Chapter Summaries

Shien secretly visited the restrained Kilian and beat him while asking whether he wanted to escape. After acquiring and maxing out Unarmed Combat, Shien stopped and ominously told Kilian they should get along to achieve their respective goals.

• Kilian resolved to endure his captivity so he could take revenge on Shien.
• Shien used Stealth to sneak into Kilian's guarded tent and asked whether he wanted to get out.
• When Kilian glared at him instead of answering, Shien punched and repeatedly beat him while muffling his cries.
• Shien acquired Unarmed Combat during the beating, learned it, and raised it to maximum level.
• Shien stopped, then told the frightened Kilian they should get along for the sake of achieving both their goals.

Shien secretly completed his plan, then hid Merika from Magray when she fled from him. After Magray explained that he had chased Merika to invite her to practice a chant, Shien knocked him unconscious and began dragging him toward the forest, prompting Merika to rush out and stop him.

• Shien finished his covert work and headed back toward his tent.
• Merika ran into Shien while fleeing Magray, and Shien hid her in nearby bushes.
• Magray arrived looking for Merika and said he wanted to practice a chant with her.
• Shien distracted Magray by pointing down the path, then struck him unconscious.
• Shien dragged Magray toward the forest, and Merika came out of hiding to stop him.

Shien rescued Merika from Magray, then tied the unconscious young master to a tree for the night. As Shien left, Merika called after him to thank him, despite her uncertainty about the inexplicable closeness she felt toward him.

• Shien abandoned his plan to bury Magray and instead tied him up and hung him from a tree.
• Shien reassured Merika that the area was safe and warned her to avoid being alone again.
• Merika innocently asked what Shien meant by “five limbs,” and Shien praised her pure heart.
• Shien decided to leave Merika and return, while Merika reflected on why she felt close to him and guilty about being relieved they might part.
• Merika called after Shien and asked him to accept her thanks.

Shien followed Merika into the woods, where she used her magic to grow flowers and began weaving him a flower crown as a reward. Merika explained that the crown expressed an Elf’s gratitude or trust, and Shien learned it would be a lasting and valuable gift.

• Shien dismissed Merika’s concern for Magray, and she left him hanging from a tree as they entered the woods.
• Merika knelt and chanted, using her magic power to make flowers grow around her hand.
• Shien recognized the magic as an Elf ability tied to their affinity with nature and vitality.
• Merika picked flowers and began weaving a flower crown for Shien.
• Merika explained that the crown was an Elf’s sign of gratitude or closeness and would not wither for many years.

Merika explained that her flower crown was meant to thank Shien, apologize for her mistrust, and help other Elves recognize him as trustworthy. Shien wove a crown for Merika in return, exchanged crowns with her, and left her blushing as his crown shone with dazzling radiance.

• Merika told Shien that the flower crown would thank him and serve as an apology while helping other Elves feel less wary of him.
• Shien realized Merika felt guilty for struggling to trust him despite his help.
• Shien began weaving a flower crown and teased Merika that giving one to a girl could be a way for a man to flirt.
• Shien placed his crown on Merika, took the one she had woven, and said they were even before leaving.
• Merika watched Shien go, touched the crown on her head, and blushed as she realized Elves could receive flower crowns too.
• Shien's flower crown glowed with dazzling radiance.

After Magray was found hanging from a tree and Kilian was discovered badly injured and unresponsive, Shien denied causing either incident. When Vivian proposed keeping someone with Merika at all times, Merika quietly agreed to let Shien stay with her, leaving everyone surprised.

• The group found Magray hanging from a tree, and he refused to explain what had happened while glaring angrily at Shien.
• The group discovered Kilian badly injured and vacant-eyed, but Beren and the others could not get him to respond.
• Vivian and Tier suspected Shien was behind the incidents, while Merika shyly avoided his gaze.
• Tier frightened Magray away after interpreting his anger as a threat to Merika, and Vivian proposed keeping someone with Merika at all times.
• When Vivian asked Merika whether Shien could stay with her, Merika blushed and quietly agreed, surprising everyone.

Bedo and the Old Demon Faction slaughtered their way through temples in the Marquisate of Mulow while pursuing Kilian and investigating a mysterious Magic Item near Lamigium. Bedo decided they would rescue Kilian first and learn more before attempting to seize the treasure.

• Shien and the escort party continued toward the royal capital and prepared to leave the Marquisate of Mulow for Duke Fidinis's Territory.
• Bedo and the Old Demon Faction emerged from a temple they had attacked, leaving clergymen dead and the Goddess's statue destroyed.
• Bedo learned that Lamigium's people had escorted Kilian away after his defeat and heard reports of a powerful, mysterious Magic Item there.
• Bedo suspected the Magic Item had drawn a traitor to Lamigium and decided to rescue Kilian before making plans to obtain it.
• Bedo destroyed the temple with an explosion of flames, and the Old Demon Faction disappeared.

Shien and the others fought off a sudden Ogre attack while escorting a caravan through the mountains, and Shien reached Lv. 24. As the battle continued, Shien remained eager for the Old Demon Faction to appear.

• Beren calmly organized the knights, adventurers, and mages into a defense against the attacking Ogres.
• Vivian, Tier, and Lumya led the counterattack, while Merika prepared her magic under Vivian's protection.
• Lyon decided to use the mission to get closer to Vivian's Squad, while Magray vented his resentment by killing Ogres.
• Shien used a tattered piece of parchment to unleash a massive fire attack that blasted away a group of Ogres.
• Shien checked his status and found that ten days of battles and training had raised him to Lv. 24.

After the escort squad wiped out a powerful ogre horde, Shien explained why he kept disguising his own abilities as Magic Items. The group then learned that Tier was nearing level sixty and that Merika’s magic power had been growing.

• The escort squad defeated the ogre horde in a swift battle and began cleaning up the battlefield.
• Vivian criticized Shien for relying on his supposed Magic Items, and Shien said he lacked a suitable weapon and teased that his critics would have it coming.
• Shien praised Tier and Merika for their recent improvement, and Tier said she expected to reach level sixty within a month.
• Vivian explained how exceptional it would be for sixteen-year-old Tier to reach level sixty.
• Merika said she did not feel close to leveling up, but her magic power had been steadily increasing.

Merika’s magic power had increased without explanation, and Shien noticed that faint magic power was flowing into her. The group left the cause unresolved and continued toward the royal capital, unaware that pursuers were close behind.

• Merika told Vivian and the others that her magic power had grown despite not leveling up or using a potion, treasure, or new skill.
• Vivian and Lumya questioned Merika about possible changes to her health, while Shien observed her in silence.
• Shien told Tier that his Mana Perception had revealed magic power lingering around Merika and flowing into her body.
• Tier suggested that Merika, as an Elf born from nature, might absorb the world’s magic power, but she and Shien could not explain why it had begun gathering around her.
• Merika suspected the change was connected to her growing closeness to Shien and the hidden flower wreath he had given her, but she kept this to herself.
• The group stopped investigating and resumed its journey through Duke Fidinis's Territory toward the royal capital, with pursuers drawing near.

During a quiet night watch, Shien and Merika sat in awkward silence while both secretly felt drawn to one another. Magray saw them together and, consumed by jealousy, prepared to use a tattered parchment against Shien.

• Shien and Merika kept watch together, but neither could bring themselves to start a conversation as they blushed and exchanged furtive glances.
• Lumya and Vivian noticed Merika's behavior, while Tier observed the pair and left thoughtfully.
• Magray watched from concealment, furious that Merika seemed interested in Shien.
• Magray recalled his obsession with Merika and his previous failed attempt to approach her, which had ended with Tier cutting apart his limbs.
• Overcome by rage, Magray took out a tattered piece of parchment and planned to use Shien's Magic Item against him.

Shien noticed Magray’s hostility and tried to encourage Merika to stand up to the noble who had been bullying her. After Shien promised to protect Merika, she fainted from embarrassment, and Magray charged at him in a rage.

• Shien sensed hostility nearby and realized Magray was secretly trying to activate the parchment Magic Item.
• Shien questioned why Merika let the lower-level Magray bully her, but Merika stayed silent because she was too nervous to cast magic at humans.
• Shien apologized for criticizing Merika, sat beside her, and promised that he would protect her.
• Merika blushed and fainted, and Shien caught her.
• Magray lost his temper and charged at Shien, shouting that he would kill him.

Shien repeatedly beat Magray after finding him with Merika, who was unconscious in his arms, and exposed Magray’s supposed Magic Item as useless. The chapter ended with Shien blaming Magray for Merika’s condition and invoking President Ryley as Magray protested.

• Shien carried the unconscious Merika and kicked Magray away when he attacked.
• Magray challenged Shien to fight without Magic Items, but Shien still kicked him down and explained that he had grown stronger.
• Magray removed his equipment and charged Shien, who knocked him down again without using Magic Items.
• Magray tried to activate a tattered parchment as a Magic Item, but it failed, and Shien repeatedly kicked him as he chanted.
• Magray begged Shien to stop and threatened him with House Flete, while Shien claimed Magray had scared Merika unconscious and said President Ryley would uphold justice.

Shien beat Magray and warned him to stop pursuing Merika, who remained in Shien’s arms. Magray fled in terror, while Tier and Vivian watched Shien leave with Merika toward Lumya’s tent.

• Shien beat Magray until he was too frightened and injured to get up, then questioned him about House Flete’s threats.
• Magray refused to give up Merika, insisting that he wanted only her and would pay any price to be with her.
• Shien condemned Magray for disregarding Merika’s wishes and warned that he would stop him by any means if he pursued her again.
• Shien carried Merika away as Magray scrambled off in panic, and Tier and Vivian left after observing the encounter.

Magray resolved to keep waiting for a chance to take Merika, but an Old Demon Faction assassin killed him before he returned to camp. Bedo’s executioners surrounded the escort camp and prepared to rescue Kilian and slaughter everyone inside.

• Magray mourned Merika, feared Shien, and planned to abduct her when she was alone, without considering what she wanted.
• A black-clad assassin stabbed Magray, and an old man burned him to ashes with magic.
• The old man revealed himself as Bedo, leader of the Old Demon Faction executioners, and learned that the camp held 118 people, including Kilian.
• Bedo ordered his forces to rescue Kilian, seal off the surroundings, and kill everyone in the camp.

Vivian headed to meet Beren and Aris to discuss changing the escort party’s route after an ogre attack, while reflecting on Lyon’s motives and her own connection to the God Race. Lyon and Eudice stopped her on the way, and Lyon invited her to a meal in the royal capital.

• Vivian recalled that Lyon cared more about noble connections than his standing as an adventurer, though she still treated him with courtesy.
• Vivian remembered Ryley’s observation that her values seemed godlike and considered whether that came from the god within her.
• Lyon and Eudice emerged from the shadows with disheveled clothes and signs of intimacy.
• Vivian told Lyon she was going to discuss the ogre attack and the escort party’s route with Beren and Aris.
• Lyon praised Vivian’s efforts and offered to treat her to a meal once they reached the royal capital.

Vivian tried to distance herself from Lyon’s advances and Eudice’s jealousy, but she sensed danger approaching and warned them to stay beside her. Elsewhere, Shien sensed something unusual while Lumya comforted the newly awakened Merika.

• Lyon repeatedly pursued Vivian, Lumya, and Merika, while Tier had bluntly told him to leave her alone.
• Vivian declined Lyon’s invitation, and Eudice interrupted to offer to introduce him to her own friends in the royal capital.
• Vivian urged Lyon to rely on Eudice and left to find Mr. Beren, prompting Lyon to accept her departure.
• Vivian sensed two blood-scented shadows rushing toward her and told Lyon and Eudice not to leave her side.
• Merika woke in embarrassment after fainting, and Shien’s expression stiffened as an inexplicable gleam appeared in his eyes.

Shien, Lumya, and Merika came under attack when Old Demon Faction assassins infiltrated their camp. Shien and the girls fought back, but the assault was still underway as the chapter ended.

• Shien sensed hostile attackers approaching and told Lumya and Merika to stay close to him.
• The camp erupted in flames and explosions, and Shien kicked away an assassin who tried to ambush the girls.
• Shien struck down the assassin with lightning, then killed another by throwing his dagger.
• Lumya forced an attacker back while Merika cast Heaven Fire, and Shien used a stone to smash the remaining attacker's legs.

Shien reassured Lumya and Merika during the Old Demon Faction’s attack on the camp, then led them toward the faction’s target while rescuing fighters along the way. The group reached the tent where Kilian was being held.

• Merika killed an attacker and recognized the enemy as part of the Old Demon Faction, while Shien used Mana Perception to confirm that Vivian and Tier were still fighting and unharmed.
• Shien acknowledged that he bore some responsibility for the bloodshed and led Lumya and Merika toward the Old Demon Faction’s target.
• Shien, Lumya, and Merika fought off attackers as they crossed the burning camp, with Shien striking enemies using stones and his Throwing skill.
• The group rescued knights and adventurers, including Aris, and grew to more than a dozen people.
• After about ten minutes, Shien’s group arrived at the tent where Kilian was being held.

The Old Demon Faction rescued Kilian from the burning tent, and Bedo arrived to confront the humans. Shien resisted Bedo’s Mental Magic and overwhelmed the demons with his aura, leaving Bedo demanding to know who he was.

• Shien stopped his group as Kilian’s tent exploded in flames.
• Demons emerged from the fire with Kilian, and Beren moved to intervene before Bedo appeared and stopped him with his terrifying pressure.
• Bedo learned that Kilian had been tortured and turned his Mental Magic against the humans, causing most of them to tremble in fear.
• Shien resisted Bedo’s Mental Magic and released his aura, forcing the Old Demon Faction members to their knees.
• Shien withdrew his power, and Bedo stared at him and asked, “Who are you?”