This Bastard is Too Competent - Chapter 48: First of All, One Guy

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 .

As an ordinary human being on the earth, Tang Long was brought to the Cultivation World by a lost immortal, and relying on his amazing talent, he made it to one of the five emperors in that world. However, struck by Thunder of Nine Heavens, he lost his life. It was lucky for him to transmigrate in the human world in an intern who was named Qin Haodong. With his excellent medical skills, he became a divine doctor of traditional Chinese medicine and encountered the baby girl he made before going into the Cultivation World, whose mother was as pretty as a fairy. The little girl even asked him to find more lovers. What a cute girl…

- Description from Novelupdates

The Virgin Mary system dug out a delicate girl, Chi Ying, from the game world as its host.

Looking at her pure face, it secretly affirmed in its heart that this pure appearance simply best suited the Virgin Mary character!

After binding, it discovered that the delicate flower was in fact the villainess boss of the game!

The system was faintly worried: Yes, it should be fine, right?

The system saw Chi Ying standing in a pool of blood, with the light of the Virgin Mary above her head, holding a zombie’s head and weeping.

She burst into tears, “God, they are so pitiful.”

Everyone: Is this person sick?

Seeing the ever-increasing Virgin Mary value, the system covered its eyes.

Don’t think I didn’t see it! Weren’t that bunch of zombie heads all cut off by her?!

Gu Chi picked out a woman from the pile of zombies, with tears in her eyes and blood all over her body.

He reasonably suspected that she was a dangerous person who had been infected, so he tied her up, and put the gun against her eyebrows, waiting for her to mutate at any time.

The woman he pointed the gun at suddenly turned her head, which seemed to be a sign of mutation. Gu Chi looked resolute, and was about to shoot when he saw her looking at him lovingly, she said, “You are so ruthless, you must have been hurt in the past… It’s okay, I don’t blame you.”

Gu Chi shook his hand.

“…”

Thank you for the invitation, but he didn’t get hurt before.

- Description from Novelupdates

“Martial Arts World...” Death murmured, shocked by the turn of the events. How could he, primordial being of the afterlife, get tricked by a mere human? Not just a mere human, but also earthling, race that was weakest of the twenty realms. Death realized the extent of his mistake. An earthling had just jumped into the river of the reincarnation, where he definitely didn’t belong. It was too late. The damage has been done. The matter was now out of his hands. “Kiernan Hunter...” ... Remake of the Martial Arts System, and while the concept stays the same, the story is completely different. A few names, etc, stays the same, but mostly whole new story.