Epic of Caterpillar - Chapter 58: Undead Corruption

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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Thea Lynch was seventeen when she injured her ear and temporarily lost her speech. Her parents passed away in a car accident, leaving her and her brother to rely on each other. Later, her brother was transferred for work and left, and she was taken to live at her grandmother's house in Westmere. During this period, her brother entrusted friends to check on her, and the one who visited most frequently was the “Third Brother”—Ian Preston, who was five years older than her.Coronet is over a hundred kilometers away from Westmere, yet he insisted on accompanying her to see doctors, patiently teaching her how to speak, and even appearing at her school gate every evening. He saved all of his gentle caring for her, but everything stopped abruptly before she could muster the courage to confess. Her secret crush was unsuccessful, and a sudden change at home caused her to leave, cutting off all contact with him.When they met again, it was seven years later when she returned home for a matchmaking date and was cornered by him in the restaurant corridor, “That guy downstairs, is he your date? How come after spending several years abroad, your taste has gotten so much worse? With better options around, how can you choose him?”“Who is the better option?” she instinctively asked.Ian Preston: “Me.”[Childhood sweethearts, getting back together, mutual unrequited love]

He is the ruler of the mercenary realm, an overlord that gives headaches to the leaders of any country! For the sake of his friends, he’s willing to sacrifice himself; for the sake of his family, he does not hesitate to spill blood! He is a dragon, one that soars above even the highest of heavens. He’s a power that advances triumphantly through unstable situations, stirring up both the winds and the waters.

I got drunk during the Annual Alpha Conference and accidentally slept with Anton, the Alpha of the rivaling clan!I managed to sneak out of the hotel so that I wouldn’t embarrass the pack. I told no one other than my younger sister, although I did not mention who he was.The present: Three weeks later, I reached adulthood and was about to take over as the pack’s Alpha. I would be transforming for the first time at eighteen, awakening my inner wolf as everyone watched. I was on my knees, using all my strength to transform… But nothing happened. Had I failed?Not resigned to my fate, I tried again. But that was when my heart hurt as if someone was grabbing it and my belly heated up as the rest of my body screamed in pain… I drop to the floor, unconscious.When I woke up, the first words I heard were from the doctor.“She’s pregnant…”In our world, any werewolf pregnant with children not belonging to their mates were treated as pariahs, oppressed by one and all. I did not dare to look up at my parents, who would obviously be disappointed.“Baby,” said my mother. “Just get an abortion, and we’ll continue the ceremony. You are still the Alpha of our pack.“Ellie,” said my father. “If you don’t get an abortion, you will never be my daughter ever again.As much as I loved my family, I was the only one my child could count on. That was why I decided to leave home.Thankfully, my younger sister managed to get Anton’s number, but the only thing he said over the phone was, “It’s been so long. I can’t remember what really happened.”So, from now on, I would be a single parent to my child! I swore to give him the good life and to help all pariah wolves find a place to settle!Years passed, and Anton was almost thirty. With his father’s insistence, Anton finally found himself a mate… But who could explain why she was so disgusted with him?