An Incompetent Explorer Who Failed to Make His High School Debut but Mastered Being a Human Being ~ For Some Reason Beautiful Girls Are Approaching Me One After Another Despite Not Having A Level, Skill, or Ability Score ~ Novel Review

My Thoughts on An Incompetent Explorer Who Failed to Make His High School Debut but Mastered Being a Human Being ~ For Some Reason Beautiful Girls Are Approaching Me One After Another Despite Not Having A Level, Skill, or Ability Score ~

Alright, let's dive into this title. It's a mouthful, I know, but web novels are often like that. "An Incompetent Explorer..." certainly sets an expectation, and while it delivers on some fronts, it stumbles in others. I went in hoping for a fun, lighthearted romp, and I got... well, a mixed bag.

First Impressions

The initial setup is intriguing. Our protagonist enters the world of explorers, but unlike everyone else, he doesn't have the standard levels or stats. Instead, he gets skills like "breathing" and "thinking," which, at first glance, seems utterly useless. This immediately establishes him as an underdog, and I was curious to see how he'd overcome this apparent disadvantage. The whole "high school debut" angle also added a slice-of-life element that I appreciate.

What Works Well

The concept of a skill-based system rather than traditional level progression is actually quite interesting. The idea that the MC's everyday actions passively level up his abilities has potential for some creative and hilarious scenarios. And to be fair, I can see the appeal of an OP protagonist who is popular with the ladies. Plus, the fast-paced nature of the story and the short chapters make it easy to pick up and read in short bursts.

Areas of Concern

The biggest issue, and it's a recurring theme, is the protagonist's unbelievable obliviousness. The core joke of him being weak, despite clearly being anything but, wears thin very quickly. His inability to recognize his own strength, even after countless encounters and overwhelming evidence, becomes frustrating. It feels less like a character flaw and more like a plot device used to drag out the same gag indefinitely.

Then there's the harem aspect. While I don't inherently dislike harems, the reviews suggest that the relationships develop too quickly and feel forced. Characters seem to fall in love with the MC almost instantly, which undermines the emotional weight of those connections.

Final Verdict

"An Incompetent Explorer..." has a decent premise and some genuinely funny moments, but the constant misunderstandings and the MC's frustrating denseness ultimately drag it down. If you have a high tolerance for these tropes, you might find some enjoyment here. However, if you're looking for a more nuanced or original story, you might want to steer clear. I'm giving it a tentative 2.5/5. It's not terrible, but it could have been so much better.