The plot and mysteries used were complex and kind of hard to follow for a person with really short span of attention. It still made me continue though because of how unique it was. I was so ready to give up because of how gorey it got but the first translator's promise of the couple getting really adorable together made me endure.

It did frightened and disgust me at most arcs but I was really surprised that aside from the main couple, I got to know the strengths as well as... more>> peculiarity of the side characters. It was really worth it, I had just finished the Cartoon World. <<less

One of my favorite novels, ever.

The plot:

• Infinite flow. One of my favorite genres. It's not overdone, either. The arcs don't drag on longer than necessary, and they are never boring.
• The synopsis sounds rather light-hearted, but I assure you; it's not.
  • Of course, it's because the story isn't actually all light and fluffy but rather serious in a unique way that I really appreciate it.

• Actually quite informative, especially about art (of course). The author research to add to the atmosphere!
• The paintings/scenarios/arcs themselves are very likeable.
  • From those, we see the creativity of the author, the uniqueness of the painters, and the sometimes uncomfortable and sometimes comfortable insight on human nature. It's beautifully written. As each arc reaches their end, you can see how much thought is put into them since the characters reach the conclusion is a logical manner. You can see the accumulation of information and how that forms the conclusion very thoroughly throughout each painting.
• Each painting is a struggle---a different kind of struggle, most of the time.
  • That's why in one of the later arcs, the veterans can only give somewhat vague advice to the newcomers; adaptability is the most important.
  • The accumulating pressure caused by a limited time frame is also present all the time...

The romance/CP:

• Yes.
  • It's slowburn, but the slowburn isn't agonizing; it's subtle. The ML doesn't return Ke Xun's feelings until around the middle of the story. You can tell that he cares even before that from the small (?) actions he does. In fact, I like how we can gradually see how he gradually falls for Ke Xun.
  • As for Ke Xun himself, I admire him. He lives with the "no regrets" type of ideal, so even if he may be afraid or nervous, he rarely hesitates for long and takes action instead. It's difficult to live with no regrets. In this way, he's an appreciated role model.
• Their relationship dynamic is 🤌

really mortifying... The author writes horror that cross the limit of conventions and becomes horror that is beyond human comprehension, morals and goes beyond humanity itself. (in other ways, it will f*ck your brain up).

To my dear sisters obsessed with horror this... is your cup of tea.. it's your paradise.I was initially ignoring this novel because I thought I don't have any comprehension when it comes to art but the writer has done a good job. It's thoroughly explained. By the middle of 2nd arc you start to evaluate the... more>> paintings too. Also, I am not a big fan of horror but it's just written so darned well that I was s**ked in.

Talking about the romance... it's there but not dominant. Like you know MC and ML will get together and they did have their moments but they were very breif. It's mostly horror so you might feel a lil unsatisfied if you were looking for romance in large quantities. But the MC and ML have interesting characters and make a good couple as such.

The author has big brains. It got too much for my brain to comprehend after a point of time so I left it in between. (That and the fact that it got depressing after a point, the w0rld in the paintings is cruel -not a horrifc way-that wears off at some point but more like it makes you cynical and uncaring). I will come back to read it after some point.

IT'S BEAUTIFULY WRITTEN THO-MUST, MUST READ !! DON'T LET ANYTHING STOP YOU.

My greetings to the translators. They did a wonderful job: the plot is very intricate, I imagine the translations must be difficult.

I am rating it 4 because I would personally like more romance.. and also as somewhat of a compensation for my mental health, lol. <<less

This is sooooooo exciting!

Ke Xun is my baby.

My yiran is man with sexy brain. I was attached to the side characters ❤️ I really loved the whole cast ! The plot! Author is Genius!👍

Read the first arc! It’s pretty good. The characters are realistic and the set-up for the instances are detailed. It really makes you feel like you’re there, which does increase the creepy factor a bit (though, in terms of horror level, I’d say this is not as scary as I imagined. Ndkdkdkd one of the reasons I avoided this novel for so long was because it was said to be super scary. But it ended up being more tolerable than expected!) The reason I dropped the novel after the first... more>> arc was that the mood was all wrong. I didn’t want to ruin the novel because of a bad mood, I quit while I was ahead. I’ll come back to reread later!

Summary: The MC (Ke Xun) visited a painting exhibition along with his friend. By some twist of fate, they ended up being dragged into the world of paintings. In these paintings, they have to do not only survive the death triggers set up by the instance but also find the seal that will allow them to leave. The ML (Mu Yiran) is a big boss that appears in the MC’s first entrance and helps him survive long enough to grow.

If you want to compare it to other ultimate flow novels, the tone is definitely a lot more mature. The characters are complex and the setting is well put together. Lots of research should have also been put into it, making the world truly seem like it’s popping off the page. SO, all in all? My opinion of the novel is very good~ If I hadn’t been in the wrong mood, I think I could have enjoyed it a lot. <<less

The best horror novel for me and I think it deserves more attention. If you like feeling the tension with real-life characters and protagonists who get character growth, then this novel is for you.

This is terrifying like this novel is real horror.

At first I thought this would be the same as the other survival game novels that I've previously read which is more on mystery and action. But reading the first few chapters... this novel is a league of its own. The horror and suspense here is topnotch.

There are some arcs which is pretty disturbing. Like you really need to take a few pause while reading those arcs because it's just... ugh.

One thing I also like about this novel is the realistic portrayal... more>> of the characters. <<less

Dropped at before the 5th arc. The MC just feels a bit flat for me. Every arc is scary and traumatic but I don't see them being affected by it. Lyk, the MC's being depressed is just secluding himself in his house for several days w/ no description whatsoever of what he's feeling. This is considering that MC is this self-sacrificial, emphatic idiot. It's not lyk I want him to go crazy but it's just not realistic how they can go on and on these traumatic arcs lyk mentally healthy... more>> individuals. If it's a coping mechanism, I want to see it.

I also don't lyk how the arcs operate. I want there to be logic to where the signature is (their key to getting out), to the deaths, to the conditions, bec many of the times, it's random.

Maybe it's just a bad idea to read this while waiting for updates on Death Spiral. I can't help comparing. I like the MC there more. So weak, not always smart, but I see his development. <<less