The tent's interior was a bit dim, but the computer screen was lit, indicating it had power.
Many items were laid out on the ground.
There were various types of light novels, manga, magazines, figures, dolls, and other merchandise.
The only thing missing was anything related to music.
The three of them were amazed.
Gotou Hitori couldn't help but think that perhaps it wouldn't be bad for her to live in a place like this in the future.
Tsuchigumo Hotaru, on the other hand, noticed that many of these light novels were his own works.
Seeing these, he couldn't help but recall the glorious moments when he wrote and plagiarized light novels.
Besides the Slime he had just discovered, there were also a series of classic long-running masterpieces like 'Re: Zero - Starting Life in Another World', 'KonoSuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World!', and 'My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong, As I Expected'.
However, these works shared a common characteristic: they only had a few volumes, because Tsuchigumo Hotaru had only updated that many.
He really couldn't plagiarize or make up the later plot.
Thanks to his diverse range of novel genres, Tsuchigumo Hotaru was known in the industry as a 'hexagonal warrior'.
Perhaps his writing wasn't the most top-notch, and he didn't have any golden fingers at the time.
He could only rely on his limited memory and his diligent efforts in literature to replicate these popular works.
Only Nijika's face darkened; she wondered what kind of poison Ryo had been subjected to by these things.
light novels are truly harmful!
Ryo had become a complete otaku this time!
"Amen."
The three of them were drawn to Yamada Ryo's actions.
Yamada Ryo was praying to something on the small table in the center.
However, when Tsuchigumo Hotaru saw the black and white photo in the memorial frame, his pupils constricted.
No wonder his eyelids had been twitching.
So you were the culprit.
Yamada Ryo, do you have no heart!
The memorial photo was naturally not Tsuchigumo Hotaru's own picture, as he had never revealed his identity.
Instead, it was a Photoshopped composite photo of Tsuchigumo Hotaru, the light novel author, from his various works, with his pen name prominently displayed.
It was very striking.
He Huo Huo.
That was Tsuchigumo Hotaru's pen name for publishing light novels.
The characters 'He' and 'Huo' combined form the character 'Qiu' from Tsuchigumo Hotaru's name.
The last 'Huo' represented Tsuchigumo Hotaru's firm belief that his works would definitely become popular.
As for why he chose such a name?
In fact, Japanese light novel authors have a small requirement when choosing pen names, unlike Chinese web novel authors who can choose freely.
At least it shouldn't be too casual or explicit.
Because well-written light novels have a chance to be physically published, and the author's pen name is naturally indispensable on physical books.
So publishing houses also hope that the author's pen name is more standardized and normal.
Of course, if it's a web version serialized on the internet, it doesn't matter.
So, don't underestimate the ordinary name.
This was something Tsuchigumo Hotaru had come up with after much contemplation!
Tsuchigumo Hotaru didn't have time to be sad; he was about to say something but found he couldn't.
Why isn't the person in the photo you, Kita…
This was originally a very funny scene, but it wasn't fun when it happened to him.
…
"Ryo, what are you doing?" Nijika asked.
"Praying to this departed author. I pray every day."
Tsuchigumo Hotaru finally couldn't help but speak: "Ryo, this author seems, no, must still be alive, right?"
Gotou Hitori also looked at the photo in confusion; she knew this author.
Yamada Ryo glanced over, "If the works aren't updated, what's the difference from being gone?"
Tsuchigumo Hotaru was speechless.
"That seems to make some sense."
Ijichi Nijika said with difficulty.
Tsuchigumo Hotaru was greatly struck; even Nijika thought so.
Was he really wrong?
No, he wasn't wrong; this world was.
…
Next, Yamada Ryo continued to say that several of this author's books were discontinued after only a few volumes, and the publisher's editor had also issued a statement that the author was unwell and resting in the hospital.
Tsuchigumo Hotaru secretly thought, Miss Machida, don't just arrange for me to be hospitalized!
"This author still has a few completed works."
Tsuchigumo Hotaru couldn't help but defend himself.
"For example, 'Your Name', 'I Want to Eat Your Pancreas', 'Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day'…"
"But… but those are all depressing works that make people incredibly sad after reading them."
Gotou Hitori suddenly said, as someone already pessimistic, after reading these, she felt even more hopeless about life.
"Eh? Hitori, you read them too? Hearing that, this author is really a bit… well, that!"
Nijika commented.
Tsuchigumo Hotaru was on the verge of tears.
He wanted to say, all of this was truly just a coincidence!
He had only wanted to make quick money at the time, and to make quick money, he naturally had to write short stories, stories suitable for adaptation into movies.
Also, he remembered short stories more clearly and could easily finish them.
He truly had no intention of hurting anyone!
Adjusting his breathing slightly, Tsuchigumo Hotaru continued.
"But these works all received very good reviews."
"That is true."
Yamada Ryo didn't refute this time.
Tsuchigumo Hotaru finally felt a little comfort in his heart.
"Oh, by the way, Nijika, this is for you."
Yamada Ryo somehow pulled out another memorial frame and handed it to Nijika.
Seeing the person in the frame, Nijika was greatly alarmed.
"Don't just kill people off!"
Wait, Nijika, you didn't say that just now.
This time, the person in the photo frame was a black and white picture of Kita Ikuyo.
Kita Ikuyo in the photo still had her sunny smile.
"I heard from the manager that your guitar and lead vocalist disappeared, so I made one for you too."
Ijichi Nijika looked helpless, then covered the photo frame and put it away.
Tsuchigumo Hotaru felt much better when he found out Kita also had one.
But Kita hadn't seen it yet!
He must find an opportunity to let Kita see it with her own eyes!
Gotou Hitori's face was pale: Ryo-chan, how scary, to so easily sentence two people to death.
To avoid getting too bogged down in this topic.
Tsuchigumo Hotaru quickly spoke: "So, Ryo, did your musical soul die because this author stopped updating?"
Yamada Ryo nodded, "Yes."
Ijichi Nijika's face went pale, that such a simple reason could affect the bond between her and Ryo.
She had thought there would be some other, more legitimate reason.
Nijika couldn't help but feel a hint of curiosity and a little resentment towards this author named "He Huo Huo".
"So, if this author re… cough, updates, your musical soul can be revived?" Tsuchigumo Hotaru said.
Yamada Ryo blinked, "Should, might, probably?"
"Give a definite answer!" Nijika shouted.
"Anyway, that author can't be revived."
Yamada Ryo wiped away non-existent tears.
Tsuchigumo Hotaru smiled: "That's not necessarily true."
It seemed that to get Yamada Ryo to pick up the bass again, he would have to make a comeback.
The three of them looked at Tsuchigumo Hotaru curiously.
"As I said before, I'm also reading this author's books."
Yamada Ryo nodded; she still thought Tsuchigumo Hotaru was making excuses for this hateful author.
"And then, actually, I have a friend…"
"This friend's parent works at the publishing house where 'He Huo Huo'-sensei is, so I have some inside information."
"Although it's inside information, it's almost certainly true that He Huo Huo-sensei will update next month."
"So, Ryo, can you play bass later?"
"Really?" Gotou Hitori and Ijichi Nijika's hopes were rekindled.
One thought she could read the later chapters, and the other thought Ryo could play bass again.
Tsuchigumo Hotaru nodded confidently.
Yamada Ryo, however, calmly said: "What if he doesn't update?"
Tsuchigumo Hotaru paused, as expected of Ryo, so calm, not taking the bait.
His eyes darted around, and Tsuchigumo Hotaru said again:
"If he doesn't update, I'll give you a book signed by He Huo Huo-sensei."
Anyway, a signature was just a small matter for Tsuchigumo Hotaru.
Yamada Ryo's eyes lit up.
This seemed feasible.
Signed editions were worth a lot in the second-hand market!
Whether this author was still around seemed to be no longer important; rather, one might say.
It's better if he's not? That way, the signature should be worth more.
"Deal!"
Yamada Ryo said quickly.
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