The Zashiki Warashi of Intellectual Village - Volume 9, Chapter 3: Colorful Prequel@Hishigami Mai

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 .

That year…

Zhou Yang, an honest man who just got his driver’s license, crashed the camera of the Caotai crew. With no money, he could only sell himself to the crew to do odd jobs. I originally thought that if I worked until the film was finished, I would be able to regain my freedom.

However! ! !

When the swindler director ran away with the assistant director, and he was almost regarded as a fraud accomplice by the long-legged beauty investor, the honest Zhou Yang was dumbfounded.

“I’m on top? What do I take on top?”

“God, my major is electronic information technology. I’m just connected to wires. I don’t know anything about making movies…”

“…”

- Description from novelbuddy

“Ding! The first function is activated, and automatic training is turned on. The training speed is equal to the super evil!”

“Ding! The function upgrades, the training speed doubles, the function upgrades, the training speed doubles!”

“Ding! The second function is activated, turn on automatic martial arts…” “Ding! The third function is activated…”

Is it difficult to practice? I’m sorry that one day of cultivation is equivalent to decades of cultivation for you!

Is it difficult to practice? Sorry, I can easily learn countless exercises without doing anything!

Alchemy is difficult? I’m sorry that my pill will be moldy if I can’t finish it!

…

After Su Lang passed through, he obtained a one-click training system, which is getting stronger every second! From now on, sling everything, the world has no enemies!

“Can you be useful to me?”

“I… I can be…”

The first time they met, she knelt trembling before him, begging for shelter. The slave caught his interest, and he brought her back to his palace.

She could’ve never imagined that in one night she’d go from a spoiled little slave princess of a defeated kingdom, to becoming a powerful prince’s pet.

He kept her by his side… spoiled her, cared for her, loved her, and gave her meticulous care and high status. Whatever she wished… she could do so under his name.

But, she angered him and chose to run away. He captured her within a day.

“Don’t forget, my little dearest, everything I have given you can be taken back…”

In a spur of anger, she hit him, her feeble hands striking against the flesh of his cheek. Gnashing her teeth in anger, she said, “Do you have the ability to take my child back?!”

- Description from Novelupdates