All the characters are fantastic, and none of them I really hate. Yes, even the stabby pe*vert guy in the beginning or the ferryman.

It's a wonderful story packed with tension, team bonding, learning, and introspection. Especially from the MC, who has to at least be slightly crazy by now.

And I love how it's slower paced because of the time loops. It feels like the MC has real walls to get over, unlike other stories where the MC is pretty much just overpowered and can do anything easily. It's also very... more>> refreshing that the MC doesn't have talent. He literally gets good because of his persistence, training, and extreme determination, which is also why his squad members (I adore them) also look up to him... though maybe not in the skill department since they're better than him in skills, but they teach him and care for him too.

I don't get why this novel has lower reviews on Novel Updates. It's an absolute gem, and the manhwa does it justice.... in fact, I absolutely recommend checking out the manhwa as well because the art is beyond fantastic.

Only downside is, I'm a little sus that this might be harem or would have romance. I don't mind romance, but I don't exactly prefer the MC with any of the woman so far in the novel, and I wish the author focused more on the female characters and their personalities/backstories. It seems so sus that everytime a woman appears she might be interested in the MC, which is something I very much dislike in a story because it just smells of harem, and if not, just making every woman's personalities that of just "interested in MC", or what she can do for the MC. So it's very disappointing that the women are reduced a lot to just who they are to the MC, because I never see scenes of them outside him.... although to be fair, I don't see scenes of the squad members a lot when not in context of the MC.

I'm also

Spoiler

Beyond disappointed that the panther was a beautiful woman who was cursed or something. And of course she likes the MC, kind of. Why couldn't they have kept the adorable panther as just a decently powerful panther, are you kidding me? I guess it's why tr*sh of the Count's family was so good, because they never turned the dragon or any of the animal companions into handsome men or beautiful women like authors usually try to do.

[collapse]

This would be a five star if not for the portrayal of the women... which, typical to shounen, makes every woman like the MC. Disappointing. At least have one of them like the squad members or something, that would be interesting to see. <<less

tl;dr It's a fun read and I can't wait to see the heights Encrid reaches.

Some people might find this novel monotonous, but I find it to be an addicting breath of fresh air. Encrid is not an OP character. He was praised for being talented when he was younger, but found that when he went out into the world that he had just been a big fish in a small pond and became crushed under the realization that he could never amount to more than that even though he dreams... more>> of becoming a knight. His mad platoon members were actually born talented geniuses, but experienced what I imagine to be something like "gifted burnout" of boredom and lacking motivation towards a predictable future of heights that will only bring annoyances. The relationships and interactions between Encrid and his mad platoon members is a beautifully violent work of art, much like blacksmiths hammering a sword and trying to force and incorporate unconventional ores--the members become satisfied and re-energized at how sharp the dull blade has become and Encrid crawls one excruciating step forward to becoming the living weapon he wants to be. The energy of this story is infectious as readers also get drawn in by the current Encrid creates as we judge his stubborn resolve and that judgment slowly transforms into a sort of doting admiration. I swear I've become a little mad myself just by proximity.

P.S. Babayaga02/RevengerScans really does top notch quality. They're doing a slow release, but you can purchase advanced chapters on their ko-fi. Definitely show them some love because their translations are very decent compared to those who just plug the novels into translators without taking the time to touch up grammar and comparable idioms, etc. There are a few gender errors by RevengerScans, but Korean is a genderless language that colloquially relies on context rather than specifically designating females under "그" so I'm not all that bothered by the tiny bit of extra mental math. <<less

I love it, period.

I'm a sucker for loyal subordinates, MC's squad respecting/caring for MC despite him being of lower skills compared to them, and them squad members offering to teach and train MC so MC can have higher survivability rate, I like their bonds. The squad members are considered troublemakers and doesn't even get along all that well except towards their Squad Leader (MC). I just love how they show they care about MC.

I really like the concept of this story, regression but not overpowered then gradual development. I really love how MC's self awareness of his lack of talent but is relentless in improving himself, thus affecting those who encounter. Its beautiful to see how he grow slowly even with his regressions, and not just speed running everything on the next turn. So far so good. And the manhwa really do it justice with the visuals.