The Record of Unusual Creatures - Chapter 48: The Castle

Alex was an ordinary teenager—until the day he discovered his ability to drain energy from the dead. With powers rooted in death itself, Alex hides his necromancy behind a normal life, secretly entering deadly portals to fight monsters and earn money. But beneath the surface, a darker truth lingers—his parents's death and his powers are linkedAs he harnesses his necromantic abilities, draining the fallen to grow stronger, the weight of his power begins to take its toll—and the line between the living and the dead starts to blur.With enemies closing in and betrayal around every corner, Alex must master his growing abilities before they consume him—or worse, before the forces hunting him claim everything he has left.When death becomes your greatest weapon, how long can you survive before it turns against you?---

The world is a sea of bitterness.

The mortal swims in the sea.

The body is the vessel.

The soul is the mortal on the vessel.

The vessel carries the mortal as it sails endlessly towards the other side of the sea.

Does cultivating the body strengthen the vessel enough to reach the other side of this sea of misery?

Or does cultivating the soul give the mortal on the vessel the ability to master swimming?

Cultivating according to the martial path allows one to become an Earthly Immortal.

Cultivating according to the immortal path allows one to become a Divine Immortal.

Which path should be chosen?

- Description from Novelupdates

In a realm where power is determined by affinities—elemental forces that shape magic, combat, and survival—Ethan is an anomaly. While most people are born with a single affinity, Ethan stands apart, wielding a vast range of abilities granted by a mysterious Ancestral-line System. This unique system taps into the untapped potential of his vampire and dwarven bloodline, unlocking ancestral powers far beyond the norm.At just 18 years old, Ethan's journey begins when he accidentally awakens this system, discovering that he is the heir to a forgotten lineage that blends the strength, resilience, and mysticism of both vampire and dwarven ancestors, a perfect hybrid of both. Though he must awaken and evolve to harness their power. However, the more power he gains, the more he learns about the dark secrets of his lineage—secrets that others would kill to possess.Unlike everyone else, Ethan's affinities are not innate; they are granted by the system based on his bloodline’s ancient heritage. As he levels up, he acquires abilities that no one in the current era has ever seen: the Psychic powers of telekinesis and telepathy from ancient vampire lords, the earth-shaping skills of dwarf warriors, and a host of hidden abilities that challenge the world’s very understanding of magic.But power comes with a price. Ethan quickly finds himself targeted by powerful factions and hidden enemies who fear what his bloodline could mean for the balance of the world. Ancient forces tied to his ancestry awaken, each with their own agenda—some seeing him as a threat to be eliminated, others as a tool to be used.Accompanied by a diverse group of companions, each with their own affinities and secrets, Ethan embarks on a perilous journey. Together, they traverse beast-filled forests, ancient ruins, worlds and perilous dungeons, all while facing foes who seek to exploit or destroy Ethan’s unique powers. Along the way, bonds are forged, fates are entwined, and the line between friend and foe blurs as Ethan learns that his destiny is far greater than he ever imagined.But with every new ability comes a deeper question: What is the true purpose of the Ancestral-line System? As he battles monstrous creatures, rival affinity users, and ancient curses, Ethan must confront the reality that his bloodline holds the key to either the salvation or the destruction of their world or something else entirely.In a world governed by affinities, Ethan’s unmatched power sets him on a path that could change everything—or lead to his downfall.Will he master the secrets of his ancestry and forge his own fate, or will the weight of his heritage drag him into the depths of a history best left forgotten?

An inexplicable danger lurks within the harbor, where numerous containers emit a pungent stench. Suddenly, crew members fell ill and began to wildly attack other people. The text that appeared out of thin air told her that this was a survival game.

Fu Anan thought that it was just a dream, and that she wouldn’t be affected by it once she woke up.

It wasn’t until the game told her: She would die if she didn’t follow the rules of the game. She would also die if she didn’t survive for at least thirty days in the game…

Unknown danger on the cruise ship; An isolated island that suffocates people; creatures inside the fog; Floods that engulf everything; Epidemic with no cure; Constantly collapsing lands……

How should one survive in various natural and man-made disasters, and in environments where resources are scarce?

- Description from Novelupdates