@CommieJohnTeh
@mechpolaris
@Serverclosed
been reading the novel translation translated to 280+ while it ends at 402. No harem. Some girls will confess to the hero but he clearly turns them down. Heroine also won't put up with that shit and will nip harem potential in the bud. As for op, the hero eventually gets some good equipment and abilities but it doesn't make him unstoppable. In fact, he's still weaker than the heroine at where I am and neither of them are as strong as a few of the characters they know. They're getting up there, and maybe they'll be a match for the best at the end, but I'm almost 3/4 in and they're way up there now but not the best or unrivaled.
On the other hand, romance in this story is pretty good (note that I've seen some of the manga raws and don't think it will do a good job with pacing or conveying their couple growth.) It's a steady progression as they get to know eachother. This is one of my favorite novels as it really is a good romance story.