Sometimes the character reactions feel a bit samey. Everyone in the Control Room is shocked all the time. While it becomes a running joke and works comedically, I do wish there was a bit more variety in their responses. Not every development needs to be groundbreaking to them. But it’s a minor complaint because the humor lands most of the time.
The story does a great job making me sympathize with Ji Shuyin’s situation despite her being a privileged heiress. When the backdrop of her failed study abroad plans and her family’s downfall is revealed, I feel for her even more. She’s lost everything and now has to fight for scraps.
Banyue's internal monologue about not hating anyone because "in this apocalypse where everyone was looking out for themselves, no one wanted to carry a ticking time bomb" – that's some heavy rationalization. She's clearly hurting but trying to understand their perspective. But that just makes the betrayal worse because she's being too understanding. I wanted her to rage more, to scream at them. Her composure is heartbreaking.
The part where the group encounters the "Shadow Miasma" in the forest region genuinely gave me anxiety. The way the darkness reacts to fear and slowly corrupts surroundings is such a classic but well-executed horror trope. Made my heart race a bit while reading.