Popularity Count. A week passed quickly.
Editorial Department of Akatsuki Cultural Company.
In the large conference room.
"Everyone, this is the reader popularity survey for the latest issue." Takashi handed over the report directly and then turned on the projection in the conference room.
Ayumi nervously picked it up and carefully examined the ranking. She even ignored what the chief editor, Takashi, said in the meeting.
In the latest issue of "Manga World Gogo", seventeen works were published, four of which were by newcomers like Ren, thanks to this newcomer grand prize.
There were no newcomer works among the top ten, and Ayumi suddenly felt a little defeated.
But it's normal; a novelist's first publication, no matter how incredible, cannot surpass the works of those established manga authors.
"...Congratulations to Kuroda-san, in charge of Yuhao, for reaching the top spot in popularity in this issue!"
"Clap clap clap clap——!"
Suddenly, under Takashi's direction, all the editors stood up and applauded.
Ayumi was startled, but quickly reacted. She stood up and applauded with everyone.
After the applause, everyone took their seats, and Ayumi saw the popularity ranking of "Edgerunners".
"Cyberpunk 2077: Edgerunners" ranked...
15th.
Ayumi couldn't help but feel a little frustrated. "Manga World Gogo" only published 17 works in the latest issue, and this 15th place means it's third from the bottom in popularity.
Even among the four works published by newcomers, it can only rank second.
She observed the other three newcomer works and also had some impressions. Among them, the newcomer work titled "Psychic Warlock", which ranked higher than "Edgerunners", was in 13th place.
Two spots above "Edgerunners".
At that moment, Takashi spoke about this.
"And the first place in this edition of new works has been won by Zhexuan for Yangyangshu-san's work "Psychic Warlock! Congratulations!"
A tall, thin man with glasses stood up with a smile.
Suddenly, under Takashi's direction, all the members in the conference room applauded him again...
"Moshi Moshi, Moshi Moshi..."
Ayumi heard Ren's familiar voice from the phone. She called Ren as soon as the meeting ended.
This is also one of the editor's duties, and each popularity ranking must be reported to the responsible manga author.
"Amamiya-san..."
But seeing the popularity ranking as third from the bottom, Ayumi didn't know how to tell Ren.
"What's wrong?" Ren asked indifferently. "Tell me if you have something to say."
"It's the popularity ranking of the serialized manga in the latest issue, the popularity of "Edgerunners"...." Ayumi still didn't know what to say.
"Is it last?"
"No, no, no, of course not..." Ayumi quickly said.
"Not last, that's pretty good, at least much better than I expected," Ren said indifferently.
'This is indeed much better than I expected.'
After all, he just published the first episode, and it's not that explosive. How can it suddenly become a blockbuster?
Even if he's a time traveler or a system host, it's impossible for him to ignore basic rules. 'The first episode directly shocked fans and made competitors say that they shouldn't hold that kid back, right? How could something like that happen?'
It's enough that it's not last in popularity.
"But this time, "Edgerunners" is only in 15th place..." Ayumi felt that Ren didn't care, so she said.
"15th... Let's see, there were 17 works in the last issue, which means it's third from the bottom, right? Not bad, hahaha!" Ren said with a smile.
"Amamiya-san, aren't you sad?" Ayumi asked, stunned for a moment.
"Why be sad? I'm new to this, and "Edgerunners" has just been published. Relax... We're not in a hurry," Ren replied, reassuring her.
"..." Ayumi was speechless for a while.
'Is Ren-san careless?''Or is he not taking it seriously?'
"But our editorial department has a rule: if a work ranks last for four consecutive issues, or if its popularity drops by more than 20% for three consecutive times, its discontinuation will be announced..." Ayumi said, gritting her teeth.
"Huh? But aren't we still in third place?" Ren asked, surprised.
"What if it's last in the next episode?" Ayumi asked worriedly.
"Relax... it won't happen." Ren shrugged.
'It's impossible for it to be last in the next episode and then the next four.'
'Well, it's possible. After all, although the setting of "Edgerunners" is excellent, the beginning of the plot is not particularly outstanding.'
Ren believes that the true climax of "Edgerunners" starts in the third episode of the original animation. If adapted to the manga "Edgerunners" by him, it will start around the eighth episode.
The most prominent part is, naturally, the death of the older brother, Maine, in the sixth episode of the original animation and in the last two.
That's the plot that could be considered god-tier.
Looking at it this way, the first six episodes of "Edgerunners" are indeed dangerous.
The previous plot is a bit wronged and even a little awkward.
If there's anything good, it's probably only the numerous cyberpunk settings and the art level, comparable to the original animation, right?
If readers are not interested in the setting or the art level, and the characters are all gods, and the plot is extremely exciting in each issue, then "Edgerunners" is likely to be canceled.
But it doesn't matter.
Ren is just trying to make money, and that's enough for him.
It's not impossible to find a publishing house that will publish the remaining drawings of "Edgerunners" in the future and release them in separate volumes.
"Don't worry, let's take our time, there's no hurry. By the way... do you want to go out for dinner again this weekend?" he asked with a smile.
"Huh? Go out for... dinner?" Ayumi was stunned for a moment. Ren's invitation seemed like a date, right?
Her pretty face suddenly flushed.
"Not just us, Sakura should come by then, but you know, there might be misunderstandings if only Sakura and I go out alone." Ren shrugged and said.
"So that's it... A man and a woman going out alone are easily misunderstood as a couple on a date."
"But if it's one man and two women, no one will have doubts."
"Well... okay..."
After all, Ayumi has no friends here, and she can't stay at home all weekend.