# Afterword
When I open a blank page in Word to write, even after facing it daily for a year, it still appears daunting and overwhelming. Even though this isn't the main story but rather a concluding afterword that I could write freely like an essay, I still feel the same way.
If I had to describe it, writing for me has been like sewing. Despite my burning desire to create a flawless masterpiece, this incompetent person who slept through home economics classes ends up making crooked, sloppy stitches.
So even in this final moment of adding the finishing touches, I feel a pang of regret looking at all the dense stitching marks from the past. Thinking I should have gone straighter, more correctly.
But if I were to rip out all the threads and start over, the fabric would be ruined. Once you begin, you have no choice but to keep running until you stop. That's what writing has been for me.
A year-long process now comes to an end. I feel both relieved and wistful...
## 1.
As I always say, my novel would never have made it this far without all of you. This isn't just empty flattery.
A novel only gains meaning when it's read by you, the readers. A novel that no one reads is nothing more than the author's collection of delusions and diary entries.
If my writing a novel is merely building the framework, it only gains life when you read it. You breathed life into this novel, allowing me to reach this point.
I sincerely thank you all. To everyone who has always supported this writer who sits alone in a room writing down fantasies, allowing me to become a novelist.
## 2.
Many things happened while I was writing this story. As I mentioned before, I was a victim of a rental deposit scam, my business loan of 200 million won hasn't decreased by a single penny, and my wife, who isn't in good health, is still in the hospital.
That's why the mood of my novel sometimes became dark and gloomy. I couldn't help it, being human after all.
But at the same time, I always wanted to write a hopeful story. I wanted to portray someone who gets back up even after losing everything. Though I'm not that kind of person myself, people gain more strength when looking at someone they admire rather than someone they pity.
So the passage I quoted most often in my novel was from Rudyard Kipling's "If":
[If you can watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools.]
In my novel, Ivan always moves forward rather than despairing when he sees what he's built up, or what those he admired and respected built up, crumbling before him.
Perhaps I wanted to project this image onto myself. Just as I wanted to live that way, I hope that all of you reading this can always rise again in the face of hardship and adversity.
## 3.
Also, I tried not to simply categorize the conflicts and confrontations in the story as good versus evil.
What future will we live in? What choices do we make and what ideals do we envision? I consistently tried to unfold these questions for a very long time.
For instance, Crown Prince Alexandr, the villain in the early and middle parts, secretly worked toward "a universal democratic society not ruled by superhumans."
The Seven Dragon Generals, the villains of the middle part, fought for "the revival of the species they each represented."
Maximillian dreamed of "a peaceful ideal society free from intentional calamities caused by divine beings."
And the final Ivan walked toward the grand finale with "faith in human will to rise again from all forms of oppression."
Beyond simple concepts of good and evil, I wanted to portray the struggle toward the ideal society each character dreamed of. Rather than distinguishing between villains and heroes, I wanted to depict, somewhat grandiosely, the clash between different zeitgeists.
I regret that due to my limited abilities, I couldn't make it as convincing as I intended. But at least that was my intention.
## 4.
Clearly, many stories remain untold in my novel.
For example, what happened to the other elven schools of Kalion?
How will the political situation in Tilles change, and how did the civil war in the Six Southern Nations conclude?
What fate awaited Droan's expeditionary force?
What endings will other transmigrators face? Or what future do the other members of the Hero Party dream of with Ivan?
I could have unfolded each of these stories one by one. It would have been long and drawn out, but certainly I would have been happy writing them. When resolving carefully built-up plot points, I get a certain kind of pleasure, though it might sound a bit perverse.
But I chose not to. Rather than leaving at the height of applause, it's more like not lingering on stage when no one is applauding.
Since the story began with Ivan, I decided that if the story ends from Ivan's perspective, I shouldn't stretch it out further.
That's the determination I had when starting this novel. It might sound like an excuse, but I didn't want to forcibly fill in incomplete blank spaces.
I felt this way after reading a novel (not a web novel, but an English novel). A perfectly complete novel with beginning, development, turn, and conclusion was followed by short stories by the same author (as is common in translated English literature), and the quality of those short stories ended up undermining my entire memory of the main work.
I didn't want that kind of ending.
After all, shouldn't one stop drinking when there's still a desire for more, and return from a journey while still yearning? Haha...
Despite my limitations and the remaining blank spaces in the story, I don't plan to forcibly fill them in.
## 5.
I can't say this novel represents the best I can show you, but I believe it was my best effort.
When readers who have finished this story think of me as a novelist, I hope they'll consider me not necessarily a skilled writer, but at least someone who tried hard.
At minimum, that I was diligent. That alone would satisfy me. Hahaha!
Even if my next work isn't as good as this one, I believe that if I keep moving forward diligently, I'll eventually be able to show you a better version of myself!
So, I'll see you again in the not-too-distant future.
I'm already scribbling away at my next work, but it seems it won't be the "idol management story" I once promised.
I never realized the gap between what's fun to read and what I can actually write could be so vast. I felt an enormous barrier and have retreated, promising myself to try again someday in the distant future.
My next work will be contemporary fantasy. It will likely be an "ordinary" hunter story! After all, aren't I someone who loves ordinary and classic stories?
## 6. In Conclusion.
Personally, I find the term "author" (作家) quite burdensome.
Rather than this title meaning "a person (家) who creates works (作品)," I feel the term "novelist" (小說家) is more appropriate for me.
A person (家) who creates small (小) stories (說). Doesn't that term better suit my capabilities?
With just that level of sensibility, I'll return with another modest story for you to enjoy comfortably.
I want to express my gratitude to the Novelpia PD who worked tirelessly for my inadequate novel,
To my parents, father-in-law, and friends who always cheered for my success despite my shortcomings,
And to my wife, who has always, truly always, supported and embraced me despite my moody and timid nature that makes me constantly grumble gloomily. Thank you for always staying by my side with the same heart as when we first met, even while you're sick and struggling. I sincerely love you.
And furthermore,
I offer my greatest gratitude to all the readers who have been with my novel from beginning to end.
I love you.
From the prologue,
30 years have passed.
The End.
10.10.24
Novelist, Maellaha