(Asane POV)

  I'm quite pleased with the results of PR-chan's promotion. With that AI advertising my website on many social media sites, the number of visitors to my site gradually increased. Hundreds of people have visited the site and looked at the only manga series on the front page. Wadokami-sensei was also overjoyed about this news that his upload speed had improved and that the process of approving the drafts I sent him was also becoming faster. I really like the outcome of this current timeline. I'm confident that if this continues, Wadokami-sensei will complete his Isekai story or even create other incredible stories. I can't wait for that future!

  Anyway, as I was done making a manga draft for "Isekai Growth Cheat" latest chapter, and I'm not doing anything right now, I've decided to start reaching out to other amateur authors at Syosetsu.

  I have two authors in mind. If I recall correctly, these two authors wrote interesting stories around this time. They were Fudo-sensei, who wrote "Leisure VRMMO Newbie ~ Becoming Strongest through Auxillary Skills" and Shiroko-sensei, who wrote "The Villainess Quits!". As for why I chose these stories, I followed both when they were released in my previous life and was quite sad when both were discontinued after the two authors vanished, with Shiroko-sensei simply stating in her final author's note that she would be quitting due to real-life obligations.

  I don't want that to happen again!

  It's just my assumption, but I think they quit because their real-life problems have caught up to them and they didn't have the time to write anymore. Most likely, they were forced to find another career they have to pursue, and with this being Japan, it doesn't matter if you have talent. If you work for a company, the company basically decides what your role will be for your entire life. It's quite hard to quit a company in this nation once you've entered, after all.

  I know because I'm also the same in the past timeline.

  Even if my assumption is wrong, it doesn't matter. I just want to adapt their stories into manga because I want to!

  So I reached out to the two authors, sending them the same email that I sent to Wadokami-sensei, along with an attachment of illustrations for both of their characters and settings in their stories. After that, I just have to wait.

  ... Well, not really. I have another problem I need to address.

  I am running out of money!

  Okay, I can still last until next month, but after paying my rent, I won't even be able to purchase cup ramen!

  So what else can I do?

  Well, I just have to earn some money on the side.

  And I don't even have to do it by myself! How can I do it? It's easy...

  I only need a script and an AI who will do it for me!

  As I previously stated, once I finish coding PR-chan, everything will become much easier for me. I'm serious because PR-chan's code has been saved as a template, allowing me to simply copy and paste the code or extract important chunks of code to create inferior versions of PR-chan. PR-chan's entire code was a universal model that could be applied to any type of AI. I can simply replace, add, or use only specific sections of its code to create newer AIs from it. It's that adaptable!

  In fact, I've already built another AI with PR-chan's template. This other AI is called Coder-chan, and its sole purpose is to assist me with my coding whenever I create new AI or other types of programming. I can turn this AI on and off, and I can even set limits and commands for it so that it only helps me in the sections that I want it to.

  I haven't been focusing on my financial state that much, so I didn't think I'd have to resort to this soon. I don't know when we will finish Volume 2 of "Isekai Growth Cheat," and I don't want to pressure Wadokami-sensei for it, so that is why I'll have to earn money on my own.

  So, I'll be making two new programs. One is an AI whose entire purpose is finishing entire technical problems or other small projects from other companies that were looking for freelance programmers, and another is just a script that will scour through the entire internet, looking for any available contractual work that has anything to do with programming.

  With Coder-chan, the programming only took me two hours before the two were operational. I named the script [Job Scourer Script] and the new AI was named Freelancer-chan.

  Now I just have to limit Freelancer-chan's work to once a day and then let them run in the background. It would be bad if this AI decided to take every available project for freelancers in a single day. I only need enough money to sustain myself.

  [Congratulations on making new programs! Host has acquired 300 TP!]

  Right, even though I just reused old codes and used them for other purposes, the System considered it making new programs, giving me more TP that I could spend. I didn't have anything in my mind yet, so I'm just stocking up on my points. It also includes when I make AI, upgrade each part of my computers, and even just make simple scripts. It seems like making an AI gives me more TP than simply making smart applications.

  But I digress. Now that everything is done, I can just sit back and enjoy my remaining free time reading!

  It's not like I'm doing this just to help other authors. I want to read more novels and manga and watch anime too! That's literally my life as an otaku!

  And with nothing else to do, I can do just that!

  The next morning, I looked at my bank account and saw a statement stating that money had been transferred to it. The amount was more than enough for me to relax for another month, and this is just after a day of its operation. Now I don't have to worry about my money in the immediate future.

  Well, unless I have to spend so much that the income I get from Freelancer-chan is not enough... But I think it won't get to that point, right?

  Anyway, the next thing I check is my LINE. The first thing I saw was Wadokami-sensei's message. He has forwarded his suggestions on the most recent draft I sent him. It was written in a document, listing everything he wanted to add, replace, or change on each page. He was quite thorough, so implementing everything on the [Manga Assistant Tool] was quite easy.

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  With that done, I looked at the two new messages from my LINE. I quickly realized that these two are the authors I emailed yesterday after I checked each of these chatrooms. I looked at their message and saw that the two complied and would like to discuss things with me about my offer to adapt their series into manga.

  Not wanting them to wait anymore, I responded to them immediately, calling them through a video chat.

  "Hello Fudo-sensei, I'm glad you accepted my proposal."

  ["Thank you... uh, Genjitsu-san, right?"]

  "Yes, I am a newbie mangaka artist who goes by Genjitsu. So, would you like to start discussing about my proposal?"

  ["Okay."]

  ...

  ["This is... a very generous offer. Is it alright?"]

  "Of course. I would love to adapt your work into a manga. I really love the lighthearted progression of your story, and the protagonist having fun while becoming stronger at the same time."

  ["Then... yes, I will accept the contract!"]

  "Thank you very much!"

  ["Uh... do we introduce ourselves by our names, or just our usernames?"]

  "You can introduce yourself by your pen name. I don't mind."

  ["Alright. Then, thank you for reaching out to me. I am the author of 'The Villainess Quits!', Shiroko, and I am quite interested in your offer. Is that fine?"]

  "Don't be so nervous. I won't bite. Just call me Genjitsu."

  ...

  ["So it's fine even if I demand any changes to the manga?"]

  "Yes, of course. I'm the one who asked to adapt it. I want it to be the finest, and I know the creator of the story will know more than I do. So this much should be done as respect for your story."

  ["Okay, I'd like to take the contract!"]

  "Thank you very much!"

  After my talk with the two authors, two more series would be added to my website. I have already created a manga draft of their respective works and sent it to them, so I am just waiting for their approval.

  Now, I don't have to do anything. I already did anything that I needed for adapting mangas. There is nothing else to do but simply relax and enjoy my hobbies.

  Well, I can invite more authors in Syosetsu, but I don't recall any good stories out there that have been buried into obscurity this year. Most of the stories I know will be written in the future, and as for any webnovels that I also find great, they are already fated to be adapted by some other publishers.

  For example, Kirakira Shoujo will adapt "The Magical Girl in Another World" as a light novel and then as a manga after a year. I don't want to change this because their adaptation was quite good in my previous life, and the resulting anime five years later was decent enough.

  Another example is the adaptation of the webnovel "Indra Phantasma". The light novel adaptation alone was magnificent, and the climax of each arc and other memorable scenes were bolstered by Syuen-sensei's stunning illustrations. The anime version was also mesmerizing, with most scenes being hand-drawn and CGI used only in dynamic shots to highlight the beauty of the fight scenes.

  These and a few other web novels I know in Syosetsu would have this kind of luck in the future, so I didn't want to intervene. I only chose webnovels that I knew were treated poorly in my past timeline because I also wanted these stories to be given a chance. I don't want these to be thrown out, forgotten, and later on impossible to find on the net.

  I don't want to experience looking for a series only to be unable to see it just because it was deleted, or other more prominent titles that mostly resembled those forgotten ones buried it further into obscurity. Many good stories that I recalled the premises but couldn't remember the titles were lost to time, and even though I wanted to read them once more out of nostalgia, they were sadly just gone, never to return again.

  ... Anyway, I am getting sidetracked.

  I have nothing to do. Which is preferable because that means more time for me to relax and do my hobbies. I recall a lot of stories, but that doesn't mean I have seen everything this year. I only have a limited amount of free time, and every day, hundreds of interesting stories are popping up on the site.

  So, I browse at Syosetsu more to find other unknown stories. If I like it, then I will reach out to the author and offer to adapt it.

  And if I ever find even those webnovels whose titles I have forgotten, it would be better!

  (Third Person POV)

  As the days passed, netizens trickled by on the Singularity-Works, attracted by the only series that was being spread by those who became fans of it. The sole manga series on this site had pulled people continuously until it had reached more than 5,000 visitors.

  An average person might think that was a low number, but truthfully it wasn't. That was already a success to anyone who was in the industry because, first of all, the website and the manga itself barely had any advertisements. The only thing that could be considered their advertisement was that one account that spread all over Japanese social media and forums.

  Normal artists wouldn't be able to replicate the same success even if they did the same as the handler of "Singularity Works Official". Even if they managed to attract many people, whatever work they had wouldn't retain most of these people. They needed enough hype, a dedicated fandom, and even copious amounts of advertisements before they could gain that kind of result.

  "Isekai Growth Cheat" didn't do so. Its manga adaptation was so good that it overwhelmed the mediocre plot it had. Most people who checked it out became fans, and more than eighty percent of these visitors were retained, constantly checking the website or looking at the only official account that announced the website's existence.

  It had been several days since then, and the end of the month was coming soon. "Singularity Works Official" had also become quiet a week ago, so the fans were becoming a bit anxious. Most were understanding, of course, because putting manga titles on a website was already hard, mostly if they were planning to be the distributor and publisher themselves. It might take them months before a new series shows itself, along with the next volume of the only series on this site.

  Though, they couldn't avoid thinking about the same thing.

  When will the next volume come?

  Will they add a new series to their website?

  Those were just normal questions for any otaku who followed a group. Now that they were hooked, they wanted to know more, even if it would be impossible.

  So it took them by surprise when, one day, an announcement was made both on the official account from this site and on the website itself.

  (ANNOUNCEMENT)

  We are glad to announce that volume two of "Isekai Growth Cheat" will be released next week!

  Following that, two new series will be added to our site. Two volumes of "Leisure VRMMO Newbie ~ Becoming Strongest through Auxillary Skills" and "The Villainess Quits!" will be added next week, with volume one being free to read at our website.

  As a celebration for adding new series and volumes for such beloved works, our team has decided to give a 50% discount to anyone who will pre-order these volumes. This promo will last until the update arrives!

  If you are excited, please support the authors of these works here: Syosetsu.jp.co/xxxxxxx, Syosetsu.jp.co/xxxxxxx, and Syosetsu.jp.co/xxxxxxx.

  We, from the Singularity Works Team, will continue to strive and show more amazing works to the people. Thank you for staying with us!

  ~ Singularity Works Official

  This announcement revitalized the declining attention of this site. With new volumes and series coming earlier in April, the fans have clamored, talking about it in their own communities and forums.

  People were surprised that they would get such quick updates. Others were flattered that discounts would be given, even though these would be the very first batch of volumes that the site could monetize. Then there were those who were quite amazed that the site was willing to turn volume one of each series free to be accessed.

  They thought it was only reserved for "Isekai Growth Cheat," being the sole work posted on this site to attract people.

  They were essentially giving so much to the fans, even though their fandom was quite small. They weren't even fans of the site, as most of these people staying here were only here for "Isekai Growth Cheat."

  But the surprise wasn't done yet.

  Because a few hours after the announcement, people clamored after they discovered the prices of these volumes.

  Pre-orders of each manga volume cost 150 yen!

  In this country, a manga volume typically costs between 500 and 700 yen. With a 50% discount, pre-orders should cost 250 yen or 350 yen. That's what they expected. They didn't expect it to cost less!

  That meant its cost was originally 300 yen!

  And, given the stunning cover art revealed at the same time on this site's pre-order section and the fact that it was illustrated by the same artist who adapted "Isekai Growth Cheat," anyone would think it was worthwhile.

  So, without a question, hundreds of people ordered the second volume before even reading the story. Their faith in Genjitsu was so strong, thanks in large part to her ability to transform a mediocre story into a divine masterpiece!

  And on the following days, the remaining thousands had followed suit.

  Before the end of the first week of April, followers of "Isekai Growth Cheat" had waited, some even counting down the days until the site refreshed with two new series on the top page and five new volumes, three of which were paid content.

  Others were ecstatic to read the next volume of "Isekai Growth Cheat," while a few others, especially those reading the webnovel versions of the two new series uploaded on this site, were eager to read the manga adaptation.

  As that was happening, this site piqued the interest of a few members of this country's artist community. The artist behind these manga adaptations piqued their curiosity more than the story itself.

  And it wasn't just the artist who got intrigued by Genjitsu. Even some from publishing firms and the anime industry got interested in her.

  Genjitsu's LINE account was displayed on the site and in the afterwords of each volume of the manga, so they knew how to reach out to her.

  So, at the same time as the fans were clamoring about the quality of the new series posted on the site, a few of these people decided to reach out to Genjitsu herself.