Chapter Summaries

Go Gin entered Tang Zheng’s courtyard and killed the bound Ogre, then warned Tang Zheng to stop selling potions made from Ogre blood. Tang Zheng challenged Go Gin’s reputation and accused him of stagnating by fighting weak opponents in the Imperial Arena, leaving Go Gin to hear that he had become the weakling he despised.

• Go Gin arrived at Tang Zheng’s home, ignored him, and entered the courtyard while a crowd gathered outside.
• Go Gin seized the bound Ogre, crushed its skull, and stamped on its chest until it was dead.
• Go Gin told Tang Zheng that he would be compensated for the Ogre but would no longer be able to buy Ogres in the Imperial Capital, and advised him to leave.
• Tang Zheng recognized that Go Gin had come to protest potions made from Ogre blood and wondered whether he cared about his kind.
• Tang Zheng mocked Go Gin for spending six years fighting weaklings in the Imperial Arena and said he had stopped progressing and become a weakling himself.

Tang Zheng challenged Go Gin by promising to reveal the Abelion Hills, where powerful Demi-Humans lived, and demonstrated his strength in a fight. After Go Gin destroyed two Flame Archangels, Tang Zheng immobilized him with Dark Wave and wounded him with an iron sword, leaving Go Gin shocked by the unfamiliar magic.

• Tang Zheng provoked Go Gin with talk of the Abelion Hills and challenged him to a fight, prompting Go Gin to agree.
• Tang Zheng activated the Silence Short Staff, then summoned two Flame Archangels to face Go Gin.
• Go Gin used Flow Acceleration to rush the Flame Archangels and destroy both with a single blow.
• Tang Zheng used Dark Wave to immobilize Go Gin, then struck his chest with Quick Slash and wounded him.
• Go Gin broke free after being hit, retreated from Tang Zheng, and demanded to know what kind of magic he had used.

Tang Zheng fought Go Gin, wounded him with Dark Wave, and outlasted his attacks until Go Gin conceded and spoke with him. After the Blood Emperor ordered continued surveillance, Tang Zheng shrank the Lesser Barghest and fled the Imperial Capital in goshawk form.

• Go Gin reinforced his body with stacked martial arts and charged Tang Zheng, but Tang Zheng avoided his final attack by shrinking away.
• Go Gin conceded defeat and introduced himself, and Tang Zheng explained that his cursed wound would keep bleeding and suppress his regeneration.
• Go Gin spent the day talking with Tang Zheng before leaving the courtyard, prompting the Blood Emperor, Jircniv, to investigate and order Tang Zheng watched.
• Tang Zheng transformed the Lesser Barghest into a puppy, used a bird feather to turn into a level 8 goshawk, and flew away with it into the night.

Tang Zheng met with Lainas in the Royal Capital after redeeming his gold necklace, while she updated him on the planned match with Gazef. The Kingdom’s nobles opposed the fight because they feared Gazef would gain even more prestige if he defeated her.

• Lainas arrived at the Guest House after attending a gathering of nobles and reflected on the Kingdom’s treatment of Gazef.
• Imina, disguised as a maid, told Lainas that Tang Zheng was waiting for her.
• Tang Zheng told Lainas he had retrieved his gold necklace from a minor noble for one gold coin.
• Lainas reported that Gazef had agreed to fight her but that some Kingdom nobles did not want the match to happen.
• Tang Zheng explained that the nobles feared Gazef’s reputation would grow if Lainas lost.

Tang Zheng evaluated Lainas’s intelligence on the Kingdom’s factions and directed her to approach Princess Renner, whom he considered a brilliant potential ally. After telling Lainas and Imina he would soon leave the Kingdom, he appeared behind Assassins who had come to capture Imina.

• Lainas reported that the Nobles’ Faction backed first prince Barbro, while second prince Zanac seemed to lack supporters, and Tang Zheng pointed out Princess Renner as the hidden force behind the rumors.
• Lainas found an earlier invitation from Renner, and Tang Zheng compared the princess to a female Jircniv and told Lainas to join her after fighting Gazef.
• Tang Zheng warned Lainas to watch for Gazef’s Fourfold Slash of Light or a possible Sixfold Slash, and said she and Imina should work together while he was away.
• Assassins sent by Lord Mawmvis approached the inn where Imina was staying, intending to capture her alive.
• Imina came out to confront the Assassins, and Tang Zheng appeared behind them in a black robe.

Tang Zheng and Imina defeated four Assassins and learned they belonged to Mawmvis of Eight Fingers’ Six Arms. Tang Zheng infiltrated the Security Department’s base at Brambaus Estate, where the Six Arms, including Zero the Ogre, were gathered.

• Tang Zheng and Imina killed three Assassins and captured the fourth, who revealed that Mawmvis’s group operated from an estate outside the Royal Capital.
• Imina identified the captive as a member of Eight Fingers’ Security Department, and Tang Zheng took him away, hinting that a surprise would follow.
• Tang Zheng reached Brambaus Estate and sent undead corpses toward its central manor.
• Tang Zheng watched the manor, intending to pursue the Shaman Adept class possessed by Zero the Ogre.
• Mawmvis, Diyanoch, Sakhuronte, Edström, Peshrian, and Zero gathered for dinner inside the estate.

Six Arms gathered at their base to discuss recruiting a wanted noblewoman and an upcoming duel when Undead invaded. Undead King Diyanoch failed to control them, revealing that their leader’s spellcasting ability surpassed his, and the group prepared to face the threat.

• Ogre Zero and the other members of Six Arms gathered for a meal, where Mawmvis rejected Demon Sakhuronte’s offer to buy the Half-Elf woman he had targeted.
• Spatial Slash Peshrian reported that the wanted noblewoman had destroyed her own family and her fiancé’s family, and Ogre Zero decided she was worth recruiting.
• Undead King Diyanoch announced that a group of Undead had invaded Six Arms’ base, while the others mocked the intruders and remained confident.
• The Undead broke into the hall, and Diyanoch failed to control them because their leader’s spellcasting ability was higher than his.
• Diyanoch blasted the invading Undead with a Fireball, and the members of Six Arms rose to their feet, alarmed by the threat.

Tang Zheng attacked Eight Fingers' headquarters and confronted all six members of Six Arms. He used Dark Wave and a rapid series of attacks to cripple most of them, leaving Battle Demon Zero shocked and the others bleeding on the ground.

• Tang Zheng learned that Six Arms had gathered at Eight Fingers' headquarters and entered the ruined compound after his Undead were destroyed by a Fireball.
• Edström, Mawmvis, Peshrian, Sakhuronte, Diyanoch, and Battle Demon Zero confronted Tang Zheng, who refused to become Zero's subordinate and condemned their harboring of Undead.
• Tang Zheng rushed the group and used Dark Wave to freeze their movements before attacking with Fourfold Slash of Light.
• Tang Zheng wounded Zero, Sakhuronte, Mawmvis, and Edström, then kicked Peshrian into the manor and dented his armor.
• Zero retreated in terror as Sakhuronte, Mawmvis, and Edström lay incapacitated, and Tang Zheng discarded his broken sword and remarked that humans were fragile.

Tang Zheng crushed the Six Arms with his curses and summoned a Bone Dragon to capture the fleeing Undead King, Diyanoch. After killing Zero, Diyanoch, and Mawmvis, he reached over 30,000 experience points and asked the remaining captives whether they wanted to live or die.

• The Undead King, Diyanoch, cast a Fireball and fled, so Tang Zheng summoned a Bone Dragon to pursue and capture him.
• Tang Zheng offered the Ogre, Zero, one chance to attack, then killed him before he could finish his ultimate move.
• The Bone Dragon brought back the Undead King, Diyanoch, and crushed him at Tang Zheng's command.
• Tang Zheng asked Mawmvis, the Thousand Kills, about Half-Elves, then killed him and saw his experience points surpass 30,000.
• The Bone Dragon dragged Spatial Slash, Peshrian, back to Tang Zheng, who asked the three remaining captives whether they wanted to live or die.

Tang Zheng forced the surviving Six Arms members to accept Sakhuronte as their new Security Department head and named Imina the new Mawmvis, giving her Zero’s rose rapier. After returning to the inn, he learned the Shaman Adept Class and its Totem Possession skill.

• Tang Zheng dispelled the Curse Power from Sakhuronte, Edström, and Peshrian, then treated their wounds with a Regeneration Potion.
• Tang Zheng made Sakhuronte claim Zero’s death and backed him as the next Security Department head, while Edström and Peshrian agreed to assist him.
• Tang Zheng took Mawmvis’s rose rapier and declared that Imina would become the new Mawmvis in Eight Fingers.
• At the inn, Tang Zheng gave Imina the rapier and asked her to take control of the Security Department while he was away.
• Tang Zheng opened his Attribute Panel, spent 3 Skill Points, and learned the Shaman Adept Class and Totem Possession.

Tang Zheng studied the Shaman Adept skill Totem Possession, considered its two combat styles, and decided to leave before Blue Roses returned because Rigrit might recognize the danger he posed. Days later, Imina found Tang Zheng gone and encountered Sakhuronte, Peshrian, and Edström at the inn.

• Tang Zheng examined Totem Possession and realized it could either enhance his attributes or grant him a totem creature's innate ability.
• Tang Zheng reviewed his Flight spell and skill points, then decided not to approach Blue Roses because Rigrit's knowledge of Players made her dangerous to him.
• Tang Zheng left the inn with the Lesser Barghest before Imina arrived on September 14.
• Imina found Tang Zheng's room empty and complained that he had left her with all the work.
• Sakhuronte, Peshrian, and Edström climbed the stairs, and Sakhuronte introduced himself to Imina as the three recognized her as Miss Mawmvis.

Tang Zheng returned to the Great Forest of Tob to gain experience, replenish his supplies, and draw out the Wise King of the Forest, Hamsuke. After Hamsuke swiftly destroyed his five undead trolls, it charged Tang Zheng through the trees.

• Tang Zheng returned to the Great Forest of Tob with the Lesser Barghest and discussed his need to gain levels, make Angel Scrolls, and restore the Orb of Death's magical energy.
• Tang Zheng killed a wild rabbit, gained no experience from it, and reflected on how experience gains depended on his level as well as his opponent's.
• Tang Zheng raised five troll corpses with Undead Control and sent them crashing through Hamsuke's territory to lure out the Wise King of the Forest.
• A powerful creature moved around Tang Zheng's group, then rapidly killed all five trolls as the Lesser Barghest trembled in fear.
• Tang Zheng spotted Hamsuke's silvery-white form and threw the Lesser Barghest out of the way, but Hamsuke charged through the forest toward him.

Tang Zheng fought Hamsuke, the Wise King of the Forest, but could not penetrate its defenses. He learned Charm Species: All, escaped by flying east, and reached the area near Ogre Gu’s territory.

• Hamsuke attacked Tang Zheng, who blocked the strike with his iron sword before switching to another blade.
• Tang Zheng used Dark Wave and Quick Slash, but Hamsuke’s defenses stopped him from causing meaningful damage.
• Hamsuke cast Charm Species: All, and Tang Zheng used Undead Mind to resist it and learned the spell from his Attribute Panel.
• Tang Zheng grabbed the Lesser Barghest and flew out of Hamsuke’s reach, leaving Hamsuke furious in the forest below.
• Tang Zheng flew east over the Great Forest of Tob and spotted the Forest Rift near Ogre Gu’s territory.

Tang Zheng leveled his Cursed Knight class to level five in the Forest Rift and triggered the Special Class Valkyrie. After its curse energy transformed into holy power, he chose slashing proficiency and discovered that some of his class passives could merge.

• Tang Zheng flew to the Forest Rift, summoned two Flame Archangels, and ordered them to guard the area while he leveled up.
• Tang Zheng raised Cursed Knight to level five, triggering the conditions for the Valkyrie Special Class.
• Tang Zheng accepted the Valkyrie advancement as curse energy erupted around him, withered the vegetation, and transformed into holy power.
• Tang Zheng reviewed Valkyrie's abilities and selected slashing proficiency, which merged with his Sword Saint slash enhancement.
• Tang Zheng noticed that his Cursed Knight and Valkyrie dark resistance passives had also merged into 40%.

Tang Zheng tested his increased strength after reaching Overall Level 28Lv, then went to Forest Rift to confront its ruler. He drew Ogre Gu and his followers out of their cave, and the chapter ended with them spotting him and preparing to attack.

• Tang Zheng examined his new Valkyrie skill and tested his improved strength by punching and slicing apart a Flame Archangel.
• Tang Zheng reviewed his ability and attribute tables, then set out with the Lesser Barghest and Flame Archangels to visit the forest’s master.
• Tang Zheng sent a Flame Archangel into the cave at Forest Rift, where it fought Trolls and drew out the inhabitants.
• Three Trolls and six Ogres emerged from the cave, followed by Ogre Gu, who shoved two Ogres aside as he came out wielding a massive greatsword.
• Ogre Gu and the other Ogres spotted Tang Zheng and the Flame Archangel and shouted that they wanted to kill and eat the intruders.

Tang Zheng defeated several ogres and used the Cursed Knight’s instant-death power to kill one despite its regeneration. He charmed Ogre Gu and ordered the remaining ogres to gather every troll in the forest.

• Ogre Gu sent three trolls to attack Tang Zheng and the Flame Archangel, who killed them.
• Tang Zheng asked the ogres to submit, but they laughed and Ogre Gu ordered them to capture him.
• Tang Zheng cut an attacking ogre with an iron sword, and the ogre died from the instant-death curse as its wound healed.
• Tang Zheng explained that the ogres’ regeneration could not resist his curse and killed the charging Ogre Gu’s attack with Charm Species: All.
• Tang Zheng used charmed Ogre Gu to order the other ogres to gather every troll in the forest.

Tang Zheng spent half a month gathering and hunting powerful creatures in the Great Forest of Tob, gaining experience while testing Totem Possession. The chapter leaves him with a new understanding of the skill as major political upheavals unfold in the Baharuth Empire and Re-Estize Kingdom.

• Tang Zheng had Ogre Gu gather 271 trolls and ordered them to capture large beasts and magical beasts alive.
• Tang Zheng made scrolls and sparred with Ogre Gu while processing the captured creatures, gaining over 70,000 Experience Points in less than half a month.
• Tang Zheng tested Totem Possession on a High-tier Tiger and learned that he could acquire one of its special abilities if he chose Expertise Acquisition.
• Go Gin resigned as Martial Lord and left the Baharuth Empire, prompting an imperial wanted order for a black-haired genius Alchemist from Re-Estize.
• Lainas fought Gazef to a draw, and King Ramposa III granted Gazef a magical item and Lainas the title of Knight, further heightening tensions between the nations.

Tang Zheng developed a more powerful version of Fourfold Slash of Light while training against Ogre Gu, then used Ogre Gu’s Magic Greatsword to slaughter the Trolls in the Forest Rift. He prepared to pursue the Demon Snake of the West and considered whether it would cooperate with his plans.

• Tang Zheng concentrated four sword strikes into one attack, forcing Ogre Gu to drop his Magic Greatsword and breaking Tang Zheng’s iron sword.
• Tang Zheng healed his hands, charmed Ogre Gu, and learned that the Demon Snake of the West had given him the Magic Greatsword.
• Tang Zheng examined the Magic Greatsword and reflected that he had targeted Ogre Gu before pursuing the Demon Snake of the West and Hamsuke, the Wise King of the Forest.
• Tang Zheng ordered Ogre Gu to gather the Trolls, then attacked and killed more than two hundred of them using the Magic Greatsword and his ability to fly.
• Tang Zheng returned to the Forest Rift covered in blood and checked his experience bar.

The Demon Snake of the West arrived at Ogre Gu’s territory and found it stained with blood, unexpectedly clean, and occupied by Tang Zheng, who was draining blood from Ogre Gu’s wound. After the Demon Snake rejected Tang Zheng’s Charm magic and attacked him, Tang Zheng countered with Mana Slash.

• The Demon Snake of the West followed an Ogre toward Ogre Gu’s Forest Rift, noticing dried blood along the way.
• The Demon Snake of the West found the Rift unusually clean and saw a Barghest watching him near Ogre Gu’s cave.
• The Demon Snake of the West discovered Tang Zheng collecting blood from a wound on Ogre Gu’s thigh and realized Ogre Gu appeared dazed.
• The Demon Snake of the West rejected Tang Zheng’s introduction, resisted his Charm magic, and threatened him.
• The Demon Snake of the West fired a Fireball at Tang Zheng, who raised his magical greatsword and cast Mana Slash.

Tang Zheng fought the Demon Snake of the West, overpowering him and forcing him to submit. After Tang Zheng stabbed him with a cursed iron sword, the Demon Snake of the West begged for his life in earnest.

• Tang Zheng deflected the Demon Snake of the West’s fireball with a ranged Mana Slash and rejected his explanation that he only wanted to discuss cooperation.
• The Demon Snake of the West attacked with vines and stones, but Tang Zheng avoided the vines and shattered the stones before killing the controlled Ghost Bear with one strike.
• The Demon Snake of the West turned invisible and hid in mist, but Tang Zheng used Unclean Impact Shield to blast him away and dispel the mist.
• Tang Zheng grabbed the Demon Snake of the West by the tail and repeatedly slammed him into the ground until he offered to surrender.
• Tang Zheng stabbed the Demon Snake of the West near the heart with a cursed iron sword, and the wounded ruler crawled to his feet begging not to be killed.