Delve - Chapter 174: Guide

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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Dear readers! Without any ads, maybe you will prefer .

The year was 2026, and the world wasn't what it used to be. Ever since the Abyss Gates cracked open three years ago, spilling monsters and dungeons across the planet, life had turned into a chaotic mess. Cities were half-ruined, half-rebuilt, and people clung to whatever normalcy they could find. Hunters—those brave or crazy enough to fight the monsters—became the new heroes. Everyone else? Well, they just tried to survive.Fin wasn't a Hunter. He wasn't a hero either.He was just… Fin. A lanky 19-year-old with messy brown hair, a chipped front tooth from a dumb skateboard accident, and a power that everyone called useless. Absorption. Sounds cool, right? Like he could suck up energy or steal someone's strength. Nope. All it did was let him “feel” things he touched a little more than normal. He could tell you the exact texture of a brick wall or how warm a coffee mug was—big whoop. No fireballs, no super strength, no flashy moves. Just a glorified touchy-feely trick.“Fin, you gonna eat that sandwich or just stare at it like it's gonna confess its life story?” Meg's voice snapped him out of his thoughts.He blinked and looked across the rickety table at his best friend. Meg was short, loud, and had a wild mop of dyed purple hair that she swore made her look “intimidating.” It didn't.

[Space + Farming + Escape from Famine] The apocalyptic boss Bai Wutong took Space World to ancient times, and before he was happy, he found himself in a troubled era of escape!

Murder and robbery, making money and killing people, the price of sitting on the ground can be found everywhere.

Come up, she will kill two people.

She was kind enough to save someone, but she was deceived, stalked, and insisted on following her.

If that’s the case, don’t blame her for being jealous.

After finally settling down, he was assigned to the frontier to open up wasteland.

The sky is high, the emperor is far away, the fast piston is immortal, and Bai Wutong can’t ask for it.

Several years passed.

Bai Wutong accidentally led the richest man of the previous dynasty, the prime minister, the commander of the dark guard camp, the contemporary great Confucianism, the female saint, the magical doctor… and turned the barren land into a rich and noble town that everyone is craving.

The emperor came here with his ministers admiringly, looked at it, and was dumbfounded.

Isn’t the man who poured tea and water beside Bai Wutong the eldest son who has been dead for several years?

- Description from novelbuddy

”When I tell you to proceed with Plan A, you can’t just ignore it and go with Plan B,” said the king.

”Sure”, she replied; she’ll just go to Plan C then! No biggie.

”If you were told to go eastwards, you can’t just ignore me and go in the opposite way,” the king added on.

”Yes,” she said while nodding. If she can’t go in the opposite way, North and south work fine too.

”You are NOT allowed to have affair with any other men!” the king then emphasized.

”Sure”. She replied. She never has to be the one having affair with the others. Others have it with her.

- Description from Novelupdates