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Chapter 61: The Weight of Creation
On Thursday night, Lucien quietly called upon the system to settle the rewards for Slam Dunk Volume 4.
[Settlement in progress…]
[After evaluation, the comic work Slam Dunk Volume 4 has received a Quality Rating: S and an Impact Rating: A.]
[Congratulations, Host, for receiving a 13-day lifespan bonus! Health value +5!]
——
[Host: Lucien D. Blackthorn]
[Remaining Lifespan: 43 days]
[Health Value: 20/100 (Can maintain extra consciousness for 2 hours per day)]
——
[System Tip: Congratulations, Host, on reaching a health value of 20. From now on, the probability of fainting or losing consciousness due to illness will be greatly reduced.]
[System Tip: Congratulations, Host, you have earned one prize lottery opportunity!]
Lucien's heart pounded in his chest, excitement welling up. Every reward meant more time—one step closer to living long enough to keep drawing, to keep chasing his dream.
"Lottery!" he ordered firmly.
[Drawing rewards…]
[Congratulations! You have received an additional 10-day lifespan bonus, Health value +2!]
——
[Host: Lucien D. Blackthorn]
[Remaining Lifespan: 53 days]
[Health Value: 22/100 (Can maintain extra consciousness for 2 hours per day)]
——
Lucien stared at the glowing panel, almost breathless. His lifespan had extended to 53 days. For a moment, his chest tightened—not with pain this time, but with joy.
More than fifty days. That was nearly two months. Two months meant two more volumes, maybe more.
He was so thrilled he couldn't sleep, mind racing with anticipation for when the second volume of Attack on Titan would be completed—and the new settlement rewards that awaited him.
---
Weekly Shonen Magazine – Editorial Department
Meanwhile, at the offices of Weekly Shonen Magazine, tension crackled in the air.
In the reception room, Editor-in-Chief Ryunosuke Kyuki sat across from manga author Jin Seong-geon. Their voices had risen to sharp tones, locked in a heated argument.
Kyuki slammed his palm against the table. "Your story for Titan Wars is too predictable! If we want to outshine Attack on Titan, we need plot twists, shocking developments—something that will grip readers by the throat!"
Jin adjusted his glasses, his tone sharp with irritation. "Editor Kyuki, my team has already mapped out the entire outline. Every detail is in place. If we force changes now just to pander to trends, it will destroy the pacing—and worse, compromise our two-chapters-per-week schedule."
He narrowed his eyes. "You're being short-sighted. Titan Wars doesn't need cheap tricks. It's designed to be a long-lasting classic. Competing with a short-lived work like Attack on Titan is beneath us."
The words stung. Kyuki's lips thinned into a straight line, but he could find no retort. His pride as an editor boiled, yet he could only grit his teeth.
In the end, the two parted unhappily—one side unwilling to bend, the other frustrated by arrogance.
---
The Hospital Room
Friday morning.
Mizuki arrived at the hospital with a large folder tucked under her arm. Her face lit up when she saw Lucien, and she quickly placed the manuscript on his desk.
"Senpai, I've finished Chapter 13 for Attack on Titan Volume 3," she said, sounding both proud and a little nervous.
Lucien leafed through the pages. Volume 3 now contained Chapters 10 to 13, along with a special side story focusing on a new character—the Captain. Five chapters in total.
It had taken Mizuki nearly three weeks to finish. Her progress had improved a lot since she first began, but to Lucien, the pace still felt sluggish. If he had done everything alone, he could have finished the same amount in just a few days.
Still, he didn't complain. Assistants weren't just for drawing—they were vital for running errands, managing details, and providing support. And Mizuki, for all her timidness, was hardworking and undeniably cute.
Of course, Lucien had no improper thoughts about her. His heart was already set elsewhere—with Eriri.
---
Mizuki flipped through the manuscript herself, frowning slightly. "Senpai… is this Captain Levi really that important? He doesn't look very impressive. Why dedicate a whole special chapter to him?"
Lucien chuckled, closing his sketchbook. "He's far more important than he seems. Trust me, he'll play a critical role in the story later."
"Really?" Mizuki tilted her head, unconvinced.
"Yes. In fact, Levi is the kind of character who will outshine even the protagonist."
Her eyes widened. "Outshine Eren? But… he's short, has those dead-fish eyes… and honestly, doesn't look very cool. Isn't Eren way more handsome?"
Lucien almost burst out laughing. If only she knew. "Mizuki, remember this: in order to make a story successful, you don't just need a strong protagonist. You need supporting characters who are even more compelling than the hero, and villains more captivating than the righteous ones."
Mizuki blinked, slowly absorbing the lesson. "…So Levi is the kind of supporting role you're talking about? More outstanding than the protagonist?"
"That's right."
She wrinkled her nose again. "Still, I can't see how such a short guy could ever be cooler than Eren…"
Lucien smirked and shook his head. You'll regret those words, Mizuki. Levi's popularity will crush everyone else's. Time will prove it to you.
---
As she packed up her tools, Mizuki suddenly looked at Lucien seriously.
"Senpai… I admire you more and more."
Lucien raised an eyebrow. "And why's that?"
Her cheeks flushed as she admitted, "Because Mai Sakurajima is following your manga! Even members of our school's art club are reading it now!"
Lucien blinked. "Really?"
"Mm-hmm! You must get better soon, Senpai. I want you to keep creating stories that inspire people everywhere."
Her words warmed his heart. For such a timid girl, Mizuki could be surprisingly sweet. Perhaps all the effort he put into teaching her wasn't wasted after all.
---
That afternoon, Eriri burst into his hospital room, cheeks pink from running.
She handed him the latest issue of Manga Jump, chatted for a few minutes, then apologized. "Sorry, I can't stay long today. My family has relatives visiting, so we're all going out for dinner."
She promised to visit again next week, but admitted she might not be able to come over the weekend.
Lucien gave her a reassuring smile. "It's fine. You have your own life, too."
After she left, he leaned back on his pillow and opened the magazine.
This issue contained Chapters 7 and 8 of Attack on Titan Volume 2. The final chapter, Chapter 9, would be serialized next week—bringing the volume to a close.
Once that happened, Lucien could settle the system rewards for Volume 2.
And because Manga Jump had a circulation of over one million, the exposure and influence would be massive. The rewards this time would surely eclipse anything he'd received before.
The thought filled Lucien with anticipation. His hands trembled slightly as he closed the magazine, his heart burning with renewed determination.
Soon. Very soon.
---
✨ End of Chapter 61
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