The Story in 3 Sentences
Cain, a high school dropout with health issues, awakens in a fantasy world after what he thought was character creation for a VR game, finding himself transported alongside hundreds of other unsuspecting people with no way to return home.
His accidental selection of the Random Character Creation option grants him the unique Puppet Master class—a summoning specialization nobody in this world has ever encountered—forcing him to pioneer his own path without instructions or guidance.
This second chance becomes a journey of discovery as Cain navigates dungeon crawling, party dynamics, and the surprising realities of a world that operates like the games he loved, but with permanent consequences and genuine relationships.
Why It Stands Out
1. The Relaxed Progression Fantasy
Unlike most system novels that thrive on constant tension and life-or-death stakes, this story establishes itself as a comfortable, low-stress reading experience where the focus is on enjoyable progression rather than desperate survival, offering readers a perfect escape from more intense narratives .
2. The Innovative Summoning System
The Puppet Master class presents a fresh take on summoning mechanics, moving beyond traditional necromancy or beast taming to something entirely unique within the genre, allowing for creative problem-solving and diverse gameplay styles that remain engaging throughout the story .
3. The Found Family Dynamic
At its heart, the novel explores building meaningful relationships in a new world, with Cain’s party members becoming closer than family through shared experiences, providing a wholesome foundation that keeps readers invested in character interactions as much as progression .
Characters That Leave a Mark
There’s Vala - A dedicated warrior who grows alongside Cain from their early dungeon adventures, representing the reliable companionship and shared growth that comes from facing challenges together in an unfamiliar world .
And Nemu? She’s the Felian race member whose distinctive cat-like features and personality add cultural diversity to the group, embodying the novel’s theme of finding family in unexpected places and through unusual circumstances .
The Flaws Fans Debate
The novel’s extremely relaxed pace and lack of high-stakes conflict frustrate some readers who prefer more tension and dramatic urgency in their progression fantasy, making the story feel directionless at times .
Many reviewers note the minimal character development and world-building, with the narrative often telling rather than showing important information and leaving much of the setting’s lore unexplored despite the lengthy chapter count .
The writing quality receives criticism for occasional grammatical errors, abrupt scene transitions, and repetitive descriptions that some readers compare to machine translations in certain sections of the story .
Must-Experience Arcs
Ch. 1-50: The Accidental Beginning – The foundational arc where Cain awakens in the new world, discovers his unique class capabilities, forms his initial party, and comes to terms with the permanent nature of his transportation .
Ch. 200-250: Dungeon Mastery – A significant progression arc where Cain and his party tackle more challenging dungeon content, developing advanced strategies and unlocking new summoning capabilities that showcase the Puppet Master class’s full potential .
Ch. 600-650: World Exploration – The expansive arc where the party ventures beyond familiar territories, encountering diverse cultures and creatures while solving larger-scale problems that test their teamwork and individual growth .
Killer Quotes
“A small spider Kin in a fancy silk dress comes down the stairs. ‘Greetings, I am Princess Aramia, your surety for this agreement. My life is in your hands.’”
“Just wait, we can do better, and if we can’t, then you can pick it after we have failed to find a faster growth path.”
“You meet a Sect Master on your own cultivation level, you should bow before him and greet him with reverence… You don’t know that. We don’t even know if that world has mana… preparing for any eventuality so that you can come back safely…”
Cultural Impact
The novel has sparked discussion within webnovel communities about the value of relaxed, low-stakes progression fantasies versus more intense survival-oriented stories, creating a distinct niche for readers seeking comfortable escapism .
It developed a dedicated following that appreciates its focus on dungeon crawling and party dynamics without excessive drama, with fans often recommending it as a “palate cleanser” between more stressful reads .
The story became a reference point in conversations about Western-style game system novels, particularly noted for its lack of “arrogant young masters” and more collaborative approach to conflict resolution .
Final Verdict
Start Here If You Want:
A comfortable, low-stress progression fantasy that prioritizes enjoyable mechanics and character interactions over life-or-death stakes and constant tension.
An innovative take on summoning-based magic systems that explores creative class capabilities without falling into traditional tropes.
A story about building found family and meaningful relationships in a new world, with focus on camaraderie.
Study If You Love:
The relaxed dungeon crawling of series like Bofuri, where the joy of discovery takes precedence over conflict.
The party dynamics and game-like mechanics of Log Horizon but with more personal focus on adaptation.
The innovative system exploration of The Legendary Mechanic but with a softer approach to conflict.
Avoid If You Prefer:
Stories with high stakes, intense drama, and constant life-or-death situations.
Complex character development and intricate world-building with deep lore dives.
Hard-edged progression fantasies where protagonists face significant setbacks and struggle for every advancement.
