I feel sick the amount of times I stop and felt bad for him while he’s literally begging and apologizing. Why is this so hype??
Shock value I think ~ the same way Killing Stalking was so hyped and everyone was on edge and anticipating the next chapter every time. Not necessarily because they like or approve it, on the contrary most like you found it too heavy, but they still check and talk about it just to see what happens next. The same can be said when Attack on Titan, Solo Leveling, Squid Games, etc first weeks of airing was well anticipated despite it was very gruesome and shocking. Not saying these are on the same level but y'know people love to talk about stuff that can shock others or are shocking in general.
As for the protag of this story... The guys is well cornered. He hates what they did to him, want to escape, tried to escape... But cant. It's not a matter of crush either. The protag has no family, no friends, is in heavy debt... Grew up being conditioned and manipulated by his crush. He has no money. He can't report his friend bc he would lose his job. Is despairing because even if he works between grocery, rent, electricity, phone bills, he can BARELY save anything for his escape. Plus it is mentioned he barely managed to live decently because of these messed up friends he fround him a job and gives him money and let him stay and eat with them in exchange of him cooking foods they buy. The guy is very very alone.
That man needs reality check he has too much ego thinking the world resolves around him it’s embarrassing..