After returning to the apartment, Xie Yunfan turned on his computer and went online to search for software.

The programming languages in this world were the same as the ones he had learned in his past life, so he didn’t have to learn them from scratch, which saved him a lot of trouble.

There was a piece of auxiliary software for game development called “Game Producer.” It could compile game programming, scene rendering, character modeling, levels, and storylines all in one place. You could check the progress of each item at any time; it was essentially a “Game Manager” that made the project’s progress clear at a glance.

Xie Yunfan registered an account on the software and named it “Little Sailboat.”

To his surprise, “Game Producer” could also link up with the “Mobile Games Hub” website, allowing him to monitor real-time data like download and purchase volumes of published games, which was incredibly convenient.

Mobile Games Hub had a public asset library with open copyrights.

For example, common environments like skies, lawns, and deserts could be directly imported into the scene generator for editing and adjustments. Animal models like rabbits, cats, and dogs could be used right away. Natural environmental sound effects like flowing water, wind, and thunder were also fully stocked in the library.

There were even some game templates, such as match-3 or parkour games. You could just import the template, swap out the scenes and characters, and create a new game to play yourself.

However, these were all very basic assets.

The software’s built-in library was rich enough, but its flaw was also very obvious—it lacked a unique style. Everything was cookie-cutter, and players would know at a glance that you just slapped on some free asset textures.

If Xie Yunfan wanted to make a simple Happy Match clone, he could definitely use the assets here.

But what he wanted to make was the “Maze of the Underworld.”

The asset library had absolutely no scenes that met his vision. Therefore, he had to find a concept artist to custom-design the environmental art for the 18 levels of the Underworld.

The character asset library had many ready-made models: realistic, sci-fi, cyberpunk, chibi… The only thing missing was the ancient traditional style he wanted, so he would have to spend money to buy custom character models too.

As for sound effects and background music, it was best to find a music studio to custom-make them. Music that perfectly matched the environment could make players feel like they were truly there, enhancing the immersive experience.

Xie Yunfan’s former team had incredibly strong professionals in art, copywriting, level design, and system balancing. To make a large-scale game, an excellent team was indispensable.

But right now, he had no helpers, so he had to handle many things himself.

He was a professional when it came to design and programming, and he could independently complete the maze levels. The places where he needed to spend money were primarily scene illustration, character modeling, and music production.

In any case, the development cost for this single-player game wasn’t high. As his first game in this world, Xie Yunfan didn’t want to churn out something shoddy. He wanted to make it as refined as possible and put his heart into every aspect.

Players can tell whether or not you’ve poured your heart into a game.

After finishing the preliminary budget, Xie Yunfan opened the programming software and, based on the gameplay ideas in his memory, began to design the basic framework of the game.

He planned to design the labyrinth layer by layer first, and then use a portal system to connect the 18 levels, establishing a 3D model.

The first level of the maze would be relatively simple; making players rage-quit right off the bat was never a good thing. The difficulty would gradually increase from the second level onwards.

After passing a few levels, new gameplay mechanics would be unlocked to keep the experience fresh for the players.

Xie Yunfan devoted his full attention to the game design. It wasn’t until 11 PM that he remembered he hadn’t eaten, and he hurriedly picked up his phone to order takeout.

When he worked, he easily lost track of time, and mixing up day and night was a common occurrence. He really had to fix this bad habit. Otherwise, if he died of sudden cardiac arrest from overwork like in his past life, wouldn’t that be a terrible deal?

Xie Yunfan saved his progress, temporarily shut down the computer, and stood up to stretch his stiff joints.

Once the takeout arrived, he finished his meal, stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows to think for a moment, jotted down a few gameplay ideas in his memo pad, and went to shower and sleep.

…

At 7:30 the next morning, Xie Yunfan walked briskly to the university, ate breakfast at the cafeteria, and followed the large crowd into the teaching building.

He was a student majoring in “Game Design” at Rongcheng University.

The gaming industry in this alternate world was developing rapidly, and public acceptance of games was generally very high. Major universities had established related majors and cultivated many outstanding talents.

As a student majoring in Game Design, creating a novel and fun game wouldn’t arouse suspicion. It was just that Xie Yunfan had never attended classes properly in college and had failed quite a few subjects.

It was currently the first semester of his junior year; he had a year and a half left until graduation. Xie Yunfan planned to pick up the courses he had fallen behind on and study hard, and take makeup exams for the subjects he had failed as soon as possible.

No matter what, he needed to get a university degree.

Xie Yunfan opened his textbook and listened attentively. The classmates around him cast complicated glances his way from time to time. Why did this “King of Skipping Class” suddenly show up for a lecture?

The class quickly ended.

During the break, a chubby boy scooted over to Xie Yunfan and teased, “Yunfan, how come you have time to come to class today?”

This person’s name was Ji Yan, Xie Yunfan’s roommate. He was his number one “informant,” messaging him whenever there was any movement in the class.

Ji Yan lowered his voice, “I submitted the homework Professor Zhang assigned last time for you. Remember to come to tomorrow morning’s class; Old Qi is taking attendance, and it counts toward the final grade.”

“Understood.” Xie Yunfan looked at him and said earnestly, “By the way, A-Yan, lend me your notes from last semester to take a look.”

Ji Yan froze, asking in confusion, “Why are you borrowing notes?”

Xie Yunfan: “To review and prepare for the makeup exams.”

Hearing this, the surrounding classmates couldn’t help but look at each other in dismay.

How did this troublemaking demon king suddenly turn over a new leaf?

Xie Yunfan sighed and explained helplessly, “I’m already a junior. If I don’t pass the makeup exams and can’t get my diploma in the future, I don’t want to end up starving.”

The bankruptcy of the Xingyun Group had caused a huge uproar, becoming a topic of gossip for the students after meals. Many people were waiting to see Xie Yunfan make a joke of himself.

They thought this wealthy young master would continue to degenerate, but they didn’t expect him to actually figure things out?

Hearing this, Ji Yan said happily, “It’s good that you’ve thought it through! I’ll give you all the key notes for those courses. You have to hurry up and review. There is a final clearance exam in senior year, and you’ll have a chance to retake all previously failed subjects. As long as you pass, you can get your diploma!”

Ji Yan was a foodie, and since freshman year, Xie Yunfan had often treated him to food. That was why he was so willing to help Xie Yunfan hand in homework and cover for him.

“Thanks. I’ll cover your milk tea for the next month,” Xie Yunfan said cheerfully.

“Hehehe, you’re too kind!” Ji Yan smiled so widely his eyes narrowed. This chubby guy looked quite cute when his eyes crinkled into thin lines.

Xie Yunfan patted him on the shoulder. “Go back to your seat, class is starting.”

---

The morning passed quickly.

With no classes in the afternoon, Xie Yunfan ate at the cafeteria, got the review materials from Ji Yan, and returned to his apartment to continue designing the game.

He couldn’t neglect either his exam reviews or his game design; he had to allocate his time carefully. Fortunately, these university courses were very basic for him. Just looking over the notes should be enough to handle the exams.

After organizing his notes, Xie Yunfan opened his computer again.

Last night, he had already finished the first two levels of the maze. Because he had already designed this game in his head in his past life, building the framework of the entire labyrinth was going very fast.

He needed to hurry up and find a concept artist.

Xie Yunfan opened the “Illustrator’s Haven” website—this was a gathering place for domestic artists, hosting professional game artists as well as fine arts college students and amateur drawing enthusiasts.

Artists could display their works in their personal profile showcases. If a client liked an artist’s style, they could contact them directly through the site’s messaging system. Clients could also post project briefs, set a price, and recruit artists to participate.

Xie Yunfan scrolled through the “Recommended Artists” on the homepage. The showcases displayed many artists’ works: most were cold, mechanical doomsday sci-fi styles, brightly colored cyberpunk styles, or various cute and soft chibi drawings. He couldn’t find a single traditional ancient-style piece.

His first game, “Maze of the Underworld,” was in the horror genre. He could find an artist with a similar vibe and slowly guide them.

Xie Yunfan quickly browsed the homepage.

Suddenly, an artist with a unique style caught his attention.

The artist’s ID was “Over the Mountains,” and their homepage showcased several environments and characters.

There were dark prison cells covered in blood, eerie and terrifying midnight graveyards, and pale vampires baring their fangs… This person had a distinct style, and the level of detail in their drawings was extremely high.

The homepage had a personal introduction: “Fine arts college student, grinding away to support myself. Fast turnover, easy to talk to, revisions allowed. Bosses, please take a look at me! Private commissions: Full environment illustration 1500/piece, single character half-body 1000/piece, full-body 1500/piece; Commercial rights price x2, buyout price negotiable.”

Judging by this price, it was clearly a freelance artist who wasn’t very famous yet.

However, he really liked this person’s art style, and the quality of their environmental art met his standards. The artist’s profile showed their schedule was open for November and December. Perhaps they could try collaborating?

Xie Yunfan sent him a private message: “Hello, do you have time to take a commercial commission?”

At that moment, in a student dorm at the Rongcheng Academy of Fine Arts, a boy was sitting at his desk, spacing out.

The boy’s name was Chu Yue. He had delicate features, wore a creamy yellow sweater printed with a weird pattern, and his slightly long blonde hair was tied into a small ponytail at the back of his head.

The “ding-dong” notification sound jolted Chu Yue awake. He picked up his phone, took a glance, and hurriedly replied: “Hello, I have time. What kind of piece is the boss looking for?”

The other party, ID “Little Sailboat,” replied: “A concept art piece for a game environment. It requires a relatively high degree of completion, and the style leans toward horror. It’s a commercial buyout. Please give me a quote.”

Game environment concept art, commercial buyout! Chu Yue thought to himself, This is a huge deal!

However, he had no experience drawing game concept art, so he didn’t dare quote too high. After thinking for a moment, he tentatively asked: “For a buyout… how about 4000 a piece?”

“No problem,” the other party agreed cleanly. “Let’s do a paid trial sketch first. If the sketch passes, we’ll sign a contract.”

Chu Yue froze. “We even have to sign a contract?”

“Yes, to avoid any copyright disputes in the future. I will be buying out the artwork, but you can retain the right of attribution. I’ll pay a 10% trial fee for you to produce a rough sketch first. Does that work for you?”

Chu Yue felt as if a pie had just fallen from the sky and hit him right on the head.

A no-name college student like him, with an art style that leaned toward the gloomy and macabre, had hung a few of his most satisfying pieces in his showcase, but they had gone completely ignored for a long time.

Occasionally, some clients would seek him out to draw, but it was always for private commissions.

Recently, he had even been considering whether he should switch to the more popular sci-fi or cyberpunk styles, or lower his commission prices… But in the end, he actually received a commercial commission. What incredible luck!

Chu Yue rubbed his hands together and said excitedly: “No problem. Boss, I can get a rough sketch to you within two days. Could you describe the specific environment to me in detail?”

Little Sailboat replied: “A dark, terrifying enclosed space. The surrounding walls are fully hung with human tongues. The tongues have just been ripped out and are still dripping blood.”

Chu Yue: “…”

Tongues?

Plucked human tongues hanging on the wall, dripping blood?

Chu Yue’s pupils gradually dilated—Could this boss be a pervert!

---

Author’s Note:

Don’t be scared, classmate Chu Yue, the real surprises are yet to come~