So… I finally realized that the first part of the story sucks—pacing-wise.

The realization came while editing Volume 1 for it to finally be re-released officially through Amazon.

The thing is 780 pages long, 220k words, and 56 chapters deep. (The last Harry Potter book is 198k words long.)

And Alan doesn’t become a competent character until… chapter 49?

If this were a webtoon, an audiobook, or an anime, I don’t think people would stick with the story until freaking chapter 49.

They would say, “Fuck this.”

But you didn’t. YOU—the people actually reading this after enduring years of hiatuses and awkward release schedules, all the way to chapter 100. So, thank you for your patience, and sorry for the constant rewrites and retcons.

But during these last couple of years, I could never reconcile with the fact that the story takes a long time to kick in, and that my protagonist may come across as a little whiny sometimes. (Or a lot.)

Just think about it! Even if I split Volume 1 in two, it takes a long time for the real action to get going. Let’s say I split the Volume right after Serenity’s dragon explodes right in the middle of Londorus, and she and Scarlett are defeated.

To get to that part you have:

Alan getting disconnected and passing time in The Santa María.

Logging back in, and spending time with the slimes and in Unus Town.

Spending time in the Shooting Stars HQ.

Going after Marco, and this decision becoming irrelevant (more so, since Isabella ends up recruiting Marco on her own).

A sidequest involving Marissa recovering the guild’s stolen gold.

Some chapters in between and finally, something relevant to the story happens. And yet, what did The Singular accomplish? Just destroying half a city, just because.

That’s a lot of content before the plot can finally semi-continue.

So, I sincerely apologize to all of you who have been sticking with the series to this day, but I’m rebooting Volume 1—BUT PLEASE, don’t go yet! Volume 2 will continue to be canon. Please keep reading.

So, what is changing, and what remains the same?

You can already read the first three chapters of the reboot here:

My ex-girlfriend is the strongest guild master while I’m stuck training NPCs!

But here is a summary:

* Alan has his powers from the very beginning: the loyal Anastasia is already on adventure with him starting chapter 2. This means Alan can “fight” through her from very early on. Recruiting Bella comes next, quite soon. This, inadvertently (or maybe not, because I wanted HIM to change), transforms his whole persona. He’s not only more proactive, but it’s also given him a HUGE confidence boost. Goodbye, meek Alan. Say hello to Chad Alan.

* The threat the Singular represents starts from the very first paragraph of this reboot. The Singular is altering the code of monsters, bosses, and mobs—experimenting. The plot about them messing with Safe Zones remains the same, when the story eventually gets there.

* The first 10 chapters, gone. No more “Beginner’s Town storyline.” By chapter 4, Alan rejoins Shooting Stars. Ashley will be absent for the first arc of the story and will be reintroduced starting Volume 2. (All of this, plus the arc about Alan passing time in the Santa María, will eventually be re-released as bonus chapters or through flashbacks)

* A more semi-romantic focus… (At least, I hope I can accomplish it.) Yes. Alan and Astrid are two characters deeply in love, but due to plot reasons, they can’t be together. Don’t misunderstand me—this story’s primary genre is action, but sometimes I’d like to emphasize how much in love these two are, even though I will separate them again by the end of Volume 1.

And what am I keeping?

* 90% of Dylak’s Revenge will remain the same. The only significant change is that Lady Dylak will link with Alan instead of Clara. (Hence the new subtitle of the series: “While I’m Stuck Training NPCs.”)

* Volume 2 (soon to be Volume 3) will remain almost exactly the same—98% the same. Why? Because although I’m reworking the whole beginning, I don’t have an issue with Volume 2. I may change the order of some chapters, and I may introduce Nicholas later.

* Speaking of Volume 1, I will keep Marco’s betrayal and his eventual attempt at being recruited, but this time the negotiations will be successful. (Seriously, giving Alan his powers from the beginning completely changed the way he approaches and solves problems.)

* The fight with Scarlett and Serenity will remain the same. Alan quitting Shooting Stars will remain the same. Alan regrouping with Ashley and having Amelia by his side will remain the same. Obviously, all of these arcs will feel different due to the constant presence of Anastasia and Bella right behind Alan, and due to his newfound confidence.

So, what do you think?

If you have the time, please give the first three chapters a chance.

I will eventually delete this series. But maybe I’ll release the corrected but now-obsolete old Volume 1–the one I was working on and finished–just for those yearning for the nostalgia kicks.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep