Starting as a Manga Editor

Chapter 200: What Trash Did I Play Yesterday?

[I received many private messages last night, my hands were trembling before opening them... As expected, everyone was asking the same question: "Teacher Rumi, did you actually approve of Dark Night Decree's storyline?"]

[Now, I'll officially respond... Actually, many things were beyond my control. I couldn't interfere with the game adaptation project's storyline.

All I can say is sorry.]

[However, if you're truly dissatisfied with the adapted game's plot... you might want to try FGO.]

[For their crossover storyline, I provided the main outline and communicated extensively with the developers... They showed great respect for me as the original creator, even having me draw many character illustrations.]

[Honestly, I feel a bit embarrassed, not knowing how the final product will turn out in the game...]

At the same time.

Jian Yinghua saw this post from Rumi... It seemed like standard promotional cooperation.

But both the wording and tone didn't seem like a template, rather it appeared to be personally written by Teacher Rumi.

This made him conflicted.Yesterday.

He had been genuinely furious! That so-called "official adaptation" was an insult to his favorite work!

So he immediately uninstalled the game, vented on forums, and swore never to play any crappy games again.

He even deleted his bookmarked FGO website.

Completely giving up on games.

However.

After sleeping on it and calming down, he saw Rumi's post.

He recalled his initial excitement when watching the FGO x Dark Night trailer, remembering how FGO had emphasized that this crossover would feature original content personally overseen by Teacher Rumi...

Now Teacher Rumi confirmed it herself.

Combined with what he knew from forum discussions, where many players still had faith in FGO...

This...

Although Jian Yinghua felt he was being shameless.

He was genuinely tempted to try it.

But yesterday's experience with Dark Night Decree had left too deep an impression.

Still hesitant, he closed social media.

After some thought, Jian Yinghua opened a fan group chat and posted: "FGO's Dark Night crossover event launches today - anyone still playing?"

The moment he sent it.

The previously active discussion about current affairs suddenly went silent, then exploded.

"Only dogs would play! Got fooled yesterday! Think I'll fall for it again?"

"Trash game! Who dares play after that adaptation? If the official version was that bad, FGO's crossover must be worse!"

"Not playing! Screw off!"

"Still angry just thinking about it. Play? Playing that game felt like being cuckolded! So mad."

"Actually, being cuckolded might be better..."

"Quick! Where are the pure love warriors?"

"..."

Jian Yinghua wasn't surprised by the unanimous rejection.

After all, everyone in the group were fans of Dark Night.

He almost backed out too.

But after closing the chat.

Unable to resist, he subconsciously reopened FGO's website.

Instantly, he was captivated by the exquisite character art displayed there.

No helping it.

Yesterday's Dark Night Decree had been so terrible... The contrast was overwhelming.

Though Dark Night Decree's promotional materials had looked promising too.

...After much internal debate.

Jian Yinghua gritted his teeth and clicked download.

Whatever.

He was genuinely curious.

If it turned out to be another scam, he'd quit games for good.

With this mindset, he downloaded the game and checked the time.

11:50 AM.

Coincidentally, almost noon.

The FGO crossover event would begin soon.

But this time, Jian Yinghua lacked yesterday's excitement, instead feeling uneasy.

Afraid of being fooled again.

The short ten minutes.

Passed quickly.

Leaning back in his chair, Jian Yinghua opened the game expressionlessly, muttering: "Please don't be another scam..."

After brief loading.

The logo appeared.

Followed by the login screen.

Expressionless Jian Yinghua blinked - so fast... Why was Dark Night Decree so slow yesterday?

While thinking this, he smoothly completed registration and entered the game.

Screen went black.

Then... the prologue began.

So fast.

Jian Yinghua thought again.

But soon, he stopped noticing as exquisite character art unfolded on screen, showcasing refined art style and meticulous details.

Jian Yinghua's mind filled with question marks as his back abruptly left the chair, sitting upright.

What?

He stared at the screen in shock.

Was this the same thing he played yesterday???

Dynamic character art, excellent audiovisual integration, such strong artistic direction.

Though the story progressed as a visual novel.

Avalon had worked wonders within limitations... mastering live2D.

This presentation...

Jian Yinghua's face showed disbelief as he continued. Upon reaching battle sequences, seeing beautiful character art followed by full-screen Noble Phantasm animations.

Another question mark appeared.

Simultaneously.

He recalled yesterday's Dark Night Decree - its crude presentation, rough art, awkward combat.

Faintly.

He could see Dark Night Decree's shadow in this game.

No.

Rather, Dark Night Decree had copied this game's shadow... compared to this, Dark Night Decree was just a poor imitation.

"No way... seriously?"

In his room.

Jian Yinghua muttered while progressing through the prologue.

Game sounds continuously filled the room.

As the story progressed, charming characters appeared one after another, with narrative layers unfolding naturally alongside appropriately challenging battles...

Soon.

The prologue ended.

Though including some tutorials, Jian Yinghua didn't feel annoyed like with Dark Night Decree.

Because FGO's guidance was concise, subtly integrating systems with the story rather than constant reminders.

As for the plot... compared to Dark Night Decree, it was night and day.

Jian Yinghua had watched Fate/Zero when it was popular, being a manga fan.

Though he disliked ensemble casts, hence not loving it as much as Dark Night, he acknowledged its excellence.

And FGO was also manga-adapted...

Honestly.

This contributed to his earlier hesitation.

After yesterday's terrible adaptation...

He'd worried this might repeat Dark Night Decree's failure.

But the prologue proved him wrong!

Only Dark Night Decree would do something as stupid as replacing the protagonist!

FGO featured completely original content! Not reusing Fate/Zero's plot!

Yet it didn't forget Fate/Zero either.

In Observation mode, a flashback showed Fate/Zero's Saber destroying the Holy Grail.

Though just an animated CG.

The high-quality presentation still stunned Jian Yinghua.

Wide-eyed, he murmured: "If Dark Night Decree did this! I'd have spent money already!!! Look at this!!! See how you should treat source material!!!"

Now.

He felt anger.

Because FGO's quality... far exceeded expectations!

Now he understood - Dark Night Decree could have been good! Season Technology just lacked capability!

If Avalon had developed it...

Jian Yinghua stopped that thought, remembering... FGO also had a Dark Night crossover.

Right.

The crossover event.

He temporarily exited Observation mode, returning to the main screen.

Upon completing the prologue.

A popup immediately appeared.

Announcing the crossover event.

[Eternal Night's Veil Falls, Humanity's Last Line in Peril—"FGO×Dark Night" Crossover Begins!]

"..."

Jian Yinghua immediately clicked it.

But instead of gacha, it led to a special story page - the promised original content: "Star Cocoon & Night Chrysalis."

Seeing this, Jian Yinghua reached out with mixed hope and anxiety.

This... surely wouldn't be like yesterday's Dark Night Decree?

The main game's so good, surely not?

Please don't disappoint.

Thinking this, he clicked start.

The crossover prologue began.

Images appeared...

Chaldea's alarms shattered silence as Singularity F's moonlight distorted.

Fuyuki's ruins oozed pitch-black mud, buildings covered in crimson patterns, the Throne of Heroes' star chart devoured by unknown shadows.

When the Lantern Bearer's footsteps echoed through data streams, humanity's "Night" gained physical form...

Just reading the beginning.

Jian Yinghua's eyes widened as he whispered: "So cool..."

Unable to hide his excitement.

He knew!

From the start he knew!

This time! He wasn't scammed!

This wasn't Dark Night Decree!

Excited.

As the story progressed... his certainty grew.

Especially when familiar manga characters appeared with high-quality animations, delivering iconic lines.

"Ah!!"

Jian Yinghua leapt from his chair in excitement.

Yes yes yes!

This was what he wanted!

This was what he expected from Dark Night Decree yesterday!

Damn it! Scammed! Totally scammed!

Should've played FGO directly!

Jian Yinghua nearly cried. When battle scenes appeared... Dark Night protagonist Miyuki's art appeared, unleashing her Noble Phantasm - the entire screen covered in animation, golden summoning circles amidst broken lantern glass, displaying two lines of burning crimson text.

Seeing this manga-accurate skill, the amazing artwork, feeling Avalon's sincerity.

Jian Yinghua immediately thought—what trash did I play yesterday!!!

Then.

A second thought emerged—he must get this character! At any cost!

Excitement, thrill, shock, regret... all mixed together.

As the crossover story progressed, emotions peaked.

After finishing the prologue.

Jian Yinghua didn't hesitate—he immediately put down his phone.

Not to quit.

But to...

Reopen that group chat, typing furiously within five seconds: "Everyone! This time it's truly worth it! Quick! Play FGO now! Their Dark Night crossover!!! Absolutely amazing!!!"