Another World Game Developer

[Harmon Game Store]

This place was like the sacred grounds of a past life game, akin to Akihabara in Japan, the International Electronics Market in Korea, and the heyday of Yongsan.

It all started when Edward’s shop opened a wholesale business for game crystal balls aimed at other shops.

As rumors spread that you could buy game crystal balls at a cheap price here, one by one, regular customers began to appear, leading to the emergence of other game crystal ball shops targeting these customers.

Various gaming-related stores began to gather, such as those selling accessories like crystal ball storage boxes, posters printed with game characters using drawing magic, 19+ illustrations, and pirated versions made by hacking—or rather, magically altering—the games.

It became a must-visit gaming holy land in Zephia.

“So, you brought me here?”
“Yeah, you said you wanted to go to the most famous place.”

Yuren wasn’t lying.
Zephia?
In the central shopping area of Zephia.
Is it famous?
Thousands of tourists flock daily, making it the hottest spot in Zephia, even overtaking the ‘Saint Amelia Church’.
Yuren couldn’t understand Julia’s glare, and Julia let out a sigh.

“Ha… I was a fool to trust you.”
While Julia was feeling discouraged, Yuren was already in shopping mode.
While browsing the newly released game crystal balls at the game store, Yuren’s eyes stopped at one.

“Oooh! The pirate version of Super Thomas is out again!”
“Pirate version? What’s that? Yuren?”

Julia had gained some knowledge about games while developing them with Yuren.
But she had never heard the term “pirate version,” and curiosity arose within her.
With a mischievous expression, Yuren executed the Super Thomas pirate version to show Julia.

“Watch closely, when Thomas does this…”

The pirate version of Super Thomas was executed right before Julia’s eyes.
It started off as a normal Super Thomas.
Our mustachioed guy was running, jumping, and eating mushrooms, then suddenly he didn’t fall to the ground after jumping!

“What’s going on? Why can that Thomas jump infinitely in the air!?”
“Fufu, it’s your first time seeing it, right? That’s what a pirate version is.”

A “pirate version” is when popular games get hacked and weird cheats or features are added.
These pirate versions began to surface in the other world as well, and Yuren was collecting them.

“Some magical engineer from the Yura Republic manipulated the Super Thomas crystal ball with magic and made this Super Thomas.”
“Are you happy that your game was [manipulated by magic]?”

[Manipulation by magic] is a technique that interferes with someone else’s magic.
It is usually used to nullify barrier magic, and to put it metaphorically, it could be called hacking.
Of course, it wasn’t an easy technique to perform.
To manipulate the game magic that Yuren made through magical operation, one needed to have the same level of skill that Yuren had.

Moreover, generally, wizards hated having their magic manipulated.
But Yuren said with a beaming smile.

“Of course! The only time pirate versions can come out is when a game is truly successful!”

Julia didn’t understand, but in her past life, Yuren had fond memories of enjoying games at a low price thanks to these pirate versions.
Later, they even held tournaments among friends where the person who brought the most unique pirate version won.
For reference, the winning game in that tournament was a pirated version of Street Fighter 2, which allowed Ryo’s rising kick to spam like crazy.

Seeing Yuren happy, Julia sighed and said.
“I’ve felt this way for a long time, but Yuren, you really are a unique guy.”
“Being told that by you feels strange.”

While Julia looked at Yuren with disdain, Yuren began to notice the gazes of people around them.

“Doesn’t that person look like Yuren Champion?”
“True, the silver hair definitely resembles him…”

Yuren found himself in a situation similar to a Korean player winning against Japan in a match.
Many people recognized him, and in this place filled with gaming enthusiasts, more people were bound to recognize his face.

“Eek, Julia, excuse me.”
“What is it?”

Yuren hurriedly took out sunglasses from his pocket.
Putting on the large sunglasses that covered most of his face, he said.
“Disguise. Since my face has been seen a lot due to the fight with the prince, I have to be careful now.”
“Do you really have to go that far?”

“Don’t even start. Yesterday, I got caught heading back to the inn and ended up signing autographs for an hour.”

Yuren remembered the time he was stopped by people after sending off the prince and heading home.
It was the first time he felt like his hand might break while signing.

“Here, just in case, you should wear them too.”
“Ah… okay.”

Julia put on the sunglasses Yuren handed her.
With Yuren and Julia both wearing sunglasses, they looked like a couple of retro spies from the 90s, but it was fine.
Among people who loved games, there were many quirky individuals.
Compared to those unique people, the retro spies looked quite plain.

“Wearing these reminds me of the time we skipped class.”
“True, back then we would dress like this to sneak out and avoid Juel’s sight.”

As they stealthily wandered the shopping area, Julia began to reminisce about her childhood.
Usually, when Julia would tempt Yuren, he would make plans, resulting in both of them skipping classes and getting caught, which became a norm.

“It feels like just a few years ago, but so much time has passed.”
“A lot has happened since then.”

Just a few years back, Yuren was just a student like her.
But now he was responsible for a school, created a new magic called game magic, became rich, and recently defeated the crazy dragon of the Ra Kingdom, becoming a popular star.
Julia felt like Yuren was a bit distant now.

Grrrr…
“Ah…”
“Hmm…”

But before that, they had to address one more issue.
Julia said frankly.
“Yuren, I’m hungry.”
“Yeah, I’m hungry too.”

The hungry Julia asked Yuren for the next guide.
This time she hoped Yuren would properly lead her and asked for good recommendations.

“Well then… I want to know where the tastiest restaurant in Zephia is.”
“A tasty restaurant? There’s really only one place for that.”

“Oh, so you do know a restaurant?”
Without a second of hesitation, Yuren thought of the restaurant.
If Yuren was speaking so confidently about it, it must be an old restaurant recognized by people.
Julia felt a surge of anticipation.

“It’s a place I know well; you’ll love it too.”
“Alright! Lead the way, Yuren!”

Following Yuren, they moved again.
After riding a magic-powered floor mat for about 20 minutes, the restaurant Yuren mentioned appeared.

“Wha… what is this place?”
Julia found herself in front of a restaurant.
But there was a drawing of Super Thomas at the front, with a statue of Super Thomas holding a mushroom and giving a thumbs up outside.

“This is the [Mushroom Kingdom] restaurant inspired by the mushrooms from Super Thomas. The mushroom cream stew here is really delicious.”

The Super Thomas-themed restaurant specializing in mushroom dishes, [Mushroom Kingdom], was bustling with customers. To put it nicely, it was lively; to put it harshly, it was noisy.
Julia envisioned a cozy restaurant with a good atmosphere but instead found herself in a child’s playground-like eatery, leading to yet another sigh.
What made her sigh more was that the mushroom cream stew was genuinely delicious.
Yuren wasn’t lying.

“If I want to see the oldest place in Zephia!”
“This is the Zephia Museum; they’ve just added a game magic corner.”

Upon Julia’s wish to see something old, Yuren took her to the museum in Zephia.
There, he proudly showcased the games he had registered in the newly added game magic corner.
Yuren wasn’t lying.

“I want to see clothes!”
“This is ‘Lily’s Clothing Store,’ where they even make clothes for game characters.”

Julia thought of something unrelated to games, then brought up clothes.
So, Yuren took Julia to Lily’s clothing store, which had recently begun gaining fame for cosplay costumes.
Yuren did his best to grant Julia’s wishes.
After wandering around the gaming-related attractions of Zephia all day, Julia was exhausted.

“I want to see the most beautiful place in Zephia…”
“The most beautiful place, huh? Got it!”

Yuren grabbed Julia’s hand and headed towards the outskirts of Zephia.
Julia had partly given up, expecting he’d take her to a beautiful spot modeled after the scenic backgrounds in Legend Fighter.

While in that state of resignation, Yuren suddenly said.
“Close your eyes for a moment.”
“My eyes?”

Nodding.
At Yuren’s words, Julia closed her eyes.
Then she suddenly felt Yuren lift her into his arms.
This feeling was undeniably that of a princess carry.

“Hold on tightly to my neck.”
“Wha? Kyaaa!!”

In that moment, a feeling of floating in the air suddenly enveloped Julia.
She was forced to cling to Yuren in surprise.
What’s going on? What kind of insane place is he trying to show me!?

As Julia pondered those thoughts, the floating sensation subsided, and she heard Yuren’s voice.

“You can open your eyes now.”

At Yuren’s words, Julia cautiously opened her eyes.
And then…

“Wow…”

Before Julia’s eyes lay the sight of Zephia at night, all in one glance.
The moonlit Zephia sparkled even more beautifully.
The coliseum, palace, cathedral, along with countless beautiful city views of Zephia shone like jewels under the moonlight.

Once again, Yuren kept his promise.
This place was truly the most beautiful spot in Zephia.

“Where is this?
“This is above the World Tree. My master showed me this; he called it his secret spot.”
“Really? It certainly seems like a place Irene would like.”

As a child, Irene had brought Yuren and herself up the tallest tree in the Southern Region to show them this amazing view.
The sight of the village from up there was also breathtakingly beautiful.

Those were the days spent learning, playing, and enjoying with no worries.
Much had changed since then; time had flowed, transforming many things.
Both Yuren and Julia had grown up, yet Yuren remained unchanged from those times.
Though he could be silly and oblivious, he was a man who did his utmost for his family.
Julia genuinely liked that side of Yuren.

“Well? Are you satisfied?”
“Yeah, very satisfied. Still, next time I want to go to a more atmospheric place for a date.”
“Understood, I’ll look for places like that next time.”
“It’s a promise.”

At Yuren’s words, Julia approached him.
And…

“Muah♡”

In a sudden surprise mouse touch, Yuren was left with no choice but to jump in shock.
While they had done it playfully a few times as kids, he hadn’t done anything like that since becoming an adult.

“Wah! Wha-what are you doing!?”
“It’s an old-fashioned promise seal.”
“And that’s a childhood prank!”

To Yuren’s words, Julia replied with a smile.
“Whether back then or now, you’re still Yuren to me♡”

Under the moonlight, the beautiful sunflowers radiated, and for the first time, Yuren felt Julia was truly beautiful.

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