News began spreading rapidly across gaming communities.
> Northstar Games is preparing to reveal character designs for their upcoming fantasy title, Neon Myth IV. According to insiders, both the male and female leads possess breathtaking designs. Considering the studio's previous success with Nightfall Moon, their artistic vision is unquestionable. Getting Through was merely a minor stumble.
> Sources estimate Neon Myth IV's development budget has exceeded ten million. A studio with only two moderately successful releases is now betting everything on a single-player epic. Bold… or reckless?
> Northstar Games has begun recruiting top-tier voice actors across the industry. Neon Myth IV is already being hailed as the most anticipated single-player game of the year.
> Renowned voice actor Chen Kewei—famous for All Under Heaven and Grand Dream Jianghu—announced on the Official Blog that he has joined the Neon Myth IV team. Industry speculation suggests he will voice the male protagonist.
> Northstar Games: A studio with courage.
---
After the Skybound Expo, footage of Ethan Reed and Vivian Frost delivering speeches on stage was uploaded to BiliZone and ShortWave, quickly attracting massive attention from gamers.
Players who had struggled, raged, and laughed through Getting Through had long been curious about the mind behind that infuriating experience.
That sarcastic narration still haunted many of them.
During live streams, top-tier creators like Kai Lewis and PDD openly pulled up Skybound Expo footage on BiliZone, reacting live in front of hundreds of thousands of viewers. Their influence was immense—so much so that even players who had never cared about single-player games were now hearing the name Northstar Games.
Vivian Frost, the studio's founder, and Ethan Reed, the lead planner, quickly became trending names.
Especially Vivian.
Her sharp, cool outfit contrasted heavily with her slightly nervous, shy delivery on stage. That contrast burned into the memory of countless viewers. Within days, Northstar Games' official account crossed 160,000 followers.
The studio had never received this level of attention before.
And attention… came with expectations.
---
A fantasy game.
A single-player experience.
An investment pushing tens of millions.
To be blunt—this was madness in today's market.
Sure, there were plenty of games costing hundreds of millions to develop. But those were live-service titles, mobile cash machines, or massive online games.
Single-player games?
Most developers avoided them like landmines.
The domestic industry lacked confidence. Competing with foreign studios head-on felt impossible. Players had limited time, limited money, and endless alternatives. Small projects were safe. Large ones could bury a studio forever.
And yet…
Northstar Games had been lifted onto a pedestal by public hype.
Whether this excitement came from genuine longing for a great single-player experience—or from people deliberately stirring controversy—no one could tell.
What was certain was this:
Neon Myth IV was now under a microscope.
Vivian Frost decided to lean into the fire.
Northstar Games officially joined BiliZone, announcing that development updates for Neon Myth IV would be released simultaneously on BiliZone and the Official Blog.
They would not let the flames die.
They would feed them.
---
On October 11, after the long holiday ended, Northstar Games' team dragged themselves back to work—sleepy, tired, but burning with excitement.
Inside the CEO's office, three people sat in silence.
Ethan Reed.
Vivian Frost.
Daniel.
On the screen before them played a short demo video sent by Mooncrest Studio.
No lighting polish.
No special effects.
Just raw character models.
After the video ended—
Vivian slammed the table, eyes shining.
"This is amazing! They look incredible!"
"They're good," Daniel admitted carefully, "but… something feels off."
Vivian didn't react angrily.
She never did.
She was the rare kind of boss who listened.
That was why everyone trusted her.
---
"Mira Vale's design is wrong," Ethan said suddenly, frowning.
Vivian blinked.
"Wrong?"
"Too ordinary," Ethan continued. "Her beauty is… common."
Mira Vale was supposed to be cold, distant, almost unreal—beautiful in a way that made people hesitate to approach. But Mooncrest Studio had turned her into something else entirely.
Seductive.
Enchanting.
Too worldly.
Beautiful—but incorrect.
On the other hand, Luna Ash was perfect. Her bright eyes, lively expression—exactly as intended. Mischievous characters were easier to design.
But Mira Vale was abstract. Subtle. Difficult.
Daniel nodded enthusiastically.
"Yes! She should feel like a quiet snowfall—cold at first glance, gentle beneath. Mooncrest made her look like someone shaped by the world, not someone apart from it."
Vivian stared at the screen again.
"I… still think she's beautiful."
Ethan shook his head.
"Tell them to redo it. I'll send a revised design."
He spoke calmly, decisively.
"Lower the saturation of her clothes. No accessories. Facial features must be expressive—not generic. And remind them: serene is not the same as aloof. Every protagonist must feel distinct."
Vivian didn't argue.
She trusted him completely.
"Alright," she said. "I'll talk to Mooncrest."
Then she sighed.
"But Ethan… we have another problem."
---
She spread her hands helplessly.
"We're running out of money."
Voice actors.
New engine licenses.
Salaries.
Rent.
Utilities.
Outsourcing.
A rapidly growing art team.
Money was vanishing like water through a cracked pipe.
Ethan inhaled sharply.
She wasn't exaggerating.
Whenever he needed something, Vivian bought it.
No hesitation.
Best tools.
Best tech.
Best talent.
And now the bill had arrived.
"I can transfer my savings," Ethan offered seriously.
Vivian shook her head.
"It wouldn't even cover the effects team."
The room fell silent.
---
In Ethan's memory, Neon Myth IV had taken years to develop. Endless trial and error. Burning money on foundations before progress even began.
But this time was different.
He already had the blueprint.
He wasn't searching—he was building.
Still…
With his obsession over cutting-edge visuals and effects, the budget had quietly climbed toward thirty million.
The original game was under 4GB.
This version—unfinished—had already crossed 4GB.
By launch?
Ten gigabytes. Easily.
Better tech.
Higher standards.
No compromises.
Because Ethan believed one thing deeply:
If Neon Myth IV was good enough… it would sell.
And its true profits wouldn't even come from sales.
Music rights.
Adaptations.
Films.
That was the real goldmine.
But first—
They needed to survive.
---
Current income wasn't enough.
Nightfall Moon and Getting Through were fading.
Once expo exposure vanished, monthly revenue would shrink even further.
If development stalled—
They would be forced to release an unfinished version.
Ethan clenched his fists.
Not again.
---
Vivian suddenly straightened, eyes fierce.
"If worst comes to worst, I'll go home and get money from my father."
Her expression screamed sacrifice.
Like a warrior offering their own arm.
She refused to let Neon Myth IV die.
Luna Ash was too lovable.
Mira Vale too beautiful.
Players had to see them.
---
Ethan's tension eased.
A smile appeared.
He reached out and lightly tapped Vivian's bun.
"You won't need to."
She blinked.
"I've already thought of a solution."
"What?" Vivian and Daniel asked together.
Daniel's eyes burned with trust.
He had seen Ethan do the impossible too many times.
---
"We make another game."
Silence.
"A small one," Ethan added calmly. "A casual game. We pause Neon Myth IV for now, redirect everyone, and finish it in about a month and a half."
"We sell it."
"We fund Neon Myth IV."
He raised a finger.
"The game is called: Animal Party."
---
The company was out of money.
So—
He would help.
---
End of Chapter 25
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