The roar of the Honda CBR1000RR still echoed in my ears as I parked it outside my apartment. The matte black body glistened under the streetlights, a small trophy of independence. But my mind wasn't on the bike — it was on Arcadia Games, on Evie, and on the absurdity that someone like me, barely out of high school, was suddenly negotiating the acquisition of a studio.
I leaned against the door and sighed. Theo Brooks, head of FrostHaven Entertainment. Who would have thought?
Inside, the faint smell of the groceries I'd bought earlier reminded me I hadn't eaten. I set down the bags and glanced at the glowing interface hovering faintly in my vision.
[Game Creator System: New Module Unlocked → Studio Management]
My chest tightened. So it wasn't just about creating worlds anymore. The system had evolved again.
"Studio Management…" I muttered.
A new panel appeared:
[Studio Management Module]
Studio: Arcadia Games (pending acquisition)
Key Personnel: Evie (Creative Director?), Mike (Lead Programmer)
Status: Negotiations in progress
Potential Growth: High
Quests available.
I tapped mentally.
[Quest: Secure Arcadia Games]Objective: Finalize acquisition.Reward: 500 MP + Unlock Studio Skill Tree.
I smirked. "Of course. Even the system wants me to play corporate."
The next morning, I rode to Arcadia Games. Evie was already there, a tablet in hand, her eyes tired but glowing with determination. Mike waved, still wearing the same wrinkled hoodie as yesterday.
"Good morning, boss— uh, I mean… potential boss?" Mike laughed nervously.
Evie rolled her eyes. "Don't call him that yet. We still need to finalize things."
I sat across from them, feeling the weight of the moment.
"Alright," I said, "I don't want this to just be a buyout. I want Arcadia to keep its soul. Evie, you'll have creative freedom. Mike, your coding won't get buried under endless bureaucracy. But we'll also have resources, connections, and marketing muscle."
Evie hesitated. "That sounds ideal, but… most acquisitions promise the same. How do I know FrostHaven won't turn us into just another cog in the machine?"
I leaned forward. "Because FrostHaven is me. And my games aren't just products. They're worlds. And I need people who care about games, not just profit margins."
For a long moment, Evie studied me. Finally, she smiled. "Then let's do it. Let's grow together."
[Quest Completed: Secure Arcadia Games]+500 MP.[Studio Skill Tree Unlocked.]
A new holographic diagram appeared in the corner of my vision, branching like a tech tree: "Creativity Boost," "Project Management," "Team Morale," "Marketing Reach." Each node pulsed faintly, waiting for MP investment.
So this is how I'll grow FrostHaven… not just through my own games, but through people.
That evening, we held a small team meeting. The programmers looked at me with cautious curiosity, some skeptical, others hopeful. Evie introduced me as the new owner, and Mike couldn't resist adding, "And also the genius behind Runestone."
Murmurs filled the room.
"Runestone? Seriously?""No way…""That game was incredible!"
I raised my hands. "Yes, I made Runestone. But I don't want you to think of me as untouchable. I want us to build together. If you've got ideas, bring them. If you've got concerns, voice them. FrostHaven isn't going to be a studio where creativity gets crushed by deadlines."
The skepticism softened into something else — excitement.
Later, back home, I collapsed onto the couch. The system pinged again.
[Special Event Incoming: Federation Summons]Time: 72 hours.Location: Central Federation Hall, Washington D.C.
I stared at the notification, my heart pounding. The Federation. The authority that governed Players, Game Creators, and the balance of supernatural systems across nations.
Runestone's success had already drawn attention. Now, with FrostHaven, I was stepping into territory that might attract more than just gamers… it might attract enemies.
But as I looked at the glowing Honda helmet resting by the door and thought of Evie's determined smile, I felt ready.
"Alright," I whispered. "Bring it on."