I, the “Clock User”, Was Kicked Out of the Craftsmen’s Guild for Being Incompetent, but at the Dungeon’s Depths, I Awakened My True Power – Even Though I Was Told to Return Because They Couldn’t Handle the Work, It’s Too Late

Alright, I had come across various reviews which left me with a mixed impression. After reading through all the translated chapters, I can say that the translation itself is commendable.

The narrative does have a solid structure, but it could definitely benefit from more depth and substance. Although the story contains some intriguing concepts, it tends to lack originality – a common issue in many online narratives. It seems like the era of truly exceptional stories might have passed, as we often find ourselves in a sea of derivative works. Despite this, the majority of the content is portrayed quite accurately in the translations, as evident from other readers' comments.

Volume 3 marked the beginning of my enjoyment, as it marked the start of the main story. Volumes 1 and 2 can be seen as an introduction and the theme of betrayal, respectively. What makes this story compelling is the protagonist's intense desire for REVENGE. Unlike many Japanese novels, our MC isn't a pushover; he struggles with causing harm, but when faced with evil, he stands his ground.

The plot revolves around two key villains who orchestrated his downfall, while others betrayed or abandoned him, leading to a focus on karma rather than direct revenge. The Hero's eventual punishment and subsequent downward spiral serve as a form of justice, culminating in disfigurement, rejection, and forced servitude in a war.

The Saintess, the MC's fiancée, plays a significant role. Initially, she falsely testifies against him due to the misappropriation of funds and destroyed letters. Her actions lead to her own heartbreak and isolation, parallel to the Hero's war fate.

The Sister, an S-ranked adventurer with a tsundere personality, unknowingly damages the MC's reputation, resulting in severe abuse and near-death experiences after he becomes a slave. Recognizing her mistake, she attempts suicide upon reuniting with her brother.

The Woman He Saved, who he tried to protect from a noble's assault, ultimately dies due to mistrust. Her tragic fate highlights the MC's struggle.

Lastly, the Actual Rapist serves as a more satisfying villain. Besides his own crimes, the kingdom uses him as a scapegoat, but he faces further torment when the MC discovers his guilt and exacts justice, twice over.

In summary, this story captivates with its well-developed characters, the protagonist's drive for justice, and the intricate web of relationships and consequences that unfold.

The chapters are quite brief, almost merging the first three "volumes" into one. It starts off with some unnecessary setup and excessive violence from supporting characters, but once the story gains momentum, it turns out to be unexpectedly engaging. The pacing significantly improves, avoiding the common issue of unnecessarily dragging out the narrative found in many web novels, in my opinion. I appreciate that the protagonist doesn't fall into the overly edgy stereotype. Although the author's update frequency seems to be inconsistent, personally, Volume 8 would make a decent stopping point if that's where the story concludes, and I'd be satisfied with having read it.

I believe the narrative could have been executed more effectively, but the overall plot is solid. My issue lies solely with the introduction, as the initial description inadvertently revealed too much from the first volume. However, I appreciate the character development, as they start off弱小 but ultimately discover their strength independently, without relying on a powerful artifact for empowerment.

Firstly, I read up to the current chapter back in June. I must admit, I'm a fast reader, completing the novel in just two hours. Out of the numerous web novels I've read, this one stands out. However, I don't particularly enjoy "NTR" elements, even if attempts are made to justify it. The repetitive chapters about characters realizing their wrongdoings towards the main character can be somewhat satisfying, but half of them feel like indirect NTR. As for the protagonist's unique ability, it's quite extraordinary, blending fantasy and isekai genres, yet it's so unconventional and connected to clockwork mechanisms. It's almost too far-fetched. And then, suddenly, he gains an SSS rank without much buildup – it feels like a sudden shift from a series of negative events to a complete turnaround.

The plot simplifies things too much, focusing on a single "trauma" that's quickly resolved. Timing issues abound, and many plot holes could have been avoided with better direction. The focus on skills, the church, and guilds unnecessarily complicates things, while other aspects are rushed. If the writer spent more effort on consistency, the overall composition would improve. Relationships, guild hierarchy, request backgrounds, and character motivations deserve more attention.

I understand that my critique may come across as demanding, but I genuinely believe there's potential in this story. The MC's backstory and powers offer ample room for exploration. The inclusion of strong female characters, despite some NTR elements, could have been handled differently to avoid such embarrassment. The author could have delved deeper into the characters' development and conflicts, rather than resorting to cliches.

In summary, the novel could benefit from a more balanced approach to complexity, clearer explanations, and a focus on character growth. While I appreciate the ambition behind the story, it often falls short due to rushed pacing and underdeveloped plotlines. I hope the author considers these points and strives for a more satisfying narrative.

Before I proceed with any criticism of the novel, let me express my surprise at its lengthy title. It's longer than I ever imagined, something like this: "Oh boy, where do I even begin?" The instant readers see that, they might lose interest, wondering if they should even bother. Speaking of the main character, his demeanor feels like a moody emo teenager, lashing out at everyone around him just because he's having a bad day. While I understand the desire for revenge, it doesn't mean he should constantly wish for the world's demise towards those who haven't wronged him.

One aspect I do appreciate is the author's idea behind the "Clock User" skill – it had potential, but unfortunately, the execution fell short of what could have been a captivating concept.

The beginning of the story presents an intriguing concept, where a young protagonist's life path is predetermined by the church and monarchy during a coming-of-age ceremony. Initially, the protagonist experiences a decent life, with his fiancée and sister possessing high-level abilities. However, fate takes a turn when they abandon him due to his seemingly weaker skill, despite it having a stronger response.

The protagonist then faces false accusations and loses faith in humanity, creating a compelling setup. Unfortunately, the author appears unsure how to develop this theme consistently. The protagonist's trauma becomes exaggerated, leading to melodramatic reactions that are suddenly resolved with a magical solution in the next chapter, undermining the impact.

As the story progresses, the protagonist discovers a hidden strength within his evolving skill, granting him extraordinary powers like summoning miniature suns at will. This power level verges on absurdity, resembling another popular series, "Arifureta Shokugyou de Sekai Saikyou." However, instead of crafting a unique narrative, the focus shifts towards revenge and trauma, which are resolved rather hastily with a同伴's magical intervention.

Overall, the novel presents promising ideas that are underutilized or abandoned, resulting in a frustrating reading experience. The author seems to struggle with balancing originality and reliance on established tropes.

It perfectly aligns with my preferences, you see. Although there might be some similarities between this and Arifureta, particularly in its dungeon-centric aspect, it still stands out as a refreshing read for me. I find immense satisfaction in stories where the protagonist, initially underestimated and bullied, rises to prove everyone wrong, and then decisively takes down those who crossed them.