I read 3 Million words of LOTM you should too.

[@mrs_fors-05]

Bro's targeted Roselle as his audience with that intro💀

[@Mr.Mysteriess]

@@mrs_fors-05 perchance 🧐

[@hi_its_jodie]

@@Mr.Mysteriess the taste of a demoness isnt that bad

[@FictionReader-3638Th]

And demoness pathway simpers

[@FictionReader-3638Th]

​@@Mr.Mysteriesshey.... Why do you have a monocle...?

[@memberofthewatchercouncil1738]

"Taste of a demoness ain't bad"

[@skymer2711]

Read lotm. You get: Peak fiction Side effect: Fear of monocles 🧐

[@Heavenly-Disaster]

Add pregnant women to that list

[@moonsarc1744]

Its just a pen😂

[@Μοχντ_Αλί]

​@@Heavenly-Disasteralso mushroom

[@MagusOfArcadia]

And of psychologists

[@hamzaosama613]

And mushrooms...

[@MaxIronShorts]

I started the Video and my Family Heard „DO YOU LIKE FEMBOYS"😂😂😂

[@Mr.Mysteriess]

@@MaxIronShorts peak fr

[@Javyyg]

Me too man😭😭😭

[@EnthusiasticAurora-he6mb]

@@Mr.Mysteriess there are no femboys right?

[@s8nbutgerman209]

I dont like Femboys, should i still read?

[@Bolun-wt7vv]

"you get superpower by *simply* drink potions" Yeah so simple 💀

[@user-7x6zcpfs]

This is basically what happens in COI. everyone can easily become a beyonder.

[@MrEvans1]

​@@user-7x6zcpfs umm... nope?

[@Cznh]

​​@@MrEvans1kinda close Ed: at least it's much safer

[@MrEvans1]

@@Cznh example?

[@Teabreak-venerate]

​@@MrEvans1well In Coi you can just eat the beyondwr characteristics but in lotm well gg

[@gigagamerhd735]

send the first seconds to a friend who read LOTM and now he has to explain why his favorite book is about femboys

[@subarunatsuki1902]

Fang Yuan crimes seems so little compared to yours....

[@alexsnyder5476]

I'm not that far in but I completely agree with you about the tarot club. Honestly those chapters are what is keeping me hooked with the story currently.

[@phantasmblue]

Trust me, it'll get better. There's also some (in my opinion) funny moments with the club lol (especially the reactions from the other members)

[@wandering-magician]

to me it's not that tarot clubs are the reason i get hooked to story, it gives optimism even when klein is suffering and the situation just doesn't seem good ,so in a sense tarot club works like an anchor to not only Klein but to us readers also...

[@amathos1130]

⁠yup, I‘m a sucker for those moments. Overlord is one of my favorite anime, and a huge part of the reason why is the dynamic between the MC and his followers and it’s the same here. Followers thinking the MC is some kind of all knowing divine who got it all figured out meanwhile the MC is clueless as heck to the point of sneaking their questions in subtle ways for the followers to answer. (Like creating a smurf).

[@Dello678]

How good is the character development and overall plot of the story? I mostly hear about the fights and power system.

[@PhoenixWolf195]

@Dello678 The worldbuilding and characters are what make this a masterpiece. Everyone gets character development, even side characters that you thought were just gonna stick around for a few chapters get development. The plot starts off slow since the author is explaining the world and how it works to you first, once you get past the slow start, then you're golden. Highly suggest finishing at least vol 1 (213 chapters) to see if you like it.

[@I23897]

Ending of the video called me out too much. Great lotm glazing video I’d be convinced if I hadn’t already read it. Would’ve been hooked by your first sentence fr.

[@Mr.Mysteriess]

Thank you I appreciate it a lot!

[@wandering-magician]

i see lotm content, i click, just as u specified at last. 😂

[@Mr.Mysteriess]

@@wandering-magician w mans

[@slushy9416]

@@Mr.Mysteriess you called me out so hard on that last part you hit all the marks aint even lying

[@over-ingaming6490]

@@slushy9416 same, even the fuquin "Boy" part. Bro rly got the age down XD

[@rejuan297]

Man start uploading LOTM content and you will get subscribers because there are very very few people who make LOTM content. Since anime is coming out it will become probably the anime of the year. And there will be a large number of audience.

[@Mr.Mysteriess]

I shall grind

[@GeoffreyWilliamson-mt7vh]

Orv's getting an anime adaptation.

[@Lookatthisguy0017]

If Chinese has access or can freely choose YT, my giy for sure 1m+ now​@@Mr.Mysteriess

[@skylercloud3077]

I hope so, I’d love to not be the only person I know irl who’s finished lotm and willing to talk about it :0

[@DeludedOne]

PRAISE THE FOOL! One of the things that I feel wasn't quite as clear in the potions system is switching pathways. It's pretty clear by the time of LotM 2: Electric Boogaloo that you actually retroactively gain all the powers of the previous sequences of the pathway you switch to while also keeping all the powers of all the sequences of your original pathway right up tot the point where you made the switch. This kind of objectively makes beyonders who switch pathways stronger and more capable due to the wider variety in their powers. As for Amon, think of the Among Us game, remove the "g", then have every jellybean wear a monocle and that's it. That's as succinct a summary of Amon as you get.

[@rejuan297]

Why you should read LOTM? Ans: It is the pinnacle of storytelling. Hence peak fiction.

[@Mr.Mysteriess]

@@rejuan297 what he said

[@GrayOwly]

Bro I got addicted to lotm right before my final exams in my last high school year, I failed miserably.thats how addicted I got. It's the fking best and im glad it's getting an anime adaptation and coming to main stream media. I hope they dub it , One of the worst things about Chinese media is that they just don't give a fuck about international release and overall wider audience cause they have enough in china. I hope they know what a huge thing Lord of the mysteries is and push for a larger audience with at least English speaking viewers in mind.

[@IrfanSyahmie-gw9cv]

i started by reading the manhwa, bad start, i know. Then i tried the novel, didn’t get past volume 1. Get to know the lore more and more spoiler. I actually know Adam without reading it. The picture you showed about cool fights? ain’t that the fight when i klein was seq 4 or something against a seq 1? yup, im cooked. I can’t get into reading the damn novel. And i don’t wanna wait for the anime too. Goddamn.

[@Mr.Mysteriess]

@@IrfanSyahmie-gw9cv it’s Klein seq 3 it’s so dam good lmao I hope a good manhwa gets adapted so more people can read it

[@I23897]

Btw the manhua adaption isn’t official it’s fan made so I’m sorry you wasted your time reading that.

[@moonvenerable7897]

It's the only webnovel i have reread and did it 3 times it's that good.

[@kunzhulin800]

It’s worth to reread, because when you see the videos of lotm content made by other readers you will find there’s so many details you don’t get it when you read it in the first time😂

[@wandering-magician]

the recent coi developments are crazy

[@Mr.Mysteriess]

@@wandering-magician true

[@lilithhowll]

im learning it in french bc, someone told me its easy to read, and its an abosolute unlocker of anykanguage, if you have lingq it's easier, but if not you can look for every word on the dictionary and it gets easier bc the author uses a lot of repeated words and i love it bc it makes me stay focused bc its interesting and lovely and i love it, its like a lazy way of studying i guess but if you are learning it in your main language its totally worth it bc its great

[@villain1419]

Started reading this a week ago already 500 chapters in 😂

[@botsenpai4205]

where do you read it?

[@devallov329]

Right 2 years ago I just randomly read lotm by looking people talking it in Facebook group And then I finished vol 1.... Wtf bro how are the novel getting this good, and I read it every night before I sleep and finish it after few months, Im crying watching Klein's journey until the end, I'm crying questions why all things should be like this, This is PEAK man seriously 🔥🔥🔥 Now I'm still reading vol 1 - book 2 after stacking the chapter lol

[@GreatOn-e]

I really wish Mr.Fool's final titles at the end of novel would be:- "Lord Of Mysteries, The Ruler Of Great Old Ones,Beacon Of Destiny,Singularity of All; Space-Time-in-One,The Beyond one, An Eternal Miracle, Great Door Of All Doors,Trojan Horse Of Fate, Eternal Cycle,Dominator Of The Spirit World".

[@Yorazel]

bro's title is a novel

[@GreatOn-e]

@@Yorazel Once "They" become 'Great Old Ones' "They" will have Full titles corresponding to "Their" Authorities and Symbol instead of Honorific names like "True God" because "They" will become a direct representation of a certain aspect of the univers.

[@supremegodemperorderpfestor]

​@@GreatOn-e Except they still have honorific names

[@supremegodemperorderpfestor]

@sonufarms And gods are also the direct representation of certain concepts of the universe.

[@GreatOn-e]

@@supremegodemperorderpfestor nah they are embodiment of the corresponding Authorities they held, They will just have Control over Authority, not that they represents Authority, one Great onld one can held back 5-6 true deities at the same time ,horrors of Great old ones exsides our imaginations.

[@Alvis183]

The part that fked with mind the most was the fight with zaratul. The wording when using the historical void projection was just pure mindbreaking stuff. Like I couldn't understand a single thing that was happening

[@yaqinmalul6467]

This video is solid lord of mysteries in nutshell ❤ Btw the anime donghua adaptation will come in 2025

[@Graduation7484]

I has to stop at 2:59 cuz I don’t want more spoilers, I’m only on volume 3 right now

[@Amon342]

casually just spoilng the existence of Above the sequences

[@redpaprika6060]

Agree with everything aha XD Power system is insane, Tarot Club was my drug for months, fight scenes are phenomenal and now I lost my sanity and I'm craving LOTM everyday and praising The Fool XD

[@LIMITLESS_MYSTERY]

I was half awake when I clicked on the notification, but that intro got my full attention 😅

[@Mr.Mysteriess]

@@LIMITLESS_MYSTERY all Lotm enjoyers can relate to the intro

[@daedalus4937]

The taste of a Demoness ain't bad. Also yea Lotm is fucking incredible and its Honestly a shame how many people skip the sequel Circle of Inevitability just because Klein isnt the main character though hell be back soon according to the Author. But the Coi is just as good as lotm man and people should read it. However. Lotm gave me a fear of shrooms ,Monocles and pregnancy.

[@memberofthewatchercouncil1738]

Too true. However you forgot one thing knowledge itself is a trauma in LOTM

[@Matthew-jm6zt]

Alright you’ve convinced me I’ll give it a try. I kept getting distracted by the aim training in the background

[@higchx7987]

If you enjoyed LOTM and wonder what you should read now. I would recommend that you read Shadow Slave. It has interesting chracters, a complex world filled with unsolved mysteries and a story with twists and turns which you will definitely not see coming.

[@Neamio]

"Do you like femboys" Greatest Intro ever

[@endoperez_]

I am a shameless Lord of the Mysteries fanboy looking for new LotM content on youtube... And I'd love to share a video talking about LotM, but only if it's without any major spoilers, such as who the villains are. Unfortunately, your video isn't that. But if you do make a non-spoiler version, that might be a different story! Also, you kind of forgot to explain the femboy stuff is relevant to the story, although I have to admit it was a catchy start to the clip.

[@Mr.Mysteriess]

valid and thank you for the advice!

[@skylercloud3077]

the problem with this is that I have already read lotm. Which means I am now tempted to reread… darn, I should study for my finals…

[@aneeshewawins4796]

Awesome video! Love LOTM content. I would recommend a more fleshed out script that dives deep into what makes LOTM good without spoiling. Scamboli does a good job of crafting a great narrative that really hooks the viewer, so maybe grab some inspiration from that

[@ovocarrina3948]

I guess this is a hint for me to continue LoTM I can’t believe I read mtl Korean novel twice and not much Chinese novels when I understand Chinese pretty well😂

[@over-ingaming6490]

bro rly said "if I don't get rich and famous from youtube, im cooked."

[@Darius_jonson6380]

Ts had me geeking

[@xgod3725]

"The taste of demoness isnt bad"

[@blob2813]

This made me start reading it. I’ll keep you guys updated in a month

[@swtnk7468]

How fast are you reading? Read volume 1 yet?

[@blob2813]

@@swtnk7468 NOT YET COUPLE CHAPTERSSS IN 😭

[@Avery_casyrdark]

Finna risk it all and read it

[@Gullible_Ad760]

we're so back Boyz!!!

[@melro7827]

Nice man you finally started uploading. You should try making videos like this on other novels like Reverend insanity. Keep up the good work.

[@Mr.Mysteriess]

@@melro7827 thank you melro7827 I’ll try to cover more and more I’m not fully done with RI yet so it may be a little bit before I do that one but I’ll catch up hopefully soon

[@paimoner5668]

Can i get the link for the pathways chart at 1:47 please?

[@mcdonaldtrump228]

Can't wait for the anime!!!!

[@luisrambo4875]

i didnt started but yeah i was in need to see if it was actually peak PEAK, and oh boy i will start reading this like there is no tommorow!

[@vendacity]

Now the real question… where can I read this goated series. Any website recommendations?

[@GreenLeef-Tea]

Lighnovelpub I guess

[@swtnk7468]

Just type the name on google

[@vendacity]

@@swtnk7468 wasn’t sure. There’s some websites that don’t have every chapter. Thought there was an official website for that LN like Re:Zero

[@vendacity]

@@swtnk7468 Was just wondering because some LNs have “official” websites for the LN, say for example Re:Zero has Witch Cult Translations. Thought this one had an official website too

[@Rosawww]

Whats femboy gotta do with LOTM

[@jevaisboxer9506]

Should make a video on explaining the power system I searched and no one has done it

[@Mr.Mysteriess]

Not a bad video idea thank you !

[@Dank64]

please more contents im very sad about not having lotm videos on internet except short edits and when i found out i read half of the lotm and felt very disapointed and thought of droping

[@anoniemanoniem6426]

Where the RI gang at 🗣🗣

[@immortalcatsage3022]

I haven't read lotm trying to find reasons to read it. Maybe this video is it. I will finish my current novel then maybe I will read it

[@RedMari-ir8xx]

Push through the first vol. Cause the start of vol 1 throws off many readers. But the vol 1 ending is where the craziness slowly takes you, and slowly after every vol ending, you won't be able to stop reading at the end later on 😈😈 But jokes aside, this is actual peak. The beginning is worldbuilding focused, and you're supposed to not really understand the first 60 chapters, so take your time on those first few chapters, but it slowly gets better from vol 1, and after volume 2, is one of my fav volumes. Anyways, READ ITTTT 👹

[@Nascent_Soul]

How many seconds do you think Invoker and attendant go from initial to ~> full control? I surmise 2secs ~> 5sec for Invoker and 1sec ~>3sec attendant? For the subsequent sequence, < 1sec to 2secs.

[@lsoleroktl2990]

7:36 you hit the nail right on the head 😂

[@Filo337]

Bro IS Roselle 😭🙏

[@TheAlterer]

Can some honestly convince me to read LOTM? I tried it twice and read around 100 chapters but could not for the life of me continue. Mind you, I am an avid reader and can read 200 chapters of mediocrity and still look forward to the interesting stuff, but LOTM is bogged with so much useless fluff that I can't help but stop myself from reading every few paragraphs. I feel like I am being punished for paying attention to the story. There is that super long review by kkgoh on novelupdates that I wholeheartedly continue. Is the story that good to push through the suffering? Please don't answer with "peak" and "trust" because that means nothing to me.

[@ryoidfurong905]

Yeah, everyone here in this vid just called it PEAK and BADASS and PRAISE THE FOOL and give little to no reason of why the story is good outside of the mentioned aspect.

[@amathos1130]

Being heavy on info is kinda prevalent theme throughout the story. The pace is admittedly slow in the first volume but it picks up and keeps going faster is you go through the chapters. Later with many of the volumes you’d start with many separate plot points that later start entertaining into a very satisfying climax in the end of the volume. Later, one of the best antagonist and one of my favorite of all time, Amon, would show up and it’s always tense when he suddenly show up with his signature monocle. There many other great aspects to it like the great characters and the power system as mentioned in the video too.

[@RienhartHiensenberg]

What is that intro 💀 Bro targeted rosselle

[@HexAndrei]

i get lorm content AND ruin the future of someone ?? this deserves a subscribe !!!

[@Mr.Mysteriess]

Thank you! hex the goat over here

[@breadlordthemighty559]

Read supreme magus. Not the best but something to remember. Atleast for the first 700 chapters.

[@Mr.Mysteriess]

Ill check it out ive heard of it before

[@memberofthewatchercouncil1738]

Supreme Magus is also quite good, there's definitely some gem moments in there, not only that but it sometimes follow the perspective of other characters in the novel as well. Spoiler alert: Like Lith Verhen doing a secret handshake with a lich, making the lich identify him as one of them. Lith beating the hell out of a wyvern in his bird-dragon form. Lith creating a magical car, capable of flying and teleportation, something that was ever thought of. Which bypasses the Empires extremely well developed and expensive air defences

[@antimnaftan4755]

Searching stuff up about the LOTM fandom feels like I am researching a cult. The way you all talk about this show, and the lengths you go to just to consume more ( I saw a guy that literally skiped out on work and school and all kinds of other stuff just to watch more of this) makes me believe that they must of put some cognito hazards in this shit to make y'all adicted to it more than crack 💀 Are you all okay? Did a great old one implant his seed into y'alls mind? Are you going to take over the world?

[@mangavavoune5070]

I have to say, I love the lore in LoTM sooo much, it is what kept me continue to read. But Klein, his powers and the general development are just sooo slow😭😭😭 I abandoned because I was forcing myself to continue and I didnt had pleasure to read unless it was talking about the lore.... Sadly I stoped my reading at chapter 385, and I really wish someone'll make a 1hour video about all of the lore of LoTM but sadly the style of writting of the author is not for me 😔

[@RedMari-ir8xx]

If you have time later, keep pushing, because the writing gets better, and later you won't be able to stop reading the next chapter

[@tom79623]

Honestly, the more i hear about this, the less i want to read it

[@BrunoCosta-jl8uz]

Well the beggining really doesnt have much going on, Its not a novel for everyone i guess, worth imo

[@reddevil5712]

I'm outside your house

[@BrunoCosta-jl8uz]

im inside your walls

[@MicukoFelton]

when you start it you'll be hooked

[@nikolakhizanishvili1332]

too* nehehehehhehehehehe

[@HowDolDeleteAChannel]

You're dropping so many spoilers for the newbies 😢

[@loopesosu]

the video is up for 10 days how do u not notice the typo in title

[@kfofoxososlzlzllz]

7:36 on point 😂😂😂

[@DeontologicalConsequentialism]

No way I got spoiled like this...

[@RedMari-ir8xx]

Lmaooo just like, Take a break from reading(to hopefully forget the spoilers) then you're good to go ig 😂

[@DeontologicalConsequentialism]

@@RedMari-ir8xx aight bet ty

[@hans1783]

Tried reading lotm… it's just not for me.

[@zayan0758]

Very convincing but that 3000chapter gotta be my the biggest mental challenge for me NGL i am just gonna wait for the anime which releases in 2025 I think then get in the novel

[@Mr.Mysteriess]

@@zayan0758 it’s only 1400 chapters but I do understand the hesitation but the whole thing is so peak

[@zayan0758]

@@Mr.Mysteriess I went in to see it in lightnovelpub I think and saw 3200+ chapters is there another one? also how big r the chapters from what I have heard it's alot bigger than the avg ln chapter

[@zayan0758]

@@Mr.Mysteriess ok I rechecked its 1432 chaps mb I might have gotten it confused with Reverend Insanity

[@rejuan297]

Relax bro. In reality LOTM has 1394 chapters. Others are side stories that does not matter. After that there is a second book which is a sequel with different main character but it's still continuing and it's about 850 or so chapters.

[@Mr.Mysteriess]

@@rejuan297 true

[@abderrahimjerrai6283]

Nth to say but here's a comment for the algorithms

[@Mr.Mysteriess]

Thank you

[@mikerousi443]

I read like first 10 chapters and understood almost nothing.Not for me i guess.

[@kunzhulin800]

Need more patience in the beginning dozens of chapters, it will payback so good in later chapters 😊

[@roksanaparvin1821]

I also understood nothing but it's because your seeing this from kleins poverty of him also unsestanding nothing.

[@RedMari-ir8xx]

It's supposed to be not very understandable the first 60 chapters. It gradually gets better though, so if you have time, please push through the first volume. The ending of vol 1 is crazy, and things slowly become insane.

[@Rylle0913]

this shi is 3 times longer than the bible lmfao 😭😭

[@chrisanderson2056]

Insta sub , not many channels covering LOTM…

[@vdtdemise9112]

6:22 what fight scene is this image from?? Dont reply if it involves big spoiler because im almost finished with lotm. Less then 100 chapyers away.

[@Mr.Mysteriess]

well if your only 100 chapters away its the fight in the forsaken land of the gods against Sasir so no spoilers

[@vdtdemise9112]

@@Mr.Mysteriess Ah, okay 👍. Thanks tho

[@vdtdemise9112]

​@@Mr.MysteriessI just looked back at Sasrir from the image and damn he looks terrifying 😮😮. I would love to see that in the dongua. But it's not coming anytime soon tho 😢

[@ernestamora7617]

What if he never transmigrated

[@ДэбИскобочка]

it was 3 million words? felt like 2

[@keyln4148]

Lotm ? I click

[@Nobody-ph8js]

background game?

[@opatzo9165]

Praise the fool!

[@bullybeatdown1988]

How do I go about reading and is there a hard cover

[@Arvind-13832]

Here is ur comment for LOTM and for youtube algo.(can u give me some obscure and well written webnovels as i am reading dimensional descent now)

[@dmsys6516]

reading umineko wen?

[@lkaryy]

whats a tarot club?

[@Nie77Named]

LoTM is peak

[@fromiizone]

just finished book 1 and it was so peak. spoilers ahead...... The battle of the orthodox gods and the final fight with Amon had me on the edge of my seat the entire time Now, just wanna ask what should I read next? Side stories or COI?

[@yUsernaae]

Read the side stories but wait a bit before COI I read COI but it doesn't keep me as interested as LOTM been stuck on mid 500's for a few months

[@Noredia_Yuki]

This explanation isn’t really what I’d agree with but it’s okay

[@opa8012]

bro should not be spoiling all pathways... wtf are you doing bro, "minor spoilers" yeah sure spoil something the novel takes a thousand+ chapters to explore fully.

[@JasminAkter-kv9jv]

Can u guys tell me where should i watch the manga?

[@ghoulhoodie]

manga 💀

[@infasis]

Do I?! No, I'm not a homosexual, sorry. lol

[@ediondodos1744]

I love the fights on lotm, but the last fight with Amon to become the Lord of the mystery was super hard to follow what was happening

[@Dank64]

bro lotm is not a isekai...

[@GerrardGarcia]

It is..

[@justsomeone6322]

Shhhh..... 🤫

[@RedMari-ir8xx]

Don't spoil it lol

[@squidwardismydaddy3480]

I LOVE LOTM

[@s8nbutgerman209]

I dont like Femboys should i still read?

[@hullbreakergaming4629]

I Agree

[@missskabls2247]

👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

[@mortnite88]

please play better scenarios

[@koketsu-ui1hk]

I think lotm power system is pretty generic for the most part but the part that makes it really special is how many pathways there are and the madness that those who chose to become a beyonder face

[@Mr.Mysteriess]

Understandable take

[@bibleman1117]

The power system is very unique in the consequences it brings & the limited material aspect of it, by limiting beyonder characteristics it fuels a lot of the conflict in the world as to reach the pinnacle of a pathway you must kill all your competition. Also the abilities themselves for the most part are pretty unique bar a few pathways

[@Mr.Mysteriess]

@@bibleman1117 error pathway alone makes it unique

[@bibleman1117]

@@Mr.Mysteriess Later stages of fool, hanged man, visionary as a whole, & black emperor are stand outs for me as well

[@Mr.Mysteriess]

@@bibleman1117 fr black emperor goated

[@niklennart35]

Seriously read it stop reading comments go read lotm

[@dk-xx4fn]

🧐

[@mohammedzawia1054]

Lazy storytelling with 1500 chapters, ok bro. Read actual novels and you'll know good magic systems.

[@lyricmoore]

Either bait or just hating for fun

[@mohammedzawia1054]

@@lyricmoore read more book smart ass

[@martimsousa2601]

A

[@batmanh8899]

This did not do a very good job of convincing me

[@Mr.Mysteriess]

@@batmanh8899 :( batmanh8899 I still hope you give it a shot !

[@batmanh8899]

@@Mr.MysteriessWasn’t really into light novels or manwha at the time, but long story short I read ORV and started the light novel but got bored so I did give LOTM a chance. Currently at chapter 455 and it is pretty good. I don’t get particularly hyped about it, but it is consistently good which is much more sustainable.

[@batmanh8899]

⁠@@Mr.MysteriessFinished the first novel and am currently reading the second one.

[@spookyscarygraviton5944]

Translation is just pure garbage. I'd rather learn Chinese than trying to get tru this mess