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Chapter ~400 EDIT: Wow, this novel is PEAK. It keeps getting better, and I haven't felt like dropping the novel at all even after reading 400 chapters in one go. Just came to edit my review after a really wild character development arc for the MC. Cried my heart out, and I love the twist.I think this quote from the novel sums up the overall theme quite well:Spoiler
"I have seen it over the past two years. The process of small, selfish, and disorganized individuals relying on each other, fighting together, and becoming heroes.
Realizing the noble value of life in the face of imminent death. The great will of ordinary people fighting together for one another. The miracle of hatred turning into understanding."
[collapse]Chapter ~100 Review:Will review again once I catch up, but man, this is a good novel!First, it avoids some of the kingdom-building/war/tower-defense novel weaknesses. Although the cast is large, the important characters (Ex: members of the party/former members) aren't neglected. The MC doesn't feel alone; he feels surrounded by characters. Characters besides the MC get character development ! I found some of the characters introduced at the start pretty whiny and annoying, but they sure got really cool after character development (even the fantasy-racist character (they have an understandable reason ngl) learns!). Note that this character development may occur many chapters after their first appearance (I'm still waiting on the backstories of some of the first recruits). The characters are quite likable in general too. They have their flaws and quirks, but they're enjoyable and generally good.Also, note that characters with names will die. So far, doesn't seem like super important characters die (we'll see :v), but there is character death. The author isn't afraid to let you know that, but at least they're not killing named characters frequently. Also, the named character death isn't treated poorly; they get their moments instead of being off-screened lol. I cried.The MC isn't s*upid thankfully. He makes mistakes, but they're understandable ones. I sometimes feel like he's fed the thing he needs most "coincidentally" at times, but it balances out. You see, he manages to get what he needs to fulfill his plans.... but then his plans get derailed, so he has to creatively come up with a new strategy. That new strategy is often more interesting than what was given to the MC earlier and relies on past/less-obvious things he achieved. That way it feels less like plot armor and more like the MC actually being smart. Also, despite being a supporter/commander, he has his hype combat moments! EDIT: Things are revealed later sometimes (foreshadowing occurs :P), so it's actually a lot more balanced than I thought!Also, the MC is pretty unpredictable at times. I enjoy when he whips something wild out and pulls off miracles that don't feel like plot armor.The worldbuilding is also interesting! There are reasons why the world is like that (tower defense required RIP), but we're still slowly discovering the mystery. The OG body's past also seems interesting... EDIT: It is! Things heat up once he takes a break from tower defense stages... the worldbuilding is truly something. Also, the OG body's family is quite complicated. I love how complex they are as characters. I would call them ruthless. Their relationship with the MC is fun to read about.A lot of novels about kingdom-building/tower defense kinda become flat and filled with X died, Y lived, etc., but this novel shows that there's warmth even during a war! The touching moments made me cry... and the sad ones felt meaningful. Death felt more than -1 soldier, and I really appreciate that. Also, the MC's subordinates don't feel like toadies despite their loyalty. They can be independent on their own.Translations are good, but there's one weird thing. Sometimes the elderly people get their gender mixed up? I'm pretty sure this is an elderly woman (referred to as female more times than male), but she gets called a man sometimes. This also applied to another elderly man lol.Also, the novel isn't completely tower defense. I love its human elements and when the MC visited a new location during a lull... it got even better? Vague description in the spoiler; nothing major spoiled.SpoilerAround Chapter 150, the MC visits the capital and things heat up! He meets a special someone and has a family reunion as well. Also, the OG body is quite mysterious... He's not as straightforward as the initial descriptions seem, and the MC slowly learns that. There's a reason why the MC wasn't outed from Day 1.
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