After a brief ride in the staff elevator, I found myself on the third floor, waiting for customers at the dimly lit counter.
The concept here was an abandoned school: meet all sorts of ghosts on the second floor, then ascend to the third where the savage counter awaited.
"Looks like we're about to start, Junhyuk."
I turned at the voice calling my name to find Yuki, dressed in a blood-stained school uniform, entering the counter area.
Despite being part of the concept as a ghost of a schoolgirl, was it her small stature that made her more adorable instead?
She had insisted on taking a day off today, Thursday, just to participate in the Valentine's Day release event and stand by my side.
"But getting here must have taken some time, right?"
Ding-ding-ding-ding-ding-ding... The eerie title song signaling the start of the event echoed through the hall not long after.
"Scream~!!!"
The first buyer's shriek pierced the air.
In that instant, Yuki and I burst into laughter simultaneously. This was quite entertaining.
Today's mission: Quickly navigate through the Ghost House. Anyone passing within 5 minutes would receive a limited edition of "The Empty Streets." (But truth be told, timing it yesterday, whether ghost or person, sprinting the whole way clocked at 4 minutes and 30 seconds. In other words, even a momentary pause when facing a ghost meant an immediate out.) Walking through the cramped, dark alleys, relying on a single flashlight, we surprised guests at every corner. From zombies like Hayashi to Morita, dressed as a chainsaw-wielding killer, even CEO Kawaguchi took on the role of a security guard with a twisted neck.
The first visitor, arriving almost every 10 seconds, joyfully scared both Yuki and me.
By the end of the second floor, as the staff dressed as reapers had to return their flashlights, from the third floor onwards, we had to rely on glow-in-the-dark markings on the ground to guide us.
"Ah! Ahh! Agh!"
As the scream of a customer from the third floor reached us, Yuki and I composed ourselves, putting on neutral expressions.
Moments later, the first customer, visibly shaken, approached me with a pale face.
"Is thi... is this the counter?"
"Yes, it is."
"Phew... Thank goodness. But how long did it take?"
At that moment, Yuki, hidden under the counter, suddenly let out a sharp scream.
"Kyaaah!!"
"Uwaaaah!!"
Looking at the startled customer taking a step back, Yuki gently placed the limited edition for Valentine's Day on the counter.
"It took you 9 minutes and 48 seconds."
"Uwaaaah... uwaaahhh..."
The first customer, now slumping slightly and groaning, seemed exhausted.
"Thank you for being our first Valentine's Day buyer."
On the counter lay a limited edition package shaped like a chocolate box. Inside were a Valentine's Day story comic and the original video showcased during last year's presentation, along with the OST containing all the game's background music.
"And this is a separate video containing promotional clips for 'Final Frontier 4' and 'Dragon Emblem,' available to customers who pass within 10 minutes. Thank you for attending the Pentagon event."
"Oh, uh, thank you."
After completing the purchase, the first customer with a shopping bag boarded the elevator behind the counter.
"But Junhyuk, if it takes around 10 minutes per person, is that alright? There were about 500 people outside... at this rate, we'll only manage around 6 people per hour..."
"Well... since they're selling the limited edition at the outdoor counters too, maybe those tired of waiting will buy it from there?"
However, contrary to my expectations, when I inquired via radio, it seemed there was a surprisingly high number of challengers outside.
I instructed the event staff to send up pairs of customers every 5 minutes, and gradually, the event started to run a bit more smoothly.
"Ugh!"
"Eeek!"
"Ahh! Mommy!"
As the event progressed, a variety of screams erupted from the lower floors.
Yuki kept shouting sharp screams at the customers relentlessly approaching the counter, but her voice gave way after barely a hundred customers...
"They seem to be pushing themselves too much..."
"Cough, cough... I guess I shouted too loud from the start."
I handed Yuki a drink while she kept coughing.
"Take a break for a bit and come back. I'll watch the register."
"It's okay. Shift staff will come up soon anyway. Let's take a break together then."
"Stubborn as always..."
Yuki smiled weakly, monitoring the entrance through the surveillance camera, and as each customer entered, she'd start the stopwatch, feigning a playful smile.
...
From 10 a.m., the Valentine's Day sales event lasted until 7 p.m.
The event, driven by the voluntary participation of employees, became a delightful memory for both our staff and gamers.
Some users asked Kaori and Yuki, who were distributing chocolates in disguise, to take pictures together. Also, Morita, who needlessly dressed up as a high-quality chainsaw killer, was surprisingly popular among users.
"Looks like everyone's having a blast."
As I watched the staff, chatting and laughing like kids about each other's costumes, a security guard in reverse attire approached me, prompting a peculiar feeling.
When I turned, it was Kawaguchi-san, sporting his security uniform inside out, depicting a twisted-neck security guard.
"CEO? Are you okay?"
"Of course. Today was so fun it'll be unforgettable. Selling just 500 took too long, but it was a special experience, I think. I'm sure the others feel the same."
Kawaguchi glanced at the employees taking photos with users in front of the event area, wearing a satisfied expression.
"Seems like not a single Mintendo employee showed up at the event today."
"Perhaps it's more peaceful this way, not seeing each other during this time."
"Yeah, that might be for the best."
"But now, the real deal starts."
"Referring to Laon's launch. With the additions from SP2 and Final Fight 89, I anticipate a successful launch."
"Sure, but won't it lack impact with just the events turned into quests?"
"Hmm? It'd be nice if there were a surprise announcement, but I think it's sufficient as is."
"The launch event is a one-time crucial event. The user interest there will be immense. Having gone through launch events for Portable Gameboy and Super Family twice, I keenly felt it."
"You seem to have something in mind."
"Well... I'm just pondering for now."
"If it's Junhyuk's work, I'm expecting something unique and creative."
The twisted-neck security guard and vampire exchanged smiles while facing each other.
---
Valentine's Day, due to the horror genre's nature, loses its charm when strategies are revealed in guidebooks.
Hence, we requested all magazine publishers not to cover Valentine's Day strategies for the next three months.
As communication technology hadn't advanced yet, if we blocked magazines, it effectively prevented the spread of game story or ending spoilers.
Although modem-based PC communication existed, it wasn't widespread as not many households owned a PC, especially in Japan, where PC adoption progressed slower than in South Korea. Even in the 2000s, owning a PC at home wasn't common.
Instead, phone-based communication advanced, with internet and emails mostly handled via mobile phones from the late 90s. (Come to think of it, soon mobile phones will be widespread. I should get one as soon as they come out…)
After a few days since the release of Valentine's Day, one evening after returning home from work, I connected via modem for PC communication.
With a console gaming community becoming active, I often checked for information shared among users using PC communication.
Valentine's Day discussions were hot in this community lately.
"Goodness, the chat room is lively as always..."
Taking a sip of my pre-prepared warm coffee, I entered the chat room.
-"Mr. K has entered the room."-
-"Oh, Mr. K, hello."-
-"Yes, hello."-
After exchanging pleasantries, I started observing their conversation.
The recent buzz in this room was 'Valentine's Day,' making it quite exciting to watch from a developer's perspective.
"I saw a ghost walking backward today, nearly fainted. Sound effects were terrifying…"
"If you meet that ghost, always walk upstairs. Hiding under the desk when scared won't end well..."
"Indeed. Not just the ghost, but the backward-neck security guard is terrifying. When he turns and chases, it's grotesque…"
"I went to the limited edition event. That neck-turning security guard from the haunted house almost got punched..."
"Limited edition event! They give the 'Deserted Streets' limited edition if you reach within 5 minutes. Anyone got it?"
"One person did."
"Wow! Lucky them. I tried, but the zombie grabbed my ankle and tripped me…"
"The virgin ghost at the cashier, isn't she cute?"
"Oh, the ghost that jumps at the end? I saw her after the event; she's an adorable lady. Does she have a boyfriend?"
Yuki's abrupt comment made me almost spit out my coffee.
"She's cute, but the female teacher on the second floor corridor with blood-stained blouse. Bet she's stunning without makeup!"
"Oh! I think I know who you're talking about. Tall and well-built, right?" Hmm, if tall and well-built… might that be the lobby receptionist, Sayuri?
The chat room continued discussing the female staff members who appeared at the Pentagon event. Conversations heated up, not just about Yuki and Sayuri, but also about Kaori, who distributed chocolates at the event.
"But has anyone finished the game yet?"
"Usually, by now, someone clears it..."
"It's not in the game magazine guides yet. Seems it might take some time. The puzzles are quite challenging..."
"'No More Singing' has entered the room."
"Oh, No More Singing. Long time no see."
"Hello. Been busy clearing Valentine's Day."
"What!? Cleared it already!?"
This person, known for their odd nickname 'No More Singing,' was a reputed game expert within the community. Games do get cleared soon after release, but faster than expected...
The chat room buzzed with excitement upon No More Singing's news of clearing the game.
"No More Singing cleared Valentine's Day!?"
"Yes, completed it an hour ago."
"Wow! Incredible. So, No More Singing, how do you open the science lab door on the first floor? It's bothering me not being able to pass; can you tell me how?"
"Oh, that door doesn't open originally. It unlocks after the ending."
"Really? Darn, struggled for nothing."
"That science lab is amazing."
"Why? Is there some secret?"
"Wow... I want to tell you, but just try clearing it. A shocking ending awaits. I was planning to come in after clearing it, but I ended up blankly staring for an hour."
"Aah! I'm curious!"
"What? Please tell us."
"No, I haven't cleared it yet. Don't tell me!"
I observed the lively chat room as the conversation got louder, occasionally sipping my now lukewarm coffee.
Hmm... this 'No More Singing' person. Quite considerate.
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