NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 7: Chapter 7
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Chapter 7: A Spark in the Dark
Lucien D. Blackthorn was dying, and he knew it. Every second was borrowed time. He didn't want to waste what little he had left dodging questions from fanatical readers or being surrounded by unwanted attention.
Being famous wasn't worth losing precious time. Not now.
With the help of the system, fame could come later—if he survived. But survival came first.
That's why Lucien made a decision: publish anonymously. He didn't want anyone to know who was behind the pages of "Attack on Titan" until he was out of danger.
Eriri Sawamura understood immediately. She herself had spent years hiding her identity as the renowned doujin artist "Kashiwagi Eri." Only a few close friends knew her secret life.
After giving her word, Eriri stepped out of the ward, leaving Lucien to his medical examination. She waited outside, anxiety written all over her face.
Inside, the medical staff began a thorough examination of Lucien. Instruments beeped, graphs moved on monitors, and the air carried a scent of antiseptic and tension.
As the inspection stretched on for almost an hour, the system's temporary consciousness boost wore off. Lucien fell into another coma, pale and motionless.
The attending physician's brows furrowed. He reviewed Lucien's condition again and let out a sigh of frustration.
"Yesterday's procedure bought us no time. The cancer's spread is systemic. At best, he has a week. Maybe less."
The staff around him grew silent. Their hearts sank.
"Only the latest gene-targeted therapy might help," said an assistant doctor hopefully.
But the attending physician shook his head. "That therapy isn't available here. We don't have the tech, the delivery tools, or time to extract his immune T-cells and formulate a custom drug. Even if we could start today, it wouldn't be fast enough."
They could only manage pain.
After a few more quiet words, the staff began to file out of the room. Eriri stood up the moment she saw them and hurried forward.
"Doctor… how is he?" she asked softly.
The attending physician looked into her eyes and spoke carefully. "His condition is extremely critical. You should spend what time you can with him."
The words hit Eriri like a blow to the chest. She lowered her head, not wanting the doctor to see her trembling lips.
Feeling guilty, the physician tried to shift the conversation. Noticing the comic manuscript in her hands, he asked, "That's his work, right? May I take a look?"
Eriri nodded and handed him the notebook.
The doctor flipped through the first few pages—and his expression changed.
"Incredible… This is incredible. He's a genius."
For a moment, even the physician saw Lucien in a different light. A dying boy, yes, but also a once-in-a-generation creator. No wonder he fought so hard to keep drawing.
Yet, duty came first.
He handed the notebook back and said gently, "If you want him to live another two days, don't let him draw anymore. He's burning himself up."
"…I understand," Eriri replied, her heart sinking again.
She stepped back into the ward. Lucien was fast asleep, his breathing slow and shallow.
She sat with him in silence for a few minutes. Then she quietly left the hospital.
Back home, Eriri went straight to her mother, Sayuri Sawamura, who handled the management and publication of Eriri's own fanworks.
After reading just a few pages of Lucien's manga, Sayuri's eyes widened.
"This boy has talent," she said sincerely. "Let's try to get this published."
She immediately began making phone calls.
"Hello, Shimada-san? It's Sayuri—yes, Kashiwagi Eri's agent. I have something urgent I'd like you to see…"
Call after call, she tried different editors she knew in the manga and publishing industry.
But every time, she was turned down.
"No fame, no awards, no competition wins? Too risky."
"We can't break protocol for someone completely unknown."
"Sorry, we can't publish an anonymous work from a rookie. That's against policy."
One after another, they rejected Lucien without even seeing the full manuscript.
The harsh truth of Japan's manga industry surfaced. Every year, hundreds of aspiring mangaka entered competitions, worked as assistants, studied under veterans—all for a chance to be published. Fame came slowly, if at all.
Lucien had none of that.
After a full hour of trying and failing, Sayuri hung up and sighed. Eriri was close to panicking.
"Mom, should we ask Dad for help?" she asked hesitantly.
Her father, a high-ranking diplomat, had connections across industries.
Sayuri considered the idea and shook her head. "Even if he did step in, it wouldn't help. Editors are thinking about profits, not favors."
"Then what can we do?!" Eriri's frustration cracked through.
Sayuri paused. Then, her expression changed.
"…We'll publish it online."
Eriri blinked. "Online?"
"Yes," Sayuri said firmly. "We'll skip the traditional route. Publish the comic on a digital platform, under an anonymous name. If the story is as powerful as I believe it is, it'll go viral. Let the readers decide."
For the first time that day, a small glimmer of hope returned to Eriri's eyes.
"…Okay. Let's do it."
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🔥 Why stop at the cliffhanger? The next chapters are already waiting! 🔥
If you're hooked on the story and want to dive deeper into the twists, turns, and drama — join my Patreon today! 📖✨
By becoming a member, you'll unlock advance chapters, exclusive content, and help support my work so I can keep writing even during tough times.
Every single membership matters — and your support truly keeps this journey alive.
So if you've enjoyed what you've read so far, don't wait.
👉 patreon.com/Forbidden_lust — The next chapter is just one click away.
Let's keep the story going — together. 💬💖