Reaver’s Song

Happy February! My name is Menchi Katsu and I’m the author of Reaver’s Song. As I was re-reading what’s gone so far in preparation for Minji’s emergence from her lazy hibernation I began to realize a few things (though, honestly, I kind of already knew). Firstly, I unloaded a lot of world building in the interludes with absolutely no context. That is my bad. Secondly, there has been very little romance thus far, though the stirrings have begun in the last few chapters. That is, again, my bad. Thirdly, Minji is thirsty for some skinship in the worst way possible which has made her a pervert. That is intended but, also, my bad. Finally, the structure of the novel and naming conventions of the chapters is rather awkward. That was not necessarily intended but is definitely my bad. I wanted to take the time to address some of these issues in the lead-up to the final chapters of Reaver’s Song.

First, I want to kind of sum up what’s happened in Reaver’s Song thus far for those who may have forgotten. I’m awful at remembering manga I’ve been reading. I get notifications that a new chapter has been published and am excited they are but, honestly, can only vaguely recall what the series is even about so I’m forced to re-read everything that’s gone before. I can honestly say I’ve read most mange at least 15 times by the time it’s actually finished. So, for those who may not remember I empathize with you and hope this summation might help. Even if just a bit. Fear not! I won’t drone on like…well, like I have so far. I’ll keep it concise. Or, at least, try to.

What Has Gone Before:

****WARNING – SPOILER ALERT - ****

So our main protagonist, Minji Song, is a history teacher at a high-end girls’ school called Sehwa Academy (which is an actual school in Seocho-gu, Seoul with quite the prestigious group of alumni.) One evening, following the conclusion of yet another in an endless series of yuri bait anime, she is suddenly pulled into an alternate world through the magic of Carrisyn Thorne, a haughty countess and prodigious witch. While her mind and soul inhabit the body of a half elf rogue named Ashvallen Silverbough, her body is still lying in her apartment in Seoul.

Going forward when I say Minji I mean the Minji inhabiting Ashvallen’s body and when I refer to Ashvallen I am referring to her inhabiting Minji’s body for ease of explanation. It’s too complicated otherwise, I think. Anyway…

Minji awakens to find herself in a prison dungeon about to be brutalized by the King’s torturer, a disgusting beast named Drudge. While she very nearly escapes, she is stabbed through the spine by Drudge’s minions and is dying. (This chapter got me shadow banned on Tapas! Not yay!) Carrisyn arrives and Minji is saved. Sort of.

One of the princesses of the Kingdom, a rather amorous girl named Sascha heals her but leaves her paralyzed at Carrisyn’s insistence. Carrisyn then proceeds to kill her. I know! It seems like a lot of trouble to me, too. Fortunately for Minji, and for the length of the book as well as the plot, her body will heal itself at an extraordinary pace, even from death itself.

Carrisyn has been trying to find just the person Minji is for years and is ecstatic (well, for her, anyway). Through not-so-subtle manipulation she enlists Minji’s aid in killing Drudge. Minji does so (I figured this chapter would be more likely to get me banned. It probably would have if I hadn’t already been) but deals with guilt and remorse for doing so and decides to stop doing Carrisyn’s bidding. Carrisyn changes tactics and reveals she knows far more about Minji and thus, keeps her on the hook.

Meanwhile in Seoul, Ashvallen meets Minji’s younger sister, Moon, as well as Saki’s (from My World and You) mom who is a doctor as well as a certain mono-emotional detective from Kunoichi and is very confused about the world and body she finds herself in.

Minji is taken in front of the prince who is plotting to kill his father and take over the kingdom with Carrisyn’s reluctant help. Minji later finds out that the royal family aren’t actually human at all, but are, instead, vampires. Minji is roped into delivering something to the Ri, the name given to the leader of the Elves.

Back in Seoul the group are joined by the witch, Kittany (Kyung Mi Rin) and are eventually attacked by something called the Golden Coven. With the help of a mysterious warrior named Ai Ashikaga they manage to escape from Minji’s destroyed apartment and join up with a group called Disaster’s Daughters.

Minji is taken prisoner by the Ri and is to be handed over to the King’s assassin when Carrisyn, a legendary demon warrior named Zelaeryn, the prince’s fiancée and the catgirl Sayuri, fleeing the royal guards teleport into her prison cell and effect a rescue.

Meeting up with a queen con named Lyrei, the elves with Minji and company assisting, revolt against the corrupt Ri only to find he is actually a demon put into place by the King. Minji kills the Ri and finds they’ve escaped but many elves perished in the fighting and subsequent purge by the king’s forces.

The story thus far ends with Minji inadvertently marrying Lyrei at Carrisyn’s direction and Ashvallen vanishing from Moon’s room.

Obviously, a lot more happens. Some of it with bigger words, more of it with colorful terms which should not be used in polite conversation! But that is the gist of things so far and will take us up to the next parts. I wanted to take this break to kind of do a little clean-up on some things so people maybe aren’t so confused so for the next few weeks I’ll do just that before jumping back into things and wrapping Reaver’s Song up properly with a nice, neat little bow. I don’t anticipate there being a sequel, so I want to make sure I answer all the questions I’ve posed before the end. I’ll see you next week with some information on Disaster’s Daughters which will hopefully clarify what and who they are! Likes and comments are always welcome and appreciated! In the meantime be safe and I’ll talk to you soon!

Katsu