An Owl's Rise - Chapter 362 Verrader’s Hard Work

Growing up with eccentric materialist parents who left him in the care of his grandfather for a job overseas, Zhang Heng had learned to adapt and be unfettered by the oddities and challenges in life. But he would soon learn the baffling truth about the world he thought he knew when one day at midnight time froze and he found himself in a world so quiet and still it was deafening. That night, he discovered that he had 24 hours more than everybody else and thus, marked the beginning of his adventures. The mysteries surrounding his newfound ability only deepened when a strange old man claimed to have given Zhang Heng that ‘gift of time’ and recruited the young man to participate in a cryptic ‘life-changing’ game on his behalf. Little did Zhang Heng know that accepting those terms meant embroiling himself in many versions of reality and exposing himself to the hidden secrets of the world—a decision he could never undo.

Deep below the earth's surface, a mystifying subterranean seascape lurks, an archipelago bathed in inky blackness where suspense and horror hold court. Here lie strange islands and even stranger monsters, far beyond the realms of human imagination. In this domain, mankind is far from dominant; instead, madness and death rule supreme.

Pleading for mercy from the unknown creatures of the deep only leads to a slow, tortured existence. The trapped survivors gradually distort, losing what made them human, both physically and mentally, to the gloom as they remain trapped in this eternal obscurity. Their only hope? A perilous expedition into uncharted sea territories.

Fueled by determination, Charles embark on this daunting voyage aboard his steamship, aiming to reclaim humanity's past glory. Together with his crew, they sought a way out of this hidden sea world, a path back to the sunlit world above, where humans once stood tall.

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I read a few comments from Chinese readers that compared this novel with Lord of Mysteries because of similar elements: Lovecraftian, western fantasy, first industrial revolution, and steampunk. However, I have yet to finish reading Lord of Mysteries to do any actual comparison, but I do think those who have enjoyed that novel would enjoy this as well. Also, the author of LotM, Cuttlefish That Loves Diving, also did a shout-out for this novel, so I guess he approves of it too?

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Rumor had it that Qiao Xi had a weak constitution—a sickly beauty. Rumor had it that she spent a fortune every day on medications—eating them like candy. Rumor had it that ten servants waited on her by her bed every day—a burden to everyone. They were all waiting for the Qiao family to toss Qiao Xi back to the countryside and leave her to fend for herself.Qiao Xi: "They're all saying that I'm weak and can't take care of myself. Apparently, I spend money recklessly as well.”She looked down at her tattered shirt and was exasperated.Qiao Xi: “Are you saying that this wealthy family lets their daughter wear tattered clothes every day?”The Qiao family's rich daughter? She had enough! She would not be it anymore! Therefore…Scumbag guy: "Without the Qiao family, you're nothing."Qiao Xi: "If I'm kicked out of the Qiao family, I'll be done for."Scumbag girl: "Sis, don't be too disappointed. As long as you work hard, you'll be praised one day.”Qiao Xi: "Shut up, I don't know a traitor like you."The scumbag guy and girl: "???"Rumor had it that the Gu family's youngest son, Gu Zheng, rashly married a woman who had nothing but looks.Qiao Xi: "Is someone looking down on me?"One day, Qiao Xi saw one of Gu Zheng's employees racking his brains over a series of numbers on the computer screen. Since she was free, she lent a hand.Did she just crack the firewall created by the joint efforts of top elite hackers?!Gu Zheng inched closer with every step. "Qiao Xi, what else are you hiding from me? Hmm?"Qiao Xi: "Oh, no! I feel dizzy again! I'm so weak. This body of mine is just too weak!"

5 years after the world changed, the final boss appeared.