Afterword

Hello, everyone. It’s a pleasure to meet you.

I’m Blitz/Kiba, your crummy writer. First off, thanks a lot for reading my book. The register is that way.

I believe some of you know this, but this novel, Paying to Win in a VRMMO, is a rewrite of a story I originally wrote for the fiction website, Shosetsuka ni Narou (I Want to Be a Novelist). This is my literary debut. It’s the realization of a long-standing dream, so I don’t know what to do with my life now.

Kane no Chikara (Paying to Win; I’ll use the nickname it’s called on the internet) was serialized beginning in July, and I’m here writing this afterword at the end of January, which means that the work I began writing six months ago will soon be on store shelves.

Looking back on it, it’s been a very eventful six months. I had discussions with Hobby Japan, received plot ideas, did revisions, and called to ask for deadline extensions... all kinds of professional stuff. But sitting here writing the afterword gives me the greatest realization of all that something I wrote is about to appear in stores.

“Here are the people I want to thank” and “I’m running out of space” must be the two things every wannabe dreams of writing.

Now, the novel version of the story is fun in a different way from the web version. Of course, the characters themselves are pretty much the same.

Those who liked this story online, I urge you to have a look at the other version. This version is the complete one.

For those who have already read the web version, and think, “Hey, that person isn’t here!” don’t worry. You’ll see them soon enough. Maybe they’ll appear in the next volume? I avoided having that character interact with Asuha in the web version, so you can look forward to that now.

Now, there are two points I want to touch on with regard to the novel version.

First, Rein Kuwashima’s illustrations! They’re magnificent. Truly beautiful. They captured the young heir’s coolness, Asuha’s liveliness, Sakurako-san’s buoyancy, and Kirihito’s... well, I won’t comment on Kirihito because I might get in trouble, but it’s as if the images were wrung out directly from my brain. I’m really glad I got this artist!

Now, the other point! It’s about Sera Kiryu, a.k.a. King Kirihito! I avoided declaring Sera’s gender in the web version, too, but refusing to determine the gender for the novel made it impossible to do an illustration of the character. But... okay. It’s not just that I didn’t want to decide, okay? I really racked my brain over which one would be better. But... okay. I ended up deciding, “I like both!”

That’s why there’s a postcard in this book. I want you to write in the comment column whether you’d rather Sera be a boy or a girl. You guys get to decide if Sera is a loli or a shota. I’ll send out a letter of thanks to three readers from the side I select.

Now, I’m running out of space, so here are the people I want to thank.

Hey, I said it!

Um, to my editor who contacted me at the beginning of September, Mr. K (what a hottie!). Sorry for that weird aside, but I really do think you’re hot, both inside and out. I made a lot of trouble for you, but I’m grateful for everything you’ve done for me.

And Rein Kuwashima! Thank you for being such a wonderful character designer. And thank you for reading the web version, too. I’m going to write more and more so you can see more of Kuwashima’s brilliant illustrations.

Also, also! Readers of the web version! I wish I could put all of your web handles on here, but I’ll restrain myself! The reason my editor Mr. K (what a hottie!) discovered Kane no Chikara was because of your enthusiasm for it. Thank you!

Also...

The one who, in summer, thought up the idea that the one who helped King level up might be his mother...

That’s right, you!

I didn’t use that suggestion, but thinking about that helped me to expand on King’s character. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that that was where the plot of the published version came from. You never know what might happen in the world! Thank you!

To all my editors and proofreaders and publishers, thank you all for the trouble you went through.

And thank you! You! Yes, you, reading the afterword! You right there! This is a cliché, isn’t it? But it’s how I feel! Thanks! I’m going to keep working and put out more and more books! Cheer for me, okay? Later!

Please hold off on opinions and thoughts... just send fan letters to...

151-0053 2-15-8 Yoyogi, Shibuya Ward, Tokyo Hobby Japan, Inc. HJ Bunko Editorial Department Blitz/Kiba and Rein Kuwashima