Fallen Lightbringers' Return

DO NOT UNLOCK THIS CHAPTER IF YOU JUST WANT TO CONTINUE READING THE STORY.

So, with the end of Volume 1—which could be considered a prologue—we are now finally moving to the big stages. 

First of all, I want to thank you (the readers) for accompanying Lee Dojin on his journey. It has been approx. half a year since I started writing the story, and most of the time, when I had no motivation, it was you guys' comments and support that helped me to keep going. Without you, this novel would not have been close to what it could be. Thank you very much!

In this special chapter, I would like to discuss certain things surrounding the first volume, giving you my thoughts and what went into the process of writing. I understand that this may not be interesting for everyone, so I will not hold it against you for skipping this afterthought.

I.

I think, writing in general, is an enlightening experience. You put words on the paper, and you learn to discuss things you never had words for before. It is, to me, a soul-searching experience. For those who have read my books—whether it was Rebirth of a Broken Demoness, Store of Fates, or any other short story—they'd quickly come to realize the similarities in the stories.

I get quite a lot of reviews, many expressing their opinion on the philosophical nature of my novels. Certainly, it is not something expected in a web novel, and it certainly wasn't my intention to make the Fallen Lightbringer's Return a heavy philosophy book (those things are a drag to read through), but I do believe that any reading material should offer a thinking experience or at least a different perspective. That is not to say that an author should filibuster their ideas down the reader's throat, or put nonsensical riddles within the texts—that is one of the worst things to do. Instead, through seeing the characters struggling within the world, the reader may perceive a natural change of value, without even realizing it.

Continuing down that road, through that knowledge comes investment (into the story and its setting) and at last emotion (for the characters). And I think an emphasis on emotions is the best thing any story could give its reader. There are many books that sell a lot commercially but are forgotten over the years, while other small books remain in the corner of your mind forever. That is because emotions are what stays the longest with us. No matter how many views an author holds, I personally believe if it does not evoke any emotions, it cannot count itself successful.

A book is the easiest way to convey your thoughts while being entertaining at the same time. It would be a shame not to use it as such. As such, all my novels may contain many complicated thoughts and ideas, but they are and conveyed in an emotional way to not only guide, but please at the same time. In essence, a novel, for me, is a group adventure between you, the reader, and me, the author.

Here, in this Prologue, the overarching 'philosophical' discussion was society. 

There were many types of characters, coming from different backgrounds, but they all held the same struggles, which was finding their space within the society. We have high-schoolers, just at working age, wondering which road to go. For some, like Park Hansoo or Kim Jyejin, they have their roads planned out for them, while others, like Wonho and Heeson, have no idea where to go. Then, we have adults, like Ji-ah or Heesons sister, who followed their dreams, or the people from a gang, who got forced into their occupation. They all lived different facets of life, but hold one thing in common. None of them know what their future entails. They do not understand if the road they walk will be the correct one.

Within all that, we have our protagonist Lee Dojin, and the main antagonist of this Volume, Do Jiwoon. What they stand for, I think every reader has their own perception, but in essence, they stand opposite of each other. It is hard to say who is right or wrong. However, they, with knowledge of the future, both hold the power to guide the lost souls.

My novels are always similar. through supernatural/fantastical means, we come to discuss the meaning of life, with our protagonist/antagonist as the revolving chess piece. Interestingly enough, they always reach a different answer. The same will go for me and you. As we finish the novel, and the paths of our lives branch away, we will both hold a different value about the meaning of life. I just hope you have come closer to what you were looking for when you've read until the end.

II.

Even though I write about fantasy, I myself do not believe in magic. As far as I know, there is no magic in this world. We are filled with fantasy, though. Starting from Tolkien, who brought us Hobbits and Elves. I think many fairy tales are, at some point or other, born from The Lord of the Rings. All books are birthed somewhere, the same goes for The Fallen Lightbringer's return. Its influence isn't hard to find. There are many novels similar (Second Life Ranker, Second Coming of Gluttony, Solo Leveling etc.). Though from the prologue, it is hard to see, they all have the same type of dungeon crawler setting, with a protagonist possessing a secret ability.

I find stories like that interesting and fun to read. But I always felt they were missing something. A key part of a story untold. It was the characters themselves. 

A person is shaped by the early stages of their life. That doesn't mean they cannot change, but the desire for change itself springs from the wrong decisions made at the beginning of life. Such is the law of time, and it cannot be changed. It is neither good nor bad. 

Entering the dungeon is a stage in a character's life. But it isn't the only one. For these novels, I wished to see more about characters other than the protagonist. A dungeon holds such a unique setting, that could bring out the rawness of a person, but has been turned into a gamelike setting where the only things that matter are the rising stats and exotic monsters. While that is cool to see and certainly makes for an entertaining read, it does not remain memorable.

The examples I have given before are only good examples. They, to some extent, care about the characters they write and know what direction they are supposed to walk. They have their personalities, shaped by their experience and dreams, and when put inside the life-threatening dungeon are tested whether they can stay the same or are forced to change.

A dungeon is an integral, but a small part of any character's life, somewhat like a climax. For me, what is interesting is the things that happen before and right after. What the person had been before, and where they thought their life would be. It's these thoughts that make us truly human, after all.

I wrote the prologue with the intention of conveying the human side of the apocalypse to come. The reason why we did not start with the First Advent in chapter 1 is that the story before the mirage can be just as interesting, and relatable. But for some, it may be boring too. I can understand that. The next Volume will be The First Advent, dealing with the topics such novels are usually about. Fantastical creatures, new skills, leveling up, and more. Excitement-wise, it will be on another scale. That, I can promise.

I do not believe in magic, but I'd love to imagine what life would be like with it. In this prologue, we have quite a lot of people thinking the same thing. 

III.

The protagonist, Lee Dojin, is very different from the other main characters I wrote about before. He isn't much of a thinker, quite honestly. Coming from my old novel, Rebirth of a Broken Demoness, where we had Agnes, who plans twelve steps ahead of time and full of complex thoughts, writing someone who does not care about consequences is a refreshing change.

His ability itself is a unique one. For me, as an author, I sometimes find it hard to scales his skills or think of any relevant ones, but you as a reader don't have to worry about that. His Affinity of choice is an abstract one, and in this novel, will be integral to answering the philosophical question of, "What is life?"

Lee Dojin himself probably has an answer already, based upon the way he interacts with the world. He isn't a complicated character. He is hopeful for the future, is known by others to embody freedom, and has a love for his own species, humanity. There is still a lot to find out about him, and whether or not his way of living changes in the future, we have yet to find out.

IV.

But putting aside Lee Dojin, we have a lot of different side characters. In this Volume, we have placed emphasis on Ji-ah and Heeson (and Do Jiwoon to some extent). I have not forgotten about his childhood friend Jyejin. The next Volume will deal with her and a different subset of characters. 

I could have placed them in this volume already, but the plot demanded for me to not do so. I do have some regrets with me as an author of Fallen Lightbringer's Return, mainly the pacing and the update stability, but all in all, this volume has come very close to my vision. I am grateful for that.

At points, I have made some choices that brought forth questions to you readers. 

Why did Lee Dojin not ask help from others for the trailer? What was the point of the whole Sivilla school arc? Who was the random pregnant girl? 

I hope, as you think about the completed volume as a whole, you come to understand that some decisions, though not revealed yet, will certainly be resolved in the future. 

I hope, as you continue reading, and these kinds of questions pop up, you can trust my decision as an author and not be disappointed prematurely.

Thank you once again for reading the first volume of Fallen Lightbringer's Return.