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I actually really enjoyed the side couples, they got good dynamics and were consensual from the start; there's no doubt about their consent even if they got some kinks.
As someone from the community, like wtf; kept reading for the side couples because WHAT.
Alright, let’s review this:
Disclaimer: This story contains depictions of r*pe, gang r*pe, s*xual abuse/harassment, manipulation, etc.
Story/Pacing:
The pacing wasn’t bad, and while the story itself isn’t anything extraordinary, the plot involving the pearls was interesting. Reading it felt like a repetitive game of cat and mouse—it just kept going in circles. I also have to agree with one commenter: there are far too many r*pe scenes. I found them unnecessary, and it left a bad taste in my mouth that after nearly every abuse/r*pe scene, the main couple ends up having s*x as if nothing happened. More than anything, the story seems overloaded with s*x and r*pe scenes.
I’m not saying there’s no plot—there is. It follows the typical “I’m in debt, so I have to sell my body, but here comes the MC to the rescue” trope.
Characters:
To be honest, I don’t have much to say about the protagonists. I found both of them frustratingly bad at communicating, which is a common flaw in many stories.
However, Pilwon was a very interesting antagonist. I really liked the way he was written.
Would I recommend it?
Not really. I read it because of the hype and because it was finally completed. The story is extremely toxic and contains a lot of r*pe—which, while I can tolerate to a degree, felt overused and often unnecessary. There were many scenes and plot points that seemed to exist without real purpose.
Also, don’t mistake Doshik for a green flag.
I’m writing this as a warning for anyone thinking of giving it a try: the story revolves around an MC who belongs to an extremely controlling faction that uses brainwashing as a core tactic. So if, like me, you don’t have a brain big enough to follow intense political scheming, deception and all the layers that come with it (and no, we’re not talking about a simple “I got kicked out of the party so now I’ll get revenge” type of plot), this might not be for you.
I’m not a psychologist, but I’m pretty sure that people who are emotionally sensitive or mentally vulnerable should not read this. That said, if you’re someone who enjoys complex, high-level political intrigue mixed with wartime scheming, then you might be the kind of big-brain reader who can truly appreciate this story.