Anger:

I’ve been working on a manga adaptation of a web-based novel for almost five months already and I’ve decided to drop it. It’s not out of a whim or because I grew tired of it. In fact, it is a good story. It’s so good to the point that I feel inferior even though I tried my best on its adaptation.

The manga adaptation is popular too. It also was not something to be stopped midway due to story getting dull, or art declining. It’s really thanks to Ara’s hard work and Kyrie’s pure talent.

Ingrid… You could forget about her. Though she’s always there, she’s just good only for cooking and snoring.

There are two main events that I need to brace myself with this decision:

1. To apologize deeply to the author of the novel,

2. To face this Old Man’s wrath.

By old man I mean my editor. He doesn’t like being called by his name, so we decided to call him by that.

Back at Mytherion, with my status, capabilities, and absolute power, fear is something only I bring forth to my adversaries. My parents were a different case, but besides them, I haven’t encountered anyone who have brought me fear.

Oh you could count Yuusha dying on me first, I really fear that.

Having transported here at Earth, there are a few things which never left my side: one of them is fear. But it’s not the type of fear being brought by battles. It’s fear of uncertain factors.

I’ve studied a lot about this world but for some reason, the place I’m living in right now and my work environment too is full of uncertain factors:

1. Ara’s split personality

2. Kyrie’s boredom and sledgehammer

3. Ingrid’s double-barrel shotgun.

4. Old Man’s wrath.

So going back to Old Man’s wrath. Here I am in this situation, trying to find my way out as I’m about to face it.

Delayed manuscripts, having a slump, no progress for weeks, all of these situations we’ve encountered already. It’s not only me. Ara and Kyrie faces Old Man’s wrath at times too. Even Ingrid could not escape his anger once he unleashes it. It really is a traumatic experience for us. (though I’m really impressed that he could control Kyrie’s weirdness too.)

This is a very different situation from those above.

So what should I expect? A beating?

Old Man doesn’t do that. But his stress really shows by his tone. Once he started scolding us, every instance just becomes a traumatic experience.

“Tell me that again Fred. It seems that I’ve misheard what you just said.”

He smiles! But his nerves are visible on his forehead! If I die tonight I might find myself being resurrected back at Mytherion, Yay!

“I’m stopping the adaptation of novelX, please accompany me to the author and let’s apologize together.”

“Hooh~~ and your reasons?”

“This is the most honourable reason I could ever think of: I’m not worthy enough to adapt such God-tier story.”

Sigh

He sighed. Good thing I haven’t brought Ara, Kyrie and Ingrid with me here. They might lose their sanity.

“WHAT ARE YOU!! AND IDIOOOOT!!”

That night most of the employees helped each other out to calm Old Man.

Pride:

This story goes way back before I have settled alone at unit6. During this span of time I’m trying to study this world’s basic knowledge, including language, how to read and write and history. There’s a pile of books in front of me. I’ve accompanied Ingrid on the nearest library to have these borrowed. I don’t have a library card at this world yet and have to use Ingrid’s, so from a perspective, I’ve borrowed these books from Ingrid as well.

“Jeez, you made me look like a parent there. What’s with the kindergarten alphabet books?”

“Quit it, just help me with the materials I need to cope up.”

“Wow, I’m instantly promoted as a servant. I thought I was the one doing the favour of letting you stay for a while.”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean it that way…”

Perhaps the way I speak is a bit harsh.

My frustration and melancholy are really affecting my judgment. I should keep myself from talking for a while.

I’m sorry Ingrid, you might misunderstand this but please bear with me for a little while longer.

It’s not like I’ve given up every last ounce of hope of being able to return to Mytherion. To gather as much information as I wanted, I need to learn how to communicate first. Let’s start with the basics. It won’t be instant, it will be a long process, but if that’s the only way, I’ll take any chance I can get.

…

“Freeed… Freeeed…”

Ingrid is occupying most of the space of her couch laying down as I’m being pushed to the side. Why does she even force herself to sit here when I’m already here? I couldn’t tell the difference.

“Hey Ingrid, you can seat over there. Why are you bothering me anyways?”

“Because you look too bothered. It’s better to be bothered by me instead of being bothered about your past.”

“What twisted logic is that?”

“Come on, I’m just trying to cheer you up.”

“Quit it, the roots of my sadness runs deeper than you can imagine.”

…

It went quiet all of a sudden. Is she offended?

Poke! Poke!

Her feet is poking my face.

Don’t bother. You’ll lose if you bother...

Multiple pokings, infinite poking, unlimited poking!!

“Gah!! What?!”

“Geez, don’t infect the unit with your grumpy mood. It’s not only you that had a loss.”

She smiled at me. A fresh memory, It was the same smile that she showed me the first night that we met. An innocent smile with faint traces of sadness.

“You said that you lost your dog that night.”

“Tenji is not a dog, he’s my only family left since my late father and mother. Mom died when I was a kid and father when I was at my teens. It’s only me and Tenji ever since.

“I’m... I’m sorry to hear that.”

“So long as you understand, so please cheer up. You’re not the only one trying your best to look okay. If you have time to complain you might as well have time to move on.”

“...As if... As if that’s so easy.”

“I know. I’m not forcing you. I’m just trying to help you out.”

She has a point… But—

“The best thing you could do to help me right now is to lay your body on another over there.”

“But I’m the owner of the house. I don’t see any reason to lower myself down your level. You might be a high and mighty being from where you came from, but here you’re just my lowly tenant.”

“Wha—For some reason that statement irritates me too much.”

“Haha! Wow, did I hit the jackpot?”

As incompenent as I can be, I try not to barge as she tries to kick me out of the couch as I try to think about what she said. Everything she’s doing is not only for her, but for my sake too. She’s been trying to hit two birds with one stone while being in a similar situation with me.

It hurts my pride to admit, she’s stronger at me during times like this. I should try to learn from her too.

“—But for some reason, I really wanted to kick you too.”

“Bring it on!!”