Monday 27 July 2000 ZAGE Tower Japan.
Right now, Zaboru was inside ZAGE Tower Japan, continuing his work on the 51st floor. He would return to guiding the MYTH team tomorrow, but for today he chose to stay in Japan first, as several ZAGE development teams still needed his direct input and guidance.
Even though his schedule was packed, Zaboru worked calmly, handling tasks one by one without rushing. His focus was steady, and the quiet atmosphere of the upper floor made it easier for him to concentrate.
Not long after, his secretary, Yumi Ichijou, entered the room. She walked in with her usual composed expression before speaking. "Boss, I have a report regarding an applicant who applied to ZAGE. This applicant is someone you knew before."
Zaboru paused his work immediately, his attention shifting.
"Hmm… someone I know?" he said, slightly curious as he leaned back in his chair.
"Hmm? Someone I know? Well, now I'm interested. So who is this guy?" Zaboru said, his curiosity clearly rising as he leaned back slightly.
Yumi adjusted her glasses before answering, her tone calm but slightly more serious than usual. "Do you remember the Kobe victim who punched you in the face? The one who came here later to apologize to you?"
Zaboru blinked once, already knowing who she was talking about.
Yumi continued, "You told him to focus on his studies first, to become a proper game developer before coming back. And… you also secretly paid for all of his college tuition."
Zaboru's expression softened then he nodded..
"Hahaha Him? yeah I remember him," he said with a small smile. "Yuki Ryonaku, right?"
He tapped the desk lightly as he thought further. "Last I heard, he got into Tokyo University. That's not easy."
Zaboru looked back at Yumi, more focused now.
"So… what about him?"
Yumi smiled. "Apparently, he is the cum laude of Tokyo University this year, boss. He has a perfect GPA of 4.0, and he even graduated early from Computer Science. It's quite impressive. There are also many electronics companies in Japan that are interested in him, but it seems he is waiting for you, boss. He has been contacting us since last week. It looks like he really wants to join ZAGE."
She paused briefly, then added in a softer tone, "He turned down a few offers already. It seems he already made up his mind."
Zaboru chuckled and nodded slowly, clearly impressed but still composed. "Impressive. Very impressive," he said, tapping the desk lightly. "Alright, Yumi-san, call him here."
He leaned back slightly with a small grin. "But if he thinks being a cum laude from Todai means he can be accepted easily into ZAGE, then he's wrong. Hehehe."
Yumi nodded with a faint smile, already understanding what Zaboru meant. "Understood, boss."
She quickly stepped aside and made the call, her movements efficient and calm, as if she had already anticipated this outcome.
Meanwhile, not long after, Yuki Ryonaku stood in front of ZAGE Tower. He carried himself with quiet confidence, his posture straight and his body well-built from years of hard work. He knew very well that Zaboru had paid for his tuition, but he never took that for granted. Instead, he treated it as responsibility.
Throughout his studies, he worked multiple part-time jobs, from construction work during the day to carrying vegetables at night, doing whatever he could to earn money. His goal was simple, to support his mother and his younger sister so they could live comfortably without worry. Even with that heavy schedule, he never neglected his passion for games. He continued playing, studying, and understanding them deeply.
On top of that, he also took on side jobs related to computer science, which paid much better and helped him grow his technical skills at the same time. Over the years, his efforts paid off. Now, his family was able to live a stable life through the money he earned on his own, and that gave him a sense of pride that couldn't be replaced.
Then Yuki smiled. "This office is really big…" he thought to himself. The last time he visited ZAGE, the tower wasn't even built yet back in 1996. At that time, it was just the old office, much smaller and simpler. Now, standing in front of ZAGE Tower, he couldn't hide how impressed he was. The scale, the design, and the atmosphere all felt completely different, almost unreal compared to what he remembered.
For a moment, he just stood there, taking it all in. Then he shook his head lightly, refocusing himself before stepping inside. Even though he was impressed, he reminded himself why he came here.
He walked toward the receptionist and spoke politely. "Excuse me, miss. I have an appointment with Ms. Ichijou."
The receptionist smiled and nodded. "Alright, please wait a moment." She quickly made a call to notify Yumi.
Yuki stood there quietly, his hands relaxed but his mind focused. This moment felt important, not just as an opportunity, but as something he had been working toward for years.
Not long after, Yumi arrived. She smiled professionally as she approached him. "Yuki Ryonaku, right? Please follow me."
Yuki nodded and followed her without hesitation. As they walked through the building, he couldn't help but glance around, taking in the environment. Everything felt organized, modern, and efficient.
Soon, they reached the upper floors. Zaboru was already on the 50th floor, his usual place when meeting people. The atmosphere grew quieter as they approached, giving the moment a more serious tone as Yuki prepared himself.
Noticing Yumi and Yuki arrive, Zaboru smiled and let out a soft chuckle. He took a moment to look at Yuki properly. The difference was clear. The hesitation and gloom from before were gone, replaced with steady confidence and a calm presence. Seeing that change, Zaboru felt genuinely satisfied.
Zaboru stepped forward to greet him. "Hohoho, Yuki-kun, you've really grown well," he said with a light, teasing tone.
Yumi adjusted her glasses and gave a small sigh. "Boss, you sound like an old man right now."
Zaboru laughed. "Hahaha, maybe. But I'm still handsome, so it balances out. Thanks, Yumi-san."
Yumi shook her head slightly, though she smiled. "Of course, boss." She then gave a polite nod to both of them and excused herself, leaving the two alone to continue their conversation.
Zaboru gestured for Yuki Ryonaku to sit down. Yuki took the seat and immediately bowed his head. "First of all, thank you, Zaboru-san, for paying my tuition at Todai," he said, his voice steady but sincere.
Zaboru chuckled lightly and waved a hand. "Don't be. I promised I would help all the Kobe earthquake victims with their education. That was never meant to be a burden for you to carry," he replied calmly. He paused for a moment, then asked in a softer tone, "Anyway, are your mother and little sister doing well?"
Yuki nodded and smiled, though there was a hint of emotion in his eyes. "They're doing well. My sister is in her third year of high school now. She's working hard," he said. He took a short breath before continuing. "Honestly, Zaboru-san… I still don't know how to repay you. Without your help, I don't think my family would have made it this far. I just… did everything I could to make sure your support wasn't wasted."
He lowered his head slightly again, not out of formality this time, but out of genuine gratitude. "So thank you. Really."
Zaboru nodded. "Don't think too much about that. Let's talk about something more interesting, shall we? So, you're a cum laude from Todai? That's impressive. That's an achievement even I couldn't get." He smirked slightly, clearly teasing but also acknowledging the effort behind it.
Yuki let out a small chuckle. "That's because you didn't go to college at all, Zaboru-san. Everyone knows your story about building the ZAGE empire," he said, his tone respectful but relaxed. "But yes, I graduated as cum laude in software engineering. Over those years, I didn't just study theory. I made sure to understand how everything connects in practice too, especially when it comes to video games."
He continued, a bit more confident now. "I spent a lot of time analyzing systems, mechanics, and design patterns. Not just playing games, but breaking them down and understanding why they work. I wanted to make sure that when I step into this industry, I'm not starting from zero."
Yuki smiled. "And I really analyzed how ZAGE video games work. It's amazing, not just how they feel to play, but how they're structured underneath. The systems, the feedback, the pacing, everything connects in a very deliberate way. I spent a lot of time breaking down your games, trying to understand why they feel so responsive and satisfying. It's not just good design, it's consistent design across different titles. Honestly, it's really impressive, Zaboru-san. That's why I'm so excited, not just to play them, but to be part of that process and learn how to build something at that level."
Zaboru watched him quietly, clearly interested. The way Yuki spoke showed not just knowledge, but intent.
Yuki continued, "Over these four years, I've been learning video game development from scratch while studying computer science. At the same time, I took on side jobs in the computer science field, and honestly, the pay was quite good. It allowed me to buy my own gaming PC at home, which helped me practice and experiment more seriously.
Over the past two and a half years, I've been working on my own game. It wasn't easy balancing everything, but I kept going step by step. And… I actually released it on Steam today."
He paused briefly, then added with a small, almost shy smile, "It's not perfect, and it's still simple in many ways, but I wanted to finish something real. Not just ideas… something complete."
Zaboru's eyes widened. "You made your own game? Alone?" he asked, clearly surprised, his tone carrying both curiosity and a hint of admiration.
Yuki smiled and nodded. "Yes… alone. It's not much, and there's nothing really new stuff about it," he admitted honestly. He paused for a moment, his expression softening. "But it has a lot of meaning to me. I made it… to remember my little brother, Yuusha."
For a brief second, the atmosphere shifted, as if the room itself grew heavier.
Zaboru's heart sank the moment he heard that name. He slowly closed his eyes, the memory surfacing whether he wanted it or not. He could still see it clearly, that moment under the rubble, the silence pressing in from every direction, the weight of everything that had happened. Yuusha's body… still clutching the ZGB tightly, as if holding onto something even in his final moments, refusing to let go even when everything else had already been taken away.
The image didn't fade. It never did.
It wasn't something he could forget, not after everything he had seen during that time. The memory wasn't just a passing thought, it was carved deep within him. And worse, with his deep memory ability, he couldn't forget even if he wanted to. Every detail remained sharp, untouched by time, as if it had just happened yesterday.
For a brief moment, a faint sense of regret and helplessness passed through him, something he rarely allowed himself to feel. But just as quickly, he steadied himself, keeping it contained beneath his calm expression.
Zaboru took a slow breath before opening his eyes again, his expression returning to calm, but now carrying something deeper behind it.
But Zaboru had already grown stronger now, not just in ability, but in control over his emotions. He didn't let the past hold him down for long. Taking a slow breath, he shifted the mood back to the present.
"Alright… let's see what kind of game you made. It's on Steam, right? What's it called?" he asked, his tone returning to calm, but with clear interest.
Yuki smiled slightly. "It's called Yuusha Monogatari."
Zaboru nodded and immediately opened his system to search for it. Just as Yuki said, it had only been released today. Despite that, it already had over a hundred downloads, which was quite impressive for an independent release. The price was set at 500 yen, a reasonable entry point for a small but complete game.
Without wasting time, Zaboru purchased and downloaded it right away. He didn't hesitate at all. To him, the value wasn't in the price, but in the effort behind it.
The download itself was quick. The game size was only around 120 MB, so it didn't take long before it was ready to launch. While waiting, Zaboru rested his chin lightly on his hand, already curious about what kind of experience Yuki had created on his own.
This wasn't just about testing a game. It was about seeing the result of someone's determination, someone who had walked a difficult path and still chose to build something meaningful at the end of it.
After a short moment, Zaboru launched the game and began playing. Yuki stood just behind him, watching quietly, his expression a mix of anticipation and nervousness. He didn't say anything, but his eyes followed every movement on the screen, waiting for Zaboru's reaction.
The game opened with a story screen, combining text and simple illustrations. Zaboru read it carefully.
"In the terror of despair in the land of Ryonaku, the world is filled with dread under the rule of the evil Demon King Deimous. Yet, there exists a single hero who brings hope and joy. His bravery is unmatched, and wherever he goes, smiles follow. His name is Yuusha."
Zaboru stayed silent for a second, taking in the tone. It was simple, but sincere.
Then the character artwork appeared. Yuusha was depicted as a young man wearing silver armor, with a large gauntlet on one of his hands. He carried a large sword and had slightly spiky hair, giving him a classic but strong hero presence.
Yuki smiled softly as he looked at the screen. "It's based on what my brother used to draw back then," he said quietly, his voice carrying a hint of nostalgia.
Zaboru glanced at him for a brief moment, then nodded with a small smile. He understood the meaning behind it without needing further explanation.
Without saying anything else, he continued playing the game, now paying closer attention, not just as a player, but as someone evaluating the heart behind it.
The game was a side-scrolling adventure, and both the combat and movement felt surprisingly smooth and responsive. Yuusha used light-based powers in battle, and he was accompanied by a small light spirit that supported him during fights, adding both charm and utility to the gameplay. The spirit didn't just follow him, it reacted during combat, giving a sense that it was part of the experience rather than just a visual effect.
Even the spirits act like small companions. They constantly comment on everything that happens, reacting to battles, exploring the world, and showing curiosity toward even the smallest details. Their presence adds personality to the journey, making it feel less lonely and more alive. It also seems that only Yuusha can see and hear these spirits, which gives them a more personal and intimate connection to him, almost like they exist just for his journey and no one else.
The mechanics were simple, but they worked well together. Movement felt natural, attacks had clear feedback, and the pacing made it easy to stay engaged. It wasn't overly complex, but it didn't feel empty either. There was a clear understanding behind how the game was built.
The large gauntlet was not just for visual design, it served a real purpose in combat. It could be used as an additional melee weapon to stun enemies, giving players another option besides standard attacks. It also came with its own set of separate skills, allowing for different combat styles and strategies depending on how the player chose to use it. This added a layer of variety to the gameplay, making the combat feel more dynamic and flexible rather than repetitive.
Zaboru continued playing for a solid twenty minutes without stopping. As time passed, his focus deepened. He tested different approaches, paid attention to enemy patterns, and observed how the level design guided progression. Even small details, like timing and transitions, showed effort.
After a while, he leaned back slightly and grinned.
"This is good," he said honestly. "The art style is clean, and the story is interesting so far. The music is also really well done, it fits the tone perfectly."
He paused for a moment, then added in a more serious tone, "But what really impresses me is that you made all of this alone. That's not something most people can do."
He glanced at Yuki with a small but sincere smile.
"Your brother would definitely be proud."
Yuki nodded. "I hope so… and I want to make him even more proud by working here," he said, his voice steady but filled with quiet determination.
Zaboru laughed lightly. "Alright, you're hired."
Yuki blinked, clearly caught off guard. "Just like that?"
Zaboru leaned back slightly, a small grin forming on his face. "Yes, just like that. You fulfilled all the requirements. But more importantly, you proved something most people can't."
He tapped the desk once, casually.
"Making a complete game alone isn't easy. It takes discipline, persistence, and real understanding. That tells me more about you than any degree ever could."
Yuki stayed silent for a moment, still processing what he just heard.
"If you came here just to flaunt your degree and say something like 'everyone wants me, but I chose ZAGE,' then I probably wouldn't hire you. That kind of mindset doesn't matter here. I've never really cared about degrees. What I care about is ability and passion.
Skills can always be taught and improved over time. You can train someone, guide them, and help them grow. But passion… that's different. That's something you either have or you don't. It can't be forced.
And the fact that you made this game alone, with limited tools, already shows your passion clearly. Not just interest, but real commitment."
Zaboru continued, his tone calm but firm. "Degrees and titles are nice, but results matter more. And you brought me results. Not just effort, not just potential, but something real.
You didn't just learn, you applied what you learned. You didn't just think about making a game, you actually finished one. That alone puts you ahead of a lot of people."
He gave a small nod.
"So yes, you're hired. Welcome to ZAGE."
Zaboru chuckled again. "I'll contact the HR division to handle your onboarding. Once the contract is done, you can start working as early as tomorrow."
Yuki nodded. "Yes… I really want to," he said, his voice firm but filled with excitement that he tried to keep under control.
Zaboru smiled and quickly contacted the HR division, handling it as casually as if it were a routine matter. Not long after, Yuki stood up and excused himself from Zaboru's office, ready to head toward HR.
But just as he was about to leave, Zaboru stopped him and gently grabbed his shoulder.
"Yuki… you are very really cool," he said with a light smile.
It wasn't a loud compliment, but it carried weight.
Zaboru was genuinely proud of him.
Yuki froze for a second, clearly not expecting that. Hearing Zaboru give him his signature praise His heart warmed instantly, and a quiet sense of pride filled him. He straightened slightly and nodded.
"I won't disappoint you, Zaboru-san," he said, his voice steady and sincere.
With that, he headed toward the HR division. But after a few steps, he suddenly stopped and turned back, scratching his head a little.
"Umm… Zaboru-san," he said, slightly embarrassed. "Can I start working in two days instead? Tomorrow, I want to tell my mom about this… and maybe celebrate a little. Hehehe."
Zaboru looked at him for a moment, then grinned.
"Hahaha, of course. Go ahead. Just talk to HR, they'll understand."
After saying that to Yuki, Zaboru smiled and returned to playing "Yuusha Monogatari" again. Tomorrow he would head back to China, so he took this moment to enjoy the game a little longer and think about everything that had just happened.
"Heh… this game is quite good," he muttered quietly to himself, his eyes still focused on the screen.
ZAGE had just gained another talented developer, someone with both skill and real passion. That alone made this day worthwhile.
As he continued playing, his expression relaxed slightly. For a brief moment, everything felt simple.
But then, suddenly, something felt off.
Zaboru paused.
"Huh? New ability and why the name is so absurd?"
His body reacted before his mind could fully process it. A subtle shift, something changing within him, as if a new layer had just been unlocked.
Zaboru frowned slightly, his focus no longer on the game.
To be continue
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