CH31

NinTendo is one of the most renowned gaming companies in the world.

They are the creators of the legendary character, "Super Mario."

But why is NinTendo doing sales pitches in an arcade?

However, my confusion was short-lived.

'Ah! This must be before the release of the Family console.'

NinTendo would eventually launch the Family console and become the top company in the industry.

Right now, it must be during the time when they were still focused on arcade games.

Even the biggest companies have their humble beginnings.

As I was lost in thought, the Japanese man who had fallen on his backside earlier turned to me.

"Thank you."

He bowed his head, likely to show his appreciation for picking up the pamphlets.

'Wait a minute, where have I seen this guy before?'

He must be someone from NinTendo.

"Your hands got all wet because of me."

"No, it's fine."

The man bowed his head again.

A reflection of that almost obsessive politeness that's characteristic of the Japanese.

Anyway.

It seemed he still had business to discuss with the arcade owner.

Given that the owner had pushed him, he might use that as an excuse to pitch his product.

So, I tactfully stepped aside.

I also took one of the relatively intact pamphlets with me.

***

An hour later.

At the hotel room.

I was in bed, clearly intending to sleep.

I had even taken a hot shower to relax.

Usually, by this time, I would be out like a light.

"Hmm."

But I just kept tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep.

The name "NinTendo" was firmly lodged in my mind.

A company with a bright future.

It wouldn't take long for them to succeed.

In just a few years, once Super Mario is released, NinTendo will undeniably rise to the top of the industry.

I know that. But still.

'It's tricky to invest just because I know it'll be profitable.'

Now is the time to stay under the radar.

However.

The name "Super Mario" kept tugging at my thoughts.

"Ugh."

The first time I saw Super Mario was as a kid in an arcade.

It was originally a home console game, but some arcades had modified it to be playable by the minute.

You could play for about ten minutes for a hundred won.

After the time was up, a loud beep would demand more money to continue the game.

If you didn't insert more coins, the game would stop.

Some older kids would leave as soon as that beep started, even though they could keep playing for a bit longer.

When that happened, I would quickly run over and grab the joystick.

Even if the game only lasted thirty more seconds… I enjoyed those moments immensely.

Controlling Super Mario and watching it move as I directed—those brief moments brought me great happiness as a child.

Besides the arcade, I had other memories related to the game.

When I was in the lower grades of elementary school.

I wanted to play Super Mario so badly that I followed a friend's friend who had a console.

Since I didn't know the kid, I couldn't ask to play. I just sat on the threshold, staring at the TV screen.

It wasn't sad.

At the time, just watching the new Super Mario game was enough to make me happy.

Super Mario flying through the sky with a wagging tail…!

It was a sight I could never have imagined.

Looking back, that kid with the console wasn't wealthy either.

He lived in a damp, moldy semi-basement.

The console had been bought by his working parents to keep him occupied until they got home.

But even so, back then, I was incredibly envious of him.

Now that I've organized my thoughts…

'I have more memories of NinTendo than I realized.'

Sigh.

Maybe it's no wonder I can't sleep.

I threw off the blanket that I had pulled up over my head.

'Now that I think about it, it's kind of amazing.'

The kid who used to peek into someone else's house just to play a game is now in a position to buy shares in NinTendo.

'Do I lay low for a while?'

Or do I fearlessly seize a piece of my childhood memories?

Even late into the night…

"..."

I couldn't decide.

***

The next afternoon.

Despite not having made a decision.

Step, step.

My feet naturally led me back to the game center.

'Maybe I'm just feeling nostalgic.'

The urge to play games was stronger, hmm.

Being in an arcade can stir up a desire for things you didn't intend to want.

But!

'That NinTendo guy comes at closing time anyway.'

If things go south, I can leave before he arrives.

With that thought, I confidently headed to the arcade.

But my plan completely backfired.

To my surprise, the NinTendo guy had arrived at the arcade before me!

What's he doing here in broad daylight?

"I'll set it up right here."

The NinTendo guy pulled a green circuit board out of a large box.

Ah.

So after arguing with the mop yesterday and falling on his butt, he managed to make the sale?

The NinTendo guy looked triumphant, while the arcade owner seemed far from pleased.

A small, unfamiliar Japanese company.

And they were bringing in a newly released game, so of course, the owner wasn't thrilled.

But it wasn't like he would lose out.

'I've played Donkey Kong myself.'

If the game made it to arcades in Korea, that means it did well.

The board would probably pay for itself in no time.

Click, click.

The NinTendo guy installed the board himself.

He connected just a few wires, and soon the power was on.

Bzzt!

The screen lit up, revealing a gorilla kidnapping a woman.

'Is this inspired by King Kong?'

The gorilla climbed up a steel structure.

Soon, a mustachioed man in a red hat appeared to rescue the kidnapped woman.

'Huh?'

Wait, that's Super Mario!

Indeed, the character trying to rescue the woman from the gorilla was none other than Super Mario.

'Super Mario appeared in Donkey Kong?'

This was before the release of Super Mario Brothers.

Does that mean Super Mario was repurposed from a character in Donkey Kong?

'Interesting.'

Maybe it was because I was staring intently at the screen.

"Would you like to try?"

The NinTendo guy handed me a coin.

"Thank you for your help yesterday. It's not much but as a small token of my gratitude…"

He pulled out more coins from his pocket.

"You can play our game as much as you want."

I probably had more money than him, but…

Anyway.

I accepted the coin he offered.

When I inserted it into the machine, ding! a cheerful mechanical sound played.

'Donkey Kong, huh? It's been a while.'

I started controlling Super Mario, making him climb the steel structure.

The gorilla tried to roll barrels down to stop me,

But, boing, boing.

I calmly jumped over the obstacles, making my way to the upper levels.

Maybe it was because I was playing too easily.

"It seems a bit too easy."

The arcade owner, who had been watching, immediately grumbled.

"Sir, the head office has already completed level testing. The difficulty is set just right, and it can be adjusted if necessary. No need to worry. Besides…"

"…?"

"This little customer here is just really good at the game."

"No matter how good they are, should it be this easy on the first try?"

"Yes, yes. I'll adjust the difficulty settings."

"Eh, whatever. I wasn't expecting much anyway."

"..."

"If the response is poor, I'll take it out immediately. Just so you know."

"Yes, sir. I'll adjust the settings right away."

As the arcade owner left, showing little interest.

The NinTendo guy kept bowing to the back of the owner's head.

The world of adults… sigh.

Once the owner was out of sight.

The NinTendo guy discreetly approached me and asked.

"Was it too easy?"

"Well…"

"You're really good, especially for your age."

I'm not particularly good at games.

But I did play up until Diablo 4 was released, so I'm capable enough to clear a classic like Donkey Kong.

After I cleared another stage.

"I'll have to report this to the head office…"

The NinTendo guy pulled out a notebook and began jotting something down.

He seemed to need more feedback, as he looked at me again and asked.

"Do you see any patterns in that gorilla's movements?"

"No. I'm just playing by feel."

"You don't need to memorize anything… You can handle it just by reacting?"

"For now, yes."

"Seems like there's an issue."

The NinTendo guy's hand moved swiftly, taking notes.

A question suddenly popped into my mind.

"Do you really need to report all that to the head office?"

"Huh?"

"Aren't you busy with sales?"

"Ah… well."

It was an unusually specific question for a child.

The man seemed taken aback but answered honestly.

"Our company is pretty small. So even if it's not part of our job, we help out wherever we're needed."

Maybe he still needed more feedback from me.

He continued speaking with a friendly expression.

"Actually, I'm a character designer. I'm out here doing sales because we're short on people…"

He then pointed to the game screen with the pen in his hand.

"That character you're playing as, I designed him."

"…?"

"The plumber you're controlling right now… I created him."

Contrary to the man's shy expression.

"…!"

My eyes widened in shock.

A plumber?

The character he was talking about was clearly Super Mario.

So, he's the one who created Super Mario?

Indeed.

'I knew I recognized him from somewhere!'

Then his name must be…

"Do you have a business card?"

"A business card?"

His brief question likely contained the thought, "Why would a kid need a business card?"

I kept my answer short.

"I have some money."

At those words, the man's eyes widened in surprise.

"Are you thinking of… investing?"

He quickly looked embarrassed.

The idea of an elementary school kid investing—he probably felt foolish even suggesting it.

But my response was different.

"If I have money sitting around, it's better to invest it, right?"

"Seriously?"

"Well, I'd need to hear more details first."

Talking about investments with a kid who spent all night in an arcade.

Logically, it didn't make sense, but the man seemed to want to believe me.

Maybe he was desperate enough to grab at any opportunity?

'That means he really needs money.'

Perhaps that's why.

The man kept glancing between me and the translator.

A kid with a translator in tow must seem unusual.

He fixed his gaze on the translator.

Hoping the adult would step in and explain.

"Go ahead."

When I gave permission, the translator cautiously spoke up.

"He is the third generation of the Hyungang Group."

TL/n - 

You can read up to Chapter 58+ at p@treon.com/inkbound 

(replace @ = a)