MTL - Machine Storm - Chapter 42 Team 1 vs. Team 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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I gave them my everything.My time… my strength… my heart.I trained while they slept.I smiled when they laughed.I stayed… even when it hurt.And what did I get?Nothing.They looked at me like I was pathetic.Like, I didn’t belong.Like I was… less.But I... the naive person I am, continued trusting them.They told me to act like trash, fine—I became trash.They told me to act like a scumbag, fine—I played the role.However...One mistake, one single moment...That’s all it took.And they threw me away.But now…Someone else woke up in my body.A stranger, a man who doesn’t know the pain I suffered, but wears my face.Let’s see what he does with it.Because me?I’m done with this life, so to the soul who took over my body...This is your mess now…'Gray'.

After dying, you wake up and realize you've been reincarnated as a background character who is judged as human trash.The decision to change your destiny comes instantly.Discovering that your identity isn't as simple as you thought, you feel favored by the heavens when you manage to become a powerful character.Katase: You won't fool me. I'll expose you for the pervert you are.Murayama: ...Thank you for saving us.Issei: Motohama, what happened to you? How are you so powerful?Rias: If you join my peerage, I wouldn't mind being yours.Sona: You beat me in the game. That means you're now my fiancé.Yasaka: Honey, Kuno wants a little brother.Kaori Houjou: Shinji-kun, let's go on an adventure.Kaede Kazama: Shinji-kun, thank you for saving me from that ball.Rie Sawada: Shinji-kun, I'll wait for you. You'll be my future husband, fufufufu...Changing known history and taking it in a direction not even his eyes could perceive, he didn't stop no matter what. Not even the other world was safe from his clutches.Lexia Von Arselia: My hero, and my future husband...Shinji advances without stopping.“I, Shinji Motohama, swear here and now that I will reach the top of both worlds.”

“If I told you about the darkness inside of me, would you still look at me like I'm the Sun?”******Annalise's life changed the very night she was married off to the Dark Lords who resided in the Cursed Castle. She was offered to them as a sacrifice to save their Empire.No one knew anything about those residing inside the Cursed Castle except that there were three of them, all men, and they all were very powerful.There was a dark force invading the peaceful lives of the people of Seelie Empire, people were disappearing and unseen things were happening. And the High Priestess confirmed that the Seelie Realm would need the help from the Dark Lords to win this battle against the unknown.Annalise ended up becoming the pawn as the only unmarried girl with royal lineage and the title of a Princess. To show their sincerity about the treaty, the royal family offered her hand in marriage to the Dark Lords, and to everyone's surprise, the Lords agreed. But they had a condition - she needed to marry all three of them!To save her Empire and people, Annalise agreed to marry all three Lords only to find that none of them showed up at the wedding.How was Annalise going to handle her married life, and her three husbands who were not only handsome beyond words but also more powerful and mysterious than people thought? Especially when they had a great battle to fight!