Can’t Save the World by Pretending to be Dead

Lian Xi was born with yin-yang eyes. Since he was a child, from day to night, he would be begged by ghosts to do things for them. Helping ghosts fulfill their long cherished wishes would result in a reward. However, prior to finishing the task, no one would know if the reward would result in a blessing or a curse. Once Lian Xi completes helping a ghost with something, the little ghost would start to glow with light. If it was a gold light, that meant a blessing. If it was a red light, that meant a curse. If it was a blessing he could win the lotto. If it was a curse he could step into dog sh*t every time he walked out of the door. After finding bugs in his takeout for three days in a row, Lian Xi came to realize: “Only by pretending to be dead can I save my world!” Originally he thought that he could live his life peacefully by pretending to be dead, but who knew that more and more ghosts started appearing around him. Not only them, but more and more strange people too. Until suddenly one day, a pure golden light passed by in front of him. Lian Xi’s mouth fell open, dumfounded, and then he reached out and grabbed it! Gold Light / Lie Chen: ??? Lian Xi (*Organizing his breathing*): Hello, may I ask, do you have any long cherished wishes? A good deed results in good karma. I’m not interested in money falling from the sky, the most important thing is I’m kind and like to help people. I’m a modern-day Lei Feng and a current-day red-scarfer. I want to help you solve your heart’s problems so you can happily enter reincarnation and return to being a good person~~ At the same time, in the underworld’s Manor of Hell- “Oh my Lord! The King of Hell has gone missing! The River of Forgetfulness has stopped flowing!” Believing himself to be the Black Reaper, black-tongued, amnesiac King of Hell Gong x Suddenly turned into the White Reaper, cold exterior warm interior, pretending to be dead Shou.

Original Publisher

jjwxc

Original Language

chinese

Type

Web Novel

## My Thoughts on Can’t Save the World by Pretending to be Dead "Can’t Save the World by Pretending to be Dead" promised a blend of comedy, horror, and supernatural elements, and after diving in, I can see why it's garnered a decent following. It's a unique story with a lot going for it, though it's not without its quirks. ### First Impressions The initial chapters are intriguing. We're introduced to an MC who's a bit of an awkward, introverted character due to a past tragedy. He's trying to make ends meet as a live-streamer, and the supernatural element is introduced in a way that feels organic. The ML, at first, comes across as cold and detached, but the dynamic between the two is immediately engaging. ### What Works Well The plot is genuinely interesting, following the MC and ML as they capture ghosts and work towards reincarnation. I found the cases they tackled to be well-developed, each with its own unique story. The author excels at creating distinct personalities for each character, making the world feel alive and dynamic. The MC's growth, particularly his development of morals and empathy, is a highlight. The story does a good job of exploring themes of trauma, loss, and the importance of living in the present. ### Areas of Concern The romance aspect is definitely understated. If you're going into this expecting a passionate love story, you might be disappointed. The relationship development is subtle, and some might find it lacking. Also, the ending feels a bit rushed, with the introduction of a key antagonist relatively late in the story. ### ⚠️ Spoiler Warning Some readers might find the handling of certain sensitive topics problematic. There's a specific instance involving a Japanese couple sent to the underworld that some readers found to be racially insensitive due to generalizations made about the actions of soldiers. Additionally, the MC's past trauma is a significant plot point, and while it's addressed, some might find the resolution somewhat simplistic. ### Final Verdict Overall, "Can’t Save the World by Pretending to be Dead" is an enjoyable read, especially if you're a fan of plot-driven stories with supernatural elements and a touch of humor. While the romance is minimal and some plot points could be better developed, the interesting characters and engaging storyline make it worth checking out. I'd recommend it to those who enjoy unique narratives and aren't solely focused on romantic elements.