Chapter 775

〈 Chapter 775 〉 Part 2, Chapter 7, 08 – Project-M

When an IP succeeds, expanding it into other IPs is, in a way, only natural.

In that sense, DeathDinas achieved incredible success and is now reaping profits by selling various merchandise.

Internally within the game, it’s thriving by selling skins, and externally, it’s enjoying secondary profits by selling related goods.

But its fundamental limitation was clear.

‘Console’ game.

Even though it’s a VR-based virtual reality game, the clear limitation remains: it’s a packaged game accessed via a console.

“People call us the last bastion of conscience in this era.”

The man lifted his sunglasses-like glasses to point at the PPT screen.

“Excluding its moe elements, it’s been praised as a perfect RPG. We already won GOTY last year.”

“It was before No-Date Days happened.”

Though there was some teasing interference from the side, the man adjusted his glasses and continued speaking.

“Yes. Though we did take a hit with that fatal DLC update. Many companies have copied our successful model, and it’s true that there are significant concerns regarding this recent ‘modeling scandal.'”

A sense of crisis.

“This is precisely the time to bring this project to the forefront.”

And turning the crisis into opportunity.

“The second step in expanding our reach since the start of the season. Though it began as an 18+ IP, it’s time to move forward onto a new path.”

The man moved to the next screen.

As he did, a trailer-like video reminiscent of something from the late stages of DeathDinas played out.

Kiiieeeeaaaahh!!!

Monsters resembling giant cockroaches swarm, the kind you’d only expect to see in the latter half of DeathDinas.

Hordes of demons race across the ground, overflowing in numbers, trying to scale the white chalk walls of what looks like a medieval fortress.

And atop those walls… standing above the main gate is a white-haired maiden, her hand stretched toward the heavens.

From the maiden’s hand begins to emit a chilling frost, which rises up, targeting the monsters below.

Massacre.

An overwhelming display of special ability flashes across the face of the girl, who then suddenly casts her eyes downward in despair as a shadow looms over her.

[…Commander, I need your help.]

A soft, gentle voice echoes.

It was unmistakably not the voice of any heroine from DeathDinas.

Though she resembles Seok Harang, she is clearly not her. A voice familiar to anyone who has delved deeply into “Light Blade Heo Yoon-hwan’s” backstory while playing the Seok Harang route—Rusalka of Seoyea.

The ice shatters with a loud crash, and a white butterfly flutters away, ending the video.

“…This is the first trailer. The voice was modulated using a sample provided by Seok Harang.”

“…Indeed. I understand how you’ve structured the story.”

At the front of the PPT, a man with crimson-dyed hair nodded solemnly.

“But is it really okay? To be honest, showing such a hype-filled trailer and then just adding one line afterward has shattered player loyalty and interest before.”

“I know. That’s why we must proceed with caution.”

DeathDinas-M.

What exactly does the ‘M’ refer to?

For gamers, or even for those without much interest, it’s a word everyone has heard at least once.

“With this setup, if it turns out to be just another smartphone gacha game, our stock prices could plummet.”

Mobile gaming.

Even worse, it’s based on a business model known for infamous games that rely heavily on IPs but lack gameplay quality.

“I’m aware. That’s why we need to throw out a strong bait.”

The man advanced to the next slide of the PPT.

“The phoenix always rises again.”

There, a signed ‘contract’ was clearly visible.

“Shin-ra has agreed, and so has Seok Harang. Their models will be adapted into 2D artwork for use in the game.”

“…Let me ask one thing.”

The man turned to the next slide of the PPT with a somewhat awkward expression.

“How’s that idiot reacting?”

“Don’t worry about that. We’ve got a very effective hostage, and right now, our top negotiator is handling negotiations with him.”

Click.

As the PPT advanced to the next screen, there sat a woman with blue hair dressed in a gown.

“Hmm, this unique-grade illustration is reserved exclusively for the PVP champion.”

“Hold on. That won’t work. If we do that, we’ll hear complaints from others.”

“Naturally. But when you press this illustration…”

Click.

The woman’s dress disappears.

And she becomes completely naked, revealing that what looked like a chair was actually a golden sun.

“Isn’t that guy over there?”

“That’s correct. We’ve changed his hair color and darkened his skin tone. This ultra-exclusive illustration will only be shown to the PVP champion. Should there be a data leak… well, someone might go ‘puh-heh-heh’ while setting him ablaze.”

“…Showing just his silhouette would probably drive people wild too.”

The man raised his stamp.

“Alright. Whether the stocks collapse or not, let’s give it a shot. After all, it’s Chairman’s orders.”

Bang.

“There are gacha games that rake in money by the billions every few months. There’s no reason why we can’t do the same.”

The possibilities for utilizing gacha characters are endless.

“E-Rank Yuna, D-Rank Yuna, C-Rank Yuna, B-Rank Yuna, A-Rank Yuna, S-Rank Yuna, SS-Rank Yuna, and even… SSS-Rank Yuna.”

In the shadows, greed sparkled in the man’s eyes.

“We could sell the SSS-Rank Yuna in seven different versions.”

* * *

“I’m not going to play this game.”

Shin-ra pointed at the package with a rather firm look on her face.

“I was planning to hold my breath and wait until this came out, but now that it’s here, I can’t resist. I want to try this too.”

“It hasn’t come out yet.”

I returned home with Yuna and immediately brought up the game Yuna had mentioned to Shin-ra.

Upon hearing about it, she showed considerable interest.

“Is that all there is besides phone games…?”

Seok Harang responded calmly.

Since gaming wasn’t her primary interest, mobile games didn’t particularly catch her attention.

“The story is important!”

However, Shin-ra was highly intrigued by the game’s synopsis.

“Tera wins in the story… Hmm… It’s making me emotional.”

“…Hey, what’re you talking about?”

“It’s almost like the joy of reclaiming one’s country.”

Shin-ra lost her homeland, Tera, to Seongju.

Now, seeing her homeland restored—even indirectly through a game—must feel incredibly moving.

And my interest in the game grew similarly.

“Yuna, is it really true that Shin-ra will appear in the game?”

“Of course. That’s how the setting works.”

Sun Goddess – Ra.

As such, Shin-ra officially steps into the spotlight.

Not as Blazing Phoenix but as herself, Shin-ra. And fortunately, the game will be rated for ages 15 and up upon release.

So, unlike certain incidents involving lewd content, this ensures Shin-ra’s 2D image will spread widely but remain dignified!

Now, everyone can see Shin-ra as the beautiful goddess she truly is.

“What if yaoi fan art starts popping up?”

“In a world where deepfake videos of celebrities exist, we have to accept some risks. But if I catch them… I’ll secretly burn them all. Puh-heh-heh.”

Shin-ra chuckled as she poked my waist.

“Now I guess I have to do this too?”

“I doubt we’ll have the time.”

“If you’re too lazy to do housework, you should focus on the game. Let me handle it for you.”

“Woo! I love you, Yuna.”

Shin-ra buried her face in Yuna’s chest and started rubbing against her.

Yuna patted Shin-ra while giving me a meaningful smile.

“Who would’ve thought she’d approach through housework…”

Seok Harang grimaced at Yuna’s visit, but even she became captivated by the miraculous housework Yuna performed.

Comfort.

With Yuna taking care of everything at home, there was nothing left to do regarding household chores.

Of course, Shin-ra, Seok Harang, and I all had our roles divided, but the level of domestic efficiency Yuna demonstrated in just one day made it impossible not to keep her around.

“…This is convenient.”

Unlike Shin-ra and Seok Harang, I found life incredibly comfortable.

Living without magic power.

Living with special abilities.

Naturally, our lifestyles offered different advantages, and while I occasionally felt envious, I had to endure the inconvenience.

But Yuna could relate to life from a normal person’s perspective and genuinely solved things that inconvenienced me—or things I hadn’t even realized were bothering me.

“Hng, Yuna-mom. Let’s have sex.”

“I’ll do it first.”

Shin-ra began flirting with Yuna, calling her “mom,” but Yuna firmly redirected the arrow back at me.

“That won’t work anymore. Seok Harang tried it first.”

“Boo.”

You don’t fall for the same trick twice.

Even if Yuna seems sincere, or even if the Hydra inside her tries, the pregnancy attack was already attempted by Seok Harang.

“Pregnancy attacks won’t work on me.”

“So I’ve changed the pattern. Come on, big brother. Lie down here.”

Yuna knelt on the sofa and tapped her thighs.

Wearing a skirt and tapping bare thighs?

“…What are you planning?”

“Let me clean your ears.”

“……”

Come to think of it, I’ve never had my ears cleaned.

The moment Yuna mentioned ear cleaning, both Shin-ra and Seok Harang started fidgeting nervously, biting their lips.

“Me, me… I haven’t done that either…!”

“I’ve licked ears in bed before, but I’ve never cleaned them… Wow, this is crazy. Why didn’t I think of it?”

“……”

Ears are quite sensitive areas.

And if I leave it to them, there’s a good chance my eardrums might tear.

Tap tap.

“……”

Let’s just lie down for now.

I rested my head sideways on Yuna’s thighs as I sat on the couch.

Sarack, sarack.

A soft cotton swab made of plastic gently tickles my ear.

“……”

I’m sleepy.

It’s comfortable.

Rather than the immediate pleasure, a refreshing sensation of cleanliness spreads throughout my body.

“Big brother, let me do the other side too.”

Following Yuna’s instructions, I turned my head…

‘Wait, hold on.’

Yuna is wearing a miniskirt.

She isn’t even wearing thigh-high stockings or regular stockings.

Where exactly am I supposed to look if I turn my head?

“Hurry up.”

“Uh, alright.”

I followed Yuna’s instructions and turned my head.

And I saw it.

Inside the miniskirt.

Her underwear faintly illuminated by the fluorescent light.

Yuna’s panties were—