Start With Contracting Sprites - Chapter 184 - Returning to School

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.

=========================================

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?

……………………………………………………………

Dear readers! Without any ads, maybe you will prefer .

Roy died during a war against the Evil God Cult, but somehow, he returned back in time to 30 years in the past where he was just a boy who awaken his summoning magic.

On the vast sea, Aokiji stopped a ship. After a great battle, Aokiji smiled helplessly, “Hey! Brother! Don’t waste your efforts! I am a natural-type ability! You can’t beat me of!”

Before the words were finished, a sword qi flashed across, freezing thousands of miles away, the frozen Qingzhi’s head crashed immediately, I was afraid that I ate a fake frozen fruit.

In the second half of the great route, Huang Yuan hummed incoherently, “Brother! You said you are faster than me! I’m so embarrassed!”

Before the words were finished, a figure stood on the flying sword and fled thousands of miles away in the blink of an eye, leaving behind a bewildered yellow ape fluttering in the wind.

Kaido: I am a blue dragon!

Someone: Sorry, my sword is also called Dragon Slayer!

 …

This is a sword story, but also a legendary story!

Of course, it is also a miracle that happened in One Piece.

- Description from novelbuddy

This was the era that belonged to various powerful bloodline warriors, the fervorous era where magic powers and warrior energies were the deciding factor of dominance! With endless ardour and unstoppable courage, a grassroot nobody could also shine and live like a boss!