Title: 귀환했는데 입대 전날이다
This is a work that has been adapted into a webtoon.
The novel concluded with 212 chapters as of October 6, 2021, on Naver Series, with the first 25 chapters available for free.
Brief Plot Summary:
Kim Min-jun, who was forcibly summoned to another world, Isgard, ends up as a black mage, one of the most despised roles in the world. He rises to the strongest position and, in order to return to Earth and resume his “game,” he successfully returns to his original world.
Once back, Min-jun plans to enjoy his life by downloading games and indulging in Earth’s pleasures. However, in the two years he spent in Isgard, the number of dungeons and monsters on Earth drastically increased, and South Korea has implemented a five-year mandatory military service policy, with the penalty for refusal being life imprisonment.
At the age of 21, Kim Min-jun must enlist, and the day is tomorrow. After much contemplation, the protagonist decides to enlist in the military as part of the Hunter Corps, earning rank and fame, while planning to destroy all the dungeons and pursue the game of his dreams.
The novel follows Min-jun’s journey as he enlists, conquers dungeons, rises through military ranks, and changes along the way.
Analysis and Positive Aspects:
The most compelling aspect of this novel is the writing itself. I came across the webtoon by chance and, upon discovering the novel, was immediately drawn in. While I will mention the flaws in the “Disappointments” section, I still believe this novel has a certain charm that kept me hooked despite numerous errors.
It is a typical “Munchkin” story where the protagonist is overwhelmingly stronger than everyone else (except for a few villains at the end). The author maximizes the strengths of the overpowered protagonist, reducing frustrating developments, and instead focuses on the growth aspects such as combat and training, making the story thrilling.
Additionally, the novel is relatively short, with a total of 212 chapters, making it more accessible than many other novels of similar genre. The pacing is quick, and the author seems to have made an effort to consistently provide fresh stimuli, which is why I kept pressing “Next” to read on.
Lastly, the title is quite clever. While it might be more appealing to those who have served in the military, I believe anyone who has served will likely be intrigued by the title and will definitely check out the first chapter.
Disappointments:
The most significant downside is the frequent errors and inconsistencies. There are numerous typos, especially in important parts like character names and ranks, which can be jarring. In addition, some plot points or explanations contradict each other as the story progresses, leaving readers confused at times.
Another disappointment is the lack of explanation in some areas. While the fast-paced progression and avoidance of frustrating, drawn-out plot points is a strength, there are moments where additional context would have been beneficial. Even in a “Munchkin” story, some level of explanation is necessary, and its absence can cause readers to feel that the story lacks coherence.
Final Verdict:
Given the errors and inconsistencies in the story, I wouldn’t recommend this to readers who are particularly sensitive to such issues or who dislike stories where the protagonist is essentially the only one who matters. However, if you’ve read the free chapters and found the story enjoyable, I believe it’s worth continuing to the end.
Tags: #ModernFantasy #Fantasy #Military #Isekai #Soldier #Hunter #Munchkin #Genius #WebNovel #Webtoon #Game
