"…Was this… the Power of Rizz?!?!?!?!"
Well. Author knew that it was important not to exaggerate - he had to keep things realistic and believable in this novel after all !!!
Accordingly, it was important to note in a kind of 'disclaimer', that, The Art of Rizz was… much like Bob himself, 'pretty good, but of course not OP'…
-For example, Rizz, for all its game-changing greatness, ultimately could not alter certain facts of Reality...
Bob?! Who was Bob?!
Even as The Grand Dark Rizzard Itvasme felt an inward flutter, this was also accompanied by a sudden… ripple of recognition ...
Bob... Why did this person... and that name feel so... familiar?!...
___
*Flashback to Chapter 40*
Meanwhile, in a darkened chamber...
*Flickering light. Logs crackle and burn in the fireplace*
The Full-time Grand Dark Rizzard and part-time philosopher, Itvasme Diogenes, better known by 'his' (or so we believed at the time) indignation-inducing moniker, "The Devious Dio", sat cloaked in the shadows, seated in a chair that was… turned around, hiding 'his' true villain identity as per usual.
Before long, a young man entered the room. He was dressed stylishly, and was clearly handsome, yet at the same time, if one looked a little closer, they would find that this attractiveness was only skin-surface deep, like a bad smell masked with copious amounts of cheap air freshener.
This indeed, was a player among players... the infamous Dark Rizzard, Hugo Heartbreak.
Hugo bowed, albeit with a somewhat supercilious air. "Your Deviousness, I have done as you requested. I will continue to utilise the Arts of Dark Rizzardry to wreak havoc and emotional damage on unsuspecting females, males, and they/thems..."
"Gooood. Gooooood. Noowww, for your next missionnn..."
"...Master, your words sound cool but could be hard to read, can you just speak normally?"
*cough* "All right… Anyway, I have something for you…"
The Devious Dio fumbled around a bit since it was really dark in the room, before eventually pulling out a photo of Bob that 'he' had taken from the University website.
"This person has made breakthroughs in Epigenetics, that are of... interest to the Dark Rizzard Alliance. I would like you to find out more... about this... young man. Get close to him. Win his trust. As for the research... I trust you know what to do."
"Consider it done, Master." Hugo bowed and took his leave.
As his disciple left with his Dark Rizzard cloak billowing, the Grand Dark Rizzard Itvasme began to chuckle. "Haha. Hahahaha. Mwahahahahahaahahahahahahaahaa!!!!!"
The satisfying villainous laugh filled the chamber.
All 'his' plans would soon come to fruition...
___
That's right! For the sake of maintaining the veneer of narrative continuity, and also avoiding the temptation to engage in pointless and unrealistic filler where Itvasme, despite her 169.67 IQ, would somehow 'struggle to make this seemingly obvious connection', Author decided to actually advance the plot and as a result… Itvasme remembered…!!!
Bob… This... was Bob, the promising person she had stalk- ahem, *researched*, from the University website, who had made breakthroughs in Epigenetics that were of interest to the Dark Rizzard Alliance!!!
___
"Aww… What a good Author, here are my power stones… !!!"
"Me too!!!"
"Me three!!!"
Filled with gratitude at Author valuing their precious time emotional state and focus, the esteemed readers quickly threw more of the encouraging artefacts at Author, who laughed as he felt the glowing, bright, sparkly power course into his being!!!
(Thank you for your contribution 💖✨ - Sending you back some positive energy as usual 🌻🤭💫)
"-Wait a sec." Oh, It was Pep-Z Guy back due to popular demand, largely from the esteemed readers who realised Author couldn't be allowed to go unchecked, otherwise who knew what he might cook up or try and get away with?!?!
Miraculously, Pep-Z Guy had mellowed out after meeting Socielle - was this the magic of… connection?! 🫢
"Socielle..." Pep-Z Guy murmured as he stroked her hair gently, as they… *snuggled* in the Audience, further rewarding the esteemed readers that had followed his development up to this point in the story so far, and giving hope to all - if even Pep-Z Guy had found some kind of love and acceptance, then surely it was possible for everyone… ?!?!
"Author, I heard that!…"
"-Anyway, Have you noticed that Author essentially seems to be compensating for the lack of comments on this novel by using this in-story Audience in order to motivate himself to continue the story?"
Socielle gasped at Pep-Z Guy's profound insight, before her eyes softened in wonder, and then admiration.
"Y-you mean... all this time... Author... he's been doing this... alone?"
*ahem* "Not quite." Author of course wasn't one to pass up on an opportunity to glaze his own Aura, but at the same time, it had to be true!
"Fortunately, there are actual supporters and readers without which the story and Universe - aka 'Bobverse' - would not be what it is today, and very much the poorer for it, for example, we must thank pearlyroses, the_wild_ember, David_Silver_8432, Arnold_DL, AnanyaSunshine, Yakuhl, and of course the as always awesome and very cool blyatxblyat, amongst others!!!!!"
Pep-Z Guy nevertheless, of course continued with his customary candour.
"...I-I don't believe it...h-he's in denial!" Pep-Z Guy whispered, whilst Socielle's eyes filled with tears at Author' martyr-like bravery, soldiering on with only his vision and belief, love and passion keeping him going.
"Well... sure, maybe this novel isn't as widely promoted right now, since I'm still focusing on writing the story. But I'm very very grateful for the readers I do have, their support, the great promotion that happens on this site, and either way, it's never been - only - about the money, or advertising, fame, or numbers 🫢. It's always - mainly - been about completing the Story, sharing value, generating thoughts, ideas, discussion, and creating something that might resonate in some way with the right people..."
"Aww..."
The Power Stones from the Audience immediately increased in a show of support, alongside Author's 'Creative Artist' Aura, which had levelled up again!!!!!!!
Hehehehe. All part of the plan. Author chuckled to himself, as he raked in the profits!!! 🤭
Yeesss!!! He now felt drunk on power - indeed, one could even say that at this point, Author had gotten Power Stone-d… !!!
"…"
"I-I want my Powerstones refunded!!!"
The Audience were naturally, against enabling Author to indulge in addictive antics.
But then. An alternative voice spoke up!
"Wait…!!! If we 'encourage' Author with the euphoria of getting 'Power-stoned'… wouldn't this potentially mean more Chapters?!?!"
"!!!!"
"Oh! I never thought of it that way before! Brilliant! And you are?"
But the fellow, who may or may not have been George "Ge" Lazer, Author's in-story PR and Hype Man, had already disappeared!!!
[A/N: Of course, This novel does not advocate or promote any unhealthy or addictive behaviors! Author advocates for, and adheres to a lifestyle which allows for the healthy consumption of power stones 🤭✨💖]
*Sometime later*
A hooded figure who looks and sounds suspiciously like Author hands over a fat bag full of glowing artefacts … a certain hype man's share of the spoils!?
"Well done, George, that whole acting powerstone-d thing was genius… you reckon the esteemed Audience will buy it and continue to send them over in order to 'encourage' me to write more Chapters ?"
"Haha, it's a 50/50…"
"Still… Cheers to that!!!"
"Yeah… Well at least it was fun."
"Hahaha!!!!!"
"Hehehe!!!!!"
"Hahahahaha!!!!
"Hehehehehe!!!!"
"Hahahahahahahahehehahehahehahwjahehagwgagegagwhagwhagwnajdffsfhgsjshgahshaghahehehah!!!!!!!!"
The two seemingly grown men (at least from outward appearances) began to laugh maniacally together, even as they clinked their glasses of pure, distilled Powerstone Essence…!!?!
___