The transition from the MC’s internal monologue to action is smooth. He doesn’t overthink. He sees a threat and reacts. That fits a veteran from an apocalypse. No panic, just experience. It makes him feel competent without being boring.
The introduction of the Anbu and Danzo’s role is a nice touch. The conversation between Tobirama and Danzo about “needing a new knife” and Danzo’s excitement about the special assassination unit shows how Tobirama is already laying the groundwork for the darker side of Konoha. That foreshadowing is well done.
2 The visual of the jade bracelet turning into a faint ring tattoo on her wrist is a nice touch. It’s a permanent mark, a reminder that she’s connected to this space and her grandfather. It’s subtle but powerful, like a bond she can’t break.
The second branch’s fear of losing the marital alliance to the Huo family is what drives a lot of their actions. Ning Shi sees Yuan Ziyou as an obstacle to her daughter’s happiness. But also, being the second branch without sons, they depend on the goodwill of the main branch. So their plotting has an element of survival too, even if it’s selfish. That makes them more than one-dimensional villains; they have their own stakes, even if they are greedy and malicious.
As a debut work from a new author, this novel shows considerable promise and certainly has its strengths. One of the aspects I particularly appreciate is the portrayal of the main character—a non-human, malevolent skeleton—who remains true to his nature throughout the story. Unlike many other fantasy novels where characters undergo drastic moral transformations, this MC stays delightfully wicked, showing no hesitation in committing acts of ruthlessness, such as murder, for even the slightest advantage. It’s refreshing to see an anti-hero embrace their dark inclinations so fully. That said, I would rate this novel a three out of five, primarily because of its "new author" status. While there is noticeable improvement as the story progresses, it does exhibit several typical growing pains. Readers may encounter inconsistencies in the narrative, as well as a few plot points that feel forced or underdeveloped—common issues often found in early works. Furthermore, the character intelligence could use a bit of polishing; at times, characters make decisions that seem illogical or poorly founded. A few examples include the ineffective use of cavalry in dense forests or the puzzling choice of engaging in combat right in front of fortified walls. Additionally, the decision to employ piercing weapons against skeletons feels like a missed opportunity for deeper strategic thinking in battle scenarios. Overall, if you’re on the lookout for a unique blend of non-human military exploits and adventurous escapades and are willing to embrace the occasional narrative hiccup, this story is worth exploring. While the military elements are present, I believe they only represent about 30% of the overall focus. The primary narrative revolves around the skeleton's quest for survival and power, with military engagements serving as a convenient means to devour human souls—a rather intriguing premise in its own right. A note of caution, however—the "completed" tag associated with this novel appears to be misleading. According to the machine-translated site I used, there are currently 302 chapters available (different from the 297 indicated on other sites), and it seems likely that the story will ultimately stretch to around 1,000 chapters before reaching a conclusion. Those looking for a finished narrative may find themselves in for a longer read than initially anticipated. In summary, despite its rough edges, this curiosity of a novel holds potential for those who enjoy dark fantasy with a unique twist.
Is Shen Yi a cultivator? A soldier? The way he dismissed the crowd feels like he has some status, but he’s dressed simply. I’m placing my bets on him having a connection to the system somehow. It’s a good mystery to keep me reading.