Mark of the Fool - Chapter 34: A Clash of Beasts

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 .

“As a firearms modifier, it’s normal for me to have better marksmanship, right? John Wick?” —— “The John Wick Series”

“As a private detective, it’s weird to solve the case faster than you, and better than you can fight? Zhou Xingxing?” – “Play Back To School”

“As a psychiatrist, shouldn’t the patients in Arkham Asylum listen to me? Bruce?” – “Batman”

“As an archaeological expert, a little knowledge of Feng Shui and tomb chambers, isn’t this a basic professional quality? Wu Tianzhen?” – “Tomb Raider Series”

“As an animal breeder, is it too much to keep some Godzilla and King Kong?” – “Monster Series”

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One world, one profession, let ordinary professions glow with new brilliance in the heavens.

- Description from novelbuddy

The name Zhao Tie Zhu (lit. Zhao Steel Pillar) sounded pretty unrefined. But, when it came to his nickname, Phantom, it could be said that everyone in the assassin societies around the world know it. Nowadays, the world was too peaceful, and because of that, the assassination business wasn’t going well. Hearing real estate could earn you good money, Zhao Tie Zhu bought a huge villa, and became the legendary landlord.

He only rented his villa to single women. Zhao Tie Zhu posted renting advertisements on a well-known social website, and with that, women all came one after the other to his villa. The prettiest in schools, the prettiest in police teams, and all sorts of beauties came into his surroundings.

Proclaiming himself as hegemon of campuses, unifying the underworld. All so that the tenants would live in even more content.

I am a very responsible landlord — Said the Zhao Tie Zhu who was stepping on countless skeletons of the enemy.

- Description from Novelupdates

“She is the one who forced me to marry her, she is also the one who pushed away ShuangAi from me, she threatened my family with her family power and all these years, she did everything to subdue me...that evil woman MuTan“