MTL - The Roots of Manga - v2 Chapter 267 Dark Forces (3/6)

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 .

Qiao Nian lived in the Qiao family’s house for 18 years before her biological parents found her. Suddenly, all the wealthy families in the city knew that the Qiao family had a fake daughter!A true daughter of an affluent family would be talented, gentle, and kind.A fake daughter would not be able to pick up any skills and accomplish nothing.Everyone wanted to see how miserable she would become when she went back to her ravine after being kicked out of a rich family!Qiao Nian also thought that her biological parents were poor teachers from Luohe County.Who knew that her brother drove a Phaeton that was worth three hundred thousand yuan!Her biological father was also a professor who taught at Tsinghua University!The big boss of the family of scums became a bootlicker and bowed in front of her grandpa…Qiao Nian was dumbfounded.Erm… this wasn’t the same as saying yes!After being freed from the family of scums, Qiao Nian was able to be herself.She was the top student in the college entrance examination, a live broadcast star and the heir of an invaluable cultural heritage… Her identities were revealed and when she started to appear on the hot searches in the city, the family of scums turned green.The anti-fans mocked: What’s the point of trying to fake an image? Aren’t you just sticking to my brother everyday?Qiao Nian responded: I’m sorry but I already have a match.Top Brother: @Qiao Nian. Let me introduce her to everyone. This is my sister.Wealthy Grandpa: My dear granddaughter, why are you working so hard? If you want a bicycle, grandpa will buy it for you!The rich and powerful in Beijing spread a rumor that Master Wang was hiding a wife in his luxurious house. No matter how much people tried to persuade him, he never took her out to meet anyone. If he were asked, he would say the same sentence. “My wife is from the countryside and she is shy.”That was until one day when someone saw the noble and cold Master Wang holding a girl’s slender waist while hiding in a corner of a wall and muttering with red eyes. “Baby, when will you give me a title?”[Fake daughter who is from a truly wealthy family] + [Two big bosses]

He has won the most flamboyant compliments and the most vicious swear words.

He is a guy with rebellion flowing in every vein in his body.

He’s a white kid who’ll never be a celebrity.

He is a young man from the countryside in the eyes of the public.

He’s Tommy Hawk.

He was born again.

Welcome to the first half of the American Dream and the second half of the American Nightmare.

Let us please, come Tommy Hawke, in the winter of 2022.

- Description from novelbuddy

He died. Not by fate, not by accident, but as collateral in a hunt between beings beyond mortal comprehension.And yet… death was only the beginning.Chosen by a mysterious entity known only as Echo, a sarcastic soul from Earth is offered a chance at a second life. Gifted with ten draws from a divine treasury, he obtains powerful treasures, a rare bloodline, and a mysterious system known as the Limitless System.But what begins as a straightforward reincarnation takes a twisted turn when two dragon inheritances—Thunder and Fire—collide within him.Reborn not as a man, nor as a beast, but as an unknown species—a fusion of human and two True Dragon Inheritences—he awakens in a scorched battlefield beside a dragon egg, unaware that his birth was witnessed by fate itself.After surviving the near-fatal clash of legacies within him, he emerges anew… no longer Zaroth, but Primus Xal’Zaryon Drakonis, a name that shakes the very fabric of mana around him.With his soul, body, and bloodline perfectly harmonized between human and dragon, Primus sets out into an unfamiliar world ruled by ancient clans, dangerous beasts, and kingdoms teetering on the edge of Eternal War.But power always draws attention—and with the secrets of his origin, the Limitless System at his side, and a destiny marked by a Primordial-level Mark of Fate, enemies will rise from shadows unknown.