Starting as a Manga Editor

Chapter 192: Boss! This Doesn't Look Like a Simple Reskin of Previous Gacha Pools!

Although the atmosphere between Avalon's two most important members was somewhat tense.

That didn't mean work stopped.

In reality.

The company wasn't significantly affected.

While staff members privately gnashed their teeth in frustration, they maintained professional appearances on the surface.

Most operations continued progressing steadily as usual.

Meanwhile.

At Season Technology.

Ji Fuliang had been riding high recently.

He was a clever man—though unlike Tang Yao who had experienced the algorithm revolution and extreme marketing wars in her past life.He still devised a pre-registration marketing strategy to capitalize on their sudden influx of attention.

What was this pre-registration strategy?

Simply put—create a sign-up page where reaching certain player numbers unlocked rewards like limited skins, items, or gacha chances.

Originally, by piggybacking on FGO's promotion and constantly disparaging it while leveraging their first 2D mobile game's influence, they'd attracted many FGO players and Rumi's comic readers.

Through their relentless "authentic adaptation" brainwashing, many players genuinely believed FGO's spring update was just a reskinned gacha event riding on Dark Night's popularity.

After all, Avalon hadn't launched any proper promotions until yesterday.

Meanwhile, Dark Night Decree was going all out.

Since FGO's crossover was also with Dark Night, why not try promoting their "authentic adaptation" Dark Night Decree everywhere?

Most players didn't stick to just one game, and their interest in mobile games was currently peaking.

Add in the pre-registration gacha rewards...

What if it's fun? Clicking costs nothing.

Driven by this mentality, many players actually went to Dark Night Decree's site to pre-register.

Ji Fuliang grinned in his sleep seeing the daily rising pre-registration numbers.

Initially.

He'd been somewhat uncertain about this aggressive marketing push, partly motivated by spite and revenge.

Because he truly believed! ANF rejecting their joint promotion! Was related to both games crossing over with Dark Night.

But unexpectedly.

The results were phenomenal! Just by trash-talking FGO! Hinting their event was just a reskin of old gacha pools! They attracted so many players!

And Avalon hadn't even reacted!

Ji Fuliang nearly laughed out loud thinking about the climbing pre-registration numbers.

Were those just players?

No!

They were walking wallets!

Don't want joint promotion?

Now I don't either! Don't have to share profits anymore! It's all mine!

"Regret it later!" Ji Fuliang muttered to himself.

But words aside, he reconsidered and decided to give Avalon some face.

Contempt was fine, but vigilance couldn't slacken.

With that thought.

He pressed the intercom.

Soon.

A staff member knocked and entered with a laptop.

"Boss, you called?"

Ji Fuliang grunted in acknowledgment, then asked, "Any noteworthy moves from Avalon recently?"

"Uh..."

The staff hesitated before answering, "If we're talking noteworthy, Third-Rate Teacher updated Chainsaw Man but also found time to release a short story. Over time, more people are reviewing it with exceptionally high praise."

"Oh?"

Ji Fuliang startled, "What short story?"

He didn't read comics or understand otaku culture.

But even he knew Avalon's origins—wasn't it adapting comics into 2D mobile games?

Hearing this, he immediately assumed it related to FGO, growing nervous.

"...Called The Long Goodbye. Initially ANF users discussing Chainsaw Man's latest chapters criticized her for being distracted, saying she should update Chainsaw Man more. But gradually, the criticism stopped as the short story's reception improved."

The staff approached and placed the laptop on the desk, "See for yourself."

"......"

Ji Fuliang focused.

The screen displayed a discussion thread.

[...Third-Rate Teacher, you're too much! Chainsaw Man gets us hyped, then The Long Goodbye makes us cry! [sobbing]]

[Chainsaw Man's great! This short too! At first I thought it'd be like Human Balloons, but the ending made me reflect so much I called my dad!]

[Sorry Third-Rate Teacher, I shouldn't have said you were distracted—you're not distracted! First time seeing such a hardworking mangaka! Updating a hit series more frequently than others while releasing such quality shorts! I'm officially a fan!]

[Afterimages... I'm so envious. I wish my family could suddenly appear saying "I'm home."]

[She handles serious, absurdist, AND heartwarming genres... Third-rate? What does that make other mangaka?]

[I actually cried reading this comic... waaah.]

[...]

As Ji Fuliang read these comments.

The staff explained, "I read it too—it's genuinely good..."

He sniffled before continuing, "Third-Rate Teacher is truly talented. Now I'm really looking forward to FGO's upcoming story..."

"......"

Ji Fuliang snapped back to reality, asking the key question, "So... how does this relate to FGO?"

"Uh..."

The staff froze, then said, "It doesn't. This is just Avalon's only notable recent activity..."

"!"

Ji Fuliang's face darkened, "Then why mention it? Is this what I asked about?"

The staff mumbled, not daring to speak.

As an otaku himself, he liked the comic.

Seeing the chance, he'd tried recommending it.

Maybe the boss would be interested.

Clearly.

Ji Fuliang wasn't, "I asked about FGO's status! Not this nonsense! Anything else?"

"Nothing..."

"Then get out."

Ji Fuliang pointed irritably at the door.

The staff sheepishly picked up the laptop and left.

As he walked, he closed the discussion thread and refreshed the page.

Meanwhile.

Despite his dark expression, Ji Fuliang felt secretly pleased.

Avalon still hadn't made moves! His guess must be right—their crossover really was just a reskin...

Just as he thought this.

The staff at the door suddenly stopped.

Staring at the screen in shock, he rushed back, exclaiming, "Boss! Situation!"

Ji Fuliang's thoughts were interrupted, his displeasure evident as he glared up, "More comics?"

"No! This time it's the game!"

The staff shook his head vigorously, presenting the laptop again, "Look at this!"

......

Simultaneously.

Su Deqiang blew his nose loudly with tissue, eyes red from reading the comic onscreen.

His emotions were complicated.

After reading Chainsaw Man at noon, he'd noted mentions of some short story...

But afternoon classes delayed him.

That evening, rereading Chainsaw Man left him itching for more with no updates, so he recalled Third-Rate Teacher's short, intending to criticize her distraction afterwards.

Use that time for more Chainsaw Man instead!

But after reading.

He ended up like this.

Criticism died in his throat.

"She really can draw anything..."

Su Deqiang blew his nose again, staring blankly before finally calming down.

Closing the comic, he opened ANF's main site to see others' reactions.

But upon loading.

Before reaching forums, he noticed ANF's banner ad had changed again.

This time... Avalon seemed done holding back.

The banner featured FGO's logo intertwined with Dark Night's title.

Below, a striking tagline—"Tonight, the Human Order Preservation Committee needs your light."

"...Huh?"

Sniffling, Su Deqiang was instantly intrigued, hesitating before clicking.

The page redirected.

A red-and-black background appeared, displaying Dark Night's female lead's character art.

But vastly transformed—more heroic and wild compared to the comic.

Beside the art was a video player.

Having read Rumi's famous Dark Night, Su Deqiang recognized the protagonist.

The artwork stunned him.

This was... the crossover character?

So cool?

Wasn't this supposed to be a reskin?

Baffled, his earlier melancholy forgotten, he clicked the promotional video.

It played.

After Avalon's logo flashed.

The scene opened.

A city skyline sinking into twilight, neon lights falling like stars, Chaldea's crimson alarms piercing the night.

Then.

Deep electronic tones rose as the view cut to Fuyuki Civic Center's burning ruins.

Followed by a raspy male narration.

'Some say, beyond night lies...'

Before finishing.

CRASH—

Glass shattered explosively as Mash blocked a shadowy attack in close-up.

Then.

The camera zoomed out, revealing Mash confronting a shadowed girl atop black ooze-covered skyscrapers.

Mash solemnly raised her shield, then slammed it down!

Another cut.

Da Vinci's frantic communication appeared.

"Observed Singularity F's crimson moon readings—abnormal!"

With these words.

The scene returned to the skyscraper.

In endless darkness.

The shadowed girl stepped forward, holding a lantern whose flame emitted darkness that devoured light.

She smiled cheerfully as if greeting.

'Welcome to the Eternal Night Museum, collectors.'

Seeing this breathtakingly beautiful, familiar-yet-unfamiliar new Servant emerge from darkness.

Su Deqiang was stunned, oblivious to snot dripping past his lips.

This was... Dark Night's protagonist Miyuki?

Wait?

Huh?

She's this gorgeous!?

The trailer continued with rapid combat montages.

Though fast-paced.

Su Deqiang caught many recognizable yet transformed scenes.

Data-stream-wrapped ghost armies.

Black Saber's Excalibur corrupted deep purple by dark matter.

Dark Night character Night Watcher unleashing a starry domain during their ultimate...

Leaning closer unconsciously.

Colored lights reflected on his face.

Then abruptly.

The screen darkened, golden summoning circles blazing in void.

Golden text flared.

[Now, narrative-layer shadows spread!]

[March 21st! Witness FGO x Dark Night's epic crossover!]

[Limited 5★ Servant 'Eternal Night Gatekeeper' rate UP!]

[Original story Star Cocoon & Night Chrysalis coming soon!]

[......]

Information overload.

Su Deqiang sat back dizzily, forgetting the comic entirely.

This trailer's quality, the artwork's refinement, the new story...

Wait!

Su Deqiang exclaimed incredulously, "This fucking... reskin of old gacha pools???"

......

Meanwhile.

Ji Fuliang finished watching too.

He was dumbfounded.

Internally, tsunami-sized waves crashed.

Holy shit! Holy shit! HOLY SHIT!!!

This artwork! This quality! This trailer!

And original crossover story too!?

Goddammit!

Does Avalon not understand costs!?

This isn't just outclassing Dark Night Decree's marketing!

This is bringing a cannon to a mosquito fight!

Seriously!

Just a trailer!

Does it need to be this cool!? Does it!?

DOES IT!?

Meanwhile.

The staff concealed his awe and excitement, coughing softly to remind, "Boss... FGO's event doesn't seem like a simple reskin of previous gacha pools."

"......"

Ji Fuliang turned slowly to stare.

Then.

Snapping back, he stiffened his expression, knees shaking but voice steady, "Don't panic! They're just bluffing!!"