Childhood Friend of the Zenith - Chapter 97: Tournament (2)

Li Yi once lived the dream of every pro gamer. He was at the top of his game with the best equipment, the highest stats, and everything a gamer could ever hope for. However, he soon realized that none of his ill-gotten gains for his to keep when he was branded Public Enemy Number One and killed in the biggest battle of the ages.Now, he has the chance to turn back the clock and return to a time before his first mistake put him on the path of no return. This time, Li Yi will make different choices. With that, comes many interesting encounters — like saving a woman in distress then making love to her seven times in a row while her child slept in the next room. However, will he get back to what truly matters?One thing is for sure, with the memories retained from his past, he will become King of this game.

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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After dying, you wake up and realize you've been reincarnated as a background character who is judged as human trash.The decision to change your destiny comes instantly.Discovering that your identity isn't as simple as you thought, you feel favored by the heavens when you manage to become a powerful character.Katase: You won't fool me. I'll expose you for the pervert you are.Murayama: ...Thank you for saving us.Issei: Motohama, what happened to you? How are you so powerful?Rias: If you join my peerage, I wouldn't mind being yours.Sona: You beat me in the game. That means you're now my fiancé.Yasaka: Honey, Kuno wants a little brother.Kaori Houjou: Shinji-kun, let's go on an adventure.Kaede Kazama: Shinji-kun, thank you for saving me from that ball.Rie Sawada: Shinji-kun, I'll wait for you. You'll be my future husband, fufufufu...Changing known history and taking it in a direction not even his eyes could perceive, he didn't stop no matter what. Not even the other world was safe from his clutches.Lexia Von Arselia: My hero, and my future husband...Shinji advances without stopping.“I, Shinji Motohama, swear here and now that I will reach the top of both worlds.”

No family, no power, no inheritance — a thrice-lacking protagonist. Just how will the seed rise up from the mud?

- Description from Novelupdates