I didn’t immediately get into this story because of how the protagonist came across in the beginning. He was extremely jealous of the Flame Emperor, yet also obsessively admired him. I didn’t understand it at first, especially since the Flame Emperor seemed like an absolute scumbag. Why would anyone put someone like that on a pedestal? And yet, Gong-Ja built his entire life around him—even dedicating a whole wall in his tiny apartment of photos and articles about him. But once Gong-Ja moved past his fixation and started living for himself, the story became much more engaging.
The supporting cast was fun to get to know, especially the Heretic Interrogator. They started off as simple or one-dimensional, but gradually revealed unexpected depth as the story progressed.
I also hadn’t expected the series to blend elements from different genres, which helped keep things feeling fresh. One of my favorite parts was when the characters entered the Murim world from the Chronicles of the Heavenly Demon book. That arc really cemented my appreciation for the story’s creativity and left me excited to see what would happen next.
There was also a romance arc, which is definitely a love-it-or-hate-it element. Personally, I was all for the romance between two unhinged characters because they made it work. They understood each other’s craziness, especially after all the time loops and constant deaths they had each experienced in their own lives.
If I had to point out a flaw in the romance, it would be that it felt a bit rushed and forced. However, given the characters’ ability to reset after each death, their relationship likely felt to them as though it had developed over months or even years, rather than just a few days. That detail might not be obvious to every reader, but even so, I didn’t mind it.
When I read manhwa, I’m here to enjoy the ride, not to find a flawless masterpiece. This one was fun, and if you liked Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint, you’ll probably enjoy this too. There are some similarities, but it’s not exactly the same.