Game Director from Hell

Chapter 86: Sales

For 27 hours, players were gradually clearing the normal route and short route in the open run.

However, there had yet to be a player who successfully cleared the sub-route.

The reason was one.

『(Chat)zWarrior : It’s too spicy…』

The difficulty level was high.

The sub-route boasted an extremely challenging difficulty level to the point where it was considered impossible for beginners to clear.

It wasn’t just a matter of monsters having high attack power and health.

As is typical for endgame content in many games, calculation became essential in battles.

It required distributing resources while considering the monster’s stats and the character’s abilities, strictly adhering to the plan to finally clear it.

The process involved distinct combat strategies based on different weapon builds and parts. Even changes in builds depending on the chapter needed to be considered.

In short, a deep understanding of the game was necessary.

Moreover, players had to collect parts and weapons through at least two playthroughs before attempting the sub-route.

Of course, irregular players like James were able to play the sub-route on their first attempt, but he was currently not participating in the open run, as he was busy tweaking his build.

The viewing of all desired endings by players, and the confirmation of the world setting through that, remained a mysterious task.

Then, it happened.

『(Promotion)ClearWithoutT : Cleared the sub-route boss. Turning on the stream to conquer the War Saga.

(Link)

Starting at 6 PM tonight』

Suddenly, a player who successfully cleared the challenging route emerged.

***

At 18:00, it was the 42nd hour of the stream.

In the chat, a number of people, too many to be called small, had logged in.

On the broadcast, a stone gate leading to War Saga unfolded.

『Helic3Enjoy: Is this the right room?

LordofBangbae-dong: Seems like it, but why isn’t anyone talking?

Z- ZoneHanSu: Maakumah! Say something!』

The viewer count quickly reached 300.

For just a short post in the community, it was an astonishing number.

It meant that there were many people interested in the sub-route ending.

The character assigned was a bit grotesque.

It could be likened to a dwarf from a fantasy novel.

Alice’s legs, Guan Yu’s arms, head, and bride’s body.

It was a customization setting that had been posted on the community.

Above that, there was an unfolded status window.

The character’s nickname was ‘Gyejibai GoNow.’

『Guksinanayo: Clear concept, haha.

Helic3Enjoy: Oh, a ghost build. Is the weapon a gun? But it’s already the third playthrough, haha.』

Reactions related to this emerged.

Ding!

With the sound, the character moved.

‘ClearWithoutT’ started the game without saying a word.

Approaching the boss room triggered an alert.

[‘Mark: Grip of the Sufferer’ is activated.]

A cinematic unfolded.

From the protagonist sitting around a campfire, mouths appeared all over their body.

They began to speak.

-We’ve finally come this far.

-It was a path with trace of horrors. We eventually won, but…

-It was nothing special.

-We can say that now that it’s over.

In the midst of their conversations, Spartan suddenly spoke.

-…Is what’s at the end really what we want?

A small doubt.

It quickly spread and was soon quelled by the Paladin.

-Of course, it will be there! For those who have overcome the trials, there is nothing to fear! We are not people who have merely seized what we wanted!

The two others agreed with his confident words.

Then Spartan’s voice wavered with uncertainty.

-Seizing it ourselves… Yes. Not a bad idea.

The playable character stood up.

Slowly approaching the stone gate, they soon witnessed the interior.

The chat cheered.

『LordofBangbae-dong: Oh, the War Saga scene. Different from the normal route?』

As he said, the depicted war scene in the sub-route was different from before.

-What is that…?

-Dodge it!

Bang!

With the cry of a soldier, the character rolled to the side.

It was a moment where if they were a little late, their body would have shattered.

In the hands of the War Saga was now a cannon.

『Z- ZoneHanSu: Wow, crazy; wasn’t this boss supposed to only use weapons?』

It was the story up to the normal route.

This was the highest difficulty level boss.

The boss for the sub-route was not a time attack.

In other words, to clear it, they had to deplete the entire health bar.

『Guksinanayo: Truly for advanced players, lol.』

At that moment.

Heeheehee!

A ghost horse appeared, carrying the character.

‘ClearWihoutT’ moved swiftly around the War Saga, taking out a gun and starting to shoot.

Bang! Bang!

The War Saga dodged it.

Then he created a lance and attacked.

Heeheehee!

The ghost horse narrowly avoided it.

Such a battle continued.

A moment where tension could not be delayed.

Would it make any sense to recount the long path to the conclusion?

In short, ‘ClearWithoutT’ cleared the boss in just 6 tries.

It took 6 attempts to familiarize with the pattern, test it, and finally create a strategy.

Even that was a number possible only with innate sense.

『Helic3Enjoy: Wow, haha, it seems like you have to struggle to clear it.』

So-called ‘spicy’ high difficulty.

Worries and expectations echoed in the chat, but it was not an urgent matter.

『LordofBangbae-dong: Let’s go to the ending!!!』

A cinematic appeared.

***

They were captivated by the fallen battlefield in despair.

• Is this the end? Nothing has changed.
• This is…
• …We’re trapped. The stone gate is already closed.

The door they entered through was shut.

The only things present in the space were the corpses of the battlefield and a crumbling throne.

Confusion and anger was expressed.

• Why!

Their questions still remained unanswered.

…No, in truth, they knew, but they chose to turn away.

In the end, all of this was a trap.

A trap to draw them, uncontrollable factors from the outside, into this place.

It was at that moment.

• …Look over there.

The Paladin said.

He was pointing to the half-melted corpse of the War Saga.

In the center of its chest, a small, barely visible bead-like object sparkled.

They could immediately recognize what it was.

• It seems to be the core, like us.
• Wasn’t it supposed to be dead? How can that thing be so intact…
• Examine it?
• …We have to, don’t we?

Their voices were exhausted.

Doubt had reached an overwhelming state.

Finally, the moment they grabbed the bead in their hands, everything froze.

A deep resonating voice echoed in their minds as if etched.

• I beg of you.

At that moment, the eyes of the playable character widened as if about to tear apart.

Soon, their mouths began to speak on their own.

• …It wasn’t about killing; it was about letting it die.
• Those persistent things were like the seniors’ trials.
• It was used quite beaitiful.
• It feels unpleasant.

Crunch!

As they held the bead in their hands, they suddenly bit into it, spewing out words.

• What are you asking for?
• Well, at least it’s not asking us to take care of this room.
• It was angry.
• It sounded somewhat relieved.

The voice conveyed emotions rather than language.

The four of them tried to analyze it and soon came up with an answer.

• …It seems like nothing has ended yet.
• We may not have to fight the seniors.
• Then someone else?
• Who?

Their gaze turned outside the chamber.

What they had fought so far, and what they would have to continue fighting.

The land that toyed with humans like playthings was there.

• …It’s clear, and that’s good.

They threw the bead they held into their mouths.

Kugugung!

Their bodies changed.

• Aaargh!

That’s right.

They had decided to become a new War Saga themselves.

A battlefield that recorded the history of struggling not with human wars, but with hell.

Puddeuk!

Their entire bodies turned pitch black.

Blades protruded from their hands, and the black-dyed body revealed red veins.

It was a shape that players were truly familiar with.

The monster from the teaser video, they had become that.

***

Helic3Enjoy: Huh?

zChonHanSoo: Wow

Lord of Bangbae-dong: Oh, if I go that route, it leads to a cookie video, crazy lol”

Whoosh—

The wind blew in the training room.

As a new chapter of the war unfolded in the air, space tore open, revealing a landscape beyond.

And control returned to the player.

Once again, the body took on a customized form.

The meaning was clear.

“Helic3Enjoy: Dive into the sea of resentment, comments!!!!

zChonHanSoo: LOL, was there a hidden boss?

CountrySiNaNaYo: Yeah, it’s disappointing if the boss doesn’t show up! Alice appeared too!

asdfg: Does Alice appear in Hellic 3?

CountrySiNaNaYo: Oops…”

Hidden boss.

Hellic 3 implemented the confrontation with the Warden not just as a simple plot device but within the in-game world.

‘ClearWithoutT’ prepared for battle, organizing stats, builds, and rewards for each branching path of the war.

In Hellic 3, rewards varied depending on which final boss was cleared in each branch.

The Short Route allowed for expanding weapon builds using the blade that pierced the warship.

The Normal Route allowed farming war parts.

And in the Sub Route, a new equipment slot could be obtained.

These items didn’t have special effects.

Thunk!

Using the weapon added a black and red effect, a kind of skin.

“S2PobiS2: The effect looks cool^^”

‘ClearWithoutT’ expressed emotions by jumping in place.

And then entered the space beyond.

Shoaaa—

Waves crashed.

Once again, the sea of resentment appeared in Hellic 3 graphics.

Chulpuk, chulpuk.

A new War Saga emerged from the sea.

Then, the Warden, who had been standing, turned his head.

He had been holding the cancer bat from the start.

Thus, the battle began.

The difficulty level was certainly reflective of the warden’s majesty.

[GAME OVER]

First try, died within a minute.

“At… damn it.”

A voice echoed through the broadcast.

A clear female voice.

“zChonHanSoo: Makgeumah…?

Helic3Enjoy: ???

Lord of Bangbae-dong: ?????”

The chat was thrown into chaos.

***

It’s been a week since the release.

Analysis articles have started to appear.

『(Analysis) S2 Boppi S2: Hellish Settings Revealed Clearly with Hellic 3.

So, a total of three stories, including Hellic 3, have been revealed.

As a fan, I was really satisfied with the series for boldly unveiling the settings of the Hellic series!

Now, let’s proceed with a detailed analysis!

First…

·

·

·

… In the end, the Golden Gate is a means of sacrificing oneself to save others!

Many thoughts crossed my mind.

In the Hellic universe, the reason why Hell is Hell can be related to that.

Isn’t it? Those prisoners who remain there until the end, suffering without saving anyone or being saved by anyone!

Even if you look at the short routes or sub-routes, the theme doesn’t change.

In the short route, Alice and the protagonists are saved through someone’s sacrifice.

In the sub-route, the protagonist uses someone’s sacrifice as a stepping stone to resist the world.

To add a personal thought, I think the Hellic series is saying that in a world where everyday actions are considered sins, highlighting people who suffer there is a reflection of a reality saturated with selfishness, which can become Hell.

There’s only one way to escape. Look at the person next to you.

Also…

Click!

The unfamiliarity grew, and I turned off the analysis article.

That’s how the world is.

Even for something done without much thought, if it is interpreted and embellished as praise, embarrassment is inevitable.

However, thinking differently, it made sense.

“It’s quite plausible.”

Is it that you can only see something when you step back from it?

It was a moment of realization.

“Uhm, sir… it’s time for the meeting!”

“Yeah, I’ll be there.”

I stood up at Jo Ayoon’s call.

In the meeting room, everyone was already gathered.

One week after the release, today was the day to calculate the initial sales.

“Hoo…”

Han Seorim closed her eyes tightly and let out a sigh.

She had been like that since the release.

Judging by her cutoff from the beloved community, it seemed like she was quite fearful of reviews.

There was a need for management.

“Seorim, are you okay?”

“No, I’m not okay. My stomach hurts.”

“Relax. It’s doing well.”

“If I could be comforted by that, I wouldn’t be like this. Just a little more.”

“You’re the best.”

“More.”

“You’re one of a kind.”

“More.”

“If it weren’t for you, Hellic wouldn’t have come into the world. There’s only you.”

“Okay, that’s enough.”

Han Seorim raised her head.

It was a determined expression as if she had prepared her heart.

“Uh, sir… I also…!”

“Ayoon is amazing too. Do you want some chocolate?”

“Yes…!”

I gave Jo Ayoon the chocolate I had in my pocket.

She happily munching on it looked quite blissful.

Yang Gilsang finally spoke up.

“Can we proceed now?”

I tapped the remote.

I nodded, and Yang Gilsang spoke.

“Sales figures.”

Beep!

A robotic voice.

And numbers displayed on the screen.

A sound of someone inhaling sharply could be heard.

I had a similar reaction.

“Can we announce it now?”