- #1
Reading this, you will hate the ML and the secondary ML to the core, then feel bad for them and may even grow attached. Rinse and repeat. You may even feel that the MC is cold at times, and forget how much trauma he went through and how badly those MLs treated him in their past lives. Actually, the truly horrendous one is the secondary ML, who is usually either a crazy rapist or harlot, while main ML is self centred and reticent, at least at the start. I have to say though, I have mixed feelings about the secondary ML. He's absolutely abhorrent but there are a few instances when he isn't always a psycho where I felt he had more chemistry with the MC. Or at least, it was funny to see MC's interactions with him in those weird peace-filled moments... before the sh*t happens. Spoiler
In the first realm when 2nd ML reincarnates and you see the good person he would have become if he weren't twisted by events. Also, in the second realm when he acts completely ooc in the ML's body. And in the apocalypse realm when MC started this weird domestic life with the MLs.
[collapse]I still hate him most of the time though, but I find him entertaining as a character. Regarding the ML, when he is in power, he keeps people at a length cause he is used to them approaching him all the time, and when he is weak, he does whatever he can to fulfil his aspirations. Thus he is a person who is hard to get close to, yet when he truly loves he does everything for the MC. And in every story's previous lifetime where he ends up with the 2nd ML, compared to the tragic ending with MC, I can't help but feel like they are starcrossed lovers in a true ending which is sadly never a happy ending. And regarding the MC... whenever you feel that he is cold, just remember he has been living through hell for a thousand years, including the very fresh hell he just went through. And also, there were two parts where what happened in the realm affected him. I don't cry easily yet I teared up. My heart still feels broken.SpoilerThe apocalypse ending where both MLs died in ways which shocked him. And it felt that he didn't want ML to die for once despite the harsh reality.
And the ML as top scholar realm right after that where he reincarnates again and loses all hope, giving up on the realm completely, and hating what he became and what he has to go through and feeling like he has no one who cares for him. And later on, when the ML comes for him...
[collapse]Sometimes I hope that he could live happily in the realm with the ML, then I realise the moment he dies of old age or an accident, he will be forced to go to another realm where the ML will not remember him and will contribute to his death again. Characterizations are really well done. There's backstories to why the MLs are cruel, violent, cold or sick. And I particularly love the psychological breakdown of the characters by the MC, making them go from apathy or hate, to selfish affection and finally, selfless or obsessive love. Each change is vindictive to read, yet tragic and bittersweet when you know how it all will end. This is a story about the ugly sides of 'love'. How it can distort a person. How it is obsessive and possessive and driven by narcissism, only to plummet and give in wholeheartedly even if the outcome is despair.