Crave You Forever
Chapter 36: FF games

Chapter 36: FF games

When the elevator doors opened, Haeun spotted Taeun and Eunja waiting for them, their expressions brightening at his arrival.

"Boss! It’s nice to see you. You look great!" Eunja beamed, her excitement evident.

"Hyung, thank you for coming..." Taeun began, but a sly smile quickly returned to his face. "...And who’s this? Is he your boyfriend?"

Haeun matched Taeun’s sly grin. "Yes, he is... handsome, isn’t he?"

Yeongsoo stood beside Haeun, maintaining a composed expression, but he felt a flicker of warmth at the compliment. He observed the playful exchange between Haeun and his brother as he glanced at the interior.

Eunja smiled at Yeongsoo, a hint of curiosity in her gaze. "It’s nice to finally meet him. Boss never mentioned he had someone special."

"He’s just been busy," Taeun chimed in, smirking. "But I’m glad he finally brought someone around."

Haeun felt a wave of unease wash over him mixing with the lingering nausea from earlier. "Can we get started? I need to get some fresh air," he said, attempting to shift the focus back to business.

"Of course! The game room is just down the hall," Taeun said, leading the way with a grin.

As they entered the special game room, Haeun felt the atmosphere shift. The room was designed specifically for testing out new games, filled with high-end gaming equipment and immersive setups. A large screen at the front displayed the title of the new fantasy fighting game he about to test.

"Ah it’s this one!" Ha announced, his eyes lighting up. "Tae why didn’t you tell me it’s Edge of the shadow? This is the recent game I’ve been working on before I took a break, and I’m eager to see what you all think."

As they settled into the game room, Haeun’s excitement began to override the lingering nausea. He grabbed the console and adjusted his headphones, happily making himself comfortable as he prepared to showcase his game.

"It’s an FF game," he explained while setting everything up, his voice tinged with anticipation. "I tried my best to capture the essence of an eastern fantasy world. Plus, I’ve always had a soft spot for Xianxia-style games, so I made sure it had multiple levels, power-ups, and enough world-building to keep it immersive."

Taeun and Eunja exchanged intrigued looks as Haeun finished setting up the game on the large screen. The title Edge of the Shadow appeared in bold, glowing letters, and the ethereal background music filled the room, adding to the atmosphere.

"Ah, so this is the famous Edge of the Shadow you’ve been talking about!" Taeun said, his grin widening. "You’ve been hyping this game up for months. Can’t wait to see if it lives up to your talk."

Haeun smirked, glancing at him. "You’ll see. It’s got some surprises."

Yeongsoo sat beside him, leaning slightly against the couch. Though not much of a gamer himself, he admired Haeun’s passion and was curious to see what he had been working on all this time. His steady presence was comforting, and Haeun felt the tension in his body ease slightly.

Haeun hit a few buttons on the console, and the screen lit up with the opening scene. The visuals were breathtaking—crisp, detailed environments with towering mountains, cascading waterfalls, and mystical floating islands that gave the perfect blend of serenity and danger.

"This is beautiful," Eunja commented, clearly impressed. "I feel like I’m being pulled into another world."

"That was the goal," Haeun said, smiling as he navigated through the menus. "Let’s start with an early level to get a feel for the combat."

He selected a character—a lone, hooded figure with a long sword and fiery aura—and the scene transitioned into a shadowy battlefield, where enemies with dark, shimmering armor appeared. The game’s combat system was fast-paced and strategic, requiring precise timing and skillful dodging.

As Haeun began playing, he explained the game mechanics. "I wanted to create something challenging but rewarding. The power-ups in this game are tied to the character’s cultivation level. You earn new abilities as you defeat enemies and collect certain artifacts."

Taeun leaned forward, watching intently as Haeun expertly moved through the combat. "This is intense. The power-ups look sick, especially with the cultivation system. That adds a layer of depth most fighting games don’t have."

Haeun leaned back slightly, resting his controller on his lap as he explained further. "You can also chat with other players, join teams, and even start your own sect. Each sect can have up to five players, and you can exchange weapons, artifacts, and cultivation techniques. It adds a whole new level of interaction."

Taeun’s eyes lit up with excitement. "So, it’s like creating your own faction in-game?"

"Exactly," Haeun nodded. "Your sect’s reputation can grow based on the missions you complete, and there are rankings for both individual players and sects. There’s also the option to challenge other sects in PvP battles. The top players and sects will get special rewards and access to hidden areas in the game."

Eunja raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed. "This really feels like you’re building a full world, not just a game. You’ve thought of everything."

Haeun smiled, pleased with the positive reaction. "I wanted to make sure there was something for everyone—whether they’re more into solo play, group challenges, or PvP. Plus, the ability to exchange weapons and techniques means players can always find ways to improve, even if they don’t grind as much."

Taeun handed the controller back to Haeun after a particularly difficult boss fight. "I love that. It’s not just about who’s got the most time, but who’s smart about their build and who they team up with. You can literally strategize your way to the top."

Haeun nodded as he resumed control of the game, demonstrating some of the weapon exchanges and player interactions. The screen showed a marketplace where players could trade swords, bows, and even rare cultivation manuals, with different stats displayed for each.

"Exactly. The game rewards both skill and collaboration. Some players will focus on being combat-heavy, while others might specialize in gathering rare items or crafting powerful weapons to trade."

Eunja watched the screen, clearly impressed. "This is going to be huge. I can already see people getting obsessed with forming the strongest sect."

Haeun chuckled softly. "That’s the idea. Plus, there’s a lot of customization for each sect—different flags, base locations, and even uniforms. I wanted it to feel personal to each group."