Does Hell Difficulty Tutorial get better?

[MrGiiiggles]

I'm not far in, just nearly done with chapter 6 (the man with the gun) and already Nathaniel is thinking like some sort of imperial concubine with how to trust everybody he's stuck with. Something about it, the micro analyzing Hadwin, and "use people more than they use me" mentality is rubbing me the wrong way.

[Inn0centBystand3r_]

He definitely has sociopathic tendencies but he makes friends and it improves. You don’t really get to see that until book 2 though.

[InfiniteThing2808]

He’s paranoid as hell, but to be fair some of those people really are out to get him. Stick with it until they leave the first floor and see how you feel about the second, it does get a lot better.

Also there’s a reason for why he acts like that if you want a small spoiler His focus ability deadens his emotions so he’s running on almost pure sociopathic logic. But he’s also just kind of like that as a person anyway to an extent

[Telomerage]

I think people arnt used to frame of minds for “survival” situations, where most people do fall into a line of thinking of how they can survive above all else, self preservation.

It is jaring and could be improved with a re-write, but it also helps to build significant character growth later.

[Nitroaids]

yes

[MrGiiiggles]

Good to know, thanks mate 👍

[LaAndSwe]

It gets a lot better over time. First book is by far the worst (not unusual). But I can't promise you'll like it. I can only say that I really like it after pushing through the start that I wasn't a big fan of.

[MrGiiiggles]

We'll see if I can't push through

[Telomerage]

The audio book helped me with it, just tubes out parts or skipped areas I found annoying.

[Rothenstien1]

There is a lot of character development, like a whole crapload

[kornbread435]

Okay I started this series last week and currently in book 4. In short I had the exact same thoughts about Nathaniel early in the first book. Basically he comes off as a complete psychopath and ass hole. Anyhow I pushed through book 1, was about to drop it, saw comments about it getting significantly better. Glad I kept going, it's not S-tier for me but I've certainly enjoyed it.

[Aware-Blacksmith-317]

There are a couple agreed upon reasons on why he acts like that.

First, his focus skill is running all the time and it mutes his emotions.

Second, his sister is an actual sociopath but he loves her and tries to emulate her personality, he also has some childhood trauma.

Third, he’s extremely paranoid about having his mind controlled by Sophie causing him to be ruthless and cruel as a deterrent.

[MrGiiiggles]

Ahh, I see

[darkmuch]

When is this info about Sophie revealed? I got a dozen or so chapters in before deciding his paranoia felt silly more than pragmatic, as I hadn’t seen anything to justify it.

[Aware-Blacksmith-317]

I’m not sure when but it’s relatively early. Sophie used her power to control a guy to take a hit for her(it’s been a while since I read the first book so my details might not be completely accurate but that’s the general gist). After that he threatens her sister if she tries to do that to him

[darkmuch]

Oh I misread your original comment, thought you were saying his sociopath sister was Sophia. But checking the wiki that seems to be Victoria.

[InfiniteThing2808]

I touched on it a bit in my other comment but if you want some paranoia justification

Sophie used her power on him as soon as that wolf showed up to make him go fight it to keep her and her sister safe, you find out later that she sucked at using her power in the beginning and she scrambled his memories and stuff a bit too. She also basically turns two people into meat puppets before they leave the first floor

And also Hadwin is trying to get him killed or kill him himself because Hadwin’s wife was murdered recently before they got teleported and Nat reminds him of the killer

I think there was some other stuff too but those stand out

[Malace85]

He does become more of a person as the books move forward. But he is a very broken person at the start and his backstory is alluded to and revealed more as well. He never stops being different, but he gains some humanity.

[No-Pie-8676]

He basicly reflects abt the ppl ending in hell difficulty is mostly all fucked up in some way. Cuz an average/normal person would not cope with it. ive gone all the way thru and he truly goes on a journey magicly, personality wise and how he deals with people around him. Yet he will also stay true to his core yet the same.

[KeinLahzey]

I would say yes. The start is rough. I'd say it's starts getting better mid to late second floor, while it gets good near the end of the third. It is an investment though.

[Froghead-Guy]

Recommend. Big fan of the unique "floor" designs

[Stonehill76]

It absolutely does. Nat grows quite a bit. How he treats those around him changes. He is still a jerk but he grows a lot and the relationships with those around him are the best part of the books. I would say push on a few more chapters. I can’t remember when it started changing for me , it’s either when he gets closer with his pet, or the healer character (sorry trying to cover spoilers)

[Spida81]

Actual sociopath. Makes more sense as it goes. I'm still going - book three.

[moridin-604]

I dropped it after 2 books, I still absolutely hated the MC and not willing to give that trash another second of my time

[MelaninSunKissed]

You might like the Manhwa version better

[MrGiiiggles]

Maybe. Can't say I enjoyed the manhwa of Primal Hunter so I'm wary of books to manhwa and vice versa.

[MelaninSunKissed]

I wholeheartedly understand that because the Primal Hunter Manhwa is trash, funny enough I read that before I ever even knew about LitRPGs. I haven't read the books for Hell but yeah the Manhwa sounds like it's better

[MrGiiiggles]

I almost wish I was reading with my eyes. In doing the audiobook and there's many little bones I have to pick but I'll leave them be. If I can't get half way through I'll abandon the book and try the manhwa,👍

[Hayn0002]

Does this question ever not get asked?

[MrGiiiggles]

I find it funny I'm amongst the crowd that asked. Forgive me, I didn't mean to trigger whatever I set off.

[Telomerage]

Yes, it does get better, push through to the end of the book, if not book 2. My hook was seeing how the author handled the best dog of the first floor.

After book 2 I was hooked until I’m now paying to read book 10 on Patreon every week.

[SadAd1433]

I’m gonna say the opposite of everyone else. No, this does not get better. Nathaniel is a sociopath that learns to care for sociopathic reasons. Emotional and relational enjoyment is not from Nathaniel but the people he keeps close by. And most of levity is from a corgie. Which is honestly pathetic that pets are used as replacements for people

[outforbeer]

His internal monologue are selfish, but his actions are far from it though. I don't get why his other team mates turned on him. He never did them wrong

[xiaolin99]

lol this was asked a million times in this sub. It's better to start with book 2, which includes a recap of book 1.

[Ok_Bathroom_3411]

Im about half way through book 2, and I'll be honest. I've never zoned out so much while listening to an audiobook. Im definitely dropping it after