The author's other works doesn't even look like this, considering the past shitty plots in general Im not even that surprise if this was enhanced by Ai
If you look on their socials you can see how their art has developed over the years. It’s not AI. However this art style is one that AI was given to study heavily, hence why it looks similar. There are plenty of works in this art style dating back 10-15 years.
No but if you focus on some details you can see they clearly used AI especially in the mountain / hike background
IK I WAS THINKING THE EXACT SAME THING WHILE READING IT
This is just weird....idk..