I Was a Sword When I Reincarnated (WN)

The main characters are both intriguing, with good, gradual character development. Antagonists aren’t stupid people who just throw out insults; the world isn’t necessarily peaceful, but it’s not entirely awful either. Not all nobles are evil, which is a refreshing change from the stereotypes often found in reincarnation novels. The main character isn’t some beta pervert or anything, but he acts his age. He’s not stupid, but he’s not a genius either. There are filler chapters, but they manage to keep the reader engaged and don’t stray too far from the action or adventure. Despite being an adventure story, side characters are reintroduced later, which is nice to see that they’re not just discarded after the main character and Fran leave a particular city. The story isn’t dark and evil, nor is it a perfect world where everyone is nice. It strikes a solid balance, where the main character is okay with killing but doesn’t overdo it, and the same can be said for most other characters. Important side characters have their own goals and POV chapters, and it’s great to see that the main character isn’t the only one progressing; the world is also moving forward alongside them, even though only a few months have passed in the story so far. There’s no insane power leveling, but the main character isn’t helpless either. Fran and the main character don’t force any plot armor where they gamble against something much stronger than them (mostly). It’s definitely a story I recommend.

So many negative reviews when the series had less than 10 chapters. It does start off a bit boring, but it improves significantly once the heroine appears. The story isn't lacking a plot; it's actually a narrative crafted by a deity to help the protagonist defeat monsters that are fragments of an evil god. There isn't a demon lord to defeat yet, as the story hasn't delved into complex tactics. It seems to be a type of novel where strength and skills are paramount, and perhaps having a few companions along the way. The clichés are woven in with a sense of inevitability, as the main character himself notes, "It was inevitable for this to happen."