Chapter 78
Chapter 78
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 78
Chapter Title: We Live in the Age of Womb Tattoos (2)
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◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Whoa..."
"Is this for real?"
"Yuria's artwork was already ranking high, but I didn't expect it to shoot straight to the top like this."
In the category of single illustrations rather than comics, it was basically number one.
Of course, it wasn't literally the top in recommendations, but considering how recently it was uploaded, it was definitely number one in buzz.
Honestly, judging by how fast the recommendations were climbing right now, it might even overtake those heavy hitters later on and claim the actual top spot.
'And honestly, I don't even need those numbers to confirm it. There's a clearer indicator.'
A ton of works were imitating the format of being both 'Happy Daily Life' and 'Real Daily Life' as one piece that felt like two.
Beyond that, it felt like this was sparking attempts at modern art-style pieces incorporating weird scientific principles or magic.
Seeing this made me want to try some plausible technique like that in my next work.
"There are some pretty wild ones mixing in magic."
Among the new works I saw today, there was one technique that really caught my eye.
It was a piece where the tears flowing from the character's eyes were turned into actual water droplets using magic.
Honestly, the way it pulled off such natural animation just for water droplets was downright impressive.
It was so damn arousing that I'd definitely want to use it for something like a swimsuit illustration later.
'Well, same with our stuff, but the downside is that these magic-based works can't be copied.'
Among what I saw today, the teardrop one seemed the most feasible for replication.
But even that would demand insane time and effort to copy while maintaining quality, and miniaturization was out of the question.
Honestly, the big drawback with magical devices was their sky-high cost unless mass-produced, plus how hard they were to miniaturize.
"This is the academy's pre-ordered Avatar Conception stock, and the sticker boxes. You sure it's okay to order so many sticker boxes separately?"
"They'll sell out, no problem. The academy can handle that volume easy."
"I'm not worried about that. It's just... there's so much. You got storage space?"
"We just opened the comic hall not long ago, so we've got plenty of room. Don't sweat it."
We did poke around the exhibition hall pretty thoroughly while we were out.
But the real purpose of coming today was to pick up the pre-release stock for Avatar Conception.
Thanks to our advance request, the academy comic hall had handled reservations alongside everywhere else.
And now we were here to collect the ordered batch.
"You're all so busy."
"I'm more shocked that the printing wrapped up this fast. It's getting quicker every time."
"Probably stabilizing more. They push out volume crazy fast when rushed."
I wonder how many workers they cycle through to hit these speeds.
Of course, they're pros at this, so they handle it clean.
Still, sometimes I kinda wanna peek behind the curtain.
It's impressive they've never had a single pre-release leak or content spoiler.
"Huge crowd."
"Half the school probably signed up, right?"
Makes sense—no grade restrictions, nearly every magic department student applied.
Unlike the last release, Avatar Conception drew in quite a few swordsmanship club folks who'd read the previous work, boosting those numbers too.
No wonder the turnout was insane.
"Good thing we didn't have to handle this ourselves."
"...Yeah."
"Kali made the right call."
We just assist with contract fulfillment occasionally or pass along work lists.
The heavy lifting—distribution, all that—is on the school.
Rentals and such use the library system, handled entirely by the academy side.
We toss in ideas and basic contracts.
School does the work, and all the praise rolls back to our club.
Feels like sucking honey straight from the comb—pure bliss.
"We got ours. Shall we head in?"
"Yeah."
"Woo! Finally time to read!"
"Orca, if you run like that you'll trip... Nah, she'd never."
The swordsmanship club's top dog isn't gonna get hurt tripping like that.
She's got that cute, innocent vibe usually, but thinking about it, she's the toughest here.
Honestly curious how that soft-looking body and massive chest pack such power and skill.
Anyway, I wanted to hang outside and watch my work sell some more.
But pretending not to care and following them in felt less weird.
Though this volume's packed with super lewd stuff, so I'm a bit worried...
'...We already went through this with the last one, so it'll be fine, right?'
I started flipping through the comic, sneaking glances at the kids.
The early parts are serious story, so they're all focused like that.
But everyone's just silently turning pages—eerie quiet.
"Pregnancy...? Oh, so that's why it's called Avatar Conception."
Rozaria broke the silence first, coming right over to me. She pointed out that weird phenomenon from the previous work—this was it.
Right, we read the last one together, and she chatted about the foreshadowing I'd planted.
Now the payoff's here, so she ran to me about it.
"Yeah, you mentioned that, Ria. So Albedo had the tattoo from the start."
I nodded along like I'd just been reading it with them.
Whew, having people right here enjoying my work feels great.
Watching it sell is cool, but experiencing it live like this ain't bad either.
"Kali, what do you think about pregnancy?"
"...Outta nowhere?"
"In this one, it's portrayed as a gift from the gods."
"Yeah, kinda. A blessing from the divine?"
But bluntly, it's tough to say much else without risking blasphemy charges.
One wrong word and boom—dragged off for offending the sacred.
Rozaria beamed at my answer, nodding wildly before diving back into the comic.
Up to there, it was normal enough—no red flags.
But then, instead of Orca—who I'd worried about—Rozaria started acting weird.
She was secretly stroking her lower belly, face flushing...
"Ria, you okay?"
"Hng...♡"
"Ria?"
"Huh? Oh. Sorry. Just curious, so I touched it."
"You trying to be Orca or what?"
"Can you touch your womb?"
"Like you could. I'll step out later—you do it alone."
And sure enough, Orca tried copying her.
Rozaria seemed to enjoy the subtle womb-rubbing, face still pink as she shook her head and stopped.
Honestly, seeing Albedo's climax scene could turn anyone on enough for that.
"Kali, Kali."
"Yeah?"
"Hey, do you think pregnancy is a blessing?"
Isn't that a loaded question?
Wait, but doesn't my earlier answer cover it, even if the phrasing's off?
Why keep asking stuff like that?
"...Kinda, yeah. But does the comic say that?"
"Huh? Yeah, it does. It's about how their efforts bear fruit as the blessing of pregnancy, leading to happiness, right?"
What the hell kinda reading is that?
It's obviously a penalty for borrowing that immense power!
I clutched my head, unable to grasp what Rozaria meant.
Is pregnancy seen as so beautiful here that even the tattoo penalty looks like a blessing?
That's way off my intent...!
"Right? Isn't that it?"
"Orca gets it that way too."
If everyone but me's seeing it like that, the public probably is too.
This is maddening.
What happens when they hit the spicy stuff next volume? Riot?
Super annoying, but glad I've kept my identity hidden so far.
If it were out, they might mob me to death.
"Kali?"
"Y-yeah?"
"So babies are blessings? Beautiful, right? Babies are great?"
"Uh... sure?"
"Ehehe♡"
Rozaria practically clung to me, skinship heavy as she asked.
I'd already answered—why repeat? Then I remembered times she'd cuddle up just for the contact, questions secondary.
Fine, if that's it, I'll play along.
"Oh, this one's colored. Pretty."
"Yeah. Heard the production cost shot up."
"But they never raise the price. Artist Siu's the real deal. Oh, Kali this time... Ack, sorry."
She glanced at Yuria and Rozaria—must've been about me being Siu's apprentice.
After that close call last time, I explained it was secret, and now they watch out automatically.
Yuria finding out's fine, but Rozaria? Too risky.
We've spent so much close time together—she'd connect the dots easy.
'Though she can't even imagine it now.'
Rozaria grinned innocently, oblivious, rereading the finished comic.
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