This is actually such a great depiction of emotional abuse. To us, as outsiders, it's so obvious. And to Jooyoung it's pretty obvious too, but because of the time he's spent with that guy, and how intimately they know each other, plus his own insecurities, he can't help wondering if it's all his fault somehow. His brain is so exhausted that it doesn't know real from fake. It's incredibly sad and upsetting, but also so real in a way I didn't expect to see.
Fr this ep made me cry. Abusers are always painted as monsters in media but irl they’re just normal people. It’s hard to leave because you see just how human they are, especially when they’re not being abusive. People don’t leave because their abuser isn’t cartoonishly evil all the time, and the guilt/ attachment is real :( Jooyeong is so relatable it hurts to read
they're sooooo cuuuuuteeeeeeee eeeeeek. and they're progressing beautifully. slowly getting to know deeper things about each other, but maintaining an overall playful and teasing attitude when they can. and you can just see their feelings developing, I love it sm.
I know Shinwi is young, so I'm doing my best not to judge him too harshly. But I kind of do hope that there's a time skip, because I want to see a Shinwi with a little more emotional maturity. And frankly, I think that's what the story needs. Ban has gone through so much trauma in his life, much of which I don't think we even know about yet, and his coping strategies are self-destructive. That's really hard for another teenager to wrap his mind around and be aptly delicate toward. Hell, it's a lot for a full-grown adult. So I'd love to see Shinwi in the future, when he's had a couple years to sit on what Ban just expressed to him, and he's seen a few more things and people, so that he can meet Ban again when he's in a real place to be that support that Ban needs.
Of course, the only thing I hate about this is the idea of Ban being stuck with Ray any longer, but narratively I would kind of rather that happen than see Ban and Shinwi get into some sort of rollercoaster toxic relationship of their own, simply because they're not mature enough yet.
I'm so glad to see Na-in standing up for himself, while still understanding that others like Rue don't have the agency to do whatever they want. I think what hurts him the most about Rue is that Rue has been by his side for so long and still doesn't understand how much Na-in hates violence. He abhors it. Or perhaps Rue holds the same beliefs as Amon that Na-in just needs to get over it, essentially, by being exposed to it or some BS. But at the end of the day, it sucks when someone you've considered so close doesn't understand something to fundamental that should be obvious to them.
Also, I think Na-in is in this weird place where he sympathizes with Rue and the others for not having a choice in lying to him and taking his memory, but at the same time he can't fully forgive them. Which I think is very real. And even if he could, he would still want to keep his distance because he doesn't know if what they tell him is the truth or a lie. And that only hurts more when it's a close friend.
Honestly, I feel for them both a lot. But Rue has to get it together. If he knows Na-in at all, he should know Na-in HATES violence and that he would neverrrr want another Leshah.
If y'all can't understand that everything the ML does, he does for the MC, then just move on or smth already
Exactly, i don’t understand these peoples need to disparage the author, and complain about storytelling. Read something else!
People are out here exposing their lack of comprehension skills.
This manhwa does what I wish so many other hunterverse/guideverse stories did...it shows the emotional effects of such a traumatic world on the characters and their relationships. It's so beautiful to see how each character's experiences (positive and negative) shape their perspectives of dungeons, their identity as a hunter, and their willingness to connect with others. They constantly push each other to see things in new ways, and it's so organic and real that I can imagine people actually growing closer like this. Nothing feels rushed or forced. They argue when they don't understand each other and reflect on their mistakes when they realize why the other person reacted in a certain way. The MC is super cynical because he had to watch over a thousand people die when he was a literal child, including his best friend. He views being a hunter as some futile struggle against inevitability. The ML, conversely, is optimistic despite his childhood, because he's seen the good his powers can bring and formed lasting relationships with people he wants to fight for. It's amazing to see how they challenge each other and grow as they learn more about each other. It feels like this story really explores the human aspect of a hunterverse/guideverse story that I feel like I rarely see, at least in BL/yaoi (which never made sense to me, because how can characters go through such traumatic events then bounce back like it's nothing?).
If you haven't read A Trace of Wonder, I think you'd like it. It also deals a lot with the MC's PTSD and survivor's guilt. The Hero Wants to die novel too; it has a manhwa adaptation but it's only one season so far.
I have read it! I actually read that one first! I really loved it, but wished we could see more of the mc's and ml's feelings for each other play out at a slower pace (but that's personal preference). All in all, it was an amazing story and will always be a favorite. I will definitely have to check out that novel though!! Thank you so much for the rec!!
That’s exactly how I felt about A Trace of Wonder, it kinda felt like the feelings came out of nowhere. So I read the novel - you do see more of that there, and the side stories especially focus on their relationship. I wish the manhwa had included those!
Girl you said everything I feel about this story and why it's permanently at the top of my list
I fell like this story, and “the hunter wants to live quietly” are similar in that way! Love when the story depicts such real emotions as if they were true yk
never thought I'd find a metaphor about bananas and dicks to be kind of adorable and poetic
I mean... Nick has never been a total green flag. He was super pushy and love bomb-y getting into this relationship with Owen (putting it lightly, and besides the incident of him almost forcing Owen into bonding). Owen has always been his priority. So, if he thinks something will benefit Owen, whether in the press or for his mental health, he'll do it, fuck the consequences for anyone else. That's just Nick's whole character.
nooooooo bc now geonwu is going to have a hard time finding a job (bc discrimination and whatever other bullshit about teachers controlling uncontrollable pheromones) and taejun won't know the kid is his and there will be a million misunderstandings and UGH