V3C74 (2/2)

“It’s here.”

The man turned over one corner of a cloth.

Under it was — it might not seem like a significant amount in Japan but in the Otherworld, furthermore in this world where manga has not permeated the culture, even if you took away a lot of them it would still have plenty of allure, in other words, there was a 3-tiered bookcase filled with numerous doujinshi.

Doujinshi are thin to begin with.

With a full bookshelf, the number was more than just a 100 or 200.

“On the highest shelf, the 30 books from the right are the books that were written by Big Second master sensei.”

“Eh? Daiji … there are others who draw doujinshi apart from Big Second-sensei?”

“Yes, the authors who call themselves the Second Children.”

For the time being, I’ll take an appropriate look at some of the books.

While most of the books were drawn in 2 dimensions, the style of drawing was close to realism. There weren’t enough deformation styles at all. (TL: Deformation styles = The cutesy drawing style of Japanese manga? Larger eyes, chibi drawings or caricatures.)

Among them, I found a doujinshi drawn with a cute illustration of a cat-eared girl.

“Ooo, this looks good. Hey, I’d like to copy this … ple … geh.”

What I saw was the disgusting appearance of the skinhead man fidgeting with his face red in embarrassment.

“Tha … thank you.”

“It’s you! You’re the one who drew this illustration! How unexpected given your face … no, it’s quite an excellent work. Rather, to have Cat-user as your job and also draw illustrations of cat-eared girls, just how much do you like cats!”

“Wha, how did you know that I’m a Cat-user!?”

“That doesn’t matter. Ha? Is this very well drawn picture of this loli loli cat girl character really drawn by you! No matter how I look at you, you don’t look like a person who can draw! Rather, you’re more like a character that would yell “Shall I dye the canvas scarlet red with your blood?” but then get crushed like a petite tomato yourself.”

“That’s harsh. I’ll let you know that I really am the one who drew that.”

Even though he’s just a mob character, a character set to only be a Cat-user and someone who gathers doujinshi, don’t further add on a setting to be a manga artist too.

Your name hasn’t even appeared you know?

Even though his name hasn’t even appeared, if this goes on, he might even get added to the 2nd page of the character sheet.

” … So this doujinshi was drawn by Cat manga user.”

“Don’t give me such a weird name! My name is —”

“Ooh, you’re a Cat-user huh? It’s a rare job. I heard that it’s a job that can only be taken by those who have been recognized by the leader of the Cat Sith.”

Suzuki was shocked and then nodded as if in admiration.

“If you only know to that extent then remember one more thing. Only Cat Sith priests can bestow the Cat-user job. Those guys, not only did they uproot and steal my Actinidia herb that I was carrying for medicinal purposes, they said that they wanted to give me an appropriate reward and changed my job on their own accord! Furthermore, it’s an elusive tribe that nobody knows where they are. Ah, damn it. I’ll be a Cat-user for life huh.”

Ah … just like how Carol was troubled by not being able to change her Temptress job, this Cat-user is also troubled by not being able to change jobs.

I should be able to change his job with my ability but getting the party set up would be troublesome so I guess it would be fine to leave it like this.

Because the Cat manga user grumbled his annoyances, his expression looked slightly relieved,

“Which is why I’m taking revenge against the Cat Siths. The Cat Sith race look almost exactly like cats so they are hostile towards the Cat-kin race whose only cat characteristic is their cat ears. I continue to draw these works in order to raise the Cat-kin race’s standing and their popularity.”

… This guy is that huh?

A self-proclaimed fan who sends scandal stories to weekly magazines to fan the flames and raise the popularity of the idol they’re chasing?

It looks to me that it would cause the position of the Cat-kin race to fall instead though.

“So what do you plan to do? If you’re buying then a single copy would cost 50 sense and my book is split into 3 parts.”

“I’d like all 3 of them!”

I won’t say something like it’s expensive.

This kind of work is a unique existence in this world. If I don’t buy them here, I don’t know when I would ever encounter it again.

While there’s a high chance that Daijiro-san has them as well, there’s also the chance that the books he had have already been disposed of.

“Come back again.”

Apparently, the man’s books were already copied before and I was handed 3 books.

Even though it’s a copy, it had stunning penmanship.

At that time.

The Cat manga user man suddenly became flustered and gave a mysterious expression.

Then, a single sheet of paper flew out from his pocket.

Talisman … a talisman used by Magic Journalists?

“To think that this would appear.”

The man said so and placed the talisman that was floating in the air to his ear.

What’s he doing?

Just as I thought that,

“That’s a magic talisman used for communication. A receiving type talisman.”

Suzuki explained to me.

At that moment, the paper held by that man turned into sand and scattered.

“Though it is something that is disposed of after use like this.”

The man said so, gave a small sigh and looked over.

” … Ah, sorry. It’s 150 sense. Do you have the money now?”

“Is 2 silver coins alright? I don’t need the change. Just treat it as production cost for the manga.”

I passed him 2 silver coins.

I thought that he would be delighted but his expression showed that he was in low spirits.

Looks like the communication was about something bad.

“Thank you … originally I would have wanted to talk more but please go back for today. I’ll ask a subordinate to guide you … also, Suzuki. I’d like to talk with you for a bit.”

Suzuki and the Cat manga user man went to the back of the room.

Under the subordinate’s guide, I left the hidden doujin shop.

I wonder what is it, even though I’ve gotten my hands on 3 high-quality works, I have a bad feeling.

~Side StoryAt the back of the printing house~

Suzuki was led to the back of the printing house.

“Hey, I’ll let you know that I have not forgiven you for lying to me … ”

“I apologize for that. But, please, this time it’s serious. Please help.”

” … What happened?”

Suzuki asked with narrowed eyes towards the Cat manga user man’s serious expression.

Then, the Cat manga user man said that name.

“Pinky Pants … do you know about this person?”

“I don’t … no, wait. Perhaps it’s the printmaking printer?”

“That’s right. The author that is incompatible with us. Real name Milky. Lives in Ferruit to the South … well, she’s my niece but she just contacted me.”

Suzuki immediately realized that it was likely the message from the talisman just now.

The cheerful man’s appearance turned strange after listening to that talisman’s message.

“Please, save Milky … save this country. If not, this country will perish.”

“Tell me in detail!”

TL: I have a feeling the author’s trolling us again with the side story lol.