- #1
An interesting story that keeps hinting at potential but never - quite - reaches it, with the result it comes across as a bit rushed. As of chapter 56 (posted on Oct 1, 2022) the first arc (or two? There is no clear division between arcs) is complete, and the author seems uncertain where to take the story next.The main character has more or less completed his intended class build and is mostly refining his techniques. He has also secretly Spoiler
gone much deeper into the dungeon than anyone else in the country believes possible. While most believe that floor 30 is the new maximum floor, he is on floor 48 (as of c56), and his friend (and the FMC) regularly farms mats on floor 35.
[collapse]. By c56 the MC's actions have so changed the situation from the backstory in the game that he is no longer sure what will happen next.There is occasional fights and politicking between factions and guilds, as well as some light hints of romance between the MC and FMC to keep things interesting, but the author seems to have painted himself into a corner. Too much has been accomplished already - to the point that there does not seem to be much left to do other than steadily build up combat experience and personal levels (these are separate from class levels) while waiting for the hero to catch up so that the final boss can finally be confronted. The introduction in c56 of a DLC-source transfer student seemed to be meant to be a foil for something new - but then the author lost inspiration, leaving the story in hiatus.A notable issue I have with the story is that his strategy guide is a gimmick that seems incredibly fragile. While no one can read it except him (as to all others it appears to be a book of blank pages), what if someone were to take it or burn it? Is it a manifestation of a unique skill, such that it will reappear near him if moved too far or if destroyed? Or is it just a normal book that only he can read? That is never specified by the author. It just seems to be a book that - strangely - few are curious about, despite sometimes commenting on its blank pages.Another issue that is sure to come up eventually is Spoilerall the monster cores and drops he sells from floors 34+. At present they are strange but very valuable and useful cores / drops from unknown monsters, but as soon as others catch up to those floors - which he and the FMC have been farming for months by c56 - it will become apparent to the guild that he and the FMC must have reached those floors not long after floor 29 was cleared
[collapse]. Yet neither he nor the FMC have considered or planned for the matter - possibly because they do not think it likely to come up any time in the next year or two that they remain at the academy. The MC should know better, as the game is supposed to conclude before the academy is completed, but instead he just seems content to steadily build up a small but notable fortune by selling the materials.That leads to another (false) issue. The hints of romance are kept from moving further due to the class difference between the two, but once it is known that Spoilerhe is the masked adventurer who helped defeat the boss on floor 29, openning the path to floor 30
[collapse]).