A solid 3.75/5

Honestly, could be a bit higher or a bit lower depending on which path the novel takes. However, as of Chapter 19, it's a bit above average.

Plot:

Pretty basic, so far. The MC is a high school student getting bullied by a kid who awakened. The bullies make him do outrageous things while beating him up and finally, he can't take it anymore and snaps. He kills the main bully and awakens his new ability-[Assimilating Villains].

We've seen this kind of thing before. The MC unlocks some sort of devour, assimilation, munchkin-type ability and kills his way to the top. Except, this time, it's primarily through "villains"... whatever that means.

However, after the first chapter, the plot shifts from the usual trope of quickly becoming OP. The MC gets arrested and shipped off as a s*ave to fight in an underground death arena for minors. A lot darker than the usual route, but I appreciate the author's creativity here. As twisted as it is, this arc gives the MC a chance to grow and understand his new powers while experiencing the depravity humans are willing to steep to for entertainment, superiority, and money.

Based on this, I like the start of this novel more than a lot of others in the same genre. Unfortunately, there are flaws, one's that you might find hard to overlook.

Characters:

Aside from the worldbuilding, which is extremely limited, this is where the novel loses most of its points. Like the other people who reviewed the novel said, they're uninteresting. No, not just that, but it seems like everyone he meets is just human garbage. It's to the point where, if they couldn't talk, there wouldn't be any difference between them and monsters.

I'd even go as far as to say, the side characters and villains in this novel are worse than monsters. One is willing to make kids kill each other, before tossing their bodies into an incinerator, all for some change.

The audience is equally as deprived, if not more so. The big shots are all evil. The kids are generally all mu*derers, with a few exceptions.

I mean, just from the first few chapters, it gives off the feeling that the entirety of Korea has thrown away its humanity.

There isn't a single character, except for maybe one (not including the MC), that you hope doesn't die. They all deserve it.

The MC, on the other hand, is a little bland. I won't say he's like a soulless robot, but we don't really get much inner monologue or reactions out of him. It's hard to tell what he's thinking. Now, think what you will of this, but I find that it makes sense in his current situation.

He's in an underground fight ring, essentially as a s*ave. Showing emotion is a sign of weakness, especially around other kids who want nothing more than to take advantage of you and kill you. He is a bit wimpy, but what can you expect from a high schooler who's been bullied his entire life before being ens*aved? It's only chapter 19. I believe he'll experience some character growth within the next 20-30 chapters. Not to mention, he's not irritating or insufferable. He knows he needs strength, so that's what he strives for, even if he has to commit some questionable acts.

Hopefully, the MC won't continue to be associated with and dragged around by evil, tyrannical people in the future. I mean, the author could as least throw in a few people who are indifferent to his plight, other than seeking to ruin his life, right? We don't necessarily need righteous heroes, but not everyone can be this low, right?

Worldbuilding:

Not much to say here. Korea. Awakeners. Monsters. Abilities. Clans. You know the deal. Other than that, we basically know nothing else. We'll have to wait until the MC is freed.

My Thoughts:

It's good. It's worth a try, and saving in your library. I'd probably wait until there are 30+ chapters to start reading, but it's definitely a novel to keep your eye on if you like this kind of stuff. My only concern is the author continuously putting the MC in one horrible situation after another. Using these things to build character are fine, but I don't really want to watch the MC continue being a s*ave for another 20, 30, 40 chapters. With the way things are going, I'm scared that'll be the case as the author hasn't introduced an alternative. Not even a hint of him getting out into the real world anytime soon, but that could change here in the next few chapters.

Other than that, the action and fight scenes are good. Nothing much to say there.

I just wish the range of emotions in the characters were wider. I find it hard to immerse myself into the story, into their shoes, as the thoughts and emotions are quite limited.