Chapter 13: Eriri's Reading Experience
At the top of Detective Slope, night had fallen, but the room in the villa still glowed with neon white light.
The girl with long golden hair, wearing a white sweater, leaned against the headboard with a pillow as a backrest. Her smooth, beautiful legs were hidden under the covers, and she was reading a light novel titled demon slayer.
She had only read her childhood friend's pre-prepared submission. As for this debut work, she knew nothing about it.
After all, her childhood friend hadn't asked her for feedback again, so she didn't feel the need to offer it proactively.
Besides, reading it in advance always diminished the sense of anticipation. It was much more exciting to read it once it was a finished book.
"It's better than I expected. This theme really suits Chihiro. It seems the editor's suggestions worked."
Through a part of the cover's introduction, Eriri already knew this was not a romance-focused light novel.
"I told you, Chihiro, you don't understand romance at all, so you can't write that kind of light novel! But you insisted on arguing with me! Now haven't you compromised! Hmph hmph…"
She mumbled, smiling proudly.
As Eriri officially began reading, her brows furrowed involuntarily.
"You can't write daily romance, but don't write it like this either! Baka Chihiro!"
She said through gritted teeth.
Eriri herself didn't really like stories where people died, so after seeing the early plot, she couldn't help but scold him.
As the story progressed, she gradually became immersed in the world of the light novel.
Because of the author, even if the plot was just passable, she was still captivated.
"I'll finish reading it, then I'll point my finger at his nose and scold him!"
She muttered to herself.
Time passed unnoticed, and deep night turned into early morning.
Eriri rubbed her somewhat dry eyes, then continued to immerse herself in the story.
She read all the way to the climax at the end of the volume, the scene of Tanjiro vs. Lower Moon Five Rui.
Due to the difference in genre, Izumi Chihiro described the decisive battle here in more detail, striving for brilliance and making this death match even more thrilling.
Although light novels don't have the expressive power of animation, in fact, if the skill is strong enough, characters can still be vividly portrayed.
For example, web novels from his previous life left behind too many classic characters and plots, such as the three-year agreement in "Battle Through the Heavens" and the desolate Heavenly Emperor who ruled for eternity…
In short, Izumi Chihiro really put a lot of thought into this part of the story, fully utilizing his maximum ability.
Perhaps it wouldn't be astonishing, but it was certainly satisfying enough.
"Blessed Rain After the Drought… letting the demon die gently, but without being soft-hearted. Hmm, this characterization is much stronger than those 'yasashii' characters."
"Zenitsu and Inosuke, their personalities are quite distinctive. Adding the protagonist, that makes the classic ACG trio setup."
"Because he learned Water Breathing and the Hinokami Kagura he had originally forgotten, his nichirin blade turned black like charcoal… This is a small foreshadowing."
"With the combined effort of the siblings, they finally cut off this demon's head. Wait… why isn't it dead? Didn't they say that decapitation with a nichirin blade means death?!"
"Wait, it's going to end. This baka isn't going to be a chapter-ender, is he! If that's the case, tomorrow I'll go…"
Eriri's mood was extremely anxious at this moment.
She urgently wanted to know the final outcome of this battle.
Flipping the page, it explained why Lower Moon Five Rui avoided death by decapitation.
Although its neck was harder than its own threads, due to the difference in acceleration and pressure, Lower Moon Five cut off its own neck before its neck was severed, so that previous strike actually missed…
"Huh? Even a small boss like this is given such combat intelligence, that's cheating!"
Eriri couldn't help but complain.
However, thankfully, the chapter-ending point at the end of the volume was different from what she expected. While it created anticipation, it didn't cause annoyance.
The scene paused just as Tanjiro was about to be strangled by a Blood Demon Art, when the Water Hashira, Giyu Tomioka, appeared in time and saved Tanjiro's life.
"Giyu Tomioka confronts Lower Moon Five. The battle between a Twelve Demon Moon and a top-tier Demon Slayer Corps swordsman is about to begin. Who will win?"
Leaving such suspense would make readers look forward to the content of the second volume even more.
"Phew…"
Eriri let out a long breath.
"This level, it's barely acceptable! Readable."
Finally, she gave this evaluation.
"Haah…"
She yawned, then her gaze suddenly sharpened, as if she realized something, and she looked at the clock on the wall.
"It's one in the morning!"
Eriri's eyes widened.
She still had school tomorrow.
She had stayed up a bit too late.
Realizing this, she quickly put the novel aside, pulled the covers over herself, and closed her eyes…
The next day, morning.
Eriri arrived in the classroom with a tired body.
"Sawamura Student, you look very tired. Could it be that you stayed up all night reading a novel?"
Takasago Tomoe, who was to her left, noticed this and started a conversation.
"Ugh… don't talk to me."
Eriri shook her head, then pressed her hands against her temples, trying hard to keep her eyelids from drooping.
"Tsk tsk…"
Takasago Tomoe smiled, turned her head, then took out a small mirror and carefully examined the area under her eyes.
Because she had read part of it the previous afternoon, the dark circles, a sign of staying up late, were not very obvious.
When class was dismissed, Izumi Chihiro was about to walk past to the restroom when he suddenly noticed Eriri, who was slumped over her desk.
"What's going on?"
His gaze was puzzled.
"Oh, it's Izumi-dono…"
Takasago Tomoe looked over.
"It's probably because Sawamura Student stayed up all night reading a novel yesterday."
She said with certainty.
"Oh?"
He raised an eyebrow.
"After you left yesterday, Sawamura Student came over and contributed three sales, you know."
She continued, her tone teasing.
"Eriri, thank you."
Izumi Chihiro smiled faintly and whispered beside her.
After he left the classroom, Takasago Tomoe suddenly felt a pressure on her toes.
She looked down and saw a round-toed leather shoe stepping on her right foot.
"Takasago-douchi, don't be a busybody!"
Eriri tilted her head, revealing her profile and her small, intimidating canine teeth.
"Are you embarrassed?"
Takasago Tomoe countered as if unfazed.
It hardened.
Eriri felt her fist harden.
"You're asking for a beating!"
She swung her small fist.