Chapter Summaries

Klein defeated a Treasure Chest Monster in the trial and opened the next chest, which gave him a Fighter Tifa outfit that altered his body and combat abilities. He accepted the forced crossdressing and wondered whether the outfit could be taken out of the trial for Melissa.

• Klein escaped the Treasure Chest Monster’s corrosive slime by using a paper substitute, then shot the monster until it turned back into a Golden Treasure Chest.
• Klein recovered his scattered belongings and used divination to check whether the chest was another monster.
• Klein opened the chest despite the Dice Roll Record’s warnings and acquired the Fighter Tifa outfit.
• Klein discovered that the outfit gave him Tifa’s physical fitness and combat ability, but left his face unchanged and interfered with his Faceless disguises.
• Klein accepted wearing the outfit and wondered whether it was a Mysterious Item he could bring out for Melissa.

Klein defeated the Death Knight and found a map leading to the Vampire, the Hidden Emperor. When Klein confronted the blond Vampire, his attempt to attack with a Decoy and Flame Teleportation went awry, leaving him a step farther from his opponent.

• Klein realized the Jerusalem Set had boosted his strength and constitution, then opened the Death Knight’s treasure chest and found a detailed castle map.
• Klein saw that the map marked the Hidden Emperor, the King of Sin, and the Vicious Priest as bosses surrounding the unexplained Sleeping Chamber.
• Klein decided to proceed to the Audience Chamber and confront the Vampire, then met the blond Hidden Emperor at the top of the stairs.
• The Hidden Emperor mocked Klein for wearing the Jerusalem Set and challenged him to approach.
• Klein used the Decoy Earring and attempted to teleport toward the Hidden Emperor, but instead stepped backward in shock.

Klein fought a Vampire whose strange movement ability seemed to resemble stopping time, and he deduced its range before defeating him with a carefully staged trick. The Vampire turned into a Seven-Colored Treasure Chest, and Klein suspected the Dice Roll Record’s unexpectedly sincere offer meant something unusual awaited him.

• Klein tested the Vampire’s apparent time-stop ability with the Sun Avatar’s attack and escaped its counterstrike using a Paper Figurine Substitute.
• Klein used a Flaming Jump and gunfire to discover that the Vampire could move beside him only from within ten meters, with a little over one second between movements.
• The Vampire charged after Klein taunted him, and Klein used sunlight and an illusion to conceal his true position and bait an attack.
• Klein disguised himself as a Paper Figurine Substitute, then shot the Vampire at close range until its head exploded and it became a Seven-Colored Treasure Chest.
• The Dice Roll Record praised Klein and promised generous loot, prompting him to suspect that the chest held something unusual.

Klein opened the Seven-Colored Treasure Chest and obtained Zi Wei, a pocket watch that granted Angel-level counter-divination and time-interference powers, but bound its holder to it. Following the Dice Roll Record into the Sleeping Chamber, Klein found a man resembling Mr. Devil inside a Cocoon of Light, and a phantom greeted him as a fellow countryman.

• Klein opened the Seven-Colored Treasure Chest and received Zi Wei, whose description warned of murmurs, daily winding, and a curse if it went unwound for too long.
• Klein wound Zi Wei and recognized the murmurs as Chinese, including familiar phrases about a hidden dragon and a dragon appearing in the field.
• Klein gathered Zi Wei and two other items, then followed the Dice Roll Record’s directions through the Audience Chamber and into the Sleeping Chamber.
• Klein found a living man resembling Mr. Devil enclosed in a Cocoon of Light.
• The Dice Roll Record produced a humanoid phantom, which greeted Klein as a fellow countryman.

Klein received Senior Perrdax’s recorded message in the Cocoon of Light, learning warnings and advice about the Cards of Blasphemy, potion formulas, and advancement. Perrdax asked Klein to summon his Historical Projection if he became a Scholar of Yore, and Klein returned to the treasure-filled trial chamber.

• Klein realized Senior Perrdax’s ghost was a recorded message and listened as it played.
• Senior Perrdax warned Klein not to gather or use the Mother and Moon Cards of Blasphemy, and advised him to seek Seer potion formulas from the Church of Evernight.
• Senior Perrdax explained his Sequence Three ritual and urged Klein to advance decisively if he became a demigod within five years of transmigrating.
• Senior Perrdax said the trial could only be passed by Chinese transmigrators and asked Klein to summon his Historical Projection if he became a Scholar of Yore.
• Klein’s vision cleared, revealing a vast treasure, as someone welcomed World and commented on his women’s clothing.

Sno completed his Sequence Three advancement ritual by making Klein believe in the Perrdax ancestor, then appraised the trial’s treasures and offered Klein a share. Klein chose the powerful pocket watch, hoping it could connect him to his homeland, and declined Sno’s suggestion to take Fighter Tifa.

• Sno reflected that the ritual had succeeded and explained that the Karl Dragon advancement ritual required an Angel-level or higher being to believe in a fabricated existence.
• Klein returned in formal clothes, and Sno gave him an inventory of the items recovered from the trial, including valuable treasures, books, and Beyonder items.
• Sno offered Klein items worth thirty-five thousand pounds as compensation and allowed him to browse the recovered books.
• Klein chose the pocket watch, and Sno warned him that winding it amounted to praying to an unknown existence.
• Klein resolved to test whether the pocket watch could connect him to his homeland, then rejected Sno’s suggestion that he take Fighter Tifa instead.

Klein returned to Backlund under the alias Kidd Robin and parted ways with Sno after receiving an invitation to a noble ball. Sno headed home, intending to maintain control over the Aurora Society’s Backlund Diocese and eventually offer Mr. X to The Fool.

• Klein arrived in Backlund with Sno and explained that he would not visit Benson and Melissa to avoid exposing them to danger.
• Sno offered Klein help through his connections and gave him an invitation to a ball at Viscount Grellint’s estate.
• Klein left to find a hotel and visit the Bravehearts Bar to speak with Miss Sharon.
• Sno returned to his villa and decided against using the name Dwayne Dantès for Klein’s new identity.
• Sno considered Mr. X a rival and felt no hesitation about handing him over to The Fool as a token of allegiance.

At a Tarot Club gathering, Klein read diary pages from Roselle and Perrdax that revealed the Black Emperor resurrection method and Perrdax’s discoveries about advancing, granting registers, and a trial for transmigrators. Perrdax’s final message urged the reader to find his Ancient Castle beneath York Mountain in East Chester County.

• Madam Hermit presented one page of Roselle’s Diary, and Mr. Devil presented another page for Klein to read.
• Klein read Roselle’s account of the Black Emperor’s resurrection, the Tudor-Trunsoest United Empire’s collapse, and Mr. Door’s approach to Sequence Zero.
• Klein read Perrdax’s reflections on death, his missed chance to advance to Scholar of Yore, and his plan to guide transmigrators toward becoming Trick Masters.
• Perrdax described developing granting registers and secret arts, including a technique for materializing human cognition that he used to create the final stage of a transmigrator trial.
• Perrdax urged Klein to seek his Ancient Castle beneath York Mountain in East Chester County, saying he had wagered everything on the trial.

Klein learned that Mr. Door was another protagonist of the diary and watched Sno introduce a combat-enhancing item called fashion to the Tarot Club. Madam Hermit and Miss Justice ordered one each, and Mr. Hangman then asked Madam Hermit about Obninsk sea monsters outside the Storm Church’s control.

• Klein told Madam Hermit that Mr. Door was another protagonist of the diary.
• Sno presented fashion, an item that granted combat abilities and could take a fatal attack in place of its wearer.
• Leonard reacted to the projected sample, and the Tarot Club members suspected he recognized its model despite her obscured face.
• Madam Hermit ordered a Con Sman template, and Miss Justice ordered a Warlock template, with Sno promising delivery in three days.
• Klein dismissed the sample projection, and Mr. Hangman asked Madam Hermit where to find Obninsk sea monsters unaffiliated with the Storm Church.

Sno explained to Mr. A why the Worker's Movement in Intis needed to wait for a war between Intis and Lumburg before it could succeed. Mr. A accepted Sno’s plan and set out to prepare the conflict, with two of Sno’s subordinates assigned to assist him.

• Mr. A told Sno that Intis planned to outlaw demonstrations and strikes, threatening the Worker's Movement there.
• Sno explained that workers in Intis lacked the leverage workers had in Loen because merchants controlled the ruling class.
• Sno used a map and the nations’ religious alliances to argue that a war between Intis and Lumburg would create the best opportunity for strikes.
• Mr. A agreed to make the fire burn and accepted information about two of Sno’s subordinates in Intis.

Trissy returned to the villa in Trier and discussed her and Adelina’s slow progress digesting the Pleasure potion, along with Intis’s stance on a possible war. Their plotting was interrupted by a mysterious royal-sealed letter, whose contents remained unknown.

• Trissy arrived at the villa and traded barbs with Adelina about her potion progress and their role-playing methods.
• Trissy reported that Intis was waiting to see how the conflict between Loen and Feysac developed before choosing a side.
• Adelina complained that killing a demigod on home ground would be difficult, and the two discussed preparing for their next advancement.
• A gray-green messenger delivered a red-wax-sealed envelope bearing a crown emblem, and Trissy and Adelina reached for it.

Adelina and Trissy considered how to provoke a war between Intis and Lemberg after receiving Crown’s instructions, while Audrey received a new mystical outfit from Mr. Devil. The chapter ended with Adelina deciding on a target who was neither Intisian nor Lemberger.

• Adelina read Crown’s letter asking her to stir up pro-war sentiment in Intis and use the conflict to create an opportunity against Hunter Pathway demigods.
• Adelina rejected Trissy’s proposal to assassinate Solen Family descendants because the deaths would be difficult to blame convincingly on Lemberg.
• Adelina announced that she knew whom they should kill, but she withheld the target after Trissy stopped guessing.
• Audrey performed a Bestowal Ritual and received the outfit Magical Girl Illya.

Audrey tested a revealing magical girl outfit that transformed spirituality into versatile, powerful magic bullets. Meanwhile, Sno sent Mr. Glory a high-security letter urging him to prepare Feysac for a coming war and political upheaval.

• Audrey transformed into a pink-haired magical girl and discovered that her wand could shape spirituality into ropes and bullets imbued with her abilities.
• Audrey learned the outfit’s magic consumed considerable spirituality and lasted only half an hour, then confirmed her original clothes remained intact when she changed back.
• Sno wrote Mr. Glory about the imminent war between Loen and Feysac and instructed him to prepare Feysac’s civilian media to spread suspicion about Feysac’s interest in Lenburg and Feynapotter.
• Sno included a 30,000-pound check for food reserves, sealed the letter under the protection of a great existence, and sent it through Dodo at the highest security level.

Cattleya returned the captive Shar to the Future and reported to Bernadette, who then examined a newly completed Mysterious Item. The doll transformed Bernadette into a strange outfit, leaving its powers and cost on display.

• Cattleya brought Shar aboard the Future and assigned Heath Doyle to watch him while Frank Lee tended to his mushrooms.
• Cattleya told Bernadette that Shar had met a stranger every three days and behaved abnormally, but her people had failed to follow him.
• Cattleya revealed that the Mysterious Item she had commissioned was complete and summoned a palm-sized doll through the door of bestowal.
• Bernadette stopped Cattleya from examining the doll and warned that its high-status blessing could not be judged by its low Sequence level.
• Bernadette touched the doll, which transformed her clothes and whispered an invitation to fall into compulsive gambling.

Bernadette tested a transformation outfit on herself and Cattleya, then discovered it secretly recorded the wearer’s transformation and left to confront whoever was behind it. In Backlund, Sno anticipated Bernadette’s arrival, while an author’s note explained why Cthugha lacked combat techniques.

• Bernadette examined the outfit’s abilities and tried to understand how it enhanced Beyonder Characteristics.
• Bernadette had Cattleya wear the outfit and discovered that the transformation sent footage of Cattleya through the bestowal channel.
• Bernadette told Cattleya that Shar’s spirit body had been tampered with, advised her to keep him aboard and away from women, and then departed in apparent anger.
• Sno sent the Weakness Ledger back to Black Swan Castle and prepared tea as Bernadette approached through vines.
• The author explained that Cthugha’s low combat skill rating made it unsuited to creating techniques.

Sno discussed Shar’s possible contamination and plans involving the Church of the Eternal Blazing Sun with Bernadette, then offered to help awaken Bornova’s humanity. Bernadette reacted strongly and offered to help him attack the Cathedral of Holy Light, but Sno stopped her before his offer could be misunderstood.

• Bernadette visited Sno, who asked about her influence in Intis after saying the future had changed.
• Bernadette asked Sno about Shar’s signs of distortion, and Sno advised observing him and having Frank Lee handle his excessive desires.
• Sno connected the Feynapotter royal family assassination to a possible advance by Ruen’s allied forces into Trier and the Church of the Eternal Blazing Sun transferring Sealed Artifacts.
• Bernadette explained how the church would move its Sealed Artifacts and offered to pinpoint the location of 0-59, while Sno said he needed her help with other tasks.
• Sno told Bernadette he could awaken Bornova’s humanity, prompting her to offer help attacking the Cathedral of Holy Light before Sno stopped her.

Sno explained how a Paradox Path talisman could help Roselle regain his humanity, and Bernadette promised to obtain the needed material while pursuing her plans in Intis. After she left, Sno received an invitation to a dinner party and transformed Helene into his personal manservant so she could accompany him.

• Sno explained the Ship of Theseus paradox and described a talisman that could gradually replace Roselle's divinity with humanity.
• Bernadette said she would make Roselle want his humanity back and obtain Mythical Creature Spirituality Material, while postponing her advance to Knowledge Emperor.
• Bernadette departed, and Sno restored his swollen lips after their awkward encounter.
• Helene brought Sno an invitation, and he decided to take her to a dinner party that night.
• Sno used Calling Deer a Horse to transform Helene into his personal manservant, shocking her.

Sno attended a ball at Councilman Mori Macht’s home, suspecting the unusual invitation had a purpose beyond ordinary social business. A young girl in a sky-blue gown approached him and asked if he was Sno von Pandax.

• Sno rode to the Macht residence with Iliyan, Helene, and Lily, joking with his companions along the way.
• Sno arrived at 39 Buckland Street shortly after the ball’s stated starting time and was greeted by Mori Macht and Lady Liana.
• Sno gave Mori Macht a bottle of Hermeler wine and wondered at the councilman’s knowing reaction.
• Sno greeted Lady Liana and entered the ballroom, speculating that Mori Macht might know of his connection to Passion.
• A young girl in a sky-blue gown approached Sno and asked whether he was Sno von Pandax.

At the Macht Family’s ball, Sno met Hairore, reassured Klein that she was a freelancer, and was introduced to Hibert Hall. Hibert warned Sno not to hurt his sister Angel, while privately restraining his anger because of Sno’s influence and connections.

• Hairore confronted Sno and told him to stay away from her mother, and Sno answered with a mocking remark about her mental state.
• Sno greeted Klein, who asked whether Macht’s daughter was a Beyonder connected to the Thief Pathway, and Sno said she was a freelancer.
• After the ball began, Councilman Macht introduced Sno to Hibert Hall, the Earl of Dorchester’s eldest son.
• Hibert told Sno that his sister liked his novels and asked him not to hurt her.
• Hibert suppressed his anger because his father had revealed Sno’s control of Passion and its connections, then explained that extreme methods could make Angel rebellious.

Hairore secretly patrolled the streets as a Beyonder, but a mysterious voice seized control of her body and led her to a hidden tunnel. There, her teacher revealed a willingness to trade Hairore away, and the voice unleashed a terrifying attack as the chapter ended.

• Hairore knocked down a thief near 160 Buckland Street and left him at Mister Kidd's door as a prank.
• A mysterious voice took control of Hairore's body, tested its movements, and learned about the hidden passage she had excavated beneath Buckland Street.
• The voice discovered that Hairore's teacher, a Miss Parasite trapped in the tunnel, had been preparing Hairore as an ingredient.
• Miss Parasite offered to give Hairore to the voice in exchange for being rescued.
• The voice called Hairore a souvenir and filled her shadow with eyes and mouths as strange insects attacked.