A world without manga

Chapter 2: The Awakening of the System

Ryuuji sat at the small desk in his room, the pen gripped tightly in his hand as he stared at the blank page before him. His thoughts were swirling, his mind heavy with the realization that he had been reincarnated into a world where manga didn't exist. But now, a new, unfamiliar thought gnawed at him: what if he could create those worlds again?

What if he could bring manga to life here, just like he had experienced in his old world?

He wasn't sure how or why, but an intense desire began to rise within him. He couldn't accept living in a world without the incredible stories that had shaped his life. He wanted to create, to draw something that would make this world as vibrant as the one he had left behind.

As he hovered over the blank page, ready to sketch something—anything—the air around him suddenly seemed to shimmer. A strange, almost imperceptible hum buzzed in his ears. The pen in his hand felt oddly warm, like it was pulsing with energy.

He froze, eyes wide.

Before he could even process what was happening, a soft, mechanical voice echoed in his mind.

"System Initialization Complete. Welcome, Host. You are now the owner of the Manga Creation System."

Ryuuji blinked, his breath catching in his throat. A system?

"The Manga Creation System will grant you the ability to purchase, draw, and create manga from various genres and worlds. Your creativity and passion will be rewarded. The system will also provide you with access to manga titles from different realities, as well as tools to help you bring them to life."

The voice spoke with calm efficiency, and Ryuuji could feel the weight of its words. The shock of hearing the voice was overwhelming, but a strange sense of excitement began to build within him. Was this a joke? Was he dreaming? A system? Just like in those isekai stories he'd always read?

He looked at the pen in his hand, now glowing faintly. The page in front of him remained blank, but his mind felt strangely… connected to something bigger, something more powerful.

The voice continued.

"You can now access the system menu. Please focus on the 'Manga Store' option to begin."

Ryuuji didn't hesitate. His curiosity overwhelmed any lingering doubt. He focused on the voice's command, and to his astonishment, a glowing transparent screen materialized in the air in front of him. It was like something straight out of a sci-fi movie, only much more real. The screen shimmered with digital light, displaying several options in neat rows.

At the top was the heading: Manga Creation System Menu.

Beneath that, several categories appeared, each with its own set of icons:

1. Manga Store

2. Draw Mode

3. Inventory

4. Rewards

5. Settings

He felt a mix of awe and disbelief. This is real. This is actually happening.

His eyes naturally gravitated toward the first option: Manga Store. He selected it, and the screen shifted to show rows upon rows of manga covers, just like a digital bookstore.

He could barely believe what he was seeing. Manga covers he had read, loved, and cherished from his old world were now right there before him. Naruto. One Piece. Attack on Titan. Bleach.

They were all displayed in front of him, as if they had been plucked straight from his memories. His heart raced as he scrolled down, each title more familiar than the last.

"You may purchase manga titles using the system's currency, Manga Points. Manga Points can be earned through creation and sharing of your own works. The more popular your manga, the more points you will earn," the voice explained calmly.

Ryuuji couldn't believe his eyes. Manga Points? That meant he could actually buy the rights to draw and create these manga? And what's more, he could use them in this world?

He clicked on Naruto, his fingers trembling with excitement. A pop-up appeared:

"Purchase Naruto (Complete Series) for 500 Manga Points."

Ryuuji's eyes widened. 500 points? He had no idea how many points he had or how he could earn them, but the thought of owning the full series of Naruto, the very manga he had adored in his old world, filled him with a sense of excitement and anticipation.

He quickly turned his attention to the Draw Mode tab.

When he clicked on it, the screen flickered again, and suddenly, his room seemed to disappear. It was replaced by an expansive, glowing canvas, hovering in the air. It felt like he was in a virtual space, surrounded by a vast, digital artboard that could stretch infinitely. The air was filled with the soft sound of brush strokes, and he could feel the Manga Creation System guiding him.

"You may now begin to draw your manga. Utilize the drawing tools provided by the system to create characters, backgrounds, and storyboards. The system will also give you access to various brushes and colors."

As the voice faded, Ryuuji's fingers hovered over the digital tools in front of him. There was a pencil tool, an ink tool, a shading brush, and even a color palette that seemed to have every shade of every color he could possibly imagine.

He picked up the digital pencil and began to sketch. It felt natural, almost as if his hand had moved on its own accord. The character took shape, his spiky hair appearing first, followed by his determined eyes and his signature headband.

He was sketching Naruto Uzumaki. The very same character who had inspired him for years.

As his drawing took form, the screen in front of him glowed brighter, and a message appeared:

"Naruto Uzumaki - Character Created. +20 Manga Points Earned."

Ryuuji froze. Was that a reward? For just drawing Naruto?

"Yes, Host. Completing and sharing your manga will reward you with Manga Points based on the quality and popularity of your work."

The realization hit him: he could buy characters, buy entire worlds, and then draw them as if they were his own creations. It wasn't just about making manga from scratch—it was about unlocking worlds that he had only ever dreamed of bringing to life.

Ryuuji's heart raced. This was his chance. This was the key to bringing manga to this world. He could create, bring to life the worlds he had loved, and share them with the people around him. He wasn't just a spectator anymore—he was the creator.

"Alright," Ryuuji said, his voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions inside. "Let's do this."

He had a whole world to bring to life.

The possibilities were endless. With his new system, Ryuuji could dive into his favorite stories and create manga like never before. But there was one thing he knew for sure: he wasn't going to be alone in this endeavor. With the power to create, he would not only change the world around him—he would revolutionize it, one manga at a time.