Ugh rant incoming, major spoilers

At first I was excited for the massive update. I mean, 50 chapters at once? Amazing.

But this is a slog to get thru. Anything involving the ML feels extremely forced. I don't buy any emotional connection between them, at all. I liked it better when he was trying to manipulate and use her, because that at least felt in character, but that was abandoned so quickly. Nothing about him is the least bit likeable. He's constantly pushing his ideals on the MC, as well as all his inadequacies. Every crisis of faith and panic attack isn't believable, either. You're telling me that he can capture one of the rarest and most vicious monsters but other monsters have him crying himself into a ball? Not even the monsters that murdered his family, just a random group of lizard men. But I'm supposed to also believe he's competent against drake and other monsters. Nah fam.

On top of all that, there was no build up of connection between him and the MC. She's supposedly developing feelings for him and even starts feeling betrayed in the 30s but why? Up until that point, the only thing she's indicated about him is that he's annoying and she hates his view points. This isn't enemies to lovers because at this point, they aren't even enemies. Instead, they are two sides that are fundamentally opposed to each other. Could they possibly fall in love? Theoretically yes but why would they? They aren't challenging each other's view points. The minute one side makes even a little progress making the other side more open minded, that progress is immediately reset to zero only a few chapters later. She constantly has to sacrifice her views and morals while he gives nothing in return.

And the monsters suck too. At first, it was great because yay, seeing things from a different point of view. And then it became annoying and tedious about forcing her to pick sides when she's already chosen the monsters so many times. Again, she makes all the sacrifices and they give nothing. At this point, she should just ignore everyone and go live in the woods by herself.


The plot has become dry and predictable, too. There's zero nuance. What could have been a commentary on how both sides are flawed and both sides have grudges was hand waved to be like, "nope, neither side is at fault, it's all a common enemy" troupe. Everything is the fault of demons, nothing is either side's fault. So instead of needing to find middle ground between both sides and compromise, it's turning into, "Let's get of all demons and that will make everything okay." Except, sike, not really. Guaranteed that it'll turn around and be like, "if the MC just talks to the demons, because she's a special cutesy princess archetype character" then all their problems will be solved and everyone can get along.

The whole thing feels contrived at this point and I'm dropping for now. I hate the MC, ML, both supposed sides of a dumb argument, and even the plot at this point. Maybe I'll read again when I feel like punishing myself.