Recaps

Xia Nan faced Saloyan’s attack on Blackwood Squad and awakened [Ember Echo] after nearly dying, then returned to River Valley Town to collect his rewards and upgrade his equipment. He took on new commissions and ended the stretch by saving Winter Tree from a Goblin attack.

• Margaret led Blackwood Squad through Rotten Root Swamp, where an Armor-Clad Monster attacked before fleeing wounded into a mud pit.
• Xia Nan cleared the Goblin Nest, killed the wounded Armor-Clad Monster, and encountered Abi with Saloyan hiding nearby.
• Saloyan used Abi to begin a contract ritual, then summoned Devils that killed Shajin and Joshua and defeated Margaret and Solding.
• Xia Nan died fighting Saloyan, awakened [Ember Echo] through a vision of Knight, then rose again and killed Saloyan.
• Xia Nan recovered with Margaret and Solding, returned to River Valley Town, collected his rewards, and sold the recovered materials.
• Barn gave Xia Nan his reforged sword, Emberfall, and agreed to make armor from the Barbazu Pole Blade.
• Xia Nan met Adeline, discussed his plans, and accepted gathering and goblin-clearing missions.
• Xia Nan reached Winter Tree and Aspen as Goblins attacked them, then killed the Goblin about to strike Winter Tree.

Xia Nan uncovered the truth behind Fog Lamp Village’s sacrifice ritual, killed the Druid and helped end the village chief’s rule. After settling his affairs in River Valley Town, he joined a caravan bound for Barracuda Bay, where Horako began showing interest in him.

• Xia Nan reached Fog Lamp Village, learned Lillie had been chosen for its Sacrifice Ritual, and followed Winter Tree into the Canyon to save her.
• Xia Nan killed the Fog Lamp Monster, found the Druid’s diary, and discovered that the Druid had used the village’s sacrifices for his experiments.
• Xia Nan confronted and killed the transformed Druid, then revealed the truth to Winter Tree, Lillie, and the villagers.
• When the village chief tried to attack Lillie, Aspen shot him and declared the ritual over.
• Xia Nan escorted Winter Tree and Lillie to River Valley Town, sold his Canyon spoils, and collected his new armor from Barn.
• Xia Nan prepared for his journey to Barracuda Bay and introduced Winter Tree and Lillie to Adeline before leaving with Margaret and Solding’s Oathkeeper Blackwood party.
• The caravan traveled safely for seven days, and Xia Nan helped Solding and Margaret harvest Anvil Honey.
• Horako shared dinner and Anvil Honey with the group, offered Solding his Carnelian ring, and turned the conversation toward Xia Nan’s jewelry.

Xia Nan investigated the Pastel Gemstone’s influence over Ram Horn Town and confronted Priest Moen, who had transformed into a Crystal Person. Xia Nan killed Moen and opened the Neural Roaming Terminal as the Fate Coin fell.

• Horako revealed his Pastel Gemstone, and Xia Nan refused to help investigate it, though Margaret and Solding later agreed to assist.
• In Ram Horn Town, Xia Nan discovered that the gemstone was influencing people and absorbed some of its energy, freeing Horako from its control.
• The innkeeper attacked Horako, then shattered a gemstone embedded in his chest, unleashing a pink dome over the town as Moen activated the force at the church.
• Xia Nan, Margaret, and Solding freed affected residents, fought the gemstone-covered townspeople, and entered the church to confront Moen.
• Moen admitted he had charmed the townspeople, and Xia Nan disrupted his spell before Moen embedded the large gemstone in his chest and transformed.
• The goddess statue released pink energy that healed and strengthened Moen, so Xia Nan activated [Ember Echo] and fought through the priest’s defenses.
• Xia Nan weakened Moen’s neck with Emberfire and killed him with [Gravity Etching], then entered the final character of the dynamic password and opened the Neural Roaming Terminal.

Xia Nan left the aftermath of Moen’s death, gained a new combat skill, and traveled with Colin to Barracuda Bay. There he pursued information about Dodd and the Moon Tide Feast, then agreed to help Hera transport a shipment in return for an introduction to the gathering.

• Xia Nan used Moen’s memories to raise [Gravity Etching] to Level 5, advanced [Meteor Blade Hunt] to Level 3, and gained [Heavy Tide].
• Xia Nan took Moen’s Honey Tangerine Dagger and accepted Horako’s reward before leaving the town with a basket of Honey Tangerines.
• Xia Nan agreed to inspect a goblin nest for a village, killed the Bear Goblin leader and the goblins, then led Colin toward Barracuda Bay.
• Xia Nan brought Colin to his uncle Paddy, who explained the city’s districts and powerful groups before guiding Xia Nan to the Adventurers Association.
• Xia Nan paid 12 Points for records on Lyle Molton, then asked Hera at the Three-Legged Sea Dog for information about Algae Scale Dodd.
• Hera took Xia Nan to Golden Cod, where he recognized Alton, who said Sister Arlene would not return to the Southern Islands.
• Hera told Xia Nan that Dodd might attend the Moon Tide Feast and offered to introduce him through an invited contact if he helped transport a shipment.
• Xia Nan accepted Hera’s deal, prepared for three days, and set off with Alton toward the port.