Chapter 829

That is a true one-in-a-million, a one-in-ten-thousand chess genius!

This means that he is almost destined to step into the hall of professional chess players, and his future achievements in the shogi world will be limitless.

Once he becomes a professional chess player, just by relying on game fees and tournament prize money, his income could far exceed those of ordinary office worker editors like them.

What's more...

He now has a novel that is exploding in sales and has rich royalties!

Takahashi Jun felt his throat a bit dry.

People often say that God closes a door and opens a window.

But when it comes to Natsume Chikage...

God probably built a palace for him directly, and opened all the doors and windows with the best orientation and most beautiful scenery for him!

Appearance, height, temperament, none are not top-notch.

Literary talent is even more terrifying—being able to write a work like "The Devotion of Suspect X" that is destined to become a classic bestseller at sixteen, looking at all of Japan, the peers who can do this, I am afraid one hand can count them.

Perhaps, only that literary girl who is also hailed as a genius, Yukimura Suzune, can barely compare.

And now, he is told that this genius novelist is actually a super new star in the shogi world?

This is no longer something that "genius" can simply summarize.

This is simply... outrageous to the extreme!

Niigaki Shoji came back to his senses from the shock, his tone still carrying residual surprise:

"I really didn't expect that Natsume-sensei, you are also proficient in shogi..."

"And you have already entered the sixth round of the 'New Sharp Tournament'... this is too amazing."

Takahashi Jun also took a deep breath, nodding in agreement, his face still remaining with the aftertaste of shock:

"Yes... if it weren't for this clerk lady saying it, we probably wouldn't know at all."

Uda Ayaka nodded forcefully, the excited emotion occupying the high ground again, she leaned close to Natsume Chikage, her eyes shining:

"That's right, that's right!"

"Natsume-kun, such an amazing thing, why didn't you tell us?"

"This is an excellent propaganda point! At that time, we can use a title like 'Genius Novelist and Shogi New Star' to create momentum for you, the effect will definitely explode!"

Natsume Chikage heard this, and a look of embarrassment and desire to avoid appeared on his face immediately.

He smiled awkwardly and refused tactfully:

"This... this, please spare me."

While chatting, the group left the bookstore and prepared to go to the publishing house.

And that female clerk in the bookstore, after Natsume Chikage left, her mood was still surging and difficult to calm.

She couldn't wait to take out her phone and quickly input on her personal social media:

【My god, family! Amazing discovery! The mysterious newcomer author of the bestseller novel "The Devotion of Suspect X" is actually Natsume Chikage, the contestant who is super popular in the 'New Sharp Shogi Tournament' recently and has an explosive appearance!

I met him in the store just now! The real person is ten thousand times more handsome than the glimpse on the lens! His personality is also super gentle, and he even signed for me! Really love it, love it!】

Not long after this dynamic was sent out, comments poured in rapidly below.

However, the direction of the wind was completely beyond her expectation.

【I just finished reading this "The Devotion of Suspect X" this morning, it is indeed the only suspense masterpiece in Japan in the past ten years. But you say the author is that Natsume Chikage who plays shogi and is very handsome? I think you are obsessed with chasing stars, and started randomly stacking BUFFs for your idol?】

【I acknowledge that Natsume contestant is good at shogi, and I also acknowledge his high appearance. But now it's getting more and more outrageous, directly touching the literary circle? Don't tarnish this "Sanken Li" newcomer author, okay!!】

【Seeing a talented newcomer author become popular, the author himself didn't have time to appear, so he couldn't wait to put gold on the face of the "idol" he likes? Heating him up? It's ridiculous.】

【The trouble in the star-chasing circle, go far away! Don't come to pollute the rare peace of our suspense and mystery novel circle! It's not easy to wait for a superior masterpiece!】

【That's right! Warning some fans not to come and rub the heat of this work, otherwise don't blame us for being impolite!】

【Poster is SB, identification completed.】

【Hahaha, pithy!】

【Concise!】

The female clerk looked at the comments constantly refreshing on the screen, so angry that her face turned white, her fingers trembling slightly.

"This bunch of guys... really too annoying!"

She bit her lip, both aggrieved and angry.

Clearly every word she said was true!

Why did no one believe it?!

Publishing House.

Editorial Department, Group 2.

Takahashi Jun and others brought Natsume Chikage back to the office and immediately set about helping him print the manuscript of his new work "Snow Country".

The printer made a regular and low humming sound, and pages of paper emitting the fresh scent of ink were spat out.

Trainee editor Niigaki Shoji, while organizing the manuscript, couldn't help but be curious and asked tentatively:

"By the way, Natsume-sensei, is this new work of yours... still a suspense and mystery theme?"

Natsume Chikage shook his head.

"No."

He paused and said clearly:

"It is pure literature."

"..."

"Pure literature?!"

These three words, like a stone thrown into a calm water surface, stunned the three editors present at the same time.

Takahashi Jun reacted first, he raised his head sharply and widened his eyes.

"Actually... it is pure literature?"

Natsume Chikage looked at their somewhat abnormal reaction and asked back with slight doubt:

"Is that not okay?"

The excitement on Uda Ayaka's face also converged a bit, replaced by a complex, somewhat strange expression.

She gently fiddled with the hair by her ear and explained:

"It's not that it's 'not okay'... it's better to say that pure literature has the highest status in our Japanese novel circle."

Her tone carried a sense of consensus within the industry.

"If a popular suspense and mystery novel is a holy knight in the market, then pure literature is the king in the depths of the literary hall."

"It does not pursue immediate commercial returns, but pursues artistry, thoughtfulness, and the purity of literature itself."

"Once written well and recognized by the mainstream literary circle, the reputation, historical status, and 'blessing' to the author's identity it brings are incomparable to any type of bestseller."

"In Japan, pure literature represents an 'orthodoxy', a 'style'."

Her tone turned, and a hint of hesitation entered her voice.

"However..."

Natsume Chikage was even more confused.

"However?"

Takahashi Jun took over the conversation, he pushed his glasses, a wry smile appeared on his face, and his tone explained complexly:

"However... Natsume-sensei, our 'Midnight Publishing House' is a sub-brand under Shin-Ei Publishing specifically responsible for suspense and mystery types."

He pointed to the surrounding environment and pointed to himself.

"Our editorial team, distribution channels, cooperative bookstore resources, and even evaluation standards are all built around suspense and mystery novels."

"Even if the quality of this novel of yours is high again, and outstanding again... we have no way to use its existing system to arrange publication, shelf placement, and sales for you."

Niigaki Shoji nodded on the side and added:

"Takahashi-senpai is right."

"This is like, a top-level sushi restaurant, even if it gets the best Kobe beef, it can't use it to make signature sushi—the specialty doesn't match."

Natsume Chikage listened and suddenly realized.

He smiled embarrassedly.

"So that's how it is... I only thought about bringing it to you editors to look at after writing it... I didn't think about this side."

"Then it doesn't matter, I'll look for other suitable publishing houses later."

As soon as this was said, the three editors almost said in unison to stop him: ===== CHAPTER 830 =====