The Undead King of the Palace of Darkness (WN)

By tsukikage, 槻影

4.4

japaneseWeb Novel

Genres

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action adventure fantasy romance shounen

Chapters

139 chapters

Started

2019

Description

I don’t want to die. I want to be free. To that end, I shall….reconcile myself to the fate of becoming a “monster”. A strange disease that racks one’s entire body with intense never-ending pain, until the person slowly withers away and eventually dies. After a few years of braving through the pain, the boy is in no luxury to even feel despair. With nary a soul to tend to him, he breathes his last. The next time he opened his eyes, the boy had become an “Undead” of the lowest rank through the power of an evil Necromancer. The boy rejoices at having his earnest desire fulfilled, which is a body that will never feel pain. However, he realizes that he is still under someone’s control and how it was no different from when he was cooped up in the hospital ward. But the world would not leave alone the boy who only wished for peace. The Necromancer who revives the boy from the dead, names him “End” and attempts to gain control over him. The Undead Knights, lay their lives on the line to persistently chase after and annihilate the beings of the darkness. With countless monsters under their command, the Demon Lords rule over their own lands while they all contend for ultimate supremacy. The motivation being survival and freedom. The requirements being caution and power. This is the tale of the cowardly King of the Undead. In his pursuit for freedom, he heads into battle and turns tail at times. He knows when to fear his opponents and when to waver in his decisions.

Publication Information

Original Publisher: kakuyomu
Original Language: japanese
Type: Web Novel

The Undead King of the Palace of Darkness (WN) Review & Spoilers - Novel Translator

My Thoughts on The Undead King of the Palace of Darkness (WN)

This web novel was a wild ride, and I can definitely see why it's garnered such a dedicated following. "The Undead King of the Palace of Darkness" blends dark fantasy elements with a surprisingly touching romance, and while it has its flaws, the overall experience was quite enjoyable.

First Impressions

Initially, I was hooked by the unique premise: an undead protagonist, End, who just wants to live (or, well, exist) and a pure-hearted holy knight, Senri, who takes pity on him. The first volume really sets the stage, establishing the grim world and the complex dynamic between these two unlikely companions. I appreciated that it wasn't your typical power fantasy; End constantly struggles, scraping by and relying on his wits and Senri's compassion.

What Works Well

The character development is a major strength. End's internal struggles, his descent into the abyss as the undead urges consume him, are vividly portrayed. His pragmatism and willingness to do anything to survive, even manipulate Senri, create a fascinatingly flawed character. Senri, on the other hand, acts as his moral compass, her kindness and unwavering sense of justice providing a compelling contrast. Their relationship, though slow-burn, feels genuine and earned. The world-building is also well-executed, with interesting mechanics surrounding curses, holy power, and the various undead creatures. The author drip-feeds information, avoiding info-dumps and keeping me engaged. Also, the fight scenes are well-written and visceral.

Areas of Concern

While I enjoyed the novel overall, I can see why some readers have reservations. The pacing can be slow at times, and I felt like the story meandered a bit without a clear direction. Some found the MC's actions contradictory. I can see this as his character is very complex and his motivations are constantly changing.

⚠️ Spoiler Warning

Click "Reveal" to show spoiler content

Final Verdict

Despite its flaws, "The Undead King of the Palace of Darkness" is a compelling read with well-developed characters, intriguing world-building, and a unique blend of dark fantasy and romance. If you're looking for a web novel that's a bit different from the norm, I'd recommend giving this one a try.

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