Starting from Zero - Book 4 - Chapter 26 – The Ace (Part 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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Dear readers! Without any ads, maybe you will prefer .

After an unexpected death, a soul finds itself reincarnated into the body of Itsuka Shido, an ordinary teenager in a world filled with powerful spirits, magic, and dangers from other dimensions. With the help of a mysterious system integrated into his body, Shido gains the ability to travel across worlds, summon legendary anime characters, and unlock a wide array of random skills and abilities.Disclaimer: The cover isn't mine, credits to the original artist.

In the heart of the Azure Continent lies a legendary establishment known as Origin Mall.This extraordinary store offers goods beyond imagination: a sip of its cola can instantly replenish one's vitality; its spicy snacks grant the strength to overcome powerful foes; the games it offers can accelerate cultivation progress; and its novels impart profound techniques and insights.Origin Mall boasts a vast array of offerings, catering to leisure, entertainment, dining, and training needs alike.However, there’s one rule that all visitors must remember: never cause trouble in the store. The owner, though unassuming, is unimaginably powerful.

Azuma Hiroshi, a good-for-nothing man, and Toudou Haruna, a beautiful woman are caught up in a malicious game bug.

They are stuck inside a VRMMO game world and left penniless, starting without a bag and only their beginners kit.

「What is happening……？」「What should I do……？」

Hiroshi has a phobia with women and whilst he was thrown into this game-like world, it was most definitely a completely different world.

This is a story of their adventure, looking for a way to return to his original world.