Hye-su sat alone at a corner table of a small café near NexaCorp Korea's headquarters, a half-eaten sandwich and a cup of black coffee in front of her. The lunchtime rush buzzed around her—conversations and the clatter of dishes blending into a gentle hum, but her focus remained distant, lost in her thoughts. Today felt different. Without Hae-won there to bounce ideas off or Jin-ho's carefree presence to lighten the mood, the emptiness at the table mirrored the one in her mind.
She leaned back in her chair, her gaze drifting through the café's window to the busy Seoul streets. They were all chasing something—people bustling from one place to another, cars honking in the distance, everyone with a goal in mind, a destination to reach. And NexaCorp, her and her friends' brainchild was no different.
Matthieu's idea for the World NexaRealm Championship loomed large in her mind. She couldn't deny the potential—the numbers it could bring, the heightened visibility, and the financial windfall. A worldwide competition would be unprecedented. It would catapult NexaRealm into a different league entirely, becoming not just a game but a phenomenon. Sponsors, media coverage, the surge in new players wanting to prove themselves—all of it added up to something monumental. And honestly, the idea thrilled her.
She took a sip of her coffee, the warmth doing little to ease her restlessness. But then there was Jin-ho. His frown when she'd brought up the idea was still fresh in her mind. He wasn't wrong, either. NexaRealm wasn't built to force people into moulds or competitions. It was supposed to be an escape, a world without the pressures of reality—a place where you could be a warrior today, a merchant tomorrow, or just wander the landscape without any specific purpose.
Hye-su sighed, her fingers tracing the edge of her cup. She understood the dilemma perfectly, almost painfully so. It wasn't just about financial gain, nor was it only about preserving their original vision. It was about balance—about honouring the spirit of NexaRealm while also acknowledging that, as a company, they had responsibilities. NexaCorp wasn't a small startup anymore. They were a global entity now, with offices spread across countries, thousands of employees, and millions of players worldwide who looked to them to provide the best experience possible.
She found herself caught between these two visions—Matthieu's enthusiasm for a future full of competitive spectacle and Jin-ho's dedication to keeping NexaRealm an open, welcoming space for everyone, regardless of skill or ambition. It was almost like trying to walk two different paths at once, each one diverging further from the other with each step.
There was no right or wrong here, Hye-su thought, staring at her reflection in the coffee. That was the hardest part. Both viewpoints had their merits, both were born out of love for NexaRealm, and both aimed to make it better. Yet, the paths they laid out were vastly different, and the choices they faced would inevitably push them down one and away from the other.
"Isn't it ironic?" she murmured to herself, a wry smile forming on her lips. The freedom NexaRealm represented was now challenged by the need to make a choice—a choice that, no matter how well-considered, would mean accepting some form of loss. To move in one direction was to leave another behind, and the weight of that decision was growing heavier by the day.
She wanted to find a way to bring Jin-ho and Matthieu's ideas together—to find a compromise that satisfied both. But deep down, she knew that compromise was an illusion. The proposal itself demanded a stance, a commitment. If they moved forward with the championship, it would change the spirit of NexaRealm, even if only slightly. And if they chose not to, they would be foregoing an opportunity that could elevate them further.
She took another bite of her sandwich, chewing slowly, her mind still racing. The truth was, whatever decision they made, someone would have to adapt. Either Jin-ho would have to come to terms with the competitive shift, or Matthieu would need to accept a more restrained vision of growth. As much as she hated it, they were nearing the point where neutrality was no longer an option. There would be a right and a wrong, eventually. And the thought of being the one to decide terrified her.
Hye-su pushed her plate away, losing her appetite. She knew she couldn't avoid this forever. A part of her wished she could call Jin-ho and just let him talk her out of it. His easy laughter and unbridled spirit had always been a source of comfort, but this time, she knew it wouldn't be that simple.
The world outside continued—people going about their business, oblivious to her turmoil. And there, in the middle of a bustling café, Hye-su made a promise to herself. Whatever decision they made, she would ensure that NexaRealm never lost its heart. Even if they took on the world, it would be on their terms—not dictated by sponsors, trends, or demands for profit. She owed that much to Jin-ho, to Matthieu, to herself, and most importantly, to every player who had chosen to make NexaRealm their home.
The rhythmic thumping of helicopter blades filled the rooftop of the NexaCorp Korea building, a steady whirr that resonated across the skyline of Seoul. The wind from the rotors whipped Hye-su's hair across her face as she made her way to the helicopter, a determined expression masking her inner thoughts. It was time.
Jin-ho was already inside, lounging comfortably in his seat, while Hae-won followed behind Hye-su, holding onto her blazer to prevent it from being blown off by the powerful gusts. The pilot gave a nod, and the co-pilot went over the final checklist. They were set for flight.
Hye-su settled into her seat, strapping herself in as she glanced at Jin-ho, who was scrolling through a tablet, perhaps reviewing the latest server stats or skimming through a game log. He glanced up and caught her eye, giving her a quick grin. She returned it, but her smile was laced with a hint of nervousness. This wasn't just another corporate trip—it was the first time since their global expansion that all the CEOs would meet in person.
The helicopter began to lift, the city below shrinking away as they ascended. As they gained altitude, Hye-su looked out over Seoul—its bustling roads, tall skyscrapers, and endless sea of people. It was remarkable how much had changed in such a short period. From a small startup with lofty ambitions to a global force in the gaming industry, NexaCorp has grown beyond any of its initial expectations.
Their first stop was Seoul Airport. The helicopter descended smoothly onto a private section of the airport, where a sleek corporate jet awaited them on the tarmac. The transition was swift—Hye-su, Hae-won, and Jin-ho disembarked from the helicopter, escorted by airport personnel directly onto the waiting jet. As they settled into the plush seats of the jet, Jin-ho stretched his legs out in front of him, letting out a satisfied sigh. This was their ride to Riyadh—hours in the air, high above the clouds, with ample time to gather their thoughts.
Upon landing at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, they switched back to a helicopter that was already prepared for their arrival. It felt somewhat cyclical—back from the sky, only to rise again. The final leg of their journey would take them straight to the NexaCorp headquarters in the city.
The helicopter levelled out, and the sprawling desert of Saudi Arabia stretched out in front of them. Hye-su watched as the landscape passed by beneath them, a blur of sand and sky. Next to her, Hae-won seemed focused, reading something on her tablet, her expression serious. Hye-su smiled at that—Hae-won had always been the one who took her job seriously, no matter what. It was comforting to have her by her side.
Jin-ho, on the other hand, looked entirely at ease. He caught her staring and raised an eyebrow.
"What, nervous?" he teased, his tone light.
"Not nervous. Just... a lot on my mind," Hye-su gave a small laugh.
"Yeah, I get it," Jin-ho replied, his gaze shifting to the view outside. "I guess it's kinda big, huh? Going back to Riyadh after all this time. Seeing everyone again."
Hye-su nodded. It was more than just big. It was monumental. This meeting would set the tone for NexaCorp's future, for NexaRealm's future. The anniversary event was meant to be more than just a celebration—it was a statement to the world about what NexaCorp stood for, about the community they'd built and the future they envisioned.
Prince Tarif had promised a grand meeting—bringing all the CEOs together, both old and new. It was his way of commemorating their achievements and making sure they were united in their vision for the future. And that vision needed to be solidified now, more than ever.
The helicopter began its descent, and the outlines of Riyadh started to become visible. The tall buildings, the busy streets—it was different and yet familiar. Hye-su took a deep breath. They were heading into the next chapter of their journey. It was time to face whatever came next, to make the hard choices, and to continue building on the dream they all shared.
As they approached the helipad, Hye-su looked over at Jin-ho and Hae-won. They were all in this together, and no matter what awaited them, she knew one thing for certain—they had each other's backs. And maybe, just maybe, that was enough to make the right choices, even if they were the hardest ones.