NOVEL WEB Chapter 16
“Ugh, I want to escape.”
“What suddenly brought that up, Author?”
“I’ve been thinking about it lately.”
After going through all sorts of harsh experiences outside, coming back to the Imperial Palace felt maddeningly comfortable because of reverse acclimatization. But as this feeling lingered, I started to remember why I wanted to break free in the first place.
‘Morning, writing, lunch, writing, dinner, bath, writing, sleep—I’ve been endlessly repeating this cycle.’
When I first serialized my debut work, “Betrayer Hero,” I had to clench my pen all day long to rake in the dough.
Now, the pace has quickened a bit, but the hassle remains the same.
I often feel the urge to just halt my work completely…
“If writing is that tough, couldn’t you just not do it?”
“That’s not an option.”
That goes against my principles, and in this medieval setting, if I were to stop, I might just get hit by a cursed arrow flying out of nowhere.
“If you’re worried about getting stabbed on the street, I can protect you.”
“Still, I can’t just throw in the towel. This is my belief as a writer. I might not start something, but I’ll never stop it.”
“Is that right…”
Having lived on Earth, I completely understand the feeling when a favorite novel goes on hiatus.
Stories with increasingly long serialization periods that eventually get thrown into the abyss.
Suddenly, there are no updates one day, and bam, the story’s hiatus announcement.
They claim it’s the end of Season 1, only to ghost us with no return.
“Thinking about it makes me really mad.”
“No way this can go on hiatus, no way…”
Unless I’m bedridden or dead, I refuse to go on hiatus.
“You seem to be weak with your opinions normally, but so stubborn here?”
“Everyone has things they can and cannot compromise on.”
“Well, that’s true.”
For some reason, Rate’s voice carried a hint of amusement as she rested her chin on my shoulder from behind.
“!!”
“If there’s anything I can help with, just say the word. Being a Hero, I can work non-stop!”
“Hmm…”
What help could I possibly get while writing a novel…?
“Heh, with a powerful Hero like you, this isn’t a comic, it’s a novel…”
“Comic? What’s that?”
“Um… like a story told with pictures or something?”
“Hmm?”
“If I had to explain it, my first novel, “Betrayer Hero,” features the battle between Luka and the Demon King, and it’s like I imagine each scene illustrated with pictures in order.”
“I see…”
“Yeah. In my case, I’m terrible at drawing, so I chose to stick with the writing.”
“…Then why not hire some skilled artists to make it? With your power, you could hire dozens! In fact, artists would probably line up to work for you.”
“Well… it’s not like I didn’t think of that…”
I did try a few times.
However, since this world has a medieval vibe, the art style was never quite right…
“I just gave up when I couldn’t find the art style I wanted.”
“What kind of style were you looking for?”
“Um… how can I explain this? You’d definitely know it’s a person, but their hairstyle is impossibly unrealistic, and their eyes are overly big with absurdly good body proportions? That vibe, I guess…”
‘They’ll definitely not get it.’
After my messy explanation, I felt like I was speaking nonsense, and sure enough, Rate was staring at me with her arms crossed, head tilted in confusion.
She’s probably trying her best to understand my awful description.
“Haha, I guess I didn’t explain well? It’s not a big deal since it’s a style I probably won’t come across in life.”
Feeling a bit awkward, I decided to focus back on writing.
***
The sun had set, and the sky was darkening late into the evening.
“Well then, I’ll be heading to bed first.”
“Sleep well.”
After Rate confirmed that Zech, who lay on the bed, was asleep, she carefully made her way to the desk where he had been writing, trying not to make a sound.
She flipped through the pile of vacant parchment in the drawer and pulled one out.
‘Just borrowing this for a moment, Author.’
Taking the pen Zech had used moments ago, Rate swiftly brought it to the parchment.
Even in the pitch-black darkness, she could see somewhat due to her abilities as a Hero, so there was no need to light a candle.
‘Let’s see, the Author said…’
Rate recalled Zech’s words from earlier.
‘Definitely a recognizable person, but the hairstyle is practically impossible in reality, and their eyes are a bit large with disturbingly perfect body proportions…’
Realistically impossible hairstyles, big eyes, disturbingly perfect body proportions.
Rate diligently moved the pen to meet the conditions.
All through the night.
***
-Knock knock.
-Author, it’s time for breakfast!
“Yawn…”
As Belua’s voice signaled the morning, I sat up with a yawn.
“Have you awakened, Author?”
“Yeah… Was there anything unusual with you, Belua…?”
While I was absentmindedly receiving Rate’s morning greeting, a strange sight caught my eye.
“What are you doing at my desk…?”
Rate was sitting at my desk with a pen in hand.
“Are you perhaps planning to write like the Hero?”
Finally, someone was inspired to write something even more amazing after reading my work—
“Not quite.”
“I see…”
Well, it would be strange for someone whose memories are constantly on the move to write a novel.
“But then why at my desk…?”
At my question, Rate turned a bit red and shyly admitted.
“I thought you might like it…”
“Huh?”
“I put in a lot of effort while you were sleeping…”
With that, Rate carefully lifted a sheet of parchment from the desk and showed it to me.
“…Whoa!”
On the parchment she held was a drawing.
“I tried to capture the despair Luka felt when he was betrayed in his expression.”
This was the highlight of the “Betrayer Hero,” featuring Luka, bound by the Mage’s magic, pierced by an arrow from an Archer, kneeling while the Saint’s stolen holy sword pierced his heart—his face full of despair, all captured on that one piece of parchment.
In a cartoonish style reminiscent of comics I’d seen on Earth.
“H-How did you create such a drawing…?”
Startled, I asked Rate, who grinned and replied.
“After hearing your description, I gave it my best shot. I was quite nervous it might turn out unpleasant.”
“…Wow.”
Guess a Hero is indeed a Hero.
These days, Heroes can apparently draw cartoonish art too.
While I was still recovering from Rate’s amazing talent, she cautiously asked me.
“So, do you think it turned out close to what you wanted?”
“E-Everything…”
“Everything?”
“Of course! It’s absolutely fantastic! Who would’ve thought I’d see such a drawing style in this world! If it were up to me, I’d want to kiss you for this!”
“K-Kiss…?”
“Just a figure of speech! Anyway, Hero, you have incredible talent for art! This could totally be used as a web novel cover… cough, or a book cover!”
“Is it really that good…?”
“Yes! Actually, while we’re at it, could I do an event with this?”
“An event… you say?”
“Yes! I’ve been feeling bored with the same day over and over again—this is perfect! Since “Betrayer Hero” is still available at the bookstore, let’s publish a limited edition book cover using this drawing!”
“You’re saying you want to use my drawing as the cover?!”
“Yes! I just don’t have coloring tools in my room right now, but I can definitely get some from the palace and then use it for the cover!”
“Ah, I see. So you’ll actually use my drawing for the “Betrayer Hero” cover…”
“Aha! You’re thanking me! I should be the one grateful! And now that I think about it, it wouldn’t be fair for the Hero to work for free, right? I guess I’ll have to compensate you.”
“No need for that…”
“Nonsense, cover commissions usually pay a lot, so just take it.”
“What do you mean by cover commission…”
“How much do you think would be fair? Of course, I should probably start with gold as units, right? And given the quality here…”
“Calm down a little…”
Rate looked like she wanted me to settle down, but no chance.
Unfortunately, showing me this drawing in this world is all your fault.
I’m definitely going to rake in some cash—
-Excuse me! If this keeps up, breakfast will get cold!
“Ah.”
“Oh…”
Suddenly remembering that Belua was by the door.
“Uh, come in.”
As the door opened, a scowling Belua entered with breakfast.
“Uh, sorry Belua. It’s morning and I’ve been busy with work…”
“What on Earth were you so passionate about that you forgot breakfast?”
“Uh, could you take a look at what the Hero is holding?”
“What the—AAAACK!! LUKA!!”
Rate just scored herself some more followers.