Arifureta Shokugyou de Sekai Saikyou (LN) - Volume 8 - Chapter Aft

Afterword 

Hey everyone, it’s your favorite chuuni lover, Ryo Shirakome. Thank you so much for picking up volume 8 of Arifureta. How’d you like it? I hope you had fun reading it... because it was a tough one to write! Of course, I still had tons of fun writing it, too. Still, writing about love is like walking across the field map while poisoned. You just keep on taking damage as you write one embarrassing scene after another. And this volume had much more romance in it than any other... 
Anyway, putting my embarrassment aside, this is the first volume that’s had any major changes from the web version. The biggest one being Shea’s relationship. But considering the past seven volumes, it just felt too cruel for her wish not to be granted. Though I’m curious what you readers think of it. 
Are you happy it finally happened or were you hoping Hajime would stick to just Yue all the way to the end? To be honest, I’m kind of scared to find out. 
Speaking of changes, Hajime went through quite the transformation this volume. All the meetings he’s had up until now have been slowly influencing him, but finding a way back home was the final catalyst for his massive shift in personality. I’m both extremely curious and extremely terrified to know what you all think of these changes within him as well. But I suppose all changes are like that. They bring with them a mixture of fear and excitement. 

Either way, we’re finally nearing the home stretch of Arifureta’s story. I hope you’ll be willing to follow me to the journey’s end, changes and all. 
It looks like I’ve got some extra pages left, so let’s shamelessly advertise my other works. This volume released at the same time as the third volume of the manga, and the first volume of the spin-off manga. As always, RoGa-sensei’s art is absolutely jaw-dropping. And Misaki Mori-sensei’s art for the spin-off is quite a treat as well. For a comedy manga, it’s perfect. I highly recommend checking them both out. 
And now, time for the acknowledgments. Thanks as always to Takayaki-sensei, RoGa-sensei, Misaki Mori-sensei, and Ataru Kamichi-sensei, the illustrator for the Arifureta Zero manga, for all of their godlike drawings. You bring my works to life. Much thanks to the editors, proofreaders, and publication staff, who are the only reason this book is in your hands right now. Really, thank you all so much. 
And lastly, thank you, dear reader, for picking up this book! And thank you to all my fans on Narou. Each and every one of you has my eternal gratitude. May we meet again in the next installment of Arifureta.

Ryo Shirakome