In the vast and imaginative world of manhwa, system or cheat characters stand out as some of the most compelling protagonists. These characters often find themselves equipped with extraordinary abilities or unique systems that give them significant advantages. These powers can come from various sources: mystical artifacts, advanced technology, or even reincarnation with knowledge from a past life.
System and cheat characters introduce a thrilling mix of innovation and excitement to manhwa, enchanting readers with their remarkable adventures and the inventive methods they use to traverse their realms. Whether advancing in a game-like setting or harnessing extraordinary abilities, these characters consistently challenge the limits of narrative in manhwa.
The Player Hide His Past
Year: 2023
Status: Ongoing
Summary:
The virtual reality game "History of the Archana Continent" became a part of reality, bringing "players" synchronized with humans to protect the world. Lee Hoyeol, an ordinary salaryman, finds himself in the body of the character he created in middle school, "Grandfell Claudi Arpeus Romeo." Under normal circumstances, this would have been a disastrous turn of events, but Grandfell, a "demon hunter," stands proudly against demons! As the only demon hunter in this world, Grandfell (now Lee Hoyeol) begins to make his move!
Max-Level Player 100th Regression
Year: 2023
Status: Ongoing
Summary:
Everyone worldwide between the ages of 15 and 25 is required to participate in a deadly game spanning twenty rounds. The main character embarks on his 100th challenge, thanks to his unique ability to regress. Having experienced the game 99 times before, he becomes overwhelmingly more powerful than anyone else. Realizing that the final round requires at least five people to complete, he begins recruiting party members to avoid repeating his past mistakes.
Overall:
I personally really enjoy it; although it's quite generic, I believe it's executed very well in my opinion.
Absolute Necromancer
Year: 2023
Status: Ongoing
Summary:
The Tower: an enigmatic place with constant, unpredictable changes. Ten years later, I reincarnate into the body of a boy living in South Korea.
"The one who betrayed me, and the one above him… I’m going to tear them apart."
Having reached the pinnacle as a necromancer and attained the advanced class of Spirit Master, Cha Jinhyuk, known as the “All-Master,” seeks revenge by ascending the Tower once more, wielding his necromancer skills.
Overall:
I'm not a fan of the main character's choices. He had an ideal opportunity to quietly gain strength and then seek revenge. However, he chose to cause chaos in an affiliated guild of one of the traitors, despite being a novice. Moreover, he threatened a member of that guild and then released him without considering the potential repercussions.
Sleeping Ranker
Year: 2022
Status: Ongoing
Summary:
“We’re only taking a 30-second break? I’m not imagining things, right?…Yes.”
After 15 hours of relentless hunting, Hyunsung requested a brief rest. However, just 30 seconds later, he was back on his feet and hunting again. Hyunsung possesses a unique skill:
[Thananos’ Narcolepsy Skill Activated.],[You’re being forced into a sleep state.]
After a short sleep, he awakens to find he has obtained an item. Follow the story of Hyunsung, the God-Rank Class descendant of Thananos, who remains unstoppable even with such peculiar abilities.
Overall:
Honestly, I found this one much more enjoyable than many of the ranker manhwas out there. The main character is just a really laid-back guy, which is quite uncommon.
I Returned as the FFF-Class Witch Doctor
Year: 2023
Status: Ongoing
Summary:
The protagonist, Ma Jinsung, was on the verge of clearing a quest in the game [Demon King Raid] when he was betrayed and abandoned by his expedition teammate. Just when he thought all hope was lost, a strange voice pulled him back, and he regressed."Notification: You are being granted a different class according to the conditions of the final goal."
[Witch Doctor] Re-entering the game as a character he had never considered before, Ma Jinsung embarks on an exciting new adventure as the Witch Doctor!
Overall:
I will say it is an amalgamation of various clichés from various genres. This is not bad, the premise is good.
Youngest Scoin of the Mages
Year: 2022
Status: Ongoing
Summary:
Youngest Scion of the Mages manhwa, also known as Youngest Son of the Renowned Magic Clan, was a ridiculous piece of fiction, one I’d be ashamed to call a novel. Yet, that was exactly what I was transmigrated into.I became Larsen Mayton, a supporting character and wretched scoundrel who was purged at the age of 17. Now, as the writer and creator, I will reshape the world of Larsen Mayton.A flimsy plotline and a garbage setting—a string of words too embarrassing to even call a novel. Yet, I ended up inside the pages of that very same novel I wrote. And as Rasen Mayten no less, a bastard side character destined to be murdered at 17. As the writer and creator of this world, I will now recreate the world of Rasen Mayten.
Overall:
The concept is quite promising, and the execution isn't bad at all.
The Count's Youngest Son is a Player
Year: 2024
Status: Ongoing
Summary:
Bae DoHyun lost his life due to the evil schemes of the major guilds. He then found himself reincarnated as the main character in a game still in its beta phase. Now, as the youngest son of a wealthy family, Raul, he declares, "I'll take it all this time!" From being the top-ranked player to the most powerful NPC, his new story begins.
Memorize
Year: 2020
Status: Ongoing
Summary:
Having lost everything and survived 10 years of suffering and struggle in a world where people are merely toys and fate is a game of survival, what would you wish for? If, after all the trials, you were given a chance to change something, how would you use it?
"Player Kim Su Hyun, confirm your wish", "Confirm. Give me back 10 years", "Player Kim Su Hyun's request has been received. 27%, 58%, 77%, 100%. Download complete..."
Overall:
Mc was a authentic sociopath categorizing people and deciding if he kills, uses or befriends them by their 'worth', which he decided.
The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman
Year: 2023
Status: Ongoing
Summary:
In my past life, I was like a chained dog, devoid of memories of my parents and living an emotionless existence as nothing more than a tool. My life ended tragically when my master brutally killed me. I thought that was the end.
But when I opened my eyes again, I was reborn as the youngest child of the continent's most powerful family. Driven by a desire for revenge and the love of those who cherish me in this new life, I now wield a sword instead of a dagger.
Overall:
I'm not getting any excitement from his skills, mana, or aura. It's like they're all just missing in action. Even the other kids' skills seem as exciting as watching paint dry. And don't get me started on the lackluster elf teacher. The lessons and tests feel like a cozy chat at a tea party. But then, out of the blue, the elf instructor decides it's time for some real-life battle? And to top it off, there's no interrogation of the main character after he casually takes down 8 or maybe even dozens of bandits. Like, seriously? Zeig Hart's character seems like it's trying too hard, it's almost comical. The only saving grace is the hilarious reaction of the demon of essence. That's the real gem in this whole situation.
Questism
Year: 2024
Status: Ongoing
Summary:
Gaming geek Suhyeon Kim despises school, and the feeling is mutual. Relentlessly bullied by his classmates, he wishes his life were more like the RPG quest games he enjoys. His wish is unexpectedly granted when a quest prompt appears in real life, offering an easy task and an enticing reward. With nothing to lose, Suhyeon takes the chance, and one quest leads to another.
As the stakes and rewards grow, Suhyeon rises from being an ostracized nobody to the top of the school. How far will he push his quest for power, and what will happen if he chooses not to participate?
Overall:
Like many characters in bully-fighting stories, he starts off weak, gains a power-up to defeat minor delinquents, then encounters tougher adversaries who initially overpower him until he receives another power-up. As the story progresses, the strength of his opponents increases to such an extent that one might believe random Korean teenagers could vanquish the entire Russian military in a single afternoon.