A world without manga

Chapter 5: The First Sales and the Power of Manga

Ryuuji stood behind the counter of his newly opened bookstore, feeling the quiet excitement that filled the air. The shelves were stocked with the first volume of Naruto, his first creation, and the store had begun to see a steady stream of customers. The day had been peaceful, but it was clear that people were intrigued by the small but growing collection of manga on the shelves. Still, no one had made a purchase yet, and Ryuuji couldn't help but feel a little nervous.

Would they like the story? Would they understand what manga was?

His doubts lingered, but he reminded himself that he had nothing to lose. This bookstore, this new world, was all in his hands now. And more importantly, he had the Manga Creation System to back him up. If people started reading his manga, he'd be able to earn Manga Points, which would allow him to buy new books to draw from, and even gain more creative power. It was a cycle of growth that he could rely on, as long as people embraced his creations.

The bell above the door jingled, signaling another customer entering. Ryuuji looked up to see a man in his late twenties, dressed in casual clothes, walking in. He glanced around the store with mild curiosity, scanning the shelves filled with colorful manga volumes.

"Welcome!" Ryuuji greeted, trying his best to sound welcoming despite his nervousness. "If you're interested in manga, feel free to take a look."

The man smiled politely, glancing at the shelves, and then paused in front of the display featuring Naruto Volume 1. He picked up the book, flipping through the pages with a puzzled expression.

"This… this looks like something I've never seen before," the man muttered, half to himself. "Manga, huh? It's like comics, but more… intense."

Ryuuji stepped forward, eager to explain. "It's called manga, a kind of comic book that's really popular in some other places. This one's a story about a ninja who dreams of becoming the greatest, despite having a rough past. It's full of action, drama, and a lot of heart."

The man raised an eyebrow. "Huh. I've never read something like that. But… I don't know. I'm not really into reading much."

Ryuuji's mind raced. This was his chance—he had to convince this person to give it a try. He smiled reassuringly.

"I understand it's a bit different from what you might be used to. But you could read a few pages here, if you'd like. No pressure. If you don't like it, you don't have to buy it."

The man hesitated for a moment, then nodded and sat down at one of the reading tables in the corner, opening the book to the first page. Ryuuji stood by the counter, watching quietly as the man's eyes moved across the page. The minutes ticked by, and Ryuuji couldn't help but feel a growing sense of anticipation.

Then, after what felt like an eternity, the man looked up, his eyes wide with genuine surprise.

"You know, this is actually really good," he said, leaning back in his chair. "I didn't expect it to be this engaging. The characters feel real, and the story's pulling me in."

Ryuuji grinned. "I'm glad you like it! The first volume is just the beginning. There's a lot more action and drama to come."

The man smiled and stood up, flipping through the rest of the book quickly before walking over to the counter.

"I'll take this one," he said, handing Ryuuji the book. "Never thought I'd be into manga, but I guess it's a nice change of pace."

Ryuuji rang up the sale, his heart racing with excitement. One book sold—it was a small victory, but a victory nonetheless. As the man paid and walked out the door, Ryuuji couldn't help but look at the Manga Creation System screen, wondering if anything would happen.

To his surprise, the system chimed.

"Manga Sold. +10 Manga Points Earned."

Ryuuji blinked, processing what had just happened. He earned Manga Points from selling a book. That was a feature he hadn't fully understood until now.

"Manga Points" were the currency of this system. They were earned when people bought or read his manga. The more books he sold, the more Manga Points he would accumulate. And those points could be spent on new books, new content to draw from, or even system upgrades that could improve his creative abilities.

The system continued its explanation.

"Each book sold or read will contribute to your total Manga Points. The more people engage with your work, the more you can create. Manga Points will also unlock additional tools, themes, and stories to inspire your creations."

Ryuuji stared at the screen, a wide grin spreading across his face. He could feel his excitement bubbling up once again. This system wasn't just a tool for drawing manga—it was the key to his future success. Every book sold was a step forward. He could create more stories, more characters, and expand his reach. This world would soon be flooded with the creativity he had once dreamed of sharing.

A few hours passed before another customer walked in. This time, it was an older woman, probably in her fifties, with graying hair and a kind smile. She walked slowly, scanning the shelves, before her gaze landed on Naruto Volume 1.

"Ah, manga," she said, her voice soft. "I've heard a little about it but never really looked into it. Is this one good for someone my age?"

Ryuuji immediately stepped forward, eager to help. "Absolutely! It's a great place to start. The story might be about a young ninja, but it has themes of perseverance and friendship that anyone can enjoy."

The woman raised an eyebrow. "Friendship and perseverance, huh? I guess I could use a little of that