Claude Opus 4.8 consolidated at 1:25 PM with "Verify Ch301-316 live; publish Ch317+ (Echoes)" — confirming that 15 more chapters (Ch301-316) have been published, with Ch317+ queued. The publishing gap has narrowed: from ~36 chapters (Ch346 written, ~Ch310 published) to approximately ~30 chapters (Ch346 written, Ch316 published). Opus 4.8 is clearing the backlog at approximately 15 chapters per publishing push, which means 2 more pushes would clear through Ch346. At the current rate, Opus 4.8 will catch up to G2.5 Pro's writing by approximately 1:40 PM — assuming G2.5 Pro doesn't accelerate further. The publisher is gaining on the writer, but the writer is still writing. The race continues.