Chapter 15 – Late-Night Rain and New Rankings
The rain began softly.
Abid sat by the window, sketchbook in hand, watching droplets trail down the glass. Dhaka's streets glowed under streetlights, wet and reflective like polished ink. There was something soothing in the rhythm of rain—something that allowed the mind to wander, to drift, to remember.
He hadn't drawn much today. After uploading the one-shot The Wind from Between Realms, he'd spent most of the afternoon lying in bed, staring at the ceiling fan. That story had come from somewhere deep, a quiet ache he'd rarely touched. Now that it was out, he felt... empty, and strangely at peace.
But the system wasn't done with him yet.
A soft chime echoed in his room, blending with the tap of rain on metal. His phone screen lit up.
[System Notice: Your original one-shot "The Wind from Between Realms" has reached 100,000 views in the Otherworld Manga Hub within 3 hours.]
Abid blinked.
"One hundred thousand?" he whispered.
He opened the System Interface, heart beginning to pound.
[Top Trending Titles – 3-Hour Update]
1. The Wind from Between Realms – New Entry!
2. Sword Saint Rebirth – Vol. 9
3. The Dragon Scribe's Promise
4. Magic & Moonlight – Comedy Edition
The numbers didn't lie. His one-shot was outperforming serialized works that had dominated the platform for weeks. And it wasn't even action-packed. No explosions. No flashy magic.
Just a girl. A page. A journey.
[New Achievement Unlocked: "Echo Across Realms"]
[Reward: 5,000 system credits + "Ink of Serenity" – a rare item that increases emotional resonance in drawn art.]
The screen shimmered briefly. A new item appeared in his system inventory: a vial of translucent ink, glowing faintly with a bluish hue.
He leaned back, unsure whether to laugh or cry. The ache in his chest from earlier now felt lighter, softer.
"I guess... someone out there really needed that story," he said to no one in particular.
Another notification popped up.
[Incoming Message – Fantasy World Admin: Lysara, Librarian of Elwaen]
Abid opened it immediately.
\[Lysara]: Your tale moved many, honored creator. I have read countless epics, but your quiet story reminded me why I first fell in love with ink. The scribes here now speak of something called 'silent magic'—a term born from your work. Would you consider writing more of these 'one-shots'?]
Abid stared at the message, stunned. The tone wasn't that of a fan. It was professional, reverent, filled with genuine admiration.
He typed sl[Abid]: Thank you. I didn't think it would mean so much. I'll try. No promises. But I'll keep drawing.]
Almost instantly, another message arrived.
[Lysara]: That is all one can ask of a true artist.]
A knock echoed through the apartment. He flinched.
At first, he thought it was thunder, but no. It was definitely someone at his door.
Abid set the tablet down and walked over. When he opened it, he was greeted by the sight of Mr. Rahman—the building manager—holding a plastic bag.
"You left this at the tea shop downstairs," the older man said. "That sketchbook you like to carry."
"Oh—thank you," Abid replied, taking the damp bag carefully.
Mr. Rahman didn't leave right away.
"You look different today," he said.
"Hm?"
"Lighter," the man said. "Like something heavy's been set down."
Abid chuckled awkwardly. "Maybe it has."
After a few more words, the manager left. Abid stood there for a moment, the sketchbook still in hand.
Inside were drafts—ideas he'd never finished. Stories he'd never dared upload.
He brought it back to his desk and flipped through the pages.
There was a panel of a blind man who could hear people's memories in the wind.
Another sketch of a mother writing stories into tree bark so her lost son could find his way home.
And one strange concept he'd never quite figured out: a kingdom where forgotten stories roamed as wild beasts.
He tapped his pen against his chin.
Maybe... maybe it was time to give these stories a chance.
But before he could begin, the system chimed again.
[System Suggestion: New Project Type Unlocked – "Story Bloom."]
[Details: You may now submit emotional one-shots for timed releases. Fantasy world readers will vote for expansion. Winning entries may be turned into full serials or adapted for fantasy theater.]
Abid grinned.
"Like a test pilot for manga," he murmured. "Let the readers decide what lives."
His fingers danced across the interface. The "Story Bloom" tab appeared in glowing light, elegant and simple.
Upload limit: One per week.
Expansion vote: 3 days after release.
"Challenge accepted," he whispered.
The rain outside grew heavier, but his heart was calm. Full.
He turned back to his desk, lit the small desk lamp, and pulled out a fresh page.
This time, he wouldn't rush. Wouldn't plan every twist. He would listen—to the wind, to the quiet voices inside him, and to the world beyond.
He dipped the silver-tipped pen into the Ink of Serenity.
Lines flowed naturally, soft and clear.
Not just ink on paper. Not just black and white.
But a story blooming from silence.
And somewhere, he knew, a girl in a village under starlight was already waiting for the next page.