Sword Among Us

When he returned to the World of Martial Arts, the game was filled with blood and battles! Chen Kaixin had chased after the footsteps of the one emperor, two empresses, three princes, seven dukes, and thirteen aces for three years, but during the eve of the Sword Among Us tournament in Mount Hua, he was ambushed by evil bastards, and was killed so much that his level dropped to that of a newbie. He completely lost the chance to join the ranks of the powerful players in the game! In great disappointment, Kaixin quit the game and got drunk so that he could forget his sadness, but during that stormy night, Chen Kaixin found that he had actually dreamed for a total of three years, because when he woke up again, he woke up to three years ago, when he was still a student.

Original Publisher

qidian

English Publisher

webnovel

Original Language

chinese

Type

Web Novel

## My Thoughts on Sword Among Us "Sword Among Us" presents an interesting blend of wuxia and VRMMORPG elements, a combination that immediately piqued my interest. The premise of a protagonist returning to the past with future knowledge, specifically within a martial arts-focused virtual world, has definite appeal. While the execution has some bright spots, I found myself ultimately a bit underwhelmed. ### First Impressions The initial chapters pulled me in with the promise of a strategic climb to the top, fueled by the protagonist's prior experiences. I was eager to see how Chen Kaixin, our MC, would leverage his knowledge to outmaneuver his past betrayers and establish himself in the "World of Martial Arts." The game mechanics, leaning into skill-based progression rather than traditional leveling, felt like a refreshing take on the genre. ### What Works Well I appreciated the world-building. The integration of various wuxia classics felt like a love letter to the genre, and the balanced skill system, where technique and experience mattered just as much as raw power, kept things engaging. The idea that non-combat professions could thrive also added a layer of depth to the game world. The author seemed to put effort into crafting a believable and immersive VR experience. ### Areas of Concern Unfortunately, the characters themselves became a sticking point for me. The protagonist, despite his supposed maturity from having lived through these events once before, often felt inconsistent and frustrating. His interactions, particularly with female characters, sometimes came across as awkward and even a bit off-putting. I also found that the revenge plot felt underdeveloped, and the antagonists didn't pose a significant enough threat to maintain my interest. While the author seemed to have a clear vision for the world, the execution of the characters and plot left something to be desired. The focus on fights and training, without sufficient depth in the characters or stakes, grew repetitive after a while. ### Final Verdict "Sword Among Us" had the potential to be a standout VRMMORPG, and it does offer some unique elements. However, the weak character development, predictable plot points, and pacing issues ultimately held it back. It's a decent time-killer if you're looking for something in this niche, but I wouldn't consider it a must-read. I give it a 3 out of 5.