novelraw Chapter 48 The Terrifying Train Rushing Around
Chapter 48 The Terrifying Train Rushing Around
One hour after the Edogawa Ranpo Ryusho ended.
All the well-known newspapers in Tokyo unanimously published a special supplement.
The newspaper's theme revolved entirely around a name that was completely unfamiliar to the general public: Maijo Kyosuke.
The newspaper not only highlighted that Maijo Kyosuke had just won the Edogawa Ranpo Ryu Prize with his book "The Tokyo Zodiac Murders," but also that he was a rare genius writer.
The report also mentioned that at the awards ceremony, Kyosuke Maijo claimed that he would not only write a long mystery novel that no one had ever read or that no one else could write.
It will take another week to publish this short mystery novel in the second issue of Top Hat magazine, a story that all mystery writers can only look up to!
He even made a bold statement, accepting all submissions to Top Hat magazine and openly competing with him!
If I lose to anyone in the public vote, I will publicly apologize and stop writing!
Newspaper supplements about Maijo Kyosuke had huge circulations, and newspapers all over Tokyo were vying to report on this extraordinary story.
Some newspapers even went so far as to publish photos of Maijo Kyosuke and Matsumoto Seicho shaking hands in their newspapers in order to attract attention.
The newspapers even ran headlines like "The Most Arrogant Mystery Novelist of All Time!" or "The Dark Horse Writer with the Greatest Potential to Become a Flagbearer of the New Era!"
Compared to Maishiro Kyosuke's "arrogance," everyone overlooked the "romantic scandal" in the newspapers about Maishiro Kyosuke and the beautiful editor-in-chief, Eri Miri.
After all, he had just won the newcomer award and dared to publicly challenge all the mystery writers in Japan!
Such an unprecedented event is not only unseen in the history of Japanese mystery fiction, but also unprecedented in the entire world of literature!
However, for the general public, this is just something to talk about over tea.
Because at this time, Maijo Kyosuke had not published any works, people could only glean his arrogant attitude from snippets of information in the newspapers.
"A full-length mystery novel that no one has ever read or written before?"
"Writing a short mystery that would make all writers look up to you in just one week?"
"This guy named Maijo Kyosuke is bragging way too much; he's just a clown who doesn't know his own limitations!"
Most people's comments after seeing the reports about Maishiro Kyosuke were like this.
No one believed that Kyosuke Maijo would win the match.
No one believed that Kyosuke Maijo would become the standard-bearer of Japanese mystery literature.
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In front of the Chomei no Yu (Long Life Hot Spring) gate in Asakusa, Taito Ward, Tokyo.
After saying goodbye to Maishiro Kyosuke, Uyama Hideomi, and Eri Miri.
He immediately returned to his room on the second floor, sat down at the table, and began to think about the short mystery novel that would be published in the second issue of Top Hat magazine.
This time, it was a challenge issued by Kyosuke Maijo to all mystery writers in Japan, a do-or-die situation!
If successful, he would become famous and join the ranks of well-known writers!
But if you fail, it's practically the same as having no way out!
Therefore, Maijo Kyosuke naturally knew that he had to bring out his strongest short mystery novel to ensure that everything went perfectly!
Moreover, this short mystery story not only needs to be logically sound, but also needs to be unsurpassable, unpredictable, and possess sufficient originality and an amazing structure!
This short mystery novel, which combines so many features and completely surpasses all Japanese mystery writers in terms of logic, is truly remarkable!
So, there's only one piece left, "The Conclusion," right?
With these thoughts in mind, Maijo Kyosuke immediately immersed himself in writing!
No matter what! I'm going to seize this opportunity to make a name for myself!
Because if I lose this opportunity, I will never have any chance to turn things around!
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Just as Maijo Kyosuke was writing "Convergence" all night, intending to bring a shock to this parallel world.
The magazine and sales departments of various publishing houses are already seething with activity!
Although the people of Tokyo did not know who Maijo Kyosuke was, as soon as Edogawa Ranpo's Dragon Award ended, almost all the magazine and sales departments of publishing houses sensed a dangerous atmosphere!
The reason is self-evident: Maijo Kyosuke has created an enormous stir this time!
Even though everyone was pessimistic about Maishiro Kyosuke's chances and thought that he would definitely lose this time!
However, it is undeniable that Maijo Kyosuke's fame has far surpassed that of a new writer!
The fact that newspapers all over Tokyo would publish special supplements about him is enough to make him famous!
It's worth noting that even for a writer specializing in unconventional mystery novels, like Asayama Tokiichi, whose death was not enough to prompt every Tokyo newspaper to publish a special issue to report on it!
Given Maishiro Kyosuke's immense popularity, Kodansha could easily turn him into a powerful money-making machine with just a little effort!
Therefore, after learning about the news about Kyosuke Maijo, many publishing houses held meetings overnight to discuss whether to change the publication dates of their magazines.
The magazine, originally scheduled for release on Monday, was moved to Tuesday to avoid colliding with the "terrifying train" that is Top Hat magazine!
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Although Kodansha's president, Genjiro Noma, is incredibly obese, he is a very ambitious and shrewd president.
When Genjiro Noma was at the Edogawa Ranpo Ryusuke Awards ceremony, he heard Kyosuke Maijo stand on the stage and say that he would challenge all Japanese mystery writers in the Top Hat magazine.
Noma Genjiro keenly sensed the business opportunity!
He immediately instructed his sales manager, who was also his brother-in-law, Yasunori Mikoshiba, to contact the printing press and increase the print run of "The Tokyo Zodiac Murders" from 20,000 copies to 50,000 copies!
Because, regardless of whether Maijo Kyosuke wins or loses this time, it is a rare and valuable opportunity for Kodansha!
If Maijo Kyosuke wins this bloody and fierce competition!
With Maijo Kyosuke's overwhelming power and reputation, his first published work, "The Tokyo Zodiac Murders," will sell at least 400,000 copies!
What if Maijo Kyosuke unfortunately loses the match?
Then Noma Genjiro could put "The Tokyo Zodiac Murders" on the cover and declare it the final work of a genius writer, squeezing the last bit of value out of Maijo Kyosuke!
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January 14, 1980 (Showa 55).
The magazine "Top Hat," funded and launched by Kodansha, has made a glamorous debut.
On the same day, nearly 80 percent of the magazines in Tokyo that originally planned to be released on Mondays wisely moved their release dates to Tuesdays.
Newsstands, convenience stores, and bookstores along the street were packed with people eager to join the fun!
Although everyone came with the intention of mocking Maijo Kyosuke's article.
But it also inadvertently increased the sales of Top Hat magazine!
This makes Top Hat magazine like a "terrifying train that runs rampant," smashing through all obstacles on its tracks!
While other magazines hadn't even sold 5,000 copies.
Half a million copies of Top Hat magazine were snapped up instantly!