MTLNOVEL Chapter 45 Bonus chapter
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~~~~~~~~
In the early hours of the morning, Lucien D. Blackthorn awoke naturally, the silence of the hospital broken only by the rhythmic ticking of the wall clock. It was already past midnight, signaling the beginning of a new day.
Shortly after a nurse exited the room, Lucien activated his system's two-hour consciousness window. With no one around to notice, he quickly got to work.
During this precious window of awareness, he completed the illustrations for chapters 11 and 12 of the second volume of Slam Dunk. Since the storyboards and composition were already embedded in his memory, Lucien's hands moved like a machine, drawing with a speed and precision that would put professional manga artists to shame.
Unlike Attack on Titan, Slam Dunk featured a large cast and frequent close-ups of character expressions, making the drawing process more time-consuming. Still, he managed to finish everything on schedule.
With the first volume of Slam Dunk having been serialized online for several days, Lucien suspected that reader engagement may have plateaued. Before introducing more intense plot developments, he decided it was time to settle and redeem the system rewards.
"System," Lucien called in a low voice. "Proceed with settlement for Slam Dunk, Volume 1."
[Settlement in progress...]
[Evaluation complete. Manga Title: Slam Dunk, Volume 1]
[Quality Rating: A]
[Impact Rating: F]
[Reward: +7 Days Lifespan, Health Value +2]
Lucien exhaled slowly, a bit underwhelmed by the modest life extension. Still, the reward was in line with his expectations.
Sports manga, after all, was a niche genre, and Slam Dunk hadn't yet reached the explosive plotlines that would truly captivate audiences. He understood that the early volumes of Slam Dunk, while solid, didn't showcase the same brilliance as the later arcs.
Lucien recalled that in the real world, Slam Dunk's creator, Takehiko Inoue, nearly faced cancellation early in serialization due to low popularity. It wasn't until the narrative deepened and Inoue refined his craft that the series became a phenomenon.
---
[Current Host: Lucien D. Blackthorn]
[Remaining Lifespan: 15 Days]
[Health Value: 9/100 (Permits 2 Extra Hours of Consciousness Daily)]
---
"Fifteen days left," Lucien muttered. "No need to panic."
With some time still left in his consciousness window, Lucien allowed his mind to wander.
He remembered a conversation he once had with a close friend back in his original world.
"Lucien, if you could time travel, where would you want to go?" the friend had asked casually.
Lucien had given it some serious thought before answering. "If I traveled to the past, there's a 99% chance I'd die."
"What? Why?"
"First off, the language barrier. Ancient dialects and writing systems are so different from modern ones that communication would be nearly impossible."
He had continued with a chuckle, "Second, there's etiquette. Ancient cultures had strict codes of behavior. Dress wrong, speak wrong, and you'd probably end up exiled or executed."
"And finally, imagine carrying modern bacteria and antigens into a population that's never been exposed to them. I'd probably be seen as the source of a plague. They'd burn me at the stake unless I was a ghost or spirit."
His friend had gone wide-eyed. "Wow... So much for becoming a heroic traveler of the past."
"Exactly," Lucien had said. "But if I could travel somewhere safely, I'd go to the second dimension."
"Anime world, huh?"
"Definitely."
It was just a joke at the time. But now? That absurd wish had somehow become his reality.
---
Meanwhile, over the weekend, Eriri Spencer Sawamura, known in the creative world as Eri Kashiwagi, was buried in cram school lessons.
People often romanticize Japanese school life as portrayed in anime: club activities, carefree days, and high school romance. The truth, however, is far more demanding.
In Japan, cram schools—called "juku"—play a critical role in academic preparation. With high schools typically ending classes earlier in the afternoon, students with ambitions of attending top universities rely on these juku for extra instruction.
Eriri, now in her second year, was facing immense academic pressure. Her dream was to study in the art department at the prestigious Zōkei University. To get there, she had to improve her academic foundation and artistic skills.
Lucien respected her drive and quietly hoped that once he recovered, she might tutor him in return.
---
With little else to do, Lucien continued working over the weekend. He managed to complete chapters 13, 14, and 15 of Slam Dunk, putting him more than halfway through the volume. Everything was progressing smoothly.
Noticing his improving condition, Lucien encouraged his mother, to take a short break. She had stayed by his side tirelessly, and he could see her fatigue.
Though hesitant at first, she eventually agreed, reassured by the hospital's high standard of care and the attentive nurses. She left Tokyo on Monday morning to visit a friend in Chiba Prefecture.
Lucien, now alone but in good hands, continued focusing on his creative work.
---
That Monday morning, a familiar face arrived at the hospital: Ayano Iida, editor from Manga Jump. She brought a girl along with her.
The girl had short brown hair adorned with a bunny-shaped hair clip, and at first glance, Lucien thought she might be Ayano's niece or daughter. But upon introduction, he realized who she was.
"Lucien," Ayano said, guiding the girl forward. "This is Usami Mizuki. She's the niece of one of our colleagues in the editorial department. She has some formal training in illustration and will be assisting you with post-production."
Lucien's eyes widened. Usami Mizuki? The same Mizuki from This Art Club Has a Problem!?
Indeed, she was. And now, she was his assistant.
"She'll help you with basic coloring and cleanup. You can direct her as needed."
Lucien smiled gently. "Arigatou, Ayano-san. I appreciate the support."
With his team slowly forming and his progress on Slam Dunk steady, Lucien felt a renewed sense of purpose. Though his body remained fragile, his spirit burned with quiet determination.
Every page he finished, every hour of extended consciousness—these were his weapons in the fight against fate.
The battle was far from over.
End of the chapter
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