Just like any other Mystic Messenger fan, I’ve been waiting for V (Jihyun Kim)’s route full of joy and high expectations. I thought I could have the chance to laugh and flirt with my beloved five from RFA and, eventually, also to get to know better V, the very controversial non playable character from the original story. It was clear since day one that this new route allowed room for 3 highly dark and dramatic characters: V of course but also Rika and Saeran.
The outcome of these 11 days of game is the most merciless, stark and desperate tale in the story of otome games. No real happy ending allowed. Not even if player does get a “good ending”.
My personal thoughts about V route are conflicting: on one side I believe this is the bravest, strongest, most revolutionary route ever written for a visual novel because nobody else ever tried to dig so deep in characters’ souls before. On the other side I wonder: why? Just why Cheritz decide to make their fans sad and miserable by showing them three desperate people instead of letting them enjoy a romantic story with a genuine (though obvious) happy ending?
At the end of infamous “day 10” I really started blaming myself for dedicating so many days listening to Rika, Ray and V’s terrible luck without being able, as a Main Character, to guide them towards redemption.
Out of the 3 new playable characters, V, as the holder of the route, is the one who end up somehow been saved. But the whole situation around him, his cruel past and his desperate present are so hard to face for him and for MC that the player receive no actual romantic feeling. No one could ever fall in love while people around them are falling apart piece after piece.
During all of my gameplay, I wished to confort Ray (Saeran‘s fake name given by Rika. “Ray” like ray of sunlight, as Rika is obsessed by the sun. “Ray” also matches the other name given by Rika to his brother: Luciel –bringer of light-).
If in 707’s route V sacrifices himself in order to save Saeran and, somehow, redeem Rika, in his own route he just cannot do that. So Rika and Saeran, literally, cannot be saved by their demons.
Why, Cheritz, did you have to break our hearts like this? Right now the release of a seventh route dedicated to Saeran Choi/Ray is absolutely a must. And it had better end very very happily as we all need to cleanse our souls from all we have gone through in this one tragic story!
Even if I can’t say this is my favourite otome route, I won’t deny Mystic Messenger’s V route is the most courageous and most unexpected outcome I could ever imagine for a visual novel. After this one, dating sims’ universe will never be the same innocent and fluffy world ever again.
(click for larger view)
–> credits to the artist 
V’s route had clear and beautiful emotions which I felt towards him and other characters involved. I’m sure V’s problem with self-love is something that many can relate to and possibly look up to as a guide line. It was beautiful to watch him take responsibility and forgive himself for his mistakes, leave toxic people in his life behind, and finally be who he wanted to be without fear. I could relate to him in a personal level so V became quite precious to me. I have saved his route’s ending song “The Compass” so that I can be reminded from what I’ve learned in his route about myself.
Despite it all… I had a few problems:
I never had a minute of rest in V’s route ;; I was getting bombarded constantly by different disasters despite the deep and hurtful problems of the character I was playing the route of:
1. I had mixed emotions about Rika after learning her past and her not-so-healthy relationship with V, trying to choose whether she’s guilty or not or if I can possibly forgive her. Also her unfortunate destiny at the 10th day was a huge shock.
2. I was getting involved in Ray’s deep-rooted trauma, pain, and obsession towards MC. At some point I found myself liking him despite how messed up he was and had the strong urge find a way to save him . I also had to deal with the shock and mixed emotions of what happened to Ray eventually.
3. I was dealing with Yousung’s grief over Rika and other characters pain and shock after realizing who Rika really was.
4. The Choi twins were practically confronting each other with Seven not knowing who Ray was and it also gave me many complicated emotions such as anticipation, excitement, and fear for what’s to come.
and ALL OF THESE are just beside V’s pain, struggle with self-worth, and consequences of his mistakes.
For God’s sake T-T Give me a break T-T As a player I was hoping for some chill moments with MC and V talking, being vulnerable and that sweet connection but I had very little of that. Even the scenes like that which were provided were drowned in the heaviness of other emotions. AND HIS ROUTE DIDN’T EVEN HAVE A KISS T-T WHY T-T
There were things left in suspense which I hope to see in V’s after ending!
But after all I personally don’t regret playing V’s route even one bit! It’ll surly be one of my most memorable experiences in Otome world.
Not having a kissing scene is such a crime in Cheritz’s part. Like come on! lol. But you’re gonna love his Forgive after ending. Without giving spoilers, it pretty much covers all your concerns.