He Returned Home

Shi Youqing, frail since childhood, found even stepping outside a luxury after a severe illness. His mother began to play chess with him. As the first piece was placed, everything became unsettling. With each game’s end, the chessboard altered until the day he won, turning blood-red. His mother, with pale eyes, asked him, “Youqing, do you prefer black or white?” … The world twisted bizarrely, birthing a Black World and a White World after a strange explosion. In the Black World, indescribable monsters lurked, waiting to pounce. The White World, devoid of the supernatural, hid countless dangers and malice. Selected players, exhausted and cautious, suffered through brutal games until they met a fragile, sickly beauty, always with a thermos. Initially met with disdain, annoyance, pity, and sympathy, someone recognized him. “Wait, what! This guy was my teammate, dragged away by a ghost right before my eyes!” “I’ve seen him! He chose the wrong food in the White World’s second level and melted into a puddle! I swear it’s true!” “Wasn’t that you who fell into the lava before?” “Aaaah, I watched him get devoured by zombies in the Black World…” “It’s him – Shi Youqing!” … Confused, Shi Youqing huddled in a corner: “Where is this? Why do you all recognize me?” Everyone: “…”

Original Publisher

jjwxc

Original Language

chinese

Type

Web Novel

## My Thoughts on He Returned Home "He Returned Home" immediately caught my attention with its blend of adventure, mystery, and supernatural elements, all wrapped up in a yaoi romance. The premise of a sickly genius MC navigating an unlimited flow game structured like chess? Intriguing! I dove in, eager to see what this unique combination had to offer. ### First Impressions The initial chapters definitely hooked me. The concept of the MC entering the game after a fateful chess match with his mother, and the connection to his hometown, Chenggu Town, felt both mysterious and deeply personal. The early hints about the MC's non-human origins added another layer of intrigue that kept me turning the page. ### What Works Well I found the game world setting to be particularly well-crafted. The logic within the game felt consistent, and the mystery surrounding the instances, or "copies" as they're called, was compelling. The occasional horror elements were a welcome addition, adding a nice touch of suspense to the overall narrative. The author did a great job of dropping breadcrumbs and foreshadowing events, making the mystery aspect truly engaging. I also appreciated the humor sprinkled throughout the story, which helped to balance out the darker themes. ### Areas of Concern While I enjoyed the overall plot, I did find some aspects less satisfying. The romance, while present, felt somewhat underdeveloped, and it seemed like many characters were simply drawn to the MC without much explanation. Additionally, I found the resolution to be a bit complicated. ### ⚠️ Spoiler Warning I also noticed that some readers have pointed out potential issues with the translation. Allegedly, there are missing paragraphs and awkward pacing in the translation. ### Final Verdict Despite these minor drawbacks, "He Returned Home" is, in my opinion, a worthwhile read. The unique premise, well-developed game world, and intriguing mystery elements kept me engaged from beginning to end. While the romance could have been stronger, and the ending a bit less convoluted, the overall experience was enjoyable. If you're a fan of unlimited flow games with a supernatural twist and a dash of horror, I recommend giving this one a try.