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Mapping: The Trash-Tier Skill That Got Me Into a Top-Tier Party (Novel) #1
Mapping: The Trash-Tier Skill That Got Me Into a Top-Tier Party: Volume 1
Note Athlon was really looking forward to becoming an adventurer with his best friend (and crush) Miya. That is, until he drew Mapping—a rare skill with practically no purpose. In other words, it’s trash. This kicks off a vicious spiral for Note, who plummets further and further into the depths of self-loathing despair when Miya leaves him. He now spends his days drinking away his earnings, wondering how things might have been different if only he’d pulled a better skill...
But little does he know his trash-tier skill is about to score him an invite to a top-tier adventuring party! Note’s now determined to find his way through life—and a dungeon!—in order to make something of himself.
But little does he know his trash-tier skill is about to score him an invite to a top-tier adventuring party! Note’s now determined to find his way through life—and a dungeon!—in order to make something of himself.
160 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 15, 2020
98 people are currently reading
103 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
August 29, 2020
It was a difficult read to get through the first 3/4ths of this novel. The main character starts out as a real piece of trash that is wallowing in self-pity and contempt, which makes the first-person story telling hard to read. It is incredibly hard to get emotionally connected with the main character.
However, as the story progresses and the main character starts to realize what a dipshit he's been and begins to change, then the story gets more interesting. The supporting characters make the first part of the book at least bearable, but once we get to the 60-70% mark, the story gets far more lively and is a much more enjoyable read due to the main character realizing he needs to change and working so hard to become a better person. Hopefully, the follow-up volumes will be far more enjoyable reads and the main character won't revert to being an ass.
However, as the story progresses and the main character starts to realize what a dipshit he's been and begins to change, then the story gets more interesting. The supporting characters make the first part of the book at least bearable, but once we get to the 60-70% mark, the story gets far more lively and is a much more enjoyable read due to the main character realizing he needs to change and working so hard to become a better person. Hopefully, the follow-up volumes will be far more enjoyable reads and the main character won't revert to being an ass.
April 25, 2022
Author creates a self-deprecating, loser-wimp of a main character. To achieve this and make it believable, author makes all of his character gifted skill dependent. As if a person could not be intelligent, or have martial arts training, military training, additional adventurer training, as a compliment to a trash or useless skill. Why only use the skill gifted randomly? what they don't use their arms or legs, they are adventurers that don't have brains, brawn or personalities? In the end, there is no such thing as a crappy skill, only a crappy story written by a crappy author about a crappy main character. What kind of an imagination does one need to make a loser-wimp-self-deprecating-coward, main character? I bet the money this LN series cost me that the author writes from his personal experience.
The problem with placing Mapping as a useless skill, is that it cannot become useful because if Mapping all of a sudden is something that a top tier team would require, then it is no longer a trash-skill and thus the author contradicts the main plot arc, the title of this light novel series and all of the constant criticisms that were written against Note, the main character.
It is either useful or useless. Both cannot be true at the same time. If it's useful, then the title of this LN series is no longer valid, LN series is not valid, and author has no integrity.
How many years did Note, main character, lose of lack of training (running to improve stamina, martial arts to fight his way out of any situation, etc.) while thinking and getting drunk that mapping was worthless? Who would depend on only one skill to survive if there are so many skills needed to be an adventurer? Skills can be learnt, but stupidity is there forever.
The problem with placing Mapping as a useless skill, is that it cannot become useful because if Mapping all of a sudden is something that a top tier team would require, then it is no longer a trash-skill and thus the author contradicts the main plot arc, the title of this light novel series and all of the constant criticisms that were written against Note, the main character.
It is either useful or useless. Both cannot be true at the same time. If it's useful, then the title of this LN series is no longer valid, LN series is not valid, and author has no integrity.
How many years did Note, main character, lose of lack of training (running to improve stamina, martial arts to fight his way out of any situation, etc.) while thinking and getting drunk that mapping was worthless? Who would depend on only one skill to survive if there are so many skills needed to be an adventurer? Skills can be learnt, but stupidity is there forever.
September 18, 2020
A light read with more practicality in its form than wonder. The story is average but, as a starter to a series, a bit disappointing. I would have liked something a bit more than the one plot that was seemingly rushed in halfway, but that does not mean it was bad—I’m just the type of person who wants a little more meat, or a little more pounding at the set up, you know?
I have to praise the MC’s short but sweet development throughout the pages of the text. That was done beautifully and seeing him break expectations was worthwhile. As the bearer of the first person POV the story is written in, he ruminates and improves.
Certain sections are hard to sit through based solely on the “second hand embarrassment” or “second hand awkwardness” you might feel, but I give credit to the writer’s hand here to be able to make me feel what the MC does in the first place.
If you’re expecting action, don’t, this story seems more like a slice of life that simply happens to take place in a fantasy world. To reflect that, the writing is as light as most light novels are, with brief descriptions.
It’s comedic in nature and hardly takes itself seriously, which is a charming read from time to time. Predictable and with almost no tension, unwind and enjoy at your own pace.
The main draw of the story is the batshit crazy party~With a hint of romance budding.
I have to praise the MC’s short but sweet development throughout the pages of the text. That was done beautifully and seeing him break expectations was worthwhile. As the bearer of the first person POV the story is written in, he ruminates and improves.
Certain sections are hard to sit through based solely on the “second hand embarrassment” or “second hand awkwardness” you might feel, but I give credit to the writer’s hand here to be able to make me feel what the MC does in the first place.
If you’re expecting action, don’t, this story seems more like a slice of life that simply happens to take place in a fantasy world. To reflect that, the writing is as light as most light novels are, with brief descriptions.
It’s comedic in nature and hardly takes itself seriously, which is a charming read from time to time. Predictable and with almost no tension, unwind and enjoy at your own pace.
The main draw of the story is the batshit crazy party~With a hint of romance budding.
November 21, 2024
The book spends way too much time endlessly repeating all the self-created issues the main character has. At least 70% of the pages could have been trimmed out or condensed to a short chapter instead and it would have been a less tedious read.
It's not the skill that is trash-tier, it's the main character's personality. He is lazy, both in mind and action. He verbally bites people that try to help him. Even when he tries to change, he hinders himself with his horrid communication skills.
The ending takes too long to happen. It might a good sign for the next volume, but that's not a sure thing as many authors repeat and drag out the worse parts of their characters.
The world building has some positive elements - such as the Skill ceremony is done in private - unlike several others where the debut children can get shamed in public - but is random and unbalanced. Much of the logic only makes sense if the world is a game.
The world economy is so vague.
Most of the characters act half their age - I'm not sure how someone is meant to relate to the main character. In line with his personality the main narrator is an unreliable source of world knowledge.
To a new reader I would suggest you skim very quickly to the last 2 chapters.
It's not the skill that is trash-tier, it's the main character's personality. He is lazy, both in mind and action. He verbally bites people that try to help him. Even when he tries to change, he hinders himself with his horrid communication skills.
The ending takes too long to happen. It might a good sign for the next volume, but that's not a sure thing as many authors repeat and drag out the worse parts of their characters.
The world building has some positive elements - such as the Skill ceremony is done in private - unlike several others where the debut children can get shamed in public - but is random and unbalanced. Much of the logic only makes sense if the world is a game.
The world economy is so vague.
Most of the characters act half their age - I'm not sure how someone is meant to relate to the main character. In line with his personality the main narrator is an unreliable source of world knowledge.
To a new reader I would suggest you skim very quickly to the last 2 chapters.
July 7, 2024
The MC is super lame for most of this volume, but is genuinely quite capable. He somehow manages to learn the Thief skills quickly and also perfects the ability to use multiple skills at once for extended periods of time. He surpassed Jin's expectations and finished training without needing to be told what comes next. This is a pretty big deal, as Jin is a very capable Thief and is also on the best adventuring team in the world.
The MC's Mapping skill also ends up not being worthless at all. It's rare and most people who end up with it are not capable of adventuring, so it's troublesome to even get to the point where it could be used in a dungeon. The story establishes that few people have figured out its true usefulness in the otherworldly dungeons.
Right off the bat, we have an MC that is capable of detecting all entities and any traps within a 1km radius. He can also disarm a fair variety of traps that could show up in the many levels of the dungeon.
I think there's potential here, so I'll keep reading. It's strange that most of the MC's problems are resolved in this first volume... Wonder where the conflict is going to come from now...
The MC's Mapping skill also ends up not being worthless at all. It's rare and most people who end up with it are not capable of adventuring, so it's troublesome to even get to the point where it could be used in a dungeon. The story establishes that few people have figured out its true usefulness in the otherworldly dungeons.
Right off the bat, we have an MC that is capable of detecting all entities and any traps within a 1km radius. He can also disarm a fair variety of traps that could show up in the many levels of the dungeon.
I think there's potential here, so I'll keep reading. It's strange that most of the MC's problems are resolved in this first volume... Wonder where the conflict is going to come from now...
January 17, 2023
About 2/3 of the way into this book I was considering whether I would continue reading this series, and then suddenly a certain unexpected event took place that pleasantly surprised me and grabbed my interest and held it until the end. Same thing happened in the second book, but earlier on, so I think I'll be sticking with this one till the end. I've already seen a couple ideas that took the story in directions I found interesting and showed a depth I wasn't expecting, so I'm looking forward to seeing what else the author will do to surprise me.
October 21, 2020
A very relatable and enjoyable read
So I just finished Mapping the trash tier skill that got me into a top tier party and I have to say it was rather enjoyable, if course there were plenty of OP people from the story but the MC wasn’t he was very relatable a random dude handed a horribly hand to play with and he’s making it work for him through effort. So I think it is very good and a very enjoyable read
So I just finished Mapping the trash tier skill that got me into a top tier party and I have to say it was rather enjoyable, if course there were plenty of OP people from the story but the MC wasn’t he was very relatable a random dude handed a horribly hand to play with and he’s making it work for him through effort. So I think it is very good and a very enjoyable read
December 4, 2020
Ok now a combination of......?
You take the lowest of the low and start on a adventure.Add in a true lack of self esteem drop him into the best team and mix it up and see what happens next.
You take the lowest of the low and start on a adventure.Add in a true lack of self esteem drop him into the best team and mix it up and see what happens next.
November 6, 2022
I think this would be a boring and leech like main character, but seems this series was quite good, especially this first volume. The skill was a trash, but nothing trash in this world, only how we could utilize them became our unfair advantage.
April 19, 2025
DNF
I didnt get too far into the story, I just cant take the self-loathing, self-pitying mc and the less-than-sympathetic side characters. It was still in the training arc when I quit, so it might get better later but I dont care enough to find out. Not worth the effort to get past.
I didnt get too far into the story, I just cant take the self-loathing, self-pitying mc and the less-than-sympathetic side characters. It was still in the training arc when I quit, so it might get better later but I dont care enough to find out. Not worth the effort to get past.
November 13, 2020
Funny
Slow on the start, but absolutely hilarious as you go on. Easily recommend for a light, enticing, and entertaining read.
Slow on the start, but absolutely hilarious as you go on. Easily recommend for a light, enticing, and entertaining read.
June 18, 2021
Crap writing. The story was kind of funny but man… what appealing writing, even for a LN
December 14, 2022
Muy entretenido de leer, la interacción de los personajes es buena y el dibujo es una preciosidad
September 1, 2024
The characters are good, the story has some twists, and it is an enjoyable read.
December 7, 2024
Don't get invested in this series
Dropped my rating from 4-star to 2 because it ends at Volume 8 with essentially 10 different cliffhangers
The story is pretty enjoyable and it's great seeing the MC eventually coming into his own, but as soon as the hardwork of the previous 7 volumes and build up is coming to a head, the author decides he's just kind of "done" with the series out of the blue and with no explanation except for a "thanks for reading" in the afterword
Dropped my rating from 4-star to 2 because it ends at Volume 8 with essentially 10 different cliffhangers
The story is pretty enjoyable and it's great seeing the MC eventually coming into his own, but as soon as the hardwork of the previous 7 volumes and build up is coming to a head, the author decides he's just kind of "done" with the series out of the blue and with no explanation except for a "thanks for reading" in the afterword
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 3, 2022
Not a whole lot of plot but I feel like it's a good setup for a series.
January 31, 2022
a good read
The story was entertaining and it was short. I’m actually curious about what will happen in the next book. The art work bought me into the story as well
The story was entertaining and it was short. I’m actually curious about what will happen in the next book. The art work bought me into the story as well
May 24, 2021
When I first starting reading I can honestly said I did not like the MC. I also believe he was also a perfect MC because he allows for growth that will keep you invested. He was meant to not be liked at first. Hell he didn't like himself either. However, by the end of the LN you see slot of changes to character as he struggles to change himself for the better.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews