Chapter 3: The First Spark of Creation
The following morning, Abid woke up before the sun. He wasn't sure why. Something inside him stirred, pushing him to get out of bed. It was the same feeling that had always haunted him when he was on the verge of a new project, a new idea. It wasn't excitement. It was a quiet sense of anticipation—like waiting for the first drop of rain after a long drought.
He rubbed his eyes, glanced at the clock, and sighed. It was too early. The day still felt far away.
But then, his phone beeped softly, breaking the silence.
It was the system.
Reminder: New Reward Available
Storyseed Token : An item for inspiration. Use it to create the foundation of a new idea, a story that can be shared across worlds. The story will resonate in both realms and open new pathways for connection.
Abid sat up straight, his heart racing as he read the message again.
Storyseed Token?
His hands trembled slightly as he reached for his phone, activating the system's interface. The token was a small, glowing gem icon, pulsating with an ethereal light. He couldn't resist. He tapped the token.
For a moment, the screen went black, then a new prompt appeared.
Storyseed Activation : "Please focus. A thought, an emotion, a connection from within. Choose the essence of your story."
It was oddly poetic. He felt a weight in the air as if the system itself was waiting for him to speak, to decide what kind of story he would create.
Abid closed his eyes, trying to center himself. What kind of story could he tell that would connect with both his world and the fantasy realm?
A thought came to him, soft and persistent—a feeling of longing, a desire to connect.
What if the story was about finding family? About someone who had been lost and isolated, who discovers the beauty of connection?
He opened his eyes. The screen was still waiting for him to confirm. Abid took a deep breath and tapped the screen again.
Storyseed Activated: "Journey of the Wanderer."
A brief shimmer of light filled the room, and Abid suddenly felt... lighter. He glanced down at his phone. The text had been replaced with a full outline—an idea that seemed to practically flow out of him.
---
"Journey of the Wanderer" – Story Concept:
A young, wandering soul with no memory of their past, searching for a place to call home. Along their journey, they meet strangers, all of whom have something to teach them. Through the lessons of the people they encounter, the wanderer slowly pieces together their own identity and finds the home they've been seeking all along.
The core theme is connection—the search for belonging, the bonds we form with others, and the way those bonds shape us into who we are meant to be.
---
Abid read the story concept slowly. There was something deeply familiar about it. Maybe it was because it mirrored the way he had always felt—an artist, always on the move, always searching for a purpose, a community. He had spent years in solitude, but now, it seemed the world was opening up to him.
The system buzzed gently, and a new message popped up.
"Story Concept Confirmed: You now possess a complete story arc. Proceed to creation?"
He hesitated. The idea was so simple—perhaps too simple—but it was his. He could feel it, deep inside. There was power in its simplicity.
Creation. A chance to make something new.
Abid tapped Yes.
Immediately, the screen transformed. It was no longer just a concept—it was a full, detailed prompt for a manga, with steps to follow and instructions on how to bring this new idea to life.
Manga Creation Process:
1. Character Design: Create your main character, the Wanderer. Who are they? What do they look like? What emotions do they carry?
2. Setting: Where does the Wanderer travel? How do the environments reflect their inner journey?
3. Plot Flow: Design key scenes that represent the Wanderer's encounters. Who do they meet? What lessons do they learn?
4. Art Style: Choose the style that best expresses the mood of the story. Is it minimalist, vibrant, or detailed?
5. Emotional Themes: What feelings do you want the readers to experience?
The steps weren't rigid; they felt like an open guide, a loose map for his creative process.
---
Abid felt a smile tug at the corners of his lips. This was it. This was what he had been waiting for—an actual chance to create something new, something that could bridge worlds, something that could be understood by anyone.
Who would the Wanderer be?
Abid leaned forward and began sketching.
He started with the face—sharp features, soft eyes, and a tired expression. The Wanderer had seen much, but their journey had just begun. The lines of the face were strong, yet there was a certain fragility about them, a longing for something more.
He sketched a cloak that billowed behind them, a symbol of their nomadic life. The Wanderer wasn't defined by their appearance—they were a reflection of the places they had been, the people they had met.
Who would they meet on their journey?
Abid paused. His mind wandered to the characters he had met in the fantasy world—characters in the bookstore, the ones who had commented on his Death Note manga. He remembered the young girl who had wanted to know more about Light Yagami and his choices.
The more he thought about it, the more Abid realized something important. His story didn't need to be about grand heroes or fantastical creatures. It could be about the quiet, everyday people—the librarians, the farmers, the travelers, the families. It could be about the little things that connected them.
Abid's hand moved steadily across the page, sketching out these new characters—each one different, yet all part of the larger journey. He drew a wise old librarian, a young child with too many questions, a street performer with a hidden past, and a kind-hearted cook who offered the Wanderer a meal.
---
Hours passed as Abid lost himself in the art. The lines were flowing. The characters were coming to life in a way he hadn't expected. He felt that rare rush of creative energy—the kind that made the world outside fade away, where only the act of creation mattered.
When he finished, he looked down at the first page of the new manga. The Wanderer was standing on a hill, looking out at the horizon, a road stretching endlessly before them. The air felt like it was vibrating with the potential of a new beginning.
Abid couldn't help but smile. For the first time in a long while, he felt a sense of accomplishment. He wasn't just drawing anymore—he was creating. He was telling a story that mattered, a story that could reach across worlds.
As the sun set outside his window, Abid uploaded the first chapter to the system.
The message came through almost immediately:
New Manga Chapter: "Journey of the Wanderer" – Chapter 1 uploaded.
First Comments:
• "I love how this feels. The Wanderer's journey feels like my own. I can't wait for more."
• "I cried. The way they're searching for something… it's so real."
• "Who is Abid? Where did this story come from?"
Abid leaned back in his chair, a contented sigh escaping his lips. He didn't know where this would lead or what the future held. But for the first time in years, he felt a part of something bigger than himself.
And that was enough for now.