A Monster Who Levels Up

Description

Links are NOT allowed. Format your description nicely so people can easily read them. Please use proper spacing and paragraphs.

This is a story of a man named Kim Sae-Jin, who one day, inexplicably wakes up as a Monster. Follow him and his perilous journey to get his life back as a Human, all the while growing even more versatile as a Monster in the process. This should be… complicated, somewhat.

Associated Names
One entry per line
Monster
Seviye Atlayabilen Canavar
레벨업하는 몬스터
Related Series
N/A
Recommendations
Seoul Station’s Necromancer (8)
The Second Coming of Gluttony (7)
Lv1 Skeleton (7)
Everyone Else is a Returnee (7)
Infinite Competitive Dungeon Society (5)
Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken (WN) (4)
Recommendation Lists
  1. Novels I have read
  2. Not masterpieces, but enjoyable enough.
  3. Enjoyable read
  4. Favorite
  5. Best cultivation novels

Latest Release

Date Group Release
05/04/18 Novel Life c174 (end)
05/03/18 Novel Life c173
05/02/18 Novel Life c172
05/01/18 Novel Life c171
04/30/18 Novel Life c170
04/29/18 Novel Life c169
04/28/18 Novel Life c168
04/27/18 Novel Life c167
04/26/18 Novel Life c166
04/25/18 Novel Life c165
04/23/18 Novel Life c164
04/21/18 Novel Life c163
04/20/18 Novel Life c162
04/18/18 Novel Life c161
04/16/18 Novel Life c160
Go to Page...
Go to Page...
Write a Review
173 Reviews sorted by


Zerak
Zerak rated it
May 4, 2018
Status: Completed
The story is amazing but the author is somewhat lacking in his ability to express what he wants to say.

There are 1-3 chapters that are somewhat boring and make you want to skip them but overall it was a fun read.

There are some contradictions in the novel and the world building is all over the place till it’s properly explain 3-4 chapters before the end of the novel.

I don’t know if I would recommend this novel or not to others but if I had the choice again to read it... more>> or not I would choose to read it.

Oh and the ending is ok and acceptable. <<less
1 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
IsferV
IsferV rated it
April 13, 2018
Status: v139
The character starts out good, but slowly becomes more about gaining fame than anything else. He still loves the girl, fights the enemies, and wins so I enjoyed that part of it. The setting was very nice and different from what im used to and the mains ability were unique as well I found it showed how quickly people change there mind of you nice.

I enjoy this novel type so my enjoyment will always be above someone who doesnt enjoy the overpowered character type.

Personally if the main didnt focus so... more>> much on popularity I would love this series. <<less
1 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
8Psycho
8Psycho
February 23, 2018
Status: c123
Start was pretty good, and main character ability was interesting.

However, direction plot has gone is completely bizarre, whatever you talking about monsters threatening the world, vampires, harem, potions and crafts, main character handles opportunities and calamities with a disgusting irrationality!!

Not to mention disproportionate amount of attention every fart of main character getting.
1 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
k8J2H9tmN7Gf8Jk2dotcom
k8J2H9tmN7Gf8Jk2dotcom
February 22, 2018
Status: --
Fun to read first 50 chapters. But I absolutely hate it when he goes into human society all the time. I thought this was survival novel. The MC supposed to survive in the wilderness with little to no human contact. But he spends litterly every chapter after 50 talking to humans which shits on the novel.

TLDR

After chapter 50, dramatic decline in novel
1 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
bigfatbrowncat
bigfatbrowncat rated it
January 30, 2018
Status: c110
The story itself great but just can't help that it's going the same route as others lately.

Way too many personas at this point and keeps on hiding himself. Enjoys fame and praise but doesn't have the balls to step out and admit it's him.

I just find that kinda thing too annoying. Yeah, other novel MC would shamelessly admit and boast being OP but the MC here just hides too much. Much like the MC in deathmarch :3
1 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Milkywings9
Milkywings9 rated it
December 10, 2017
Status: c24
Written well and translated well... yet... as much as I want to like this, I read Praise The Orc! too soon. The slaughtering of the creatures and the goblins by the MC here, as well as getting rewards/achievements from the system for doing so is just leading me to feel unbelievably hurt, torn, and resentful towards the MC. ... more>>
Spoiler

and I can't help but consider possible treachery of the system. Giving rewards to make him think he's doing what's right, when really the goblins have thoughts too and those skills etc. were actually gained by killing innocent lives : (just because the system likes it.

[collapse]

In the end, I can't continue this series. <<less
1 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Bugis-san
Bugis-san rated it
December 2, 2017
Status: c40
It is not good but not bad too.

MC is attention seeking. Female lead is cardboard characters. The plot? Meh. Early in the story, the MC has clear goal but as the story progress, the goal become non existent. So how about action? If you want some action packed story, this is not for you. Fight scene is boring as hell because this sorry ass MC is attention seeker although indirectly.

Conclusion: if you doesn't have any novel to read to pass the time, then you can read this. You might... more>> find this novel fun. Idk <<less
1 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Bofhen
Bofhen rated it
September 20, 2017
Status: --
so far it is at-least interesting and a bit different from the usual monster MC but agree on the part he is saving ppl when they are trying to kill him and kill monsters when he is more or less one him self make me think he is naive but newer the less it's a interesting novel so far so will write a proper review after more chapters are out and it develops a bit more

So for now 3 stars but it kan increase or go down depending how the... more>> novel develops so only a temporary rating

and would I recommend it currently yea sure if you like Novel where MC is monster and don't instantly become op and slowly grows stronger then its defiantly for you , , , <<less
1 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
WhyWritingWhy
WhyWritingWhy
November 14, 2023
Status: c72
Not through yet, it's readable but very bland.

I do however have an issue with how, idk, pedophilic it is?

There's a high school girl who is into the MC, the MC is doing his due diligence and saying no etc, but the whole thing is a bit weird in general, it's unneeded to be added and is just creepy.

It's more like the author just wanted to have a school girl drool over his character and push herself onto him. She's old enough and all so whatever, but my god is it... more>> creepy how she's referred to as a highschool girl who's not even had a coming of age party etc.. <<less
0 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
korneliswicaksono
korneliswicaksono
November 9, 2023
Status: Completed
A mediocre novel with several plus and minus points.

Minus:

- The story was not unique, regarding numerous portal suddenly opened on Earth and many demi-human and monsters began migrating, while mana & traits also began to appear.

... more>> - The love story of MC were childish, but understandable because the MC never in a seriously relationship before due to his poverty.

- The few chapters before ending were felt very rushed. The climax of the story felt too simple.

Plus:

- Unlike popular Japanese/Korean trope, the MC were not shy of popularity. But he only appeared on a handful of public interviews that will definitely benefited him and his group.

- Many side characters have deep personality and story.

- Also unlike popular Japanese/Korean novel trope, the MC were not clueless of other people's love interest for him. However he lacked firm stance, because of his inexperience in relationship. <<less
0 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
amu23m1
amu23m1
May 4, 2023
Status: Completed
I hate being one of the people tanking this novel's score, but damn am I glad to be done with it. Despite saying that, I liked most of it. The powers were cool, the initial concept of struggling to maintain his humanity was decently done, but this dumpster fire of a romance ruined it all for me.

There are 3 real potential partners:

  1. Business partner who earns MC's trust, is the first person to help him when he's first starting out, and who slowly learns to love his kinder side.
  2. Knight who starts to love the MC in one of his monster forms and builds comradery with him despite racial boundaries.
  3. Young rich girl that is OK with being used for her business connections and her body, despite the constantly MC disappearing on her in the middle of the night with no real explanation (all while deluding himself into thinking 'it's just not the right time to bring it up')
  4. Optional: Cat girl who is basically just treated like a cat by the MC... but it's weird cause she's a person.
If you choose #3 as your favorite and are ready to let #1 and #2 linger in their feeling of unrequited love without ever moving on, then this novel is for you!! While it doesn't feature heavily in the plot, the ending does entirely... more>> revolve around this sh*t show of a relationship.

The ending concept however (specifically the last 2 chapters everyone complains about), while being quite unsatisfying, is passable in my books. It reinforces the question 'what makes me, ME?' which is the whole emotional driving force of the novel. So even though I don't like the answer we're given, I'm not taking off points for it.

I do take points off for how rushed the ending was... If the novel is a balloon slowly filling up with foreshadowing and suspense, then chp 163 is basically a needle that comes out of nowhere to force along the ending, leaving the whole thing as a wet mess on the floor with a bunch of questions up in the air.

More relationship ranting:
Spoiler

Sae-Jung should have DUMPED his sorry ass a long time ago... Then we could of pivoted his relationship towards someone like Hazeline who he actually trusts enough to talk to. OR we should have been shown other parts of their relationship besides just how good the s*x is. Quite literally, from the moment they have s*x for the first time, their relationship devolves in jealous bickering (because Sae-Jin never opens up to her) followed by make-up s*x. Meanwhile Sae-Jung looses every part of her character that makes her independent.

[collapse]
<<less
0 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
FishCream
FishCream
February 6, 2023
Status: c90
This one may seem interesting at first but don't let it fool you. This novel is at no point really about being a monster and finding ways to evolve and get back to being human. From the very start the MC has no actual trouble ever fitting in with human society besides a growing "time limit" that never actually puts a limit on him since he has no trouble dealing with whatever he has going on anyway in whatever time he currently has. The evolutions and other powerups are complete... more>> nonsense based on seemingly random conditions chosen by plot convenience. He needs to grow stronger? Congratulations! That thing you just did is what you need to evolve! He needs to spend more time doing other things? Sorry, your evolution still have 3 conditions to fulfill and no way to figure out what they are until you already have them.

Everything always conveniently falls into place with no issues as it turns out that even low tier goblins and orcs have unique inherent knowledge and skills needed to master alchemy and smithing which immediately gives the MC all the money and connections he needs to get to the top of society. Of course the monster skills also adapt to for obvious reasons make him physically perfect, have a nice smell and give him a good voice with semi-hypnotic abilities such that everyone instanly likes him and no one opposes his wishes.

This novel was never about trying to protect his secret while growing stronger and becoming human. It's all about mr Perfect trying to suppress his manly beast instincts from making him reveal his secrets while conveniently not being bothered by anything out of his current ability to handle.

Oh, and it also turns out everyone in S. Korea is named Kim. Names are a mess when no character is unique. <<less
0 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Master10K
Master10K rated it
January 31, 2023
Status: Completed
Anyone coming into an obscure WN like this would know the drill by now. It's a S. Korean WN, set in our modern world and there's a system in play. Pretty standard fair, with the main hook this time being the MC (Kim Sae-Jin) transforming into low-tier Monsters that obvious end up overpowered in some way. Why though? Why does it matter.

I came into this story looking for some dumb fun and that's what I got out of it. Watching the MC unlock countless abilities and expand his revenue stream... more>> beyond looting bodies. I even enjoyed seeing the lamentations of the TL, due to all the Korean "Kims" and dumb ideas the author comes up with. But the world building is treated like an afterthought and the calamitous events are routine at this point. And yet with how brain-dead the story and characters can feel at times, it still manages to pull off a well thought out final arc. Minus the epilogue. <<less
0 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
kirtil
kirtil rated it
November 22, 2022
Status: c100
I started this because I liked other novels from the author, but it really shows that this was the first book.

The world building kind of sucks. A lot of things are happening, there are a lot of different races, monsters, people, organizations, powers, talents and traits. But none of them are explained adequately and some even just plain abandoned.

The power/talent system, leveling system seemed interesting. You had numerical values for your stats, letter coded power levels.. And then you did not. Author keeps doing this where he introduces something, and... more>> when you expect to see more, or an explanation, he abandons that idea.

Plot armor was also something I did not like. MC can do everything, and do it better than all the people combined. It made sense if he was the only one doing it but no. Take alchemy for example. The world has a pretty developed alchemy industry when MC learns alchemy and in a couple of weeks he is the alchemist everyone talks about. Later on he can rival most alchemy houses by himself.

I also didn't like the MC. Most of the time the only reason he got a pass for what he did was because he had MC aura. He groomed, SAd, bullied.. <<less
0 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
CatMachina
CatMachina rated it
April 2, 2022
Status: Completed
This book is about Kim Sae Jin a hardworking, pitiful guy that suddenly gains the ability to turn into a monster. At the beginning, his human form is not strong enough to contend against his other monster forms and cannot remain as a human for much of a day. Thus, he is forced to become stronger so that he can live as a human but faces inner struggles over what he has become. As he gains abilities however, he finds a place he can call home and people important to... more>> him, while contending on the world stage with his faction.

Pros

What I liked the most about the novel was the interesting premise: Kim Sae Jin, a human that can turn into a monster, a unique existence across the entire world he lives in. Not only can he shapeshift, but he also learns species specific abilities and uses it to dominate every field he dabbles in.

Minor spoiler:

Spoiler

His trait is not all good however, as it affects his rational thought and changes his physical appearance once one monster form becomes far stronger than another.

[collapse]

The plot can be considered decent, there is always a direction for the MC to head towards. It started as becoming stronger to retain his humanity, to uncovering some mysteries about himself and the world. There was never a moment where I was confused as to why he was doing what he was doing.

Finally, the characters in this story all have a good amount of depth in them. Their personalities are not 1D, they all have different sides to them, their own beliefs, their own demons, and their own dreams. One thing I wish the author did better however was to include more backstory and develop their character progressively, as sometimes it was much too abrupt in my opinion.

Moderate spoiler:

Spoiler

There was no explanation about why Hazeline was so jumpy and anxious as other times she's competent and feisty. When she made up with Kim Yu Rin, there was no emotional appeal there other than knowing that they settled their beef and that she started crying. The author could have definitely included a dialogue in there or some flashbacks to make it more tragic. The way that she acted around Kim Yu Rin was subservient (in what I presume was out of guilt), but there was no exposition towards their history together, so it remains somewhat questionable for me. This is what stood out to me the most, but that doesn't include things like Yu Sae Jung and her position in Dawn and relationship with her family, Kim Yu Sohn's curse, Bathory's history as a vampire, MC's inner tussle about his humanity, and honestly, so much more.

[collapse]

There is so much possible depth in each character that the author has left untouched and that wasn't revealed to the audience, even when it could have explained the actions behind each character much better.

Cons

Honestly, the romance was not bad, but there was much to be desired. Not a harem, and the MC and FL becomes a couple halfway through the story with romantic developments as early as a quarter in. Their relationship is sweet, but not much focus was placed on it; it seemed like a decoration like all the other love interests in this novel.

Moderate spoiler:

Spoiler

The MC was a complete douche to the FL and was struggling to not be seduced by the other people who crushed on him. Although he did try and distance himself, he did not seem to be completely in love with FL.

[collapse]

One thing that can be a slight turn off would be that there was a lot of things that became irrelevant towards the end. One being the trait levels, they were very important during the power creep at the beginning, but after 50 some chapters they never showed up again. It was the same with stats. The only relevant thing that stuck with MC were skills and they ended up being OP anyways. But even when updating skills, the proficiency levels of those skills ended up being barely mentioned during the middle of the story, and completely omitted towards the end. Why even have a game system when you're not going to use it very well?

The world building in this novel frankly s**ked. There were so many things that didn't make any sense. The power levels literally have no relativity. Although they are defined, the lines are very blurry and there is no real sense of how strong everyone is. Especially the MC since his ability is clearly above his level, except we do not know exactly how much until he actually matches up against an opponent. Even then, it's hard to know exactly how strong each of his forms are since they are not always maintained in equilibrium. Even the supporting characters feel out of touch in how strong they are.

The scope of activity is a really poor choice as well, Kim Sae Jin is essentially limited to the area of Gangwon even though he can fly anywhere in the world in like 30 minutes. The Korean government and knight orders, as well as all the other countries literally let him monopolize everything and make no attempt at a show of force to make him hand over his riches. No, they literally cannot do anything because of so called public sentiment. In a world full of monsters, I can see how public sentiment would be important but at least send some assassins or something.

The faction building also grows very out of scale, sure his alchemic and crafting abilities become OP because he can change into Orcs and Goblins, but how the heck do entire alchemy houses only produce 50 potions a month? MC can easily match that because of course he can.

Finally, the fights are literally just charging in after a while. Besides the beginning where the MC is actually cautious and smart, and some select few planned operations, everything else is just charging in, fighting a damn strong opponent, then fainting. Or he stomps on some people who are targeting him. There are no cool action sequences, and the MC just rolls over every other human being with his OP skills.

TL;DR, Overall, it was a pretty fun read with some improvements here and there. Not my go to novel, but since it's pretty short I would recommend you pick it up if you have nothing else better to read. <<less
0 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
rexs101
rexs101
September 6, 2021
Status: Completed
I loved the most part of the story. I'm saying this in the perspective of a casual reader that didn't really get much reading done until a little over a year ago. The novel had a relatively good storyline, loveable characters and a cool MC. There were some parts which I felt that the author could've elaborated about but overall the flow was still acceptable to me; almost to the point that I didn't feel like working and wanting to just keep reading.

... more>>
Spoiler

But the ending left me totally in a daze. I did not expect the author to just leave the story like this and not give us a satisfying ending. It was like everything that built up in the finale was just meant to make the ending even worst; also that the end boss fight didn't leave much to my imagination. I am thoroughly devastated to the point that my original 4 star rating had to drop this novel to 3 stars (I wanted to give 2 star but I thought it was unfair to the author). If you're the kind that need a satisfying ending please turn back, just skip GO and do not collect the $200.

[collapse]
<<less
0 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
letswinwin
letswinwin rated it
August 22, 2021
Status: c133
i found this and read this on a different website before because I thought it'd be good, but no I practically forced myself to read past the 130s. I thought it was going to be decent??? But no theres random harem and
... more>>
Spoiler
[collapse]
he got a gf and embraced her multiple times, okay we get it but what angers me the most is this one other girl fell for his monster form and this elf fell for him and HE KNOWS IT TOO yet he keeps them around him. I typically don't mind a lil romance but the fact it was harem and there wasn't a harem tag made me rage. Just thinking about how stress I was when I read this made me realize why I dropped this. I gave it a chance but it wasted my chance. (I'm just venting at this point) <<less
0 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
MasterWiky
MasterWiky
May 25, 2021
Status: c174
TLDR: Addictive reading at first, a chore to finish at the end.

This novel's beginning is quite good, but it goes downhill hard.

The author starts forgetting what he has written and foreshadowed events aren't addressed untill way later than they should be (after all the urgency they supposed to have), dates and names change from one chapter to another...

... more>> And if you love timeskips wou will be rewarded, since they are MANY with no aparent cohesion.

The MC has an acute case of "horror movie character" where he just don't uses his skills and the viewer finds himself yelling at the screen "why don't you just do X!?"

The main love relationship between the MC and his GF is quite toxic, as they both are overjealous and controlling, even though they keep saying they "trust" each other.

The ending feels rushed and convoluted, specially the intense BS of the last two chapters...

I don't know what may have happened to the author but I hope is nothing specially bad. <<less
0 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
You gotta be kidding me
I havent finished it yet, I liked it except the fact that
Spoiler

sae-jin's really a douche towards sae-jung. And Sae-Jung-- please girl, stop throwing your all to a person who thinks you being jealous or acting baby as a normal girlfriens is "Troublesome". That shitty attitude really is so freaking irritating.

[collapse]
0 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Okabe_rintarou
Okabe_rintarou rated it
March 7, 2021
Status: Completed
At first I was thinking of submitting a review after reading the whole thing.

(Edit:Finished reading, so review gets longer)

But something annoyed the hell out of me by the time I reached ch 100.

It's not about the MC being a douche towards his love interests. In fact I think his actions were rather rational until this chapter. Maybe the other readers were talking about some other love interest?
And most of the actions taken by the love interests in relation to the MC (including the main love interest, or... more>> his gf) are irritating at the least.
The thing that annoyed me is something else.

1. The world is overrun by monsters and the MC becomes a hunter like a million other Korean novels out there. Okay fine at least the MC is a monster that levels up (solo leveling?).

2. The whole world would learn Korean because the best hunters, associations blah blah blah are all Korean. F*** this shit. I am tired of this. Even the other world's Korea from The novel's extra was super awesome like this... This toxic nationalism is too much for me to handle. Everything happens in Korea and you have a grand reason. (Karakura town of Ichigo was better than this presentation)

3. The Author's messed up naming sense...

4. The Author who gives the family name kim to 95% of named characters.

5. Demonization of Japanese people. This is seen in Chinese novels too.

Spoiler

6. Elves can only fall in love once. Very well. Nice. But Hazeline who used to be blindly in love with some person who died for the woman he loved fell in love with the MC. Well. Because he's the MC... F*** that!

[collapse]
7. The author keeps forgetting names and incidents of the novel, it's funny to see the infuriated remarks of the translator though.

Spoiler

8. The ending isn't as bad as others complained if you ask me. It's like The novel's extra in the sense that the MC loses all his powers. He goes to the past but he didn't even try to save his parents. (Don't care about Korean history disasters, but his parents are a different matter). But he makes sure to provide enough assets to his gf's ancestor. 😐

[collapse]

The four stars I give here are partly due to the story being somewhat enjoyable, but mostly, like 90% due to the excellent translator who made the illegible ramblings of the author understandable... <<less
0 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Leave a Review (Guidelines)
You must be logged in to rate and post a review. Register an account to get started.