📢 ANNOUNCEMENT 📢
Big news, everyone!
I've just launched a new NSFW Patreon:
👉 patreon.com/PixLust
Here, I'll be posting exclusive NSFW content featuring popular anime girls and fan-favorite female characters 🔥
I started this because my phone is in terrible condition — the screen is nearly unusable. But instead of asking for donations, I wanted to give back with premium content. If you enjoy what I create and want to support me while getting spicy extras, please check it out!
But that's not all!
If you're here for my fanfictions and want to read advance chapters, head over to my fanfiction Patreon:
👉 patreon.com/Forbidden_lust
You'll get early access to upcoming chapters and behind-the-scenes content.
And a big shoutout to Jeferson Scheler for joining the second-highest tier on my fanfiction Patreon! Your support helps keep this journey alive 💙
Thanks to all of you for being here 🙏
Let's keep building something amazing together.
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Chapter 22: Echoes Beneath the Pen Name
Sayuri Sawamura's prediction came true.
Gold will always shine, and a brilliant manga like Attack on Titan was never going to remain hidden.
Eriri Spencer Sawamura dashed downstairs, unable to contain her excitement. "Mom! Mom!" she called, practically throwing herself into Sayuri's arms.
All of Eriri's doujin works and creative projects had always been managed by her mother, Sayuri Sawamura. A former powerhouse in publishing before settling into housewife life, Sayuri now acted as Eriri's agent, promoter, and silent support system.
In Eriri's heart, if her mother hadn't left the industry, she might have been one of Japan's top literary agents.
Sayuri looked down at the message Eriri thrust into her hands. Her eyes scanned it, then widened.
The sender was a veteran editor—Funao Yuto—an influential figure in the manga publishing world. Sayuri had long respected his work.
Without wasting time, she responded to his private message:
> [Mr. Whale is a close friend. Due to health reasons, he's currently offline and unable to handle publication negotiations directly. I've been entrusted as his official representative regarding all matters involving Attack on Titan. —Ms. Sayuri.]
Funao responded quickly:
> [Health reasons? I hope he's okay.]
> [It's serious. He's in the hospital receiving treatment.]
> [That's unfortunate… Please send my best regards to Whale-sensei. I sincerely hope he recovers soon.]
> [Thank you. I'll be sure to pass that along.]
> [Also, Ms. Sayuri, would it be alright to contact you directly?]
> [Absolutely. My number is 0081--*. Feel free to reach out.]
> [Thank you.]
Moments later, Sayuri's phone buzzed with a call from Funao Yuto himself.
Eriri clung to her mother's arm, pressing her ear close to catch the conversation.
The initial negotiations were smoother than expected. Sayuri offered several terms on Lucien's behalf—every one of them accepted.
It was clear: Funao was serious.
He praised Whale's work with genuine admiration and expressed excitement about the future of Attack on Titan. He even offered to assign one of the company's top editors to support the series.
They agreed to meet in person in two days to finalize the contract.
If all went well, Attack on Titan would debut in the next issue of Manga Jump, slated for publication in two weeks.
"Mom, this is amazing!" Eriri's voice cracked with emotion.
Sayuri smiled gently, stroking her daughter's hair. "Then tomorrow, take me to the hospital."
"Huh? Why the hospital?"
"I need to draft a legal authorization and have Lucien sign it. As his agent, I need it to finalize the contract."
"Ah… right."
Eriri wiped the corner of her eye and nodded resolutely.
---
That same day, Lucien D. Blackthorn had been unconscious since receiving the targeted gene therapy.
Thursday morning, he finally stirred, eyes blinking open as the system's cold mechanical voice echoed in his mind.
> [New Mission Unlocked!]
> [Create and publish a sports-themed manga within 7 days. If it garners 20,000 views, reward: +10 days lifespan.]
"Huh…?"
Still disoriented, Lucien's mind struggled to process the abrupt shift.
He had planned to begin Volume 2 of Attack on Titan and build on the traction from Volume 1.
Now the system had blindsided him with a new directive—an entirely different genre.
"This is… unreasonable."
Before he could reflect further, the ward door opened. A nurse peeked in and gasped.
"You're awake? Hold on—I'll get the director!"
Moments later, Lucien's parents, rushed in with the doctor and medical staff.
"Lucien, are you alright?" his mother asked, eyes red from worry.
He nodded weakly. "I'm fine, Mom… much better."
The doctor stepped forward. "We'll need to run a PET-CT scan. We want to see whether the cancer cells have stopped spreading."
"I'm ready." Lucien knew this was routine. But deep inside, he already had his own method of diagnosis.
"System, show panel," he thought.
> [Host: Lucien D. Blackthorn] [Remaining Life: 6 days] [Health: 5/100 – Can remain conscious for 2 hours daily] [Note: First volume of Attack on Titan published. Reward pending.]
His heart sank.
The medicine wasn't working. His health hadn't improved. His time hadn't increased.
Only the system's missions could save him.
"System," he muttered mentally. "Settle the reward for Volume 1."
> [Settlement in progress…] [Quality Rating: S] [Impact Rating: F] [Reward: +8 days lifespan. Health +2.]
Lucien groaned. "Only 8 days?"
> [The formula used is (Quality Rating + Impact Rating) / 2] [Rating Scale: SSS=20, SS=16, S=14, A=12, B=10, C=8, D=6, E=4, F=2, G=0]
"That's brutal…"
> [Tip: As health improves, your body's condition will stabilize. But lifespan remains governed by mission results.]
"So, I'll stay alive—but still have a countdown hanging over me."
> [Updated Status Panel:]
> [Host: Lucien D. Blackthorn] [Remaining Life: 14 days] [Health: 7/100 – Consciousness extended to 2 hours/day] [Current Mission: Create and publish a sports manga within 7 days with 20,000+ views. Reward: +10 days lifespan.]
Lucien exhaled slowly and closed the panel.
A little while later, medical staff wheeled him to the CT suite.
Minutes passed as the machine scanned him from head to toe.
Then, quietly, he was returned to the ICU.
But Lucien wasn't thinking about the scans.
He was already thinking about the next story—the next fight for survival.
If his life was going to be measured in panels and ink, then so be it.
He was ready to keep drawing.
He was Whale.
And stories were how he lived.
(please read the announcement mentioned above)
End of the chapter