Chapter Summaries

Tang Zheng watched Nfirea use Potion Making and Alchemy to create a temporary healing solution for the injured Rock team, then learned both skills himself. His Attribute Panel also showed that his Overall Level had risen to 5Lv.

• Grandma Lizzie told the Rock team they would leave in an hour, while Nfirea examined Captain Dossari's injured leg.
• Nfirea found that Dossari's skin and muscles had healed but his bone had not, and hurried to gather herbs.
• Nfirea used Potion Making and Alchemy to prepare a temporary healing solution, which he gave to Captain Dossari and the brothers Ler and Lander.
• Tang Zheng helped Nfirea prepare the solution and learned Potion Making and Alchemy by spending two Skill Points.
• Tang Zheng's Attribute Panel showed his Overall Level at 5Lv after his recent experience gains.

Tang Zheng discussed potion-making with Nfirea to learn how to produce Recovery Potions, then accompanied him and the Rock team to E-Rantel. They entered the bustling border city, where Tang Zheng noticed its lively streets and large number of adventurers.

• Tang Zheng assigned his three new levels to Sword Saint and discussed the differences between Recovery Potions and Healing Magic with Nfirea.
• Tang Zheng sought information from Nfirea because he wanted to make Recovery Potions and strengthen his resources for player battles.
• Nfirea prepared medicinal powders and healing Alchemy Solutions over several days while Tang Zheng used Healing Magic to treat Captain Dossari's shattered leg.
• Tang Zheng and the others reached E-Rantel, where the guards recognized Grandmother Lizzie Bareare and let her carriage pass.
• Tang Zheng and the Rock team entered after paying the entrance fee, and Tang Zheng observed the city's crowded streets and many adventurers.

After reaching E-Rantel, Tang Zheng parted ways with Rock Squad and the Bareare family after accepting Captain Dossari’s payment for healing him. Grandma Lizzie warned Nfirea to avoid Tang, believing his friendliness was an act and that he secretly looked down on her.

• Captain Dossari thanked Grandma Lizzie for saving Rock Squad from the Trolls and waived the team’s share of the escort payment.
• Nfirea waved goodbye to Tang Zheng, who privately worried that Nfirea might reveal information about him and briefly gripped his shortsword.
• Captain Dossari gave Tang Zheng a pouch of gold coins to repay him for healing his crushed leg, and Tang accepted before leaving Rock Squad.
• Grandma Lizzie noticed Nfirea was saddened by Tang Zheng’s departure and advised him to have as little contact with Tang as possible.
• Grandma Lizzie told Nfirea that Tang’s friendliness was an act and that he had looked down on her, leaving Nfirea unable to respond.

Tang Zheng reached E-Rantel after thirteen days of travel and rented a room at an inn near the Adventurer's Guild. He considered supplies, money, and Zero-Tier Magic as he prepared to level up in the Great Forest of Tob, then finally rested.

• Tang Zheng arrived in E-Rantel and chose to level up in the Great Forest of Tob because he could not deal effective damage to the undead in the Katze Plains.
• Tang Zheng rented a double room at an inn for two days and reflected on how leveling up had strengthened his body.
• Tang Zheng recalled learning about Zero-Tier Magic from Captain Dossari and wondered whether he could learn magic cast from scrolls by spending Skill Points.
• Tang Zheng considered how to earn money and buy armor and weapons, while turning his thoughts toward Household Magic.
• Tang Zheng stored his money in his Item Box, lay down on the bed, and closed his eyes to rest.

After waking from a nightmare about Bone Lord, Tang Zheng bought clothes and visited the Magic Caster's Guild to browse its Magic Scrolls. He found a range of Zero- and First-Tier scrolls but no Second-Tier options, leaving him unsure whether they were unavailable or restricted.

• Tang Zheng woke from a nightmare about Bone Lord, washed up, and went out after noticing the inn offered little protection from Thieves.
• Tang Zheng bought a black robe and spare clothes for his upcoming trip to the Great Forest of Tob.
• Tang Zheng entered the Magic Caster's Guild branch and asked Walla to show him a catalog of Magic Scrolls.
• Tang Zheng browsed the catalog and found Zero-Tier scrolls, including Papermaking, and several First-Tier spells, including Magic Arrow.
• Tang Zheng found no Second-Tier Magic Scrolls listed and wondered whether the guild kept them from ordinary buyers.

Tang Zheng bought four Magic Scrolls from Walla at the Magic Caster's Guild and hurried back to his inn to test a startling speculation. On the way, two thieves cornered him and demanded his scrolls and money, revealing they knew he could use healing magic; Tang Zheng recognized their methods and named Eight Fingers.

• Tang Zheng asked Walla about the two tiers of Papermaking Magic Scrolls, then bought Zero-Tier Papermaking and Warming scrolls and First-Tier Odorless and Magic Arrow scrolls for seven gold coins and seven silver coins.
• Tang Zheng stored the scrolls in his Item Box and set off for his inn after sunset to test his speculation.
• Two masked figures blocked Tang Zheng in the street and demanded his money and Magic Scrolls.
• The dagger-wielding Thief threatened to enslave Tang Zheng, citing his ability to cast Low Tier Heal.
• Tang Zheng considered who could have revealed his healing ability, then recognized the thieves' methods and identified them as Eight Fingers.

Tang Zheng was ambushed by two members of Eight Fingers, a Thief and an Arcane System Magic Caster, but used a Magic Arrow scroll and his newly learned spell to kill the caster. The Thief then attacked, and Tang Zheng realized his opponents were weaker than he was.

• Tang Zheng recognized that the men targeting him belonged to Eight Fingers and prepared his shortsword and Magic Arrow scroll.
• The black-robed man used a Short Staff to cast Silence while the Thief charged Tang Zheng.
• Tang Zheng used the Magic Arrow scroll to stop the Thief, learned Magic Arrow through his Genius class, and rushed the black-robed man.
• Tang Zheng's Magic Arrow was blocked, but he closed the distance and killed the black-robed Magic Caster with a Quick Slash.
• The Thief attacked Tang Zheng with a magic dagger, and their clash chipped Tang Zheng's shortsword; Tang Zheng concluded that both attackers were weaker than him.

Tang Zheng killed two attackers and concluded that his base stats exceeded those of ordinary New World humans. Back at the inn, he examined the four magic items he had taken and learned three support spells.

• Tang Zheng blocked the thief’s attacks, chased him down, and killed him with Fourfold Slash of Light.
• Tang Zheng stored both corpses and the bloodstained paving stones, changed clothes in an alley, and returned to the inn.
• Tang Zheng reflected that his level-five strength surpassed the level-seven thief’s because he had invested his experience in the Mid-tier Class Sword Saint.
• Tang Zheng examined the four magic items taken from the attackers and decided he might visit the Magic Caster’s Guild to appraise them.
• Tang Zheng learned Papermaking, Warming, and Odorless from the remaining Magic Scrolls.

Tang Zheng reached Overall Level 6 and confirmed that New World Household Magic could be upgraded by spending Skill Points, then prepared to leave E-Rantel. He set out for the dangerous Great Forest of Tob, still focused on raising his level.

• Tang Zheng assigned his new level to Sword Saint and unlocked the Thief class after mastering Stealth.
• Tang Zheng spent one Skill Point each to upgrade Papermaking and Warming from Zero-Tier to First-Tier Magic.
• Tang Zheng considered whether Household Magic could be upgraded further, then decided to prioritize leveling up.
• Tang Zheng spent two days buying food, weapons, armor, an Item Appraisal scroll, and intelligence about the Great Forest of Tob.
• On June 1, Tang Zheng left E-Rantel and headed north toward the Great Forest of Tob.

Tang Zheng reached Carne Village after fighting Goblins and magical beasts along the way, and learned that the settlement lay within Hamsuke's territory in the Great Forest of Tob. The village chief allowed him to stay the night, while Tang Zheng remained wary of a sealed level-85 Evil Tree deep in the forest.

• Tang Zheng killed several Goblins and magical beasts on his journey and collected Goblin ears to sell at the Adventurer's Guild.
• Tang Zheng approached Carne Village and recalled that the Forest Lords Hamsuke, Gu, and Rularus ruled the Great Forest of Tob, with the village under Hamsuke's protection.
• Tang Zheng considered the Evil Tree sealed deep in the forest and the Slane Theocracy's plan to control it with [Downfall of Castle and Country].
• Two villagers challenged Tang Zheng at the gate, and he asked to stay the night.
• The village chief questioned Tang Zheng, then let him enter Carne Village after noting how dangerous the roads had become.

Tang Zheng rested in Carne Village before heading into the Great Forest of Tob to seek out the Ogre, which he considered less dangerous than the forest’s other rulers. He left the village at dawn and traveled east through the forest’s outer region.

• Tang Zheng accepted the village chief’s offer of a vacant house in Carne Village and cleaned the dusty room himself.
• Tang Zheng used his Warming spell to cook bacon soup, then checked his status and noted that he had reached Overall Level 7LV.
• On June 2nd, Tang Zheng paid the village chief five copper coins for lodging and left Carne Village.
• Tang Zheng entered the Great Forest of Tob and traveled east, judging the Ogre a safer target than Hamsuke or Naga.

Tang Zheng encountered a Black-Green Giant Snake in the Great Forest of Tob and tested his strength against the magical beast. After studying its attacks, he pretended to flee, preparing to exploit the opening.

• Tang Zheng killed a poisonous winged caterpillar and reflected that his attributes and abilities now made him stronger than Dossari.
• Tang Zheng realized that the lack of wildlife suggested a powerful beast controlled the forest territory.
• Tang Zheng discovered a Black-Green Giant Snake hidden in the trees and blocked its bite and tail with two iron swords.
• Tang Zheng found that the snake’s hard, slick scales resisted his strikes, then studied its attack patterns while defending himself.
• Tang Zheng leaped backward as if fleeing, hoping to lure the Black-Green Giant Snake into an opening.

Tang Zheng killed a Black-Green Giant Snake and continued east through the Great Forest of Tob toward the Ogre territory. He was ambushed by a swarm of Gallows Spiders and fled as they pursued him.

• Tang Zheng lured the Black-Green Giant Snake into opening its mouth, then hurled his iron sword through it and gained 150 experience when it died.
• Tang Zheng stored the snake's corpse in his Item Box and reflected on the equipment tiers he would need to face the Nazarick Great Underground Tomb.
• Tang Zheng continued east through the forest, collecting several beast corpses and estimating that he had covered about a third of the distance.
• Tang Zheng dodged a spider thread and recognized a Gallows Spider, whose presence warned that many more were nearby.
• Gallows Spiders surrounded Tang Zheng with webs and pursued him in a vast swarm, forcing him to run.

Tang Zheng used his Warming spell to heat his iron sword until it could slice through Gallows Spider silk, turning the swarm’s main advantage against them. He stopped fleeing and began slaughtering the spiders, earning experience as the battle continued.

• Tang Zheng fled through the forest while Gallows Spiders pursued him and attacked with resilient silk.
• After killing a spider and seeing the experience reward, Tang Zheng realized the swarm could grant enough experience to level up.
• Tang Zheng cast Warming on his iron sword and wrapped its hilt with a torn sleeve to protect his hand.
• Tang Zheng tested the heated sword against the spiders’ silk and found that the blade cut through it easily.
• Tang Zheng charged the swarm and used Fourfold Slash of Light to kill the Gallows Spiders as they surrounded him.

Tang Zheng defeated most of a pack of Gallows Spiders in the Great Forest of Tob and reached Overall Level 9, but realized his Caster Level was still too low to use a Second-Tier spell. After collecting venom sacs and resting, he continued east toward the Ogre territory.

• Tang Zheng killed roughly two-thirds of the nearly one hundred Gallows Spiders, while the rest fled into the jungle.
• Tang Zheng gained enough experience to reach Overall Level 9 and saw that his Warrior levels had raised his swordsmanship, but his Caster Level remained too low to use the Item Appraisal scroll.
• Tang Zheng collected twenty intact Venom Sacs from the Gallows Spider corpses and rested near a large tree.
• Tang Zheng resumed his journey east and encountered no more beasts, though strange dark-feathered birds became more common.

Tang Zheng followed a group of Goblins carrying five human corpses through the Great Forest of Tob and discovered their small tribe’s clearing. He found only five Goblins waiting there besides the thirteen who had returned, with no apparent elderly or young members.

• Tang Zheng hid behind a tree and watched thirteen Goblins pass, including two armed with iron forks and several carrying five human corpses.
• Tang Zheng followed the Goblins deeper into the forest, marking trees as he went and tracking their route toward their tribe.
• Tang Zheng reached a foul-smelling clearing containing bones, hides, rotten meat, and a large thatched hut.
• Tang Zheng counted five Goblins in the clearing besides the thirteen newcomers and noticed that none appeared elderly or young.

Tang Zheng discovered that an injured Troll was feeding on human corpses in a Goblin settlement and realized the New World had made humans prey again. He waited until the Troll finished eating, then quietly approached the settlement with his iron sword.

• Tang Zheng observed a small Goblin tribe and noticed that it had no young Goblins.
• The Goblins brought five human corpses to a hut, where an injured Troll emerged and devoured a dead Goblin before eating three corpses.
• Tang Zheng recognized the Troll that had nearly wiped out the Rock team and judged its chest wound and full stomach to be an opportunity to attack.
• Tang Zheng silently approached the Goblin settlement with his iron sword as the other Goblins began eating.

Tang Zheng slaughtered all eighteen Goblins in the settlement while dodging the wounded Troll’s attacks. He then charged the Troll directly, and their first clash revealed that the monster’s attack power slightly exceeded his own Gold Rank-level strike.

• Tang Zheng ambushed the Goblins and killed five with his sword skills.
• Tang Zheng pursued and killed the fleeing Goblins as the Troll grabbed its wooden club and attacked him.
• Tang Zheng dodged the Troll’s swings until all eighteen Goblins were dead.
• Tang Zheng confronted the exhausted, wounded Troll and charged at it with his iron sword.
• Tang Zheng used Quick Slash to meet the Troll’s club head-on, and the impact numbed his arms as he realized its strength surpassed his strike.

Tang Zheng defeated a Troll with his iron sword and Instant Reflection, then searched the small Goblin settlement and prepared to spend the night in a tree. As he rested, he reflected on his dangerous new life and worried about the future arrival of the Great Tomb of Nazarick.

• Tang Zheng pierced the Troll's heart with his iron sword and used Instant Reflection to escape its counterattack, leaving it to collapse and die.
• Tang Zheng endured the physical strain of Instant Reflection and received 320 experience, bringing his total to 1271/1500.
• Tang Zheng collected ears from the Troll and Goblin corpses, searched the settlement, and left the two human bodies unburied.
• Tang Zheng climbed a sturdy tree and wrapped himself in a black robe to rest as night fell.
• Tang Zheng reflected on his new life and lost his good mood when he thought of the future arrival of the Great Tomb of Nazarick.

Over ten days in the Great Forest of Tob, Tang Zheng hunted Goblins and raised his Sword Saint level while the smell of their corpses drove beasts toward the forest’s center. After wiping out another small settlement, he checked his status and found his Overall Level at Lv. 11 and Sword Saint at Lv. 10.

• Tang Zheng set out deeper into Ogre territory and spent several days hunting Goblins and monsters, raising his Sword Saint level to Lv. 9.
• Tang Zheng found that darkness, dense forest, and the scattered Goblin groups limited how many enemies he could hunt each day.
• The growing stench of dead Goblins caused beasts to flee the outer forest toward its center.
• On June 11th, Tang Zheng wiped out a small Goblin settlement, collected the Goblins’ ears, and rested while eating stored boar meat.
• Tang Zheng checked his Attribute Table and saw that his Overall Level had reached Lv. 11 and his Sword Saint level had reached Lv. 10.