Ch.BONUSAuthor’s Afterword

<Author’s Afterword>

1.

Greetings, gracious readers. I’m still the humble author Seomra. Before writing this afterword, I want to express my deepest gratitude for staying with me until the end, and to announce that my fourth work on Novelpia, “I Became the Leader of the Dark Fantasy’s Shadow Organization,” has concluded.

2.

This work began when I participated in the “Please Pick Me” event, right after completing my previous work, “I Became the Academy’s Admiration Bug.”

To be honest, this was a work that made me reflect deeply on myself.

At first, I jumped right in thinking, “I can write this enjoyably” as I had done before. Indeed, I truly enjoyed writing the introduction that begins with a misunderstanding and the revelation that the protagonist was actually the supreme leader of a shadow organization.

Of course, there were issues like constantly shifting perspectives, flat supporting characters, and writing quality that fluctuated with my condition, but my memories of moving forward enjoyably with my readers remain vivid.

However, before long, my chronic problems surfaced.

A dragging middle section, wavering characters, and even a narrative that began running wild on its own. The flaws I hadn’t addressed after finishing my previous work emerged as if they had been waiting for this moment.

So I agonized greatly. Was it right to continue this work as it was? Would it be better to draft an early conclusion plot and end it sooner? Even if I continued writing, how many readers would still be following?

Declining performance,

Shaking mental state,

Deteriorating writing skills.

Numerous setbacks piled up, and I severely suffered from what’s commonly called the “my writing sucks” disease. As it worsened, I contemplated giving up writing dozens of times a day.

Then suddenly, I remembered the past.

When writing my first work on Novelpia, “The Worst Hero Has Returned,” I was innocently happy thinking I’d have no regrets if it just reached 100,000 views.

When writing my next work, “The Villainess’s Butler Has Returned,” I hoped for 200,000 views and would have been content with that.

And during my last work, “I Became the Academy’s Admiration Bug,” I was simply happy because writing was fun.

Only then did my mind settle a bit.

I had been arrogant.

I had the audacity to think it wasn’t my lack of skill but bad luck, and so I was devastated by results that were less impressive than my previous work.

Momentarily forgetting how precious each and every reader was, I considered abandoning the work because I couldn’t attract more readers.

I dared,

I truly dared to think that way.

Yet despite such an inadequate author, despite the unstable writing that such an author produced, readers quietly continued to follow along.

Sometimes leaving recommendations, sometimes comments discussing the work, and sometimes, most gratefully, supporting me financially.

If it weren’t for the readers who encouraged and followed me, I might have quit writing without realizing my own shortcomings.

So I am incredibly grateful.

Though I cannot list each reader’s username, I remember all of you.

Those who have followed me since my first work, those who joined from the second, those from the previous work, and those who started with this one.

When writing, I would unconsciously think of readers’ usernames and comments, and find myself smiling.

Truly, sincerely, thank you.

3.

As I mentioned earlier, while my mental state was greatly shaken, I also gained an opportunity to grow.

However, having graduated from university and become independent early this year, I needed money, and unfortunately, my current skill level was far from sufficient to make a living solely from writing. So I worked various difficult jobs while trying my best to focus on writing.

At the same time, I seriously wondered:

If my writing isn’t interesting, might I someday become a nameless author who simply disappears?

Am I neglecting reality, intoxicated by the act of writing and the title of “author”? Would it be more beneficial to quit writing and start a regular job?

But I couldn’t let go of writing.

Even when traveling around the country on business trips lasting several days, I always brought my laptop. Even after drinking so much with seniors at work sites that I vomited, I would write while vomiting.

I hated taking breaks.

I wanted to write.

Writing was fun.

My initial desire for even just one reader had grown into a desire for many more readers.

So I decided not to give up.

With so many senior authors out there, I thought it would be wrong for someone like me, who’s only been writing for a year, to give up just because of poor results.

So, as I’ve said in my previous works, my goal is to someday write a work worthy of decorating Novelpia’s front page, and to become an author about whom current readers can say, “I’ve been following this author’s work from the beginning.”

And rushing into this work, then rushing into this challenge again, I realized:

I’m still not ready to write.

I should at least recognize what the weaknesses of this work were and what the strengths of great works are before starting my next project.

So unlike before, when I immediately uploaded a new work after finishing one, I don’t know when I’ll be able to upload my next work.

It might be tomorrow, next week, or perhaps even half a year to a year from now.

But when I do start my next work, it will definitely be more enjoyable than this one.

I will return when I have a work that won’t disappoint the readers who believe in me and follow me, and that I won’t be ashamed of myself.

4.

Thank you for reading “I Became the Leader of the Dark Fantasy’s Shadow Organization” until now.

The votes that placed me around 50th place during the “Please Pick Me” event,

The precious view counts you gave me,

The valuable support you sent,

The precious recommendations you clicked.

Above all, the comments, each one incredibly precious, which are my biggest reason for writing.

I am truly grateful.

As the weather gets hotter and summer approaches, I sincerely hope that you stay cautious of the heat, insects, storms, and heavy rain, and that your days are filled with happiness.

Once again, thank you so much for following until the end.

2025.06.19 10:08

Still a small author who has completed his fourth work thanks to precious readers, Seomra.