❖ Chapter 3: The Girl and the Golden Contract ❖
Haruki stood frozen in his dimly lit room, the pale glow from the computer screen behind him casting long shadows across the floor. The girl, no taller than his shoulder, stared at him with eyes that shimmered like polished amethyst. Her silver hair floated gently as if underwater, and her strange outfit—somewhere between gothic lolita and battle mage—made her look like she stepped straight out of a fantasy manga.
"You're real?" Haruki finally asked, voice low, still not convinced he hadn't fallen asleep at his desk.
She nodded solemnly. "My name is Ririen Noctale. I'm a Contract Representative from the realm of Elaria, sent here because of your sudden popularity in our world."
"Popularity... in your world?" He blinked. "Wait, the manga system?"
She raised a finger and smiled. "Correct.
•|[The Manga System has successfully connected you with Realm #47: Elaria. The work 'Silent Blades' has sold 1,204 copies in 72 hours.]|•"
Haruki stared blankly. He hadn't even promoted it anywhere. And it was just a rough sketch series, a passion project he'd thrown together because he couldn't sleep that night.
"How... how do they even read Japanese?"
Ririen gave a knowing look. "The System translates. The art, the pacing, the action—it all speaks for itself. There are sword sects that consider your combat scenes as martial philosophy. Children in noble households copy your character designs in their notebooks. You've become something of a... cult favorite."
He felt a heat rising in his cheeks. It didn't feel real, and yet her presence made it very clear that things had changed.
She held out a scroll—fancy parchment sealed with a crest resembling an ink pen crossed with a sword. "This is a Creative Contract. By signing, you formally agree to serve as a licensed 'Manga Creator' across connected realms. Your rewards will be based on viewership, resonance, and sales. In return, you gain creative control and exclusive perks."
Haruki reached out, fingers trembling. "So... I just keep making manga? And I get paid... in real money?"
Ririen hesitated. "Real to you, yes. The System converts your earnings into your local currency, items, or skills. However, you'll also be given unique items from our realm—tools to help your craft."
"Tools?"
She unstrapped a satchel from her side and gently placed it on his desk. "Try opening it."
Inside was what looked like a stylized mechanical pen. Its surface pulsed faintly with blue veins, and when he picked it up, the temperature changed based on his mood. A UI overlay appeared above it.
•|[You've obtained: Etherquill - Rank D]|•
•|[A magical pen that adjusts line weight, angle, and detail precision based on the creator's emotional focus. Ideal for enhancing panel intensity and line clarity.]|•
Haruki gawked. "This... This is insane."
Ririen smiled. "That's just the start."
—
The following morning, Haruki sat at his desk, Etherquill in hand, blinking as the morning sun spilled through his curtains. The world outside looked exactly the same—quiet street, distant traffic—but he knew things had changed irrevocably.
He sipped the last of his cold tea and looked at the open file on his drawing app. "Silent Blades" wasn't even his best work. What if he actually tried?
He leaned forward, cracked his knuckles, and began sketching. The Etherquill glided smoother than anything he'd used before. With each stroke, the lines seemed to shimmer faintly before settling into perfect precision. Panels took shape with uncanny fluidity.
[Four Hours Later...]
The doorbell rang.
Haruki blinked, rubbing his neck. It was rare anyone came by, let alone this early.
When he opened the door, he saw a delivery man standing awkwardly with a large envelope.
"Delivery for Saito Haruki? From… uh, no listed sender."
Haruki accepted it, signed, and closed the door. He sat down at the dining table and tore open the envelope.
Inside was a print copy of his manga—professionally bound, with a glossy cover. The title "Silent Blades" in silver foil lettering, his name in kanji beneath.
•|[System Bonus: As a ranked creator in Realm #47, you have unlocked physical publishing features. Creator Tier: Bronze]|•
He flipped through the pages. The quality was unreal. Better than anything he could afford printing himself. The smell of ink. The clean edges. It was his—but better.
His phone buzzed.
[Balance update: ¥12,900 deposited from interdimensional sales revenue.]
He blinked.
More buzzes.
•|[New Realm connected: Realm #92 - Lorthen, a mage-centric civilization seeking cultural media. Uploads compatible.]|•
•|[Skill Unlocked: "Visual Worldcrafting" - Enhances panel composition to increase immersion for readers. Panels may now cause emotional reverberation in other realms.]|•
Haruki leaned back in his chair. "Okay... okay... this is really happening."
He reached for his notebook, flipping to a blank page, and scribbled a header: New Series Idea.
His mind raced. What about a story where a boy wakes up in a school full of gods-in-training? Or a comedy where the world is run like an MMORPG, and NPCs gain sentience?
Ririen's voice echoed from the corner of his memory. "You have creative control. They crave new stories, especially ones Earth has never seen."
Haruki scribbled ideas feverishly, Etherquill hovering, absorbing the excitement in his thoughts.
A loud knock broke his focus.
He frowned.
Three knocks. Heavy. Urgent.
He stood and cautiously approached the door.
When he opened it, a man in a black coat with circular glasses stared back at him. He looked human. But his eyes—glowing faintly violet—were anything but.
"Saito Haruki?"
Haruki nodded slowly.
The man smiled. "I'm here on behalf of the Inter-Realm Copyright Regulation Bureau. It seems you've sold a story quite similar to one already copyrighted in Realm #92. We'll need to talk."
Haruki blinked. "Wait—what? I didn't copy anyone!"
The man stepped forward. "No need to panic. This is merely a standard plagiarism audit."
Behind him, a sleek airship floated into view—hovering several meters above the street.
Ririen appeared in the skywalk, looking flustered.
Haruki could only sigh.
"I guess this is my life now."
—
To be continued...
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Thank you for reading!