Feels like I'm being punished, but I'm not sure what I did wrong.

Hello everyone! It's me, ††The Seeker††, and I'm on the hunt for some great reads : )

I wanted to share my thoughts on the manga "The Almighty Chmodo" (or just "The Almighty") by Kim Kkhambi. This isn't his first work, and I'd say I'm a fan of his stuff : ) Even the ones I don't like leave me with mixed feelings after reading, and I've got to say, they don't leave me thinking about how I'd react if I were the characters. And honestly, I don't think I'd want to be in their shoes.

So, I approached this read with a bit of a "credit of trust" towards the author. At the very least, I was expecting something a bit more provocative and thought-provoking. And that's exactly what I got, friends. Because I was looking for silver, but I found gold. If this story ever gets published, I'll be buying all the volumes. And even the extra chapters, if they ever come out. I mean, I didn't notice him doing something like this before, but if he decides to expand the universe, I won't be opposed.

And yeah - IMPORTANT clarification - the story isn't meant to be a propaganda for any particular religion. But there are some interesting moments. The kind that might seem strange, contradictory, or even blasphemous to some people. Like how God is depicted here. (Yes, there is a Creator.

And He, despite being a secondary character, plays a crucial role for the main character). Or His angels. It's a pretty good mix of different religious movements and philosophical schools. But there isn't a clear or unified religion. Although, I'd say it's mostly a Christian perspective - angels, demons, and the all-powerful God as an old man. I'd even say He looks like an old man. And there's a Korean flair to it, and something else. To me, it works pretty well. But I know how sensitive some readers can be when it comes to their beliefs and views. So, I figured I'd better warn you : )

I have to say, the author's take on some things really caught me off guard. Like, in Orthodox Christianity, there's no chance at redemption or a second chance for suicides. The Russian Orthodox Church doesn't believe in soul reincarnation. But here, it seems like these people get a shot at making things right – in a pretty unconventional way, I might add. That's what surprised me. But I don't see the point in questioning the author's vision in this work of art. It's just a story for adults.

It's about people who've been broken by life starting to believe in good again. They get back on their feet – literally, not figuratively – and try to shake off the darkness inside. I know some readers might see Satanism in Harry Potter, but that's their own interpretation. This story doesn't have that. It's dark and harsh at times, but it's got some rays of hope at the end.

This isn't just gratuitous violence for the sake of it. Every event has a reason, and every tear has to be shed. I like the way the story ends. Yeah, I would've liked a bit more normalcy after all the drama, but... it still worked out really well. Maybe the author will return to this world and these characters again someday. Or maybe not. Either way, I'm grateful for the amazing, genuine characters they've given us – not the cardboard cutouts with cartoonish views on life and preachy speeches about good and evil.

The artwork, dialogue, and atmosphere are all top-notch. Yeah, some people might be put off by the unexpectedly dark and sometimes too realistic world with all the problems the main character faces. But that's just the first step into the story. Honestly, the first five chapters were tough for me to get through – it was all too... depressing. I felt the main character's emotions and the sense of hopelessness. Even his angel, who came to help him by the will of the Creator, isn't like the typical literary depiction of a compassionate being.

I'm not saying she's bad – angels are supposed to be sexless, right? – it's just that her behavior is a far cry from the typical representations of these beings. Even the main character notices that. But let's not be too picky and acknowledge that she does help her charge on their difficult path to redemption.

I've been in some dark places myself, and I know how easy it is to lose hope. But what I've learned is that helping others who are struggling can be a game-changer. It's like a weight's been lifted off your shoulders when you're able to pay it forward. And that's exactly what our protagonist, Chomji, does.

He's a complex character, to say the least. On the surface, he's a bit of a troublemaker, causing problems for those around him. But beneath that tough exterior, he's got a heart of gold. And when he meets this old man who claims to be a god, he's forced to confront some tough questions about his own life and purpose.

Type: Manhwa

Format: Color Web

Release: 2021

Chapters: 121

Status: Completed

Translation: Completed

Author: Carnby

Artist: songlaehyeon

Publisher: Naver

Meet Chong Ji Kim, a troubled kid who's been causing chaos in his community. But after a car accident leaves him with a bum leg, he's forced to confront the consequences of his actions. And that's when he meets this old man who claims to be a god. Who is this guy, and what does he want from Chong Ji?

I've got to say, our protagonist isn't exactly the poster child for good behavior. He was a bit of a wild card in his youth, preferring to settle disputes with his fists and brute force. But he wasn't all bad. Oh no, there were some pretty decent qualities hidden deep down. He just wasn't too keen on showing them off. Fast forward to a car accident that leaves him a bit of a mess. He's still able to walk, but his plans and ambitions are pretty much shot. And so are his self-esteem. I mean, who wants a cripple who can barely hobble around on two legs and can't even defend himself in a scrap? It's no wonder his life starts to spiral downward, socially and financially. We catch up with him at rock bottom. He's stuck drinking cheap booze and taking a beating from anyone who feels like it. The story starts with a bunch of secondary characters getting together to have a drink and discussing our protagonist. One of them mentions that not everyone can be saved or redeemed. Apparently, there are some people who are just too far gone, morally speaking. And Chmogi is cited as a prime example. He's one of those guys who's pretty much given up on life and is just waiting for the inevitable. It's better for everyone if he just buries himself and dies. But then the story kicks into high gear. We learn about the accident, the legs, and the destroyed ambitions later on. For now, we just have a young guy who's hit rock bottom. He's lost his sense of purpose and is just going through the motions. He's clinging to reality out of habit, not hope. He's not expecting anything from it. That's when he meets an old beggar on a bridge and decides to take it out on him. Just to let loose and vent some anger on someone weaker than him. And that's when the whole chain of events starts. The local deity puts a curse on him for all his transgressions. Not to punish him, but to save his lost soul. The kind of soul that can only be redeemed through pain and suffering. Not everyone can find their way to a happy ending through love and support. Some people need to be plunged into the depths of darkness to truly feel the weight of despair. I've gotta say, the help that Chomji gets from his angel is pretty wild. She's this super specific and young girl who's just starting out (we'll get more info on how they show up later, so just bear with me). She's got some kind of healing power, and for the first time in years, the kid feels healthy and full of energy.

But there's a catch with her powers - they've got a limited range. The farther away the kid gets from her, the weaker her powers get. When he's too far away, his old problems start coming back. In other words, he can only be fully functional when he's near his angel. As soon as they part ways, he's back to being weak and broken.

And to make matters worse, he's got to do these crazy tasks for people he doesn't even like. One kid gets bullied in school and wants to jump off a roof, another girl wants to find faith in God but ends up in a cult, and some parents want to rescue their kid from the cult by any means necessary. It's a real mixed bag of tasks, and they're all super different in terms of difficulty.

God clearly doesn't like Chomji. The kid is convinced of it. After meeting his angel, who tries to prove she's not lying by stabbing him and then healing him, he's got to deal with these weird tasks involving people he openly dislikes. And to top it all off, it's some kind of curse from God. The kid feels completely broken and hates everything he's got to do.

But that's actually where the kid's healing starts to happen. Because in small, almost imperceptible ways, he starts to... I don't know, trust people and the world again? He starts to genuinely help those he used to see as just obstacles to removing the curse from God.

The thought of going back to that place is a real turn-off for him. He's already been sent back there for 'testing' – I've been reading this manga for a while now, so I'm not sure of the exact time frame – and he's experienced firsthand the 'eternal party' for himself. He doesn't want to go back. So, he'll have to 'work for God'. Not for the people, but for himself. 'God Almighty' is a pretty unique work. It's complex in terms of emotional context, with unexpected twists and resolutions. I really like how the main character's personality doesn't change. He's still the same introverted and brooding guy he was at the beginning of the story. He doesn't become a cheerful and carefree goofball or the life of the party. Instead, he gradually reveals the brighter sides of himself that he's been hiding, even from himself. It's refreshing to read a story that doesn't follow the usual trope of a closed-off and quiet character becoming 'perfect' and everyone loving them for it. When did it become a requirement for someone to become a chatterbox and break themselves to become a 'positive hero'? Yes, Chmogi undergoes a complete transformation as a person, moving from hatred towards the world to acceptance of reality. A reality where he has a place, with all his cockroaches and inner conflicts. But he remains the same person he was at the beginning. The only thing that changed is his attitude towards people. Everything else remains the same. He's still the same guy we met on the first pages of the manga. He's just 'better'? I don't think so. Has his attitude towards the world and himself changed? I'd say that's the most accurate description. Firstly, he's managed to come to terms with his past mistakes. He's started moving forward. Secondly, he's learned to trust people, which is a big deal for him. And lastly, he's finally made peace with God, whom he used to blame for all his problems and saw as a cruel Creator. Is this manga worth reading? Yes, it is. I've gotta say, the author's style is top-notch. The characters are super relatable and feel really alive, not like cardboard cutouts. The storyline's got some great twists and turns, and even throws in some demons for the protagonist to battle. Because, let's be real, they're gonna try and stop him from completing God's tasks. And each demon's got its own unique abilities and skills.

I really enjoyed the story. By the end, I was feeling a little empty, which only happens when I've read something truly amazing. It's got that 'hook' that keeps you engaged.

So, I'm giving it a solid thumbs up and a max rating, friends. I'd definitely recommend 'the all-powerful' to anyone looking for a great read.

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope to see you again soon. Take care of yourselves.