The Story in 3 Sentences
Mark Vanitas lives as an average superhuman in City A, spending his days skipping classes and hunting anima with friends, until a hidden power he sacrificed years ago suddenly awakens alongside a mysterious System interface that promises unparalleled growth and terrifying responsibility .
His awakening coincides with the resurgence of world-threatening anima attacks, forcing him to navigate dangerous missions, complex relationships, and the lingering legacy of KING—the legendary superhuman who sacrificed himself to save humanity four years earlier .
As Mark ascends through superhuman ranks, he uncovers devastating truths about his own past, the true nature of the System, and the cosmic forces manipulating their reality, transforming from an ordinary student into a pivotal figure in humanity’s struggle for survival .
Why It Stands Out
1. The Emotional System Integration
Unlike conventional system novels where game mechanics feel detached from narrative, this story seamlessly blends Mark’s emotional journey with his power progression, making each system notification and stat increase reflect his psychological state and personal growth rather than mere numerical advancement . The System serves as both a catalyst for action and a window into Mark’s evolving psyche, creating a unique synergy between character development and power fantasy that resonates deeply with readers seeking more than just level-ups.
2. Grounded Power Fantasy Amid Cosmic Stakes
Despite the increasingly cosmic scale of threats, the novel maintains a grounded focus on human relationships and personal struggles, ensuring that even world-ending conflicts feel personal and emotionally impactful . This balance between intimate character moments and epic superhero action creates a compelling dynamic where every battle has emotional weight, and every power-up comes with meaningful character development rather than empty spectacle.
3. The Legacy Narrative Done Right
The shadow of KING’s sacrifice hangs over the entire narrative, creating a rich tapestry of legacy, expectation, and the psychological burden of heroism that elevates the story beyond typical power fantasies . Mark’s journey isn’t just about becoming powerful—it’s about understanding what true heroism means in a world still grieving its greatest champion, and whether he can forge his own path while honoring the past.
Characters That Leave a Mark
There’s Arit Clayborn – the fiercely possessive and powerful yandere love interest whose intense devotion to Mark borders on dangerous obsession, yet reveals unexpected vulnerability and emotional depth that makes her both terrifying and sympathetic .
You’ll meet KING, the legendary superhuman whose sacrifice saved humanity four years earlier and whose legacy continues to shape the world through flashbacks, memories, and the immense expectations placed on Mark as his potential successor .
And QUEEN? They’re the mysterious figure from Mark’s past who reemerges with crucial knowledge about his abilities and the System, serving as both mentor and manipulator with agendas that remain tantalizingly unclear until critical moments .
The Flaws Fans Debate
The novel’s pacing receives significant criticism for being inconsistently slow, with lengthy slice-of-life segments spanning 50+ chapters followed by rapid advancement sequences that can feel unearned and disjointed from the established narrative flow .
Mark’s moral compass generates considerable discussion, as his characterization shifts between genuine heroism and opportunistic self-interest without clear narrative justification, leaving readers divided on whether this represents nuanced character development or inconsistent writing .
The implementation of harem elements creates narrative tension, particularly because Arit’s established personality as a possessive yandere logically contradicts the introduction of additional romantic interests, forcing what many fans perceive as character inconsistencies to accommodate the harem premise .
Must-Experience Arcs
Ch. 1-85: The Awakening and Revelation – This foundational arc establishes Mark’s initial powers, introduces key characters including Arit, and culminates in the shocking revelation of his connection to KING, setting the emotional and narrative foundation for the entire story .
Ch. 324-455: The Island Mission – A critically acclaimed extended mission that tests Mark’s abilities and morality through prolonged conflict, difficult choices, and substantial character growth while introducing major world-building elements about anima origins and superhuman politics .
Ch. 789-853: The Cosmic Convergence – The epic finale where all narrative threads converge as Mark confronts the true architects of the System and anima threats, making ultimate sacrifices and decisions that redefine reality itself and determine humanity’s future .
Killer Quotes
“Mark! Mark, we can talk about this! I can just go! I don’t plan to come after you or your family! I won’t even bother you again! I’ll just live like a hermit in the mountains or something!”
“If you were incapable of creating a worthy challenge in all the time you had, then you do not deserve to live. I should have destroyed you already, but I am giving you a chance to prove your worth to me”
“I told you at the start of all this that I would make sure you regret this, didn’t I? You sent assassins after my family, Salazar and that is a line you should not have crossed. You are not going to enjoy this.”
Cultural Impact
The novel has generated significant discussion regarding its unique approach to harem tropes, with fans passionately debating the ethical implications and narrative validity of multiple romantic interests within a story featuring a possessive yandere protagonist .
Fight scenes have been widely praised across platforms like Webnovel and Reddit for their cinematic quality and easy visualizability, with many readers specifically highlighting them as among the best on the platform for their dynamic choreography and emotional weight .
The WebNovel Spirity Awards 2024 Silver Winner recognition demonstrates significant platform impact, reflecting both reader engagement and the novel’s standing within the web novel community despite its controversial elements .
Final Verdict
Start Here If You Want:
A power progression story that balances explosive superhero action with genuine emotional depth, where every level-up feels earned and every battle has personal stakes beyond just saving the world.
A complicated romance narrative that explores obsessive love, moral ambiguity in relationships, and the psychological complexities of connection in a high-stakes supernatural environment.
A legacy narrative that thoughtfully examines what happens after the great hero sacrifices himself, and how the next generation both honors and rebels against that monumental inheritance.
Study If You Love:
Analyzing how game-like systems can be integrated into narrative to enhance rather than diminish character development and emotional resonance in fantasy storytelling.
Exploring the psychological dimensions of heroism and how different narratives approach the concept of sacrifice, legacy, and the moral burdens of power.
Examining the evolution of harem tropes in modern web fiction and how contemporary authors attempt to add depth and justification to what has traditionally been a superficial genre convention.
Avoid If You Prefer:
Tightly paced narratives without detours, as this novel features extensive slice-of-life segments and mission arcs that some readers find unnecessarily prolonged.
Clear-cut moral protagonists who consistently operate from ethical principles, as Mark’s morality shifts situationally in ways that some readers find frustratingly inconsistent.
Stories with minimal romantic elements or simple romantic resolutions, as the complex harem dynamics and intense relationship conflicts form a central pillar of the narrative throughout.
