Extra 3: Special Interview — "Reflections on Publishing: Memoirs of a Planner"

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Reporter: "Hello, ladies and gentlemen of the audience! Today, we have once again invited a heavyweight figure from Night Pivot City, the pure-love warrior who makes the Conglomerate Union gnash their teeth in hatred—Mr. Planner!"

Chen Shang: "Oh, hello."

Reporter: "Welcome to our interview program, Mr. Planner! It is said that 'Wasteland Romance Game,' the novel adapted from your dummy-life experiences, is about to be released. We invited you here today mainly to get your take on it."

Chen Shang (shrugging): "Why didn't you invite him for this kind of interview?"

Reporter: "Because the author is currently busy writing and hoarding chapters at breakneck speed."

Chen Shang: "I see. It's truly a miracle that guy managed to write enough to reach the release stage; I honestly thought he’d kick the bucket before it even launched!"

Reporter: "Ahem... You’re really not pulling any punches with him. To start off, I have one question: Is there any NTR in this book?"

Chen Shang: "If there is NTR in this book, I’ll personally smash his skull in (laughs). Next question."

Reporter: "Understood, that’s quite spirited. Next question: How many words is this book planned to be? Will it be abandoned?"

Chen Shang: "Probably around one million to 1.5 million words. He doesn't like writing massive epics, but anything too short would be meaningless. After all, he’s written this far and hasn't even covered a single year of the story’s timeline yet (laughs). As for the abandonment issue, his answer is: 'As long as there are people reading, I will write. The only reason I would stop is if no one is reading anymore.'"

Reporter: "Then, the next question: How was the world-building for this book originally conceived?"

Chen Shang: "Oh, actually, the idea that made him want to write this book was his experience playing 'Monster O-Story 2,' which fueled his resentment toward trash games. I believe readers of this book have surely heard of the controversy surrounding 'The Last O-er' or games like 'The Last of O-Part II,' right? The kind that doesn't treat the protagonist like a human being and forces disgusting plot points onto the player. Even if the players are dissatisfied with the plot, or even furious enough to want to kill every character in the game, the development team smugly believes they’ve created a masterpiece and tries to lecture the players... Anyway, it was that kind of resentment that drove him to write this novel's world."

Reporter: "In that case, why did the author design the background as a cyberpunk wasteland? Wouldn't a setting like Tokyo be better for a romance game? Wouldn't readers prefer cute, soft-hearted Japanese girls?"

Chen Shang: "That question is actually quite easy to answer. The theme of this book is transmigrating into a garbage game where the protagonist has zero player experience, and then having the protagonist use crazy or even criminal methods to take revenge on the game. To write that, you first have to rule out a well-ordered society governed by law. In that kind of environment, the protagonist wouldn't be able to stir up any real trouble."

Reporter: "Why do you say that?"

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Chen Shang: "Let me give you a few simple examples. Even high-level psychopaths like Feng Bujue or Mu Susu only cause chaos inside virtual games, or like in 'Infinite Courier,' where they run around in infinite worlds. If these characters were to cause a massive scene in the orderly societies they inhabit, the cost and preparation required for their crimes would skyrocket, and such protagonists would definitely be labeled as 'anti-social terrorists.' Their authors would be censored sooner or later, and then have the police knocking on their doors for a chat (laughs)."

"Therefore, if you want to write about causing chaos and destruction, it’s best to set the background in a disordered society. Generally speaking, the only two big options are Western fantasy worlds or a cyberpunk future... Of course, a horror world wouldn't be bad, but the author wanted to write something silly, so that doesn't quite fit. Western fantasy must be excluded because not many people like to read that genre anymore, and the author used to write Western fantasy—he’s sick of it. In the end, he felt a cyberpunk future was easier to write."

"Because human imagination about the future is infinite. For instance, I can say that future humans used technology to create artificial magic, or I can add orcs or elves to the world-building and call them the products of radiation mutations... And most importantly, human moral standards can be very flexible in a wasteland world, which is perfect for all sorts of wild maneuvers. In short, that guy thinks he can write whatever he wants with a cyberpunk wasteland background... or so he says."

Reporter (clapping his hands): "I fully understand. Next, a question many are curious about: Why is the book called 'Wasteland Romance Game'? Many readers think the title is terrible."

Chen Shang: "The name the author originally gave this book was even worse, and his editor roasted him for it. Eventually, he gave the editor five options, and the current title is the one the editor picked for him... Though, the reason he agreed with the editor’s choice was probably just to mess with people."

Reporter: "Mess with people?"

Chen Shang: "Like if you see a book called 'Romance Game,' you’d definitely assume it’s a generic romance system novel. Then you open it and realize the background is an NTR romance game. Then you read on and find that the protagonist’s main goal isn't to date, but to destroy the world. Then you keep reading and realize the essence of the book is still about romance and redemption, while destroying the world on the side... It’s that kind of intense, cyclical contrast."

Reporter: "Isn't the author afraid that readers will get angry and send him razor blades?"

Chen Shang: "Well, I think he’s always been indifferent to that (laughs loudly). Besides, for a bottom-tier writer like him, having someone send him razor blades would probably make him happy for a while."

Reporter: "Well... that’s quite pitiful. Next question: Many people are skeptical about the world-building and certain settings, arguing that the logic isn't rigorous and doesn't hold up to scrutiny. What is your take on this?"

Chen Shang (unable to stop laughing): "Hahahahahaha, that kills me! Are people actually looking for logic in this book? It’s a game! It’s a romance game! Is there any point in seeking logic in a romance game, hahahahaha?! Do you expect the girl you’ve maxed out to 100 favorability with in a Galgame to dump you just because you don't have a car or a house? Ahahahahahaha!"

Reporter: "Mr. Planner, please calm down... By the way, how would you evaluate the author?"

Chen Shang: "If I had to use an analogy, he’s probably the kind of high-quality fan who worships Jin Yuchuang and ends up becoming a minor celebrity himself. Like how he loved Night’s work so much that he started writing, and then, mysteriously, his performance took off, and even he is baffled."

Reporter: "That analogy... seems very subtle?"

Chen Shang: "Forget it, whatever. I’m almost tired of talking... Oh, and he says he’ll provide more detailed explanations for the 'Collapse Core' and 'Velvet Alchemy Workshop' settings in the fourth volume. Also, the subsequent development of the book will become increasingly magical, so please look forward to it... Look forward to my foot! Installing this piece of junk in my heart and then having the nerve to say things like that—get lost!"

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Reporter: "Ahem, it seems Mr. Planner isn't in a particularly good mood... But look, since the book is about to be released, do you have any final words for everyone, or any well-wishes for the author?"

Chen Shang: "Huh? What does it have to do with me that he’s releasing it? This little brat threw me into this miserable game, and now he wants me to wish him well? (laughs) Forget it. Anyway, he asked me to tell the readers to subscribe and tip within your means. If you really don't have the money, don't force it; don't let reading a novel affect your life... Of course, a subscription doesn't cost much. He hopes you can find joy in the novel, rather than letting it become a financial burden."

"Also, he has always been grateful to the readers who vote, tip, and support him through comments. He once told me, 'An author’s existence is like a god, but a god with no one to worship has no meaning and will eventually disappear in obscurity. Therefore, the readers' support is my motivation to keep writing this book.'"

"For those who are dissatisfied with this novel, he has no intention of apologizing, and he owes you nothing. After all, the 'poisonous text' you spent ten minutes or even half an hour reading is a manuscript he spent days or even a month working on. He has wasted far more time than you have (laughs)... Of course, readers who can see this far probably don't think the book is too toxic to read, right?"

"That’s all I have to say. Can I go now?"

Reporter: "Do you have any other plans after this, Mr. Planner?"

Chen Shang (shrugging): "What plans could I have? I’m just an ordinary high school student."

Reporter: "Then our interview concludes here?"

Chen Shang: "No problem, let’s wrap it up quickly."

【————————————】

So, here is the situation. Since a reader gave me a 'League Leader' donation yesterday, at his request, I have decided to release five chapters on the first day of the launch, three chapters on the second day, three chapters on the third day, and resume normal updates on the fourth day.

Also, I will make an announcement this afternoon or evening about opening a fan group with a 10-fan-point threshold. Readers who buy the first subscription can come to the group to enter a raffle for figures. I’ll post details about what kind of figures in the group. That’s all.