The New Gate - Chapter 3Book 19: (1)

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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She was a mere human who only wanted to live a peaceful life in the countryside when she found her mate.He was the workaholic Alpha who never indulged himself in worldly pleasures, instead, he derived joy from being powerful.Their destiny intertwined when they both possessed what they yearned for, peace and love.__________________Before turning the age of 18 years, Alpha Lucas of the Clown Lovers pack claimed to be Aurora's mate and wanted to make her his Luna.Unfortunately, she was accused of infidelity on her wedding day and was rejected by the man who claimed to be her mate and loved her. She had to witness her parents' death and her inheritance snatched away from her.“I, Dominion Lucas, reject you, Madison Aurora as my mate.”………………………………………..After being sold as a slave, she was bought to be a breeder for the Alpha of the Crescent Red pack, the most influential and greatest pack in the country.Damien, who was the Alpha of the Crescent moon pack, didn't spare Aurora a glance, and she was thrown into the deepest part of the mansion to work with the omegas.Five years later, she had meticulously planned her parent's death, ready to set it in motion.Unfortunately, Alpha Damien, who neglected her for years, suddenly got his interest piqued and won't let her out of his sight.Aurora, who never believed she could be blessed with another mate, decided not to fall in love again. Seeing how the Alpha favored her, she decided to take advantage of his help and avenge her parent's death.The tables turned when she discovered he was her mate, another mate?…………………………………………“Mate? I have no such thing,” she said, denying the spark she felt between her and Damien, even though it was glaring. Her heart warmed at his voice, her face warmed at his touch. He already shattered her resolve, but she vowed not to be weak again.Yet, how could she deny not feeling anything for him when he had such effects on her? But she was afraid, terrified of being betrayed by her mate again!There were rare cases of having two mates, why did the moon goddess bestow such a fate upon her?“You can't deny it forever, and I have no intention of letting you go,” he said, his eyes filled with anger, seeing how she was so disgusted about the idea of having him as her mate.“I have nothing to offer you.” She tried convincing him to snap him out of the trance he was in. Only if she knew he was in his right mind.“I only need my mate,” saying that he took heavy strides toward the door and slammed it shut after him.After finding the strength to release her painful past, Aurora is confronted by her first mate, Alpha Lucas, who seeks to reclaim her.Faced with a choice, will she return to the one who betrayed her, or remain with Alpha Damien, who offered her nothing but peace?

Eira Hax, the daughter of a once-wealthy heiress, has spent her entire life in the shadows.Twenty-two years ago, her mother, a kind-hearted but naive woman, was deceived by her husband, a ruthless businessman. He stole her entire fortune and framed her for a crime, sending her to prison, unaware that she was pregnant and secretly battling terminal cancer.Eira’s mother died alone behind bars, but not before giving birth to Eira, entrusting her with a burning desire for revenge.Now, two decades later, Eira returns with one goal: to destroy the man who ruined her mother’s life—her own father.To do so, she strategically marries his most powerful rival, Callian Reed, a man as dangerous as he is influential. Together, they plot to destroy her father’s empire, piece by piece.But as Eira is pulled deeper into a world of business, power and revenge, she’s forced to confront her own problems and decide just how far she’s willing to go to avenge her mother.“I’m not your enemy, darling…you should know that by now.”“Callian, everything you do is not written in our contract. Why are you breaking it?”“The more I learn about you, the more I hate everyone who hurt you. So please, Eira, let me get rid of them for you.”

What would you do if you found yourself trapped in a world of a game?Would you panic?Rejoice?Just give up?This is a conundrum I found myself in after waking up in an unfamiliar bed, in an unfamiliar room, with no clue of how I got there.Magic powers?I had none of those…A cheat-like system?Nowhere to be found.All I possessed was a single skill that seemed meager at best…[ Shadow Manipulation ]