“Damn it… This isn’t it!!!”
The only sounds filling the third-floor workshop of the Somerset Artisan were the rustling of paper and sighs.
The third floor of the workshop was now utilized as a communal workspace for the authors serialized in Manhwapia, not just Rupert anymore.
Squeak.
“Mr. Duma! Please be quiet while moving around!”
“Uh… sorry about that…”
If someone who knew Sena normally had seen her now, they would have been astonished. The usually demure Sena was sharply rebuking Duma, who was much older than her, a scene almost unimaginable to those who knew her.
Duma, the only smoker in the workshop, felt so on edge due to Sena that he hesitated to step outside for a smoke, inadvertently attempting to quit.
Not only Sena, but the other authors in the workshop were also in an extremely tense state, making it essential for everyone to be cautious.
The Saint was prone to crumpling up the drafts he painstakingly drew, while Ismael had a bad habit of biting his nails due to the time crunch.
Duma even received warnings from everyone while smoking a few cigarettes in the workshop.
In some ways, it seemed like the most normal situation was Sena being on edge.
Of course,
“Hmmm, so what you’re saying, Young Master, is that we should take turns drawing the magazine covers for each work?”
“Exactly! Wouldn’t changing the covers stimulate people’s desire to collect, instead of just changing the water every time?”
“That’s an excellent suggestion! Let’s proceed right away.”
Amidst all this, Rupert was leisurely discussing the magazine business with Guild Leader Esteban.
Compared to the workload he had previously released on a monthly basis, the current bi-weekly serialization, though increased in content per chapter, was an easy task for him.
The other authors listening to Rupert and the guild leader’s conversation could only scream internally.
Unlike Rupert, they were barely managing their schedules with the current bi-weekly serialization.
If they had to draw those covers as well, they’d truly have no time to rest and would be drawing non-stop!
“Hey, Mr. Rupert… could you take a look at this part of the development?”
“Of course. Just a moment….”
Yet the reason they couldn’t voice their complaints was that Rupert, not only looking after his own work, also took the time to review their pieces whenever he could.
He was shouldering the most work, so they couldn’t complain about having too much on their plates.
‘How does he manage to be a professor at the academy while…’
‘Come to think of it, I heard he stayed up all night discussing animation on the second floor last time.’
‘And doesn’t he always play with Aida on the weekends?’
From an outsider’s perspective, Rupert’s schedule certainly seemed outrageous.
-These days, the Young Master is taking it easy.
When they heard that, coincidentally from the artisans, everyone was left incredulous.
In such a situation, they couldn’t voice that it was tough, so they gritted their teeth and clutched their pens.
Rupert always told them that the serialization schedule was flexible, so they shouldn’t overdo it.
‘I can’t remain dependent on others forever!’
Currently, the most popular work in Manhwapia was Rupert’s [Van Helsing].
While other works had their popularity, they fell far short in comparison.
‘Ugh, I always end up looking at other works because [Van Helsing]is always at the back.’
‘So I just flip straight to the next page.’
‘Of course! I even tore out the section for [Van Helsing]from the magazine and bound it separately!’
Since the serialization began, some malicious readers claimed that Rupert’s work was just a marketing gimmick to boost his popularity at the expense of theirs.
Hence, they felt an ever-growing urge to produce comics that wouldn’t be overshadowed by Rupert’s work.
To do that, they had no time for leisure.
So they only tightened their grips on their pens and kept drawing.
*
“If Gaton and Skurd fought, who would win?”
Anyone who has read comics on Earth has probably debated at least once about who is stronger.
In Another World, this was an unavoidable fate for comic readers as well.
“Gaton’s Energy Fist Technique is definitely impressive, but isn’t Skurd with a sword stronger?”
“Nonsense! Gaton learned the Eastern Vision martial arts, didn’t he? Didn’t you see him smash a mechanical doll to bits with just one punch infused with mana?”
“Then what about the swordsmanship of Skurd, who learned the Vampire Hunter’s Breathing Technique? How would you stop him from incinerating vampires in an instant?”
Of course, everyone had their favorite comics, so it was common for people to assert that characters from their preferred comics were the strongest, making genuine discussions impossible.
Moreover,
“Neither would stand a chance against the Flame Alchemist, Roy Mustang.”
It was also common for someone to bring in characters from other comics, abruptly joining the debate.
“Hmph, if we’re talking about it that way, wouldn’t Roy become useless the moment Elza from the Ice Kingdom swings her staff?”
“What? Did you just say what I think you said?!”
“I did! You punk, I’ll teach you a lesson today!”
As a result, fistfights often broke out, only to eventually reconcile and return to discussing comics—a scene that had become commonplace in the empire’s taverns.
And this wasn’t just something happening among commoners.
Among nobles in the empire’s social circles, there was a Doujinshi Club known as ‘Mimic,’ which was rumored to possess many precious items to those in the know.
Their collection of original comics and goods was highly esteemed among comic enthusiasts, leading to an influx of new applicants eager to join.
However, with their focus on a select few, the membership process became incredibly difficult due to strict initiation tests, leaving noble enthusiasts in anguish.
“Oh, isn’t this a figure straight from [Moby Dick]?”
“I knew you would recognize it, my friend.”
At regular meetings of the Doujinshi Club, the focus of everyone’s attention was none other than a new type of figure.
No, this couldn’t simply be called a figure, it was a new kind of good altogether.
“The way the waves and colors of the sea are captured! To recreate this!”
“Not only that, but it seems the ship and the protagonist’s figures floating on the sea can be adjusted in detail!”
“To recreate a scene straight from the comic! This is a revolution!”
Diorama.
The miniature model known on Earth as a diorama made its grand debut in the Doujinshi Club.
In fact, Rupert had wanted to create this as well, but it was so challenging and intricate to make that he had postponed it for the future.
However, a wealthy noble, deeply inspired after watching [Moby Dick], declared,
“I’ll cover as much time and budget as needed. Gather the best artisans and make it!”
In a bid to recreate a scene that remained deeply etched in his mind from [Moby Dick], this investment led to the birth of the first diorama.
Clap!
“Ah! You struck my hand! What is the meaning of this?!”
Thud!
When a noble, in awe of the previously unseen diorama, inadvertently reached out, he grumbled at its owner’s harsh hand.
The kind noble merely pointed to the paper placed on the table where they had quietly exhibited the diorama.
-Enjoy with your eyes only.
It was an established precaution, as the piece had been created with such delicacy that even a slight touch could ruin it.
Yet the noble, unaware of this, thought it was excessive.
“Tch, fine! I’ll make one myself to show you!”
If he were to make a diorama, he would likely end up in the same position as he was now.
“By the way, did you all see the puppet theater this week?”
“Of course I have, but I found it a bit lackluster.”
“What?”
On one side, some were admiring the diorama while those who had already finished gazing grouped together, discussing comics.
“Even though the story of the theater has already entered its second episode, it somehow feels drawn out.”
“That part is essential. The puppet theater revolves around not one but two, perhaps three protagonists, so we need to pace their stories carefully.”
“Still, isn’t the theater portion especially dull?”
“That’s all part of the necessity! If you endure watching, the fun will surely burst forth!”
“If it’s enjoyable only after enduring, is it really a good comic? The Count of Monte Cristo is fascinating from the start!”
“You clearly don’t understand comics!”
The Doujinshi Club was a gathering of those who had devoured not just the works of Manhwapia but also creations from other guilds, engaging in serious discussions about the works.
However, since everyone held their belief that they were the most knowledgeable about comics, reaching a consensus was seldom easy.
“The strengths of [Van Helsing] are its swift pacing and gorgeous battle scenes.”
“That’s true. When I asked one of the family knights if it was realistic, he said the author has considerable martial arts skills.”
They enjoyed analyzing beyond merely enjoying comics.
Discussions ranged from whether the story had issues to whether it was outstanding, and whether the artwork was good or bad.
In terms of popularity among the current works in Manhwapia, undoubtedly, [Van Helsing] held the first position, followed by [The Count of Monte Cristo], [Puppet Theater], [Sleeping Beauty], [Moby Dick], and [Man of the Second Century].
However, here, everything was different.
While [Van Helsing] still maintained its first position, many Doujinshi Club members picked [Man of the Second Century[ as the work that should follow.
“Excluding Rupert, Saint’s artwork stands out the most.”
“Not just the art! People are captivated by the battle scenes, but the themes his work portrays are truly profound.”
“The story’s completeness is extremely high. This is the essence of comics!”
While [Man of the Second Century] had relatively less popularity among commoners due to its lack of flashy scenes, this was rather regarded as a strength among Doujinshi Club members.
Thus, they eagerly praised this piece as a hidden masterpiece to everyone they met.
Of course,
‘I didn’t find it very entertaining. But if I say that, I’ll be branded as a comic illiterate, so I’ll just say it’s fun.’
Some thought it was lackluster due to personal preferences, but since expressing that could lead to being labeled comic illiterate, they masked their true feelings and joined the mainstream opinion.
Comic Illiterate.
A term recently trending within the Doujinshi Club.
An abbreviation for those who know nothing about comics, used by the club members to chastise those who oppose their views.
Once labeled as such, one’s standing within the Doujinshi Club would drop dramatically, so one had to tread carefully.
“Instead of this, how about we start publishing our own newsletter?”
“A newsletter?”
“Yes! Not only to recommend comics but also to vote for this month’s comic and announce the results!”
At someone’s suggestion, excitement filled the Doujinshi Club, as they rallied around the newsletter idea.
This was the usual scene of comic enthusiasts, brimming with enthusiasm.
My site has received a lot of DMCA notices, lol. From now on, I will update the MTL on https://darkmtl.com/.
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