Arknights: The Life Inside - Chapter 4

With the revival of spiritual energy and the breakdown of the order of species, it is a difficult test whether human beings can still stand at the top of the biological chain.

(There is already an old book, The Strongest Descends in the City, you can read it.)

- Description from novelbuddy

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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Roa Valrose reincarnated as a villainess in the book. In order to avoid the fate of being burned at the stake, she approaches the hero, Nocton Edgar.

It hurts every time she get closer to him. Nevertheless, for her survival, she does everything he wants her to do.

“Come again, Valrose.”

The mysterious Nocton unexpectedly sought her out every day.

Then one day, her friend for 10 years says something unknown to her.

“Actually, I have a dream. The Duke of Edgar is a terrible villain!”

He is not the hero, but the villain?

As soon as she realized that she had misinterpreted the role, she decided to get away from Nocton.

“Let’s not meet anymore.”

But the villain’s reaction was strange.

“Don’t go. You’ve always been special to me.”

She was suspicious of his sudden change of attitude.

Will she able to get rid of Nocton safely?

What if one could defy death and, instead of perishing, be reborn?

Such a situation happened to Kieran Silver after succumbing to his circumstances caused by wicked superiors.

After being reborn, Kieran's desires changed and he considered the many routes.

The route that resonated with him most was Zenith Online, the MMORPG that changed his life initially.

In his past life, he was a bare minimum kind of guy, using the least at its maximum potential. However, his current outlook changed.

Accomplishing the bare minimum? No, he would go above and beyond!

On his path to greatness, creating an immortal legacy that resounds throughout the universe, dethroning his former guild, and other grand feats will become his stepping stones.

To ensure his aspirations become reality, Kieran must walk a path where he becomes an entity prime for destruction.

Magic, destruction, and ancient practices are just a few of the factors that mold his ultimate power. What began as one of the Hidden Classes would ultimately evolve into a one-of-a-kind entity!

The ultimate power isn't given or born, it is manifested.