Starting as a Manga Editor

Chapter 210: Essence

Jiuxiao came with aggressive momentum.

Though their target was Avalon, currently thriving in the mobile gaming sector.

But the impact clearly extended beyond just Avalon...

The next day.

While receiving the game list from Li Xue, Tang Yao also saw Jiuxiao's announcement of their new mobile game—

"Jiuxiao's New Game 'Stellar Ode' First Reveal! Anime-Style Card RPG Gameplay Sparks Anticipation!"

Looking at the familiar press release format, Tang Yao barely resisted rolling her eyes, instead clicking in to take a look.

The article followed a standard template.

Only one gorgeous concept poster served as the accompanying image, its style strikingly similar to FGO, with character designs that even evoked déjà vu...

But that wasn't the most glaring issue.What stood out most was how the press release emphasized the game being developed by Jiuxiao's elite studio after two years of dedicated research.

"Two years?"

Tang Yao couldn't hold back anymore, giving a small eye roll: "Seriously? This predates FGO?"

How shameless.

She hadn't even transmigrated here two years ago!

"They've always been like this... Those channels I mentioned yesterday have already agreed to Jiuxiao's demands and sent people to discuss compensation."

On the other side.

Li Xue gave a bitter laugh before continuing: "Additionally, this has caused unexpected ripple effects... Jiuxiao's high-profile entry into mobile gaming has made many small-to-medium teams reconsider. Several game companies that originally planned cross-promotion with FGO now want to delay because of Jiuxiao.

For small teams, distribution channels are their lifeline. We have ANF, but others don't. Combined with Jiuxiao's already notorious reputation, if they monopolize promotion resources first, making new players completely unaware of other games, no one knows how far ANF games can go alone or what might happen next.

So they've decided to wait and see.

If this trend continues, Jiuxiao's 'knockoff' might actually leverage its platform advantage to rapidly capture users."

"And there's worse."

After a pause.

Li Xue's voice lowered slightly: "They're... poaching our people."

Tang Yao blinked, then sharply raised her head: "Who?"

"Artists, programmers... The entire FGO team received headhunting emails from Jiuxiao yesterday with generous offers, especially for people like Kang Ming." Li Xue smiled wryly, "And the contracts include non-compete clauses preventing them from working on similar projects if they switch."

The air froze for several seconds.

Tang Yao cautiously asked: "Did anyone accept?"

"Yes."

Li Xue shook her head lightly: "But only recent hires from the past two months. Those who originally worked on FGO with you—Kang Ming, Shi Wanglin, Avalon—none accepted. Instead, they proactively reported this to me... But since the poachers knew our internal structure so well, there must be a mole. I'll look into it."

Hearing the core team remained, Tang Yao sighed in relief.

Although... their departure wouldn't have been catastrophic.

But Tang Yao still felt attachment to those who'd followed her from the beginning.

"That'll be hard to find."

Thinking this, Tang Yao comforted: "...Just keep a casual eye out. Rather than wasting energy hunting moles, focus on our own work. Ultimately, employees leave for three reasons: feeling wronged, underpaid, or hopeless. Currently, our company has none of these issues, and our internal situation isn't some big secret.

As for new hires choosing to leave... that's completely normal."

"Mmm..."

Li Xue acknowledged but still gritted her teeth angrily: "They're really going too far."

"Yeah."

Tang Yao pulled Li Xue closer, speaking with unusual calm: "Their plan is clear—copy gameplay, steal channels, poach teams. A three-pronged attack aimed directly at destroying us."

"......"

Li Xue didn't respond, but her silence spoke volumes.

Honestly.

Tang Yao also felt somewhat helpless.

What did she ever do to deserve this?

But she kept these complaints internal, not actually blaming fate.

Because that wouldn't solve anything.

And she clearly understood that when blue oceans turn red, competitors inevitably clash violently.

As for spending wars? Standard practice—how else did those infamous cash-burning battles from her past life happen?

Only.

Tang Yao hadn't expected the gaming industry here to play the same way.

And so aggressively.

Couldn't they at least make something original before targeting us?

Even a half-hearted attempt!

Now they're copying FGO while coming after us, acting like Avalon only has FGO! Despicable!

Thinking this.

Tang Yao couldn't help a soft laugh: "Let the ordinary employees go if they want, we'll just rehire. Tough it out a bit longer and we'll get through this... Since they want to destroy us, let's speed up our preparations."

"...Is this really okay?"

"It's fine, Miss Li. You need to understand—they can copy gameplay, steal channels, even poach our people... But there's one thing they can never take."

Li Xue blinked: "What?"

"Me!"

Tang Yao puffed out her chest: "As long as I'm here, it's manageable. I'll handle these problems, don't worry."

Li Xue: "......"

Under Li Xue's direct stare.

Tang Yao soon flushed with embarrassment from her own boasting...

"Go get to work."

Tang Yao gathered her smooth, shoulder-length hair to partially hide her reddening face before swiveling her chair to pick up the game list.

Li Xue stared at Tang Yao's beautiful profile for a moment before suddenly giggling, inexplicably feeling much more at ease.

She left quietly without further disturbance.

Tang Yao glanced back, composed herself, then began screening games.

Despite some companies withdrawing, many submissions remained.

Tang Yao worked through the list one by one.

Then.

Two hours later.

She leaned back, face full of despair.

...Maybe I misjudged Jiuxiao.

Not only are they copying FGO—so is everyone else.

Many aren't even better than "Dark Night Decree."

These games wouldn't boost ANF's gaming section's popularity.

Avoiding criticism would be an achievement.

"What's wrong with this world's game developers?"

Tang Yao muttered before resting briefly and moving to the next game on the list.

"'Essence'?"

Reading the title gave her pause... Its uniqueness stood out starkly.

Curious, she picked up her phone again.

Soon.

Ethereal piano melodies blended with electronic tones began playing.

Seeing the game's visuals, Tang Yao's beautiful eyes widened slightly in surprise.

No intrusive in-app purchase prompts—the demo launched straight into gameplay.

Actual gameplay.

Not a gacha game... The entire interface used clean lines, soft colors, and geometric symmetry to create art gallery-worthy scenes.

Like an illustration.

Tang Yao's eyes immediately sparkled as she started exploring.

The puzzle-based gameplay wasn't overly complex—rotating and sliding paths to solve optical illusion puzzles.

Her excitement grew with each minute.

Twenty minutes later.

She looked up, softly murmuring: "I take back what I said earlier... Some developers here are quite talented. Isn't this a simplified 'Monument Valley'?"

Indeed.

This game called "Essence" unexpectedly reminded her of "Monument Valley."

While inferior to that famous title in many aspects—interactivity, puzzle design, difficulty curve, inconsistent art style, mediocre music and sound effects...

These issues could be fixed!

Showcasing such a game during livestreams and featuring it on ANF's gaming section... Wouldn't it make the perfect prestige title?

Mobile gaming isn't just about gacha mechanics.

Realizing this.

Tang Yao's eyes shone brightly as she abruptly stood with the list, urgently leaving her workstation: "Miss Li! I need you to contact a game development team immediately!"

In a way.

Tang Yao wasn't wrong.

Jiuxiao could copy gameplay, steal channels, even poach their people... But there was one thing they could never take.

Herself.