After their discussion—
Ren accepted Mt. Lady's proposal.
But there was still one key problem.
Tools.
—
Looking at the drawing supplies in Ren's arms, Mt. Lady couldn't help but roll her eyes.
"This is what you meant by something important?"
—
Ren smiled faintly.
Before he could say anything, she had already decided—
And personally escorted him home.
—
"…Was that really necessary?"
Ren looked amused.
Something about her behavior felt… off.
From what he remembered, Mt. Lady wasn't like this.
—
"Hmph! If I don't take you home, how am I supposed to know where you live? How else would I contact you?" she said, walking ahead with a confident stride.
"…What a hassle."
—
Ren narrowed his eyes slightly.
Something was definitely strange.
But whatever her real motive was—
It probably had something to do with heroes.
—
"Come on! Don't just stand there—lead the way!"
Seeing him pause again, she hurried over and grabbed his arm.
Like she was afraid he might disappear at any moment.
—
…
Back at his place—
Ren directly refused her suggestion to come in for a drink.
Mt. Lady stomped her foot in frustration as she left.
The impact was so strong that nearby residents thought it was an earthquake.
—
Ren remained completely unfazed.
He closed the curtains.
Then, using his spatial perception, he carefully checked the room.
Nothing unusual.
—
He set up his drawing board.
Beside it lay a copy of Super Seminary—from five years ago.
Following the final chapter from back then, he quickly located where the story should continue.
—
"Retrieve memory."
"Extraction complete."
—
A familiar female voice echoed in his mind.
In the next instant—
A vast stream of memories flooded in.
This time—
It was everything related to the anime adaptation of Super Seminary.
—
The first version of Super Seminary had already brought him immense benefits.
Through the extraction system—
He had gained abilities from every recognized character.
But the story's progress was only at 10%.
Which meant—
He had only accessed 10% of those abilities.
—
Now, in this unfamiliar city—
With new challenges ahead—
Ren needed more power.
—
And then there was Mt. Lady…
Her intentions were still unclear.
—
In moments like this—
Simply waiting wouldn't make him stronger.
—
Five years had passed.
The manga industry had changed.
Innovation had slowed.
Some areas had even regressed compared to before.
—
Back then, Super Seminary had appeared like an explosion—
A fleeting phenomenon.
And yet—
It had still reached 10% recognition.
—
That alone proved one thing:
This path worked.
—
"Let's begin."
—
Holding the brush—
Ren started drawing.
His movements were smooth and practiced—
As if he had done this countless times before.
—
…
Several days passed in a blur.
—
At last—
The manuscript was complete.
Perfect.
With memory extraction, mistakes were almost impossible.
—
Chazi Manga Club.
—
Business had been declining for a long time.
Ever since heroes became the center of attention, the manga industry has exploded—
And competition had intensified overnight.
—
Once a well-known studio—
Now reduced to this.
—
Their best artists had been poached.
New ideas led nowhere.
Bankruptcy loomed.
—
The owner, Machako, was still trying to discuss new concepts—
But no one was listening.
—
"Yo… still hanging on, I see."
—
A greasy voice broke the silence.
A fat man wearing a gold chain pushed the door open, his gaze sweeping across the remaining staff.
—
"Get out. You're not welcome here," Machako snapped.
—
It was him.
The one who had stolen two of their key artists—
He quickly built his own success by producing hero comics featuring Kamui Woods.
—
Back then—
He had been nothing more than someone living off their scraps.
—
"I'll double my last offer," the man said, ignoring her completely.
"As long as you come with me, you'll still have work."
—
Some employees clenched their fists.
They knew what this meant.
—
The studio couldn't even pay salaries anymore.
—
"Y-you… you really mean that?"
A trembling voice spoke up.
—
Machako turned in shock.
"Mae… you—?"
—
The veteran artist kept his head down.
Silent.
—
"Hahaha! Of course ,I mean it," the man laughed.
"Or do you plan to stay here and starve?"
—
Mae stood up.
Packed his things.
"…Sorry."
—
One by one—
Others followed.
—
Machako felt like she had been struck by lightning.
All strength drained from her body.
—
"Think about my offer," the man added, his gaze turning shameless as it lingered on her.
"As long as you join me…"
—
"Get out!"
She trembled with anger.
—
"Hah… suit yourself."
He laughed and walked away.
—
The studio fell silent once more.
Empty.
—
Machako collapsed into her chair.
—
Then—
The door opened again.
—
"What? Giving up already?"
—
A stranger in a black trench coat stepped inside.
…
A/N: Support Via Powerstone And Collections