Valkyrie's Shadow - Chapter 5Winter’s Crown: Act ,

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 .

This is my first time writing so don't be disappointed if it's not as good as the top authors!I'll do my best to bring the fun!Here we go!----------Apocalype in the Urban world??an event known as the great Cataclysm was the starting point to humanity's understanding of the abstract worlds!the cataclysm tore through the reality of earth, bringing down carnage.Responsible for the reduction in humanity's population.Apex predators born from Mana itself were responsible for the decline of humanity.With the awakening of the gifted, humanity returned back to where it was!but now the protectors of humanity are nothing but shadows of their former selves!Designed to be killers, soldiers owned by their governments!with series of wars constantly breaking out, they were bred to fight and die on the battlefield!in a world where only the gifted reigns, Riley was nothing!a mere non awakened cadet, a rag, hated by his military academy!and deployed to his death on his first day of commission!faced with a life or death situation, a weakling who had nothing, no parents to mourn him!no one to miss him when he's gone, a worthless human!faced with death, he was forced to awaken!Ding!Congratulations, you have awakened three ultimate Talents/Ethereal Summoner Talent, Infinity Talent(sealed), Adaptation Talent/Class: Legendary/Your Talents has evolved from F rank to E ranks/Starting out with three ultimate Talents!with the truth of his Bloodline dawn on him!..He's forced to level up!Maxing out his summon harem, Riley's faced with series of unfortunate events!A soldier who lives to die for his government!He has no life!Would he find his? or is his fate designed to be simply a weapon for his country?Who knows!

Ila, who had served the Empire for half his life, was decisively betrayed. He wanted to go to another country, but was almost killed on the run and then saved by the Dragon Lady Demon King.After crossing over, Ila, who had killed demons for half his life, was a bit scared, but...“Those who struggle with the evil dragon should be careful not to become the husband of the dragon...”“When you stare at the abyss, the abyss... offers a kiss.”Ila Elkaras was very confused.But the reality he encountered forced him to examine whether the abyss stood in the demonic world or... “The Empire of Light and Justice”