Author here. Thought I'd give my own review of the story up to the current chapter. Also since it seems that people here look more to reviews than the Author's note in a story.
Before everything else though, this story is aimed towards people who've read at least the entire story of Mushoku Tensei. If you haven't, expect to be confused. I try to remember to explain things, but I'm running off a big base of knowledge that you probably won't have and that the wiki might not complete. Hopefully it's still an enjoyable read, but that's on you for going regardless.
Anyway... it seems that my writing skills are so good people expected something completely original from the start instead of a fanfic roughly following the main story for a while. I'm flattered, really, but for a first stab at a fanfic for a series, that's just not happening. This is more exploratory than anything with a cohesive plot. While we jump off the rails of canon eventually (and boy do we jump off) that's not for a while in. The beginning of the story is more character exploration than anything plot heavy. And speaking of character explorations...
This story isn't planned out. I'm not an author who likes mapping the entire story out... mostly because the many times I've tried that in the past, it's been a complete and utter failure. I have a few points in mind and a destination, but the story is pretty much unfolding organically from whatever pops in my head at the time. I'd like to think I'm a pretty good improviser by now, but there's definitely going to be parts that fall flat, so don't expect *too* much. I think that's part of the fun though, personally.
As to the story itself... I'll say that looks are deceiving. I'm the sort of author who trusts in my readers to figure things out and/or enjoys the 'aha' moment when their guess about what's unfolding turns out to be true or when they get their expectations subverted. Of course, that's the ideal, but again, when you're playing by ear...
Anyway. I try for daily updates, but I can't guarantee stability. Especially these days. I'm a third year law student heading into Patent and IP law, so there's inevitably going to be times when I sacrifice writing for IRL stuff. Not to mention the fact that my hourly rate is much more than anything I could get from writing or patreon when I start a job in my field... Yeah. That's just how it's going to be.
Character design... I rate that low because I don't really 'design' the characters. I'm mostly just going off of my best feel, which could be off-base. There's no handy character sheet or whatever I'm working with, so I can't guarantee perfect in-characterness all the time, only my interpretation at the moment.
As for world background, *cough*. Yeah. That's pretty abridged here, haha.
Anyway, hope that clears up some questions.
P.S. I'm a believer in freedom of speech, but I'm also a believer in consequences. I won't take it personally if you leave an honest review, but if it's clear that you're acting with malicious intent, I will act accordingly and yeet your review from existence. It's enough having to deal with clients and hearing the horror stories from public defenders.
I don't want any more negativity here and will act with all the zeal that my role as a zealous advocate requires in my job to remove it.
Anywho, that's it from me. Thank you for attending my ted talk.