Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint

Description

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Kim Dokja does not consider himself the protagonist of his own life. Befitting the name his parents gave him, he is a solitary person whose sole hobby is reading web novels. For over a decade, he has lived vicariously through Yu Junghyeok, the main character of the web novel Three Ways to Survive the Apocalypse (TWSA).

Through Junghyeok, Dokja has experienced secondhand the trials of repeatedly regressing in time, in search of an end to life-threatening “scenarios” that force people to act out narratives for the amus**ent of god-like “Constellations.”

After reading 3,149 chapters—long after all other readers lost interest—Dokja finally resigns himself to the story ending. However, he receives an enigmatic message from the author, stating that the story will soon be monetized, before his surroundings suddenly go dark.

He swiftly realizes that fiction has become reality and he is now living through TWSA. Although he is the singular omniscient reader of the events yet to come, his success in the scenarios is not guaranteed—but perhaps his advantage will empower him to step into the protagonist role that never suited him before.

Associated Names
One entry per line
Omniscient Reader
ORV
وجهة نظر القارئ كلي العلم
มุมมองนักอ่านพระเจ้า
อ่านชะตาวันสิ้นโลก
全知的な読者の視点から
全知讀者視角
全知读者视角
전독시
전지적 독자 시점
Related Series
The World After the Fall (Shared Universe)
Recommendations
The Novel’s Extra (28)
Trash of the Count’s Family (24)
The Earth is Online (14)
The Second Coming of Gluttony (13)
The S-Classes That I Raised (10)
Max Talent Player (10)
Recommendation Lists
  1. Bromance
  2. Makes you bawl yOur eyes out
  3. My Favorit Novel
  4. TOP of the toppers, BEST of the bestest
  5. Let's use our heads

Latest Release

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442 Reviews sorted by


emilia
emilia rated it
February 27, 2019
Status: c206
I felt I had to say something because the recent reviewers before me hate this novel XD.

Personally, I enjoyed reading it. I've read a lot of novels and the unpredictability of the story and the originality of the character concepts appealed to me the most. I like being unable to predict what would happen next. Despite being the Omniscient Reader himself, our MC doesn't give us the same satisfaction! It's also the first time I read a story that made historical/mythical existences into constellations. I don't think I'm alone in... more>> thinking that these constellations are like us readers in real life: always looking for excitement in a story.

I hope you give this story a chance. <<less
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viridiansky
viridiansky rated it
July 3, 2020
Status: Completed
I just spent the last four days binging this novel, and I have to say, it's a masterpiece.

I looked at the reviews giving it bad scores prior to giving a shot, but after reading it myself - every single one of their complaints is either incorrect or addressed in the narrative. I suspect there's a reason why many of the low ratings seem to all be from people who haven't read past chapter 50 or 100.

The beginning of this story may make you think that it's just a generic power... more>> fantasy, or some miscellaneous death game, but it's nothing of the sort. The worldbuilding is amazing, the plot twists were intriguing, and the way the plot threads were gradually all addressed and new ones created was masterfully done.

Personally, one of the best parts of this story was the relationships between the MC and his companions, particularly Yoo Jonghyuk (the original story's protagonist) and one other major character. There's a big "found family" aspect to the story, which was very refreshing compared to so many works that lean on harems and one-note worshippers. Some minor spoiler-y relationship comments below:

Spoiler

The lack of romance was a boon to the story rather than a detriment. I particularly liked the explicitly platonic friendship that grew between Yoo Sangah (the MC's work colleague) and the MC. Considering the way she was harassed at work by guys who liked her and disliked the idea of marriage, it was really nice that they ended up being pure friends with nothing behind it.

I could've seen a romance happening between either the MC and Yoo Jonghyuk or the MC and that other character he's close with, but I don't think the work was missing anything by keeping it as ambiguous. You could see how close they were, regardless of whether their love for each other was platonic or romantic.

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I have no regrets about losing my life to this novel for the past few days. Even if you can only chip away at it a few chapters at a time, I highly recommend giving this novel a shot.

P.S. Protip: If you've reached ~Ch. 363 and are frustrated with the sudden name changes due to the change in translator, the ORV ENG discord has some solutions to that - a config file for the WordReplacer extension, for example. <<less
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junjunjey
junjunjey rated it
August 12, 2018
Status: c31
I first gave this story 5 star for the first 20 or so chapters, and dropped it to 4 star by now.

Since there have been quite a few reviews about the good part of the novel, I'll simply state why I dropped my rating by 1 star.

Simply put, his foreknowledge is too much convenient of a plot device. The plot is already so redundant this early. This formula is basically a set and is always repeated:

He's in the scenario > He knows what will happen > He knows what to... more>> do to beat the scenario > He moves to the next scenario.

Rinse and repeat for what I assume will be for perpetuity.

And while he is at it, he knows the best on how to acquire as many donations as possible; such as saying specific line specific constellation would like, doing specific deed a specific constellation would like, etc. Also, he knows what to do to trigger the hidden quest in many scenario and of course, included how to beat it flawlessly. Not to mention he also knows the location of treasures (and how to get that), many unusual items in the dokkaebi shop (and how to use it to its fullest potential), how to get certain rare skills by doing some random unthinkable deed.

His foreknowledge is on equal (if not more OP) than Doraemon's 4D pocket.

Another point, the Protagonist (not the MC, but the Regressor) is so damn edgy definitely one of the most cringy character I've ever seen. <<less
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air1ine rated it
April 1, 2021
Status: Completed
ANOTHER OUTSTANDING NOVEL BACK AT IT AGAIN, SO! I just came across this from webtoon because it had a prize if you would read 15 chaps of the comic so I read and BOI DO I LOVE IT! the first chapters of the webtoon GOT HOOKED and I my annoying s*upid ass looked at the comment section and learned that there was a "NOVEL" andtheN my likewise curious ass was like "Hey why don't we check it out? It can't be that bad ¯\_ (͡─ ᴗ ͡─) _/¯." and... more>> lordy lord... was not ready for the whole ride (╯ ͡• ᴗ ͡•) ╯┻━┻ Would try to keep all the spoilers but try to read it with a very yk? uhhh don't expect a hppy ending heh he alright (っ ͡ᵔ ‿ ͡ᵔ) 💧 っ The comedy is nice 5/5 mostly dark humour and uhh Kim dokja's (MC) very continuation of
Spoiler

self sacrifice

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hah, ,

Already did a spoiler but nvm that

Spoiler

OMFG ANNIE WIEGHS SO! I really love how the author putted the coins to use in every situation kdj execpt everytime a certain situation he has to die has and yjh and kdj's sexsual tension is just *Mwuah* chefs kiss (/u3u/) I was shocked that Oldest dream was kdj I had suspicions of him being the oldest dream but I did'nt actually think of him being OD, it was confirmed that the entire world was a daydream of the Oldest Dream, and that should the Oldest Dream ever cease to read or imagine their world then the whole world's time would simply stop it made me f*cking cry wtf man

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Although please do give it a read its nice and all <<less
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Mindless
Mindless rated it
July 9, 2018
Status: c4
The plot is normal. I mean it doesn't differ much other novels with same genre, the only unique thing is mc's "cheat", and cheat being unique is still normal for that genre, but still I don't no why but I want to sucker punch the guy on the left side of poster
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lilyoftheval5
lilyoftheval5
May 19, 2021
Status: c60
As I was reading "Tr*sh of the Count's Family (백작가의 망나니가 되었다) " [I'm sorry but 'Lout' is a not a fitting translation], in a number of places people noted "If you like this, check out 'Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint'." So I did.

I honestly don't get what those people were thinking, both are Korean novels with an isekai theme. That's basically it. It would be like someone commenting on a Jane Austen novel, "If you like this, check out Stephen King.". I'll try to be fair here, though I obviously have... more>> biases, I could definitely see the appeal. It seemed that there are deep intricate plots going on and I can't tell that the overall mystery didn't get me intrigued. However, if I had to describe shortly and succinctly the first 60 chapters: a 'Game of Thrones' type of continuous bloodbath in a game setting. If anything, it reminded me of 'Tower of God' (신의 탑) and 'HIVE' (하이브).

I took a peak at the ending and I think it's pretty damn awesome.
For me personally however, people creatively and graphically dying left and right kills the enjoyment of an intricate mystery. It's not all this novel is, not at all, but it's not for me. If you come from the similar place as I do, emotionally, I hope this was helpful. Do make your own judgment though, it's seems to be a great ride for a huge number of readers. <<less
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Emeilia
Emeilia rated it
February 8, 2021
Status: Completed
THIS IS AMAZING. If I can I will give infinite amount of star rating

If you are someone who enjoy action novel like solo leveling this one is for you.

This story is, as stated, is about a reader who suddenly realize the novel he read suddenly become a reality. And now with the full knowledge about the novel detail, he will do everything to get the conclusion that he want.

I see some people compare this novel to Solo Leveling but let me say this, this novel is so different from SL... more>> and as the name implied SL is about solo character but this one is so far from solo. So if you want action pact novel that also care about relationship between character, excluded romance whatsoever, this is the one.

Spoiler

also I dont know wheter this can be consider spoiler or not but the whole story also based on the relationship between an author, a reader and a protagonist. Literally the 3 main character is the reader, author and the protagonist. Like the author take the concept of this relationship and write this novel. Its amazing.

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I really like this so much because the main character is NOT overpower character because of his physical capabilities. He is overpower character because he is so smart and cunning. Thats all. He knows what to do in every scene, its amazing.

Also, I see here in nu the chapter is not complete even though its completed already. So if you want to read this novel just search in google. There are websites that have full translation ready. Just please give this novel a try. Or try reading the webtoon first, then you will know how amazing this novel is. <<less
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Okabe_rintarou
Okabe_rintarou rated it
January 3, 2021
Status: Completed
"Let me tell you a story. A story written solely for a single reader. The lone reader who can appreciate this story despite all the shortcomings. A story that became the pillar that supported the existence of that single reader."
... more>>
Spoiler

Well. That is what the story in the story which in turn creates another story which is probably the one we get to read is all about. Confusing? Well that's not why I put it as a spoiler. You should read the whole thing if you want to understand it.

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This story is a masterpiece. It keeps you intrigued and entertained even after it's end, and even after it's epilogue.

It's a must read if you love adventures.

Romance? I tell you this is the most romantic story that I have ever read without any romance in the story. I can't explain this without spoiling it. But please read it till the end. You won't regret it.

The ratings here are high. But I think it deserves even better. There's too much bloodshed and death. And the overused apocalypse, game like UI etc etc. And it reminds you of highschool dxd and Toaru majitsu no index on how it involves too many mythologies to count. But it's still way better than those.

To all those who loved Solo leveling or The Novel's extra. This is something you would more than just love if you are patient enough and keep reading.

The interactions between characters is way better than The novel's extra.

People actually feel real rather than just made up. The novel's extra had moments where it felt like the conversations are way too artificial.

Spoiler

(Like Rachel rubbing her belly and muttering "Some day". Or Yoo Yeonha confronting her father about Hajin's parents while thinking that he died. Or how useless Chae Nayun was despite her being the focus of attention for a major part of the story.).

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The ending here is just amazing. The author manages to connect everything so nicely. The questions that got you curious throughout the story are explained ingeniously towards the end. The epilogue is especially a masterstroke.

If you're someone who gives up half way through the story just because it's too long or because you get easily bored, then you'll miss out on how great a novel this is.

You have to become Kim Dokja to truly appreciate this gem. I am glad I decided to read on despite how bloody and violent it felt at the beginning (well it's really that way throughout, but it's great)

I wish to give more stars. But novelupdates only lets you give 5. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

WARNING: This story can cause serious addiction and you might get a seriously terrible feeling of emptiness when you finish reading it. This is especially the case if you try to binge read the last 100 or so chapters. You better find something equally addictive if you're planning to binge read this.

P.S: I want an after story. I want to know more about what happened after the epilogue. I want to keep reading. I am ADDICTED to this. 🌋 <<less
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sunkissed
sunkissed rated it
August 8, 2020
Status: Completed
I finally finished this beautiful novel today. I just want to start this review off by saying I honestly do not really enjoy reading in general. Fortunately, the webtoon got me hooked and I wanted more. Let me just say, this novel is so worth reading 551 chapters. In fact, SingShong could throw in another hundred chapters and I'd kiss their shoes. Not that I would want to change the way it was written in any way, though; I love it exactly the way it is. You will grow to... more>> love and absolutely adore the characters, the journey, and the finale. I am so grateful for the way SingShong writes ORV: no unnecessary explanations and wordiness. It makes it so much easier to follow and keep the plot moving along. Some people have said that this novel is pretty cliche but you will see that that's not the case if you keep on reading. There really is so much more to this novel than what you think you're getting from just reading the summary. This is my first time writing a (kind of) lengthy review just because I'm not a great writer but this novel right here is just *chef's kiss*. Obviously, I would highly recommend to anyone and everyone. Do yourself a favor and try this one out! <<less
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Butistanjin
Butistanjin rated it
July 28, 2020
Status: Completed
This novel is GOLD. (My first time writing a review)

I've read many, many novels, but this is the one that I loved the most.

    • Plot: The story at the beginning is a bit boring, but when I reached atleast a hundred chapters, it became the best thing I've ever read. The plot is very intriguing and gets better as you progress. The plot is not what it seems to but is.
    • Characters: There was a lot of character development in my opinion. Like Yu Jung-Hyeok, at first he seemed to be a cold character, but this aspect changed as the story progressed. Although I can't entirely say he became the most warmest character, but he changed alot. Kim Dokja as well. I won't say much since I don't want to spoil it.
    • Writing: It gave me the feels. All I want to say I was on the verge of tears and this novel I definitely can say without exaggerating, changed me a bit.
Spoiler

The ending kinda made me sad.. I really wanted to hear Kim Dokja once more...

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But overall: 10000/10
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ZeyFletcher
ZeyFletcher rated it
July 23, 2020
Status: Completed
I've read the reviews and it sucks that there are many who give bad reviews despite only reading a few chapters. I think it's natural for a story to be a bit confusing and mysterious in the beginning because if every information is explained to the readers then there would be nothing more to look forward to. I think it's a loss for those who stopped early ... more>>
Spoiler

Just like how those apostles stopped reading three ways to survive in a ruined world, it was literally a loss for them hahahhaa

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. I definitely love this, you will get attached to the characters, unfortunately for me I got too attached that I keep on going back to this novel and read reviews and feel connected to those that finished the novel.

Spoiler

Honestly, at first, I did feel a bit distant from KDJ, like I couldn't really be in vibe with him, I couldn't really understand him, but after a few chapters, maybe because I got used to him, I finally felt comfortable in his POV and it continued, but then, at the near end of the novel, I got to experience the POV of HSY, and it dawned on me that KDJ was a really really distant person, even to them, the KDJ's company who KDJ saved numerous times, it seems that KDJ never really opened up to them 100%. It actually felt like even YJH was more open despite not saying anything, compared to KDJ who was noisy but wasn't really showing his weakness or smthng like that.

With regards to the character, I just love them all, I really liked bihyung and how he changed and loved KDJ to the point that he risked his life for him, and I also liked HSY, I'm not a person who easily likes female characs cause I feel like they're too girly and all, but I liked HSY and how she just follows her heart and does whatever she could to help KDJ, and of course our protagonist YJH, he was consistent from the start until the end, I actually felt kind of bitter that he didn't really change much but I guess that reality, like that's how he really is physically, but then when he got the group regression, it showed how much KDJ changed him and honestly that hurt me like ugh. It's like finding the person meant for you but then you ended up losing it because you were too powerless.


KDJ really saved all of them you know, and they reciprocated it, they loved him so much despite not spending much time with him (which is the truth if you notice, they spent more time with YJH surprisingly). And since the ending is an ending that was meant for the reader to come up with then I'll just imagine that KDJ's body disappeared from the hospital bed but then a light appeared in front of the KDJ's company building and showed KDJ in whole and smiling with his arms open.. Huhu if only this was canon.
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Spoiler

but really= (KDJ is honestly the most person that deserve happiness. I mean, after that final scenario, why does he have to make that kind of decision = (He's just too selfless, he's a masochist, I'm telling ya. But then again, the freaking famous line 'the effect leads to the cause' or smthn like that was really really true even after KDJ cloned himself

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Spoiler

I just want to say that this raised the bar on stories who knows the truth of the world? Like its a book or if they knew the future cause KDJ said the truth to his companions, although the circumstances are different in every story, I always tend to think that the MC would tell the truth to their friends/family at the end hngg hahahaha also, I can't move on and kept on reading in AO3 😅

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kunette
kunette rated it
May 31, 2020
Status: Completed
I must say the epilogue is so much unfair.

I read it starting from Prologue to Epilogue. This is the Story that definitely resonates with me.

Many things dissapeared in Epilogue. Many things happened instead.

... more>> This... It's hard to write my feelings down. It was something really meaningful.

I am always afraid to read stories again. Especially, when they are with strong character development. But today, at this exact moment... I really want to reread it. Is it what Dokja-ssi was feeling?

I appreciate the work of Authors, the work of Translators. I... I think I love the Story.

So yes, somehow I want to read it again. I am the person who usually dislikes returning to previous developments. I like full stories, I like mighty characters. Even so, I want to reread.

I shall say this feeling is rather strong. It feels I will definitely face this Story again. May us met in Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint once more <<less
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YoriMei
YoriMei rated it
March 28, 2020
Status: Completed
Man, what a story. It's quite original, quite meta and overall a very good story. Dokja his self is a joy to read, he's sassy and glib and yet s*upidly self-sacrificial to the end. The side characters are lovely, the plot is intriguing and the foreshadowing is spot on. The authors are fabulous at connecting plot points and even their cameo in the end was super cute!!! While I do wish YJK spoke a bit more or interacted with the party a bit more, from beginning to end I don't... more>> have many complaints.

that said, the schemes that MC pull can get really complicated, to the point that when the explanations occur, my eyes just glaze over. The plot can get super convoluted, with increasingly huge leaps of faith/deus ex machina. I do appreciate that when MC powers up he never outclasses everyone and the deus ex machina's are addressed so it makes sense, but it doesn't stop it from being annoying sometimes when reading.

overall it's a good book with very little abandoned plot points and tons of foreshadowing, but extremely wordy and convoluted at times. The reread potentially is fantastic however, and even though it's flawed, it was an incredible pleasure to read. <<less
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verine
verine rated it
August 2, 2018
Status: c22
I normally don't write reviews but this novel is an experience that I hope that others can enjoy as well. The story is original, well written and compelling. The main character is decidedly self-serving but not in an obnoxious way that most main characters are- sometimes I completed drop a novel for the blatant and unnecessary violence that a character conveys just to look "not like a typical hero". This novel is a breath of fresh air amidst the plethora of apocalypse novels on this website.

I highly recommend it to... more>> readers who like interesting twists and turns as well as a different type of power system. <<less
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Ner0
Ner0 rated it
July 19, 2018
Status: c11
Incredibly immersive story. Despite the lack of descriptions, the author manage to create a distinctive setting for his characters.

I recommand this story for any fan of the fantasy genre looking for a complex story.
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tera
tera rated it
June 14, 2021
Status: c551
I love this novel, but this is actually a request to whoever keeps writing their own summary: please don't. Regardless of whether you think it's sufficiently descriptive, the authors and the publisher determined that it was.

The summary section on this page is not meant to be a place for users to write a review or their own interpretation of what the novel is about. It's a space for the translation of the original summary. If you think that it doesn't provide enough detail, you can write a review here to... more>> give that information.

With respect to the novel itself—Omniscient Reader is an incredible story. The world building is phenomenal and the characters feel so humanly flawed. The story itself builds on and utilises the tropes of the genre in order to provide a metatextual plotline that is continuously explored throughout the novel. While it may seem anachronistic at first, the premise of ORV is truly the exploration of these tropes and literary devices, some more literally than others. Even beyond that, it reads as an ode to the reader who has grown up with the stories they love.

I'd say that in general, people either love or hate it. If you're unsure which category you might fall into, my recommendation would be to read up to the end of chapter 106 —the final chapter of the Disaster of Floods arc (chapters are fairly short, this isn't a lot of reading.) If you enjoy that, you're guaranteed to love the rest of the story. <<less
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Jubaer
Jubaer rated it
April 3, 2021
Status: Completed
Hah it was such a wild ride!

I began reading this in 2018 and now it's 2021. How time has passed. There were many times where I had to take brakes but I still finished this story and I'm grad I finished reading this. The ending was such mind boggling chaos. I can't describe how crazy the ending is. You must read it to feel it yourself.
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SummerMascot
SummerMascot rated it
October 15, 2020
Status: Completed
Disclaimer: If you have a strong dislike towards stories like Clamp's "Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle" and "xxxHolic" bootstrap existential crises, hate "Fei Wong Reed's" convoluted schemes and "Watanuki's" self-loathing, suicidal antics, or Fate/Stay Night Emiya Shirou's self-sacrificing antics, you should seriously not read this ORV Novel.

If you're reading because you are in for the memes, then go ahead.

FAQ: I heard that this story has BL undertones?

Spoiler
  1. I keep judging the so-called romance as an unholy-threesome between MC (Kim Dokja) and the two other secondary protagonists (Yoo Joonghyuk and Han Sooyoung). (Sorry, Yoo Sangah, you should just remain a nun and side character).
  2. MC (Kim Dokja) tries his best to reject his "Sub" position in the relationship for at least most of the story.
  3. Secondary protagonist, Yoo Joonghyuk is basically like the violent, abusive, selfish alpha "Dom" ML of any Female-MC Romance or Yaoi Romance Novel.
    There is plenty of bickering, falling-out and making-up between Kim Dokja and Yoo Joonghyuk. (I simply call it flip-flopping in a relationship).
  4. Secondary protagonist, Han Sooyoung is the only character that has the highest understanding of MC (Kim Dokja). She has to resolve the fallout (aka sloppy seconds) and bad decisions from Kim Dokja and Yoo Joonghyuk.
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FAQ: Is this a weak to strong MC story?

Spoiler
  1. It's complicated. MC starts out weak in "existential cultivation level" but strong in the mind (forgive me for using dirty word of cultivation, but author is simply disguising this novel as a Non-Cultivation story, in order to sound unique and cool).
  2. As story progresses, MC gains in "existential cultivation level" but becomes weaker in his will and determination.
  3. Near the middle of the story, MC experiences "crippling of cultivation level".
  4. Finally, MC becomes a Powerless-God (no typos here, yes Powerless because he became some kind of sacrificial Cosmic Scapegoat) to resolve the "bootstrap existential crisis" that the universe (just a branch off from the World Tree?).
  5. He loses all personal will and determination that he had in the beginning which was to fight against the norm and rules of the world.
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My scathing views on ORV and its author:

  1. ORV author is a sensationalist hypocrite who overhypes the plot.
    Spoiler

    Put in grand philosophical speeches, epic scenes of battles and camaraderie. Introduce more mysteries and cryptic explanations that makes no sense as we go along. As for resolution, just delay it or insert in more plot twists.

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  2. Author has no guts to follow through with original vision which was dissing the KR Novel industry about mass-factory-producing cookie-cutter stories like Regressors, Transmigrationers, Awakeners, Swordmasters, 9th-Circle-Mages, etc and that one should be breaking the norms and rules.
  3. Author pulled a
    Spoiler

    "Face-Heel-Turn" with MC at the end and completely turn MC into a "Sub" at the final parts of the storyline.

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  4. MC who thinks
    Spoiler

    he is in full-control and wants to break the rules and norm, instead loses his self-identity and is forced to follow the rules.

    [collapse]
  5. Basically, ORV author is pushing the hateful Korean Creditor-Debtor-Guarantor system onto the readers to accept it.
  6. Creditor:
    Spoiler

    Causality, World View, World Branch, Recursive Loop within loop of Existence. The "loops" must be closed, else the related world branches of reality will collapse. Or so, as we have been led to believe, for no one can prove this.

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  7. Debtor:
    Spoiler

    The unnamed and unexplained being who first created the "bootstrap existential mess". Author didn't name this being (readers will never find out about the being's true identity) and "how big or convoluted the existential mess was when it first began". Author instead mislead you into blaming MC (Kim Dokja) and the other two secondary protagonists, Yoo Joonghyuk and Han Sooyoung.

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  8. Guarantor:
    Spoiler

    Someone has to clean up the "Bootstrap existential crisis" mess. And Misery loves company. MC and the other two secondary protagonists who takes turn to dig their graves deeper and deeper. Han Sooyoung for copying the Ruined World Novel into existence, so that Kid Kim Dokja can read the novel and not commit su*cide. Kid Kim Dokja for bringing the Ruined World to existence. Powerless God Kim Dokja for granting Yoo Joonghyuk's wish to regress to find his non-existent parents. Yoo Joonghyuk for starting the regression loops and >1863 parallel world lines branching.

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  9. The Road to Hell is often paved with Good Intentions:
    Spoiler

    MC's noble self sacrifice to split himself into a Clone-Puppet and Powerless-God leads to his "Company" (something akin to a Guild) into continued repeated suffering with clearing more multiple loops of "Scenarios" to "rescue him". It could have ended with the 1st loop (worldline).

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  10. Fake Epilogue:
    Spoiler

    Author's so-called creativity is contrite and distasteful. When all else fails, just throw in an "Open-Ended" ending. Author mentioned in his author's notes that he already spoiled the true ending and epilogue early in the novel, there wasn't supposed to be fairy-tale happing ending and and "Open-Ended" ending is already the best consolation prize that he could compromise.

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  11. Final unexplained plot-hole:
    Spoiler

    How was the 0th iteration Yoo Joonghyuk conceived without having biological parents? Who planted the idea into Yoo Joonghyuk's mind that only by regressing, will he able to achieve the truth about his parents? Who planted the idea into Kim Dokja's mind that he needs to fulfil Yoo Joonghyuk's to start the recursive loop of bootstrap existential crisis?

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  12. Shared Universe crap:
    Spoiler

    Apparently, a character from author's other Novel appeared when MC became the Powerless-God and tried to kill MC.

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teastory28
teastory28 rated it
August 2, 2020
Status: c551
I crunched 1300 chapters of Overgeared in around 1 month, while 551 chapters of yORV took me 2 months because so many times I had to pause and reread to fully grasp and appreciate the plot.

For me, ORV is good and moderately fresh for the first 250 or so chapters. After that, the novel gradually picks up steam and by the time we're 100 chapters until The End, the train is full speed ahead. It kinda changes genre in the middle though, going from a game-like apocalyptic fantasy to a... more>> character-driven heartstrings tugger. So if you're looking for something like Solo Leveling, this is not it.

What's really special about ORV is how meta it is. These instances start out as playful nods, like how the Reader possesses the Fourth Wall and the skill Bookmark, to actual plot relevance and plot drive later on. And because it is so meta, it opens up discussions and analyses around many aspects of writers, readers, stories and even philosophical dilemmas like meaning of existence, futility of life and so on.
Spoiler

Come to think of it, the end theme of ORV is quite similar to Steins;Gate

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Overall, if you're into meta stuff and are not afraid of overly complicated, character-centric plot like me, you're probably gonna love ORV. Please read it for your own sake. <<less
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Chrono17
Chrono17 rated it
July 17, 2020
Status: Completed
I would have to say that this is one of the most emotionally satisfying novels that I've had the pleasure to read. While it seems to start with a number of cliches that populate the genre, it both plays with and subverts a number of the ideas while continually building a memorable cast and a fantastic setting. Most of all, the character writing is top notch and continually impresses. Very few characters are flat stereotypes, and even those that seem to be are so for a reason. The story builds... more>> upon itself chapter upon chapter, changing tones and genres at times, but always continually fleshing out a memorable cast as well as a unique setting.

It rarely simply relies upon the crutch of "level up, get stronger, beat other people" (though it can elicit those feelings from time to time) and instead uses character interactions and tight plotting to continually surprise and excite with many plot twists and turns. It's also continuously funny at times, making me laugh out loud through its comedy beats. Events in earlier chapters interact with developments later to create a cohesive whole, that rewards those who have been paying attention. Best of all, it's a story that has emotional stakes that are actually affecting and thought provoking. By the end of the novel, you'll feel as if everything has come together to a fitting conclusion. I wholeheartedly recommend this to anyone and everyone. <<less
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