[109] “WorldEnd” Set to Release!

"By the way…"

"Akifumi-sensei, do you have any special requests for this work?"

Machida's approach was exactly what Akifumi was looking for.

Conversations with smart people are the best—they just know what needs to be said, and many things don't even need to be mentioned by him.

"I'd like 'WorldEnd' to be on the market as soon as possible."

Machida hesitated for a moment before nodding.

"We'll find an illustrator as soon as possible. Once the illustrations are done, we'll arrange the promotion and release of the first volume right away!"

Akifumi looked at her in confusion.

"Do we really need to look for another illustrator?"

Machida slapped her forehead, realizing her mistake.

How could she make such a rookie error?

Sitting across from such a talent, why would they need someone else?

With a nervous laugh, she quickly covered it up.

"I was just worried you might have other plans and wouldn't have time to do the illustrations yourself."

Akifumi smiled but didn't point out her last bit of stubbornness.

"Actually, I've already completed the illustrations. How soon can we release the first volume?"

"Two weeks?" Machida suggested tentatively, watching his expression for any signs of approval.

When she saw that it wasn't quite satisfactory, she quickly added, "Ten days!"

"Ten days is the fastest. After all, there's promotion to arrange, the company's processes, proofreading, and printing…"

"I hope you understand, Akifumi-sensei."

Akifumi nodded. Though he hoped it could be faster, he understood that there were procedures to follow.

[TL Note – You think everyone is the flash?]

"Ten days it is. I hope you won't disappoint me, Editor Machida."

"I'll definitely try my best!" Machida Sonoko smiled.

With the level of activity in his comment section, even just a casual mention from him could mobilize many fans.

Let alone if he actively cooperated with promotion!

Akifumi also shared his second request:

"I don't want to use The Warrior of Love and Hope as the title for this work."

"Other than us, I don't want anyone else to know about this."

As far as confidentiality goes, Akifumi had always been indifferent.

After all, keeping secrets didn't really bring him any tangible benefits.

However, if revealing his identity could have negative effects, then that's a different story.

He still remembered how he was criticized when the serialization of Anohana was first announced online.

While it didn't affect his mood, it did bring some unwanted attention.

And explaining or arguing with fans was something he couldn't be bothered with.

He also recalled that when the news of his dual manga projects broke, fans criticized him, and crossing over into light novels... that would make it even worse.

He wasn't just some unknown newbie.

His fans didn't know the full story behind his ability to finish a light novel in just over ten hours and still have time for manga, so what could he say?

It was better to keep things low-key for now.

"Besides, the impact on the fans who don't know the full story will be even worse this time. With my manga, they'll be okay, but jumping into light novels will confuse them even more."

Even Machida Sonoko and Otosuna Mihari were shocked when they first heard the news.

What could he expect from fans who didn't understand?

There was no way they would stay calm about this!

"Exposing the identity would be troublesome. It could even cause a large-scale drop in followers."

Therefore, if he wanted to write a light novel, it would have to be under a new alias.

And as for keeping it a secret from everyone—just to be safe, he had to.

As the saying goes, "Seeing you make money hurts me more than losing money myself."

Given Akifumi's current success, there were certainly people who were jealous and resentful of him.

Even in the comment sections, there were often haters.

The trouble of exposure was laid bare before him, so secrecy was a must.

Machida, who had been in the industry for many years and worked her way up purely through her own abilities, quickly understood Akifumi's reasoning.

After a brief moment of thought, she spoke up:

"I understand about keeping it from everyone else, but the chief editor will eventually know."

Contracts for signing always expose personal details.

With the chief editor's authority, they could easily access an author's contract, and that was something she, as an editor, couldn't stop.

Akifumi understood her reasoning and nodded.

"That's natural."

Machida sighed in relief and smiled.

"So, what name do you intend to use?"

"Shadow."

He had already decided, so there was no hesitation in his response.

"Shadow? Like… your own shadow?"

Machida Sonoko muttered to herself, then grinned.

"That's really vivid! I can already picture the fans' faces when they find out the light novel they've been loving was written by the same person as the manga they adore."

Akifumi looked at her in surprise, then shook his head with a smile.

"I hope that day never comes."

He grew serious and said, "Now, I have one last request."

"The manga rights must belong to me!"

It sounded a bit convoluted, but Machida Sonoko quickly understood what he meant.

"You mean for The Warrior of Love and Hope, right?"

"Exactly."

"No problem. I'll draw up a special contract for you," she agreed without hesitation.

For anyone else, this request would be hard to accept, especially since the publisher's main asset is the copyright.

While it wasn't yet at the level where authors lost the rights to their works, issues like manga adaptations, anime rights, and merchandise could all be tightly controlled in contracts.

But since both publishers were under the same company, things would be much easier to handle.

This was why Akifumi didn't bother seeking someone outside the company.

"Then, here's to a smooth collaboration."

"Looking forward to it!"

They exchanged smiles and shook hands.

"I'll take my leave now," Machida Sonoko said.

"After all, you've given me a big task. I can't guarantee I'll finish it in 10 days without putting in the effort!"

Akifumi chuckled. "Thanks for your hard work, Editor Machida."

"From today, I'm under your command, right?"

"Haha, welcome aboard, Akifumi-sensei."

Machida left, and Mihari couldn't help but mutter, "You really are a monster!"

"Thanks for the compliment~"

Mihari rolled her eyes, not admitting she was praising him.

After leaving the restaurant, Machida thought for a moment and then dialed the chief editor's number.

Soon, the phone was answered, and an older voice, tinged with a bit of helplessness, came through.

"Machida-san, it's the weekend, you should take a break."

"Sorry to disturb you, but I've come across… well, I should say someone has brought me a work with the potential to be a huge hit. Are you interested in hearing more?"

The chief editor replied seriously, "Oh? Someone brought it to you?"

"You must have heard about the little monster in the manga department. Well, he came to me today with a piece of work that's too good to let go."

"That little monster is the one who draws manga, right?"

"Geniuses have many talents."

"Alright, bring it here for me to take a look."

Done.