Monroe - Chapter Four Hundred and Twenty-five. Useful Tool.

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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A sudden and inexplicable transformation has caused the entire global population to be reborn in the struggle for survival on the Continent of Overlord.Each person reborn on the Continent of Overlord is randomly reincarnated as a species - some come to life as weeds only to be trampled to death by passing monsters, while others emerge as dominant beings like dragons, naturally ruling the skies...The Dark Creatures invade this other world with reckless abandon, instilling fear and dread across the realm.Reborn the night before the transition to the Continent of Overlord, Charles activates the Zerg Clan System, becoming the Overlord of the Zerg Clan!While others are still grappling with the darkness of the Continent of Overlord, Charles has already constructed a fortress spanning the entirety of Zerg Clan territory and casually wipes out countless Dark Creatures with a burger in one hand and a cola in the other....【Ding! A female has been detected as 100% loyal to the Host. The Zerg Clan System is awakening!】Zerg Queen Catherine: “Master, I've just bought a very thin nightgown. Would you like to experience it personally?”Snake Queen Medusa: “Master, I've already trained these troops for you. When will you train with me?”Snake Emperor Yggdrasil: “Cursed Medusa, don't think of stealing my master!”Elf Goddess Eve: “Silence, all of you! I'm the only true queen, you all are just concubines.”While everyone else struggles to survive and defend against the Dark Creatures...Only Charles raises the divine flame, waging war across the stars!

A mysterious natural phenomenon caused the Earth to be plunged into darkness. The world turned into an endless bloody chaos and mankind is on the brink of extinction…

Lin Qingge’s body was pathetically weak, so weak that just taking a few steps would make him gasp for breath. His own family treated him like he didn’t exist. His birth mother died when he was young and his father promptly remarried and knocked his stepmom up. His father didn’t like him, his stepmom looked askance at him and his step siblings coveted his position. Who told him to be the lawful eldest with inheritance rights?

When Lin Qingge was eighteen he came out of the closet, creating a huge rift between him and his family. It was all for that guy, Liu Yang. He’d whispered sweet nothings in his ear, saying things like he’d protect him and bs like that. Lin Qingge’s old man blew his top when he found out and promptly disowned him. That didn’t matter to Lin Qingge, he had Liu Yang afterall. He fully believed in that guys words and goodwill.

If only he wasn’t so stupid…

Ultimately Liu Yang was like a vampire sucking his wealth dry, leaving a husk behind. After pushing Liu Yang to a high position, Lin Qingge finally collapsed in his apartment. It was a sad sorry sight. Closing his eyes, he knew this was the end of him. Who knew he would wake up instead in a different time and a different place?

Eh? What’s this? Well fine! This time I’m gonna hug that brother’s thigh real tight and never let go!

- Description from Novelupdates