Afterword
Afterword
This is Darpaeng-i, the author of I Became the Childhood Friend of an S-rank.
Somehow, I've finally brought S-rank Childhood Friend to its conclusion.
I'm feeling a little restless and wistful. A journey that lasted nearly half a year has come to an end, and that makes me a little sad.
First, let me talk about the work itself.
To be honest!
There were a few parts where I stumbled, but I think I managed to finish it more or less the way I'd originally envisioned.
When I started this novel, I set one guiding principle for myself.
"No matter what happens, I will definitely see this through to the end."
If you read my clumsy previous work, you'll know... My mental state couldn't hold up, and I ended up rushing the conclusion into an abrupt ending... It was a work I'd have to call a failure.
But people grow through failure.
What went wrong with my first work?
There were so many things I lacked, but what was the most critical problem?
After thinking it over, the biggest issue, I think, was my mental endurance.
Writing a novel is like running a marathon. You have to keep going day after day, and it demands stamina.
But in my first work, even as the writing was falling apart, I forced myself to keep producing words, and in the end, I wrecked myself in the process.
So the mindset I brought to this one was: "I'll repay my readers with an entertaining story! I'll see it through to the finish! No matter what, I'll finish it!"
Approaching it with that mentality let me keep my endurance, and I came to understand what I needed to do to make the writing better.
I think this was a novel I was genuinely happy writing.
To the readers who always left comments, I don't think a thousand thank-yous would be enough.
+ Side stories!
Side stories!
I'm working on them! Originally I planned to take three days off and then release the side stories, but? Preparations for my next work aren't quite finished yet, so I'll be taking a week off, and the side stories will probably go up next Monday.
Han Si-jun at age nineteen, now an adult.
That's the kind of content I think will be coming.
Following the 5% ratio for 19+ content, maybe nine or ten episodes? I think those kinds of 19-and-up side stories will be coming out.
I'll also write some all-ages content briefly, so that might work out nicely.
Ah, I've put in a request for a Han Yu-wol illustration! It's a little sad that it's coming after the series already ended, but still... T_T
They said it'll take a bit of time, so...
Still, the Han Yu-wol illustration is happening!
It'd be perfect if it came out while I'm writing the side stories!
And my next work! My mindset for this one was: "I'll give my readers something fun and absolutely finish it." So then, what's the author's mindset for the next work? The personal significance the next project holds for me!
I think it'll probably be about improving my writing craft.
Honestly, in Episode 11, Butterfly Dream, I saw comments saying it was cringy, and that really stung. Part of it was definitely my execution making it cringy. But when I was writing it, I had no idea at all. Because of that, things I wanted to try ended up not happening—I just went into deflated mode. And parts that could have had more punch ended up feeling bland. I do regret that a bit.
But in some ways, the next work will be a bit experimental? I'll proceed the way I want to, while doing my best to make it entertaining. That's how I think it'll go.
The next work won't be coming in three days as originally planned, either. It'll likely start around next Thursday.
The title is... As those of you who read the prologue will know, it involves kidnapping or abducting the hero's party.
It's "I Kidnap the Hero's Party"!
A simple story about abducting the hero's party, enduring the hardships that follow, and ultimately trying to defeat the demon king.
It might be a little rougher than this one? There might be some angst, but... To be honest, I, the author, don't really know what parts of an angsty story actually qualify as angst. When I read dark stories, I just think, "Huh, is this supposed to be dark?" and don't really feel much else...
It varies from person to person, but maybe a tiny bit? Just a tiny bit of angst? Still, I aim for happy stories, so you don't need to worry!
If I can get it out sooner, I probably will! I'll make a separate announcement when that happens!
Anyway! In closing.
To my readers, thank you for always leaving comments, for reading, and for hitting that recommendation button!
Honestly, I think writers are creatures that feed on attention. Without attention, we quickly keel over and die. Without attention, it's harder than having no money. I think that's probably a feeling most writers share. Without all of your attention, I would have dropped dead like a fragile sunfish.
This work, I Became the Childhood Friend of an S-rank...
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that you all made it together with me! That's how much of an impact you had—thanks to all of you, I was able to find the energy to keep writing! Thank you so, so much! A hundred more thank-yous wouldn't be enough...!
There may be readers who were disappointed with this work! But I'll become an author who works even harder, and I'll do my best to write the most entertaining stories I can!
I'll be heading off now. Like a darpaeng-i, I may be slow! But I'll run toward my goal with everything I've got!
Thank you for reading this far!
This has been Darpaeng-i, author of I Became the Childhood Friend of an S-rank!