Chapter 366: Chapter 368

The link to the NewBlack game had been posted on the official SNS.

Thanks to the support in various languages, fans who played the game were flooding social media with their reviews.

@myongmyon_0215

(From the perspective of the protagonist who became a goat)

What kind of game is this, LOL? I thought it was a dating sim, but it turned out to be a crazy celebrity simulation game!

@ky121vadf

I realized how fortunate we are to have Lemon Enter as our mainstay. Better a crazy dog in our house than a mad one next door.

@3263_dgyy

I sincerely express my admiration for the developers who created such a game.

And please, adjust the difficulty level. Save me!

@tnvmffp_tkfkd

When my idol went to Japan,

Typically: Ah, it’s the blackout period for spoilers… (don’t really know what they’re doing in Japan)

Soufflé: Ah, I’d rather not know.

And the Japanese fans had similar reactions.

@twi_kokorim

(Illustration of the protagonist being chased by mops and brooms under the control of black magic.)

I thought it was a healing game, but eh…?

What’s happening at Lemon Enter?

@AAAa24

(Illustration of NewBlack Academy’s chairman Kyuho suddenly appearing like a ghost from the darkness.)

At the start, my heart wouldn’t stop fluttering, but now it won’t stop for a different reason!

No thanks to bald old men!

@ehfnfnKK

(Illustration of an excited Ryuk pointing at the protagonist who became a black goat.)

I’m giving up on learning Korean with this.

I mean, ‘The black goat is casting black magic’ – isn’t that a bit much for everyday life?

@colorrful_ming

Before starting, I laughed at the Korean fans’ hilariously difficult explanations, but now I can’t laugh anymore.

A common reaction was, ‘What kind of game is this?’

Meanwhile, all the Soufflés who played the game shared a common review.

@5959_ricechicken

But how do you guys beat this? Seriously, I can’t see a way out.

It was the insane difficulty level.

If you chose wrong even once, you’d end up with a bad ending, and everyone was struggling with it.

At first, it was just a binary choice.

As the play continued, the choices increased, and there were even prompts to enter text subjectively.

Soufflés were giving up, saying ‘I can’t do this 😭’, even after making charts to organize the various routes and possibilities.

Three hours after the link was posted, no one had seen the ending yet.

The idol game that’s trending right now

Hard to believe, but NewBlack has released a dating sim game (link included)

Hilariously fun, the idol game that’s hot on the charts right now

Starting with the idol community, the news began to spread across various communities and social media, complete with screenshots explaining the early routes and branching points. 𝐫άƝò฿ΕȘ

LOL, this is so embarrassing

This is hilarious, LOL

Who promotes abroad like this, LOL

But they put a lot of effort into the game, LOL. From the illustrations to the game design, you can tell

But this is something only NewBlack could plan, for real

But is the black goat route the easiest??

Yeah, that’s the easiest, LOL. The black goat route is the easiest for getting magical tools

Why are there magical tools, though??

Who’s the final boss?

No player has reached the true villain yet, so it’s all a mystery

Sounds fun, LOL. I should give it a try

Eventually, ‘NewBlack Game’ became a trending search term on various portals, attracting more general users.

There were issues with delayed connections due to traffic spikes.

But that only meant strategies were rapidly increasing.

NewBlack Academy 3rd floor strategy guide (screenshot included)

Never choose to pull down the chairman!!! Your character becomes bald and loses all charm!!

Hey, what do I press to get the hair growth potion??

Game site.

At first, I approached the game with a light heart, but soon, genuine reviews from users who had become earnest began to surface on the gaming community forums.

Damn it, I keep getting dragged to the workshop. Ugh, it’s so annoying!

How do you avoid going to the space workshop?

You should upgrade your hearing and stamina from the choice rewards in advance. If you don’t, you’ll die in the workshop.

There’s a choice to disturb Seo Rihyuk reading a history book in the library -> You get sucked into the history book, so never click on it (you’re an idiot if you do).

It’s obvious you shouldn’t interrupt, but there are people who click it??? LOL

That’s me, damn it… I’ve reincarnated as the horse that Kim Yushin rides, and it’s freaking scary.

The Bijoo apple is a poison apple, don’t eat it, it seriously drains your Hp.

You have to choose wisely. It’s random between left/right, but if you choose correctly, it’s a golden apple and you get an extra life.

Ah, Kim Junghyun is so strong, LOL, he’s immune to physical attacks.

I just woke up, what the hell happened? Did NewBlack release a virus or something?

Players, including game users, joined the battle in ‘Surviving NewBlack Academy.’

Eventually, someone succeeded in clearing the game for the first time.

[I finally beat it. The NewBlack game.]

(In the scene where the protagonist becomes the Demon King with NewBlack in the academy turned into a demon castle, ruling the world.)

This is the proof shot.

I referred to other people’s strategies for 5 hours and managed to beat it by wracking my brain.

There was a crisis in the middle where I had to input answers like a labyrinth game, but luckily.

The prize is some merchandise, but I decided not to receive it.

Fans will probably take it, whatever.

Phew… It was disgusting to be together, let’s never meet again, LOL.

Give me some strategies.

I’m stuck on the 7th floor of the academy; what should I do? Damn it.

Is it better to transform into a centaur in the middle? Or is it easier to clear the game as a minotaur?

[Author] I don’t know about that. Honestly, I don’t even know how I cleared it… I did it as a minotaur.

Wouldn’t the minotaur be more convenient? Opinions are divided, but the centaur makes it easier to run away, and you need to do that to use the cow’s cry skill.

I haven’t played this, what kind of game is it?

Never make Seo Rihyuk a tank… The chairman’s dragon breath will wipe out the party instantly.

Amidst the bizarre sounds that could only be understood by those playing the game.

Soufflé fans and other idol fans also gathered scattered strategies and succeeded in clearing the game.

I saw the endingㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ

Tears of emotionㅠㅠㅠㅠ

Charcoal fans, I saw the ending too~~ :ㅇ Kiyoooot

Seriously, is this game supposed to be this hard? LOL

Today was really fun because of this.

I saw the B ending, and now I’m going to try for A.

I saw F.

Thank you for the prize, Lemon Enter.@@novelbin@@

I gave up on the gameㅠㅠㅠ I’ll just pay and buy it…

I sensed that Kyuho wanted to do a character business, but the quality was so good that I decided to become a capitalist dog.

Everyone was in tears of emotion.

Fans who cleared the game were happy to see the merchandise they won on a first-come, first-served basis.

Along with the goods like badges and phone cases featuring mini NewBlack characters that appeared on the seal of Soufflé bread.

As the new merchandise list was uploaded to the official site with the upcoming concert in Japan.

“Ha ha! Ha ha ha!”

While someone was bursting into laughter, shining their head on the top floor of a company.

Two points of consensus were circulating among netizens who played the NewBlack game.

One was that the game was fun.

So fun LOL

It’s difficult, but hilarious. Kudos to whoever is in charge.

The scenario is crazy, but the game design is amazing?? The story is crazy, so of course, but the reward system and balance are surprisingly appropriate.

The game is well made, yeah.

I never thought I’d see multiple endings in a male idol game…

And the second realization was.

[The ‘NewCademy’ route and branching points organized by American NewBlack fans]

(A photo neatly organizing the web-like routes from the early branching points to the choices with clean graphics.)

Annie, a famous Soufflé in the American fandom, and a few other Soufflés stayed up all night to organize it.

While Soufflés from various countries were playing the game, everyone was amazed at the dignity of the American Soufflés who had organized it into a chart.

Graphics with red and green arrows connected everywhere.

Clicking on it would enlarge the image, listing the details in a series of photos.

Wow, that’s amazing LOL

So this is why they say the true virtue among fans is enthusiasm…

I may not be fluent in English, but I’m bookmarking this! Such a well-organized analysis.

Their analysis is top-notch, really, these guys are the best!

Didn’t someone from this group try to create a New Black merchandise museum last time?

The dedication of these fans here is something else.

But it seems they all think alike, look at this: “I didn’t want to play it again.”

While such conversations were happening, some were intrigued by the ‘Easter egg’ mentioned in the chart.

“What’s this Easter egg thing about?”

“It’s for those who try to win prizes through shortcuts.”

“It seems like something pops up when you try to view the code or hack into the site.”

“Try it, it’s hilarious!”

And so, those who entered the New Black game site used these shortcuts.

Then…

Blink. Blink.

The screen flickered, and the character Seori Hyuk appeared on the site.

Arms crossed, looking down with disdain.

“This is the worst. Are you trying to clear this game through a shortcut? I’m really disappointed.”

The fans burst into laughter at the character’s innocent yet disdainful glare.

“Surviving New Black Academy,” released by the company, was a hit among fans, who affectionately called it “Newcademy.”

One question lingered, though.

“Why are even the uninitiated here…”

It was a choice-based game made as fan service, but it seemed even outsiders had fun playing it.

“Wow.”

I watched the New Black game screenshots trending in real-time with my siblings.

We marveled at the graphics created by an international fan.

We laughed at the posts titled “New Black Game Reviews” across various sites.

“Have you seen this? After playing the game, they say brother Rihyuk becomes incredibly annoying.”

“Hey, Wang Jiho. You’re no slouch either.”

“At least I appear as a disguised fake prince in the second half.”

The internet buzz generated a variety of spin-off content.

Famous game YouTubers on Mitube posted thumbnails saying, “The hot New Black game, I tried it too!” and the reactions were sensational.

Endings where they were trampled by a herd of cows or killed by a broom were circulating.

The YouTubers sat stunned, mouths agape, at the absurd game developments.

“I think I understand their reaction,” Bijoo said with a somber face.

“Matching the poison apple and the golden apple in the game was too hard. I died three times, brother.”

“Me too. I died seven times in my studio.”

“I chose to transform into a centaur and had a rough time.”

“We laughed when Junghyun said he got expelled after being caught by the janitor while picking ginseng in the garden, even though his HP went up.”

“Hehe, looks like I’m the winner for not playing.”

Rihyuk laughed arrogantly.

But knowing he rage-quit after just 10 minutes, we could only smile warmly.

“Man, this game is like a drug. The plot is crazy, and it’s so addictive.”

“Exactly, it’s fun.”

While sharing thoughts about the game with my siblings, I also questioned Hong Seo Young, the manager in charge of the promotional team who created this game.

“Manager, how did this game come about?”

“What do you mean?”

“It doesn’t seem like just a light fan service game after playing it.”

It felt like watching a bizarrely sophisticated movie.

The choices allowed us to upgrade [Equipment] or [Stats], and it was addictively fun.

“Well, to be precise, we didn’t make it. We outsourced it based on our scenario.”

“Outsourced?”

“The new startup company that Director Jo invested in. A promising startup game company took it on.”

It seemed to be a company chosen by the famously insightful Director Jo Gyu Hwan.

“It was prepared as part of the promotion for the Japan tour, and to gauge the response to your character business.”

It appeared to be part of a plan to diversify New Black’s business ventures.

I heard that “Newcademy,” which was just introduced, might soon be produced as a mobile game.

We all laughed seeing the collection of SD mini-me characters that Manager Hong showed us.

“What are their names?”

“It’s still undecided,” I mused aloud.

Jung-hyun, with a sudden ‘Ah,’ waved at his own image on the screen.

“Hey Mijung, hello.”

“…Jung-hyun, it’s not that Mijung.”

Our rapper, free of prejudice, had everyone, including Manager Hong, laughing uncontrollably.

That was until Rihyuk glanced at the file name.

“But why is the project folder named ‘Dooly_Brothers’?”

“…!”

“Manager? Where are you going?”

True to our task force’s style, Manager Hong had a unique way of escaping.

I said with a warm smile, “This is our TF team spirit.”

“Just like a sandcastle we just built, our unity is fleeting.”

With that, I walked into the changing room with my younger brothers, carrying our clothes.

Soon after, we changed into our café part-timer outfits and checked our appearances in the mirror.

Today’s event was special.

For those who cleared the game among the Japanese soufflés, it was time to personally deliver drinks and goods.

“Thank you for lending us the space.”

“No, I should be the one thanking you.”

The café owner and I exchanged deep bows of gratitude.

The place we rented today was a café in an alley of Osaka’s shopping district, run by a Korean.

After a lesson on making drinks, we waited for the soufflés with my brothers.

“But will all the soufflés actually come?”

“Why wouldn’t they? They even came all the way to the airport.”

“But with 30 minutes left, there’s still no one here…”

The world outside the window seemed empty.

The thought that coming to Osaka just for a prize might be too much made me feel a tinge of disappointment.

Rihyuk tapped on his phone and said, “But the game’s reception in Japan has been really good.”

“Really?”

“Look here. There’s a flood of fan art drawn by ordinary people.”

Curious about this ‘fan art,’ I turned my head and couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

A muscular, bearded man with pigtails was wearing a school uniform and skirt, wielding a pair of axes.

“Hahaha!”

Bijoo, who was looking on, asked with wide eyes, “What’s this?”

“It’s our game’s protagonist.”

“This silhouette… wasn’t like this, was it?”

“People who played the game talked, and they said this was the most realistic design.”

The protagonist, who could hold his own in a fight with Jung-hyun and wield dual axes with ease.

The joke that this muscular silhouette was more plausible than the game’s spread, resulting in such fan art.

At least the reaction didn’t seem bad.

But then…

“Why is there no one here?”

We sat around the café table, peering out the window, but no one passed by.

Only cameras and broadcast vehicles were present.

Journalists and production crews that looked like a press team were setting up tripods and cameras.

Conscious of the camera lenses zooming in, Rihyuk covered his mouth with a bright smile.

“I wish they’d just invite us on the show instead of wanting to film without inviting us.”

“Exactly.”

With a bright smile, I signaled to Manager Won-seok, who promptly lowered the blinds.

Ever since we arrived in Japan, it had been like this for every outdoor event.

They didn’t want us on the show, but they wanted to cover ‘New Black! Landing in Japan!’ for their programs.

“But why is it so empty…?”

Initially, it was fine, but as the event time approached within 10 minutes, the absence of any activity made us anxious.

The camera captured the empty café front.

The company employees inside were also trying to figure out what was happening when…

Ding-a-ling—

Minki, who had stepped outside, returned after a while, gasping for breath.

“Heugh, heugh!”

Then he shouted to us, “Raise the blinds, and get ready to greet the fans…!”

“Huh?”

“I’ve been breaking through this crowd… Heugh!”

He gestured outside, too out of breath to speak further.

Upon hearing that, Wonseok and I straightened our clothes and headed out of the cafe.

And the moment we stepped through the door…

“Wow—!”

We were greeted by an incredibly boisterous cheer.

“…Huh.”

I managed to keep a straight face, but an involuntary gasp escaped me.

The area in front of the cafe and its surroundings were empty except for the press, but it was a different story around the corner.

Police cars and officers had set up a control line.

Beyond that, the entrance to the alley was endlessly snaking with people.

So that’s why there was no one in front of the cafe.

…It was truly a sight to behold.

“Hello!”

As we waved and greeted them, a roaring cheer came back to us.

We exchanged smiles at the sound.

It was our first event held outside since the fan signing, and I was nervous, but it was bustling even before it started.

And then.

“Let’s enter in an orderly fashion…! Ahh!”

It was like a dam had burst as people poured in, streaming in like crazy.

They were supposed to come in a line, but it was no small line.

Even the press, who had set up their tripods and taken their places, began to get swept away.

“Ahhhh!”

The sight of the production crew from the broadcasting company being swept away or scrambling with their filming equipment.

I wonder if General Eulji Mundeok felt like this.

We waved brightly at them too.

“Be careful~!”

Then, arm in arm with my younger siblings…

“Ouch!”

I bumped into the door as I tried to enter.

“Oww…”

Rubbing my shoulder where I’d hit it, I stepped inside the cafe.

We ran towards the cafe counter, watching the souffles march in like an army of ants.

It was time to tackle our first promotional schedule in Japan.