. I called because I wanted to talk to Secretary Choi today.”

Director Jung Min-seok’s voice was dry.

“Are you saying you want to talk to me?”

“Are you very curious about the conversation?”

“Ah, no.”

Choi Kyung-min was very nervous.

In contrast, Director Jung Min-seok was full of composure.

“I called because I was curious about Hyun-woo.”

“You mean the young master.”

“Is he adapting well?”

A worried voice.

Choi Kyung-min was slightly relieved.

‘Still, there are people who care about the young master.’

He’s not completely alone.

He thought like this.

“He has taken a leave of absence, but he is adapting well.”

Director Jung Min-seok’s voice rose slightly.

“A leave of absence?”

“He decided to do so after being discharged from the treatment center.”

“That’s troublesome.”

“Yes?”

“Won’t his college entrance be delayed from his high school days?”

Jung Hyun-woo’s college entrance had already been a foregone conclusion since he was admitted to the drug rehabilitation center.

‘Why is he saying this now?’

Choi Kyung-min trailed off.

“That is true, but…”

A worried voice was heard again.

“Secretary Choi, please take care of him.”

“I will do my best.”

“I’m counting on you.”

Did he think the other person’s request was sincere?

Choi Kyung-min bowed his head even though there was no one watching.

“I will take measures so that the director does not have to worry.”

Even though his voice was full of strength, Jung Min-seok’s voice was still gentle.

“Is there anything lacking, perhaps?”

“Not at the moment.”

“I see. If there is anything lacking, please tell me anytime.”

Jung Min-seok was the successor of the group, but he did not lose his manners to the low-level employees.

Choi Kyung-min thought this was amazing.

‘Chief Secretary Hong wasn’t like this either.’

He bowed his head again and replied.

“I will do so.”

“Then I’m counting on you.”

Click.

As soon as the phone call ended, he sighed involuntarily.

“Haa…”

He felt like he had hit a wall.

‘Is this the leisure of a chaebol [Korean conglomerate] family?’

He thought Jung Min-seok’s soft voice was like an impenetrable wall.

“Who was that on the phone?”

Jung Hyun-woo had already come down the stairs.

Choi Kyung-min quickly straightened his posture and replied.

“It was Director Jung.”

“You mean my little uncle.”

“Do you miss him?”

Jung Hyun-woo shrugged.

“Why would I?”

How could he miss someone he didn’t even know?

‘Besides, I can’t even tell if he’s an ally or an enemy yet.’

He was still wary of the Jung family.

“He was worried about you, young master.”

“Is that so?”

“Do you find it surprising?”

“Because no one came when I was discharged.”

Jung Hyun-woo’s words sharply pierced Choi Kyung-min’s heart.

‘I’ve been hit.’

It was when he was scratching his head.

“But I would like to have a family album. Would that be possible?”

At Jung Hyun-woo’s question, Choi Kyung-min took his hand off his head and bowed.

“I will have the secretariat prepare it.”

He thought that even though Jung Hyun-woo was sharp, he was not a child who did not know family affection.

‘Since he is living alone in a foreign country, he must miss his family even more.’

Jung Hyun-woo returned to his room and muttered in a low voice.

“It wouldn’t be bad to get to know the faces of the Jung family members at this opportunity.”

Contrary to Choi Kyung-min’s thoughts, the desire to have an album was a stepping stone for the future.

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