In fact a lot of his supposed villainous actions are just misconstrued to paint him in a bad light, made worse by him playing into the role with his attitude. My hope when I started reading was to see other characters eventually have that realisation without significant change to the core of his own character after he dropped the act.

MC starts off almost equal to ML, a rival.

But when he leaves the military and meets ML, he gets manipulated within 10 sentences. ML acts righteous but resorts to threatening MC. MC being a commoner really didn't want to make his life uncomfortable. So I get that he goes with the flow, but MC could definitely have done something about it instead of being led by the thumb. Seriously within 2 chapters of meeting ML everything was agreed on, there was no thrill or tension. I would have liked it if the author had made ML actually work hard for it, instead of using MC so easily. The more I read, the more I get frustrated. It would have been fine if ML was actually a good person. He is stoic and a man of few words who goes by the protocol. Where does he get to act righteous when he is clearly threatening a Civillian MC. MC living comfortable life, gets pulled into the madness of military because ML feels uncomfortable with MC's absence.

In the chapters of MC leaving the military and after meeting ML. He gets pushed by 2 common men!!

Like really?! Are you saying this is just because MC has stopped training for 8 months, but is still able to hunt high ranking monsters.

One was the village chiefs son, he accidentally gets pushed by his body weight and falls. Okay!! Let's say he got startled, then ML enters, gets angry, pulls the man away, then asks MC if he is having a lover.

2nd when MC is exhausted, he collides with a person in the crowd almost falling. But ML pulls him over and asks him to hold his robe to not lose way!

I mean... rolls eyes

Can the author please write a strong shou without him having to always be behind ML. I can definitely sense that MC got everything through his hard work. His body, height, muscle isn't as high as ML. So I can sense that after he stopped training that the gap between them will further continue to widen. But not to the point where walking around normal commoners need ML's help for MC.

And there is an issue about the banter as well. In the beginning of the story, both MC and ML were on each other's throats. Sometimes one wins and the other times, the other one wins. Even if MC loses, it was due to his position of being in military where he had to follow orders.

After MC meets ML he gets manipulated easily by ML. ML who is known for righteousness even threatens MC. MC being a curious kid and thinking it would be more problematic of surveillance agrees. It was agreed that MC is extremely smart to equal ML or second to ML. But he gets used around very easily. The problem isn't the outcome, since it was decided that for the progress of the plot both definitely had to go together. The problem was the execution!! There was not much banter or thrill. It was done as easily as in 10 sentence and within 2 chapters. There was no mystery, no jabs, no highs or lows for conversation. ML took MC as easy as kidnapping a child with a candy!!

The third problem, ML's over righteousness!!! MC does get into verbal spats, talks down to others, doesn't like carrying dead weight of his soldiers. But he does duty well. What's wrong with a commoner wanting to be at a high position. Does being in 2nd place all throughout life, takeaway a person to never be first place or dream about it. The soldiers constantly break protocols and talk sh*t about him. Everyone knows but does nothing. He saved them so many times. But just because they act in groups and hyena who know to chummy others, and are jealous. He deserves it?!

In more than 5 years of military did no one realize that he has saved their ass all the time. He has never ab*sed his authority. Never gave them orders that put them in danger, or do something illegal. Where did they have the audacity to judge MC? Where is he a villain? They themselves are parts of the hundreds, but they have the audacity to have an opinion on number 2 rank in military?! They can't get themselves higher but use ML as a pedestal and try to be under his ship, and justify their s*upid bullying behavior. That Miles character is the worst. Is he even a Military captain? He can get away with buying soldiers and tripping others, but still behaves righteous? Disgusting filth!!

Ml is even worst, why did he say that he is disappointed in MC. You can't sort out the entire situation. You put sh*t in your mouth when speaking?! Just because MC said something without even glancing a second thought you put the blame on him? He uses his position and high authority all the time like this. He doesn't protect or stop the rumors and bad mouthing and goes along the flow! I thought maybe because the words of soldiers shouldn't be controlled too much, he turned a blind eye. But then I realized that he himself actually holds those beliefs!!

And people blame MC for not speaking out! MC is playing a villain role according to his own choice, so he deserves it! But frankly if everyone is a good character as they say they are. Then they should understand the weight MC carries in his missions. The work he excels, the number of lives he saved. Does him leaving the military made them realize his importance. No! it was the burden which he was carrying all along on his shoulders that fell on them now, it made them wake up from their slumber. If MC had actually stayed in Military, they would have bullied him so bad. If there was an actual person who didn't know the situation and with pride and little EQ, either he would have killed himself or cause a coup de et. Then they would even use their righteous words as stones and stone the villain to death! It reminds me of the saying:

It's not that life has been too easy for you, it's just that someone was carrying all your burden for you!

MC is too kind for his own good. I don't even like the Fael guy, he was ready to kill the N number of soldiers to keep his mother alive. Kill his superior officer and get him loose all his hard work. If successful he would have said, anyway the MC was always bad, I have slain the evil dragon. No guilt from me.

I didn't like the goody too shoes attitude of MC. He should have just played the villain and brought the truth to light. Maybe that's me who is ruthless. But frankly people who switch sides like that, have never been to my 'good guy' list! Albiet MC turns the situation around, and that guy becomes one of the most loyal people. But I just don't like him.

I can understand the MC's pov

I can understand the ML's pov.

But MC is like my baby, all his wrongs are circumstances to me, all his rights are glorified!!!

I am like MC's friend, who sees MC in a bad situation, gets led by the nose. Love him and hate him for his personality and character. And want to shake the hell out of his shoulders, asking his why?!! Why go through so much trouble?? That shitty ML is not worth it. Those back stabbing subordinates aren't worth it! Those other captains aren't worth it. Just live your life in peace and for yourself. Don't get carried away by the novel plot. Wake up! Wake up, please live peacefully without having to deal with the buzzing mosquito ML!

And if he was anyway gonna work for the military and with ML at the end, why even quit his high ranking position. He doesn't get money from monsters slayed, gets blackmailed instead.

Loses position of captain, demoted to a commoner.

Didn't want to be bossed around by the ML. Only to end up in a position where he can't even say No, since he is just a commoner now. Having absolutely no authority and defense

Of course I know this is not because he is doing it voluntarily. It's involuntary reaction of MC to try to be close to the ML. In those entire world without a family, MC's goal was success of ML. Now in an unknown world without anyone close by, he gets his sense of security by being close to ML involuntarily. Cause he knows no one there and has no emotional ties with others. Except for the ML. For the past 5 to 7 years his only goal was ML. Now he is willing to be led by ML for that sense of his worth, unconsciously and slowly the thread keeps pulling him

And ML isn't as bad as I described in the novel. He is amazing in his own sense. But in the review I just described his bad points. Of course he is the ML, he has his own plus points and he did many things for the MC and for his good.

The ML redeems himself!! Theo I love you!! You take everything step by step, first he understood his own feelings and seeing how MC is dense, he became vocal about it. Through little actions, little words, little compliments, he swoons MC over. He gives MC to understand his own feelings and never rushes. Learns to understand and respect MC even more.

I say this man is already head over heels. He keeps gazing and getting lost in MC. Every little action of MC is turned into something cute or sexy by him.

This man has a seperate filter for his own man!!! He even uses his authority to address the wrongdoings of the men of army and does his best to protect MC and gives him his well earned respect. Of course the major part of the change of opinion is because of MC himself. He doesn't act like a villain anymore and doesn't do any villainous shit. He let's go of his uninhibited self and people just love MC and people respect him on his own. Of course, it is also because the soldiers realise how much the MC carried the team out!!

I just love how the author actually wrote a slow burn which isn't just a name say slow burn but every step makes a little progress. Every conversation holds it's place and brings them together.

I have read many slow burns, but the one where both the leads balance each other in terms of talent, respect, position, mutual pining is very rare!! So adorable. I am glad that I got through the ugly part, that's why the second half felt even sweet!!

I'm also loving this arc when MC runs away and ML chases behind. I can't help but love it when MC's go through with their decision of obtaining the life they want, just like Luke. I love the dynamic of how he went from acting as his arrogant commander self to his kind self after retiring. Can't wait for the reveal when everyone, and cough ML, learns that Luke isn't the villain facade he puts up, but just a kind soul that actually helps everyone behind his harsh actions.🤭

And Luke finally understood. This feeling, this overwhelming surge that couldn't be put into words — this was what people called love. The culmination of something deeper than affection, something unshakable and undeniable. Just then, Luke slowly opened his eyes. In the darkness, his irises looked like a deep, warm brown as they fixed on Theo. Luke said nothing for a while, just stared at him. His persistent gaze felt like it carried a will of its own, as though he was trying to etch something into Theo's soul through his eyes

Luke blinked, caught off guard by the unfamiliar, shadowy desire stirring deep inside him. He never thought he'd experience anything like this — lust, arousal, that kind of raw, physical want. He'd assumed he'd live his whole life without it. But clearly, he was wrong. Heat seeped under Luke's clothes as Theo's rough hand slid against his bare skin. The contrast between Theo's calloused palm and Luke's soft flesh sent a shiver down his spine. Every place Theo touched burned, stinging and smoldering like fire — but Luke didn't want it to stop. He welcomed the sensation, relishing the reality of Theo's touch, the undeniable proof that they were connected.

as soon as he retired from being a solider.