"Demon Slayer, what kind of book title is that? It's too simple and straightforward, completely lacking in character.
That guy's debut work is like this? Is this the so-called confidence of a genius? Heh, how composed."
"Hmm? The writing style, the difference from his current level is a bit too great, isn't it? Isn't that guy a genius? Oh, right, he debuted in his first year of middle school, so having this level is indeed considered genius, but I thought it would be even more astonishing."
"Eh, such a simple plot, can such an opening really gain the affection of others? It's too mediocre, and there are no highlights like full nudity.
Normally, one would probably abandon it after the first half, right?"
"Hmm? Focus your mind, reach the pinnacle… Slaying Rui, the Lower Rank Five Demon.
Although the writing style doesn't feel much different, it does feel a bit exciting.
If one can read up to this point, it's quite normal to have the desire to follow the updates."
"But can people really get through the beginning? By word of mouth? Old Thief was still a newcomer back then, could he have had so many fans?"
After finishing the first volume of demon slayer, Yamada Elf had some questions in her mind, but she didn't rush to solve them.
Instead, she continued reading.
The Infinite Train Arc, the moving sacrifice of Flame Pillar.
The thrilling death match in the Entertainment District Arc.
The inspiring call to counterattack in the Swordsmith Village Arc.
The widespread tragedy in the Infinity Castle Arc and the satisfying end of evil.
Volume after volume, Yamada Elf couldn't stop reading.
She completely devoured demon slayer, forgetting to eat and sleep, then let out a sigh of relief and flopped onto the large bed like a dried fish.
"So, he was this vicious from the very beginning, Izumi Old Thief! The term 'Old Thief' really isn't a misnomer for him.
So many emotional blows, if you ask me, sending him a truckload of razor blades wouldn't be too much!"
She first stated this with an air of arrogance.
"But I also realized something: Old Thief is different from what I imagined.
Before, I thought he was like Nayuta and Senju Muramasa, but the difference in writing style between the beginning and end, Old Thief's efforts are extraordinary, and his update speed is also among the fastest in the industry… It's quite impressive."
The girl pinched the fabric over her chest and muttered to herself.
It's worth mentioning that her ideal type of man is 'someone who strives with all his might to create interesting novels,' so this 'diligent genius' completely falls within her strike zone.
"In that case… Wait, what am I thinking?! It's just reading a novel."
Yamada Elf blushed and cut off that strange thought that had arisen.
She wanted to conquer Old Thief, but not by *that* method, hey!
"I'm hungry.
I'll catch up on Old Thief's puella magi madoka magica later."
Yamada Elf, enduring her fatigued body, ate a piece of bread and then quickly fell asleep.
After refreshing herself, she made an effort to prepare a full, delicious meal for herself.
During her meal, a thought struck her, and she took out her phone to search for information about Izumi Masamune online.
Subsequently, she found a post detailing Izumi Masamune's rise to fame, which cleared up many of her doubts.
"So that's it, the initial response was very mediocre.
It was the help of Kashiwagi Eri that allowed Old Thief to persevere, giving him the opportunity for a steady ascent afterward… Hmm? Kashiwagi Eri-sensei? That guy… Hahaha, ahaha, so she's a doujinshi artist!
I thought it was something impressive!"
Yamada Elf laughed several times.
"That guy is quite amazing, and this sexy art style… it feels quite suitable for me too, but unfortunately, Eromanga-sensei is already the only one in my heart!"
She also looked at some game original art drawn by Kashiwagi Eri, and praised them with clicks of her tongue.
Yamada Elf had her questions answered, and through reading the works, she also gained some insight into Izumi Masamune's information.
Although she couldn't see him as clearly as Senju Muramasa, she could still sense some of his values.
"That guy, he really is a good person in the true sense of the word."
She directly gave Izumi Chihiro a 'good person' card.
After resting for a while, Yamada Elf perked up again, preparing to finish the remaining work.
After the baptism of demon slayer, she was even more eager for the plot of puella magi madoka magica.
After all, this work had extremely high ratings online and had already been animated.
If she found it satisfying after watching it, she might even buy a set of DVDs to support it.
In a flash, a total of more than three days had passed.
Basically, apart from sleeping, eating, and washing, she didn't waste any extra time, meticulously studying.
The content, adding up to less than two million words, wasn't too much, but physical reading is inherently slower than online reading and also pays more attention to details, which is why it took her so long.
"It's gone? Wait, I feel like this blank space leaves a lot of room for imagination, doesn't it? But it would indeed be difficult to continue writing, so this counts as an open ending.
It seems like it can only be updated when Old Thief thinks of something, right?"
Yamada Elf finished reading "puella magi madoka magica" with a sense of loss.
This was her first time reading a light novel with a magical girl theme, and surprisingly, she accepted it quickly because the core of the story was still the relatively acceptable 'love and hope'.
However, the way it dealt out pain was still something she felt compelled to complain about.
"Hoo…"
She let out a soft sigh.
"The name Old Thief is certainly well-deserved, but to a certain extent, this can also be considered a deep love and deep hatred.
Such a moving story, such a simple yet touching portrayal… it's hard not to be moved."
Yamada Elf finally understood why Elmi liked that guy's works so much.
Izumi Masamune's journey from obscurity to his current standing, much like the plot development in his stories, is actually a passionate tale of rising to prominence.
A brief comparison of their work ethics was enough for her to know she had lost completely, even feeling a sense of shame.
"I feel like I'm almost becoming his fan now."
Yamada Elf muttered to herself.
Hmm? It seems there's no difference at all!
In fact, she read more seriously than the average fan and also enjoyed such stories.
That day, the girl's heart was restless, unable to settle down.
After dinner, she opened a mobile game, but even after drawing an SSR character, she didn't feel her usual excitement.
This was a bit abnormal.
"Could it be a post-reading after-effect?"
Yamada Elf thought to herself.
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💯 PS = 2 bonus chapter