Gilded Ashes: When Shadows Reign - Chapter 77: Test Subjects

Rude is a tank, known as the strongest in history. However, the Hero decided that his skills were worthless because he couldn’t do anything but take damage, and threw him out of the party. His cleric friend who trusted him followed him to the remote village that Rude was forced to return to.

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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Elliot Hawthorne, had transmigrated into the body of a struggling apprentice mage, and now had one simple goal, summon a small, harmless spirit to pass his magic academy’s final exam. But thanks to a mistranslation in an ancient grimoire, he instead summons Azrael, the almighty Demon King.That would’ve been bad enough…. but then the spell accidentally binds them in an unbreakable marriage contract.Now, Elliot is stuck with a possessive, dangerously powerful, and ridiculously affectionate demon husband who:Carries him everywhere because “His cute little summoner’s feet shouldn’t touch the ground.”Summons hellfire just to keep Elliot warm when he complains about the cold.Declares war on any kingdom that dares to call Elliot “single.”Refuses to be unsummoned.“Why would I leave? My husband is here.”Worse, every holy knight, exorcist, and jealous god now wants Elliot dead for “stealing” the most powerful demon in existence.. Stuck with a one-in-a-million system dungeon and a devilish Demon husband, Elliott's life is constantly on the brink of disaster...But when Elliot starts uncovering secrets about the contract, he realizes…Did I really summon him by accident? Or… was Azrael waiting for me all along?One way or another, Elliott’s unlucky life becomes worse. An impending doom threatens the existence of the human and mortal worlds.And as if that wasn’t enough, he’s also stuck with a Demon for a husband.But maybe, just maybe… being bound to a dangerously powerful Demon King isn’t the worst fate after all.

Jun Xiaoyao was transported to a mystical world and became the divine child of a Clan of the Ancients. He came to possess an invincible background, unparalleled talents and even a check-in system, enabling him to acquire an Accomplished Sacred Body of the Ancients at the very beginning of his new life.

He acquired the Divine Elephant Overpowering Force, a six-star reward, checking in at the Old Tablet of Taiyue.

He acquired the Bones of Supremacy, a seven-star reward, checking in at his Ten Years Old Banquet.

He acquired the Cauldron of Maternal Qi of All Beings, an eight-star reward, checking in at the Bronze Mystical Hall.

He acquired the Grand Method of Freedom Melding, a ten-star reward, checking in at the Borderless Ocean.

He sat on the clouds countless years later, with his sword pointing at the heavens, saying, “I alone shall rule over the heavens and the earth. I shall become the pinnacle at the very end of the mystic path!”

- Description from MTL