TLDR:

1/10 - Had potential, but quickly devolves into a frustrating read. If you're fine with a protagonist who is naive, idealistic, and frustratingly stagnant, you might get through this. Otherwise, I recommend skipping it.

CONTEXT:

... more>> I'm writing this review because I've noticed a trend in modern fiction - especially in isekai or game-based narratives - where authors rely on tropes and emotional manipulation without delivering meaningful character development or internal consistency. This novel is a strong example of that problem.

It begins with an intriguing premise - entered / reincarnated into a game-world where the MC supposedly has knowledge and a clear goal: to return home safely. That setup held promise. Unfortunately, the execution undermines that potential at nearly every turn.

WHAT WENT WRONG:

A. The Protagonist is Inconsistently Written

Despite claiming to have spent hundreds of hours in the game, the MC acts with baffling naivety. He repeatedly calls the world "hyper-capitalistic" and "dangerous", but his actions are those of someone living in a much safer, consequence-free world.

He allows key secrets to leak without taking basic precautions - like letting someone go for a medical checkup after receiving a miraculous cure, and then acting surprised when that causes rumors. It's less "unfortunate mistake" and more "complete lack of foresight, " especially from someone who claims to know how this world works.

B. No Real Growth or Adaptation

Naivety at the beginning is forgivable - but the refusal to grow is not. Even after being warned about the risks, and after witnessing potential threats from multiple fronts, the MC doesn't learn, doesn't adapt, and shows no evolution in mindset or strategy.

The author seems committed to keeping the MC idealistic and passive - but in a world as cutthroat as this one, that refusal to mature becomes immersion-breaking.

C. Contradictory Morality

The MC constantly flip-flops between wanting to do good and refusing to bear responsibility. He'll make grand moral gestures, only to later backtrack and say, "I'm not a saint" or "I didn't ask for this". These aren't the marks of a complex moral character - they're the symptoms of writing that avoids accountability. The contradictions feel unintentional and unresolved.

D. Plot Armor & Missed Opportunities

This story leans heavily on plot armor. The MC is frequently saved by timely interventions, allies, or coincidences, which undercuts any real sense of danger or narrative tension.

Even more frustrating is his repeated refusal to act when clear, viable paths forward present themselves - whether it's forming strategic alliances, using his ability to gain leverage, or taking steps to protect critical information. Instead of responding with decisive action, he hesitates, retreats, or defers, often citing vague moral discomfort or internal conflicts that are never meaningfully explored.

Too often, potential solutions are dismissed simply because they don't "feel right", even when they clearly serve his goals. These choices aren't grounded in coherent character logic - they feel like artificial delays, as if the author is holding the MC back to preserve his "reluctant savior" image rather than allowing organic growth or consequence.

E. Confused & Passive Mindset

Even deep into the story, the MC reacts to major events with "Huh?", "Why is this happening?", or "I didn't expect that... " - even when the outcomes are entirely predictable. He often feels like the least perceptive person in the room, despite supposedly being genre-aware and experienced. That disconnect grows more frustrating with every chapter.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

This story suffers from a fundamental mismatch between its setting and its protagonist. The world is harsh, cynical, and dangerous - but the MC feels like he belongs in a different narrative entirely, one where consequences are light, moral nuance is optional, and growth is something that can be delayed indefinitely.

Even if the author is planning a "hard fall" or eventual growth arc, the delay is too long. The character has made major mistakes with no real consequence or introspection. And without narrative payoff, the setup just feels hollow.

Ultimately, it's not the premise that fails - it's the execution. The lack of character development, the internal inconsistency, and the reliance on narrative convenience break immersion and turn what could have been a compelling journey into a slow, frustrating slog.

If you value strong character arcs, internal logic, and narrative tension that pays off - this probably isn't the story for you. <<less

10/10

kudos to the translators. It was honestly good — a worthwhile read. The concept itself is unique, and the execution is really well done. It explores the mysteries of a city that has everything except its own humanity. Could the saintess escape the city of sin with her humanity intact, or would she succumb to a place where the belief in god has crumbled, and only desire, power, and corruption remain?

The MC is a realistic character without an offensively overpowered ability - the city she is in is brutal, bloody and violent. She will have to rely on those around her to survive. We get a flash-forward on chapter 4 so we know exactly where the author intends to take this book - I think the process will be fun to see. I'm enjoying the MC's thoughts and interactions with the golden eyed girl.

Not to mention the idea of a gothic Saintess in a cyberpunk city is super cool haha

I'm really glad to find this novel because it scratched that itch I was looking for. The story shows potential and seems to show a good contrast between the MC's magic and the cyberpunk theme. The MC is truly unique, but they are not overpowered. I see potential in fun interactions between the magical elements and technology and hope it continues :)