Chapter Summaries

Gazef asked Riezel to help restore Brain Unglaus's confidence after Brain said he had seen a monster, but their conversation was interrupted by Climb and two members of Blue Roses. Gazef introduced Riezel to the group as the man who had saved his life, and Gagaran recognized his name.

• Gazef told Riezel that Brain had lost his fighting spirit after encountering a monster and asked Riezel to help him regain faith in humanity's strength.
• Climb arrived with Gagaran and Evileye, surprising Gazef and interrupting his conversation with Riezel.
• Gazef explained that he had come to find someone and introduced Climb, Gagaran, and Evileye to Riezel.
• Gazef introduced Riezel Brihaut as the man who had saved his life, and Gagaran reacted with surprise, saying she recognized him.

Climb learned that Riezel was a newly promoted Adamantite-rank adventurer whose solo feats included surviving the Angelicia Mountain Range and defeating its three regional rulers. Gazef confirmed that Riezel greatly surpassed him, leaving Climb shaken before Evileye warned him against letting unrealistic hopes destroy him; Gazef then began explaining what the group had been discussing.

• Gagaran told Climb that Riezel was an Adamantite-rank adventurer who had earned fame by defeating every challenger in a Guild challenge arena.
• Gagaran described how Riezel survived for over a month in the Angelicia Mountain Range and defeated its Phoenix Ruler, Ancient Fire Dragon, and Lava Ruler alone.
• Riezel downplayed the Lava Ruler's danger, and Gazef praised his accomplishments.
• Climb realized Riezel was stronger than Gazef, and Gazef confirmed that Riezel surpassed him by a great deal.
• Evileye warned Climb not to pursue strength through unrealistic fantasies, and Climb apologized to the group.
• Gagaran asked what the group had been discussing, and Gazef began to explain.

Gazef brought Riezel and the others to see Brain Unglaus, who had been left emotionally shattered after encountering a powerful monster. As Brain dismissed human strength as worthless, Riezel drew his sword and filled the courtyard with a terrifying sense of danger.

• Gagaran explained that she had watched Brain Unglaus challenge Gazef in the Royal Tournament and had remembered his fierce fighting spirit.
• Gazef led the group to Brain, who sat listlessly in the courtyard and said he could not sleep because he kept reliving what he had seen.
• Brain told Gagaran that even the strongest humans were powerless against a true monster, provoking her to grab him before she let him go in pity.
• Gazef appealed to Riezel for help, and Riezel studied the sword Brain clutched tightly.
• Riezel drew his sword, causing everyone in the courtyard to feel an overwhelming sense of deadly danger.

Riezel challenged the despairing Brain Unglaus to face him with a sword, arguing that human weakness did not determine what a person could become. Brain regained a spark of fighting spirit and took an attacking stance as battle was about to begin.

• Riezel drew his sword, and Gazef, Gagaran, Evileye, Brain, and the others instinctively retreated from the danger they sensed.
• Brain questioned whether Riezel was human, and Riezel rejected Brain's belief that humans were destined to be weak.
• Riezel sheathed his sword and challenged Brain to show him how strong a human could become by drawing his own sword.
• Brain recalled his defeat by Gazef, his efforts to grow stronger, and the incident that had driven him into despair.
• Brain assumed an attacking stance and warned Riezel not to regret the challenge as the others watched and battle approached.

Brain recounted how witnessing the battle between powerful beings in Yharnam shattered his confidence, then unleashed his ultimate sword technique against Riezel. Riezel caught the strike between two fingers and kicked Brain away, leaving the duel’s outcome beyond doubt.

• Brain told Riezel and the others how he had joined a bandit gang after losing to Stronoff at the Royal Tournament.
• Brain described seeing two powerful fighters devastate the Northern Forest of Yharnam and explained how the experience destroyed his belief in human strength.
• Riezel asked Brain to draw his sword, and Brain prepared his Martial Skills for one final strike.
• Brain combined Domain and Divine Flash into Secret Sword—Tiger Drop and attacked Riezel at blinding speed.
• Riezel caught Brain’s sword between two fingers, praised the technique, and kicked Brain flying.

Riezel demonstrated his overwhelming swordsmanship to Brain, then revealed he had been one of the monsters Brain encountered in the Northern Forest. Brain regained his will to pursue strength, while Gazef and the others learned that Riezel was both a powerful Magic Caster and a swordsman in the Heroic Domain.

• Riezel caught Brain's ultimate slash between his fingers, then defeated him with Thunder Breathing, First Form: Thunderclap and Flash, while deliberately avoiding injury.
• Riezel criticized Brain for judging humanity's potential before reaching the Heroic Domain and revealed that he had been one of the monsters Brain encountered in the Northern Forest.
• Brain realized that humans could reach such strength and regained his determination to train; he thanked Gazef for arranging the meeting.
• Brain and Gazef spoke about their swords, and Gazef revealed that Riezel could use fifth-tier magic and had long since entered the Heroic Domain.
• Climb, Brain, Gagaran, and Evileye were left in awe of Riezel after Gazef described his abilities.

Climb brought Gagaran and Evileye to meet Renner and Lakyus at the royal palace after their visit to Brain delayed them. When Evileye revealed that they had encountered Riezel Brihaut, the gathered women fell silent and Lakyus grew serious.

• Climb, Gagaran, and Evileye hurried to Renner's room, where Gagaran and Evileye assured Climb that their delay was not his fault.
• Gagaran and Evileye explained that Blue Roses had been told to keep an eye on Riezel Brihaut, which had contributed to their delay.
• Climb entered Renner's room with Gagaran and Evileye and found Renner, Lakyus, and the twin assassins Tia and Tina waiting there.
• Gagaran, Evileye, Tia, and Tina exchanged teasing remarks before Lakyus stopped them and asked about the delay.
• Evileye told Lakyus that she and Gagaran had encountered Riezel Brihaut, and Lakyus's expression turned serious.

After Gagaran and Evileye described Riezel Brihaut’s overwhelming strength, Lakyus and Blue Roses discussed whether he might be connected to the legendary Players. They resolved to seek contact with him, while Renner privately considered that he might be a Player himself.

• Lakyus explained that a retired senior Blue Roses member had asked her to investigate Riezel Brihaut and make contact with him.
• Gagaran and Evileye recounted Riezel’s encounter with Brain, and Lakyus concluded that his warrior ability far exceeded her own.
• Evileye warned that even Blue Roses attacking together would likely be killed by Riezel, then suggested he might have inherited a Player’s bloodline.
• Evileye explained that Players had included the Six Gods, the Eight Desires Kings, and members of the Thirteen Heroes, including their mysterious leader.
• Renner proposed that Riezel might be a Player himself, prompting the group to agree that they needed to meet him.
• As Lakyus and the others continued discussing Riezel, Renner watched them with an unnamed emotion stirring within her.

After Blue Roses agreed to help Renner, Demiurge met with her in secret and confirmed that Nazarick’s plan in the royal capital was ready to begin. They decided to keep Riezel occupied so he could not interfere with the operation.

• Lakyus and Blue Roses agreed to prepare for Renner’s operation and left her room.
• Climb declined Renner’s invitation to stay for tea and went to train, determined to become strong enough to support her.
• After Climb left, Renner revealed her cold demeanor and greeted Demiurge, Guardian of Nazarick’s Seventh Floor.
• Demiurge questioned Riezel’s origins and warned that he was an unpredictable threat to Nazarick’s plan.
• Renner reported that the plan was progressing smoothly and that Blue Roses had been commissioned to handle the bait.
• Demiurge ordered Renner to have the women under her control keep Riezel occupied while Nazarick began its operation in the royal capital.

Riezel went to seek information about powerful monsters near the royal capital so he could continue improving, but Brain Unglaus stopped him to ask for swordsmanship lessons. Brain offered his Magic Items as payment, and Riezel became interested in the Wyvern Amulet’s ability to reduce weight and burden.

• Riezel reviewed his Ability Values and reflected that his progress had slowed because he was already Lv.6 and opponents in this world were weak.
• Riezel considered the likelihood of a future conflict with Nazarick and looked forward to facing its Guardians for Experience Points.
• Brain Unglaus approached Riezel outside the inn and asked him to teach him swordsmanship after witnessing Thunderclap and Flash.
• Brain offered several Magic Items in exchange for instruction, and Riezel focused on the Wyvern Amulet’s weight-reducing effect.

Riezel accepted two weight-reducing Magic Items from Brain and agreed to teach him the fundamentals of Thunderclap and Flash. Their conversation was interrupted by Blue Roses arriving at the inn, drawing Riezel’s attention to Lakyus and her famous demonic sword, Chiriniraimu.

• Riezel tried Brain’s Wyvern Amulet and Giant’s Gloves, finding that they reduced his burden and helped his Light Armor ability.
• Brain offered the Magic Items in exchange for guidance, and Riezel agreed to teach him the fundamentals of Thunderclap and Flash while warning that mastering it would be difficult.
• Brain embraced the challenge of reaching the level required to perform the technique and declared his ambition to improve.
• Gagaran praised Brain as she and the other members of Blue Roses arrived at the inn’s Great Gate.
• Riezel recognized Lakyus and became curious about the transforming sword at her side, which he identified as Chiriniraimu.

Lakyus told Riezel and Brain that Blue Roses planned to investigate the monster that had taken over Eight Fingers and was hiding in the royal capital. Riezel realized the monster’s arrival meant the plot had changed.

• Lakyus arrived with Blue Roses and apologized for Gagaran interrupting Riezel and Brain’s conversation.
• Brain praised Riezel and acknowledged Blue Roses’ strength after recognizing that several of its members could challenge him.
• Riezel recalled that Blue Roses had originally come to the capital to attack Eight Fingers on the Golden Princess’s commission.
• Evileye used a Magic Item to shield the group from nearby listeners while Lakyus explained that a monster had fled the Slane Theocracy and taken control of Eight Fingers.
• Lakyus said Blue Roses had accepted a secret commission from the Third Princess to investigate the monster and, if possible, subjugate it.
• Riezel concluded that the events no longer matched the original plot.

Riezel and Blue Roses discussed the vampire who had taken over Eight Fingers, and Brain suspected it was the powerful vampire he had seen fight Riezel in the Northern Forest of Yharnam. Riezel wondered whether Ainz and Nazarick were behind the events and agreed to investigate with Blue Roses.

• Lakyus said a vampire had taken control of Eight Fingers and explained that five members of Six Arms had been turned into vampires.
• Brain suspected the vampire was the one who had fought Riezel, and he argued with Evileye over how its strength compared with Nation Destroyer.
• Lakyus said reports also linked the vampire to an attack on a city in the Slane Theocracy.
• Riezel considered whether Shalltear and Ainz were behind the attacks but questioned why the events had become so conspicuous.
• Lakyus invited Riezel to investigate with Blue Roses, and he accepted.

Lakyus led Blue Roses, Brain, and Riezel to an Eight Fingers base where the group expected to confront Six Arms and the vampire controlling the organization. After arriving at the isolated, prison-like building, they were detected and attacked with a sudden rain of arrows.

• Lakyus explained that the group was targeting the base where Kingdom troops had encountered Six Arms, believing the vampire mastermind might be there.
• Brain warned that Blue Roses would be helpless against the vampire if it was the one he had encountered before, and said Riezel was their only chance.
• Lakyus insisted the group could not retreat from defending the royal capital, and Brain reaffirmed his confidence in Riezel.
• Riezel recognized the building as their destination, and Lakyus confirmed it was the Eight Fingers base in the intelligence report.
• Lakyus sent Tia and Tina to scout, but Riezel warned that the group had already been detected.
• The base's defenders fired a rain of arrows at the group, and Lakyus ordered everyone to prepare for battle.

Riezel and Lakyus's group fought the vampire minions pouring from the prison-like building, including Blood Bats, Lesser Vampires, and Vampire Wolves. Riezel's spells protected the group and devastated the attackers, leaving the surviving monsters too frightened to advance.

• Riezel cast Arrow Blocking Wall to deflect a rain of arrows aimed at the group.
• A vast swarm of Blood Bats emerged, and Lakyus ordered the close-combat fighters to retreat while Evileye and Lakyus attacked the bats.
• Riezel protected the rear fighters with Cocoon of Life Rejection and blasted many Blood Bats away with Shockwave.
• Lesser Vampires and Vampire Wolves poured from the building, confirming that a powerful vampire controlled Eight Fingers.
• Riezel fired an enormous Fireball that incinerated many Blood Bats and Vampire Wolves, causing the remaining monsters to halt and retreat.

Riezel overwhelmed the monsters at the Eight Fingers base with enhanced Fireballs, leaving the battlefield and nearby buildings in ruins. As the group prepared to enter the base, Lakyus wondered whether Riezel's power could rival a Dragon Lord.

• Those who witnessed Riezel's Fireball wondered whether an Innate Ability explained its extraordinary power.
• Riezel cast three enormous enhanced Fireballs and wiped out the monsters in the alley.
• Lakyus worried about civilians amid the destruction, but Tia, Tina, and Evileye said no innocent people appeared to be nearby.
• The group confirmed they were unharmed, and Riezel said he was still ready to fight with his blade if he ran out of mana.
• Lakyus considered Riezel possibly the strongest human and wondered whether he could be at Dragon Lord level.
• Riezel told the group to enter the Eight Fingers base, and they agreed.

Riezel and Blue Roses broke through the deadly defenses around the Eight Fingers stronghold and entered its eerily empty courtyard. They were ambushed by the Six Arms, whose leader welcomed them to the stronghold and offered them time to speak their last words.

• Tia, Tina, Lakyus, Evileye, and Riezel disarmed or destroyed the traps around the stronghold, with Riezel using Decomposition Magic on hazards the others missed.
• Gagaran smashed open the stronghold's Great Gate, and the group entered a quiet courtyard with no living presence nearby.
• Riezel pulled Lakyus out of the way of a sudden sword strike as hidden attackers launched a coordinated assault on the group.
• Evileye, Lakyus, Brain, Tia, Tina, and Gagaran defended themselves against attacks from swords, a bladed whip, and a fireball.
• Five attackers revealed themselves, and a tattooed bald man emerged from the mansion to welcome Blue Roses to the land of death.

Six Arms revealed that Shalltear had turned them into powerful Vampire Familiars, and they confronted Riezel and Blue Roses in the courtyard. Riezel left the others to fight Six Arms while he headed into the mansion to find the vampire controlling Eight Fingers, but Jello attacked him as he passed.

• Lakyus identified the six enemies as Six Arms, and Evileye recognized that they no longer had the aura of the living.
• Jello and the others revealed their vampire forms and claimed that abandoning humanity had given them greater strength.
• Evileye challenged Six Arms, while Brain took their transformation as proof that he would rather remain human.
• Riezel told Blue Roses and Brain to handle Six Arms while he went into the mansion to find the vampire.
• Jello charged at Riezel and swung a punch at him.

Riezel easily defeated Jello and entered the mansion while Lakyus and the others fought Six Arms outside. He found Shalltear Bloodfallen in a luxurious chamber with two Vampire Brides, where she demanded to know how he wanted to die.

• Jello charged Riezel but was casually punched into a rockery, leaving Six Arms and Blue Roses stunned.
• Gagaran, Brain, Evileye, Tina, and Tia engaged the remaining members of Six Arms while Riezel continued into the mansion.
• Lakyus stopped Jello from pursuing Riezel and drew her legendary black magic sword to fight him.
• Riezel reached the mansion’s most luxurious room and found Shalltear Bloodfallen reclining between two Vampire Brides.
• Shalltear asked Riezel how he wanted to die for interrupting her enjoyment.

Shalltear confronted Riezel at Nazarick’s stronghold, recognizing him as a major threat and summoning powerful monsters to test him. After Riezel emerged unharmed and banished her Headless Knight, he challenged her to fight him herself.

• Shalltear recognized Riezel from intelligence reports and equipped her armor and Droplet Spear.
• Shalltear summoned a Cerberus, but its fire attack engulfed Riezel without harming him.
• Shalltear dismissed Cerberus and summoned a Headless Knight to attack Riezel.
• Riezel used High-Tier Banishment to make the Headless Knight vanish and emerged from the flames unharmed.
• Riezel told Shalltear to stop testing him with summons and fight him herself.