"The next book to be discussed is called 'Thunderbolt'".
Thirty minutes had passed since the beginning of the editors' choice awards. Hori was on the verge of falling asleep given the fact that he had gotten no sleep the previous night. The only thing that kept him awake was his occasional glances towards where the refreshments were kept.
He needed to think of an efficient way to sneak some snacks home.
As soon as he heard the words of the female, he sat up. That was his book that was about to be discussed by the editors. He couldn't wait to hear their words of praise towards his masterpiece.
"The world description is really poor. I wonder how this author thought that one paragraph was enough for everyone to understand what the world is about". One of the editor frowned while he was talking.
"And how don't we know the name of the main character till the tenth chapter. He just keeps calling him the boy, the boy". Another author chimed in.
"And why do I feel like the author went into this 'Arthur's' life more than the main character. It seems like Arthur is the actual main character. What a waste". Another editor said.
"The description is very poor. Even if you want to describe the rain fall, there are better choices of adjectives and verbs that you can use". The editor that spoke initially said.
"W-what are they saying?" Hori whispered to himself. That book that those editors were casually judging and insulting was his book. His masterpiece! That was supposed to be the best thing that he had ever written in all of his life. That was his sweat, his blood. Did they know what it was like to stay awake all night writing a book?
"Another thing though, I don't think that the main character has any real motivation to get stronger. He was beaten up once and suddenly he wants to be a god that tramples over all living beings". Another editor said.
"What's worse is that the title really has nothing to do with the story line. How does the word thunderbolt relate to the plot of the book?" An editor that spoke previously commented.
"What did you say?!" Hori lost his temper after bein subjected to listening to the editors insult his book.
How dare these plebs that didn't know anything about quality literature judge his book? They didn't understand the meaning of quality writing.
"Who are you please". One of the editors raised an eyebrow.
"It's my book that you're all insulting". Hori said darkly.
"So you're the author". Another editor said. "We have a lot more complaints. Your book lacks any real sense of direction, it seems as if you were just making chapters as you were going. Chapters that have absolutely nothing to do with the book. And what's this about an apocalypse?"
Hori clenched his jaw. He was about to reply when another editor spoke, cutting him off before he had even started talking.
"How does a bored god destroying the world have anything to do with the plot. I thought he was supposed to reach the pinnacle of strength. It's right here in the synopsis".
One of the editor burst into a fit of laughter. "I know why it's called thunderbolt now. According to the book, the god destroyed the world with a thunderbolt".
"You bunch of clowns know nothing about literature!" Hori screamed, alarming everyone present. "That's just the end of volume one, he's supposed to transmigrate to his younger self and stop the god in volume two!"
"That doesn't make it any better". An editor replied. "With your thrash writing and stupid description, I doubt that anyone is going to be willing to read volume two".
The words of that editor made the audience erupt into a fit of laughter. Hori's face turned red sir to embarrassment. At that moment, all he wanted to do was to bury himself in a hole and never come out.
"You lot are idiots". Hori screamed. "I should've known that it was a waste of time for me to come here. You obviously wouldn't recognize quality writing even if it hit you in the head".
"Even a baby would know that this is thrash after taking a glance at it. What a waste". An editor said.
Hori glanced at t he editor. He had black hair which fell to the front of his forehead, but in a messy manner, but in a fashionable way. He wore a black three piece suit with a white shirt inside.
His hand was equipped with a diamond wristwatch, and Hori thought he spotted a gold chain around his neck.
Hori hated him the most instantly. The source of his hatred didn't stem from anger following his comment about his book, it was because that editor looked like the epitome of wealth. He had everything that Hori thought he was supposed to have.
What really pissed him off was that he probably got all that from saying rubbish about quality literature like his own.
"What do you mean by that?" Hori said through clenched teeth. All the words came out one by one, highlighting the extent of his fury.
The rich editor however, didn't seem to notice. He just laughed while he spoke. "What I'm trying to say is that…". A devilish smile crept up is lips. "Your book is thrash. It's the trashiest among all form of thrash. Your book is shit!"