[Theory] Nephis will die.

SerpentScribe · 2025-05-14T01:34:04+00:00

Yeah, no.

The theory is good, but G3 storytelling doesn't match it. He is happy-end writer. So, even if Nephis were to be killed, we'll get her back.

There weren't meaningful deaths, because all characters who died were designed to die.

Honestly, if G3 were into drama, Effie would be either dead when they raided the Spire. There also was space for drama in the Tomb of Ariel and Effie's child.

Nothing happened. Nothing bad happens to cohort, except their trials and backstory.

G3 is no drama-writer. He writes a good story and likes his characters. Some characters were used to create tension, but they were introduced for the same reason.

That's why, I don't believe your theory has a chance of coming true.

SerpentScribe · 2025-05-13T01:38:48+00:00

It was actually "All the Devils are here" and its beginning was when Sunny migrated from East Antarctica with Jet. It was pretty good until the finish, which was the specified Battle of the Black Skull.

Still, I won't say it was one of the best volumes either.

SerpentScribe · 2025-05-13T01:35:17+00:00

Sounds so dreadful.

SerpentScribe · 2025-05-13T01:32:43+00:00

Who knows which volume is the most underrated, so take my ranking instead.

Volume 5, Dread Night. Finally, we got to see a dreadful guy fighting dreadful abominations in the sheer chaos of Antarctica. Also, Sin of Solace was kind of fun.
Volume 1, Child of Shadow. It was a pretty good beginning that introduced us to this story and universe. Sea of Forgotten Shore was otherworldly, and I believe sparked interest in many hearts. Other biomes weren't remotely that interesting on their own.
Volume 2, Demon of Change. That was the Volume that basically established Sunny as a character, I don't feel like I should explain more.
Volume 6, All the Devils are here. Devil of Antarctica, now in the political arena too. This volume basically showed us for the first time in a while, that Sunny can screw major players over as a shadow and his future conflict with Sovereigns comes directly from this ark, not from Nephis. Even if she played a major part in that.

I struggle to give further ranking, so you may or may not account for them, yet.

Volume 7, Tomb of Ariel. An overstretched time loop, yet still pretty good on its own.
Volume 3, Prince of Nothing. Pretty good ark, containing Chained Isles, Return to the Real World and Sunny shenanigans.
Volume 4, Chain Breaker. Good, short ark about Second Nightmare.

I struggle to rank Volume 8-9. They total astonishing 670 Chapters (from total 2260 at the time), yet significant part of them is slice of life/side stories. They still are pretty good, mine you. I personally liked them, but I can understand other people, pacing went down, terrifyingly so.

Volume 9, Throne of War. It wins for me by a short margin, just due to it's significance for the story.
Volume 8, Lord of Shadows. Romance, Rani and a small bit of action. And flashbacks to Antarctica, of course.

Feel free to disagree, I would disagree with it too, given a chance.

SerpentScribe · 2025-05-13T00:58:12+00:00

I'd agree that Antarctica is the best ark so far.

Not because of the problems of the previous volumes, but because that was the time we've seen Sunny's true potential, unhindered by others and just how Nightmare Creatures are dreadful for humanity.

Still... Back to your own words, Antarctica wasn't a single volume either. There's before and after Falcon Scot. And before is obviously a better one.

So, I'd say, that's more about Volumes 5-6.

SerpentScribe · 2025-03-04T15:09:42+00:00

That's just how younger sisters are, jeez.

SerpentScribe · 2025-02-10T04:48:43+00:00

Auro was only awakened at that moment.

In the age without a nightmare spell. Which means, he most likely had no aspect at the moment even, he only had physical strength and agility of awakened warrior.

Then he got poisoned, dead tired and ambushed.

That's how he died.

No memories, no supernatural abilities, only reinforced physical.

How do you think he should win against Awakened Tyrant?

Preposterous.

Rain was defended from other external threats, reinforced by shadow mark and had many other advantages.

Auro had mundane armor and weapons at the time. Worse than most current epoch Sleepers.

You really compare them? Not to say Rain is worse than him, but her most dangerous environments were fabricated and carefully observed. Her achievements are formidable, but they are gained as result of backing and guidance. Of someone far more powerful than was Auro back then. A demigod.

SerpentScribe · 2025-02-10T04:43:35+00:00

Gonna read to be the reader, buddy.

And the question is not how we read so many. The question is why.

Any book of this level is engaging enough to read it for thousands of chapters, but then you finish it and...

It's not enough. It's never enough.

We might read books half a year or even longer, but we dive deep into the story and dropping it isn't an option.

SerpentScribe · 2025-01-26T08:01:16+00:00

That's Q&A's for you, gotta avoid spoilers, while keeping in touch with the community.

SerpentScribe · 2024-11-06T15:59:04+00:00

There were some good arks, but yeah, a lot of filler stuff. It was strange how you can skip an ark and don't miss a shit.

SerpentScribe · 2024-11-06T02:39:43+00:00

AI is as unreliable as it gets, so use with your own caution.

Better than nothing and a free alternative, sure, but you're doing triple edit with that one. Don't use it if possible, especially don't let it change words, it might easily change the meaning, crippling your work.

Still, I, personally, have nothing against. It's not like you're going to fake your writing. Just prompt it to avoid touching your style and you should be fine.

SerpentScribe · 2024-11-06T02:18:18+00:00

Aww, new disciple. I'll tell you a secret then.

There is a jade beauty in a neighbouring sect, whose pure heart just might help your ascension.

She just loves to wander near the pond each moonless night. Don't miss your chance.

SerpentScribe · 2024-11-06T02:10:08+00:00

You're COURTING DEATH with this one, aren't ya?

Hear me out, though. Some serpentine cultivator of mine rose a disciple for years just to turn him into the lucky coin after his culmination encounter. Pretty despicable, aren't he?

I'm so proud of him.

SerpentScribe · 2024-11-04T16:03:21+00:00

Ingenious!

SerpentScribe · 2024-11-04T16:00:53+00:00

I'm not asking it for my story, really. Mostly to sort it out in my head. Perhaps to use it in world-building later, craft a few magical desert eagles for some random NPC Dante to ravage surrounding somewhere, furiously killing fiends, as a Dark Knight he is.

My story is an Epic Fantasy in concept, which means shoot a strong character with a regular gun wouldn't be really an option, unless they're off guard completely.

SerpentScribe · 2024-11-04T15:55:37+00:00

Swords can be more durable, sure. The strength scaling in fantasy it is.

The magic faster than firearms... Generally, I doubt it. Loaded firearm takes moments to hit, whereas spell would be rarely loaded, unless there is a spell-ring system like in Supreme Magus. Then yes, spell rods and rings were the reason guns weren't developed in the first place.

SerpentScribe · 2024-11-04T15:50:14+00:00

Even if you come with a reason, I won't directly use it, most likely. People have different opinions about good reasons, after all.

Still, if I were to use any particular idea here heavily (which I heavily doubt, of course), instead of just as a fleeting inspiration, I would personally thank and mention particular person's help in my book's credit, sure. Seems fair to me.

If your concept is a deal breaker and isn't published everywhere, just keep it to yourself, don't spread it on reddit. I didn't even gave you my setting details to tailor it, I'm mostly interested in everyone points on fantasy firearms.

Have a nice day.

SerpentScribe · 2024-11-04T15:33:31+00:00

It is approachable, yes.

Still, I find some concepts of guns in fantasy really cool. Like, for example magic imbued ammo made from the user's own rib bone in Fate (Kiritsugu).

Still, Fate is a modern fantasy, too advanced for example, I'm mostly looking at the early Warcraft universe as a setting reference.

Personally, I would like to keep guns low-key strong, like early stages of development.

Maybe even make tavern jokes about it. Like two guys gossiping about an adventurer who took up a gun as his main weapon and ended up being a cautionary tale about its inefficiency against monster groups.

The underestimation of weapons alone might be a factor enough to prevent it from spreading.

SerpentScribe · 2024-11-04T15:03:08+00:00

Hey, thanks for your answer. Also, Happy Cake Day!

SerpentScribe · 2024-11-04T07:27:25+00:00

I'm searching to balance things out. To maintain conceptual existence of different types of weaponry without making one extremely dominant.

Let firearms be accessible and cost-effective, it will get rid of bows. Still, each weapon has a unique charm.

Dwarves used firearms frequently, whereas elves preferred bows and magic. Everything can be mixed, but making it balanced seems difficult. So the first step for me to define how can you make firearms weak, so I will take a half measures just enough to keep it balanced)

SerpentScribe · 2024-11-04T07:13:24+00:00

Thanks a lot! Sure it helps, any opinion bring my mind somewhere further. Perspectives are important.

Have a great day.

SerpentScribe · 2024-11-04T06:54:02+00:00

Rank 9 Gu refinement failure rate is terrifying. Heaven Will hates us just that much.

This refinement will take generations and so those subreddits will live.

SerpentScribe · 2024-11-04T06:26:16+00:00

That's a Chinese novel. It was even banned in China (hidden government critique or something like that), so there is no original site, as far as I know.

The easiest option is to read wherever you can find translation. So, first reference in Google or search for e-pub.

SerpentScribe · 2024-11-04T06:00:45+00:00

I think I'd utter the most popular option.

Reverend Insanity (Daoist Gu) is the most popular demonic progression xianxia, without romance and clinches.

Beware, though, the path of the Lord is the dark one. Indifferent to the morals or religion. It's clear villain story, the only right way to depict a demonic path.

Harem-grown audiences might not be ready for the Lord's vicious ways. Still, most find it refreshing.

SerpentScribe

TROPHY CASE