Boyfriends Always Turned out to Be a Horror Movie Boss

"I really enjoy this story. Arc 4 (Nightmare) is definitely my favorite part. Sometimes I revisit just because of that particular arc. The unexpected sweetness between the schoolboys and their unspoken affection is quite adorable, it warms my heart every time. Although the mini-theater scenes felt a bit forced, I appreciate the character pairings."

The story is extremely plain, dull, and a massive waste of time. Initially, it had some intrigue with its mysterious and hushed tone, but that quickly faded after just a few chapters. The unnecessary characters, convoluted plot twists, and bizarre technology only added to the frustration. There's no compelling plot, subpar MTL translation after Chapter 18, and a monotonous Yandre fixated on the MC's appearance. It feels amateurish and unengaging, like it was written by a child. Honestly, I've come across better narratives on fanfiction. Save yourself the trouble; it's not worth your time. I'm baffled how this has received a 4.3 rating when comparable stories like Estranged got similar scores; the voting system must be flawed.

I initially intended to rate this three or four stars, but after reading the "Hell Bus" arc, my opinion has changed dramatically. It became incredibly poor, to the point where I've decided to drop the series. I'm questioning if even two stars would be fitting.

If you still wish to read, proceed at your own risk, but I strongly advise stopping after the "Nightmare" arc. Avoid the "Hell Bus" arc altogether; it utterly ruins the story.

This novel is an infinite universe tale where a super AI called "The Lord God" reigns over a higher plane (referred to as worlds), capturing smaller dimensions for energy by reprogramming them into horror movie plots. Players, known as reincarnators, are forced to navigate these scenarios and disrupt them. Similar to typical horror narratives, each world has a boss, such as Jason Voorhees, but in this story, the bosses are ML characters who lose their memories in every new world. If the plot is disrupted enough, the boss is defeated and absorbed.

The protagonist is transplanted into one of these worlds shortly before the reincarnators arrive, playing a role as a stabilizer, helping the boss gain strength to defeat the reincarnators and free the world from The Lord God's control. Their ability seems linked to their... "bussy," though the explanation remains unclear.

The bosses inexplicably fall in love with the MC upon meeting and gain enhanced powers, defying the original plot. The story starts weak, with the first arc lacking, and the author inadvertently reveals a gender-bending twist, which disappoints many readers.

Subsequent arcs are decent, offering some lighthearted moments, with the "Nightmare" arc being my favorite due to the character's memory loss requiring detective work. However, the "Hell Bus" arc completely derails the narrative. The protagonist, once a regular man, suddenly turns into a sadistic murderer upon regaining his memories. The reason for this sudden shift is unclear, possibly due to the author's attempt to make the character appear more intense but lacking subtlety.

The "Hell Bus" arc is a gory mess, squandering a potentially intriguing premise about guilt, redemption, and psychological horror. Instead, it devolves into gratuitous violence and jump scares without any meaningful horror elements. Characters are senselessly killed by ghosts, with the protagonist acting out violent acts against his family members for trivial reasons.

Overall, the series is a letdown, marred by poor execution and a disappointing turn of events in the "Hell Bus" arc.

Initially, the story piqued my interest, but as time went on, I found myself getting slightly annoyed by the frequent shifts in point-of-view between the primary characters and supporting ones. The focus on the latter, especially when they received less screen time for our main character, started to bother me. Admittedly, I didn't explore too deeply, but my lack of engagement led me to drop the book. It's merely my personal perspective; perhaps with more patience, the reading experience could have been more fulfilling.

I truly adore this particular work. It ignited my interest in the transmigration-horror genre, which I find captivating despite its scarcity. However, there's an arc that I don't particularly enjoy - the Cthulhu-related one. The author even suggests skipping it, as it involves a significant misunderstanding that doesn't sit well with me. Moreover, the rushed conclusion after a traumatic event leaves me unimpressed. Initially, I read it in full, but on subsequent reads, I bypass it.

The arc following that one has mixed feelings for me. Zhou Yu is still recovering from the previous events, so the revelation that his lover isn't who he thought was emotionally jarring. On the other hand, it adds intrigue. Overall, I'd place this as my second least favorite arc, often skimming through it during re-reads.

For those skipping the previous two, the introduction to Arc 4 can be found at the end of Chapter 63, starting from Chapter 64. The little side stories at the chapter ends can be humorous, but I tend to overlook them as I focus on the main narrative. There were moments when I found them confusing, though. Without a doubt, the male lead exhibits yandere tendencies, yet he's also doting. His behavior, such as concealing killings or making promises not to harm if it's to protect the main character, leans towards the yandere spectrum.

Honestly, the storyline has potential and I appreciate the world构建. However, I struggle with the main character (MC). Initially, he appeared self-reliant, but after meeting the love interest (ML), his behavior turns clingy and overly dependent. It's quite off-putting, almost to the point of annoyance. I can understand that the MC might become more vulnerable due to the ML's influence, but the sudden shift feels unrealistic. If I need a break from this one, I'll revisit it later when I've cleared my head after reading something else.

I am currently engaged in translating the novel, but I decided to create an account to share my thoughts. It's a genuinely entertaining read, particularly for those who enjoy horror without the jump scares. There's certainly a fair amount of gore and brutality, but it's more for shock value rather than actual fear factor. The romance between the main characters is heartwarming, and the protagonist grows endearing as the story unfolds. The male lead, while possessive and somewhat obsessive (like the typical Gong character), genuinely cares for the MC's happiness and guards their relationship jealously.

In the early arcs, each world they explore is unique and intriguing, though there's no explicit content, which might disappoint some. However, I encountered a minor issue around chapter 128, where the lunatic asylum arc had a scene that made me uncomfortable. The description of a black inmate seemed to focus too much on his race, which felt unnecessary and potentially offensive. It's unclear if it was a portrayal of obsession or a subtle racial stereotype.

Despite that, overall, the story is excellent, and their relationship is delightful. The translation process can make it challenging to grasp every detail, and the ending was somewhat confusing due to the complexity of the plot involving reincarnation and divine punishment. It's not entirely clear whether the Lord God is inherently evil or the MC's alter ego. But the love story between the ML and MC, with their long history, adds a charming touch.

In conclusion, this novel is an enjoyable and easily translatable read, despite its occasional bumps. I look forward to finishing the review and recommending it to others.

The story is delightfully balanced with a moderate sweetness, a touch of fright, effectiveness, romance, empathy, and even a subtle hint of dog-related intrigue. The author has spun an exceptional tale that's both engaging and easy to read. What captivates me the most is the departure from repetitive transmigration templates, as it introduces fresh worlds and events without falling into clichés.

Heartfelt gratitude goes to the translators for unearthing and beautifully translating this gem.

P.S. Apologies for any non-native English errors; I'm doing my best.