It wasn't suppose-d… to end like that!
George reflected, as he had tossed his hat… back on the rack, which was situated near the front door of his small flat.
As he lay back, his back flat on the flat mattress in his flat, he thought back to what had happened [in Chapter 407], and considered why things had fallen flat.
…Oh… So it was like that!? As he mentally back-tracked, he was also able to get his mind back on track.
Indeed. He and Author had perhaps been too… needy - their demeanour in shamelessly begging for Powerstones may have seemed somewhat seedy - and not to mention… the moustache…!!! It - It had probably made him look weedy…
Luckily, George wasn't one to dwell on the past. And in any case, he had had a blast! -The interaction with the [Transcendent] Veteran Great Grandmaster readers, the subsequent escape and run - why, it had been fun! - and well, judging by the current [Powerstone Contribution] values the novel had received, the job had been more or less done!?
At this point, Author helpfully provided one… piece of data worth celebrating - the Total [Powerstone Contribution] Levels of the novel to date had reached over 2000?!?!?!?!
Wow!!!
"Well, how else could you actually live in a flat bro..." Author naturally explained where some of the Powerstones had went - indeed, they all went back into supporting the characters + making the novel better [at least this was the general intent] - and why, he himself had even upgraded his cardboard box now - into a tent?!?!
"Oh! Thanks Author!!! …You're the… best… I am very… happy to have a… flat." [1] George appeared to flat…ter Author.
[1] Full, actual quote from their chat: "Oh! Thanks Author!!! That said. You're not thinking you can bribe me so easily with just a few words are you?! Right now I only have a bad disguise, a hat on a rack and a flat mattress. It would be the best if you made me better at disguises at least. I am also very happy to accept a flat fee of Powerstones…"
Just as George was about to protest [at being quoted out of context], Author quickly explained the rest.
"Don't worry old sport. You did well back there [in Chapter 407]. To back you up, for having my back, I've decided that for the upcoming PPV promotional campaign, we won't hold back…"
Author then slapped George on the back, in a poorly disguised attempt to 'encourage' him so he could hurry up and get to the PPV Promo material and progress the plot.
Needless to say. George, being a veteran at the whole 'persuading' business, initially wasn't fully convinced - that is, until Author grinned and tossed over the pre-arranged sack…
George Lazer's eyes lit up like lasers, as he lasered in, on the glittering Powerstones that lay within!!!
"Ah…!!!" 🤩🤭✨
But then he vaguely registered the particular 'something', what Author had snuck in…
"Wait… PPV Promotional material? What's that?"
Now it was Author's eyes… that glinted 🤭✨ as he spied… a new shameless technique that could be tried…
"-Here."
He quickly tossed over a couple of photos, one depicting the face of a certain sneering swordsman chewing his upper lip in a manner that immediately made one want to punch the aforementioned face, the other of a jacked muscleman who was striking a "Mr Olympia" pose whilst sipping some… juice through a straw.
"Arroe Gant. Meatius Maximus. …You've… heard of them before, yeah?"
George frowned, as he searched through all the previous chapters of the novel up to this point; well, perhaps it could be implied from the World Ball, but quite frankly… these… randoms… he… truly didn't really know of them at all… !!!
"I… may have vaguely heard of their names…"
George hedged. "What are you thinking, and what's the aim?"
Author for his part didn't beat around the… bush 🫢✨🤭
"Well. Right now, our PPV pair are currently somewhat lacking in fame - and it's not surprising, seeing from whence they originally came…"
"But whilst they may have initially come off as lame, it's a *possibility*, that people might not always stay the same…" ✨
"With your talents, being a 'veteran' in the game… It might be possible to help change the frame…"
George perked up at the mention of the claim… that he was skilled?! He patted his chest… filled with increasing zest… perhaps this would be a test… of his ability?!
"I see. In that case, feel free, to leave it to me."
"Then again. Such things can't be forced, of course. In the end it would be also up to their own fate - whether or not they turn out great…"
"So… how about we just do a write-up based on what we currently know. And then. Eh. We'll see how things go…" 👀✨🌻💫🫢🤭