Mid-October 1990. An event hall located in Ueno Park, Tokyo.
"Boss, shall I turn on the lights?"
"Okay. Start from the left."
As my signature dropped, powerful spotlights illuminated the previously dim event hall, prompting cheers from the Pentagon Soft employees who had worked hard to prepare the venue.
Though not a massive event hall, it was spacious enough to host the production announcement for Pentagon Soft's game.
"The left side is fine, and now the right."
Click! Whizzing! As the lights on both sides of the ceiling lit up, the entire hall brightened up like daytime.
After confirming all the lights on both sides, I gestured to the people gathered near the control panel, drawing circles with my arms.
"Okay! Both sides are good. Let's turn off the lights and play the prepared video again."
Snap! The ceiling lights went off simultaneously, plunging the venue into momentary darkness. A short while later, a large screen in front of us began playing the promotional animation for Tamago Monsters.
"Welcome to the world of the first-ever Monster Battle event!"
Accompanied by a cheerful female voice, numerous monsters appeared on the Tamago screen, showing off their unique skill animations at a rapid pace.
Subsequently, the screen transitioned from the dark to a spectacular display of Bahamut, the ultimate dragon, soaring high into the sky and unleashing its most powerful move, "Mega Flare."
"Whoa!"
As Bahamut attempted to swallow all the monsters with its breath attack, they braced themselves for battle. Just then, a thunder god descended from the sky, shielding them from Bahamut's breath with a thunderbolt, leaving Odin, the god of thunder, to stand against the dragon.
Watching the video, Hayashi exclaimed in amazement and adjusted his glasses.
"Wow, the quality is unbelievable, Boss!"
"Indeed, how much did we spend on this promotional video?"
"But, Boss, when will my creation, Kobugi, make an appearance?"
When Tamago Monster's lead designer, Kaori, asked me when her creation would show up, Hayashi, standing nearby, answered on my behalf.
"It passed by at the beginning for just 0.1 second, disappearing amidst the other characters."
"Really?"
At that moment, just as Kaori finished speaking, Kobugi and Pichu suddenly jumped up behind Odin, launching a barrage of lightning and water attacks against Bahamut, followed by a horde of other monsters.
The main characters of Tamago Monsters couldn't be left out.
As I watched the smoothly progressing promotional video with a smile, a final scene unfolded: Bahamut, in its ultimate evolved form, "Ultimate Bahamut," spread its colossal wings and soared into the sky. Odin raised his staff, and a massive lightning bolt struck the black dragon from above.
"Roar!"
Accompanied by the agonized roar of the dragon, its skin was torn away, and in that moment, Bahamut shed its skin and evolved into its ultimate form, "Ultimate Bahamut," exuding overwhelming power.
The tense army of monsters watched Bahamut, and as Odin's staff moved once more, Bahamut unleashed its most potent skill, "Giga Flare," marking the grand finale of the promotional video.
Airing in spring 1991 -
"Wow!"
Pentagon employees, watching the Tamago Monsters' promotional video in silent anticipation, began cheering and applauding with excitement.
Indeed, the quality matched the budget we had allocated for it.
After reviewing a few more videos about Pentagon Soft's upcoming production announcement event to be held tomorrow, we finished our preparations and left the hall.
"I can't wait for tomorrow!"
After bidding farewell to the employees who had worked late into the evening, Morita, Hayashi, and Kaori, along with me, gathered.
"Kaori, are you still here?"
The girl with short hair, not yet fully grown at 18, looked up at Hayashi and replied, "I'm waiting for the team leaders here. The Boss said he would treat them to a nice dinner."
"How about a quick beer for now? Just kidding, tonight, I'll treat you all."
Seeing their expectant eyes, I couldn't help but smile.
"Alright, let's go."
A little later, we moved to a nearby yakitori restaurant, and after finding a table, we shared a delicious meal.
"Ah, the taste of victory!"
"Hey, Hayashi, have you been drinking more lately?"
Morita, watching Hayashi gulp down half a glass of beer in one go, couldn't help but express concern.
"Well, you guys can't handle alcohol, so I have to drink for you, right?"
When Hayashi first joined Pentagon Soft, he had a somewhat irritable personality. However, working at the company had transformed his character considerably. Morita, being unable to drink at all, usually stood in as the designated driver at company dinners.
After downing a beer in one go, Kaori, whose face turned red instantly, spoke up.
"I'm actually worried about tomorrow."
"Huh? Why?"
"The Tamago Monsters' Valentine's Day promotional video. I thought I was going to faint watching it."
"Well, it was pretty intense, even for me."
Kaori's words reminded Morita of something, and he shivered.
The reason for their reactions was that the Valentine's Day promotional video featured actual actors in special makeup, not in-game screens or animations. The standout scene was when the protagonist, hiding in a bathroom stall, peeked through the gap beneath the door and found himself face to face with a horrifyingly upside-down ghost.
Even when we watched it in the Pentagon Soft meeting room using a projector in broad daylight, everyone screamed and caused a commotion.
Suddenly, memories of that day came flooding back, and I chuckled. Hayashi then asked me a question.
"I heard they might use that video for a TV commercial."
"Or maybe they'll cut it into three parts?"
"Will it even pass the TV broadcast review?"
"Well, I asked Yuki about that part..."
As the conversation turned to Yuki, who was working on-site, all three of them leaned in, waiting for my continuation.
"She said it might be a bit challenging."
Kaori nodded knowingly. "I had a feeling it would be."
"Nevertheless, we plan to keep modifying it little by little until it gets approved."
"Anyway, I'm looking forward to tomorrow. Tamago Monsters, Valentine's Day, and the game Final Frontier 4 developed by the 1st development team, and..."
Just as I was about to continue, Hayashi, seated next to me, quickly interrupted.
"Shh... People nearby can hear us."
"Oh, my apologies."
Even in social settings, they had a knack for maintaining professionalism. With a smirk, I raised my beer glass, and we all clinked glasses, wishing for a successful presentation tomorrow.
&
The Next Day, 11 A.M.
To prepare for the event, the marketing staff of Pentagon Soft arrived at the venue alone instead of the headquarters.
While checking the schedule for the production presentation set for 1 PM, one of the staff approached me.
"Mr. Kang, there's a call for you from Tamago Shop," he said.
"From Tamago Shop?" I replied.
I gave the staff a few important tasks to double-check and then headed to the staff room.
"Hello. I've changed the phone," I answered the call.
"Oh, Mr. Kang. I'm sorry to bother you when you're busy with the presentation preparations," the voice on the other end said.
"No, it's alright. But what's the matter at the shop?"
"Well, it's not related to the store itself. It's Uchimura-san who's here. He said he wants to see you."
"Uchimura wants to see me?"
"Yes, what should we do? Since you have the presentation event today, should I tell him to come another time?"
After a moment of thought, I responded to Miyazaki's question.
"Is it possible for Uchimura-san to bring him over here right now?"
"What? Isn't today's event only for game industry professionals?"
"It's okay. I'd like to hear his thoughts on Valentine's Day, and I also have something to discuss with him separately. See you later at the event venue."
Since Ueno, where Tamago Shop's main store was located in Akihabara, was just a few stations away by train, he should arrive soon.
A Little While Later, from 12:30 PM, industry professionals who received invitations began to arrive at the event venue.
Among them, there were some familiar faces from my time at Mintendo who had offered technical support. People like Fox Soft's Hozumi and HEG Lab's Kawata. Phoenix Soft's Yuuji and many others were in attendance.
But perhaps it was because of my previous rejection of Second Party's proposal that not a single Mintendo employee showed up despite sending them invitations.
"Hey, Junhyuk!"
When I turned at the sound of a familiar voice, I saw Junpei, a reporter from Famitsu, approaching me with his baseball cap worn backward.
"Wow, seeing you in a place like this reminds me of the Mintendo press conferences from the past," he said.
"Compared to back then, this place is much more comfortable, don't you think? Renting this event hall cost a pretty penny."
"True, the atmosphere is much better than back then. The screen system seems excellent too."
"We've also prepared a buffet, so help yourself if you get hungry."
"Sure thing. Looking forward to the presentation."
After that, while shaking hands and exchanging greetings with industry professionals who visited the venue, the event hall's lighting dimmed slightly, and the master of ceremonies announced the start of the production presentation.
"Soon, Pentagon Soft's production presentation is about to begin, so we kindly ask all our guests to take their seats. Once again, please note that..."
As Phoenix Soft's Yuuji and I were discussing Dragon Warrior 5, set to be released by Super Family, the emcee's announcement indicated the event's start.
I took this opportunity to excuse myself and headed towards the Pentagon Soft executives' seating area.
In the event hall, round tables were arranged, each bearing the name of a company. Despite the absence of Mintendo and NEGA representatives, almost every table was filled with industry insiders.
It was clear evidence of Pentagon Soft's overwhelming presence in the Japanese gaming industry.
A little later, the theme song of Final Frontier played, signaling the start of the event. Kazuhiko Kawaguchi, the CEO of Pentagon Soft, took the stage on the right side.
"Thank you to all the busy attendees who have joined us for Pentagon Soft's production presentation. Pentagon Soft began with Final Frontier 1 in 1986 and launched 'The Empty Streets' from Mintendo and Tamago Monster, which started selling in mid-July this year. And today marks precisely 100 days since the release of Tamago Monster."
Applause from the industry professionals filled the hall at Kazuhiko Kawaguchi's words.
He paused for a moment, allowing the applause to subside, and smiled awkwardly.
"Thank you for the warm applause. However, I believe you all know that there's someone else who truly deserves this applause. I've received a lot of help from this person for a long time, and now, as the head of Pentagon Soft's second development team, he's the best director who planned 'The Empty Streets' and 'Tamago Monster.' I'd like to introduce Mr. Kang Junhyuk."
"Wow!"
Since I was already a somewhat well-known figure in the industry, there was an enthusiastic response from the audience.
I took a deep breath and began to ascend the stage slowly.
Kazuhiko Kawaguchi met me halfway and shook my hand, whispering softly.
"All the best. The real boss."
Replacing Kawaguchi on the stage, I waited until the applause subsided.
"Seeing all of you here reminds me of the time I provided technical support back in Mintendo. There are so many familiar faces that it almost feels like a reunion."
My attempt at a light-hearted comment garnered scattered laughter from the audience.
"Those who know me personally are probably aware that I'm not the type to deliver long speeches. This presentation will be no different. I'll take all questions after the presentation ends. So, enjoy yourselves. Oh, and one more thing. If any of you have heart conditions, please wear the eye masks and earplugs we've provided on your tables when the second promotional video, 'Valentine's Day,' starts. Let's begin."
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