Chapter 1453 1371 — ZEPS 4: TMNT Secret Characters and…

Sakaki grinned the moment the newly revealed character appeared on the screen. "My goat, Brock Lesnar!" On the character-select screen stood an absurdly muscular man wearing a simple white shirt, heavy roller gear, and reinforced Air Tracks. To newer players he probably looked completely ridiculous, but Sakaki recognized him instantly. Brock Lesnar was the protagonist of Rollerdance, one of ZAGE's old ZEPS 1 games and a classic built entirely around rollerblading, beat-'em-up combat, platforming, bizarre bosses, and the Air Track system. Beside him was another newly unlocked character: Korosi, originating from Koro-Cool, one of Yugo Kanai's older games whose last major release had been Koro-Cool 2 on ZEPS 2.

Sakaki leaned closer toward the television, obviously pleased. "I'm definitely playing Brock Lesnar." Kumogi stared at the character model for a few seconds before scratching his head. "Wait, that really is Brock from Rollerdance? I honestly thought ZAGE forgot about that bastard. That game hasn't had a proper sequel in years." Sawada adjusted his glasses calmly. "Apparently ZAGE rarely forgets its characters. The problem is that ZAGE owns so many IPs that there simply isn't enough room to constantly update all of them. Some franchises disappear for years, then suddenly show up again through cameos, crossovers, or something like this. Brock is probably another case." Rikki sighed while rotating Korosi's model. "I'm disappointed neither of them is a woman, but Korosi? Seriously? Isn't that guy way too brutal for TMNT?"

Kumogi immediately looked toward him. "Of course your first complaint is that they aren't women." Rikki shrugged. "I'm only saying diversity is important." Sakaki gave him a flat look. "That is not what you mean by diversity, you perverted idiot." Rikki pointed toward him. "You don't know what's in my heart." Kumogi snorted. "Unfortunately we know exactly what's in your head." Rikki turned toward him. "Shut up, giant bastard." Kumogi raised one hand. "Say that again." Sawada sighed quietly. "Can we discuss the game without you two trying to kill each other for five minutes?"

Sakaki returned his attention to the screen. "Still, Korosi definitely got nerfed. There's no way they let him fight exactly like he does in Koro-Cool. He'd probably turn half the Foot Clan into paste." Sawada nodded. "Most crossover characters are adjusted anyway. Otherwise balancing would become impossible, at least in ZAGE Fighting games." Sakaki then noticed the price attached to both characters and his excitement dropped immediately. "But damn… look at the price."

Both Brock Lesnar and Korosi cost 500,000 coins each.

The room went quiet.

Rikki stared at the number. "Five hundred thousand… each?" Kumogi leaned forward and frowned. "What the fuck?" Sakaki scrolled through the shop again as if hoping the number would magically decrease. It did not. "Apparently beating the entire game on the hardest difficulty only gives enough bonus coins to comfortably unlock one of them, unless we grind challenges and replay stages." Kumogi groaned and leaned back. "So basically, if we want both, we need another playthrough." Rikki immediately corrected him. "Another playthrough plus grinding, probably." Kumogi stared at him. "Why did you make it sound worse?" Rikki shrugged. "Because reality hurts."

Sawada, however, was looking at the roster instead of the price. He remained silent for several seconds before smiling slightly. "From my point of view, ZAGE is definitely hiding something here." The other three turned toward him. Sawada pointed toward the character-select arrangement. "Look at the spacing. We currently have ten playable characters officially accounted for, but the layout still has room. If they intended the roster to stop here, they could have centered everything differently. My guess is there are at least two more characters hidden somewhere. Twelve total would make more sense visually."

Sakaki frowned. "But the manual says ten playable characters."

Rikki immediately sighed. "Idiot. Since when does ZAGE follow its own damn manual completely? Our boss hides secret shit everywhere. Astro Playroom literally has ZABO-man counters written as question marks." Sakaki looked toward him. "I know that. I'm just saying the manual specifically says ten." Rikki leaned back with a smug grin. "Which is exactly why there are probably twelve." Kumogi nodded slowly. "I hate agreeing with this pervert, but he has a point." Rikki looked offended. "Why does everyone call me pervert like it's my job title?" Sakaki replied instantly, "Because it practically is."

Sawada chuckled softly. "Either way, I wouldn't assume this roster is finished. ZAGE has always liked rewarding players who keep digging after the obvious completion point. If Brock and Korosi only appear after ZABO-man is unlocked, there might be another requirement after purchasing them." Sakaki stared at the remaining spaces for a moment. "Damn. Now I actually want to know." Kumogi sighed. "Which means you idiots are going to make us replay the entire game again."

Rikki immediately pointed toward him. "You say that like you're not going to play with us." Kumogi looked away. "…I didn't say that." Sakaki laughed. "Exactly."

Kumogi stretched his long arms above his head and looked toward the clock. "Speaking of insane things, can we go home now? We still work tomorrow." He sighed. "I thought after ZEPS 4 released things would calm down a little, but we're still busy as usual." Sawada immediately looked toward him and frowned. Unlike his normal calm expression, there was a little irritation in his voice this time. "You're being ungrateful." Kumogi blinked. "Huh?" Sawada continued, "We're busy because there's actually work to do, not because ZAGE is squeezing us dry. We usually stop around seven. Overtime isn't constant, and sometimes management literally refuses overtime requests because they want people to rest. We have recreation rooms on nearly every major floor, decent pay, proper leave, free meals during major project periods, and half the time our boss personally tells people to go home. You're sighing like we work in some nightmare company."

Kumogi scratched the back of his head. "Well… I'm just talking, bro. Chill." Rikki leaned slightly away from Sawada. "Damn. Sawada is scary when he actually gets angry." Sakaki started laughing. "He's right though." Kumogi pointed toward him. "Don't join him, asshole." Sakaki shrugged. "I complain too, but come on. We know how lucky we are here."

Sawada's expression softened almost immediately. "I'm not saying we can never complain. Everyone complains about work. I'm saying there's a difference between grumbling and acting like we're being abused." Kumogi nodded awkwardly. "Yeah, yeah. Fair." Rikki looked between them and grinned. "Beautiful workplace education. Can we go home now?" Sakaki sighed. "You contributed nothing." Rikki pointed at him. "Fuck you, I contributed emotional support."

Before Sakaki could answer, footsteps appeared outside the gaming room.

The four stopped talking.

A second later, the door opened.

"Ah, as expected. You guys are still here. Hahahah."

Every single Bakudan Boy immediately froze.

Standing in the doorway was none other than Zaboru Renkonan himself, casually holding several yakitori skewers while chewing one like he had simply wandered into the room by accident. He wore ordinary casual clothes rather than anything formal, and judging by the amused expression on his face, he had probably been standing outside long enough to hear at least part of the conversation.

The four suddenly looked much more awake.

Zaboru glanced toward the clock and chuckled. "It's already 23:05. I'm impressed. You guys really played a lot."

Kumogi's face visibly paled.

"U-um, Boss, it's… it's not—"

Zaboru immediately started laughing. "Come on, Kumogi. Relax. Or are you afraid I heard what you said earlier?"

Kumogi became even paler.

Sakaki looked away to hide his grin.

Rikki's expression screamed you're fucked.

Sawada simply stayed quiet.

Zaboru waved one hand dismissively. "Relax, seriously. You can complain about the company behind my back. I don't care." He walked farther into the room, still chewing his yakitori. "Everyone grumbles. I complain about ZAGE too, and I own the place." The four stared at him. Zaboru continued, "As long as it doesn't affect your work, become toxic, or turn into you making other people miserable, I don't care if you say, 'Damn, work sucks today.' That's normal."

Kumogi finally exhaled a little.

Zaboru grinned. "But Sawada-san is right about one thing. Don't stay here until eleven every night just because we have free consoles. That one isn't company overtime. That's self-inflicted stupidity."

Sakaki burst out laughing.

Rikki pointed toward Kumogi. "See? Giant bastard wanted to leave first."

Kumogi immediately snapped, "You wanted to keep playing too!"

"I never denied it!"

Zaboru laughed at them, then held out the bag he had been carrying. "Anyway, here. Yakitori. I bought too much."

The four looked at the food.

Then at him.

Rikki was already reaching for it.

"Thank you, Boss."

Sakaki stared. "You changed attitude quickly."

Rikki grabbed a skewer. "Respect management."

Kumogi finally relaxed enough to take one as well. "Thanks, Boss."

Sawada bowed slightly. "Thank you."

Zaboru glanced toward the TMNT character-select screen while they ate. His eyes briefly stopped on Brock Lesnar and Korosi before his grin widened faintly. "Oh? You unlocked those guys already."

Sakaki immediately became excited again. "Yeah! I can't believe Brock is back. I thought you guys forgot about Rollerdance."

Zaboru looked almost offended. "Forgot Brock Lesnar? Come on. I remember that ridiculous bastard perfectly." He pointed toward the screen. "The Verdict, Skate Doggo, Hawk Skate, Josh…" His face became increasingly amused. "That game was fucking rocks."

Sakaki grinned. "That's why it was good!"

"Exactly."

Rikki pointed toward Korosi. "What about him? Isn't he too brutal?"

Zaboru shrugged. "That's why he got adjusted. Crossover balancing, bro."

Sawada glanced toward Zaboru for a moment, then toward the roster.

Zaboru noticed.

Sawada said nothing.

Zaboru's grin grew slightly.

Then he immediately turned around. "Alright, I'm leaving. Make sure you guys turn off the machines when you're done. And seriously, go home soon."

Sakaki nodded. "Yes, Boss."

Rikki waved. "Good night, Boss."

Sawada nodded politely. "Good night."

Kumogi still looked slightly nervous. "G-good night, Boss."

Zaboru laughed again. "Kumogi, seriously. You're not getting fired."

Kumogi froze.

Zaboru left the room still laughing.

The door closed.

Silence.

Then Kumogi slowly looked toward the others. "I'm not fired… right?"

Sakaki immediately burst out laughing. "Bro, he literally told you that you're not fired!"

"I know, but—"

Rikki slapped him lightly on the shoulder. "Relax, giant bastard. Our boss isn't like those psycho executives you see in dramas. Just don't push him too much and know your place. We joke around, but working at ZAGE is a miracle for guys like us."

Sawada nodded. "Exactly."

Kumogi finally relaxed fully. "Yeah… fair."

Rikki stretched and stood up. "Anyway, I'm going home. If tomorrow wasn't a workday, I'd play GTA San Andreas until morning." Sakaki stood as well. "You'd spend three hours looking for every woman NPC first." Rikki immediately looked offended. "That is exploration." Kumogi groaned. "You're fucking hopeless." Sawada quietly turned off his console. "Come on. Let's go before boss comes back and personally kicks us out."

The Bakudan Boys cleaned the area, switched off the four ZEPS 4 systems, gathered their things, and finally left the floor together, still arguing all the way toward the elevator.

Meanwhile, Zaboru had already reached the parking area beneath ZAGE Tower. He climbed into his Nissan Skyline GT-R, placed the remaining yakitori beside him, and started the engine. As he pulled away from the building, he thought back to Sawada's comment and chuckled quietly.

"Heheheh… Sawada has sharp instincts."

He shifted gears and smiled.

"There are definitely more than ten characters in TMNT."

The city lights reflected across the Skyline's windshield as Zaboru drove toward home.

"But well…"

His grin widened.

"It's not my job to tell players everything, heheheh."

The Skyline disappeared into the Tokyo night.

To be continued.