Chapter 110: The Devil's Egg
Kawaguchi-san immediately approved my proposal, showcasing an incredible decisiveness.
The next day, Kawaguchi-san announced the competition plan through the media and promptly tasked Morita with creating the poster for the inaugural Tamago Monster "Character Competition."
"Hey, you there! Not up for a challenge?"
With this bold statement, the poster depicted an image of a female teacher holding the Tamago Trophy.
Another poster design featured Bahamut, the representative of Final Frontier, exhaling breath, announcing the competition schedule.
The second poster showcased the artwork of Amano-sensei, the exclusive designer of Final Frontier.
"Both are seriously impressive. Almost like professional work..."
I scanned the posters, swallowing hard.
Certainly not the quality suitable for an amateur competition, right?
Kawaguchi-san, with evident delight, continually nodded, clearly pleased with the competition poster's design.
And thus began the 1st Tamago Monster Character Competition, targeting design school students.
---
"Junhyuk, over here."
In YoYogi Park, on a beautiful spring day with cherry blossoms in full bloom, thanks to Morita, who had secured our spot early in the morning, we had a great location.
Carrying a hefty box, I approached them, sweat trickling down, while Hayashi hurried over to take my burden.
"Oh my, Supervisor, why did you bring so much? Yuki-san already packed a massive lunch; this might burst our stomachs."
"Oh, really? That's a relief."
"What?"
After a while, as they peered into the box I brought, they collectively gave me sharp glares.
I coughed awkwardly, trying to divert their attention.
"Junhyuk, how on earth did you manage to bring all this stuff here?"
"We'll enjoy the beautiful outdoors, review the first round of competition works—killing two birds with one stone, right?"
Morita and Hayashi exchanged looks, each muttering a few words in disbelief.
"Seriously... Impressive. Really."
"Yeah, didn't expect to come for flower-viewing and end up like this."
However, once we opened the box and started reviewing the drawings, the atmosphere changed quickly.
"Hey, Morita, what do you think of this?"
"Hmm? Oh, indeed, it's fantastic, but it's too detailed for the Tamago Monster theme, isn't it?"
"Yeah, you're right..."
The entries pouring in from specialized schools across Tokyo for the competition were overwhelming.
Each person could submit up to three monsters, and with the rising popularity of Pentagon Soft, many students participated.
The box was filled with gruesome illustrations fitting the theme of "monsters," and I swiftly skimmed through, selecting those that matched the Tamago Monster vibe.
Without realizing it, Yuki was also admiring the drawings sent in by the students.
"Wow... Amazing. How can they draw like this? These were really done by students?"
Yuki showed me an illustration resembling an elderly monster—a remarkable piece, but too shocking for a game kids would play. I focused on selecting detailed yet suitable monster illustrations.
Amidst this...
I finally found the monster design I was looking for.
"This is it."
A round, friendly image with large pupils, more reminiscent of a pet than a monster...
With a tortoise motif, equipped with a water cannon on its shell, it closely resembled a character design from the 'Monster Ball' game I knew well.
"How's this design?"
I eagerly showed Morita, Hayashi, and Yuki the monster design I found.
"Oh... It's incredibly cute."
"It fits the Tamago Monster image perfectly, doesn't it?"
"Wow... I agree."
All three seemed highly satisfied with the monster image I presented.
Especially, considering how much Yuki liked it, it might appeal to female users as well?
"Great. Let's compile these concepts separately."
Later, after gathering images of cute monsters, including a cross-eyed cat holding a Japanese drum and a yellow hamster emitting electricity, we had around 50 monsters to consider.
"As only up to 20 monsters can enter the Tamago Trophy, let's call it a day for now. We'll have a second review from this selection later."
Hayashi, sorting through the illustrations, looked exhausted.
"Ah, can we finally have lunch?"
"I'm starving. Who knew coming for flower viewing would lead to work..."
While Morita and Hayashi diligently organized the illustrations, and as everything wrapped up, Yuki's six-tiered lunchbox filled the empty space.
"Wow, Yuki's culinary skills are amazing!"
"Indeed, when did you prepare all this?"
...Don't be fooled. This time too, it's packed with love and care.
Just as I was about to speak the truth to them, I closed my mouth, seeing Yuki's chilly gaze.
Amidst enjoying the cherry blossoms and eating Yuki's prepared food, Morita asked me with a worried expression.
"Boss, about the Tamago Trophy we're planning..."
"Yes, go on."
"The planning intention and concept are impressive, but isn't the marketing too harsh for kids? It'll put too much financial burden on their parents. Buying the Tamago Trophy requires a portable gaming device and cartridges, which might become too costly for kids to play."
That's a valid point.
The concerns Morita and Hayashi had were ones I had pondered from the start of the planning phase.
"Creating this isn't much different from the old gacha system I used to dislike."
Yet, knowing that, I wanted to create a trend device that could easily be enjoyed by all ages, kids and adults alike.
"Eventually, someone will create an item of wicked manipulation in late bloom. So why not let me create that prototype?"
With that thought, I set this plan in motion.
Sipping on a cold drink, I rinsed my mouth and responded to Morita and Hayashi.
"That's right."
Upon my easy agreement, Hayashi, with a puzzled expression, asked me:
"So, knowing all this, you're still aiming to create the TamaGo Prize? I saw the final frontier monster in the last distribution plan."
"Yes, that's correct. We plan to prepare a variety of TamaGo Prizes by expanding collaborations in the future."
"Really? It's not just limited to the final frontier TamaGo?"
They were surprised at my marketing strategy. And then Yuki, with a disagreeable expression, said to me:
"Continuously expanding TamaGo Prizes isn't beneficial for kids' education."
So, I asked a question this time.
"Why does everyone think one child will buy several of the same TamaGo?"
Morita responded.
"Well, isn't it obvious? Usually, if there's a TamaGo and a limited edition final frontier TamaGo, kids would want both, wouldn't they? Plus, just having one TamaGo isn't enough to play with, so eventually, they'll want cartridges and a Game Boy."
"The current distribution rate of portable Game Boys isn't low. There's hardly a house among the neighborhood kids without one. Especially recently, with the Super Family's appearance, the relatively inexpensive Game Boy sales have increased even more. Of course, there are kids without Game Boys. But those kids also want to play with TamaGo Prizes."
"That's what I meant."
"So, we're trying to create something for those kids without Game Boys to enjoy TamaGo Prizes."
"Hmm?"
---
In early July 1990, a giant shop was erected near Akihabara Station.
As this shop utilized the entire first floor, it was quite massive.
"We need at least this much space for kids to run around."
Amidst busy workers, I was discussing interior design with contractors.
"So, this side is the Battle Zone, and this side is the Adventure Zone, right?"
"Yes, exactly."
At that moment, I heard workers outside putting up the sign.
"Wait, wait! Stop! Raise it a bit on the right, yes! Stop!"
The interior designer nodded to my request and stepped back to communicate with the workers. I stepped outside, observing the store exterior and the signage being installed.
- TamaGo Monster Shop -
A warrior, shaped like a giant egg, held a sword and shield, striking a fighting pose. Hayashi, who was watching alongside me, cigarette in mouth, nervously asked Morita:
"Do you think this is really... feasible, Morita?"
"I thought this was just a local game shop, but it's bigger than the game center across the street."
With a wry smile, I, too, lit a cigarette, looking at the sign.
"Everyone can come here and enjoy TamaGo Monsters together, right? In the Battle and Adventure Zones, there'll be Game Boys installed, and it'll all be free. Kids will just need their cartridges to keep their monsters."
"It's... hard to believe seeing it for real. But to run a shop of this scale, you'll need quite a few staff, won't you? And with customers flocking in to buy TamaGo Prizes, the checkout counter will be chaotic."
"The checkout counter..."
At that moment, a massive truck arrived, and coupon company employees began to descend. When the truck door opened, gacha coupon machines in egg shapes were lined up.
"Boss, what's that?"
"Have a look. These are vending machines for selling TamaGo Prizes. All sales will be made only through these machines. With these, we won't need staff to help with sales."
"Wow..."
"Also, monsters raised from TamaGo can be easily exchanged with friends multiple times as long as the TamaGo's data isn't reset. It's easier to form a strong team by nurturing monsters together rather than doing it alone."
"As long as they're not forcefully collecting TamaGo Prizes, anyone can enjoy playing with just one TamaGo Prize."
To reduce unnecessary collecting desires, 6:4 ratio of final frontier monsters and regular TamaGo monsters were mixed in all gacha machines. What I truly wanted was to create a huge playground where every TamaGo user could comfortably exchange data and enjoy it.
Unlock exclusive early access to more than 100 chapters before anyone else by becoming a valued member of my Patreon community.
New novel chapters are published on fr(e)ewebnov(e)l.com