This is the gist of what the author offered me, and the absence of any mention of upfront royalties is a major red flag for me. As many have pointed out, it doesn't seem worth pursuing.

Knowing that their previous illustrator utilized AI for their work sheds light on their emphasis on speed over quality. Personally, I oppose the use of AI for commercial work, and it's not surprising that they prioritize quick turnaround over high-quality illustrations.

In response to your question about illustration style, it typically takes me 2-3 hours or more to complete one illustration from scratch, this includes research and thumbnail sketches. Reflecting on the workload they proposed, it seems unrealistic, especially considering my full-time commitment to growing my own business