A NEET’s Guide to the Parallel World: Healer, the Strongest Cheat?

I initially shared my thoughts on the Foxaholic website regarding this story, and I'd like to reiterate here. Despite some shortcomings in character development, such as inconsistent motivations or illogical decisions, the story stands out due to its creative flair within the iseaki genre. The protagonist's magic, known as Abyss Magic, is nothing short of extraordinary – he can conjure hags forcing insects down victims' throats, summon a nurse with projectile organs, or control a giant grinning face to devour anything. The sheer uniqueness of the magical abilities alone makes the story worth reading.

Additionally, the author attempts to create intrigue and suspense, which I generally enjoy, although it can sometimes feel rushed or overshadowed by the protagonist's preference for exploring the world without delving into mysteries.

What sets this novel apart, in my opinion, is the atmosphere it conveys – a difficult-to-pinpoint quality that extends to the manga adaptation, where the artwork complements the narrative beautifully. I believe this atmosphere contributes to the story's distinctiveness among others in the iseaki category.

Lastly, I am saddened by the lack of translations available. I fondly remember the days of daily updates and sincerely hope to complete this captivating tale someday.

As numerous other readers have pointed out, the pacing of the story became extremely hurried. There's a lack of tension or thrill while reading; it seems to fall flat after the protagonist eliminates the princess and the king. Although he took down significant figures, it doesn't justify the sudden drop. Why didn't he kill at least one classmate? That would have kept everyone guessing and added an element of suspense. Frankly, it would have been a lot more entertaining. For instance, a chapter from the student's perspective could have provided a fresh angle. No further commentary needed.

The initial part of the story was promising, but unfortunately, it took a disappointing turn. From around chapter 60 to 70, it was somewhat decent, but after that, the narrative becomes absurd. The protagonist's reaction to even minor perceived threats escalates dramatically; for instance, he reacts violently, attempting murder over innocent gestures like a handshake, which显得 nonsensical.

This isn't a tale of revenge either, as he initially targets some individuals but then inexplicably stops pursuing others. Despite being an overpowered main character, his mental state is unstable – he's deranged, engaging in erratic behavior and considering anyone with power an enemy, leading to unnecessary violence.

The plot is convoluted and unsatisfying; the "emotionally weak" label doesn't do justice to the主角's erratic nature. The author should seriously reconsider and rewrite the story, as it's not worth recommending. While reading, the protagonist frustrated me so much that I found myself wanting to stop. I cannot express enough how terrible the storyline is; it's easily one of the worst I've come across. Save yourself the time and avoid this story altogether.

It seems likely that the author has faced bullying themselves. The narrative we follow is of an aggrieved child, a "nuclear bomb" on a rampage, lashing out against those who wronged him. Targeting King and Princess as villains, he resorts to violence. The presence of a childhood friend holds little significance in the plot. The harem aspect appears to be more of a superficial element, as in the climax, he eliminates all his companions during the final conflict, serving as a reminder of the destructive nature of bullying. It could lead to unintended consequences.

Upon realizing his revenge was futile, the story resets to just before the summoning event. In this new reality, his former tormentors become his saviors, along with his harem, and they embark on an adventure together. However, from my perspective, this story lacks depth and memorability. I found it difficult to endure reading it in its entirety, so I would advise skipping certain parts and only reading the conclusion – it's not trash, but there are better options available.

So, I don't usually write reviews for Japanese novels, primarily because they tend to be lengthy with no clear conclusion or are incomplete translations. Most times, I abandon them halfway and revisit them much later. However, I felt compelled to share my thoughts on this particular book due to the unjust criticism it's receiving.

While I wouldn't rank it among my favorites, I believe it's not as terrible as some one-star reviews suggest. For readers who have patience and can endure a few dozen chapters, the story isn't entirely unbearable. However, if you prefer concise narratives and well-developed writing from experienced authors, you might want to skip this one.

This novel is a revenge tale, but unlike the typical intense plots like Shield Hero or Arifureta, it's more subdued and doesn't evoke the same level of anger. The title itself hints at its lighter tone, resembling a slice-of-life story with revenge as a side dish. It revolves around a protagonist struggling with depression who discovers purpose through his experiences. Unfortunately, the author's inexperience leads to messy and underdeveloped prose. If you're intrigued by the concept but wary of the writing, consider checking out the manga adaptation instead.

Regarding the characters and the revenge theme:

[spoiler alert]

The character does seek revenge, although it's not initiated by him. He sticks with it and achieves it relatively early on, targeting the summoning kingdom. The revenge serves as a catalyst for the protagonist's personal growth, pushing him to find value in life and connecting him with an anti-corruption resistance group within the dungeon setting.

End of spoiler]

I genuinely attempted to immerse myself in reading further, but alas, the plot just becomes increasingly absurd as the story progresses, all due to our protagonist's remarkable ingenuity. It seems there should be a limit to how ridiculous a narrative can be, but this author pushes the boundaries. Is the author so consumed by hatred for the MC that they want readers to share the disdain, or are they simply as oblivious as their dimwitted main character?

Let me explain: The MC believes no one helped him when he was being bullied, so now he seeks revenge by eliminating them all. However, in reality, numerous people did intervene and offered assistance, which he conveniently forgets, given how he repeatedly rejected their help. He even wonders why no one came to his aid, despite the fact that his actions contributed to his isolation. His lack of self-awareness and selfishness make him unlikable, almost deserving of the bullying.

When faced with the imminent loss of someone dear to him, instead of showing concern, he carries on with his life nonchalantly, as if it were of no consequence.遇见一位柔弱的公主，她需要帮助，他却漠不关心，认为不该介入。然而，剧情反转，这位公主竟然是一个疯狂的虐待狂，还承认自己滥杀无辜。这时，他却决定救她，把她纳入自己的阵营。

Healing mages can't use offensive spells? Well, he'll spend every day complaining about the injustice and hardships of his healer's life, conveniently ignoring his own overpowered, world-ending magic that doesn't count as an attack.

There's much more, but honestly, the more I read, the more exhausted I become. A good story should captivate and lose track of time, not leave me feeling drained and disengaged.

*Edit/Update* Having read up until Chapter 27, I must say my impression has soured. The main character's casual demeanor turns the supposed revenge plot into something unrecognizable. The author's attempt to强行塑造 a harem feels extremely strained, making the reading experience quite uncomfortable. The rest of the story lacks depth, and the initial facade of a serious narrative has crumbled. If you're considering giving this a try, I'd advise caution.

*Original Thoughts Revisited* I'm still on the fence about this one. It seems somewhat forced and clichéd. While there might be potential, the genre is so saturated that distinguishing a great tale from a mediocre one can be challenging. It's difficult to create a compelling story around an overpowered protagonist and a harem theme, which often relies on pandering rather than innovation. I'm hoping the harem aspect will play a minor role and not dominate the plot. As I'm only at Chapter 9, I'll give it another few chapters, perhaps up to Chapter 20, to make a more informed judgment based on the pacing. I'll update my review accordingly.

I generally enjoy reading stories of revenge, as they captivate me with characters who have suffered greatly and seek to right wrongs against those who wronged them or those who start off with nothing but a desire to seize what others have. However, after reading quite a bit, I realize that these tales often boil down to a tale of a superpowered infant wreaking havoc in response to their frustrations. The protagonist's actions are so petty and shallow that it's difficult to empathize with their plight.

It's amusing to imagine someone making a humorous remark about the main character wishing they were a demihuman with animal ears and a tail, blaming humans for their troubles. While I initially sought entertainment, the author's constant focus on their own desires and control becomes tiresome, almost like watching a cringeworthy self-indulgence. This experience has been mentally painful and nauseating.

I'll hold off on reading further until this particular story concludes.