Tags: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Harem

Sub-Tags: Dungeons, Weak to Strong, Game Elements, Mystery-Subplot

Rin Tackles Mysterious Towers!

Happy new year everyone, and a happy return to reviewing light novels. For my first review of the year, I’m returning to a series which has the protagonist grind up the levels – The World’s Fastest Level Up.

The second series sees Rin return to conquering dungeons. Continuing to use his unique skill, Rin’s levels are increasing at an alarming rate. However, with higher levels comes higher difficulty dungeons as Rin’s perseverance wins him the chance to face off against a strange and mysterious tower.

Meanwhile, Rin isn’t the only one to make waves in the adventuring world. His little sister Hana is finally old enough to start dungeon diving, but is she ready for all the challenges these strange existences may bring?

To The Top of the Tower

Stronger than its premier entry, the author has clearly had a more substantial plan for the series’ second volume putting more meat on the fantasy series’ bones. This is none more evident than in Rin’s constant dungeon dives.

Reaching the necessary 10 dungeon completions, the system finally reveals the first secret behind the Dungeon Traveller skill. Those lucky enough to complete this requirement are invited to challenge a remote tower where each floor contains a new mission to complete.

This dungeon style adds a welcome variety to the usual hack-and-slash the series is known for. Wave-style battles, puzzles and key skill challenges can all be found in the lead-up to a final boss battle of epic proportions.

Additionally, this mysterious tower opens the doors to a whole new set of mysteries in the world. It seems as though the dungeon system is more than just an automated machine and has more influence on people’s lives than first reported.

The only aspect that could be improved here is detail. At points, the series enjoys moving through action at a blistering pace missing key information. More should’ve been added to the lightning puzzle fleshing out how Rin solved getting past the elemental beasts.

The Prospects of Plunderer

Alongside Rin’s dungeon adventures, the second volume brings his little sister Hana into the mix. Starting as a fledging adventurer offers a myriad of opportunities for world-building such as how the population get their skills and the training they need to get started.

Adventuring is a dangerous profession and requires supervision for new starters. However, Hana’s dungeon experience will be more dangerous than most.

Not all adventurers are in it for fame and glory; some look to plunder useful skills. Hana’s stock skill has garnered the attention of a very nasty piece of work, resulting in a fight that, for the first time, feels as though the main characters are in danger.

Yanagi, a murderer and adventurer, posed quite the challenge with his ability to plunder and tame. From this battle, Rin has a good bit of development, but that’s to be expected as he takes his first life. Not a pushover nor a psychopath, Rin’s reasonings for killing Yanagi are sensible given the chance he could come back and try to kill them again.

Rin gains the Plunderer skill after defeating Yanagi, a skill that opens several doors of development for future volumes.

World’s Fastest Level Up has only gone from strength to strength after concluding its second volume. More directed dungeon action and a deepening in the world-building make this volume a more immersive experience and a more enjoyable read overall.