Badge in Azure - Chapter 1517 - Mage! (Part 2)

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 .

I thought I would live a better life in my second lifetime. Unbelievably, I’ve reincarnated into a slime that rolls around on the ground. Anyway, this is my precious new life, so I must work hard.

Meet the Mafia King, whose fearsome reputation in the Underworld spread far and wide! But he hides behind the identity of a billionaire CEO. Money? Power? Handsome? All check! Except that he had a teensy tiny problem - his ZERO EQ that failed him to understand emotions.

Until the day Song Lihua walks in his life.

Song Lihua’s simple aim in life was to get a job and earn money. But a chance encounter with the Mafia King makes her fall in love with him at first sight.

She declares to win his heart one day. But to her shock, the Mafia King himself becomes her next door neighbor! Together with her, the emotions in deep slumber within him began to awaken.

Hiding a dark secret from her, the Mafia King slowly grows closer to her. But as he faces a threat that could bring the truth to light, he does something unimaginable to stop Lihua from leaving.

Amidst the hidden conspiracies of the Underworld, what will the Mafia King do to keep her by his side? How far will he go to hide his secret?

“You are my first love that brought this empty shell of my heart back to life. You have a place in my heart no one else could ever have.” - The Mafia King.

She wanted to be a Necromancer, but awakened as a Saint! Somehow her summoned heroes are all undead?How will the church react when their Saintess summons a skeleton in place of a mighty hero? Sofia isn’t too keen on finding out.To many a summoned hero, this world looks oh so familiar. Beastmen, Dwarves, Trolls, Dragons and Elves!Saints, adventurers, dungeons, maybe an evil demon lord to be vanquished?A video-game like system! Classes, skills and levels!Although... why is the system even a thing to begin with?Do gods really choose saints like you pick your next meal?There are great powers at work beneath the surface, this is their world, and you're living in it.Follow Sofia as she unknowingly gets tangled in power struggles far beyond what she had bargained for.Be ready for a wild ride. Break a leg, skeleton!