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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: Web Novel Written by a God 008
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If you've successfully delivered Chapters 1 and 2, then around Chapter 3, readers face another choice.
Whether to keep reading or not.
So, you lay down the basic storyline of the protagonist's growth, but you also need to showcase the unique appeal that sets it apart from other works—within those first three chapters.
The story has to feel fresh without being burdensome.
A tale that's somewhat predictable. One that builds even more anticipation because of it.
This work is set in the modern world, blending martial arts and magic into an action-packed adventure.
As I sorted through my thoughts, a fitting stage came to mind.
Given the direction of this story, the next scene transition should land in the midst of a battle.
The protagonist dives into a conflict between factions that's impossible to ignore, giving readers just enough hint about the main storyline from Chapter 4 onward.
And while you're at it, show 'Protagonist's Growth ③'.
For example...
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [The author is delighted. "A situation where factions are clashing? Perfect, I've got just the thing!"]
Incredible. It fits like a glove!
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [The author has opened the setting notebook.]
Perfect. Battlefield it is!
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [The author has added (World Setting*Backside World). "Let's make it like a dungeon."] ⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [The author has added (Race*Demon).]
Demons... huh?
⚔ STATUS ⚔ Backside World (World Setting)
Backside Worlds have been appearing nonstop since the Dimensional Collision began, and they still are today.
* The demons that emerge from Backside Worlds are entities unknown not just in the modern world, but also in the martial world and magical civilizations. Scholars explain that these are the result of another dimension—the demons' realm—colliding with ours, giving birth to Backside Worlds.
* Each Backside World has a central demon at its core. Kill it, and the Backside World vanishes.
* Slaying demons in Backside Worlds yields various spoils of war. The standout is the demon heart, shortened to "demon heart" for everyday use, which finds all sorts of applications in modern society.
Backside Worlds fall into three main categories.
1. Distorted Type: Formed based on the material world of reality, entered through structures like doors from the real world.
They contain real-world structures inside, but twisted into something far more dangerous than reality.
2. Underground Type: Generated underground. Only one has ever been discovered worldwide, and it hasn't been cleared yet.
Its scale is staggering; we've only conquered the 8th underground floor so far. No one knows where it ends—it's called the "Bottomless Abyss."
Don't imagine some dark, dingy tunnel just because it's underground. Each floor boasts its own unique natural environment.
No one knows where it started, but rumors swirl: "Reach the bottom, and you'll uncover the secrets of the Dimensional Collision," or "Gain the power of a god who can do anything."
3. Summoned Type: TBD
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [World building (Backside World) complete.]
Ah, I see...
Our author has something even more important than plot progression... Ahahaha.
Never saw demons plus dungeons coming out of left field here.
Now I get why our author kept failing before. I've sensed it for a while, but I can say it for sure now.
Our author is a hardcore setting geek through and through.
Probably couldn't rest until he shoehorned in every cool idea he had, turning the story into a frantic showcase of lore.
The protagonist ended up as window dressing.
Just then, an urgent voice from behind echoed my exact feelings.
"Hold on! Hold on a sec!"
It was an embassy complaints desk clerk.
He'd chased after me, panting as he spoke.
"The consul said... I forgot to give you this."
He handed over a ridiculously thick book.
« Eastern Martial World and Backside Worlds (Korean Edition) Latest Print
- Published by the Korean Martial Alliance Federation Embassy -
"Most of the info you need should be in here. If you have more questions, just call. Good luck out there!"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [The inspired author is diving into new setting work.]
Too late now.
Backside Worlds are already woven into this world's fabric.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ ⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [The author has edited the work info for 'The Strongest in a World of Pure Self-Interest'.][Reason for edit: Added Backside World]
« Contest Entry
(Work Info)
Title: The Strongest in a World of Pure Self-Interest
Author: It's God
Genre: Modern Fantasy
Summary: The Dimensional Collision has subjected Earth to influences from various dimensions (martial world, fantasy, demons).
And now.
The world's strongest, Lee Hwan, has regressed.
"I'm tired of living for others."
From here on, he seeks only personal gain. Even if it's just to complete his unfinished revenge.
#Regression #Modern #MartialWorld #Fantasy #Hunter #Constellation #Tower #Action #Thriller #PersonalGreed »
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Total (2)] The Strongest in a World of Pure Self-Interest – Chapter 1 The Strongest in a World of Pure Self-Interest – Prologue
I sat in a nearby café, glaring at the settings and message windows popping up like mad. My iced Americano tasted especially bitter today.
Our author sure has a lot of ambition.
Even mastering one of those ideas would be tough, but he crams them all in.
Will it be a delicious Jjambbong army stew, or just a mushy mess...?
I was lost in those worries.
But.
Isn't the one writing this— the author himself?
He's grinning ear to ear, so why am I, the protagonist, agonizing over the author's job?
Still, it's not all complaints. Hitting #1 on the rankings means our author grants a wish, but beyond that, I'm pretty satisfied right now.
The things people always pick when they say, "If I were reborn or possessed a body, I'd want to be..."
1. Billionaire heir 2. World's most powerful figure 3. World's handsomest genius 4. Munchkin protagonist in a fantasy world
If I had to choose...
A slight dilemma between 3 and 4, but definitely 4.
Yeah. Complaining is a luxury.
Is there any wish greater than this miracle I'm living?
Plot takes a backseat, and the protagonist gets short shrift, but...
If I keep nudging him, the author will improve eventually.
Author. My beloved author. As your protagonist and reader, I'm always cheering you on. The Backside World setting is a total hit.
Loyalty! Loyalty!
Total loyalty!
That said, I didn't spot any other martial artists on my way to the embassy—just like before.
Same with other races.
I glanced around just in case, but lost interest quick.
Back to the book.
This massive [Eastern Martial World and Backside Worlds (Korean Edition) Latest Print] was handed over after the Backside World setting dropped.
It's basically our author's setting bible.
Flip flip—
Starting with this country's top ten sects like the Three Swords School or whatever, it detailed Backside Worlds and more.
I didn't even try to memorize, but it sank into my memory effortlessly.
That's when I flipped to the incidents and accidents section.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [The author is conceptualizing (Backside World*Daerim Piano Prep Academy).]
With the message, a blank page filled with details on a Backside World.
The author set the stage, so now it was my turn.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ ⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [The author has begun (Paragraph #2). - The Strongest in a World of Pure Self-Interest, Chapter 3]
[ 2.
The fresh air filling his young lungs felt invigorating anew. His body brimmed with vitality, like he could accomplish anything right now.
Dying once had taught him this.
Nothing is more precious than this daily gift of life he'd nearly lost. He'd been clueless before.
'Good.'
Lee Hwan savored the breath entering his rejuvenated lungs.
A typical commercial building in Mia-ri.
[Daerim Piano Prep Academy]
That sign stood out the most in the distance.
The place Lee Hwan headed straight to from the embassy looked utterly ordinary from the outside.
But Safety Bureau agents armed to the teeth were glaring daggers. Under them, police and riot officers held the control line.
"Can't you see this?"
A cop stepped up to block the approaching Lee Hwan. ]
"Can't you see this?"
The cop gestured at the warning sign, basically saying, "Turn back."
Infiltration in progress—no civilians allowed. With specific clauses from special laws kindly posted.
This wasn't quite the battlefield I'd hoped for... but whatever.
Battlefield, dungeon, or any stage—as long as the protagonist gets stronger, it's all good.
I could steer it close to the original plan.
Instead of replying, I flashed the ID from the embassy.
The cop eyed it like, "What's this?" at first.
But once he realized it was a Rank 2 martial world ID, his reaction mirrored the embassy clerk's.
Eyes wide, glued to the number stamped on it.
Thanks to him personally lifting the control line, I slipped inside.
"Hold up. Can I see that ID again?"
Then a woman approached.
Not in police uniform—a suit. Coming from a container that looked like a temp HQ inside the line, so probably Safety Bureau...?
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [The author has added (Character*Shin Eun-ah). "A recurring character. Starts prickly but ends up following the protagonist. Make her a beauty! Not the main heroine, though."]
New character drop?
⚔ STATUS ⚔ Shin Eun-ah (Character) Safety Bureau affiliate. Handles on-site control for Backside World outbreaks. Prepares for potential explosions into reality. Also takes down crime syndicates and terrorists using martial arts or magic. Oversees lawless zones created by dark wizards, among other grueling duties.
While I sipped my iced Americano, the author hammered out settings, so new info felt natural the moment I read her profile.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [The author is considering (Episode*Gaining a Loyal Subordinate).] ⚔ STATUS ⚔ Gaining a Loyal Subordinate (Episode) Content: Shin Eun-ah crosses paths with Lee Hwan often. Then, through one incident, she learns supreme arts from him: One Yang Heart Method and One Yang Seven Strike Sword Method. From that point, she becomes his unwavering subordinate.
The "episode" message gave me a brief headache, honestly.
However.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [The author has added (Martial Art*One Yang Heart Method).] ⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [The author has added (Martial Art*One Yang Seven Strike Sword Method).]
New martial arts? Always welcome. Especially supreme ones like these!