The words resonated deeply with every Edgerunners fan in attendance.
Clap clap clap,
Slowly, starting from a single set of palms in the corner, applause began to ripple through the auditorium.
The sparse clapping quickly expanded into a cascading wave as more and more readers joined in.
Soon, the entire venue erupted into thunderous applause, echoing like rolling thunder.
Aoyama's answer had won them over completely.
Previously, many readers had viewed Cyberpsychosis as a strange or convenient plot device cooked up to justify the depressing ending.
But listening to Aoyama's breakdown, they found themselves nodding along, viewing the affliction as entirely plausible and grounded in logic.
If humanity ever reached an era where body-modding became accessible, such high mental erosion was practically guaranteed to manifest.
But that realization left a trace of chill running down their spines.
They had to ensure such a dark future never descended onto their world!
"Thank you, everyone. Thank you for that incredible round of applause."
Once the noise quieted down, the host smiled warmly.
"Many thanks to Aoyama-sensei for that insightful breakdown. Next, I'd like to direct a question toward editor Ayumi-san."
"In your eyes, what is Aoyama-sensei like in his daily life?"
The host grinned toward the crowd. "I'm sure the audience is equally curious to know."
The crowd leaned in closer, eager to hear Ayumi's perspective.
"Aoyama-sensei is an incredibly talented genius," Ayumi answered proudly. "Whether it's drawing manga or other disciplines, he is exceptionally skilled."
"Oh? Can you elaborate on what areas he excels in?"
"Aoyama-sensei is an amazing cook, he is highly proficient with computers and developing games, and his singing voice is quite beautiful to listen to."
"What is his personality like during work or relaxation cycles?" the host questioned further.
"He can be slightly... unconventional at times. But more often than not, he is a very gentle and considerate person," Ayumi stated with a smile.
The fans below almost burst into laughter receiving that description, whispering amongst themselves:
{ "The editor wanted to say he isn't normal at all." }
{ "There is zero doubt left on the board; Aoyama is a certified mental patient." }
{ "Intermittent episodes, right. He really is a cyberpsycho." }
{ "I did not expect him to be equipped with so many skills. Cooking, computers, gaming, drawing... if it's true, he's insane." }
{ "I bet in the editor's dictionary, 'skilled with computers' just means he knows how to boot up a rig to play games." }
{ "Hahaha, that sounds exactly right." }
---
The interview continued down the list with a few extra questions before entering its wrap-up phase.
"Alright, that brings our interview segment to a close. Up next is the official signing session for Edgerunners."
"But before that, I hear Aoyama-sensei has two announcements to share with everyone."
"Aoyama-sensei, the floor is yours."
The host turned back toward Aoyama, who nodded in understanding. Under the collective gaze of the audience, he raised the microphone.
"Following the conclusion of Edgerunners, my latest manga series, Chainsaw Man, will be releasing soon in the pages of Manga World GoGo. Please look forward to it!"
"Additionally, please continue to support the upcoming Edgerunners anime and the derivative game, Cyberpunk 2077."
"Lastly, I have a special gift prepared for everyone. The details should go live in about six months, so please maintain a healthy baseline of anticipation~"
The announcement immediately sparked a heavy wave of chatter.
With Edgerunners wrapping up, Aoyama already had another series launching, titled Chainsaw Man?
That detail alone was enough to keep readers anchored on edge.
The promotional material covering the anime and Cyberpunk 2077 also kept the hype climbing.
But what captured supreme curiosity was the "special gift" Aoyama left floating on the board...
What on earth could it be?
With continuous questions stacking up without answers, the interview segment officially dissolved. It was time for the headline act,the signing session.
Aoyama sat at his desk and greeted the first Edgerunners fan.
The young man was visibly shaking with excitement, clutching his copy of the standalone volume tightly, his face locked in pure awe.
After all, he had been waiting in the queue since the early hours of the morning.
"Hello, Aoyama-sensei! I'm a loyal fan of Edgerunners. I've been reading since the very first chapter!" he stated eagerly.
Listening to the praise, Aoyama flashed a "gentle and approachabe" smile.
He took the book and flipped open the cover page to sign his pen name cleanly.
However, the moment Aoyama smiled, the fan's expression completely froze.
The readers standing in the queue behind him also intercepted that eerie, frozen smile, immediately triggering whispers down the line:
{ "Whoa... what a healthy and bright display of teeth..." }
{ "If that is a normal smile, I am eating this layout file right now!" }
{ "Perfect. Stereotype checked and confirmed. The ward must be missing a patient." }
{ "Is Sensei generally doing fine...? I suggest a full medical review into his database." }
Aoyama paid zero attention to the chatter.
He felt that offering a "gentle and approachable" smile to the fans supporting his work stood as a mandatory obligation.
So, carrying that eerie smile, he began signing continuous copies down the line.
Despite the creepy vibe, the warmth didn't deter the crowd's burning enthusiasm.
" Edgerunners is incredible, and your drawing skills are insane, Sensei. How did you learn to draw like that?"
"Uuuu, Aoyama-san, I hate you! The knife cuts way too deep, can you leave a cleaner cut next time..."
"Sensei, can you sign this for my boyfriend? He's a massive fan but couldn't make it today because of an overseas assignment..."
"Sensei, can I get a photo together with you?"
The stream of eager fans kept Aoyama busy signing for the entire afternoon, leaving his wrist slightly sore.
Fortunately, when he previously pulled the Prismatic Flash [Platinum] trait, he had also unlocked a baseline boost in physical endurance.
The trait inflated his stamina and tolerance thresholds significantly, making the workload manageable.
Aoyama maintained his patience, signing every book until the very last fan cleared the station. The session finally wrapped up.
[Translated and Rewritten by Shika_Kagura]