First off, love everything u just said, second there’s another story I’ve read where the ML is a psychopath all the way through and i believe it showed the nature of a psychopath accurately, it’s called “The Beast Must Die” honestly one of my favourites, although the ML does “care” for the MC to some extent he is not capable of loving him
I remember the main novel show taeui never like having sex with him but in the sequel novel, there's a reminiscent scene where taeui first time actually enjoying doing it with him. From that on he actually okay with it.
Ilay being crazy is realistic, he been like that since he's born so idk why people expect him to change
I feel like taeui did lose a lot being with him tho
I have read it too! Love stories that are unapologetically fucked up. There are non-violent psychopaths or people with psychopathic traits who aren't fully psychopaths. It's a spectrum so it's interesting and IMPORTANT to read such stories too. People think being an asshole or a criminal is psychopathic behaviour but they're literally wired differently. They aren't made, they're born that way. And even though it's FUCKED UP to a level you cannot even comprehend it, reading stories which show realism in this way and the fact that you can fall in love with their charm and get addicted to their form of affection is so true.
One doesn't need to gloriy it but stories like this which show realism of psychopathic can be used as awareness too. For all his faults and all that shit, he doesn't change but adjusts and adapts. The manhwa has humanised him a lot more than in the novel. Ilay too "cares" for Taeui but his own needs always overpower the needs of Taeui but that's how he's born so what can you do lol.
Taeui had chances to abandon him, though it was never gonna happen, but he accepted him. That scene of him choosing Ilay over shinra at the beach said it all. This story isn't good or bad, it's just a thoroughly entertaining read. And I don't mean jumping up and down with joy kind, just being so enveloped in the story and characters that you find yourself reading it on and on. The angst arc is top notch that I was actually missing Ilay lol like Taeui and waiting to come rescue his damsel in distress but when he did come, I was just like Taeui, "HOLY FUCK that is your abuser coming to take youuuu running bitch runn." Lolol.
I completely agree. And I remember that, but the entire story i could not enjoy their intimate scene EVEN AFTER they got together because it just seemed so painful to read. But can't blame Ilay - he's a psychppath and he has an elephant dong lmaooo - worst combination.
I also don't agree with proper who expect him to change lol.but also I don't agree with fans of this novel or manhwa who defend or stan or praise him. Like... no. He is an interesting character as he is and what he is a fucking crazy psychopath and a rapost and abuser and murderer and on and on it goes. And he's hot too. And sexy. So i guess simping is unavoidable. It's the Christian Grey syndrome lmao. If he was ugly, this would be a crime novel.
You have such a way with words
Lol thank you, madame. *tips hat*
Blahahah the way I imaged a discord mod with a fedora just then
I read the novel ages ago, back when serialisation has just started of this manhwa, and what I remember is this: Ilay never changed, there was no character arc for him. Which is realistic I guess. People like him don't change. He just adjusted a little bit, but what bothered me TILL the end of the story is that Taeui never once enjoyed sex with him - not once. They've toned it down a lot for the manhwa but in the novel - not once was it not forced and painful and traumatic for him, even after they got together.
This might be the only bl I have seen in which Ilay was a psychopath all the way through, he wasn't humanised, he wasn't transformed by the power of love and friendship lol. I guess this is why I kinda liked the story but mostly it was an acid trip.
My favourite arc would be is the angst arc of course. That shit gets me in every damn toxic story. The angst and chasing arc and missing you to moon and back and "you are mine" etc. Ilay is a psychopath and personally wouldn't wish him on my worst enemy but he certainly makes for an entertaining read.
I feel bad for Taeui so much. He literally gets kidnapped to be away from Ilay and avoids getting rescued by him because he knows he will get raped again or worse captured by Ilay for running away from him. That shit broke my heart. Holding off reading the manhwa, but I'd suggest readers to go for the novel, the atmosphere of the novel is pretty entertaining nd imaginative- like locations and plot twists and etc.