Chapter 49: The Dominating Answer
Editorial morning meeting. Lee projected the latest data onto the screen. The blue curve shot up to a shocking height at Chapter 15—75.3%.
The conference room fell deathly silent, followed immediately by suppressed gasps.
"75.3%!" Kevin Zhang's hand trembled slightly as he adjusted his glasses. "This didn't just break our magazine's record; it broke the single-chapter approval record for the entire weekly manga industry in the last decade!"
Sue pulled up comparison data. "The previous record was 74.8%, set by Legend of the Sword God at its peak in 2015, held for seven years. Now, FMA Chapter 15 not only broke it but surpassed it by 0.5 points."
Lee took a deep breath, tapping his finger on the table. "Do you know what this means?"
"It means from today on, Fullmetal Alchemist is the new ceiling of weekly manga." He enunciated every word. "No matter who the opponent is, no matter how pretty their data, in front of the number 75.3%, they must bow their heads."
He pulled up data for The Thorn Bird Chapter 6—approval rating 71.1%, down 0.4 points from Chapter 5.
"And our competitor, after redrawing and delaying, handed in an answer sheet of decline." Lee's tone was calm, but every word hit like a hammer. "The gap widened from 3.3 points to 4.2 points. This isn't chasing; this is being left in the dust."
The room was quiet enough to hear breathing.
"Now, all industry discussion has changed." Kevin Zhang pulled up a summary of forum and media discussions. "No one asks 'Can White Night challenge Alex Walker' anymore. Everyone is asking—Where is FMA's limit?"
Sue added, "More critical is the professional evaluation. Last night, three top domestic literary critics jointly published an article in Culture Review titled: 'Fullmetal Alchemist: When Manga Becomes Serious Literature.'"
She projected the abstract:
"...This work has transcended the entertainment category of manga. The ethical dilemmas, political conspiracies, and civilization conflicts it explores reach the depth of serious literature. Yet its unique panel language and narrative rhythm display the artistic charm exclusive to the medium of manga..."
"...The creative vision shown by author Alex Walker is phenomenal in the domestic manga industry. He is not an 'excellent manga artist,' but an 'artist conducting serious creation through manga'..."
"...We suggest the literary and critical circles face the value of this work squarely. It marks the beginning of a new era—manga can carry the most profound thoughts."
The room was silent. The weight of this review was immense. This wasn't the manga circle hyping itself; this was active recognition from the mainstream literary world, and top-tier recognition at that.
"Now," Lee looked around, excitement uncontrollable in his voice, "the entire industry must re-examine FMA, re-examine Alex Walker, and re-examine—what heights the medium of manga can actually reach."
Saturday morning. An unprecedented long line formed outside the Oak Creek Bookstore.
When Mr. Henderson opened at 5:30 AM, over fifty people were already gathered. Students, office workers, even middle-aged people looking like teachers or civil servants.
"Boss! NextGen! Three copies!"
"I want five! For collection!"
"Is the FMA tankobon available? When is Vol 3 coming?"
"Heard it broke a ten-year record?"
Henderson was sweating. He had never seen such a scene—no, Oak Creek had never seen such a scene. A manga magazine causing so many adults to queue up was unimaginable before.
10:00 AM. The forum exploded completely.
Of the top twenty threads on the homepage, nineteen were about FMA Chapter 15.
The hottest thread title: "Rational Analysis: The Dominating Logic Behind FMA's 75.3% Approval."
The OP was a veteran industry data analyst:
"Many people only see the number 75.3%, but don't understand the terror behind it.
First, this record was set at Chapter 15. Usually, a manga's peak is at 30-50 chapters. FMA hitting this height at less than half the length means huge room for growth.
Second, demographic data is terrifying. Approval from readers over 25 is 78.1%, readers with degrees 79.3%. This means the work attracts the most consumptive, appreciative, and loyal core group. They won't leave easily; they will follow to the end, buy all volumes, become true 'die-hards'.
Third, professional recognition. The Culture Review article is a wind vane. It means FMA has broken the circle into mainstream culture. Next, more literary, critical, and academic attention will follow. This isn't a question of 'is the manga hot' anymore, but 'can the work enter the classic sequence'.
And all this is built on one foundation—the quality of the work itself.
Chapter 15's Eastern Arc showed not just a new map and characters, but another leap in creative vision. From personal ethics to political conspiracy, now rising to a civilization perspective. This ability to constantly open new dimensions is Alex Walker's most terrifying aspect.
So, those still thinking of 'chasing' or 'challenging' can wake up. You are not chasing a 'hot manga,' but a work becoming a classic. The gap is not something effort can fill; it's a total domination of talent, vision, and scope.
Final word: Being able to witness FMA's serialization in this era is our luck. Enjoy it; such a work might not appear once in ten years."
This article was crazily forwarded, comments breaking ten thousand instantly:
"OP spoke the truth..."
"Thought White Night had a chance before, now looking... truly not in the same dimension."
"FMA is not just manga, it's a phenomenon."
"But White Night works hard too, pity she was born in the wrong era, serializing alongside a monster."
Manga Weekly Editor-in-Chief's office. Atmosphere heavy as a funeral.
Gavin Zhao looked at the number 75.3% on the screen, silent for a long time. Beside him, editors stood heads down, afraid to breathe.
"Everyone saw it?" Zhao finally spoke, voice hoarse.
No one dared to answer.
"Gap is 4.2 points, and widening." Zhao smiled bitterly. "And now, he's recognized by the literary world. And us? Our works haven't even conquered the manga circle."
He looked at The Thorn Bird's editor. "What does White Night say?"
"She... after reading Chapter 15, she locked herself in her room all day." The editor whispered. "When she submitted the draft this morning, her eyes were swollen. She said... Chapter 6 was still inferior after redrawing, she accepts it."
"Accepts it?"
"She said the gap is too big, not something effort can catch up to. But she said she will continue drawing, not to chase, just to draw the best work she can."
Zhao was silent for a long time, finally waving his hand. "Then let it be. Tell White Night, stop thinking about surpassing, just stabilize her base. Also..." he paused, "prepare for new serials. We need to find a new path, can't live in FMA's shadow forever."
Editors left. Zhao sat alone, looking at the city outside.
He knew this duel ended completely when the 75.3% figure came out.
Not lost in data, but in dimension. When the opponent's work is discussed by mainstream literature, and your work is still struggling with "how to draw the romance line," it's no longer a contest of the same level.
"Alex Walker..." he muttered, "what kind of monster... are you..."
Ranch, evening.
Alex received the full data report from Sue, and the Culture Review article.
He read carefully, then replied: "Saw the data. Article is written well, but overrated. I'm just a guy drawing manga."
Sue called quickly. "Overrated? Do you know who those three critics are? Titans of domestic literary criticism! Jointly recognizing a manga is unprecedented!"
"Still need to stay sober." Alex was calm. "Good work is good work, doesn't need these endorsements. And the more praise, the heavier the responsibility. Every chapter next must be worthy of this praise."
"You... aren't excited at all?"
"is excitement useful?" Alex asked back. "Does excitement make Chapter 16 better? No. So better save energy and draw well."
Sue was silent, then laughed. "You really... I surrender. Chief says we need a celebration party, you must come this time, and it has to be big."
"Keep it simple. I'm preparing Chapter 16, time is tight."
"I know, won't delay you long."
Hanging up, Alex walked to the window. The ranch sunset was beautiful, golden light on the grass, herd grazing slowly.
A peaceful scene. But he knew what kind of storm his work was causing in the outside world.
75.3% approval, literary recognition, industry ceiling status...
These were important, but not the most important.
Most important was—the work itself. Edward and Alphonse's journey, the thoughts on humanity, war, redemption, the light flickering in darkness.
These were what he truly cared about.
He returned to his desk, opening Chapter 16 storyboard.
Next chapter, the plot continues. Edward and Ling Yao's cooperation will have twists, the East's secrets will be further revealed, and Roy and Riza in Central will start acting. Multiple threads will gradually converge, paving the way for the subsequent climax.
He had to ensure every detail stood scrutiny, every twist was reasonable and powerful, every character choice fit their personality and stance.
Hard, but this was the joy of creation—creating possibilities within limits, finding freedom in rules.
He started inking. Pen sliding on paper, drawing the heaviness under Ling Yao's smile, drawing Edward's struggle between trust and doubt, drawing the complex and real look of this world.
Focused, calm, undistracted.
Outside, the sky darkened completely. Ranch lights turned on.
In the city, White Night's apartment. The silver-haired girl closed FMA Chapter 15's page.
She opened her own draft, looked for a while, then deleted everything.
Not giving up. Restarting.
She knew she couldn't catch up, never could. But so what? She still had to draw, draw her own story, her own world, the best work she could draw.
Because this is the creator's instinct—even knowing there is an insurmountable mountain ahead, still moving forward, climbing, constructing one's own world on paper.
She created a new document, starting a new outline.
( To be Continued)
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