Honest reviews are here..
[Extreme Spoiler Alert]
This is a story of MC who transmigrated into a magical world where he possessing a body of orphan teenager who on his way to Awakening place. This world is occupied by Human race UNTIL the invaders from otherworld come. These otherworld races called Celestial Race (the wings and eyes galore race) and the Hypogeans (creatures with horns and human called them Demon).
The Revenants are a group of mysterious individuals coming from both the Hypogean and Celestial Race. They are the scourge of Humanity, bandits who worked together for the sake of profit. Most of the time, it is said that they're hostile to each other due to their innate differences, yet they were united due to their insatiable desire to eat human flesh.
The human race is considered as oh-so-frail and weak and helpless race. Against these race, humans are helpless. Fortunately, the world had seen human sufferings.. It heard all the grievances that humans forcibly swallowed. And it granted the deepest wishes that all humans want. A chance. That's what humans finally received.
A chance to push back the aggressors and a chance to carve a piece of this world for humans. Spiritual Root, Martial Spirit, and Providence. That's the gift that Gaia, world consciousness gave to Humanity.. Since you're a modern person, this would be your Physique/Mageroot, Battle Spirit/Magical Artifact, and Providence/Destiny's Qi.
There were groups who united under the same banner, sharing the ideals of never giving up until Humanity rises up and becomes strong enough to push back the invaders. These people are the Dawn of Hope Federation. As for those who gave up, well, they called "losers" during those time. Both have the same goal, for "human survivability," but their approach toward the goal are different.
The Dawn of Hope Federation raised an army. It was a glorious era where there'd be expeditions left and right. There were many casualties, but the resources we accumulated rose to an all-time high. This group was the one responsible for building the foundations of modern human society.
The Dawn of Hope Federation had a lasting history and a glorious streak of achievements, but like they said: "One bad apple is enough to spoil the entire harvest." The fault lies in the number of casualties humans suffered under the hands of the Celestials and Hypogeans.
As the bodies piled up, the mentality of the battle-hardened warriors was getting worse and worse as time passed. Eventually, the whole purpose of the Dawn of Hope Federation was tinted. 'Working hard for the sake of a brighter tomorrow' became 'a battle of attrition'. Eventually, it turned into simple 'Endurance'.
As their eyes became clouded by too much bloodshed, they were unable to see the faint rays of hope that appeared on the horizon. It only became worse when a group of strong Celestials and Hypogeans gave Humanity an "Ultimatum".
Hope was dashed as soon as it appeared. The Dawn of Hope's purpose crumbled beneath their feat, and a pact was made. This is when the internal strife began. "Losers" influences started to grow wider. Humans finally succumbed, and they begin to raise fat, fat sheep for the Celestials and Hypogeans to enjoy. Just like how we raise a cow to become our delicacies, that is how Celestials and Hypogeans see at humans.
In exchange, Humans can enjoy their peace in this little bubble (Doom: Human "safe house") they have for themselves. Who are these fat sheep you ask? Well...turn to Humanity History Books. Count until you reach the 101st Hero you see recorded in there... Starting from that person until the very recent one, those are the sheep that I'm talking about. Only the 1st until 100th Hero are the real Humanity hero who truly against the invaders.
This all sounds bad if I put it this way, but it doesn't mean that the "losers" like doing this either. They stated it as 'Enduring Victory'. Those politicians are two-faced people, old and sly foxes, but most of them genuinely meant well.
By catering to the demands of the enemies to honour the pact and by playing the role of being the antagonist to their race, these bastards were able to hide their true intentions to fool those stupid invaders. They might've sacrificed the Heroes they raised, but it doesn't mean that they're forgotten all Heroes contributed to humanity as a whole.
In truth, with excellent acting that could even fool themselves, they managed to save everything that the heroes contributed to Humanity right the nose of those pesky invaders.
Ch1-Ch60 - Introduction of the novel (superb slow pace)..
Ch60 - Everything changes.. The story flips 180 degrees suddenly..
Ch64 - All MC secret exposed to his girlfriend..
Ch87 - 3 months since he was on the Outer World Zone.. he slowly increases his strength.. (steady pace)
Ch94 - 6 months since he is on the Outer World zone.. His strength started to increase faster. (Steady pace)
Ch122 - 1 year since he was on the Outer World zone.. (steady pace)
Ch129 - 2 years since he was on the Outer World zone.. (steady pace)
Ch139 - 3 years since he was on the Outer World zone.. He almost reached the level of OP.. (steady pace)
Ch142 - 5 years since he was on the Outer World zone.. He has become super OP.. (steady pace)
Ch152 - Return to home, the "fake" save zone for Humanity.. (slow pace)
Ch164 - party function activated.. MC started sharing his golden finger, "system" with other people.. MC goal is to become a sponsor for other people, so while they do the work, he sit back and watch from behind..
This is where the story becomes boring as the system only rewards MC as he sponsors his "party" member.. Sponsor here means that MC gives as many opportunities, items, techniques, weapons, skills, and so on to make his people stronger.. Remember the word "Humanity Strongest Backer" in the title, it kinda mean he will act as a rich sponsor to his party member, sharing his golden finger - the system and many more..
I hate the idea of "sharing power" or "nakama power," which is the reason I stopped reading many novels due to these reasons.. Well, the novel is quite good and nice. Unfortunately, it has become the type of novel that I hate starting Ch164.. I would rate this novel 5 stars from Ch1 until Ch164.. I no longer have any interest in this novel after Ch.164..
Well, it kinda my fault for misunderstanding the title of this novel.. I thought, when the author wrote "Idle mage: Humanity's Strongest Backer" as it title, it is mean that MC is the "mysterious guys" who keep his identity a secret and always helped Humanity behind the scene or in secret.. So, I am sure someone might love these "sharing power" or "nakama power," so good luck..
*My inner thought: 'why, why, why this story goes toward that direction, it make me upset and heartbroken 💔'