Kaleidoscope of Death

Description

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It started off peculiarly; first, his domestic cat refused to let him cuddle it.

Lin Qiushi soon found that a sense of disharmony and incongruity began to pervade everything around him.

Then, one odd day, he pushed open a door, and he discovered that the hallway he was familiar with turned into a boundless corridor.

At both ends of this corridor were twelve, identical iron gates.

He pushed one of the doors

Thus, the story begins.

Ruan Nanzhu said to Lin Qiushi, “When you gaze long into the abyss, the abyss will also gaze back into you.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Qiushi sank into deep contemplation. He then pulled down the zipper of his trousers and aimed at the abyss…

Ruan Nanzhu: “…Put your pants on properly!”

Super shameless, ill-pampered gong X Shameless, calm shou; a combination of double [or extreme] shamelessness.

Associated Names
One entry per line
KOD
Kính vạn hoa chết chóc/Tử vong kính vạn hoa
Sǐwáng wànhuātǒng
The Spirealm (Drama)
Калейдоскоп Смерти
ฝ่ามิติประตูมรณะ
死亡万花筒
死亡萬花筒
Related Series
N/A
Recommendations
Global Examination (13)
The Earth is Online (13)
Escape the Infinite Chamber (6)
Supernatural Movie Actor App (6)
The Trial Game of Life (6)
Paintings of Terror (5)
Recommendation Lists
  1. bl favorites
  2. Funny Danmei
  3. Fav reads
  4. Horror-Action-Unlimited Flow
  5. Horror&Post apocalyptic BLs

Latest Release

Date Group Release
07/18/21 Zin extra 10
07/01/21 Zin extra 9
05/30/21 Zin extra 8
05/28/21 Zin extra 7
05/24/21 Zin extra 6
05/24/21 Zin extra 5
05/22/21 Zin extra 4
05/22/21 Zin extra 3
05/20/21 Zin extra 2
05/19/21 Zin extra 1
05/19/21 Zin c139
05/19/21 Zin c137
05/19/21 Zin c138
05/18/21 Zin c136
05/18/21 Zin c135
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274 Reviews sorted by


luxannefelix
luxannefelix rated it
January 28, 2021
Status: Completed
(Chapter 62) The chapters are getting less and we haven't gotten even one upload for Jan. please don't tell me this gem is dropped.

Edit: just finished reading the translator note at the end of chapter 62, apparently they are unwell and is currently taking care of themselves. I guess my worries were unfounded. please get well soon

Edit2: wow just finished the novel, have to say I was really into it until the ending which I have mixed feelings about. ... more>>
Spoiler

Really just like the other reviewer said the tension was building up for so long, just to seemingly vanish??? it's just anti-climatic... like blue balls lol. This was completely 5 out of 5 before but now I will give this one less star just for the lack luster ending. I'm not even mad, just disappointed.

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Sara801
Sara801 rated it
January 20, 2021
Status: c139
I am in love with the way this writer write her horror novel, ITS AMAZING! KOD is an amazing one too, it's funny and creepy at the same time... and the fact that it's BL? Wow, a delicious meal! I enjoyed the worlds, characters and interactions, all of them! One thing to remember... try not to read in the dark, alone... it's funny but also hair raising~~

Anyway, VERY RECOMMENDED!!
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enaillig
enaillig rated it
September 20, 2020
Status: --
I initially rated this 5/5 while reading, but reduced the final rating to 3 stars.

This is a pretty good survival horror game. I will only go through some flaws I saw since every good things have all been said by everyone here.

Basically, there's what you call 'Doors'. Whether it is good or bad, you decide. But people who are about to die are given a chance to go through these doors, with a total of 12, and if you do, your life will be granted an extension. Every doors are interesting. The humor is LIT. However if you're looking for romance, I think it is very slow-burn, almost non-existent. Except for the fact that ML and MC are going thru doors together, there's basically no other fluffy interactions. It was only given a focus by the end. Moreover, the ending seems a bit rushed. There's also a major plot twist, that I don't know if the author planned well or just felt like slapping it there for the sake of having a 'mindblowing twist'. I guess it's really mind-blowing to the point that you'll never even get to see a foreshadowing throughout the novel.

MAJOR SPOILER. DON'T CLICK IF YOU HAVEN'T READ OR YOU MIGHT LOSE INTEREST.

Spoiler

I can make peace with the sudden revelation that RNZ is the humanized form of the 12th door, only I couldn't make sense why don't he just alter everyone's memories, why does he also have to assume the identity of LQS? Yeah, LQS is the original leader of Obsidian and Bai Ming is not Nanzhu's friend but LQS. The extra says that is why Bai Ming always felt more familiar with LQS than Nanzhu, but I'm a bit skeptic. I might reread the whole novel again coz I don't really think I saw Bai Ming acting all close to LQS because they BARELY had any interaction, and the 2-3 times that he showed was when he needs to discuss something to RNZ. There's no hint of whatever that RNZ is the 12th door at all, except for the fact that he's OP inside the doors

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People may either absolutely love the twist at the ending, but as for me, I wished I never read it. But I believe you can have your own judgment. Beside it's still a pretty good read, the ride will be worth it.
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rakuu-en
rakuu-en rated it
December 26, 2019
Status: Completed
I read 我五行缺你/My Five Elements Lack You before this, and while that story had potential it was smothered by poor character development and insipid writing, so I nearly didn't pick this up because of that. I did ultimately because...I was looking for something easy to read to pass the time.

This was written after Five Elements, and I must say the author has grown somewhat in her writing. The main characters at least aren't as one dimensional, and I enjoyed the way she took us through their relationship development from friends... more>> to more. It progressed realistically enough that I found myself emotionally invested this time (in contrast to Five Elements, where there was a lot of blind hero worship and I still had no idea why either party liked the other ever).

Other things to credit the author for- much like in Five Elements, the story's plot is executed in episodic format i.e. a different horror story every few chapters. I didn't particularly find myself particularly spooked- the writing style was a little too simplistic for me to immerse myself fully in the world the author was trying to create- but to her credit, she was able to generate novel plot ideas that were interesting enough to keep me interested throughout the entire book.

Also, this book is very funny.

Unfortunately, a lot of the author's flaws in Five Elements play out again here- the supporting cast is bland (though I will say I acknowledge an attempt at fleshing them out by giving them tragic backstories and having some extras from their POVs). Also, the ending came way too abruptly, and in my opinion the author's attempt to throw in a huge plot twist near the end/in the first extra just... fell flat. It made no sense and opened up a lot of unanswered questions.

TLDR: author has grown a lot from her older novel! Pick this up for if you're looking for a lighthearted read + horror fix, but be prepared to close one eye to a lot of plot holes and one-dimensional character cast, and don't expect a masterpiece. <<less
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potxki
potxki rated it
January 4, 2019
Status: c22
So far, the story is amazing. It has the right amount of mystery and suspense, and the horror scenes are quite scary (well, I have a vivid imagination, and I'm the type who get goosebumps from reading stephen king books) even if they're short. And the interesting part is how funny the story is as well. Mostly it's because of the MC and ML's interaction even when they're in the middle of getting haunted, lol. I also love how this story breaks the usual shou-is-feminine stereotype. To be clear, I... more>> have no problem with that trope, I actually enjoy it when the story's plot suits that kind of shou. I just find it refreshing that the MC and ML here are both competent and adorable and hilarious. And ohmygod, just read this because it's worth your time and effort. <<less
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LazytotheCore
LazytotheCore rated it
September 18, 2018
Status: c16
I haven't read much of this, but I think what I’ve read so far is absolutely amazing! It is hilarious. Yes, it’s interesting and written beautifully, but what reallly stands out is how funny it is! It’s not all comedy either, there’s some horror, action, and serious parts as well, but I haven’t read anything that made me laugh this hard in ages! I’ve only read 16 chapters so far, so I don’t know much about this novel, but no matter what it turns out to be, I think I’ll... more>> like it in the end. It’ll probably get more serious later on, but for now, I’ll enjoy the comedy. <<less
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Soleus
Soleus rated it
August 6, 2018
Status: Completed
What I want to really say is that...
Spoiler

Sh%@... this novel is so dang awesome. I totally did not expect the twist at the end. I was like... what? Seriously???

This also made me realize how precious our MC is.

I suddenly felt like waking up from a dream after completing the novel. Like wow... I accompanied ML and MC trough the horrors and suspense and then its finished? That's all?

But I love the ending, love their unconditional love and all.

Gosh... just want to say the twist, the twist at the end. I cannot take my mind of it. I was shockingly SHOCKING!

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Lighthouse Snail
Lighthouse Snail
March 20, 2024
Status: Completed
Despite having some details that got me disappointed in this novel, it was still an amazing read!

First of all, don't be deceived by the description, because the MC is not shameless at all, he's just pretty chill and easygoing (but not a pushover). He doesn't mind spoiling ML and indulging in the things he likes. He's really really chill. The ML, however, is one hell of a funny guy and is really shameless. I fell in love with his dramatic and over the top personality inside the doors, and most... more>> of the times he stood out more the MC himself.

I really like stories with survival games. Plus, when there's a horror element, it becomes even better. This is exactly what this story is. I was really excited reading some of the doors the characers go through. Only the first door got me hugging my kness because I read it at night and didn't know what to expect, so imagination about the ghost inside the doors went wild. Inside the doors we can taste a bit of terror, a bit of sadness, a bit of hopelessness, and these elements got me going through it, mainly when MC got on the last doors.

The whole problem I have with this book lies within two aspects of the narrative.

First of all: At some point, I felt that the doors were too repetitive. They each had different ghosts and mysteries to solve, but the course of action in all of the doors was pretty much the same. Enter the door, sleep, investigate, sleep, oh no somebody died, investigate, sleep, find the key, open the door. End. There wasn't much of a feeling of dread, the type you get when people's life are hanging by a tread. There were only a few doors in which I felt a real sense of danger for MC and ML, and though the mysteries were fine, I wish we had different dynamics going for each door.

The second thing is that plot twist by the end of the novel. I honestly don't understand why people would decrease their rating on this novel because of that plot twist. It wasn't anything that destroyed the happy ending and, to be honest, I believe that it barely has some weight on the rest of the novel. However, I understand why some people disliked it. I myself didn't like it, because I thought it was an unecessary and useless twist that had no real impacts on the events of the novel. For this reason, I believe I can ignore the chapters in which the author had the not-so-brilliant idea of adding such a weird plot twist and make my own head cannon (in which there was not plot twist).

In terms of romance, everything is just fine. It doesn't stand out much, and sometimes I even forgot that ML and MC started dating, but they are really sweet to each other and the whole thing of "I want us to die together" between them wasn't anything forced or out of place, because their growing dependency on each other is well developed and lovely to see. <<less
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At0mik
At0mik rated it
March 18, 2024
Status: --
Ah I actually wanted to give it 4 stars, but it doesn't let me change it.

! This. was. too. scary. wtf !

I have to admit I did speed read some parts that were too much for my little heart...

Where to start ?! The characters are so well written, I was too attached and therefore I suffered greatly. Ofc it is a book about death, so death really did come, even for the most loveable characters.
The scenery and stories within the doors are extraordinary! So spooky and so immersive, too immersive and scary at some points lololol but I do not enjoy horror in general. The horror improved for me, as it became more about tension than about gore, as the doors passed by. I found the fact that this is based of folklore quite cool, it adds something for me... as well as the cat-agenda, that kept me smiling. There are also quite a lot of moments with humor and little romance breaks that balance out the story quite well (if not I would have found it unbearable).
I feel like I wished I was more into horror to appreciate this, but I am indeed a scaredy cat (I have watched 1 horror film in my life and it traumatised me lol).
About the twist, the only thing that bothers me is that it is an extra and not part of the main body. That does not make sense to me. I actually quite liked the twist, even though it is quite sad.
Spoiler

I kind of suspected that RN was not human and once the 11th door started I kind of guessed he was the door and I kind of was disappointed with the end but then the extra gave it back to me... although I really hoped this to be included along the main story

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Additionally, the story does feel rushed after the 11th door, to the point I had to go back to check if I skipped chapters or something. So I agree with others when they say it feels quite different from the rest of the book. However, I feel like I do not have issues with the twist or what the final door are, the issue is more about pacing and development for me. Added to that, I never understood why authors add to the story through extras because for me extras are like little mini theaters to show either different perspecitves or just cuteness. Having such a good twist there felt a bit like not wanting to fully write it out. Which I think it is a shame as I quite liked the twist and hoped it would be better developed.

Anyways!!!!! I recommend this, loved it.
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mikaee
mikaee
March 6, 2024
Status: --
I am so happy that I found this Novel. Honestly it's my absolute favourite horror BL. I couldn't stop reading it. It's a huge recommendation from me!!
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Ashh.luv
Ashh.luv rated it
February 27, 2024
Status: Completed
  • It is sooo damn gooodd, u must read it alot of people didn't like the ending but personally I luved it I liked the twist it totally depends on u
... more>>
Spoiler

the ending really suprised me cuz no way in hell did ik that RL was a door god and he erased him memories so he could be with him

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I loved all the characters so much
Spoiler

I cried when chen qianli died cuz I was not expecting that

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I gave it a try and ended up loving soo u should try it cuz Ik u will love it <<less
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Aanne
Aanne rated it
February 12, 2024
Status: Completed
Spoiler

I need to write a review on this! I LOVED IT. This is my first horror danmei as I normally avoid reading them. But I wasn't disappointed at all, I can still read one more time, many more times! Many questions went unanswered for me like, What exactly is the purpose or door and where they come from? Or maybe I missed them due to excitement. Like I know reading that doors, for many people people appeared when there is some kinda threat to their life and they ought to pass all 12 doors or they will die. So it's like, you might or might not die inside door but if you don't complete all 12, you will die. Contrary to it, the life threat hanging above your head will vanish if you manage to conquer all of them. But Why suddenly? Like who created the doors, any supernatural power or human?

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Spoiler

Also, I could have lived without the plot twist but when I read the extra 1, I kinda felt empty knowing Ruan Nanzhu is actually a NPC and not human. Like, suddenly it crushed my heart that how much he fell in love with a random guy watching him clear all the doors that he decided to erase his own memory to be with him. He basically wrote a fan fiction about him and Lin Qiushi. But, at least I was happy that they are together and not something like rnz is a NPC so can't stay with human ⌓‿⌓.

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Spoiler

I cried tonnes when Li Dongyuan, Zaozao and Chenli died! Like, between yixie and chenli, Chenli had a more presence for me. I was thinking had it been yixie instead of Chenli, I wouldn't have cried but can't be sure. I apparently cry whenever any of my likable characters die (*´I`*).

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Overall, this book is a madterpiece for me. I really am gonna give try to more horror and unlimited flow danmeis, which is why I am thankful to KOD for opening my eyes. I read this long time ago, there are many stuffs I don't remember and I might have mixed some stuffs from death spiral as I am currently reading that one. I just remembered that, kod is the first one I read and I never really left a review, So I came back here.!!!!
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Reality sucks
Reality sucks rated it
February 8, 2024
Status: --
Firstly let me get one thing straight. I have been a silent reader for like 5 whole years. 5 whole years everyone and when I say I especially registered to write a review than you should have an idea of how good this novel actually is. This novel deserves honestly a full rating anyone giving less, I don't understand you.

The plot is perfect

Character development is perfect

... more>> Side character have depth

World building 🤌✨

And it actually is terrifying like I got so scared reading this. Some of the arcs had me sleepless.

I absolutely love love love the MC and his emotional development. And I found the 11 door quite horrifying. It made absolute sense for the MC to go through that hell. Firstly, he's a bit detached to his emotions and we actually see MC breaking down bad in that door. For me the last door had me crying 😭.

The twins are my favourite side characters. I was sobbing, chocking on my own tears if that's possible when I read their side story. I'm fully satisfied with the ending. <<less
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HopefullHeart
HopefullHeart rated it
January 6, 2024
Status: Completed
Great novel that I stayed up reading for many nights. The horror and survival was fun and had me freaking out quite a few times which I appreciated since it's been a while that the genre actually made me scared. I also really enjoyed the main characater's love for his pet cat! It was adorable and relatable. For a majority of this story, I was certain it was going to be one of my all time favorites, but then the ending happened. Well to be more specific, the plot twist... more>> in the extras. It felt so random and pointless, did the author add it to just to have a last minute shock? I wish a twist that big was built upon in the actual novel chapters and not in an extra. I wish there was better foreshadowing, because it just makes the whole story confusing and leaves us with a sense of being lost instead of satisfied for completing the book. The reality of what happened and didn't happen is too vague and leaves a lot of unanswered plot holes. I'm just sad and disappointed that an amazing story that I was so excited for fell off at the end.

I'm still unsure how to feel about the journey this novel took me on as a whole. I'm left to weigh the negatives and positives, but it's hard to remember the parts I enjoyed when I was left with the bitter taste rather than the sweet one in the end. <<less
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xiexia
xiexia
December 19, 2023
Status: Completed
Very very good. I often separate danmeis into the cute timewaster category and oh my god this is such a beautiful, genuinely thought out work of literature category - and this is definitely the latter. The arcs are well thought out, the tense moments are good, and the ‘MC/ML in genuine danger’ moments are better. The sad moments will also have you crying.

I won’t lie it does require some perseverance to keep reading especially near the latter half as it gets a little long and repetitive imo. But what kept... more>> me afloat during this time was the relationship between the main couple - holy hell. The mutual respect, affection and absolute and utter devotion that grows especially near the end of the novel and the final arc is heart wrenchingly beautiful to see.

Overall this is both a good story, and a beautiful examination of people - their cowardly, selfish, angry, loving, and loyal sides laid raw through the nightmare scenarios which act as a catalyst for revealing the deepest parts of the human psyche. Have read it twice now. Definitely give it a read if you have the time! <<less
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Reader036
Reader036 rated it
November 14, 2023
Status: Completed
I always write this reviews for myself in the future:

I finished reading this after like, 7 month of stalling it. I remember I stopped reading thia in the middle because I got a bit bored of them going into many doors in the middle and not so much bl HAHAHAHA. Tho it always happens to me (till now) with unlimited flow, and then I come back because I can't stop dreaming of this story and how good it was.

It was really goooood the world building was amazing ahhdhahsha giving me... more>> paranoia for a good long while.

That plot twist at the end was well done, didn't see that coming.

The ML, god, I had to check the tags at the beginning because I thought for a moment I got the wrong novel. Really liked the MK in this one, a lot of personality very funny with MC.

I liked this doors thing, and still amazes me how good writing this author has and how good is the translator to bring us this. Pretty hilarious which was a good combination with the scary environment.

The twins, I got very attached to them. I liked this very much.

The only part I didn't like was the author bringing descriptions if them doing loving time. Hahahhaaha maybe because I didn't feel it like according to the novel so I got cringe from that XD XD <<less
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marmore
marmore rated it
November 14, 2023
Status: Completed
The ending for this novel is the bane of my existence.

This novel made me laugh, cry and sometimes make me so anxious for the characters that I couldn’t sleep. It was literally perfect with its pacing, characters and their development. Yes, it had some plot holes (not many) and some things were not explained, but overall novel was such a great experience that it was definitely 5 stars for me. I was willing to close my eyes on some moments just because I liked it so much.

Then extras... more>> came and ruined literally everything. In the second half of FIRST extra they drop the biggest plot twist that completely flips the whole novel plot and... that’s it. It was never foreshadowed, explained or developed further. Not a single thing was leading up to that huge plot twist, which makes me even more mad. Author just threw it in and made us accept that it’s canon now. And this plot twist just made me feel like the whole time I put into this novel for pointless. All emotions are felt were for nothing. Furthermore, it made even more plot holes that keep me up at night.

Spoiler

Turns out the male lead, Ruan Nanzhu, was the twelfth door all along and changed Lin Qiushi’s memories to basically self-insert into his life. He took his life and made it his, while making completely new memories and background for Lin Qiushi.

Now the whole character development is useless, because the personality that Lin Qiushi had in these false memories is different than he had before. The relationships that he built in these memories are now overlapping with real ones and makes it more confusing. The more I think about it, the more f*cked up the situation feels.

Did “Ruan Nanzhu’s” seniors exist? Were they Lin Qiushi’s seniors? What about the previous leader of Obsidian? Was he made up for the memories or existed? Did Wu Qi exist? The whole situation with his girlfriend - was it made up? And etc.

Ffs, it just throws it at you and leaves it be. God, it makes me so frustrated and I would not be mad if author just elaborated further on that. Just spent a few more extras to explain how male lead fell in love, what was his position as door (was he like the boss, since he was the final door or what??), what ARE door, what was real and what was made up and etc.

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So, if you want to enjoy the novel: FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, DO NOT READ EXTRAS!!! It will ruin everything for you. <<less
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starryskies_
starryskies_ rated it
October 28, 2023
Status: --
The best horror BL I've read here. For once, the MC isn't an OP person who can scare away ghosts and monsters.
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ftfig88
ftfig88 rated it
August 24, 2023
Status: Completed
Are you or a loved one a terminally ill patient? Perhaps you're about to be on death's door, but you don't have to walk through it! At the low-low price of probably-dying-anyway, you can complete 12 doors by finding the keys and then you can properly live the rest of your life! (P.s crossdressing is not required.)

KoD has that comedic undertone but it also has its angst. And it's angst punches you in the gut when you least expect it.

I liked it's world-building, I liked the characters, it made... more>> me laugh, it made me cry, overall I truly recommend it. <<less
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baetriarchy
baetriarchy rated it
August 16, 2023
Status: Completed
5/5

I've read a lot of webnovels now so I'm writing brief reviews to help myself remember :)

What I remembered most:

  • I initially started this bc I saw there was a cat and a corgi in it
  • I have NEVER felt so deeply for side characters and
    Spoiler

    man, RIP to your heart if you get attached to these guys too _| ̄|○

    [collapse]
  • crazy cool unlimited flow instances, each were consistent in the rules but unique in their setup and GENUINELY HORRIFYING
  • do not look up the painting from chapter 4 at 3am if you want to sleep
  • some arcs are similar to other unlimited flow like Global Exam but the characters handle the challenges differently so it's memorable
  • first time I've ever liked the gong more than the shou!!!! (/ω\) He has so many facets to his personality--badass, flirty, shameless, stern, mysterious, obsessive, insecure--and he is genuinely the star of the show every time he shows up
  • tbh I couldn't understand the final arc of Global Exam but not so here. Everything is explained and there's HE <3
Why I liked this:

  • Ruan Nanzhu supremacy (//∇/ (//∇// (/∇//)
  • competent shou but still mortal danger
  • actually scary. Like, actually. Definitely horror.
  • every instance is creatively solved but well-explained. I couldn't figure it out on my own but it was so enthralling to see these characters come up with their own solutions
  • EMOTIONAL DAMAGE (but HE for the main couple)
  • OH MY GOD THE EXTRAS???? CHANGE EVERYTHING??? Makes you want to reread it now that you know
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