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What Happens When the Second Male Lead Powers Up
Type
Web Novel (KR)
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Rating(4.1 / 5.0, 358 votes)
5    61% (217 votes)
4    10% (36 votes)
3    13% (45 votes)
2    8% (30 votes)
1    8% (30 votes)
Language
Support Book (#ad)
Author(s)
One entry per line
Artist(s)
One entry per line
Year
Example: 2012
2020
Status in COO
Status in Country of Origin. One entry per line
942 Chapters (Completed):
-Main Story: 920 Chapters (Complete)
-Side Stories: 22 Chapters (Ongoing)
Licensed
No
Completely Translated
No
Original Publisher
One entry per line
English Publisher
One entry per line
N/A
Release Frequency
Every 6.5 Day(s)
Activity Stats
[Graph]
Weekly Rank: #268
Monthly Rank: #899
All Time Rank: #997
Reading List
[Graph]
On 9911 Reading Lists
Monthly Rank: #3031
All Time Rank: #384

Description

Links are NOT allowed. Format your description nicely so people can easily read them. Please use proper spacing and paragraphs.

I was transported into the romantic fantasy novel my younger sister was reading, not as the male lead but as the second male lead. If I remember correctly, this punk is fated to go into war in the future and die in the male lead’s place.

Okay, I’ve made up my mind. Let’s not go anywhere near the main characters and stay healthy until I can go home.

Associated Names
One entry per line
SMPU
TWSB
What Happens When the Sub Male Lead Goes on Strike
When the Third Wheel Strikes Back (Official Webtoons Manhwa)
ขอทีผมคนนี้อยากหนีจากบทพระรอง
男配角罷工的話會發生的事
서브 남주가 파업하면 생기는 일
섭남파업
Related Series
N/A
Recommendations
T*ash of the Count’s Family (17)
Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint (7)
The S-Classes That I Raised (6)
Ex Rank Supporting Role’s Replay in a Prestigious School (5)
If You Don’t Become the Main Character, You’ll Die (5)
Trapped in a Webnovel as a Good-For-Nothing (3)
Recommendation Lists
  1. Bromance
  2. Bromance [No Harem] pure actions, pure found famil...
  3. I really like these!!!
  4. No romance/harem
  5. my peak fiction picks (a true rec list for your es...

Latest Release

Date Group Release
07/23/25 EatApplePies c242
07/17/25 EatApplePies c241
07/10/25 EatApplePies c240
07/03/25 EatApplePies c239
06/26/25 EatApplePies c238
06/19/25 EatApplePies c237
06/12/25 EatApplePies c236
06/05/25 EatApplePies c235
05/29/25 EatApplePies c234
05/22/25 EatApplePies c233
05/15/25 EatApplePies c232
05/08/25 EatApplePies c231
05/01/25 EatApplePies c230
04/24/25 EatApplePies c229
04/17/25 EatApplePies c228
123…17
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Write a Review
65 Reviews sorted by


anonmily
anonmily rated it
March 25, 2021
Status: --
Oooh this is really great this far. Love the MC and there's this sense of mystery as we figure things out along with him. The MC is righteous and definitely healthy mentally (unlike the characters in so many other isekai novels who seem to be psychopathic or morally lax), and it is just so heartwarming to see his kindness change the people around him. Great translation too! Definitely looking forward to more.

I see a reviewer complain that he is mary sue/virg*n mary, but he is far from mary sue in... more>> my opinion. He just has a healthy, compassionate mentality with a soft spot for kids. Rather than going to the extremes and seeing the world in black and white, he sees the world in gray—everyone has a bit of white in them. That's not to say he is a pushover though; when he sees injustice he isn't afraid to stand out to protect what he believes in or to right a wrong. He's willing to give people a second chance when he sees that their troubles, but only if they can be redeemed and the damage is not too great. Also, it's actually easier on yourself to forgive than hold hatred and resentment. Why hold onto negative feelings when you can choose to be happy?

Apart from the great MC, the surrounding characters are also very lively and deep, and the author does a great job with plot and character development. There's definitely plot twists and suspense too! It's also just so funny whenever the two protagonists fight for his attention like fire and water (literally) and he's just like "Ah, they make such a good couple". XD <<less
141 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Fanya
Fanya rated it
March 25, 2021
Status: c12
Maybe I'm too jaded/realistic to read such novels. The plot is flowing fine so far, the translation is also nice, but I just can't stand the virg*n mary type of MC anymore after reading so many LN. The "oh they tried to kill me? um...I'm sure they regret it, I forgive them!" or "ah, I just encountered kid assassins and now there's another kid throwing knife at me.... but he looks like he's not feeling well so I'm gonna go over to feel his forehead". I'm done with MCs with... more>> I'm-just-gonna-work-hard-I'm-sure-everyone-is-nice-everything-will-be-fine mentality. If you like mary sue/virg*n mary type of MC, then this is a nice read. <<less
120 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
FanGirlNoha
FanGirlNoha rated it
June 14, 2021
Status: c23
This is quite good. It's not an action packed novel, but a slice of life one. So, if you like relaxing things to read, you can read it. I like the story so far and many readers who have gone at least 2/3rd of the novel have praised its quality. Our MC is a nice person and he has similar aspirations as Cale from TCF - leading a slacker life. And just like Cale, he fails magnificently! 😅🤣 Though we can't get a concrete idea about the MC, it's easy... more>> to say that he'll be similar to Cale (though he seems like a Gary Stu in the beginning, he's not completely saint-like) The other ML is probably a tsundere

Spoiler

(although some readers say that he's a yandere.)

[collapse]

The FL hasn't been seen too many times till now. So we're still in the mystery when it comes to her. The worldbuilding itself seems quite interesting. The only thing I hate about this is that this is not BL. (Don't get me wrong, I like my share of action packed straight romances, but the sheer potential that this novel has for crossing over into the BL genre is too much! 🙈🙈🙈 It's a josei. So, there's this teasing manner that creates a compulsion of shipping the two male leads together 😂)

Anyway, jokes apart, there's no real romance till now.
Spoiler

I do have this faint suspicion that the FL is the MC's sister who has also reincarnated/transmigrated - the OG FL was supposed to be a transmigrated person anyway. She was in a coma and woke up after the MC came into the novel and her actions have been slightly different from the original novel. Although this is just a suspicion, if it becomes true, we'll probably have zero romance : (

[collapse]

Overall, it's a good novel. Don't get discouraged about my BL joke. Just take a look at the tags. It ain't BL.

P.S. I don't know why, but this reminds me of 07 Ghost for some reason. 🤷‍♀️ <<less
55 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
peterkxm
peterkxm rated it
August 1, 2021
Status: c30
So this is the first time I have probably ever read a Korean novel with a male protagonist who is this weak-willed and weak-minded (I've read the raws of this novel as well).

To make it short and quick, protagonists who refuse to take action against antagonistic people by "giving second chances" or "hoping that they will become better people" are what we call "foolish white knights". They don't want to hurt people because they think it'll hurt them, they refuse to kill despite the situation calling for it, and they... more>> are complete pushovers that aren't proactive, rather they want to let someone else do the work for them. Essentially, we have some beta-JP-like shounen MC who mediocrely accomplishes every task and manages to live on due to really cliche plot armor.

If you're into beta-JP/shounen/pushover MC's who do about anything to accomplish this fantasy-like "quiet life" that they are pursuing, go ahead and read this novel. If you're looking for a proactive protagonist who is willing to take action and change the actual narrative of the story, then this novel is definitely not it for you. <<less
50 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
NovelSchemer
NovelSchemer rated it
August 30, 2021
Status: c324
Warning: *SPOILER ALERT!!*

Hi. I'm not good at giving reviews but since I wanted to advise for those who wanted to read this novel, so I'll try my best.

***

... more>> At first, I thought this was similar to TOTCF. But no. The character developement is awesome, especially for the MC and people around him. There were some parts that made me emotional, and also relatable.

Also, I've read some mc's that were transmigrated into bodies that were supposed to die, and they try to survive. But the MC here is different. He tries and strives to go home. And that thought, makes me realize that his way of thinking is what relatively makes him human.

The characters all around him also have human like personalities which is why I said earlier that the character development is so good.

The Mc's personality:

Spoiler

I kind of get why the mc's personality is like that. At the novel world, his personality is akin to a saint but in the real world, I guess it's normal because modern society is very peaceful unlike in the novel, where wars can be easily be triggered and lives can easily be lost. The comment I've read here earlier said that he's like mary sue, I kind of agree. Almost everybody likes him because of his compassionate heart

[collapse]

Spoiler

The MC is also a bit of a pushover

[collapse]

*Spoiler Alert*

Spoiler

The original main characters, are also interested in him. (Not in that way) At first they were just attracted to the pure and warm ether that he emits (his powers) but later on liked him as an individual.

[collapse]

At the later part of the story, where the mysteries are slowly unveiled the more thrilling this story is.

READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!!:

Spoiler

Especially when 'Prince Jesse' died. I was crying loads of buckets even though I knew he didn't really die.

[collapse]

I loved the trio, which consists of Jesse, Christel and Cedric. The original main characters and the MC. I also loved all the three's interactions and their adventures, where they uphold justice. (Lol)

Spoiler

the original "prince jesse's" step-father really shitty

[collapse]

All in all, this story is absolutely golden!

P.S.

Spoiler

The MC and his food is super iconic haha

[collapse]
<<less
42 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
RottenPineapple
RottenPineapple rated it
June 12, 2021
Status: c200
@Empress is an example of someone who didn't read past chapter 1 and had the audacity the judge the book :/

Anyway, I love the novel. I love the characters, the world-building and the plot. And no, MC isn't a s*upid Mary Sue type. He's an angel, yes, but he knew when someone's wrong and doesn't justify their sins. He frowned upon the mention of "torture" however because it is against his morals as someone who came from 21st century. He gives people second chances and he'd always try to see... more>> the bright side of things, but he punishes those who deserves punishment. He can sometimes be a dense c (Oh our poor aether pig who suffers from jesse' obliviousness) but he's also very sharp and observant.

PS. Just beware because the OG!ML shows yandere tendencies 👀 Like, seriously. He's just too obsessive of our MC, Jesse. Kukukuku. <<less
37 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Gladddddd
Gladddddd rated it
September 20, 2021
Status: c33
The MC is way too foolish. He constantly mentions that he knows he is a political hostage in the empire yet he trust the people of said empire easily, and his own kingdom wants him dead, yet knowing that he is in danger does nothing to prevent that. Despite knowing that he will be killed in a war, or being a political hostage means they could kill him yet he doesn't train or anything but spends his time walking around a garden, having tea and enjoying his life. His s*upidity... more>> is severe as he constantly goes for confessions only to go "Eeek" when someone strong is approaching. MC was almost assassinated in the earlier chapters yet he feels bad for his assailants, on one occasion in his confession booth, the crown prince who disguised as a kid came in and attacked with a knife. What does our MC do? He simply walks up to the kid after realizing he was sick and wanted to help him. Even if the MC is from modern times, such s*upidity could kill him. The author had set the MC as a 28 years old guy but he acts like he was 8. Too naive and innocent. Will probably revisit this novel and revise my rating when it gets better but for now, it's gonna be shelved. <<less
34 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Raizel_Pendragon
Raizel_Pendragon rated it
November 17, 2021
Status: c150
Maybe the degree of enjoyment for this novel depends entirely on one's tastes or what you're in the mood for. But the one thing I'm sure of is that if I ever transmigrate and become a Saint/Priest I'll have to change professions cause even my 21st century morality doesn't confer me with this level of pushoverness kindness.😶

Totally agree with reviewer @Fanya.

The MC is the very naive calming sort. and is mostly still alive cause of the plot armour 'calming vibes'. The world-building is fine but events are very predictable.... more>> Translation is great.

Btw can the people who compare this to ToCF/ORV explain how they developed such blatant misconceptions?? The MCs are nothing similar. Both Cale and Dokja are cautious schemers who actively plan and plot the situations and outcomes. Comparing them with this dude who's got the naive holy mother character setting feels like comparing a houseplant that'd unalive itself if you accidentally water it 2drops more than you're supposed to to sturdy oak trees that can weather anything... And I can't perceive this supposed "BL-ish aura" either [even though the original ML is more interested in him than the FL (& vice versa) ]. Well it's probably cause this dude keeps trying to set up two characters with the least compatibility cause of the freakin orgNovel (even when the situations and people are so vastly different from what he knows from the novel). Like Bruh- please stop! Cause of their 'nature' they literally repel eachother... (-‸ლ) I can understand a 9yr old or even a 19yr old coming up with the 'They should be together cause the novel said so~' bullshi argument but a 29yr old adult following suit by turning a blind eye to every single clue that says otherwise is just cringey jarring. <<less
25 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Ludoret
Ludoret rated it
June 23, 2022
Status: --
I find it as an insult that this being recommended alongside ORV and ToCF. These two are actually good novels with cool and badass MCs. In this novel, Jesse the MC is so much of a naive, s*upid pushover it hurts. He's like the typical Mary Sue protagonist in many romance novels, only just genderbent. And I could see, even in the early parts of the novel, how the author would queerbait the MC with the original Male Lead. MC is already acting like a typical pushover... more>> uke and the original Male Lead as the domineering seme who takes and takes without permission. And I bet nothing will happen between the two of them in the end because this isn't BL. Nice translation. Too bad it cannot save a mediocre novel. <<less
20 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
sapdric simpdric aether pig definitely not cedric rated it
December 7, 2021
Status: c407
I recommended What happens when the second male lead power up....

It has a LOT BL vibe...

Even the og!ML openly Simped over the MC lol

It's pretty hilarious, and the MC is just like.... ANGEL

Maybe you'll hate it at first, since the MC was so angelic, holic... But try to read until 100+ chaps then you'll know! How precious this novel is!

# dense protag, but I loves to see his reaction🤣 really it's pretty hilarious
20 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Meishou
Meishou rated it
May 5, 2022
Status: c10
I don't know why this novel is in the same list of recommendation with LOCF and ORV.

as my principal, I gave every webnovel I picked up a 10 chapters trial, if it doesn't interest me, I'll drop it While this novel is not terrible, it's not excellent either, about 3 stars is the best I can give.

CONTAIN LIGHT SPOILERS FROM HERE ON

First few chapters in, I don't see a lot of brain works out of the MC. He said that he is a loner and an introvert but then tried... more>> his best to get his servants to have tea with him (introvert my arse). First encounter with Cedric feel like opening to a BL fanfiction (their eyes met and the uke flinched, hiding away from the window, he then startled and yelled out "holly cow" when someone walked in - please, enough with the dramatic reaction that only happens in movie). He is a people pleaser and always act like a timid young boy who doesn't know how to Prince. He doesn't understand the weight of his influence even after his servants pointed it out right at the start for him. He has a goal but seems to have neither plan nor actions to prevent undesirable outcomes.

I prefer my MC strong, man or woman, in the good or the bad side of the spectrum. And Jessie is just not that.

While I don't often thinking critically when reading a webnovel and have read and enjoyed quite a few novels full of cliché and plot holes (LOCF included). This novel is unfortunately filled with the elements that itched me so much.

Also, Not sure how anyone can see Cale Henituse in Jessie. I love Cale and I will defend him from this terrible comparison. Cale is compose even if he is panicked inside and he has his air of authority from the beginning of the novel. He is consistent throughout the story and has good understanding of his own standing even though he gets dense quite often when it comes to his own charisma. While he does get caught in lots of stuff, it's always because he saw a lot of benefits (even massive materialistic benefits) out of them for him and his people. He is also relentless and unapologetic toward those he considered enemies.

At the end of the day, I think I might've been more difficult in rating this novel since it was in the same list of recommendation with LOCF. But it's just my personal reading taste, I'm, of course, still encourage anyone who is curious to pick up the novel and read at least 10 first chapters to see if it's your style. <<less
18 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
IntrovertedElf
IntrovertedElf
August 24, 2021
Status: c25
I really get the vibe of BL here. Like im already shipping him with the first male lead 🤣 so translator nim please let me know if its BL 🎉

The pacing of the story is slow but its nice to read.
18 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Winterbourne
Winterbourne rated it
June 15, 2023
Status: c695
Yes, I'm a female reader. And yes, this novel actually seems a bit more female-oriented than male-reader-oriented, you know, since the premise is MC transmigrating into the female-oriented romance novel that his sister was a fan of. Of course, there are no evident borders between genres, so even if male readers are interested in trying a read, I'd recommend them a try as well. There are no rules saying male readers shouldn't read this novel, are they?

Okay, the audience gender talks aside, here is my opinion about the novel's audience limit. As others also said, the novel is aimed at a pretty specific taste. The MC is altruistic, enough to be called a pushover by some, and the story is not always eventful so if you're interested in constant fast-paced... more>> adventures or fight/action scenes, this is probably not for you. Also, this is debatable too, but the story has a lot of portrayals of the bond between the 3 main characters - Yeseo/Jesse, Christelle, and Cedric, which may disappoint the romance-seeking audience since every interaction between Yeseo/Jesse and Christelle is pretty much... just romance bait, and on the other hand, it will also cause confusion since the bond between Cedric and Yeseo/Jesse seems... above what we would call normal bro friends. Not to mention, the novel is too long at this point and the ending in raws will probably be next year. That'll be an extremely long journey not everyone would want to embark on.

That's for the audience, now, about the story. I used to enjoy the novel very much, but as you can see, currently I'm at chapter 695 and I gave this 3 stars. The reasons are that:

Spoiler
    • There is literally no character growth. The characters are on 700 chapters now, yet there is absolutely no growth in them. At first, Yeseo/Jesse's misunderstanding about Cedric x Christelle ship is funny and also heartbreaking since he just literally considered them 'unreal characters', but now, even when things have cleared up, they have got a talk, he is considering them his friends, he still projects his 'opinion' over them. Not to mention, when the war arc came in full swing, Yeseo/Jesse still... projected his idealism and altruism over things. Yes, I know he's a law student and he has a very strong mindset of justice, but by now, he should have already realized medieval politics and wars don't function the same as a modern court. Christelle and Cedric are also the same. After the friends' fight, then understanding and sympathizing, their behaviors... still remain the same.
    • Too many idle talks and useless details. Around the first 100 chapters or so, the idle slice-of-life scenes like the food descriptions were fun and cute. But it's supposed to be a big fight right now, with layers of conspiracies and schemes underneath. Yet... the novel still includes those useless scenes of the 'romance/BL' bait, the food descriptions, the divine beasts acting cute, and random monologues. Mind you, I'm also a fan of romance and BL genres, but I really can't immerse myself when the novel is supposed to be during some serious happenings and yet they still manage to include those idle breaks. The villains and masterminds are there, alive and well, then what are the main characters even doing? Joking around like some children and getting 'jealous' of each other?
    • Too many Korean meme references. Yes, the meme references were funny and comedic during the first arc, in Christelle's POV. It really showed the spirit of an energetic Korean during the modern era, and I enjoyed the cameos referring to Duke, Please Repent and some other famous novels too. But now... it's just a huge mix of unserious memes and as I said, the story is supposed to enter a serious arc right now. Why does it feel that the story is becoming more and more of a children's novel?
      [collapse]
I used to like TWSB every much but as expected of novels that are stretched out with no conclusions, TWSB has lost its charm and appeal. (Even on R*dibooks which is a major platform, the reviews recently aren't positive, either). So I'll have to consider whether I should go with this novel till the end or not, sadly. <<less
17 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
PandoraTiger
PandoraTiger rated it
September 24, 2022
Status: c15
This one have potential to be a good novel but failed in the middle of the proccess because the MC itself. Weak, Naive, Passive MC that easily got riden by other character, feels like he doesnt even know what he want to do and basically just follow the plot made by other character, Basically the MC is just Omega Uke. Overall this one is not Recomended.
13 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
MentalPygmy
MentalPygmy rated it
November 23, 2021
Status: c28
TLDR: To read, and enjoy, this story you have to turn off critical thinking before you start.

While the protagonist is far from the most naïve or dense character I've read about, he's certainly naïve and dense enough to annoy anyone who invests even a moment of thought in his circumstances and choices. It has become clear that the protagonist will have a happy ending only due to the thickness of his 'plot armor.'

To make things worse, for me at least, the protagonist tolerates abusive behavior that would have throw me... more>> into a fury even if it risked my life. It makes it even more difficult to empathize with the protagonist, leading me to simply not care much about what happens. <<less
13 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Ichigoeater
Ichigoeater rated it
February 27, 2021
Status: c7
Loving it, so far! It's refreshing for multiple reasons, but I'm especially enjoying the lack of a romance tag. It's rare enough to find a story like this without a harem, but this guy ain't about them bishies at all! Really, it's the romance tag that turns an average guy in an unexpected situation, just trying to survive, into a gary stu loved by one and all, so I'm really happy that romance isn't a part of this.

Maybe that's part of the reason I feel like this is similar to... more>> my all-time favorite novel, tr*sh of the Count's Family. Jesse and Cale have very different personalities on the surface, but they also somehow have the same vibe. One thing is for sure: EatApplePies and me, we have similar tastes. <<less
13 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Kthp
Kthp rated it
August 9, 2021
Status: c31
If you are like me and reading TCF (or S Classes/ORV) wishing there was more cute family bonding, this story is for you. MC is such a sweetheart and constantly doting on/feeding the people around him; and there is NO manipulative undertone. Compared to TCF, I feel like there is more "emotional" substance. MC has a high EQ, lots of compassion, and strong morals that he puts to use as a [job you can guess by the cover photo]. He reminds me of Cale with his desperate desire to ignore... more>> all dangers/annoyances. Unlike Cale, he's already achieved his slacker life, but the protagonists/plot keep trying to drag him in.

To my fellow BL fans, you'll love this. This is obvs NOT a BL. But as a BL fan, I feel very satisfied, like I'm reading a platonic romcom between a MC and ML. Please pay attention to their palace names, bc I totally missed it
Spoiler

Romero and Juliette omg

[collapse]

It's hilarious and not ridiculous queer bait bc we are given the info early on that
Spoiler

choosing a "religious partner, " essentially a platonic, lifelong, soulmate - is a thing for royals.

[collapse]

The translation is also wonderfully done! Thank you Eats Apple Pies. <<less
12 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Spaciry
Spaciry rated it
March 30, 2021
Status: c12
I just loved it!

The protagonist is super identifiable just wanting to go unnoticed and live well to the fullest! But of course the problems have to come to him.....

He is kind and hardworking, I feel a little sorry for him being away from his family, but he is trying his best. He makes me laugh in many moments and sometimes I share his thought of wanting everything to remain calm and simple, I don't want to see such a nice person at risk.

:)
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moonrune
moonrune rated it
August 25, 2024
Status: --
I'm mildly alarmed to see people throwing around terms like "virg*n Mary" or "saint" or "Mary Sue" (inaccurate usage by the way) in a derogatory sense to describe Yeseo, but I'm just plain baffled by the idea that anyone can look at a pair of child assassins who were magically brainwashed into their mu*der attempt (and thus lacked free will or active agency in any meaningful sense) or a man who was coerced into his own by the abduction and extended torture of his child and who is clearly heartbroken... more>> by what he's been forced to do and go "Well uhh mu*der bad so they should be killed! Why would you feel bad for them? What an idiot!"

If you don't believe that understanding and compassion is what makes us human, that protecting the weak and redeeming victims of circumstance is what will save the world, what are you doing here on this earth?

Kindness is the privilege of the strong, and your heart is weak. That's all there is. You are just the type of person who sneers at the righteous because they hold a mirror up to your cowardice and you don't like what it shows you. I'm reminded of a review of a different novel I saw recently: "I was initially turned off from reading this by all the criticism that the main character was some holy saint, but now I'm convinced those people would've pointed fingers at Jesus Christ himself."

Also, on an academic level, it means you're genuinely at a lower stage of moral development. You're not gonna like that, but take it up with Kohlberg lmao <<less
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PeachBlossomBee
PeachBlossomBee rated it
January 15, 2024
Status: c117
Long review because I'm upset. I started to get a stuffy feeling in my chest around chapter 98, and I finally decided to not finish this. I didn't mind his default character setting being a kind person, but the way he acts... he's nearly in his 30s. There's something extremely frustrating about his behavior while reading the entire story, and I first I thought that the comments simply didn't understand the appeal of having a softer male lead, but it's the way that he does not effectively assert boundaries... more>> or leverage what he has in order to support healthy dynamics with others. (And SN it makes it way less plausible that he's an older sibling.)

First off,
Spoiler

when dealing with Sadie as a regular child, he never refuses or sets limits on ether absorption despite making all that fuss about proper education. A child attacks you with a knife and you don't get upset or even assert boundaries? Nothing about "I will help you, but if you continue to do XYZ I will behave ABC"? Anything? Even after when he finds out that prince Cedric is "Sadie", and the prince deliberately depletes his ether and uses his child appearance to force Jesse's hand out of pity, he doesn't even half-heal him in order to stand on principle and get a proper apology. You KNOW that's Cedric, and you know what he's up to, but you don't stand on it for some forced and half-assed he's so nice 🥺 reason! He gives in every time.

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That's not kind with a soft spot, it's a lack of backbone. As a matter of fact, he's like this with Christelle and the rest as well. He forgives and gives in too easily, so half the story is him being taken advantage of by others until some external factor forces them to reflect on their actions which are forgiven anyway. It's so annoying. It feels like everything is just happening to him, which I would be sympathetic to if it felt like he still took a stance and stuck to it despite getting beat up by life. He's always getting pushed around by the MC and the ML, despite being older or of comparative age. The MC as well is fully aware of how she should be acting, but is unnaturally immature—same with the ML who does not get enough pushback. (Jesse if your little sister has let you know he has a sh*t personality, you've seen his personality, why are you not standing your ground as much as possible to try and change at least how he treats you. You literally have what he needs, and you're the adult here. And why hadn't the Cardinal at least tried to rein him in or teach him proper communication or SOMETHING.) But again!! Initially the premise of someone not immediately knowing the information or skills and thus having to blindly fumble around to figure out what's going on was really original. But it just started to really get to me with how his resourcefulness and information gathering steeply dropped off.

I don't know how to list everything that's happened up until now, and the situation with
Spoiler

Sir Geens' hostage situation

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is like oh that's tragic whatever, I get it. For some reason he's saving an enemy again, but okay he's a kind guy. (SN: no one has a real qualitative conversation that really addresses grievances with lasting change. Where is the character development. It's apologize, status quo, rinse repeat for over a hundred chapters, and according to other reviews here there's hundreds more to go through).

What's really the last straw is
Spoiler

the way he treated Elise. Clearly she loves him and cares for him, and he knows this, and we hear sooo much about how he can't do anything to make things difficult for the real Jesse, but he avoids her and sides against her for MC+ML way too obviously, and clearly hurts her feelings. It cannot be that difficult to say a quick "after I was attacked on the border, I hurt my head lost many of my memories and I can't really recall everything. They've treated me well here so please don't worry. I know you care about me and I worry about the situation back home, what is going on?" etc! You can't make something up? He's not s*upid, so???

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The decline from awww to AW COME ON is jarring. It's really frustrating to watch him just be so dumb on purpose and have that be hand-waved under "he's being kind", there's a limit to kindness before it becomes enablement and the author refuses to make that acknowledgment! There's no balance between frustrating moments and cathartic moments in TWSB. I'm not even going into the microscopic detail that I could be. I'm just tired and I'm out. Whoever compared him to Kim Dokja or Cale Henituse is off the mark because while superficially they're all kind people, KDJ and Cale at least have a back bone. They're dense, but not s*upid, they have a goal they're working towards, and they don't let themselves be used without gaining something from it. But! They are still kind. Imagine that. 3/5, WNR. <<less
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