Chapter 32
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: Buildup
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Me, who had successfully published volume 2.
The reactions were blazing in all directions, so I wondered if calling this a success was right...
But since this was exactly the response I wanted, it was a success.
In truth, creating this kind of frenzied—no, downright insane—reaction wasn't that hard.
I'd just shoved in a blatantly harsh plot twist.
If I hadn't introduced Rika anew and had instead piled even more misfortune onto Senyora, it probably would've been even worse.
Actually, in this case, soothing public opinion is the harder part.
It's the natural backlash, of course. Use a provocative plot like this—one that's bound to draw hate—and the side effects are inevitable.
So, what can I say... I had to add some buffer elements. And I did.
The most crucial descriptive parts focused extra care on Senyora's side.
For starters, in the scene where Senyora's mentality shakes at the end, I didn't just zero in on her inner thoughts—I spread it out with external descriptions.
And instead of generic stuff like breaking out in cold sweats or biting her lip...
I went for descriptions that evoke specific imagery.
What I chose was a child. A lost child. A child stamping their feet in frustration, unsure what to do. I described it to bring that image to mind.
Unable to burst into tears, eyes pathetically darting around even though no one can help.
In truth, it's still a precarious sight just like before... but readers take it differently.
For one, this approach stirs not just anxiety, but a protective instinct.
That's the exact emotion the 'child' image evokes.
Even though I'd portrayed Senyora as composed all this time, I'd shown plenty of her immature sides too.
So, even if she cracks in this situation, it's not weird for a kid like her.
If the end of this volume had only left readers feeling raw anger, that would've been a headache.
They wouldn't know where the story was headed or what to expect next.
That could've just soured the mood overall, right?
But this time, I wrote it to definitely trigger protective feelings, so naturally, they'll expect developments that satisfy those emotions.
So, in the end, I think I've somehow succeeded in keeping expectations high for volume 3.
Of course, the public opinion seems to be that if I ruin volume 3, they'll ruin me too... but hey, it's going just as I wanted.
On top of that, I put a lot of effort into the illustrations—especially Rika's.
Rika's illustration is sure to be shocking at first glance because of the abuse marks.
But it's not an image that repulses you outright. I worked hard to make sure of that.
...Honestly, Arwen suffered the most with all those revision requests, but whatever—I contributed plenty too.
"I want to burn the world down."
"Isn't that basically suicide...?"
"Exactly."
"...Uh, fighting."
"Hahaha, ahahaha... ugh."
"What's wrong?"
"Agh... my head's throbbing..."
"..."
Arwen's "frail, broken elf" persona popped out after such a long time.
Meaning she really went through it... yeah...
Anyway, the finished illustrations were pretty satisfying.
Truth be told, scars are usually a visual minus... but in illustrations, they can actually be a plus.
Put bruises and bandages here and there,
angle the swollen cheek just right so it doesn't stand out too much,
clearly, the neck bruise is super provocative, so hide as much as possible under clothes and fade it out,
and finally, the hollow eyes. Sounds scary in words, but in art, it's just "dead eyes."
There's a market for that too, in its own way.
And remember, I set Rika up as so utterly exhausted that she can't even feel despair anymore.
It's serious, sure, but on the surface, it means she doesn't act out dangerously—she just looks docile.
That's why, before Rika shares her backstory, I showed her nodding along and obediently following Senyora's words. More than enough to win some goodwill.
In the end, I survived somehow. Got people hyped for volume 2 and built anticipation for the next one. First step complete.
And the next phase went even better than I'd hoped.
Someone actually went and explored "that place" I described in detail.
The place where Ulpi's holed up. And in the novel, where Rika's staying.
I didn't expect it to happen this easily.
From my Earth memories, I know that when community folks latch onto something, their action levels skyrocket.
And every now and then, ridiculously competent people pop out of nowhere.
I'd been banking on that to some extent in my head.
But I'd also fully considered the chance of failure.
So... I'd steeled myself.
Steeled myself to anonymously post on the bulletin board that Rika's story was real.
...Kinda pathetic in a bunch of ways, but it's the kind of embarrassing thing most people won't do, so yeah, resolve.
But this went so ridiculously smoothly that everything after just snowballed.
Later, I answered questions from a reporter via letter, and someone in the legal field popped up out of nowhere to dig into "those guys."
In the end, it flowed right into the best-case scenario I wanted.
Now I just have to reap the rewards.
Why else would I describe the corporation abusing Rika in the novel so sloppily and ambiguously?
I just plain didn't know. I was sure they were up to no good, but not the specifics—or how to legally crush them.
I never planned to handle it myself anyway. That's not my strength.
Like I said before—everyone's good at different things, so focus on doing your best at what you can.
I poured my all into the novel, and the readers who read it poured their all into crushing those bastards.
Now it's my turn again: eat this up and write volume 3. Feels like a virtuous cycle, right?
Of course, I wasn't just sitting idle while all this wrapped up.
True to my promise with the publisher, I'd started writing volume 3 right after volume 2 dropped.
Warrenberg's probably still suffering, so I owe him that much at least...
I've roughed out the early parts of volume 3.
Even with her mentality shaken, Senyora tries her best to help Rika.
But she can't. No way to help, and Rika herself doesn't even want it.
It's not refusal. Rika doesn't even realize she needs help.
Eventually, on a rainy day, Senyora gives up.
She backs away slowly, eyes still locked on Rika.
She's scared. Scared of what Rika thinks of her, what she'll say.
At the same time, she wants to hear some blame. Maybe that'd ease her own heart.
...But Rika's expression stays the same as always.
No resentment, not even disappointment.
She just speaks plainly.
"Goodbye."
"..."
"Come again, sis."
The moment those words end, Senyora turns and runs into the rain.
Like she's fleeing from Rika. Even though nothing Rika said was bad—Senyora just can't understand her own actions.
She just runs, and runs.
Until Rika's out of sight. Until she's out of the neighborhood.
Scene shift.
Senyora, back outside, is crouched in an alley corner, head buried.
Still getting drenched in the rain. Not a twitch.
Describe her spiraling negative inner thoughts.
As they twist darker and peak—
"...?"
Senyora suddenly feels the raindrops stop. Even though it's still pouring.
She slowly lifts her head. She hasn't cried, but her rain-soaked face is a mess.
One person stands there. A red-haired woman holding an umbrella over her.
She hesitates with a complicated look, then finally speaks.
"...You'll catch a cold."
...Good enough. Time for another scene shift here.
Next will probably be Senyora heading to Karen's place.
Karen'll help solve her problems. Using the info from the bulletin board.
That's what I'll write from here on.
"...Arreeen."
"...?"
"Busy...?"
Hm, that's what I'd planned. But then a very soft voice whispered in my ear.
"...What's up?"
"You... you promised last time, Aren. To spend time with me..."
"Today?"
"Yeah... Can't we...?"
"No reason not to."
"...!"
"But you sure? It's been a bit."
"Yeah...? It's barely lunchtime..."
"I figured since I said a full day, it'd be from morning."
"That works too, but... I want today. No real reason."
"...Alright, then today it is."
"Yay!"
Ranyori cheered with utter delight.
Looks like volume 3'll have to wait.
Not a bad deal, all things considered. In hindsight.