So i'm the mood for mind games. And so here I'm asking for novels in which MC outmaneuvers or outsmart his opponents, basically I'm looking for a MC that solves his problems with tactics/tricks/schemes instead of brute force. BTW sorry I don't a novel to give you a reference of what i'm looking for.
I would recommend 'Youkoso Jitsuryoku Shijou Shugi no Kyoushitsu e' but there are more novels with darker settings and schemes, so it would be helpful if you can specify more details about what you want(like perhaps, with/without romance, rutless/kind MC, etc..)
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/transcending-the-nine-heavens/ MC becomes for a while the "prime minister" of a country that should normally lose the war and win. Quite funny sometimes. Once he was kidnapped only to fake his identity and not show it is him the kidnapper is looking for, and successfully make him fight another enemy faction (of MC). Successfully poison 2 different group of people.
If i had say the type of MC i like it would more a ruthless type because they destroy their enemies in a satisfying way. As for romance i'll prefer if it had some romance but even if it doesn't i'll still read it.
I will recommend these(in MC is smart and cunning relying entirely on strategy and in some he(and or she) use also strength), either way you will get what you want (a good thinking) : Youkoso Jitsuryoku Shijou Shugi no Kyoushitsu e No Game No Life Kami nomi zo Shiru Sekai The Legend of Sun Knight The Experimental Log of the Crazy Lich Altina the Sword Princess Nejimaki Seirei Senki – Tenkyou no Alderamin Reverend Insanity (no romance)
I second this! It is really good. So glad this novel come back to ww I also recommend : - Overlord (It's JN that has anime adaptation. Nigel-sama already translate it to the latest volume) - Reverend Insanity (MC start off weak, so he has to do a lot of underhanded mean. And even after he get stronger, he still do that too, and even more ruthless) - The Experimental Log of the Crazy Lich (At first, MC start off like a standard comedic MC, but story start to reveal the hidden truth, and we start to see MC scheme too. He is a great mad schemer) - The Legend of Sun Knight (Legend said that the sun knight, the leader of the holy knight is a holy sun like existence, but the truth is far from that ) - Kingdom’s Bloodline (MC is weak, and still a child, so with the people around him that love to scheme him to dead, he has to use his head a lot. So that he won't die) I think that's all... I hope it can help you
Forty Millenniums of Cultivation in the later chapters (500+) has many mind games and battles of wits. Also MC is ruthless and there is romance but more as a subplot so that should suit your taste.