Chapter 344
Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Blablabla Blehblehbli?! (Proclaiming the Grand Finale Afterword!?)
Hello, it's Jepabnnnnn.
With this, the one-year journey that began in last year's contest has come to an end.
I'm overflowing with emotion.
Honestly, when I first started serializing, I had no idea this story would do so well.
Grand Prize, but one character short of the top award—what a tease.
Of course, winning Grand Prize didn't bring only good things (whining from a full belly).
Expectations and attention poured in, surpassing my abilities.
Making excuses now, but the serialization schedule turned into a wild rollercoaster because of it.
A kind of obsession formed where I had to meet those expectations with every chapter, leading to endless revisions in the editing process... adding and adding... let it go...
Suddenly, I recalled words from some author somewhere:
"My story's doing too well, and it's a problem."
"I wish the hype would just deflate already."
Back then, I clenched my jaw between nose and upper lip, thinking venomously, "Then why don't you just wreck the plot?"
But once I was in the same boat, I finally understood that author's mindset.
It wasn't easy.
But somehow, I managed to hold on.
Because there was a driving force that steadily supported me.
The daily growing settlement reports—
No, it was the readers' comments.
Surprisingly, the Grand Prize winnings or settlement reports didn't provide the kind of central motivation during serialization.
What I looked forward to every day while writing was the readers' comments.
Some readers wielded stern whips (hopefully I never hear them), but—
As expected of Novelpia, NadeNade's holy land.
Far more gave overly kind words to this shitty writer than he deserved.
On days with lots of comments, even if my condition was poor, it improved.
On days with few, even if it was good, it tanked.
I've rambled into a long tangent, but ultimately, what I want to say is this:
Thank you to all the readers who stuck with Dark Fantasy Normalization until now.
Our little secret, but...
I don't love all readers equally.
I love those who followed to the end several times more.
Of course!!!!!!!!
For those who didn't make it here, it's closer to me shoving them off the train than them jumping voluntarily—
What can you do?
The human heart is that treacherous.
"The author shoved you off a speeding train?"
"Then just hang on, right?"
(Image of Rishir propping his chin)
And furthermore—
There are readers I love especially dearly.
Those who sponsored my work (not fishing for more, really).
During serialization, I was too swamped to thank each one individually.
Plus, given my personality, I wanted to post a separate notice thanking sponsors, but...
For some reason, it felt like it would create an atmosphere encouraging donations, so I hesitated.
"The more the merrier" when counting coins, and more sponsorships are great, but...
Going back to what I said earlier, extra sponsorship money meant extra burden on me.
Already overwhelmed by Grand Prize pressure, receiving sums big enough for a fancy meal—
My heart wasn't purely thrilled with the monetary joy.
So, belatedly, a simple thanks here.
To the readers who felt special enough about this work to sponsor separately:
Sincere thanks on this occasion.
Fun, non-boring thanks too.
Finally—
Now that it's wrapped up, a short reflection on Dark Fantasy Normalization.
Easy read (one-line summary: not dull or pretentious).
If there was one thing I prioritized most while writing, it was ensuring readers didn't feel fatigued reading it.
I prefer that kind of story myself.
So, when facing branching points in the narrative,
I repeatedly chose safe options, avoiding risky adventures as much as possible.
Looking back, I do feel some regret there.
Unfounded confidence that I could've delivered far more colorful, stimulating developments—
But in the end, I think it was the right call.
I felt in control of the story throughout serialization,
and I successfully delivered the experience I intended for readers.
I like simple, childish narratives.
Stories that escape inevitably heavy realistic musings and highlight only the lighthearted parts.
To me, Dark Fantasy Normalization was that kind of story.
I hope readers felt the same.
So then,
time to say goodbye he—...re!!!
Truly, truly, truly last: a word on illustrations and emoticons.
Illustration and emoticon production must be the dream of writers everywhere.
Visualization!
For word nerds raised on comics, anime, and other visual media, that is.
I too had illustrations and emoticons in mind from the start...!!!!!
But here, circling back to the burden talk once more.
Too much going on, mumbling...
No spare time at all to scout artists and commission while serializing.
Even so! Midway, I made a big resolution, reached out to some artists, but it fell through due to their schedules.
I feel deep regret about that too.
Berveandes...! Emoticons...
Wanted to see them...
Really...
Also, about side stories, which many seem to care about as much as emoticons.
Conclusion: I'm not seriously considering serializing side stories right now.
True, plenty of loose threads remain...!
But I lack confidence in adding sufficient "Rishir-ness"—the core essence—while developing them.
So at the completion of Dark Fantasy Normalization, I'd like to leave them as fodder for everyone's imagination.
EX) Why is Klana's beak pink?
EX) Night of the Upfire, We're Fucked!?
EX) Is Fienne really lame!?
EX) Ratsil VS Rishir—who wins?
EX) How many digits in Rishir's progeny count?
Next up: talk of the next work.
On that front, consider it Schrödinger's cat.
Ah~ I wanna rest for a while~
Ah~ But my fingers are itching~
Those two states coexisting, you know?
If that box opens one day and a definite Jepabnnnnn is observed...
I'll come back properly, delivering quality so you instantly go, "Oh, it's that writing bastard!"
Then...
Dear readers,
Until we meet again!!!
Byeee~~~~ Au revoir!!!!!