To Be a Power in the Shadows! - Chapter 99

The rule had always been this way: the strong over the weak, the rich over the poor. Mark knew this, he'd even experienced it.After his boss fired him for discovering the affair with his girlfriend (who also worked at their small gaming company), Mark vowed never to be humiliated like that again. He wanted to rise above everyone, to become the world's top player, the one who made the rules and decided everyone's fate. But that was wishful thinking. He was just a heavyset, nerdy guy with some programming skills and a large appetite. What else did he have going for him?Hit hard by this reality, jobless and dumped, Mark withdrew into gaming, which also became his source of income. One day, after leaving a bad review for a game he played and streamed, he received a strange reply from the game's creator. Suddenly, Mark found himself transported to Aetherium, the world of that same game, as Magnus Lancaster, the young lord of a crumbling territory.Now, with this new beginning, he vowed never to be weak again, never to leave his fate in someone else's hands.

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.

=========================================

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?

……………………………………………………………

Dear readers! Without any ads, maybe you will prefer .

In a world governed by the mysterious power of dimensional gates, young Dabi, once frail but gifted with a photographic memory, discovers his life-altering ability: a leveling system that grants him new skills and magic as he rises through the ranks. After his family perished in a gate-related tragedy, Dabi swears to protect his siblings and unravel the mysteries within these deadly portals. Alongside his loyal spirit pets and rare allies, Dabi faces ancient threats and powerful enemies tied to his parents’ tragic past. As he rises in power, Dabi’s quest draws the attention of noble families, dangerous royals, and sinister forces seeking control over dimensions and the future of humanity itself. Secrets, betrayals, and a growing vendetta lead him deeper into a battle that threatens the fabric of existence. With the fate of his world hanging in the balance, Dabi must outwit and outfight forces beyond imagination all while confronting the truths hidden within the gates of the lost dimension.

Cado is transported to the Dragon Ball world and unexpectedly awakens the God-Level Choice System.Ding![Saiyan “Raditz” has invaded Earth. Host, please make a choice!][Option 1: Ignore it.Reward: Namekian Bloodline (Grants limb regeneration!)][Option 2: Face Raditz head-on and defeat him.Reward: Legendary Super Saiyan Bloodline (Top-tier talent, completely overpowered!)]Without hesitation, Cado picks the second option.Frieza: “How did the mighty emperor of the universe end up as his servant?”Cell: “Damn it! Why did no one warn me that such a monster existed in this timeline?”Beerus: “If he wanted to be a God of Destruction, my position would've been his already.”Grand Priest: “I acknowledge Cado as the strongest!”With unparalleled power, limitless potential, and the ability to reshape the Dragon Ball universe, Cado's journey begins!(Harem only includes 2 women)