Ch. 87 - Launch Announcement

T/N: There have been many author's notes throughout the story. But this is the first time I'm translating one because I think it's crucial to understanding where the author is coming from, as well as his writing style and motivations.

Author’s note: Since publishing this book, readers have been speculating that the author is some reincarnated old master, some otherworldly demon...

But I actually understand that this is flattery. I personally don't have the skill level to be called a 'demon.'

Before writing this book, I was just a roadside author who completed two books on the red dock site.

If any readers recognize me, I hope you'll just keep it to yourself and not dox the author!!

My first work was completely obscure, but at least it was a million-character story with a beginning and an end.

The second book could sustain a living, but after the opening was plagiarized by seven shameless authors (identical plot structures), they changed to a more eye-catching gimmick and it exploded.

Then, in a complete reversal, because they became popular and I didn't, I almost became the plagiarizer.

Personally, I think that with web novels, stitching together ideas doesn't matter—just like how I'm now stitching together DND. It's not about whether you stitch, but whether you stitch well.

But the fear comes from comparison.

By comparison, the gap was just too huge, really too huge.

It shattered my Dao heart, inner demons ran rampant, and I still can't forget it to this day.

But fortunately, I was able to safely land that second book at nearly two million characters.

From then on, I realized one thing—in an environment that emphasizes gimmick literature, trying to seriously write a story is indeed my mistake.

So I fled.

Both to find a more suitable environment, and to see what level I truly represent in this holy land where gods stand together.

Before writing this book, I actually knew Western fantasy was a cold genre.

But I'm a tabletop RPG player, and writing a fantasy web novel has always been my plan and goal.

The recent success of *The Dungeon Grew Mushrooms* and *Severe Goblin Dependency* gave me some confidence in this track.

And I discovered that there didn't seem to be a single proper web novel about [Bards] and [Adventure] themes in the market.

I thought that shouldn't be right, because I felt the Bard's trickster and womanizer attributes were inherently very fun and had writing potential.

So with the thought "Since no one's writing it, I'll try the differentiated track," I started writing.

Have you all seen *Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves*?

Initially, I wanted to set up a protagonist like Edgin, but obviously, as a mastermind strategist, Edgin seemed somewhat lacking in ability.

To better suit web novels and write something more satisfying, that's how the current [Tang Qi Weinberg] came to be.

Actually, the name comes from *Don Quixote*. I didn't use [Tang Ji] simply because I thought the two characters “Tang Qi” looked better, hehe.

Because I had no reference book, I was also somewhat unconfident when I started writing, about "whether I could write this well."

Here I must thank my editor [Flowing Star], when I submitted the manuscript with trepidation, his one sentence "you can try" was my greatest motivation at the beginning of writing.

Actually, many readers feel the opening three chapters are somewhat depressing, a complete failure for the [Golden Three Chapters].

But personally, when I write books, I don't really like using things like "Golden Three Chapters"—this kind of eight-legged essay format—to define the opening.

Either "Golden One Chapter," winning or losing at first glance.

Or tell the story gradually, letting readers immerse themselves.

Like this book, maybe the first three chapters are slow, but I still believe [atmosphere] and [immersion] are indispensable elements of the fantasy genre.

Without the various foreshadowing and setups in the first three chapters, there wouldn't be the subsequent plot progression—I believe there isn't a single wasted stroke in the first three chapters, all the information is used in later plot developments.

So the opening three chapters are actually my polished result, and I don't think there are too many problems.

Of course, I also understand that readers who've gotten this far don't care about the opening three chapters' plot at all. Everyone accepted these things and was willing to keep following until now.

The author saying these things isn't trying to explain anything.

Rather, I want to prove to readers that when writing web novels, the author still takes [writing a good-looking, exciting story] as the foundation.

I think this is very important.

Because web novels relying solely on gimmicks are very easy to rot in the mid-to-late stages due to forced content, or simply collapse in the early stages.

And I firmly believe that on this platform, [writing a good story as much as possible] is the way forward.

And to make this story more exciting, I actually added some contrasts, or character designs I thought were more interesting.

[Dawn] is a typical example.

First, regarding her oath problem, why she hasn't broken her oath—the setting I gave is that due to past achievements, she wasn't completely abandoned by her oath.

This caused her to lose part of her power. Only by finding glory again can she find her complete self.

If you can't accept this, then I can only say it's a house rule and custom setting, serving the subsequent plot and background worldview.

I certainly know this character design isn't that likable, but [DND] and [tabletop RPG] themselves encourage players to play characters of different alignments and experience different lives.

Only by throwing these people with vastly different personalities into one team can good chemistry be produced, making the story more exciting and interesting.

Just like *The Dragonlance Trilogy*. The existence of flaws actually makes them more like living people, rather than one-dimensionally righteous [heroes].

But still that saying—the author would never write a book with the thought of disgusting readers.

Just like in [tabletop RPGs], the DM and players are [jointly creating an exciting story].

The author writing books is also to present readers with an exciting, interesting, vivid, memorable story, that's all!

Similarly, this book will definitely take [Road Adventure] itself—this genre extremely suitable for Bards but seemingly very niche—as the main theme.

Personally, I think so-called 'adventure' is actually like a train with an unknown destination.

We ride the train, seeing different scenery, traveling with like-minded friends.

Experiencing growth, becoming better versions of each other.

Perhaps we'll pause at certain stations, wave goodbye.

But it's also for better reunions next time.

And the so-called 'nobles and commoners' is actually just one scenic view of adventure, not the main body of this book.

I believe everyone can see the author's thoughts from the plot of the previous 86 chapters.

I'll also work hard to continue the story's excitement!

Honestly, I really didn't expect to receive so much love from readers at the beginning.

This book's initial goal was just to hold the thought "if I can get full attendance, I'll write until completion."

But watching the gradually increasing results, I also had the pursuit of "maybe I can touch the Three Rivers list."

Although fate was turbulent, and last week's Three Rivers spot was snatched by an otherworldly demon boss who wrote brilliantly...

But fortunately, before my 24th birthday this year, I finally handed myself a satisfactory answer—

I'm truly grateful to readers for giving me this opportunity, allowing me to realize that I haven't stopped moving forward and still have a chance to break free from inner demons.

For this, I will also respond to every reader who likes this book with the most passionate creative attitude!!

Of course, my typing speed is very slow...

Writing this book also consumes a lot of mental energy (often agonizing for a long time over composing suitable poems and dwarf jokes), so I may not be able to guarantee a daily 10,000-character speed.

Between speed and quality, I think quality is still more important.

After this, I'll try to guarantee at least 6,000 characters (about 20,000-21,000 words in English) per update. If I find plot progress is slow and I have the energy, I'll update more on that basis.

At the same time, since I made it to the Three Rivers list, maybe I can try to charge for the premium channel and fulfill a dream.

For this, I'll update as much as possible, and I hope everyone can support with subscriptions!

Currently at 20,000 bookmarks. Assuming a non-collapse 10:1 collection-to-subscription ratio, starting from 1,800 first subscriptions, every 200 above that adds 2,000 characters.

If energy is insufficient, I'll distribute it evenly across subsequent updates...

Perhaps readers look down on these additions, but everyone should also be giving this book face because of quality. I can't write carelessly to brush you off, wasting this book and your enthusiasm.

So here I can only kowtow and kneel in thanks to everyone!!!!

Love you all!!!!!

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