2 The subplot about the crystal cores being used for energy in the aircraft is a nice touch. It shows that awakeners are not just fighters but also fuel for technology. That’s a cool way to integrate the power system into everyday life. Makes the world feel more thought out.
The panda eyes from the helicopter training had me cracking up. Here she is, preparing for the literal apocalypse, and she ends up with this ridiculous tan line that makes her look like a raccoon. It's such a human moment in all this survival prep.
The worldbuilding is pretty wild—a whole planet dedicated to students under twenty-two? That’s insane and honestly a bit dystopian when you think about it. Four billion kids fighting for scraps of resources? This isn’t some utopian academy; it’s a survival grind dressed up in sci-fi robes. I love how this setting immediately explains the intense pressure Shen Xing is under without having to spell it out in some boring lecture.
One thing I found a bit confusing was the multiple layers of worldbuilding in the first few pages. Between Strange Dream smuggling, the police force, the lower/upper city, the monsters, the technology beyond era – it's a lot to digest at once. I had to re-read some parts to make sure I understood what Strange Dream really is. But once I got into the sewer section, the lore started to feel more natural. The info dumps at the start could have been spread out a bit more.
I was really feeling for Su Ning in the opening scene. That phone call with Aunt Su hit way too close to home. The way she interrogated him about the fight with Su Yi while he couldn’t even defend himself because he knew she was technically right about his money situation... it just sets this heavy, depressing mood perfectly. You immediately understand why he feels like a failure.
I’m already thinking about the next arc. Xu Yi is in Dragon Tiger Academy with top-level resources. His goal is to kill ten Purple Zombies. The academy will probably have a ranking system, tests, and more powerful enemies. And there’s still the bigger world threat: the "Unmelting Bone" level zombies that can destroy a country. The story opened with that terrifying news report. This creates a constant, low-level dread. He might be strong now, but he’s nothing against those. This is fantastic long-term goal planning. I can see the story arc: High school test, Academy, City defense, National threat. It feels epic.
I like that the story doesn’t waste time on slow power-ups. By the second chapter, Ye Feng already has a new physique and a tier 2 wind blade skill. The pacing feels good for a start, especially when you’re itching to see him get revenge.
2 The absence of phone signal is a classic horror trope, but it's executed well here. It isolates the characters and makes every decision feel final. There's no escape, no calling for help. It's just them and the island.
The way the slum is described versus the city center across the canal is stark. You've got this filthy, run-down area with coal smoke and sewage, and then across the water, there's bright lights and yachts for the nobles. It's a classic rich vs. poor setup, but the detail of the flickering streetlights and the roar of machinery makes it feel real and gritty. Really sets the social divide.