This smallsnake thing is incredibly forced. While the idea and twist of him being a hidden trumpcard is cool and all, this whole arc... The smallsnake must live this, smallsnake that, the extended overlong exposition of his backstory throughout several chapters, etc... It's pretty obvious author wants to attach some importance of smallsnake to the audience's awareness. That's what feels forced. I'm all for some "zombie smallsnake" or what have the other commenters put here because the idea is really cool. It's just the implementation feels forced and it's what I'm unhappy about. This novel hasn't had such badly forced plot dynamics in a long time. I thought we were done with them. But maybe this will be later explained by Ben's (original Ren) influence.

I'm really happy with this novel and the direction it's taken since the alter Ren reveal. It's really become it's own book, and one can see how I don't leave as comments as before in the early chapters. While I did really dial in and predict the whole plot twist with alter Ren, I have just been satisfied with this novel. All in all, it's a good situation. I am looking forward to the ending.

It's not possible to get any more third rate than this. 🤣

I smell the Time Remnants influence throughout this whole concert arc. Wasn't Ren supposed to be using every spare moment to raise psyon control? Why is he here with Amanda of all people as a love triangle is established? Why did Ren show his face unknowingly to a girl that desires him. It seems alter Ren is manipulating both Ren's strength increase and relationships again....

The ultimate irony is for how much I have critiqued this novel and Ren's actions, what Ren needs now is a companion that would do the same. He needs someone to check him when his logic goes off the rails so that he can overcome alter Ren's manipulation. Aside from that, acting as normal would be enough. He needs to get stronger.

There is also a lot of, "Give up! I won't let you control me," type of dynamic between alter Ren and Ren just for the sake of conflict. They still haven't had a heart to heart, exchanging important information, where they could come to a mutually beneficial understanding.

I understand now. Alter Ren has prepared everything to save the world with the least loss to Ren. Every life lost went into meticulous calculation and preparation for the best possible result. And now our current Ren, for no logical reason other than pettiness and rebellion is attempting to undo this tremendous work. Ultimately current Ren is unknowing that this will doom everyone.... So, alter Ren is engaging in an elaborate game of chess with himself to defeat the demon lord and save the world. I feel like this is the core dynamic, presently.

Let's see how tired you are now, Ren. You have forgotten this isn't a world where you can just rest. This is a world where every single available moment must be applied to training, increasing your rank and proficiency, in the goal of reaching the highest possible attainable rank for the slim margin of a chance that you will be able to overcome the demon lord and survive. This is a world where death is around every corner. It is the plot you wrote; you were aware of it... But it seems alter Ren must have addled your mind because you have forgotten and now shall pay the equivalent price. .... Excuse the monologue. 👀

This is definitely off. Why would Ren direct her to the red book? Is this another matter of the Time Remnants influence?

This is off. Why would Ren give her this information?

Ren right now.

The Indifferent Monarch (Alter Ren) is entering the story like. But now we need an explanation of who was protecting Kevin from the Time Remnant in his dream.

I will fix you.

Author, I owe you something for this exciting development. Let's make sure I do not forget. I really like the introduction of the Time Remnant here and the explanation of a major plot twist. Moreover if Monarch Indifference is truly a skill, it is a sentient and self aware ability. That is unprecedented. In order to move forward Ren will need to overcome the self that is Monarchs Indifference. Much like how Shinigami in Bleach have to face and understand their blade to reach Bankai. That's going to be something, but now what will happen with the whole forced plot for Kevin to have hatred to Ren?

Two words. Eren Yeager.

How convenient that the high grade potions which can heal just about every feasible injury are not applicable to Emma's injury. If author doesn't use the Time Remnant to explain this, I am a bit speechless. I understand we want character development but after 419 chapters of this book, the only way to have it still is by forced, unnatural actions, and creating loopholes around established rules of the novel's world. It's a bit frustrating how these events could have been written differently and more smoothly. So, hopefully it can be later explained as the influence of the Time Remnant.

Aaron is a worthy villain, but this is forced. He one shot her while having his mental state deranged. Emma was unable to counter? She was written similar to TNE's Nayun at the beginning of this novel who is easily one of the strongest characters. There is no way she is this weak. It needs to be explained.

This plot point is extremely forced. Emma should have been prepared against Aaron's signature skill. She is abnormally weak here as if this whole setup is meant for Kevin's character development and building him a grudge against Ren... I wonder if author will attribute this outcome to the influence of the Time Remnant as well.

Well played author. now every forced plot or action in the previous novel chapters now has an underlying reason.

So, I am learning slowly the reason the author doesn't explain the changing behavior of monarchs indifference is because he would like to point it out at a later chapter. But I will point it out now that the skill is becoming a passive ability and its triggers have majorly changed. It used to run until his mana ran to zero, now it runs only for how long its needed. It used to completely change his personality and overtake his reasoning. Now, it supplements his thoughts. The chess piece thinking Ren has is associated with use of this skill. If we have noticed, this is now normally how he thinks. He's not using the skill and it influences his thoughts. It has been increasing his mental aptitude and ability to make complex plans. Even Waylan was impressesed. So, monarchs indifference is supposed to be a G Rank active skill and the reason it is so is because of mana cost and that it is not a passive ability. If it were passive, it would be ranked much higher. Currently, this is a passive ability with an active component that is still evolving. Author hasn't explained it yet, but I am noticing each time the activation or deactivation conditions change.