Date: January 19 2022 9:17 PM Title: Reduction
1. Poor Giulia.
2. Poor Maddie!
3. Poor Maeve.
4. Jisoo is in several kinds of trouble. Her goddess complex was ripped apart, she learned a game changing revelation, and Eren was on video call with Maddie when she was shrunk so there's no hiding that from him. Combined with what Satsuki was saying about Amrita corp. having dark, dirty secrets and Jisoo straight up admitting she loves being a monster, there will be consequences!
I don't know how you do it but every chapter leaves me even more excited for the next one.
Author's Response:
I sometimes feel bad about the weekly release schedule which is not set in stone for this very reason, since cliffhangers are not very fun to wait for! But that tension is part of the appeal of the story, each chapter makes you really want the next one
[Report This]Date: January 16 2022 10:43 PM Title: Reduction
Ah fuck, I knew this was coming but I still hoping that Maddie would get away unscathed. Now I have this sinking feeling in my stomach. I just hope theres a way to reverse the formula because her company has turned into the only light of hope for specks in this novel.
Author's Response: Maddie is a smart enough character to have put up a very good fight before it happened though! Only Thomas was that resilient before her.
[Report This]Date: January 16 2022 1:22 PM Title: Reduction
Oh, wow. Hell, exactly what I feared the most happened. Again I felt sad about what happened to Maddie. I've only felt that way in this story and it was when the speck commune was destroyed. I don't have to say that Maddie doesn't deserve something like that, not to mention that Giulia doesn't either. Really Amrita co. it's corrupt. Surely, humanity in this story has a lesson to learn but Jisoo is... well let's just say she's a contradictory character. I come back and I repeat I would not like Maddie to suffer something like slavery at the hands of that crazy Riuwen. Her projects and feelings are very noble. Someone like her doesn't deserve something like that. But I guess Eren will figure it out in time. Everything is in the hands of our literary master Kardo.
Amazing story, dude. It's been a long time since I read a story as good, emotional and deep as this one. The emotions from the beginning until the end are something out of the ordinary without counting the suspense in each chapter that makes you keep reading until the end. Thanks again Kardo for sharing this wonderful story on this site.
Author's Response:
I greatly appreciate the kind words!
[Report This]Date: January 14 2022 3:22 AM Title: Reception
The old poem is right.
"Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive."
Author's Response:
Very true quote as well! I also like the old saying to describe this as well. "You reap what you sow."
Date: January 11 2022 11:41 PM Title: Reception
Satsuki brings up some very good points. I have to admit I wasn't expecting her to point out these hypocrisies. It's either an act on her part or she genuinely knows it's all hypocrisy and that's why she's so frigid. And good for Eren that he's actually being made to think about these things. If the Amrita Corp. does care about specks and has the influence to casually appoint political leaders and dictate policy, why allow specks to go mistreated?
And Maddie, oh dear. She woke up from her bigotry when she saw the speck commune but it seems she never realized that everyone else did not see what she did. Her casual brushing off of everyone else as bigots while she used to be just like them is a pride thing she needs to work out. If she changed her views on specks just by going to a commune, how many other "bigots" can see the truth like her? Good on Giulia for pointing that out.
Author's Response:
Very fair assessment of Satsuki! She definitely comes off as a very combative person but perhaps there is a reason for that. It's very possible that she's simply sick of the high and mighty attitude of her family when she isn't blinded by their supposed glory.
[Report This]Date: January 10 2022 9:33 PM Title: Reception
Very nearing the point of no return here. With Ruiwen close to one of her targets, under orders of Jisoo no less, and Maddie so near then things are almost certainly going to spiral out of control.
And this is why you gotta let bygones be bygones Jisoo. Shoulda listened to Eren. Now we are so close to an issue that could be avoided had you never given that order.
Really noticed how plenty of the Fang ladies go on about how what they do is for the benefit of the world, only to give in to their vices in the name of the "greater good". Sounds like some people ain't practicing what they preach lol.
"Hypocrisy is the audacity to preach integrity from a den of corruption" -Wes Fesler
Maybe their intentions were good at one point but they've definitely fallen to some of the seven sins yessir.
Great chapter as always Kardo. I always look forward to when you update.
Author's Response:
There are lots of things that would never have happened if Jisoo had managed to let things go, right from the beginning if she had listened to Eren and not gone after Mikayla, Alice and Sylvia it's very possible she and Eren would have had a comparably 'normal' relationship. The Fang ladies are definitely revealing their true colors as more about them is revealed! When they aren't 'arbiters of justice' their moral ethics are very questionable to say the least.
Thank you for the feedback!
[Report This]Date: January 10 2022 2:53 PM Title: Reception
Oh no. no! that's bad really bad. If that killer hurts Maddie that would be the last straw for Eren. He is already quite taken aback by what happened to Jisoo but if he finds out that a murderer on Jisoo's orders shrunk or eliminated Maddie there is no going back. Jisoo will have to choose between Eren and his family and given the state of their relationship the answer is obvious.
Author's Response:
Jisoo in the past has demonstrated that she has Eren under a spell in a way... She knows how to play with his emotions! So we will see what she comes up with, perhaps the same trick won't work twice.
[Report This]Date: January 10 2022 1:48 PM Title: Reception
Oh shit! Oh fuck! Maddie is one of my favorite characters so I'm heavily dreading next chapter.
Author's Response:
Hey I'm really glad to hear that Maddie is your favorite character! I would really like to know which characters become people's favorite and least favorite as the story goes on. I'm sure Thomas was a very disliked character at first but later became more popular with some readers, and Jisoo has fluctuated quite a bit I think too! Maddie is in a interesting place where she started as a very well-liked character, then after she rebuked Eren became disliked, and now it seems she's become more popular!
Perhaps I'll do a poll sometime soon and see a leaderboard of who people like.
Date: January 10 2022 1:39 PM Title: Rescue
Curious. If things go wrong, will it lead to tension between Jisoo and Eren? Although Eren must be paranoid about Maddie's accident, he must worry Jisoo, she must not lie ... No, not reasonable theories for me, too many ifs. But an excellent gun! Or it will not fire as I intended.
Moral suffering, even anticipation, is so delicious ...
Author's Response:
Anything is possible! We already know that Jisoo seems to have a bit of a spell over Eren... Who knows how he would react?
[Report This]Date: December 28 2021 2:49 PM Title: Recuperate
Oh, dear! Either Nang Yai is planning to "Thai" one on with these soon-to-be-shrunken soldiers , as soon as she's off-duty. Or else she's working "hand-in-glove" with Keqing!
Author's Response: I love these puns!
Date: December 26 2021 12:14 PM Title: Recuperate
To coincide with the Lunar New Year, the military would host a parade in Beijing.
The author does not seem to understand the meaning of this festival to China. This holiday for China is similar to Christmas in European and American countries. The leader delivered a New Year message, and the people ate dumplings at home. Even the military will uniformly make and eat dumplings on this day. Most government agencies and almost all companies suspended their work on this day. During the day on this day, people need to visit relatives and friends (this is not an option but a mandatory option, otherwise they will be regarded as alienated from each other), and in the evening they need to eat together and watch the Spring Festival Gala on TV. In other words, no one has time to watch the military parade on this day.
Author's Response:
Ah that is very good to know! This is the dangers posed when you write a story which is largely based in another culture, of which I lack a good chunk of knowledge. With this in mind I will absolutely edit this most recent chapter in the final few paragraphs to correct this mistake and be sure to have that fixed before the next update. I greatly appreciate the chance to learn more about Chinese cultural practices and wouldn’t want to make such massive mistakes again so it is awesome to have someone able to correct them! In the future if any similar issues are noted I would be delighted to see where I can improve as well.
[Report This]Date: December 26 2021 8:16 AM Title: Recuperate
I love the deep story and revenge stuff.
One problem seems to occur now. They are all equally cruel and dishonest, therefor what her mother did doesn't have weight for me. I don't feel bad for Jisoo or Grace who themselves would not hesitate to kill a person like Suyin if they got the order or just on a whim.
Jisoo turned against her own family which is already a betrayal. The personalities at that company are so annoying now that I actually root for her mother.
I'm curious how this will develop. If there is anything I dislike, it is those big corporations who preach about morality and what is good for humanity and the world.
Author's Response:
The Amrita Corporation is incredibly wealthy and powerful, and definitely feel that their powers grant them to ability to dictate what all others do, they don’t exactly practice what they preach!
[Report This]Date: December 17 2021 2:04 AM Title: Redoubt
WHEW!!!
I did not expect such dramatic developments so soon. I guess this is your way of giving all your readers a suitable Xmas present. If so, I thank you, profusely.*
So, we finally get to meet Jisoo's biological mother. And she appears to be just as ruthless as her daughter! If so, I have a bad feeling that there's going to be a showdown between them. One doubtless ordered by the three judges as a way of both avenging the Fang family's dishonor...and granting unanimous approval for the marriage.
Interesting given name Jisoo's mom has, btw. From what little I've read on the subject, "Keqing" is the pinyin system of anglicized Chinese. Whereas, under the older system, Wade/Giles, it would have been spelled something along the lines of "Kaching!" Ah, well.
Thanks for posting these two new updates...and Happy Holidays!
*I've always wanted to use that adverb!
Author's Response:
Thanks for the feedback!
I originally got the name Keqing from Dream of the Red Chamber, which is the same source a few Fang ladies get their first names from! Daiyu and Baochai are both from that story for instance. As for how it is pronounced I do wonder how some readers say these names in their minds, but I won't try to confuse anybody and leave it all up to your best judgement lol.
[Report This]Date: December 17 2021 2:00 AM Title: Rescue
Oh, wow. It seems that the moment of truth has arrived. Or at least the moment of part of the truth. Umm I liked the way Eren responded. He tacitly accepted Jisoo's proposal, but that woman is unpredictable. That woman... dropping the bomb right in the middle of that party, that was strong. I can't wait for the next chapter, let's see how this amazing conversation unfolds. Well that's assuming friend Kardo has mercy on us and tells us about it in the next chapter.
Author's Response:
Satsuki loves drama it would seem!
[Report This]Date: December 16 2021 11:52 PM Title: Ruin
So, basically, Smith went out with both a bang & a whimper. ;-)
Author's Response:
Probably the best he could do lol
[Report This]Date: December 13 2021 9:44 PM Title: Ruin
I imagined that. Oh boy, it's going to be a huge shock to Eren when he knows all the shenanigans and Amrita's grasp. Umm and as I understood in this chapter it seems that Grace is conspiring against Jisoo and Eren's relationship? or did I understand wrong? Okay whatever. Not even in his worst moments was Smith able to reflect on himself. He was so proud that he got into all the financial madness just because a speck had been smarter than him. Without a doubt, this teaches us a great lesson, many are so blinded by hatred and pride that they simply cannot see beyond their own noses. They condemn themselves without hesitation, without reflecting, without tolerating. Still, Amrita's methods give the chills. When all this comes to an end it will be... like a nuclear explosion hahaha
Author's Response:
Grace thus far hasn't conspired against them. However Grace has wondered what she would do if Eren ever turned on their family for any reason before.
Date: December 13 2021 5:49 PM Title: Ruin
Fun chapter. Also, the women of the Amrita Corporation are reeeeally sounding like conquerors who dress up their ambitions in nice sounding sentiments. "All who would oppose them are mere morsels to be consumed and played with." Yeeah, what if most people oppose them? Anyway, it looks like we have some new relatives to meet and more secrets to see.
Author's Response:
Lots more secrets to be sure!
[Report This]Date: December 10 2021 2:53 AM Title: Rekindle
Oh, Jisoo! I hope this new hunt of yours doesn't turn out to be what professional shrinks call "self-fulfilling prophecy."
Author's Response:
And I think we can all agree Jisoo could probably use the help of a professional shrink at this point!
[Report This]Date: December 10 2021 2:52 AM Title: Rescue
Oh, wow. I don't know why I get the slight impression that Eren isn't going to like what Jisoo wants to do very much. Wow, I hadn't realized it until now, but Eren's girlfriend is really radical. She will eradicate anyone who humiliates her boyfriend or expresses hatred towards him. What will happen if Eren finds out would be unthinkable. Not only that ... that would evidently have a meaning in Eren's change of mind which would cause them not to accept the marriage of Jisoo and him, which would eventually cause Eren to be eliminated for the sake of the "heavenly duties" of the family. Brilliant, those suspenseful situations that leave you more confused and anxious than before are the most striking thing about this work without counting the themes it deals with. In short, Kardo is still a very good literary work. Keep it up
Author's Response: Nobody messes with Jisoo's man : )
[Report This]Date: December 09 2021 3:46 PM Title: Request
"...the little things in life she had missed..."
No speck-ivorous pun intended? ;-)
Author's Response:
Puns are absolutely intended~!