I initially thought the book was exceptional, giving it a solid 4-4.5 out of 5 stars. However, my enthusiasm waned after reaching Chapter 184. The author began introducing unnecessary complications without any logical reason, which significantly affected the flow.
A major spoiler follows, so proceed with caution:
In a pivotal moment, the protagonist finally reunites with the girl he has feelings for and her group. They had agreed earlier that he would join them once he gained strength, considering his initial weakness. After dedicating over a year to self-improvement, he manages to locate them in a distant city, only to face rejection from the girl who had eagerly awaited his arrival. Instead of accepting him, she sets an absurd condition – for him to create his own party, catch up with them, and then abandon his newfound companions to join hers.
This sudden turn of events feels illogical and demands patience. It seems like the plot is relying on manufactured conflict rather than genuine character development or progression. Introducing drama just for the sake of it feels lazy, as it distracts from creating new, meaningful plot points and forces the characters into repetitive cycles.
Despite these issues, I still find the story entertaining. The author occasionally devotes too much attention to trivial details, like a lengthy chapter devoted to a shopping spree with no clear purpose. Overall, until Chapter 184, it was a fun read. I'm hoping the narrative improves, so I'll continue and update my review accordingly.
