"One Player's Handbook, please!"
"Incoming!"
Today is the second day of Comiket, and sales of D&D and Terraria have significantly increased compared to the previous day. The reason is simple: Japanese boys, and people in general, are drawn to RPGs, and both of my products cater to that interest.
This reminds me that I need to create a virtual reality game, as that would surely make headlines, especially since Sword Art Online is a hit in this world. However, I probably won't follow that model, as it's not a style I prefer. I didn't watch the entire series, but stopped at Gun Gale Online, and from what I saw, the NPCs were lacking.
If I were to develop such a game, I would opt for something more like Overgeared, with NPCs that resemble real people. Or perhaps I could go all-out on game mechanics and create something akin to Yggdrasil from Overlord.
Anyway, with more customers coming in, I found that my leisure time was reduced. Not that I mind it.
"Excuse me, how much for Terraria?"
This is the price of success.
---
"How is it going for you, Masachika?"
The day finished, and I was relaxing in a café with Kyoya. We were sipping drinks while waiting for our food to arrive.
"It's going relatively well. Yesterday was a bit slow, but today I sold over thirty books and forty games. If this pace continues, I'll sell out everything before the last day, which is exactly what I want. How about you?"
"Honestly, I didn't expect her help to be so impactful. Just today, we sold three hundred copies of the game, and we have no issues with our stock. Keiko-san ordered ten thousand copies since it won't just be sold here but in other game stores as well."
"Oh, I see. What about your earnings? Do you have all the profits here but lose out on future sales?"
"No, the four of us share a percentage from every sale for the future. We'll just give more to Tsurayuki to cover his college expenses, which is why he started doing this."
"That's great for you. It was a smart choice since giving up future earnings for immediate profit might seem more tempting now, but it would have cost more in the long run."
"Yes... but only if the game becomes a hit."
I looked directly at him to capture his full attention.
"Kyoya, I've told you before, but you all have talent. Even though you sacrificed a lot for this, the end results are far from what you initially projected. There's no doubt it will be memorable."
This is the problem with most Japanese protagonists: they tend to struggle with self-esteem. Thankfully, Kyoya isn't that bad—he just has moments of doubt, but overall, he is mentally mature. I'd say his struggles stem more from seeking a second chance in life rather than actual self-esteem issues, but it's something he'll overcome with time.
"...Why are you so sure?" he asked, his gaze sad, which is something he usually displays when discussing future matters unrelated to work.
But how should I lighten the mood...?
"It's because I drank a strange potion that gave me superpowers, and thanks to that, I can confidently say that you all have talent," I said, completely serious and without a trace of shame.
Kyoya stared at me, completely astonished, unsure whether to believe me.
"...I'm joking, you know?"
[Lying Lv.24->25]
He turned red, embarrassed to have believed me even for just a moment. I ignored the notification and continued.
"It's because I'm a genius that I can say this."
"Oh... thanks. I don't know how you do it, but you sure seem more than just a precocious nine-year-old."
"It's because I'm amazing... and you are amazing too, you know?"
I smiled smugly to liven up the conversation and pull him out of his self-deprecating thoughts.
"So, am I more amazing than you?"
"Hey, get your head out of the clouds. You're decades away from my level of amazingness."
We continued to chat lively, discussing interesting news from home and college.
---
Today is the last day of Comiket, and as I expected, my products sold out yesterday around noon. I made over a million in profit, but that's not what really matters; I'm still earning money from my dungeon runs.
I had breakfast with Kyoya, who had to head to the fair afterward, and then I returned to clean myself up. After a short shower, I retrieved an outfit from my inventory—a vest, shirt, pants, tie, and cape, all part of a suit that would be more appropriate for a man from the 1800s.
Along with a top hat, cane, and a chest holder for a firearm, this is the perfect cosplay of Klein Moretti. Why do I call it perfect? Because it's not just a man-made suit; it's the one originally worn by him, with all the details and nuances. Of course, the firearm is excluded.
The outfit is perfectly normal, without any defense or enchantments. It's made of materials that are currently on the market, appearing tailor-made for and by me. After all, the materials and craftsmanship aren't common nowadays.
Putting it on wasn't challenging at all, thanks to the equipment function of my inventory; the process is instant, and I didn't have to struggle with buttons or anything.
Honestly, the only reason I took it out was to admire it and to impress myself. Fangirling isn't really my style; after all, I'm supposed to be a cool guy.
Once I was ready, I arrived at Comiket and noticed a significant increase in cosplayers today. This wasn't surprising, as there was a competition for the best costume. "Lord of the Mysteries" is a series that's still not widely known. Yes, I may have over three hundred thousand people actively following the series, but that number is small compared to the total number of anime fans.
This isn't just a publicity stunt; it's genuinely for my personal enjoyment. In my past life, I never tried cosplay. I participated in a few fairs and took photos with those who cosplayed as characters I recognized, but I never attempted it myself, even though I always wanted to.
So, I was here to enjoy the experience—not as myself, but as Klein Moretti. Thanks to my [Acting] skill being at level 43, it felt natural to imitate the gait of someone from a steampunk world in the Victorian era, portraying someone cultured rather than just a regular worker with odd tastes.
It felt great. I'm tall for a 9-year-old Japanese boy, and I have an air of maturity that sets me apart from other kids my age, though I still have a 'baby face' that's typical for a kid. But since I was cosplaying, no one perceived me as a child; instead, people complimented me on doing an excellent job for a high schooler.
Not only did some fans recognize me from artwork I posted, but even those who weren't fans of "Lord of the Mysteries" asked for photos.
As I wandered around aimlessly, looking for some entertainment, a voice called out to me.
"OMG! Is it Klein from Lord of the Mysteries? Please take a photo with me; I'm a huge fan!"
A girl excitedly approached me, cosplaying as a maid character.
"Yes, that's me. We can definitely take a photo—wait, are you Shizuku Kuroe from that game... ugh... an eroge, if I remember correctly?"
"Yes, it's from Saint Slippery's Academy for Girls: The Young Ladies of the Humiliation Club - Debauched Miracle Life 2. I'm a fan of the game, and she is my waifu, for sure! So, today I wanted to be just like her. Ta-da! How do I look?"
She twirled in place, and I took a good look at her. While she smiled, I could sense the uncertainty beneath it. I could praise her energy, but apart from her hair and stockings, the dress didn't quite meet expectations.
"Well, there's still some work to do, but overall you're drop-dead gorgeous," I said.
Although her cheeks remained uncolored due to her makeup, I could feel the impact of my words on her.
"Hahaha, thank you! By the way, my name is Kitagawa Marin, but you can call me Marin."
"Hi Marin, I'm Masachika Kuze; feel free to call me Kuze."
I could feel it—she wasn't just anyone in this world. She was an interesting character.