After Returning from the Infinite Game

The world always has those protagonist-like individuals—escaping from horror games, bearing the responsibility to save the world from monsters alongside their companions. Due to such and such reasons, they have no choice but to live in ordinary citizens’ homes, outwardly portraying themselves as typical high school students while secretly battling monsters and leveling up. And the ordinary citizens are ordinary but kind, always tolerant of the protagonist’s late returns, providing a gentle sanctuary. Jiang Yujin, however, is the antithesis of that ordinary citizen. Running a struggling business, living an unkempt life, the protagonist attends school by day, fights monsters after school, and even returns home to do his laundry and cook for Jiang Yujin. Yet even a laid-back person needs to turn things around. Despite financial deficits, Jiang Yujin briefly stands tall. While the protagonist battles monsters, he helps someone find their lost cat. While the protagonist tirelessly protects the school from monsters, Jiang Yujin is involved in romantic escapades with the Special Investigation Unit for Strange Species (?!). While the protagonist hunts for clues behind the scenes, Jiang Yujin, with a small skirt in hand, pretends to be a rich lady in an online romance scam. When the protagonist and allies face a major monster, Jiang Yujin… well, he stays up all night playing mahjong and ends up lying dead drunk at his doorstep. When the protagonist finds themselves in a precarious situation… The dead lying at the doorstep vanished. —— Beside the massive monster’s corpse, in front of the protagonist’s group, a man with snow-white hair blowing backward, holding a blade stained with threads of blood. Amidst the silence, Jiang Yujin, the ordinary citizen, lowers his eyes, bending slowly with the blade’s support: “Urgh—” Surely shouldn’t have had those two drinks after playing mahjong. Protagonist’s group: “…” — — Xu Tonggui, captain of the Special Investigation Unit, known as the living Yama in everyone’s eyes, a workaholic whose life revolves only around his job. Everyone thought he would remain a lifelong bachelor. Even the members of the Special Investigation Unit believed so. Until one day, they saw their captain pinning down someone whose hair was so disheveled it covered their face, gritting his teeth as he asked in a low voice, “Drinking again?” The hair covering half the face was lifted by a large palm, and the person pinned down on the car glanced sideways— That day, the members of the Special Investigation Unit understood two things: Never underestimate someone who seems unkempt. The captain has a damn good eye. — — #A chronicle of an unreliable adult suddenly becoming reliable, but not entirely# #Your guardian is still your guardian# #The man behind the high schooler saving the world#

Original Publisher

jjwxc

Original Language

chinese

Type

Web Novel

## My Thoughts on After Returning from the Infinite Game "After Returning from the Infinite Game" is a novel that surprised me. Going in, I wasn't sure what to expect, but I quickly found myself drawn into its quirky world and the unusual life of its main character. It's a blend of action, comedy, and a dash of romance, all wrapped up in a supernatural setting. ### First Impressions The initial chapters threw me for a loop. The story dives right in, and it takes a little while to get your bearings. The synopsis is a bit deceptive, as the narrative takes place *after* the collapse of the infinite flow game. Our MC is a former top player, now living a seemingly ordinary life as a lazy, gossiping drunkard, much like Gintoki from Gintama, which I found pretty amusing! ### What Works Well What I enjoyed most was the unique dynamic between the MC and his adopted son. It's a refreshing twist on the typical found-family trope, with the son often acting as the responsible one. The MC's laid-back personality is also a highlight. He's not your typical hero striving to save the world; he's just trying to get by, which makes him relatable and endearing. The mysteries surrounding the Infinite Game are intriguing, and the reveals, though somewhat delayed, are satisfying. I also appreciated how the author gradually unveils the MC's past, adding depth to his character. The story also has a slice-of-life feel, particularly in the earlier parts, with the focus on the relationship between father and son. ### Areas of Concern The romance is definitely a subplot, almost an afterthought. If you're expecting a central love story, you might be disappointed. The world-building, while interesting, could have been more fleshed out. I wanted more details about the Infinite Game and the creatures that came from it. Some might find the characters a bit shallow, with the exception of the MC, but this didn't bother me too much. The writing is also a bit stilted at times, which could be due to the translation. ### ⚠️ Spoiler Warning The following contains potential spoilers about the plot and character relationships. The MC and ML were in a relationship before the story began, but the ML lost his memories. The MC's true identity is revealed near the end, shocking those around him. ### Final Verdict Despite its flaws, "After Returning from the Infinite Game" is an enjoyable and entertaining read. It's a lighthearted story with a unique premise and a charming protagonist. If you're looking for something different with action, comedy, and a touch of mystery, I'd recommend giving this novel a try.