Chapter Summaries

The alliance leader transformed Grand King of Destruction Buser into a Death Knight, which began slaughtering Demi-Humans and turning its victims into Undead. Thousand Miles Astrologer recognized the danger and rushed to warn the Cardinals, while Tang Zheng and his companions later waited in an inn as someone knocked at their door.

• The alliance leader used the black tower shield and a battlefield ritual to transform Buser into a Legendary Undead Death Knight, which began killing Demi-Humans and raising them as Undead.
• Khajit recoiled in fear, while Tang Zheng dismissed the Death Knight’s strength and killed Magelos Nasrene.
• Thousand Miles Astrologer witnessed the Death Knight through Clairvoyance, realized it could spread an Undead army, and hurried to inform the Cardinals.
• In Khalinsha, Enri counted her earnings and decided to return the money to Carne Village herself when Captain returned to the Kingdom.
• Someone knocked heavily at the inn room door, and Enri went to answer it.

President Bert Jin brought Tang Zheng two Adamantite Rank quests concerning tens of thousands of Undead gathering in the Abelion Hills. Tang Zheng accepted the danger, traveled to the Central Great Dun Fortress, and met Black Pabel as forces prepared to respond.

• President Bert Jin told Tang Zheng that two Adamantite Rank quests had been issued and warned him that the situation was exceptionally dangerous.
• Tang Zheng read the quest details and learned that tens of thousands of Undead were multiplying in the Abelion Hills.
• President Bert Jin said the Holy Kingdom’s elite forces and a Slane Theocracy legion were rushing to Khalinsha, while Tang Zheng ordered Enri and the Verdant Leaf Witch to prepare.
• Tang Zheng traveled with President Bert Jin toward the Wall Fortress and considered how to use a Shadow Clone to act in two roles.
• Black Pabel welcomed Tang Zheng at the Central Great Dun Fortress and thanked him, and Tang Zheng clasped his hand and called him a friend.

Tang Zheng, Guildmaster Bert Jin, and "Black" Pabel met Go Gin in Central Fort and prepared to leave for Khalinsha, where the Holy Kingdom’s forces were gathering to fight the Undead. On their return, Tang Zheng spotted the Sunlight Scripture approaching on Steed Angels.

• "Black" Pabel and Guildmaster Bert Jin explained that Go Gin had requested Tang Zheng’s help, and that the Holy Queen had approved cooperation with the Demi-Humans.
• Tang Zheng and his companions found "Red" Auland guarding Go Gin’s cell and arguing with soldiers who resented the Demi-Human.
• Go Gin told Tang Zheng he trusted him because he treated Demi-Humans like Osk, then tore open the cell bars and joined the group.
• "Black" Pabel, "Red" Auland, Go Gin, Tang Zheng, and Guildmaster Bert Jin left Central Fort for Khalinsha as the Holy Kingdom’s forces prepared to head toward the Abelion Hills.
• Near midnight, Tang Zheng spotted dozens of Steed Angels carrying Sunlight Scripture members toward the carriage teams.

Tang Zheng arrived in Khalinsha as the Holy Knights and the Slane Theocracy’s Sunlight Scripture assembled for the dangerous Abelion Hills mission. After agreeing to let Enri join the expedition, he reviewed his plans and examined an Assimilation Potion he had developed from Demi-Human blood.

• Tang Zheng and President Bert Jin reached Khalinsha, where they found Holy Knights guarding the open gates and learned that the Sunlight Scripture had arrived early.
• Vice Captain Gustavo Montañes greeted Tang Zheng, who declined to discuss the mission and returned to the inn with President Bert Jin.
• Enri insisted on joining Tang Zheng and the Verdant Leaf Witch for the dangerous mission, and Tang Zheng agreed.
• Tang Zheng reassured the Verdant Leaf Witch that White Mist Witch would return after completing her work in the Abelion Hills.
• Tang Zheng reviewed his plans, judged that the alliance leader was unlikely to win, and wondered what the leader’s real goal was.
• Tang Zheng examined an Assimilation Potion refined from Demi-Human blood and considered how its effects depended on compatibility.

Tang Zheng fused his Shadow Clone with the Soul of the Heroic Spirit using the Assimilation Potion, then sent the combined clone to the Abelion Hills to conceal his identity from the alliance leader. He joined a late-night battle conference in Khalinsha, where the Holy Kingdom and Slane Theocracy’s representatives gathered to plan against the Undead.

• Tang Zheng used the Assimilation Potion to merge his Shadow Clone and Soul of the Heroic Spirit, creating a stronger clone that could exist longer and remain under his control.
• Tang Zheng sent the disguised clone to the Abelion Hills and planned to have it appear before the alliance leader to avoid suspicion about his ties to the Slane Theocracy.
• A Paladin summoned Tang Zheng, the Verdant Leaf Witch, and Enri to a battle conference at a Fortress near Khalinsha’s city walls.
• Tang Zheng arrived to find elite Holy Knights, Clerics, and members of the Sunlight Scripture gathered, then told the delegates that the Undead were the enemy of all living beings.
• Tang Zheng recognized Kelart, Remedios, Gustavo, Red Lander, Black Pabel, Nigun, and Go Gin among the conference attendees, while the delegates scrutinized his words and presence.

Tang Zheng confronted Clementine after she ambushed Verdant Leaf Witch, then summoned two Fourth-Tier Angels to drive her from the combat conference room. The meeting continued with the leaders agreeing on supplies and an immediate expedition to purge the Undead in the Abelion Hills.

• Clementine attacked Verdant Leaf Witch with a stiletto, but her Magic Armor blocked the strike, and Tang Zheng ordered Verdant Leaf Witch to stop casting.
• Remedios rebuked Tang Zheng and Clementine, but Tang Zheng summoned Observer Dominion and Peace Authority Angel, who blasted Clementine into the courtyard.
• Kelart calmed the room and began the meeting, where the leaders reviewed the Death Knight, the growing Undead numbers, and the forces available for the expedition.
• Go Gin reminded the group that the Demi-Humans had traded grain with the humans, resolving the expedition's supply concerns.
• Kelart concluded the planning and ordered everyone to depart for the Abelion Hills at once.

Tang Zheng and the allied forces traveled into the Abelion Hills to confront the Undead, while the alliance leader prepared for their arrival at the Corpse Pit. The chapter ended with the Death Knight sensing the approaching living forces and the black-armored apostle eager to challenge Remedios and her holy sword.

• Clementine fought the two Fourth-Tier Angels until Tang Zheng dismissed them, then Captain Nigun warned her to follow the mission.
• Remedios questioned Enri joining the expedition, but Enri insisted she was not afraid, and Tang Zheng supported her choice.
• The Holy Kingdom, Slane Theocracy, Adventurer's Guild, and Demi-Human forces assembled nearly six hundred elites and marched from Khalinsha through the Wall Fortress toward the Abelion Hills.
• The forces entered the hot, dry Abelion Hills and rested in a sparse forest as Kelart ordered the Holy Knights to protect the casters.
• At the Corpse Pit, the alliance leader met two senior disciples and questioned them about the rebellious Demi-Humans, while Khajit lay unconscious among the corpses.
• The Death Knight sensed the approaching forces, and the black-armored apostle drew his Rotten Sword, hoping to test it against Remedios's Safarlisia.

The alliance leader prepared to attack the forces of the Holy Kingdom and Slane Theocracy while Tang Zheng led the elite troops toward the Abelion Hills. At camp, Tang Zheng helped replenish the Paladins’ strength and gained access to the Sacred Knight class by touching Gustavo’s armor.

• The alliance leader rejected the Gray-robed Magic Caster’s suggestion to involve the mysterious red-robed Magic Caster and sent the Gray-robed Magic Caster and black-armored knight to deal with their enemies.
• Tang Zheng’s three elite units set out for the Abelion Hills, and he encouraged Enri to study how Remedios, Kelart, and Nigun led their troops.
• Black Pabel praised Tang Zheng’s belief in Enri’s potential and talked about his talented daughter, Neia.
• As night approached, Kelart ordered the troops to camp, and Tang Zheng proposed making diluted Regeneration Potion from the remaining supplies to help the Paladins.
• Tang Zheng used Alchemy to mix the potion into the collected water, then touched Gustavo’s longsword and armor, unlocking Paladin and Sacred Knight class information.

Tang Zheng advanced to [Sacred Knight] and joined the Holy Knights’ camp, where a first wave of Undead was easily destroyed. He and Kelart recognized the attack as a tactic to drain the army’s magic, and the chapter ended as they urged the group to conserve power and rendezvous with the Demi-Humans.

• Tang Zheng advanced to [Sacred Knight], raised it to Level 4, and concealed the aura of his rapid leveling.
• Tang Zheng warned Auland and Go Gin that the absence of Undead meant a large force was gathering; Clementine joined them shortly before the camp’s Alarm sounded.
• The Holy Knights and Cleric Corps faced Bone Vultures and Undead emerging from the ground, while 280 Angel Guardians helped destroy the first wave.
• Kelart realized the Bone Vultures were controlled, and Tang Zheng recognized that the attack had been planned to exploit the Angel Guardians.
• An hour later, a larger Undead force attacked; Kelart and Tang Zheng stopped Nigun from wasting magic and called for the army to leave and meet the Demi-Humans.

The Holy Kingdom and Slane Theocracy advanced through the night while hiding their conflicting plans for the Abelion Hills and humanity. When Organ Eggs and Beast Zombies attacked, Tang Zheng summoned two Observer Dominions to strengthen the formation’s defenses.

• Remedios questioned Kelart’s decision to cooperate with Tang Zheng, and Kelart revealed her plan to use the crisis to eliminate the Demi-Humans.
• Captain Nigun considered the Theocracy’s decision to protect the Demi-Humans so the Abelion Hills would not trigger a war between human nations.
• Tang Zheng explained to Enri that the force had to keep moving, then three Organ Eggs pursued the group and knocked Angel Guardians to the ground.
• Auland, Pabel, and Cuiye engaged the Organ Eggs as Beast Zombies surrounded the formation and the Paladins and Clerics prepared to fight.
• Tang Zheng summoned two Observer Dominions, which boosted the defenses of the entire force while remaining stationary.

The elite force endured a night of Undead attacks while Enri won the Holy Kingdom’s people over with her kindness. As the group neared the Demi-Humans’ refuge, Kelart questioned Go Gin and revealed that the Holy Kingdom was focused on gathering the Demi-Humans in one place.

• Captain Nigun detected strong mana fluctuations, but Kelart chose to follow their original plan and had the Cleric Corps and Sunlight Scripture summon Angel Guardians to cover the force’s retreat.
• After the force survived the night, Enri helped the sick clerics, easing the tension when the paladins reassured her and welcomed her among them.
• Tang Zheng noticed Enri’s gift for winning people’s affection, shared food with Go Gin, and heard him voice concern about the Demi-Humans.
• Kelart asked Go Gin how far they were from the Demi-Humans’ gathering place, then questioned whether they were still there.
• Go Gin explained that the southern mountains could shelter the Demi-Humans, and Tang Zheng realized Kelart was probing to learn whether most of them were gathered in one location.

After Blade Armor Insects ambushed the Holy Kingdom’s force, Tang Zheng recognized that they had likely been controlled by a hidden enemy. Zurrernorn revealed itself and unleashed Undead, while Tang Zheng learned the Dark Knight class as the battle began.

• A group of Blade Armor Insects rushed the Holy Kingdom’s party, killed seven Paladins, and were slain by Remedios and the others.
• Remedios attacked Go Gin, but Tang Zheng suggested the insects had been controlled; Kelart realized another enemy was behind the attacks.
• A Gray-robed Magic Caster and a Black-armored Knight appeared, identified themselves as elite disciples of Zurrernorn, and demanded that the Holy Kingdom and Slane Theocracy leave.
• Black Pabel’s arrow failed to harm the Black-armored Knight, and the Gray-robed Magic Caster summoned a large number of Undead.
• Tang Zheng used his Genius class to learn the Dark Knight class and then turned his attention back to the battle.

The Human and Demi-Human forces fought the Gray-robed Magic Caster, the Death Knight, and its Follower Zombies as Tang Zheng’s summoned Angels began to turn the battle in their favor. The battlefield nevertheless settled into a stalemate, with Holy Knights casualties mounting and Tang Zheng noticing something was wrong with Clementine.

• The Gray-robed Magic Caster killed Gerard and Liota with a Lightning Strike, while Remedios clashed with the black-armored Knight and Black Pabel attacked the caster.
• Clementine, Go Gin, and Red Auland advanced on the Gray-robed Magic Caster, but a Heavy Skeleton Warrior engaged Clementine and the Death Knight’s Taunt forced Go Gin and Red Auland to confront it.
• Black Pabel saved Red Auland from the Death Knight’s sword, then joined him and Go Gin in a fight that left the three of them steadily driven back.
• The Death Knight brought eight powerful Follower Zombies onto the battlefield, and Kelart warned the forces that they could kill them.
• Tang Zheng summoned two Observer Dominions and a Peace Authority Angel, while the [Sunlight Scripture] members summoned Flame Archangels to attack the Gray-robed Magic Caster.
• The Angels began shifting the chaotic battle toward Tang Zheng’s side, but the Death Knight still suppressed Go Gin’s group, Holy Knights casualties mounted, and Tang Zheng noticed something wrong with Clementine.

As the battle against the Undead turned against the human forces, Enri risked herself to recover fallen paladins, while Tang Zheng watched the Gray-robed Magic Caster and realized Remedios was being badly wounded. Just as Kelart considered using her hidden trump card, Hectowaizes's Demi-Humans arrived, and the enemy leaders escaped by teleportation.

• Enri was distraught when the paladins slit their own throats to avoid becoming Undead, then rode the Barghest into battle to carry their bodies to safety.
• Tang Zheng kept the Angels pressuring the Gray-robed Magic Caster and noticed that Remedios was losing blood against the black-armored Knight.
• The Death Knight wounded "Red" Auland, leaving Go Gin and his companions unable to hold it back as the Undead pressed the human defenders.
• Kelart prepared to use her magic pouch, but Hectowaizes and a large force of Demi-Humans charged in from the south.
• The Gray-robed Magic Caster, the black-armored Knight, and the Death Knight withdrew after the failed mission, escaping with Teleportation.

Tang Zheng spent experience to heal the wounded, rapidly losing levels and discovering that the drops weakened his body, while he helped treat Remedios's cursed wounds. After the humans and demi-humans regrouped, Rokesh proposed attacking the Undead lair before the enemy could recover, leaving Kelart and Nigun wary of his suggestion.

• Tang Zheng healed the wounded Paladins with magic, dropping from level 52 to 45 and losing his Sword Saint class as he felt his body's strength diminish.
• Remedios refused Tang Zheng's Regeneration Potion, but Kelart forced her to drink it, and the Clerics slowed the bleeding from her Rotten Sword wounds with more potions and Healing Magic.
• Clementine teased Tang Zheng about treating Remedios's wounds, and he rebuked her for taking too long to fight an Undead.
• Tang Zheng, Kelart, Nigun, and Go Gin met with Beast General Hecterweit and Rokesh, the Rainbow Scales and strongest of the Ten Demi-Human Heroes.
• Rokesh thanked the humans for their support, then suggested attacking the Undead lair immediately while the enemy was still recovering, making Kelart and Nigun turn cold.

Tang Zheng’s party clashed with the distrustful demi-humans, while Captain Nigun declared that he would handle the Death Knight and Kelart revealed her hidden resurrection magic. As the Holy Kingdom’s forces watched five paladins return to life, Tang Zheng comforted the shaken Enri and worried that following him might not be good for her.

• Rainbow Scales Rokesh refused to take Tang Zheng and his companions to the demi-human gathering place, and the talks ended without the factions overcoming their distrust.
• Captain Nigun judged the Death Knight manageable, said he would handle it, and identified the leader of Zurrernorn as the real threat.
• Tang Zheng comforted Enri after she broke down over the dead paladins, then privately wondered whether leaving Carne Village to follow him had been good for her.
• Kelart cast Fifth-Tier Resurrection of the Dead and revived five paladins, stunning the Holy Kingdom’s troops and the demi-human leaders watching nearby.
• Remedios noticed Enri asleep on Tang Zheng’s lap and scowled, while Rokesh realized the demi-humans had underestimated humanity’s strength.

Kelart delayed the assault while resurrecting the fallen Holy Knights and gathering information about the demi-humans, then the human and demi-human armies marched on Zurrernorn’s Corpse Pit. As the battle began, Tang Zheng’s Shadow Clone attacked from atop a Bone Dragon, striking both Undead and demi-humans with powerful magic.

• Kelart resurrected the remaining Holy Knights while repeatedly refusing the demi-humans’ requests to attack, and Tang Zheng deduced she was using supply-gathering movements to locate their settlement and observe Zurrernorn.
• Enri trained with the resurrected paladins, and Remedios corrected her technique before warning Tang Zheng that Enri lacked talent; Tang Zheng detected no change in Enri’s level or class.
• Kelart led Tang Zheng and Captain Nigun to meet Rokesh, and the humans and demi-humans agreed to attack the Corpse Pit on April 3.
• The armies entered the Southern Mountains and fought the Undead, while Zurrernorn’s leader sent the Gray-robed Magic Caster, the armored knight, and Tang Zheng’s Shadow Clone into action.
• Tang Zheng’s Shadow Clone flew in on a Bone Dragon and cast Flame Knight Spear into the fighting, killing both Undead and demi-humans; Beast General Hectowaizes ordered the demi-humans to scatter.

Tang Zheng and “Black” Pabel fought the red-robed Magic Caster while the Demi-Humans resumed their advance against the Undead. As the battle intensified, two Zurrernorn enemies arrived, and the black-armored Knight called out Remedios Custodio.

• “Rainbow Scales” Rokesh watched the red-robed Magic Caster attack from atop a Bone Dragon and weighed the threat posed by the human forces behind him.
• Tang Zheng summoned two Observer Dominions, and he and “Black” Pabel coordinated their attacks to pressure the red-robed Magic Caster, though Pabel’s arrows were stopped by Reverse Gravity.
• Remedios praised Tang Zheng and Pabel’s performance and considered how the Regeneration Potion could help her face the black-armored Knight again.
• Enri questioned why humans would create Undead, and a Paladin told her Zurrernorn had forsaken the faith and teachings of “God”; Enri remembered that Captain did not believe in God and smiled.
• Beast General Hectowaizes ordered the Demi-Humans to advance in wedge formation as they fought through the Low-Tier Undead.
• The Gray-robed Magic Caster and the Knight in black armor teleported onto the battlefield, and the Knight charged through the Undead and roared Remedios Custodio’s name.

The Slane Theocracy revealed a Sealing Crystal and summoned a Principality to attack the Death Knight. The Death Knight survived Extreme Holy Strike but was destroyed by an Observer Dominion, while the Zurrernorn alliance leader remained absent.

• Remedios fought the Black Armored Knight as Hectowaizes led the Demi-Humans onward toward the Corpse Pit.
• Hectowaizes ordered the Demi-Humans to open a passage and lure the Death Knight toward Captain Nigun and the Sunlight Scripture.
• Captain Nigun revealed a Sealing Crystal and summoned the Principality, whose presence shocked the assembled humans and Demi-Humans.
• The Principality struck the Death Knight with Extreme Holy Strike, badly damaging it but failing to destroy it.
• An Observer Dominion attacked the Death Knight with Holy Hammer, shattering it into black debris and leaving its cracked tower shield behind.

After the Death Knight fell, the Alliance Leader ambushed Captain Nigun and stole the Sealing Crystal, then unleashed Pale Flame across the battlefield. Tang Zheng protected himself with an Angel and prepared to bring his Shadow Clone into the fight.

• Tang Zheng's Angel destroyed the weakened Death Knight, while the Gray-robed Magic Caster and the dark-armored Knight fled and Remedios pursued the latter.
• Captain Nigun used the Principality's Extreme Holy Strike to kill the dark-armored Knight, but the blast injured Remedios and provoked Kelart and the Holy Kingdom forces.
• The Alliance Leader appeared beside the Death Knight's shield, destroyed Tang Zheng's Observer Dominion with Lightning Strike, and impaled Captain Nigun with Ruinous Bone Prison.
• Clementine attacked the Alliance Leader but was blasted away, and he took the Sealing Crystal from the ground.
• The Alliance Leader failed to control the Principality, then cast Pale Flame over the battlefield, setting Demi-Humans ablaze.
• Tang Zheng summoned an Angel to shield himself from the falling flames and decided to use his second plan by bringing out his Shadow Clone.