Toaru Majutsu no Index SS - Volume 2, Chapter 7: Someone Behind the Scenes is Unprepared and has to Clean Up. The Second Friday of May.

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 .

“You don’t want to be forced to match, right, Lin Changan?”

The delicate-looking girl asked softly, and pushed the “Personal Subject Relationship Contract” to Lin Changan’s eyes.

Lin Changan’s eyes were full of despair, but fortunately, he awakened the simulator system, which could simulate life infinitely.

After each simulation, you can choose talents, realms, combat experience, cultivation insights or some memory fragments.

[You rejected the “Personal vassal relationship contract”, signed an implication with a girl, was killed by a love rival in the dungeon, and you died. 】

[You chose to eat soft rice hard with talent. 】

[At the age of 22, the sickly junior girl confessed to you that she was rejected by you. Since then, she will poison you quickly because of love and hatred. 】

[You chose a talent that is invincible. 】

[At the age of twenty-four, the beast tide struck, and you were drowned in the beast tide. 】

[You have chosen the realm and condensed the power of the stars. 】

[At the age of twenty-four, the beast swarms attacked you. As a general, you were exhausted and drowned by the beast swarm. 】

[You have chosen an inexhaustible talent. 】

[At the age of twenty-four, you went to the front line to resist the beast tide, and your spiritual power is inexhaustible…]

After countless simulations, there are stars twinkling in your eyes, and every move is blessed by heaven and earth.

【The simulation starts! 】

【You are invincible, the universe is respected! 】

- Description from novelbuddy

Task 1: Do 10000 kicks for [strength +5].Task 2: Run 10 km for [stamina + 3]. If you fail to complete the task, the punishment is to run naked.“What the fuck?”[And a surprise for you, my dear user][You have two beautiful wives waiting for you at home.]“Now, where the hell did wives come from?”[World quest 1: Defeat an Asura and save your wives]Alan is an orphan in this chaotic world, but his strength in this world is his grandma, who raised him in the orphanage.He wanted to become an awakener for her, but that dream shattered when he found out that his soul is broken in the awakening.Ridiculed by everyone, his only option was to become a dungeon delver to help his grandma.But one night changed everything for him during his job in the dungeon, where his group suddenly faced a dreadmind and nearly died.During that time he awakened his greatest gift, his beautiful system, which suddenly started giving him tasks with weird punishment.Read to know how Alan fights against dragons, vampires, elves, demons, and dreadminds to become the strongest and how he discovers his past and secrets of the world.

“The new book 'Scolded as the Star of Death, All the Big Shots in the Capital Rush to Spoil Me' is now available!”Also known as “Reborn Era: Getting Rich with the Check-In System.”[A physical powerhouse of a female lead vs. a vindictive, sarcastic, and elegant male protagonist]After a laboratory explosion, Lin Tang returns to that impoverished era and is bound to a check-in system.Before she has time to claim the newcomer gift pack, her fiancé, sporting an air of confidence, comes to break off the betrothal.The reason being, he's about to secure a stable job.Lin Tang looks at the ordinary yet self-assured man, parted her red lips slightly and said, “...break it off!”Less than a month later, her ex-fiancé was fired for some reason.Lin Tang took a stroll around the county and became the executive officer of the Broadcasting Station in the Textile Factory.Ex-fiancé's internal OS: Is it too late to reconcile now?Those times were tough!Despite being treasured by her three big brothers and parents, everything from food to cloth and even soap required coupons...Even living frugally couldn't alleviate the miserable condition.Looking at the black mush in the bowl, Lin Tang fell silent, “......”Thankfully, she had a system!Need anything? Just check in to get it.Many years later.A handsome man looked at his delicate wife with a fair complexion, managing to keep a straight face as he said, “I heard you could knock out a wild boar with just two punches?”Lin Tang's eyes sparkled, her fingers gently exerting force, and the Enamel Jar in her hand deformed. She responded in a stern manner, “Nonsense! Don't believe those rumors. We're civilized people and can't be that barbaric!”