Despite everyone calling the MC a pushover and weak, I really like him. Maybe I just like to suffer and self-inflicted angst ¯_(ツ)_/¯ We get to know his backstory and it's all fits together. Poor guy has suffered all his life so of course he's emotionally stunted, eager to please, and simple minded. The writer did a wonderful job writing him but man I can't say the same for ML. We don't know his past nor any family/friends (besides the guild members). He's kinda this rich kid who never cared about anyone before and now he that does he can't let go. He's obsessed. It takes MC to really prove his worth as a guide when they did the deep guiding for ML to change his mind. MC was expendable until ML couldn't imagine a life without him. We are getting to this point in season 2.
But what I really want to talk about is MC's backstory. He's a freaking survivor and damn the writer really wanted him to suffer. He lost his parents at a young age and grew up at a monastery until he was 14-15. Then, he was recruited (more like exploited) by a guild and thrust into guiding injured espers from the SS-Class dungeon. The guild leader died and his brother blamed it on MC for not guiding properly. To attone for it, MC was forced to bond with the guild leader's brother. MC didn't have anyone to rely on besides this abusive piece of shit. MC was isolated and alone. His only worth was his guiding ability. He has a lot of unprocessed beliefs and trauma that inhibit his growth as a person. So when comments say he's weak and a pushover, it's true but it's also only one part of him. Jin Hyoseop is doing everything he can to be loved and belong somewhere even at the expense of his own health.
Anyways, we are in the progress of a chasing/groveling act. ML completes the SS dungeon, saves his ex-guide, and gives him proper rest. The internet goes crazy over the potential heartbreaking love story between them. MC reads all the rumors and his resolve weakens. He was totally left in the dark about everything. There was no contact from ML even after completing the dungeon. The final nail on the coffin was the announcement of a new guide joining Onaip. MC clung onto the small hope that he wasn't replaceable, but this broke him. He's pride and worth as a guide are shattered. ML never loved him. His only job was taken from him. There's no reason to stay anymore. When they finally meet again, they hug and poor MC is crying his eyes out. He musters up the courage to ask ML to spend the night together . . . one last time. After an eventful night together, MC wakes up alone in ML's house. ML had urgent business in the US. MC cleans himself up and carefully removes all traces of himself in ML's house. He goes home and leaves his resignation letter and phone on the table. He's leaving.
ML goes crazy looking for MC. He knew MC was acting odd but brushed it off because ML is blinded by love. MC was hiding in a remote town but got tracked down by a phone call to that Shin guy. ML is absolutely livid. He doesn't understand why MC left and cut off contact. ML says all the wrong things and this triggers MC's obsession alert. This is obsession and MC knows what being on the receiving end of obsession looks like . . . being confined and at the mercy of your oppressor. ML forces a kiss on MC. MC tries to push him back to no avail. So, he bites ML's tongue and a protective shield covers him. This shield only activated when the holder truly thinks they are in danger. ML gave him that item and to think the danger would be him. Ridiculous. MC looks absolutely frightened of him. ML tries to calm down and apologizes. But before any meaningful conversation happens, a gate appears. A mutated gate that grabs its surroundings. ML protects MC from getting dragged into the gate and enters it to clear it
When he gets back, MC is no where to be seen. He goes back into the gate and finds MC's bag. He's convinced MC had disappeared into a connected sub-dungeon. Onaip becomes the no. 1 guild after clearing over 100 dungeons in two weeks.
Turns out, MC used a teleportation scroll and landed in Argentina. He's safe. That's where I ended off! I omitted a bunch of details because I think it's nice surprise. I definitely mixed about MC leaving like yes get away from that manipulator who's only good trait is his good looks but man he does actually love you (in his own way). Part of me loves the dramatic leaving without notice but the other part just wants a honest conversation. I want them to feel safe enough with each other to share their feelings and be vulnerable. So much of the plot and build up is based on them not communicating, it sucks. A simple heads up on what the guild is doing and when they would be back would do wonders! Doesn't have to be detailed but just receiving a message means you are being thought of and you matter. MC being totally left in the dark was to protect him but it hurt him more than anything. His insecurities and doubts kept growing without intervention. Some people wonder why MC fell for ML, well, I think it's simple. He wants to be special and important. No one else can guide ML except for MC. It's easy to take pride in that and hope for something more. Honestly, I probably won't continue the novel. I read the spoilers, and it doesn't sound satisfying enough for me. Toodaloo~ thanks for reading my essay ヾ(❀╹◡╹)ﾉ~
not Myung-seong thinking "frog man" while Jeonsu is just ogling at him the cutest endearing frog man ofc
I read to ch 21 which is where the ML starts to recognize his feelings towards FL. ML is inconsistent but not it's understandable because he's finally seeing and acknowledging FL as a person who has feelings and deserves respect. However, this conflicts with his overall belief that she's a villain and a criminal who needs to be punished. So yeah he doesn't know how to act around her nor does he trust her completely.
My issue is that FL lacks substance and depth to her character. Her voice is the only thing important to her. She wants to die because she can't live without her voice. As terrible as it seems, I want to see her suffer and be frustrated that she can't sing. I want to see the impact this has on her life not just oh I can't sing so I want to die. Sure, she's pitiful, but she's just romantizing death. She tried to die/has died so many times. Death has lost it's meaning and weight. I want to see nuance. I want to see regret. I want to see her desperate and suffering not smile and say please kill me. Heck, it's a running gag now. A freaking joke that she wants to die. Yes, you can argue that since her voice is healing that she doesn't want to die anymore and we've passed that part of the plot, but it doesn't work like that??? Mental illness doesn't just vanish. Obsession doesn't just disappear. FL is far too levelheaded and sane.
Now what really got me to drop this is the ending. I read the spoilers on the novelupdates forum and truly what in the convoluted mess is going on. There's multiple timelines and they just die and restart the timeline again nothing really matters. ML did really kill the ogFL in the first timeline so that's fun. Um, he sucks why did she love him again? Oh and FL doesn't get to die like she wanted in the end :/
Sorry not sorry for the rant I didn't want to keep it bottled in
ch 12 is on dex so I thought it would be uploaded here too
oh man our poor baby ;-; too precious for the world
read ch 40 and ooof our queen took it personally and kicked her teacher out :/ poor guy just wanted her to compromise and take the medicine to stay safe
looks like the King is addicted to whatever that trash has been using in the the incense
I wonder if it affects his fertility or health? i guess it means our ML is next in line for the throne ;)
they make up in the next chapter!! ch 66 Tae-moon pleasures Seon-woo but Seon-woo starts sobbing and they talk it out. Chapter ends with Tae-moon asking Seon-woo to sit on his face
ch 67 little robots in Seon-woo's mind malfunction
oh man they are both ABSOLUTE CLOWNS (￣∇￣")
predictions for the next couple of chapters: perhaps Taemoon gets desperate and Seonwoo sees this as confirmation the hot and cold method is working and his shenanigans will drag on
Taemoon's father wanted to meet Seonwoo's parents so is this text for setting up the meeting? will Taemoon tag along since he wants to see whats up with Seonwoo?
we might get Seonwoo stalking Taemoon bc he can't take being distant to Taemoon "for the sake of love" anymore and he sees Taemoon meeting that idol trainee, gets all jealous, and steals Taemoon away?
iki is falling first!!! It's funny how its assumed he's straight when he's never been with anyone nor wanted to be with anyone besides Uta ofc
I skimmed the raws and after mc moves to his new place, ml and him keep running into each other
the romance is slow but its starting!!
the Owens are interesting but I want to know more about this world (๑•ㅂ•)و✧
I think this is the first time I've seen a couple talk about aftercare and they established a safe word ヾ(☆▽☆) They are exploring their options beyond penetration and its so wholesome to see them talking about what works and how they feel ; - ;
like who wouldn't want such positive and accepting influences in their lives
The translations after ch 20 are subpar :/ it's still understandable and not the worse I've seen, but for official translations, they suck. The ones from Manta are better (if you don't mind them changing the og names), but it's on hiatus.
Otherwise, this is very interesting! I love how this is more of a supernatural, mystery story. The romance is subtle but still present.
I only read up to the 11th chapter from the webtoon, but I found it lacking in many ways. I can understand they have to cut out the r19 scenes but other parts of the leads interactions were taken out too. It changes their dynamic a lot. The pacing and the characters feel off in the webtoon. I don't know if it gets better in the other seasons, but the novel does everything better AND has spicy scenes.