Free Web NovelChapter 240: Chapter 206: Creating Childhood Memories (Part 2)
"I led the design, but everyone in the studio participated. I couldn’t have finished this without them. An individual’s ideas are limited; it takes teamwork to achieve greater goals."
Joseph spoke very humbly.
"Then why did you design all these stats? If you were just making a demo, it shouldn’t have been this much trouble, right?"
"It’s like this." Joseph’s tone was brimming with confidence. He had been a little panicked at first when Zog didn’t say they would be the ones making the animation. Now that he was being asked about the stat design, it was clear Zog had recognized their capabilities.
"All of our team members are from Manning University’s College of Science. Because of our background, when we read a lot of comics, we always feel that the power scaling in fights isn’t clearly expressed—there’s no numerical quantification."
’So they’re a bunch of systems designers.’
Zog almost lost his composure. A group of science majors who, instead of going into academia after graduation, had collectively switched to animation. And in the process of making animation, they had spontaneously started doing math again.
’The problem of one’s major not matching one’s career really is a serious issue everywhere. So many people just stumble into a field of study without really knowing what it entails.’
’In the end, no matter what career they switch to, their initial skill points are already misallocated, and they always carry some influence from their original major.’
Joseph continued his explanation, "And since this demo contains combat, but the provided materials didn’t specify the Digital Monsters’ exact power levels, we thought about how to make the battles more logical. That’s why we designed attributes, type matchups, and the Skills they could use."
"After we started designing, we realized there was a lot of room for expansion, so based on our own ideas, we also did a rough quantification of the power levels for other types of Digital Monsters."
"Of course, this version is still very rough. Its depth and balance haven’t been tested yet, but I’m confident that we can perfect this system in future production."
After listening, Zog cleared his throat slightly and said, "I have a better idea. How about this: why don’t you focus all your efforts on perfecting this system?"
"And then do the animation?" Joseph interjected. "I was thinking the same thing, but I’m worried we won’t have enough time to meet your requested release date."
"Don’t worry, you’ll make it. I’ll arrange for another team to assist and handle the animation side of things. You guys just focus on perfecting the stats system."
’Operation "Keep the Casket, Return the Pearls" was a go.’
"Alright, then we’ll..."
Halfway through his sentence, Joseph suddenly realized something was wrong.
"We can finish the animation production while perfecting the stats system."
"No, no, no. The organization needs you to focus your energy on what you’re good at."
"But our dream is to build a fantasy world within an animation," Joseph said, his voice trembling.
He could almost see the boring life of inheriting the family conglomerate waving at him.
There would be no more of the animation he loved, even though he’d only gotten into this new hobby a year ago.
Before that, it was manga, and even earlier, it was drawing. Everyone in his family had to learn to draw.
In the days to come, he would only be able to count piles of Gold Coins every day, live in a cold, massive castle, and be waited on hand and foot by a legion of maids, with no freedom at all.
’Oh, heavens, what a desperate life that would be! I absolutely do not want to live that kind of life.’
Luckily, he didn’t say this part out loud, or the hardworking Elsa might have been the first to give him a beating.
"Young man, is not creating a stats system also a way of building a fantasy world?" Zog said earnestly.
His demeanor was just like that of a wise old dragon from a hero’s legend, appearing to guide the protagonist in their moment of confusion.
It was just that the old dragons in those legends usually weren’t Zog’s color.
"How can that be the same?"
For some reason, Joseph felt that the Dragon before him was incredibly persuasive.
"How can a world of Digital Monsters lack a rational stats system and a complete power structure? Your job is to take scattered fantasies and truly build them into a world that can withstand scrutiny!"
The charm-boosting potion Zog had chugged today, his charm +1 ring, and his own naturally high base charm stat hadn’t gone to waste.
’Heh, you think I can’t talk you into this?’
"But the animation..."
"The animation is just the tip of the iceberg shown to the audience. Your contribution is the foundation that allows that tip to break the surface! It is you who will allow this animation to be perfectly presented to the viewers."
"But I want to draw..."
"You’re thinking about the entire world, not just the images on a tiny screen. An individual’s ideas are limited; it takes teamwork to achieve greater goals."
Zog was directly quoting what Joseph had just said.
"And you are the cornerstone of this collaboration, the absolute priority, the chosen one! What are you?"
"I’m William Yue..."
"No, you are the cornerstone! Again! What are you?"
"I... I’m the cornerstone?"
"No hesitation! Loudly and firmly, answer me! What are you?"
"I am the cornerstone!"
"What are you?"
"I am the cornerstone!"
...
With each repetition, a resolute look gradually appeared in Joseph’s eyes, as if the great responsibility of building the world of Digital Monsters now rested on his shoulders.
Elsa, who had witnessed the entire process, had a slight suspicion that of all Zog’s past deeds, those accomplished by force were likely in the minority. The rest were probably the work of that mouth of his.
After the brief brainwashing—no, *inspiration*—Joseph groggily signed the new contract.
