Chapter 58: A Chance Encounter with Arina

It wasn’t even mid-July yet, but the weather was unbearable.

How hot was it?

Hot enough that I almost mistook it for the hottest day of summer and was tempted to go out for charcoal-grilled marinated pork ribs.

If it was like this now, what kind of hellish inferno would August bring? I was already terrified.

This couldn’t go on.

I immediately reached out to Moss.

Han Yurim: How much of the money can I spend?

“Please ask questions like that through private messages or over the phone….”

• Han Yurim: Got it. So, how much can I use?
• PaePae: Are you planning to buy a house or something?
• Bunnyrun: Let’s have a housewarming party, sis!
  · Message sent.

After consulting a tax accountant to set aside the money needed for taxes, I turned my attention elsewhere.

All major technologies originate from the United States.

It’s natural when you absorb all the world’s talents and resources while wielding the ultimate cheat code: dollars.

So if you wanted to find groundbreaking new tech, scouting in the U.S. was the fastest route.

I dove into global startup databases, scrolled through U.S. startup communities, and stalked countless SNS accounts until one company stood out.

A startup founded just six months ago, it specialized in researching “carbon induction capture technology.”

I couldn’t tell how advanced their technology was or whether their ambitions were even realistic.

But the single photo of their team they had posted online told me everything I needed to know.

Their dedication radiated from the screen.

These people might lose their minds pursuing their technology, but they wouldn’t blow through their investment on frivolous parties.

They were exactly the kind of talent I was looking for.

Without hesitation, I sent an email detailing how much I was willing to invest.

Then another thought crossed my mind.

In movies, startup investors always seem to get equity.

How does that work? Should I hire a lawyer to figure this out?

I was pondering these questions as I prepared to dive into game development when a reply came in.

Already?

A bit taken aback, I opened the email and began to read.

In summary, it said:

“Should we fly to Korea right now?”

Bringing such talent into the country would likely breach international regulations.

The best course of action would be to hire a lawyer as my proxy and send them to the U.S.

But where could I find someone knowledgeable in these matters?

Hmm.

• Han Yurim: Hey, Malrang Softie, do you happen to have a law degree?
  “Why would I have that?”
  Han Yurim: Why so snappy, Malrang Softie?
• Pae Pae: Wow, I didn’t think you were this harsh, Malrang Softie.
  Bunnyrun: You should apologize to my sister, Malrang Softie!
  “All of you, get out of my stream.”

Thankfully, Moss introduced me to a skilled lawyer.

With that, the potential threat of global warming scaring off future game customers was somewhat mitigated.

Now there was only one thing left to do.

Game development.

I slammed my head onto the desk, then lifted it again.

On my monitor, characters were clashing swords on a ship’s deck.

But something was missing.

The swordplay lacked something. And the fact they were on a ship didn’t feel quite right either.

The Donghae cruise, my old secret base, and my first-place victories had all provided me with inspiration, but not enough to fill in every gap.

It felt like I was just one piece of the puzzle away from completing the game.

But what was that piece?

I couldn’t figure it out.

Frustrated but determined, I headed to PaePae’s stream.

Han Yurim: Don’t tell me you still haven’t hit first place.

PaePae: Currently third, lol.

“Han Yurim! This time, I’ve won the bet!” << Actual words from PaePae.

“Go back to streaming.”

Since our last showdown, PaePae had, for some reason, taken a three-day break from streaming.

That’s why they still weren’t in first place.

Judging by their pace, they’d get there soon enough, though.

Before that happened, I planned to get as much use out of them as possible.

Feeling a bit better, I crossed my arms and started to think.

Inspiration is like a flash of lightning.

It strikes without warning.

Inspiration strikes at the most unexpected moments—while eating, bathing, getting hit on the head with an apple, or even being struck by lightning.

Swimming, hiking, traveling, kissing—you name it.

It’s no wonder creators often ramble about their “muse descending.” Inspiration, after all, is akin to a divine intervention.

Because of this, it’s nearly impossible to control inspiration.

Unless you’re a shaman, you can’t just summon divine insight at will.

However, there are ways to encourage inspiration to show itself.

After countless years of pondering, creators devised a kind of template—a list of activities that can stimulate creativity when needed.

And what’s on that list?

What else? A sauna.

I checked into a renowned five-star hotel in Seoul, specifically chosen based on glowing blog reviews about its exceptional sauna facilities.

The suite on the top floor was spacious—approximately 23 pyeong (about 760 square feet).

I unpacked my things and looked out the window.

Perhaps because it was midday, the view wasn’t particularly picturesque.

But then again, even at night, wouldn’t it just be another cityscape?

It’s not like I hadn’t seen it a thousand times before.

Enough of that. This wasn’t the point.

Humming a tune, I made my way to the hotel’s sauna.

True to its reputation as a place some claimed deserved a six-star rating, the facilities were magnificent.

The large communal bath, reminiscent of a Japanese ryokan rather than a spa, melted away my tension as soon as I submerged myself.

It felt as though someone had ironed out all the wrinkles in my brain.

This was undoubtedly “Novella Hotel.” They had learned well from their parent company, Novella.

What I admired most was their ability to embrace the best of everything, regardless of origin.

Although Novella was a Japanese brand, I meant to commend them for establishing such a fantastic hotel in Korea.

I stayed in the bath until I couldn’t anymore, then lay down to rest on a wooden bed nearby.

Once my body cooled, I planned to go back in.

Just then—

Splash.

A sound came from beside me.

Instinctively, I turned my head.

It wasn’t a ghost, thankfully—just another guest enjoying the hotel.

Spending a weekday afternoon at a luxury hotel? They must have plenty of free time.

Satisfied that it wasn’t a stalker—or more specifically, Bunnyrun—I turned my gaze back to the ceiling.

But then I looked again.

This time, I locked eyes with the guest who had been openly staring at me.

“Can I help you?”

“…….”

“Is this a reserved seat, by any chance?”

To most people, this might seem odd, but someone with obsessive tendencies might behave like this.

People with such compulsions often find it unbearable to sit anywhere but their self-designated spot.

It may seem trivial, but obsessive-compulsive tendencies can be dangerous—like forming a criminal organization to raid a hot spring because they couldn’t use their usual locker.

Terrifying, really.

The woman, still staring intently at me, didn’t seem to have OCD. If not that, then…

“Ah, I get it. You must be a face reader.”

If this wasn’t a reserved spot, there was only one explanation left—she must have seen in my face the signs of a future legendary developer.

“You’re really Han Yurim.”

The woman suddenly spoke.

Wait. How does she know my name?

Could she be psychic?

Ignoring my shock, the woman nonchalantly tucked her hair behind her ear and continued with an air of confidence.

“I’m Arina.”

“You’re a foreigner? But judging by your appearance, you look entirely Korean. Are you mixed-race?”

“I’m Arina, the streamer.”

Emphasizing every syllable, the woman—Arina—introduced herself.

A streamer named Arina… hmm.

“Arina… a mukbang MeTube streamer?” she asked.

Huh? Who? Never heard of her.

“Han Yurim, don’t pretend you don’t know people.”

For some reason, Arina suddenly switched to informal speech.

Scary.

“I really don’t know you!”

“You got permission to use clips from my streams on MeTube, and now you’re lying?”

“All MeTube-related matters are handled entirely by my editor.”

“July 5th, one hour and ten minutes into your stream. You said, ‘Amano Yukiko? Could it be her?’ What’s that about?”

“A pro gamer I know is a huge fan of Amano Yukiko.”

“July 7th, 57 minutes and 43 seconds into the stream. ‘Amano Yukiko’s lessons? Arina would be better at those than me.’ What’s that supposed to mean?”

This woman’s insane.

Run.

“Are you a stalker? Did you follow me to Novella Hotel?”

“I’ve been staying here for three days. You just arrived today, so technically, you’re the one stalking me.”

“I’ve been here for four days.”

“Don’t lie. You were streaming until yesterday and chatting in the Moss and PaePae chatrooms just earlier.”

Fine, I admit it.

Checkmate.

It’s been a while since I’ve been backed into a corner like this.

Left with no choice, I confessed.

“Okay, fine. I recognized you from the start.”

“Then why pretend not to?”

“Well…”

“Well?”

“Meeting someone for the first time when they’re naked is… a bit awkward, isn’t it?”

I’m already cursed.

Every time I see “Amano Yukiko” from now on, I’ll be reminded of Arina’s ample chest.

“……”

“Even if we rewind to the beginning, time won’t turn back.”

“Still, they’re bigger than I expected. Did you deliberately downscale your avatar for a specific aesthetic?”

“It’s the clothes. It’s the same in real life; clothing gives off that impression. And no, trying to erase the awkwardness of our first meeting with shocking comments won’t work.”

“It won’t?”

“As expected.”

Without another word, we both returned to the bath as if on cue.

“Why are you in the same bath as me?”

“For the same reason you are.”

“You must like the ‘Hell Bath’ temperature too, Arina.”

“More like I like the space.”

After alternating between the wooden bed and the bath several times, I finally stepped out.

I grabbed a complimentary bottle of coffee milk and took a sip.

Is this place a ryokan or a Korean hotel spa? This cultural mishmash was so random.

But I loved it.

Feeling utterly relaxed in both body and mind, I took the elevator up. Arina joined me.

“…….”

“Are you staying in the suite too, Arina?”

“What about you, Han Yurim?”

“This sudden formal speech feels awkward. Just speak like earlier.”

“That was… me losing my composure.”

I wasn’t sure why she’d lost her composure, but she could speak however she wanted.

I glanced at Arina and asked, “Would you like to grab a meal together if you’re free?”

“I have to stream right now.”

“Even better. I have a setup ready—use it for your broadcast.”

The collaboration with Arina came out of nowhere but garnered massive attention.

The viewers loved it so much that one even came to visit in person.

“Unnie, I…”

“I’ll inform the front desk to add one more guest to the room.”

“Unnie, you’re the best!”