Min-Maxing My TRPG Build in Another World - Volume 9.1 - Chapter Aft

Afterword

I would like to thank my grandmother for always watching over this series. I miss you.

Now then, this is my eleventh Western-style afterword. I would like to take this opportunity to once more apologize to my editor for vastly missing the deadline, to Lansane for my late replies and wordy, fussy requests despite handing in the manuscript barely in time—to the point I’m still doing so as I write this afterword—and to everyone involved for my tardiness. I’ve almost run out of fingers to lop off out of penance at this point.

Finally, I would like to apologize to my dear readers with whom I am so lucky to share a table for my slow writing and the delay with this story and its two-volume format. It is thanks to your support that I have managed to publish this volume. OVERLAP, Inc. and I have quite the powerful Bond. I am fully aware that a writer who writes so many words and at such a slow place is in danger of breaking these Bonds, so I can only apologize. I would like to thank everyone who helped me throughout this process and my loyal readers for your support.

I’m still a bit surprised things ended up this way. When I had written Canto I with its ninety-five percent original story, I had sent a curse tunneling back through time to my past self for not keeping things more in check, but here we are regardless. I’m writing up the afterword of Canto II with the realization that there’s no way things will progress like they did in the web version!

But all the same I had lots of fun. I worked some stuff back in that I wanted to write but totally forgot about, and even managed to bring back some characters from the grave who had originally been created out of my overexcitement. There was even a full party based on our own PCs’ formation that they would face against instead of one big boss. It reached a scale that was rarely seen even at my old cave’s table, but I don’t regret it. Well, I want to learn from the process, at least.

Now, regarding the enemies that sent ripples across the table this time. During the early plotting stage, I was talking to my editor and I was told, “Don’t you think we’re lacking in characters that fit the role of the enemy?” so I feel that our responsibility is shared for these creations. To clarify from last time, I didn’t ask Lansane to draw me characters that fit my tastes, okay? We clear?

With that aside, I’d like to talk a bit about the content of this volume without diverging too much into spoiler territory. During the web novel, I wanted to up the pace and ended up cutting a lot of relevant scenes, and so we ended up with the Fellowship of the Blade appearing pretty suddenly. This great divergence began because I wanted to flesh out the clan’s beginnings.

Looking back on it now, what was I thinking? Instead of focusing on bringing Mika back quickly, there I was busily writing away about the formation of Erich’s clan once more.

All the same, I’m pleased with how I managed to get the Fellows’ personalities across. You see, in the web novel they were achieving great feats, but the readers hadn’t actually received much detail about them. This wasn’t something I realized too late or anything, but it was just sitting in my head gathering dust, so it was as good as not real. I’m quite happy that I managed to write their meetings that had been slumbering in my brain.

That brings us to our powerful foes who Erich fought in the last volume’s Middle Act. They perfectly encapsulated my own personal ta— Excuse me. They were packed with elements that I thought my readers would enjoy, to form a unique little assassin group. And even a ninja. Continuing on from the last volume, my neurons are pretty charred by now.

Allow me to say one thing in that there was a former lore story for this. I think around the time of the first or second volume I made a small reference to a group from a previous session I’d played who all shared from one cup and took on the same name. I did a little demon fusion with this party from a table from the past, my own personal tastes, and a sprinkling of some elements from notable characters from another table I’d been at.

The original One Cup Clan had formed from drinking from the cheap cup sake you can buy in stores here in Japan, but I added in my own little bit of originality for the sake of this novel. I think my friends who created the original inspiration together will be like, “Who the hell are these people?!” but I just wanted to use those cherished memories from that session somehow.

You, dear readers who are reading this afterword, might be confused that such good memories could become what you read in this volume, but it’s love. Yes, you heard me—love.

I mean, as soon as those bastards realized that surprise attacks would increase damage, they all decided to specialize as undercover operatives who could launch deadly sneak attacks all the time! It was so ridiculous, there’s no way I’ll forget that—I just wanted to use it somehow!

You see, from the germ of an idea about how it would always be better to wait until the mountain bandits were in a drunken sleep instead of attacking them head-on, we ended up with a party chock-full of assassins. Can I explain just how terrible it all was for me? That’s when the GM (i.e., me) started to really value those enemies that simply don’t need sleep. I brought out golems that don’t rest, vampires who were immune to mind-affecting status ailments, and tough foes who could strike back with their totally legal but deadly shields. It was a truly fulfilling and fun time for the data munchkins of the party.

Hey, guys? This is proof that I haven’t forgiven any of you for the pain you caused me...

In truth, I’m in the midst of another campaign at another table made up of a team that’s half composed of assassin-like characters, so let’s say that I’ve been sufficiently distracted and I’ve managed to get past those memories...

Now then, the story will finally be entering Erich’s young adulthood—yes, as of just recently in fact—and although he will soon be able to save a world or two, these things need to come in their right order—from a village being attacked by barbarians, to a city endangered by destruction by a nefarious plot, to total world annihilation that could come at one accidental push of a button. I feel that it’s important to set out the required steps before doing something so grand as saving the world. If this route isn’t taken, then the hero will find himself wiped out because his level is too low.

If I pass this Luck roll and if I have all of your support, then this story will finally reach the exciting developments beginning in the tenth volume, which will be both new and familiar to those who have read the web novel! The great feat of double digits!

I’d like to reaffirm that the theme of the novelized version of this series is “Oh, I know thi— Oh, wait, no I don— Hm? Maybe I do...I think?” so I’m excited to write a lot of new material for you. Thank you all and I hope you stick with me.

In the next volume, there may be some long-awaited reunions! With Lansane’s amazing illustrations, at that!

Nothing will make me happier than being able to sit with you at the table once more, with your patience for a GM who can’t hold his urge to write ad nauseam.

Now then, I hope everyone remembers their character sheets as they head out. Your GM has a wonderful clock that came with the special edition of this volume, so he’ll make sure to plan the sessions in time to catch the last train. Don’t be late for the next session, you hear?

I close this afterword with the hope to once more write my name as GM on your record sheets.

[Tips] The author uploads side stories and world-building details to @Schuld3157 on Twitter as “extra replays” and “rulebook fragments.”