in the novel, there was the main ending, where the mc ended up with hina (we all collectively ignore this one), and then the alternate endings, where the mc ends up with each of them individually
the way the story was set up is just like an otome game, where you can choose different endgames. it isn't just a straight ending yall, please
ps. shirousa was one of the endgames
Honestly, if I had to compare the manhwa to the novel, the manhwa does a good job with the main storyline but lacks the depth and detail of the original novel. For example, while it adapted the plot correctly, it missed out on some key details of the characters' interactions and Daejun’s POV (of him grieving and feeling a sense of loss from Hajin's death especially) .
When I was reading the novel, it felt somewhat fast-paced (probably because it was so enjoyable) but in the manhwa, even with the same storyline, the pacing felt too slow. Even the members' interactions felt interesting in the novel, but in the manhwa, it felt somewhat lucklustre? That was probably because, even though the art is good, it didn't fully capture the novel's emotional depth.
And although we don't see much of Daejun at the beginning in both versions, his presence still lingered as the male lead in the novel.
That said, I really love how Hajin and Daejun's relationship developed. The tension between them was UNREAL, especially how Daejun slowly broke the walls of Hajin and how Hajin gradually realised how much Daejun meant to him as someone who only knew 'him'.
Long story short, read the novel if you're still interested ><
guys trust
he had a full stone face in the novel, that's why he was called a monster cos it looked so unrealistic and made people feel a sense of aversion to him, and that's also why the mc was the only one who feels comfortable and likes his face cos she's a golem master and likes stone.
for some reason, manago deleted half of my comment
honestly, it wasn't bad but the wife bro at that point I feel like the author just wanted to make it seem like the ml wasn't that bad because it was such a bad and abrupt plot twist.... and her saying "Forgive him for my sake" BITCH, WHY WOULD HE FORGIVE HIM FOR YOUR SAKE??? IT'S ALL ABOUT HIS FEELINGS NOT YOU GIRLY











This is just a guess, but Mikhail may have been secretly toxic from the very beginning.
I reread the prologue, where Martina was describing the Pillars of the Nations, and she had specifically described Mikhail as a "sweet yet secretive secretary who controls everything around me."
This either means he had been secretly controlling from the very beginning while Martina was unaware, or he just changed after betraying her, making his reason for betrayal the very purpose of "controlling" her after she had been weakened, just like her brother (ew).
ANYWAYS, #SLIME MIKHAIL. Can't believe this man forcibly kissed her, abruptly confessed his love after suddenly acting all distant and depressed, then didn't even let her process the feeling, and just dipped. Then, he even had the audacity to show up in an event, not just alone, BUT next to her BROTHER, and WITH NO GLASSES. The VERY GLASSES he had because he said he would only show his bare face to her, but even so, we never even saw him without his glasses in all the chapters he's alone with her (THIS FREAKING LIAR).
Always happy to see other readers insulting Mikhail. You can go on lmao