First off, it's my first review after 4 or 5 years, I think. It's been some time since I made an account here and I forgot about it, but I logged in today just to say something about this novel.

A lot of people have read only 40-50 chapters, and left 2-3 stars, which is clearly a sign of dementia.

So, I learned about this after reading the manhua and all I can say is that: it's amazing. It's one of the only 3 novels to actually make me cry.

I cried when... more>> someone died in 'A step into the past', but here I cry because the story is fleshed out beautifully. Just like in 'Forty millenniums of cultivation', the story is about, what I like to call, the path of humanity. You are told stories, tragic pasts of people, which, even with the cheat of the MC, end in 'tragedy'. And the MC learns from this. In the begginning you have just an unfilled doll, but with every story, a part of him is filled, is being completed. His second master teaches him the true meaning of pain, his first master, a fatherlike figure teaches him the meaning of joy. I still remember that 'fight' between his 2 masters, that final 'yes master, you cut through winter' or something like that.

Just like in FMC, we are presented with final situations in which the MC is about to give up, but then it happens. 'Humanity' appears, doesn't matter if it's just normal people protecting the MC from false justice (FMC), or a simple smile, from some of the strongest girls, or happyness shown by the most broken children, or false justice done by selfnamed gods.

Just the first arc, in which the MC completes the level (the right way), is amazingly done. I actually suggest reading the manhua and then coming back to read this, for more details. Also, every single time, I'm like, the author can't write a better arc than this one.. And then he does.

The arc of the demonlord, then the arc of his second master (holy shit, amazing arc), then the one with the untimely love (my favourite, but machine translations suck), then the disciple one. Like man, it may not be the best novel im terms of plot etc, but in terms of emotions put into it.. It's like god throws the entire ocean of tears there.

The beast comparation I can think of is Reverend Insanity. If in RI, the MC will do anything to assure his victory or his survival, than here, the MC will do anything to assure that the perfect ending for him and his friends exist, exactly the total opposite of RI.

I can't believe number one on my list RI, has been dethroned.

4.3-4-5 stars for now, I am currently around the beggining of the lord of the tower arc, but I stopped cuze the machine translation s**ked. <<less

This novel is wild. It has an amazing story, a cool set of cheat skills, one of my favourite romance/falling in love parts and a very creative understanding of the tower/dungeon setting.

Unfortunately the MC is absolute tr*sh. He goes through random "character developments" multiple times and ends up a "hero". It is really random and makes him very unlikable. It is as if every arc uses a new MC with a different set of personality.

Also the MC has an absolutely OP set of cheat skills, so that there are lots... more>> of plot holes and logical flaws. Basically the MC can go back in time and prevent each and every mistake, so the author goes through random hoops to make the MC either brain-dead or introduce "reasons" for why he will not go back in time. And with every of those constrictions the plot holes get worse.

Examples are:

Spoiler

Not killing himself to not get the "kill numbers" up. Not killing himself because he promised his love.

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I give this a sad 4*. I absolutely love the creativity, but the bad MC and the logical flaws & plot holes prevent that. <<less

Going lots of places in fun ways, I hope it can keep up the variety and my interest. Has a similar vibe to Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint. So far it's doing better than that predecessor, and the introduction of romance has only heightened it.

It risks falling into the same traps of dragging on too long with increasing power levels but no change in story beats, but I hope that it can find its way through, either by strong world building with the power systems or continually exploring new ideas with its... more>> story.

The latest arc follows more closely to the second solution. <<less

This novel has so much depth, this novel has a manhwa but if your reading that you are missing out on so much, the novel is mostly internal monologue about how the main character deals with situations, the best thing about this is the character writing epically in the heavenly Demon arc and newest arc. The characters are so well defined and always and used in amazing ways, it becomes a novel with a real soul not just a generic climb the tower.

This MC is the badass MC and the kind hearted MC that I know. If greed and envy is negative emotion from character but this story make the character more beauty. The progress the story the more I love hunter spirit.

Don't get me wrong, I do have some issues here and there with the novel. The start of some of the arcs is mediocre at best, and other parts feel a bit rushed.

But I still stand behind my rating for a good reason: Immersion and Character development.

The story is rough is the beginning of every arc, but once you really get into it you won't be able to stop. Unless you have something or somebody to bring you back, you'll just end up slipping into a trance of sorts that... more>> just locks you in. The writing style, the way everything important is always written like a poem of sorts; you just can't get enough. Sure, it was definitely overdramatic at certain points, but by then you just feel like going with it. One example of this I experienced myself was the "Winter" arc, where I ended up reading from roughly 22:00 until well into the sunrise (about 7:00 the next morning) before I realized how long I'd actually been reading for.

And the development, oh boy is there a lot to say there, yet I'm nowhere near good enough to fully explain why I like it. But it's always there. Either with the narrative on the front stage or mulling around, waiting for its chance to strike. You can see clearly how everything is changing who he is, how every experience molds him for the better.

If you don't like the series, then I'm sure you'll find something you'll like eventually, if you haven't already. But I think I'll stay here for this. Watching him and the rest of the world grow with every chapter. <<less

Came into this thinking it was ur generic edgy power fantasy which would be like a fun mindless read.

Found myself thinking "omg, this is way more meaningful than I thought."

Now all I can say is I cried a bunch of times and I haven't even finished it yet. Somehow the author really makes you feel for these characters and worlds.

If you're looking for OP loner protag power fantasy with action scene after action scene then this probably won't be for you. (Not judging cuz thats fun too. This novel just... more>> diverges from that quite a bit.)

ORV has been mentioned a bunch in the comments and it's not surprising why. So if you enjoyed ORV definitely stick around at least til the floor 11-20 arc if you find the initial introduction a little too edgy-edgy-power-fantasy. <<less

It's a pretty good read if you have nothing else.

Pros: if you're a sucker for wish fulfillment stories then this is for you.

Cons: too many plot holes. The MC's skill is broken, in fact all skills are broken since there aren't any parameters for their skills. They just get a skill card and use it willy nilly whenever they like, no CD at all.

Holy sh*t... this was unexpectedly a really great novel. Depending how the current arc ends, id even go so far and consider it one of my new favourites (i really havent enjoyed a read this much since Dungeon Defense stopped) and I really can recommend it to everyone who enjoys a fantasy setting with a little bit of everything. its just that good.

Latest Manga chp ended at around chp 30 for novel but definitely started enjoying the story near the end

I thought this was comedy yet I keep crying from this story telling. They way the arc climax and end is really satisfying with the whole main goal for the character being carried through and through.

One of the best novels I have ever read. The way characters interact with each other is simply amazing. Even the parts of the story I would normally hate grab me and hold me. The conversations are on another level if compared to other novels.

I expected more of the novel so I'm more disappointed. The story starts well, the emotions, the struggles the characters go through and settings were pretty good then the author threw everything into the tr*sh can. The personality of the character changes suddenly without any notice or prior setup (the MC changes from a jealous loser to a vengeful avenger to a funny guy to a shy teenager to a domineering personality to a black bellied smart-arse to someone who likes to show off to someone who don't likes... more>> to show off to someone with a hero complex...). The MC is tooo OP and other characters are pretty useless, not needed in the story at all. The abilities aren't balanced or well used. the plot becomes dull and forced.

The stories that combine Action, Adventure, Comedy and Fantasy genres are my favorite type but in the past year I couldn't find a good one to read, I thought this one could be different but... sigh. I like OP MCs but not the type who is strong because everyone else is a r*tard but I don't why most of novels (almost everyone) I recently read is the later. <<less

Great, some parts was weak like the intro reason for the MC, but during the climax of the arcs, it was FIRE!!!

The MC doesn't just choose to become the strongest, but mostly for others sake

This novel has some surprisingly strong and resonating emotional beats to it that are very much welcome surprises. I expected this to be an edgy gag comedy because of the main hook of the novel but got an edgy emotional piece with some very novel plotlines. The arcs in this novel just seem to outdo themselves each time.

I started reading this as another korean OP protagenist novel and I got wat I wanted. But around ch65 it really got amazing.

the writing is amazing, it is honestly the best writing I have seen in a long time. Somehow the author just beautifuly shows the emotions of the characters. The characters just seem real, they feel deep. Like they have actually lived a live, not like so many other novels where backstory and deapth are just a afterthought.

But it will not be for everyone, as you can see by... more>> the other reviews. This is not your run of the mill novel. This novel is more philosophical and focused on character development than action or world building (atleast till now) . <<less

this novel has unexpectedly entered my top 10. I got into this novel thinking its gonna be mediocre at best but it ended up being a pleasant read.

the author has a beautiful way of writing, a way that shines in the murim world "arc" (an "arc" that made me check for a new release every hour)

sure some parts could have been dealt with better... more>>

Spoiler

(one of them being MCs mental illness which would be BS if he hasnt developed)

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but we still have a long way to go so for now its a 4 star

edit 20/3/22, chap 193

holy shit. this novel is spectacular. The author is spectacular. The translator.... oh god the translator. Possibly the first time ill say that a translator did a novel justice. Thank god he picked this.

top 10? was I dumb?

this novel entered my top 3 faster than a fuc*ing bullet. Its a bit sad that ill never be able to read 99% of the novels in this site, as my expectations for a novel have reached the heavens, but honestly? its a price im willing to pay.

although my Top 1 novel (Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint) has a special place in my heart, with every new release this novel creeps to take first place, and we are not even halfway there!

this is novel is spectacular. makes life worth it.a reason to pull through the week

10/10 <<less

TL;DR: MUST READ!

There are good points and there are bad points, but this one is a must read despite the shortcomings. The beginning was a little shaky, but it took off really well after the first few chapters.

I like this novel on it's own, but because there are similarities with other novels and manhwas of the same genre (Solo Leveling, Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint, Second Life Ranker, Dimensional Mercenary etc.), you can't stop comparing it with the other worķs and it somehow falls behind at certain levels.

There's a very unique side to this novel though, and it's the writing style. The writing itself is beautiful and almost poetic.

The inconsistencies in the MC's characters are a downside sometimes but there's logical reason behind it.

So very much like Dimensional Mercenary, I can understand why the MC would become a bit inconsistent. I would definitely RECOMMEND this though.

The main character claims to be a morally good person, and attempts to act to benefit everyone he meets, except for the dumb-ass who killed him the first time, . But I still feel like there were many cases where the MC went against this ideology by not letting others know about his situation, but maybe that is just me. Overall SSS is a very exciting and engaging novel, and the Manwha seems to be fairly faithful so far.

The novel is more than Web novel. I don't comments too much, but it is an exceptional. And, you can't judge this novel with other Light or web novel. You have to compare this novel with actual novel.

Before reading, I want to clear something. If you want an arrogant MC, revengeful MC, op MC, face slapping MC, alone MC please stay out from this novel. MC surely have a op skill, but it's not Op. He have to bear the burden of opness. And he is not also a flawless.... more>> He have characterization. And, He also can not clear the whole level alone. He need friends or comrade.

Spoiler

So basically the story's main theme is A tower. It can be compared with Tower of God. Okay, at first he is just a jealous and vengeful MC. Nothing more nothing less. But, before defeating the first boss he have an amazing characterization. Remember chapter 17. One of the beautiful Chapter. In this chapter we see the Boss character, they are also pitiful. They are not evil. They are just bound by the shackles. And the Demon king, though he is evil, he is also bound by the shackles. After defeating the boss, the mc's goal became different. He just want to recognise by everyone. He also wants to protect everyone, because he want to see their smile. He is also polite. But it never redeem his past wrong doing and the author also point this. Unlike other MC he is much like human.

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And the last thing I want to say please read this Novel until the end. Don't judge before. <<less

The story is really funny and has a good plot. It's well written and translated! The MC is a bit too OP but he also relies on his own efforts, will and smarts. The beginning was a bit hasty in terms of establishing the MCs motive and the basic plot but after the first antagonist dies fairly early, the plot really picks up. The character development is great. It's definitely worth a read!