Chapter 4: We need investnts
The sun was barely up when I stepped out the door, coin pouch swinging at my waist.
The silver clinked softly, almost like it was cheering on.
I was heading to the market.
I needed paper.
Lots of it.
[Current project requires expansion. One Chapter is insufficient for large-scale literary impact.]
"I know," I muttered under my breath. "We can't just rely on a single Chapter if we wanna go big. I need to mass-produce this... make copies. Spread it everywhere."
[Correct. Printing technology in this world is primitive. Hand-copying will take ti. Recomndation: Seek investors.]
"Investors, huh...?"
[Individuals with financial resources and influence who can fund materials, labor, and distribution. Compiling local list...]
A short pause.
[Top candidate: Lord Halven Dros. Noble ruler of Farrowbrook. Wealthy. Collects rare books. Potential target.]
"The guy who owns half the town? Yeah... he could be useful."
But I wasn't ready yet. Not with just Chapter 1.
I needed more before going full manga-mogul.
At least three Chapters. Build the world, break hearts, and make him beg for more.
[Plan confird. Acquire materials. Begin next Chapters imdiately.]
"Exactly."
By the ti I reached the marketplace, the sll of bread and goats hit like a wave.
Stalls lined the streets, and sleepy rchants were just starting to open up.
Then I saw it. A small stall with parchnt scrolls, ink bottles, and dusty brushes stacked neatly on display.
Perfect.
I walked up and slamd a silver coin onto the wooden table.
The rchant, a wrinkled old man with ink-stained fingers, stared at it like I'd just thrown a diamond at him.
"H-Holy hells, boy..." he wheezed. "You trying to buy my whole stall?!"
"I want paper," I said, staring him down. "As much as that'll get ."
He rubbed his chin, did so squinting, maybe so math in his head.
"...At most? I can give you 100 scrolls."
I stared at him.
Then at the silver coin.
Then back at him.
"...Whatever."
He blinked. "You're not gonna argue?"
"Nope. Just bag it."
I had manga to make.
* * *
The mont I stepped back into my room, I locked the door behind .
The paper stack sat on the desk, waiting.
So much white. So much potential.
I was about to begin Chapter 2.
But first—mass production.
[Reminder: One story is not enough. Widespread distribution is required.]
"Exactly. We can't copy these by hand forever," I muttered. "Hey GTP, how do we... make a printer?"
[Query acknowledged. Creating blueprint for early printing press...]
I sat down as glowing lines sketched themselves across my mind like blueprints from a dream.
[Device will use etched tal or wooden plates, pressure rollers, and an ink-stamping system. Estimated build ti: 1 month. Materials: Refined tal, carved molds, press chanism, ink refinent system.]
"How much would it cost?"
[According to the material prices, trade routes, and rchant rates I've analyzed over the past week...]
[Total estimate: 10 gold coins.]
I froze.
"...10. Gold. Coins."
Let explain how bad that is.
In this world, 10 copper = 1 bronze.
100 bronze = 1 silver.
1,000 silver = 1 gold.
And I needed TEN of those gold bastards.
That's... a fortune.
That's noble-tier money.
That's "I own land and a pet wyvern" kind of money.
[Conclusion: You require investnt.]
"...Right," I said, leaning back in my chair. "So we make a plan. We write. We hook soone powerful. And then..."
I looked at the blank paper, eyes burning.
"...We take over this entire world's entertainnt industry."
[Beginning creative session. Today's objective: Chapter 2 and Chapter 3 of Titanheart Chronicles.]
"Let's get to work."
[Activating Drawing Mode. Motor link established. Ready when you are, Master.]
I cracked my knuckles, placed the charcoal stick in my hand, and whispered:
"Let's make them cry again."
And so, the manga empire... continued.
The morning light leaked through the wooden shutters.I was still slumped over the desk, ink on my fingers, my eyes bloodshot.But it was worth it.
Two full Chapters.Chapter 2 and Chapter 3 of Titanheart Chronicles.Drawn in one night.
I yawned, stretched my sore arms, and dragged the new pages to the kitchen table.
Dad was already there, gnawing on a stale piece of bread like it owed him money.I placed the new stack in front of him.
"...More," I mumbled.
He blinked. "You... actually finished it?"
He started flipping through the pages.Then—
Sniff.
Tears welled up in his eyes before he even hit the halfway point.
He clutched his chest, dramatically gasping."W-What is this feeling?! Is this what the heavens feel like?! This... this blessing before my eyes!?"
My mom peeked over his shoulder.Five seconds in—"Dear gods... Erien made it! He managed to balance!!!"
By the end of Chapter 3, both of them were crying.Again.
Dad slamd the pages down, desperate."W-WHERE'S THE NEXT ONE?!"
I blinked slowly, cracked a grin, and said—
"I ran out of paper."
He froze.
"...Oh right! I'll give you more mone—"He reached for his coin pouch.Opened it.Stared inside.
There was nothing.
"...Oh."
He slumped in his chair like a deflated cabbage.
"I... I won't get to see the next Chapter...?"
The light faded from his eyes.My mom gently patted his shoulder like he'd just lost a friend.
But I smirked.
"It's okay."
He looked up, confused. "Huh?"
I stood tall, wiped my ink-stained hands on my cloak, and said—
"I'm gonna get investnts."
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