Although Inuyasha was a debut work and hadn't yet proven itself, it wasn't qualified to appear on the magazine cover just yet.
Still, Youei Publishing had given it a decent push—at the very least, the title was featured prominently on the cover.
"Shocking Debut from a Newcomer Manga Artist!"
"Brand-New Series from a Rising Talent!"
Headlines like these immediately drew readers' attention.
Anyone with a passing familiarity with Weekly Shonen Jump knew just how hard it was to get a manga published in its pages—let alone as a rookie. It was nearly impossible.
That impossibility only made people more curious.
Just what kind of prodigy had caught the eye of the prestigious Youei Publishing? What kind of story gave them the confidence to promote it so boldly?
Fueled by that curiosity, many readers who got the new issue didn't go straight to their usual favorite series. Instead, they flipped directly to Inuyasha.
And from that first glance—they were hooked.
The handsome character designs, the fantastical worldbuilding, the intriguing premise—even though the first chapter was short, it grabbed readers instantly.
The story's strange and fascinating setup pulled them in fast. But just as they got immersed, it ended—and left them frustrated, scratching their heads in anticipation.
Who was this girl who'd been transported to a demon-filled world hundreds of years in the past? What would happen to her?
Different time periods, different races… this time-crossing dynamic sparked endless curiosity.
People were left buzzing with questions and excitement for the next chapter.
It was only the first day of Weekly Shonen Jump's release, but with the momentum Youei Publishing had generated, Inuyasha quickly entered the public eye—and began winning hearts.
While manga might not appeal to every demographic, it had a rock-solid fanbase—especially among teens and younger readers.
Even among adults who loved manga, many tried to keep their interest discreet. After all, in Japan, the term "otaku" still carried a bit of social stigma.
But that also meant that the ones who did read manga were die-hard fans.
And when those fans stumbled upon Inuyasha, with its fresh setting and captivating premise, word-of-mouth spread like wildfire.
Whether in school halls or on internet forums, it didn't take long before people everywhere were talking about the astonishing debut of this new artist.
Just one chapter—and it had already seized everyone's hearts.
The hype had only begun.
Back at the sushi shop, as Lin Yu wrapped up his shift and finally got a moment to check his system panel, even he was shocked by what he saw.
[Ultimate Manga System]
Host: Lin Yu
Age: 21
Physical Fitness: 7 (Average adult: 10)
Current Work: Inuyasha
Reputation Points: 153,582
System Shop: Available
Fifteen. Freaking. Thousand. Points.
From zero to five figures in a single day—Lin Yu had hit his first real windfall.
And this was just the beginning. The first day wasn't even over yet. There were still six more to go.
If the hype kept building and the next chapter made waves like he expected, then the buzz around Inuyasha would reach even greater heights. He could already feel the ripple about to shake the manga world.
And that meant… even more readers would come pouring in.
Staring at those unprecedented numbers, Lin Yu's mind raced with possibilities.
He could now use those points to improve his drawing skills—or even draw items from the system's shop.
Back when he started, his goal was just to survive. To find a foothold in this world.
But now? Now, he'd stepped into the second phase.
He could finally start chasing the dreams that once felt out of reach.
Like the mystical artifacts and powers within Inuyasha itself.
The tough times were behind him.
The dark night had passed. And now, a bright, shining future was waving at him from just ahead.
"Let's go out for dinner tonight—my treat."
Even though the official data from Youei Publishing hadn't come in yet, and no one could definitively say Inuyasha was a success, Lin Yu had seen the numbers on his system panel.
And that was enough.
In this era, gauging a manga's success wasn't as easy as in Lin Yu's past life.
Internet access wasn't as widespread, and gathering reader feedback was slow and inefficient.
In manga publishing, it wasn't the editors or even the chief editors who had the final say on what was a hit—it was the readers.
Each week, survey cards were collected from readers and tabulated to determine which series were the most popular.
But that kind of data took time.
Still, just from today's reputation points alone, Lin Yu had all the confirmation he needed.
And since Nana and Tori had been there for him since the beginning, it was only right to celebrate with them.
He'd earned it. And he had some spare money saved from work while waiting for his first manuscript payment.
"This time, let me treat you, Lin-kun. You already paid last time."
Nana smiled warmly and gently declined Lin Yu's offer.
"It's a celebration for you, after all. Right, Tori?"
From the very start, Nana had noticed Lin Yu's frugal lifestyle.
Though he always dressed in the same neat suit, his clothes were spotless—obviously well cared for.
Once, she even caught a glimpse of dampness on his coat, a clear sign that he'd worn it before it had fully dried.
There was no need to ask—she understood.
So when Lin Yu offered to treat them, Nana didn't hesitate to refuse. Sure, this was a happy occasion.
But she didn't want her or Tori's presence to add more burden to Lin Yu's already difficult life.