Chapter 3: System, Write a Novel for Me!

【Please choose a subject】

Really?

Qingshan Li fell into thought.

He was an ordinary high school student with nothing remarkable except his 'Beauty' at A — the kind of person whose face looked decent, but had nothing else going for him.

To avoid unnecessary trouble, it was best to write a novel suited to his identity.

For example, a light novel with childish writing that won on novelty.

But he chose money.

"You tell me," he asked the two sisters, looking up, "what kind of novel makes the most money?"

"Why ask that?" Ono Mihana asked curiously.

"You're going to write a novel?" Ono Mizuki glanced at the pen and paper in his hand. "I thought you were preparing to study. I suggest you study seriously."

"Just answer my question," Judge Qingshan Li said.

"Not too sure," Ono Mihana said with a thoughtful expression, "books that won the Akutagawa Prize or Naoki Prize?"

"No, no." Ono Mizuki shook her head. "It's mystery novels. In Japan, mystery novels definitely have the biggest market and make the most money."

"I've never read one at all," Qingshan Li muttered to himself.

Can you write a book you've never read?

'System, don't make me look down on you!'

——Campus Mystery Novel, protagonist is a second-year high school student, main ability is extraordinary looks.

【Material Collection Started: 1%, 2%, 3%】

It's starting already?

Qingshan Li gripped the pen in his hand tightly.

A system product — even if it wasn't a phenomenon-level work, it could at least cross the threshold into bestsellers. Even 100,000 copies would probably earn several million Japanese Yen?

Several million.

Still, don't get carried away.

Being able to eat curry for three days a meal, own two sets of everyday clothes for each season, afford the latest mobile phone, pay the water, electricity, and phone bills, and have a little savings left over — that would be enough to satisfy him.

'Come on, system, quickly pull me up from the floor of life!'

【73%, 74%】

The progress bar stopped.

——What's going on?

【Material Insufficient, please collect materials】

'Do I have to do it myself?' Qingshan Li spun his pen.

"Li-kun's in a good mood. Did inspiration come?" Ono Mihana asked with a smile.

"He's definitely fantasizing about being surrounded by six, seven, or eight female leads," Ono Mizuki accused him out of nowhere.

Increasing strength and speed requires enduring pain;

increasing intelligence requires spending time studying;

increasing housework ability requires doing it personally;

writing a novel requires material collection.

Very good.

This put his mind at ease.

"What six, seven, or eight female leads — four or five is enough. By the way, can I use you two as material?" Qingshan Li asked.

"Female leads?" Ono Mihana stopped her iron.

"Depends on the situation. Anyway, I'll use them where appropriate," Qingshan Li answered.

"Just don't use our real names," she said.

"I don't mind either, but split the manuscript fee with me — no, one-third is enough," Ono Mizuki said, spreading her hands.

"I'll give it all to you." Qingshan Li had no interest in money.

He just wanted the Ono Sisters to be happy and joyful. If he had to pay the price of being poor his whole life, he was willing.

Qingshan Li fell into thought once again.

As for material collection, all he could think of was reading books and experiencing things.

Reading books — he had no money, but fortunately there was the library. The school had one, and so did the city.

As for experience, it was just repeating his old school life, which was probably useless. He was already at '74%' — he needed new experiences.

"I'm going out for a bit." Qingshan Li put away his pen and paper.

"Where to?" Ono Mihana looked up.

Qingshan Li, whose height already far exceeded the average Japanese male, looked even taller from this angle, like he was supporting the roof of this home.

"The library. I'll be back soon."

"Now?" Ono Mizuki asked.

"Seize the present, and there will be a future."

"I'll go with you." Ono Mizuki tried to stand up.

"No need." Qingshan Li pressed her shoulder. "My body is fine now."

【Material Collection Progress: 75%】

What does that mean? Just seeing Ono Mizuki's neckline from above increases the progress?

Then wouldn't making her take everything off be 100%?!

Qingshan Li walked out the door of his home, took a deep breath of the early spring air that still carried a hint of coolness, identified his direction, and headed toward Adachi Ward Central Library.

"Can the system provide guidance just by walking down the street like this?" he wondered as he walked.

Train 'Speed'?

Would he become a strange person running down the street?

Qingshan Li dismissed the idea of using every moment; his destination now was the library, and knowing where to go meant he didn't need system guidance.

Perhaps the so-called guidance system was only suitable for use when he didn't know what to do or how to do it.

Light shooting out from pachinko parlors and convenience stores formed patches of light on the ground, Qingshan Li's silhouette alternating between bright and dim.

Standing on a small bridge, Qingshan Li gazed at the izakaya lights reflected on the Sumida River.

He had truly become a Japanese high school student and arrived in Tokyo.

The night breeze was gentle, already carrying the warmth of spring, and that was fine, for spring was precisely the season for starting over.

Arriving at the library, he used his student ID to get a free borrowing card.

"Excuse me, where are the mystery novels?"

"Third floor."

"Thank you."

The books on the shelves, having been lent out many times, had edges that were somewhat curled.

Qingshan Li knew nothing about mystery books, having never read one, and precisely because of that, choosing was easy—he borrowed the two most frequently borrowed, the two current bestsellers, and one campus-themed book.

He didn't rush to leave.

He browsed casually in the library; even if it couldn't significantly increase 'Material Progress,' this thing he had never done before wouldn't be a wasted effort.

Even if this book couldn't be used now, the next book, the book after that, sooner or later it would be used.

"《The Astonishing Method for Even the Stiffest Person to Easily Master the Splits》?" he looked at the books on the shelf.

It was also a bestseller.

With the system's help training 'Strength' for fitness, writing a fitness book—was the material sufficient?

——System, write a book about fitness.

【Starting Material Collection: 1%, 2%, 3%21%】

【Material Insufficient, Please Collect Materials】

Insufficient even compared to campus mystery?!

Next he discovered that novels themed on delicate emotions and youthful growth also seemed to have a market.

——System, write a campus romance daily life novel.

【Starting Material Collection: 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%】

【Material Insufficient, Please Collect Materials】

Nani?!

Nine percent?!

Qingshan Li, having lived two lives!

Even if his previous life is not mentioned, he hasn't dated in this life, but it shouldn't be only nine percent!

Wait.

Qingshan Li stood before the bookshelf, lost in thought.

Then why did 'Campus Mystery' have 74—now 75—progress?

Was it because there was no romance? And his main ability was extraordinary looks?

Could it be that, unknowingly, he had accumulated a lot of experience with extraordinary looks?

"Hello, do you need help?" a female librarian asked softly.

"No, thank you." Qingshan Li looked up and smiled, then left with the books he intended to borrow.

Looking back, no woman had ever actively given him money either, Qingshan Li was utterly baffled.

(Chapter End)