Youkoso Jitsuryoku Shijou Shugi no Kyoushitsu e - Volume 4.5, Prologue: Start of a fun summer vacation

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 far as the eye can see, the extreme arctic ice field is cold and cold.

Winter wolves sneaked, frost tigers roared, giants roared… Many creatures struggled to survive in the snow.

At the same time, a white hatchling that controlled the power of time broke out of its shell and opened the pair of platinum dragons with bright colors? , now, in the future, haunting all timelines, creating an endless legend of the dragon that controls time.

- Description from novelbuddy

Reincarnated into a poor youth in an unnamed mountain village in another world, Lu Qing expressed deep helplessness. Fortunately, he awakened an ability to see through the information of objects, giving him a bit of capital for survival. He looked at a patch of grass by the roadside.【Cow Bone Grass, average quality, medicinal, quite effective in treating bone injuries.】He looked at a red carp in the river.【Red Moon Carp, excellent quality, delicious meat, a top-grade tonic.】He glanced at a wild rabbit in the mountains.【Gray Rabbit, common wild rabbit, edible.】…Relying on his innate ability, Lu Qing gradually found his footing in the village, able to survive. Just when he thought he would spend his life peacefully in this ancient world with low productivity, one day, he suddenly saw a figure flying across the sky…

Ashton is an Alpha who hides who he is due to the fear of being feared, and Caleb is an omega who hides his identity since he hates the way omegas are mistreated. Both of them gave up on the thought of ever having a relationship, even if they find their fated mates.

What happens when these two meet and their biggest secrets unfold. Will this bring them closer? Can they fight their feelings despite not wanting to?

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“The way spoke in front of them, you almost had me convinced that you liked me”, Ashton snorted.

“I do”. Caleb confessed.

With widened eyes, Ashton struggled to ask, “Is this… another one of you jokes”?

“No. I really like you. I have liked you for a long time”. He said, biting his lips, awaiting the rejection.

“I thought you hate Alphas”. Ashton wondered.

“Not you”. Caleb declared.