Post-Book Reflections

Well, I had intended to take a few days off before picking up the pen again, but I’ve discovered that once daily writing becomes a habit, it’s hard to sit still. So, I might as well get a little bit done. Before I start rambling, I hope you’ll all consider joining the reader group; I truly want to connect with you. The group number is in the epilogue of the first volume—if I post it here, well, you know how it goes.

Regarding this book, to be honest, it drifted slightly from my initial vision. Fortunately, I eventually found a suitable direction without forcing a pivot that would have caused the narrative to collapse—or so I like to think, though I’m sure there are still flaws. My experience was indeed lacking, and I stepped into several traps that I now recognize as mistakes.

To put it simply, the biggest failure was the protagonist’s lack of internal drive. No matter how I described him, I suspect many readers found him a bit "boring," as if he were just drifting through life.

Yes, that was my oversight. The protagonist lacked pressure—not in terms of plot stakes, as even an Outsider would face doom—but in his personality. His fearlessness and pragmatic nature, combined with his overpowered abilities and the detached perspective of an outsider who cares for little beyond his friends, made the story feel somewhat "flat."

He rarely felt the heat, especially in the fourth volume. Despite the greater stakes, the tension seemed weaker than in the first three volumes—the World Eater or the capture of the capital, for instance, had a bit more edge to them.

That was a failure. Even when I tried to accelerate the pacing, it didn't have the desired effect. In my next book, I won't treat the protagonist so kindly; he will have to struggle to survive. I’ve already named the first volume: "Stray Dog."

Second, the power scaling. I never intended to push it this high. I’m not fond of excessive power levels, but as I wrote, it slipped from my control.

Once his unique traits were unlocked, he became undeniably strong, but I wish I had handled it with more finesse. The combat scenes, including those involving other entities, became a bit chaotic and repetitive. I will fix this in the next book; I won't inflate his power just for the sake of it. Perhaps a "special forces operator" archetype is more in line with what I want to write.

Let’s talk about the progression I mentioned in previous epilogues: participation, influence, change, and dominance. That was the arc of the four volumes. I stopped trying to force setbacks on him; since he has the ability, he should be dominant.

From the start of the fourth volume, he was "strong" because he truly was. That was his role: a powerhouse standing in the torrent of an era, capable of steering the river’s course. He held real "status" in that volume.

Now, about his character. I don't think I’ve ever discussed his design in detail.

Throughout the book, the supporting cast evolved—their personalities and ways of handling things changed significantly. The heroine went from timid to confident, Edward resolved his inner conflict, and Charles became reliable.

But the protagonist never changed. Look closely: he is the same at the end as he was at the beginning. He learned a few lessons, but his essence remained untouched.

That was one of my original intentions: what would a simple, decent man without ulterior motives actually achieve?

He was a character whose maturity was set from the start. His logic was so simple it kept him from ever being lost. Don't overthink, don't dwell on the absurd, don't carry unnecessary baggage.

That’s him—an "ordinary" man to the extreme. If someone hits him, he hits back. He wasn't one for monologues or trying to solve problems with empty words. "Depends on my mood" was his response to complex, philosophical dilemmas. He followed his gut, and he never hesitated.

Looking back, while it made the plot a bit scattered, I succeeded in seeing what I wanted to see. He did well, though he is certainly no hero.

His actions were always for his own sake. He had no ambition to carry the world’s burdens, and he would openly admit he lacked that "great power, great responsibility" drive. But I think he played the role of a "friend" quite well. A decent guy.

As for the rest, there isn't much to say. I do regret being constrained by the Western fantasy template.

Some ideas felt too out of place for the genre, so I didn't dare write them. Even so, by the late stages, you might have noticed that this world only looked like traditional fantasy. With the Void and the magic systems I invented, it was essentially an alien planet disguised as fantasy. I was heavily influenced by Yuan Tong.

It’s a pity I left some interesting things unwritten, but I’ll have no such constraints in the next book: Cyber-Eldritch Horror. I can use all my chaotic ideas there. No one has set rules for that genre, and I’m already excited about it.

I believe I’ve covered the foreshadowing and lore—what magic, the Void, gods, aura, domains, the Abyss campaign, and the protagonist’s origins are. I don't think I missed anything major.

Someone might ask, "What about the Artifacts?" I chose not to reveal everything. The other continent, the nature of the Artifacts—it wasn't laziness. You know me; I could invent a reasonable explanation in five minutes. But would it be meaningful? I don't think so.

I gave the scholars in this book a lot of space because I respect them. The world needs "mystery" and the "unknown." There are things that pioneers and scholars must discover. The other continent, the Artifacts, the stars—these are for those "great" scholars to explore.

No one can understand everything, but someone must try. So, please forgive me for not defining every "wonder" like the Ossuary.

If you have questions about the lore, ask in the comments; I will definitely explain them!

As for the next book, I’ve learned my lessons. Cyber-Eldritch Horror, single heroine, a protagonist with a similar essence but less rigid, and a much harder life. The pressure of survival, the ticking clock, and the oppression of villains. The first volume, "Stray Dog," will be full of urgency. I’ll prepare during the winter break and start when the holidays end—a month or so of rest?

Finally, thank you to those who read this far. Without you, I could never have reached this point with such joy. Special thanks to the readers: 1669044170, Wang Ba Gui, youyou, Yi Shi Yi Wu Yi Shi, July’s Qi Xia, Guang Sui Meng Shi Chang Ye Wu Bai, Super Saiyan... and many others.

I’ve missed some, and I’ve skipped those in the group because we chat all the time. I know my memory is poor, but I’ve read every comment and every reply. I’m truly happy you read my book. Thank you for the journey!

I’ll write the character profiles and epilogues when I have the time!