What was happening internally at Generation Entertainment, Alex Parker had no idea. However, even if he knew, he wouldn't care. He had more pressing issues to worry about now.
At the experience store, Alex, wearing sunglasses and a mask, walked in from outside, repeatedly making sure no one was following him before he relaxed.
Amy Johnson, seeing him, said exasperatedly, "Seriously, boss, do you really need to be like this?"
Alex took off his sunglasses and mask, grabbing a drink from the nearby beverage cabinet. "Oh, absolutely. I'm just looking out for my personal safety."
Jessica Thompson, while playing 'I Am MT,' commented, "Come on, you're acting like a big star now, huh?"
Alex sighed, "Big star? No, I'm more like a public enemy."
Lily Emerson laughed, "Boss, stop being so dramatic. You're just a game designer. No one's that fixated on you."
Alex said, "I beg to differ. Let me break it down for you. 'I Am MT' has nearly 3 million players now, and my X followers have skyrocketed to over 200,000. Doesn't that make me a minor internet celebrity?"
Jessica held her forehead, "Dreaming of becoming an internet celebrity now, are you?"
Alex said, "What do you mean dreaming? I am one. Just look at my X account. Hundreds of people tag me every day. That's players showing their love."
Jessica made a face, "They're asking for your address to send you razor blades!"
Alex replied, "Players are eager to send me gifts. Isn't that love?"
Jessica was stunned and decided to ignore him, continuing to play in the Arena mode.
Amy said, "By the way, boss, a player really sent another batch of razor blades. I put them by your bed."
Alex was startled, "What? Why by my bed? Get rid of them! Call a junk dealer to sell them."
Amy said, "Actually, selling those blades might get us some money for ice cream."
Alex said, "That's why I need to be cautious about my personal safety. If an enthusiastic player really ambushes me, that would be bad."
Amy looked confused, "Ambush? What's that?"
Alex paused and explained, "Oh, it's a slang from my hometown, meaning 'catch.'"
Paul Wilder said, "But 'I Am MT' is really popular now. Yesterday on the subway, I saw four or five people playing it."
Lily Emerson said, "A lot of my classmates are playing it too."
Jessica added, "You should see the trending topics on X. Every day, people are cursing the boss. That's how you know the game is hot."
Paul said, "That trending topic is funny too. Something like 'Alex Parker, give me back my hard-earned money.'"
Lily chuckled, "Yeah, it's rare to see a game designer cursed into the trending topics."
Alex sighed, "I haven't logged into X for days. When I do, it's an explosion of notifications, all tagging me or leaving comments. It's overwhelming."
Paul said, "A lot of game designers would love to trend like you."
Amy shook her head, "I think the boss wouldn't want to trend for this reason. If it were me, I'd want to trend because players love my game. Honestly, I still find this game weird, even though the boss has proven it's profitable."
Alex said, "You're overthinking it. I don't care about trending. Making money is what matters. Getting rich quietly is the best."
Everyone: "…We overestimated your morals! Money-grubbing boss!"
Amy asked, "By the way, boss, what game are we making next? If it's another 'I Am MT,' I'm going on strike."
Paul agreed, "Yeah, the anime can continue, but let's avoid this type of game for a while."
Jessica commented, "You, as a non-luck player, aren't suited for this kind of game."
Paul: "…"
Alex waved his hand, "No, the next game won't be like this. We need to recover. Making these kinds of games too often isn't good for health."
Jessica said, "Oh? I didn't take you for the superstitious type."
Alex said, "It's not superstition. If I make another game like this and accidentally create a few angry non-luck players who come after me with knives, that's bad for health."
Jessica: "So that's what you mean by bad for health!"
Amy asked, "So what are we doing next, boss? Spill it."
Alex said, "Oh, I'm planning to take a week off first."
Everyone: "What??"
Alex was surprised by their reaction, "What's wrong? I just made a game with a monthly revenue of 20 million. Isn't taking a week off normal and reasonable?"
Jessica: "Lack of ambition!"
Amy: "No dreams!"
Paul: "Dying in comfort!"
Lily: "Boss, how are you any different from a salted fish?"
Alex thought for a moment, "Hmm, I'm richer than a salted fish?"
Everyone: "Get out!"
Amy said, "Okay, fine. A week off is reasonable. But you have to tell us what the next game will be, right?"
Jessica nodded, "Yes, give us a hint. Is 'I Am MT' still getting updates?"
Alex said, "Oh, here's the plan. 'I Am MT' mobile game will continue with slow updates. We'll release new cards or levels every month or two. For now, I'm planning to rest and then make two simpler games."
Amy was speechless, "What? Another simple game?"
Alex nodded, "Yes, simpler than 'I Am MT.' I can finish it alone. The other one, I'll let you practice with."
Amy facepalmed, "Boss, seriously? You have players and money now. How can you become less ambitious? Most people get more complex. You're going backward from 'Plants vs. Zombies,' each game simpler than the last. What's up with that?"
Jessica agreed, "Yeah, you're a fish without dreams!"
Alex said, "So what? My motto is, if I can make money with simple games, why make complex ones? Why carry a game if I can win by lying down?"
Everyone: "…We don't get what you're saying."
Alex said, "Alright, anyway, everyone worked hard recently. Let's rest this week. I need a good rest too. Don't worry, after the next game, I'll start planning a big project, something that can last a lifetime."
Amy facepalmed, "Oh no, the boss is bragging again."
Jessica was exasperated, "Nothing you say can be trusted."
Lily asked eagerly, "Really? A super amazing big project?"
Jessica: "Lily, do you really believe that? Are you a single-celled organism?"