Chapter Summaries

Xia Nan discovered that the Tide Retreat Gang had imprisoned villagers alongside Shahua Mermen, whom he suspected planned to use them in sacrifices. He persuaded the Iron Rock Squad to leave the villagers alive and waiting while the adventurers continued their mission, and the group began planning how to locate Auriye's collection.

• Xia Nan confirmed from the villagers’ descriptions that the murlocs in the dungeon were Shahua Mermen and suspected they had joined the Tide Retreat Gang to obtain victims for sacrifices.
• Seli explained that the pirates had kidnapped the villagers to sell them as slaves, and Xia Nan warned his teammates that the Shahua Mermen might use them in rituals.
• Habik urged the Iron Rock Squad to find Auriye's collection and avoid direct contact with the murlocs, while Haoge suggested silencing the imprisoned villagers.
• Xia Nan asked the villagers to stay quiet and wait in the dungeon while he completed his mission, admitting he might have to retreat without them if the danger became too great.
• Habik agreed not to harm the villagers, easing the confrontation between the squads, and proposed interrogating pirates to learn where Auriye's collection was hidden.

Tide Retreat Gang leader Geli argued with the Shahua Mermen over his raids and assigned Hogan to guard seized cargo. Hogan, newly promoted and convinced his luck was turning, led men toward the warehouse before an unseen attacker struck.

• Geli promised the Shahua Mermen seventy people next month, then agreed to stop raiding ships outside their deal when they threatened to end their cooperation.
• After the mermen left, Geli complained about their demands and ordered Hogan to guard the seized goods in the warehouse.
• Hogan reflected on how avoiding trouble with Sea Fang Xia Nan had won him Geli’s favor and earned him a squad leader’s position.
• Hogan led several underlings through the dark woods toward the warehouse and boasted about his past encounter with Sea Fang after a rabbit startled them.
• A strange cold wind swept through the woods, and an unseen attacker severed the head of the Henchman walking in front of Hogan.

Xia Nan and the Iron Rock Shield Squad captured Hogan, who revealed the Tide Retreat Gang’s warehouse and its trade with the Shahua Mermen, including abducted villagers intended for a Sacrifice Ritual. As the group approached the warehouse, a gang member discovered the bloody scene they had left behind and ran to warn Geli.

• Geli asked about the Tide Retreat Gang’s progress in Barracuda Bay and ordered cigarettes and antiques prepared for the Shahua Mermen.
• Xia Nan and the Iron Rock Shield Squad killed Hogan’s companions and forced Hogan to guide them to the warehouse.
• Hogan told Xia Nan that Geli was trading abducted villagers to the Shahua Mermen, who needed human slaves for a Sacrifice Ritual.
• A Tide Retreat Gang member found the bloodied bodies and hurried back to warn Geli.
• Xia Nan’s group spotted the warehouse, and Habik ordered Hogan to approach its guards without revealing their presence.

Xia Nan and the Iron Rock Shield Squad seized Auriye’s stolen goods from a Tide Retreat Gang warehouse on Wildberry Cliff and found out where the gang held kidnapped civilians. As they prepared to leave, a mysterious attacker struck the warehouse with a devastating sphere of flame.

• Hogan entered the warehouse camp alone, and Agu and Seli killed its two Warrior guards before the squad subdued the remaining thugs.
• Habik ordered the team to search the warehouse, where they found three crates containing Auriye’s tobacco, rare ores, and antiques.
• Xia Nan questioned Hogan about the gang’s prisoner dungeons and planned to rescue the civilians without disrupting the mission.
• Haoge threatened Hogan for more valuables, but Xia Nan sensed danger and threw Hogan out of harm’s way before moving to protect the mission crates.
• A piercing horn and a second hum sounded, and a blazing sphere of flame smashed through the warehouse wall and exploded inside.

Xia Nan and the Iron Rock Shield Squad were caught in a Third Circle Fireball attack while guarding the cargo, and Xia Nan’s defenses kept him and the goods mostly safe. As the flames faded, he spotted approaching enemies, including a Shahua Merman Priest, while Haoge lay severely burned and the squad rushed to treat him.

• Xia Nan used his shield, [Gravity Control], and [Abyssal Flow] armor to survive Fireball with only minor burns and protect the crates.
• Habik, Seli, and Agu took burns while sheltering behind Habik’s Heavy Steel Tower Shield.
• Haoge was caught close to the blast center, his clothes burned away, and he screamed in agony from severe burns.
• Xia Nan spotted dozens of approaching enemies, including 'Rotten Vulture' Geli and a Shahua Merman Priest carrying a Bone Horn.
• Habik recognized Geli and accused the Tide Retreat Gang of ties to the pirates, while Seli threw Haoge a healing potion.

Xia Nan and the Iron Rock Shield Squad fought the Tide Retreat Gang and Shahua Mermen at the warehouse, where the Murloc Priest exposed and paralyzed Agu, allowing Geli to cut him down. As Habik raged at Agu’s death, Xia Nan transformed into a Winter Wolf and lunged toward the Priest.

• Geli led the Tide Retreat Gang and Shahua Mermen to the warehouse after finding their dead men and suspected intruders inside.
• The Murloc Priest blasted the warehouse with a Fireball, injuring Haoge but leaving Xia Nan and the others ready to fight.
• Xia Nan, Habik, and Seli fought off the attackers while Agu used Stealth to approach the Murloc Priest.
• The Murloc Priest exposed Agu with Faerie Fire and froze him with Hold Person, then Geli struck him down with a Curved Saber.
• Habik flew into a rage over Agu’s death, and Xia Nan transformed into a Winter Wolf and pounced toward the Murloc Priest.

Xia Nan’s opening attack destroyed the Shahua Merman Priest’s protective necklace shield but failed to kill the Spellcaster, who escaped with a blast from its horn. While “Rotten Vulture” Geli tried to stall Xia Nan and then attack him with Corrosive Toxin, Xia Nan used [Heavy Tide] to throw Geli off balance and rushed past him toward the retreating Priest.

• Xia Nan used [Tooth Hunt] and his combined battle techniques to shatter the Murloc Priest’s yellow shield, but the Priest blew its horn and sent him flying before Geli returned to protect it.
• Geli offered Xia Nan compensation and cooperation, but Xia Nan answered with a howl and refused to stop fighting.
• Geli coated his Curved Saber with Corrosive Toxin and struck Xia Nan’s arm shield, but the toxin had no effect on the [Dark Scale Bulwark].
• Xia Nan thrust the arm shield forward with [Heavy Tide], unbalancing Geli and sending him flying backward.
• Xia Nan leaped past Geli and headed for the Shahua Merman Priest as it retreated under the protection of its Guards.

Xia Nan resisted the Murloc Priest’s Fear spell and killed it, shifting the battle’s advantage toward the Iron Rock Shield Squad. “Rotten Vulture” Geli redirected his attack toward the squad, and Haoge was overwhelmed and killed.

• Xia Nan resisted the Murloc Priest’s Fear spell, stunning the priest and leaving it vulnerable.
• Xia Nan cut off the Murloc Priest’s head while evading the Guards, sending the Shahua Mermen into a frenzy.
• “Rotten Vulture” Geli abandoned his attack on Xia Nan and targeted the Iron Rock Shield Squad to weaken Xia Nan’s allies.
• Haoge recovered from the Fireball with Seli’s Healing Potion and charged into the Murlocs, drawing their attention with his furious attacks.
• Geli poisoned Haoge with a Curved Saber, and the surrounding thugs and Murlocs overwhelmed and killed him.

Xia Nan saved Seli from Geli’s attack, but Geli’s Venom Clone poisoned Habik and left him vulnerable to the encircling enemies. Habik was overwhelmed and killed, leaving Seli as the last surviving member of the Iron Rock Shield Squad.

• Haoge’s death left Habik and Seli struggling against the Tide Retreat Gang’s thugs and Shahua Mermen.
• Geli charged at Seli, but Xia Nan intercepted him and drove him back with a series of sword attacks.
• Geli created a Venom Clone that charged Habik, and Habik used his Tower Shield to shatter it, splashing corrosive venom over himself and nearby enemies.
• The venom weakened Habik and disrupted his Taunt skill, allowing the surrounding enemies to attack him from all sides.
• Habik killed a thug who stabbed him in the eye, but the enemies wounded him repeatedly and killed him.

Xia Nan’s remaining teammate, Seli, abandoned him and was killed by a hidden Tide Retreat Gang Wanderer. Xia Nan then used his abilities and equipment to defeat and behead “Rotten Vulture” Geli.

• Seli judged the battle hopeless and turned to flee instead of helping Xia Nan.
• A hidden Wanderer stabbed Seli in the heart, and pursuing thugs and Murlocs killed her.
• Xia Nan noticed Seli’s betrayal but focused on Geli as the gang leader tried to stall for reinforcements.
• Xia Nan combined [Gravity Control], [Whirlwind Slash], and his [Deflection Forcefield] to sever Geli’s right hand.
• Xia Nan disrupted Geli’s venom attack with his Snake Scale Arm Shield, knocked him down, and beheaded him with [Emberfall].

Xia Nan killed Geli and wiped out the Tide Retreat Gang and Murloc forces surrounding the warehouse, then stored the quest crates and found Hogan hiding nearby. He planned to have Hogan lead him to the island’s dungeon and Geli’s home while he gathered loot and prepared to rescue the imprisoned civilians.

• Xia Nan reflected on his gains in Heavy Tide and Gravity Control and how his abilities had overwhelmed Geli.
• Xia Nan defeated the remaining Murlocs and gang members, leaving no survivors on the battlefield.
• Xia Nan stored Auriye’s three crates in the White Pot pocket watch and decided the deaths of his teammates were not his fault.
• Xia Nan found Hogan hiding in the bushes and ordered him to lead the way to the island’s dungeon.
• Xia Nan also told Hogan to take him to Geli’s home so he could collect the pirate chief’s wealth.

Xia Nan returned from Wildberry Cliff alone after defeating the Pirates and rescuing Islanders who had been captured for ritual sacrifices. He arranged for the merchant ship to take them to Barracuda Bay and assessed the loot he planned to sell to fund his purchase of Proof of Unweariedness.

• The Captain approached the shore and found Xia Nan waiting with rescued Islanders, a frightened Hogan, and crates of loot, but none of the Iron Rock Shield party had returned.
• Xia Nan sent Hogan and several Islanders to retrieve a boat, then told the Captain that his companions were not coming back.
• Xia Nan explained that the Islanders had been captured as sacrifices in a deal between the Pirates on Wildberry Cliff and a Sahua Merman Priest, and the Captain agreed to carry them to Barracuda Bay.
• Xia Nan estimated that his scattered loot included a little over two hundred gold and examined three green-quality items: Habik's Grayrock Tower Shield, Geli's Corroding Crescent, and the priest's Scale Breath Horn.
• Xia Nan decided to consign the three unsuitable enchanted items through the Barracuda Bay Adventurers Association to raise money for Proof of Unweariedness.

Xia Nan returned to Barracuda Bay with mission goods, rescued Islanders, pirate ships, and valuable spoils from Wildberry Cliff. After delivering the goods to Auriye, he discussed the Proof of Unweariedness and offered his Enchanted Equipment for inspection, leaving Auriye surprised by a familiar-looking shield.

• Xia Nan brought two pirate ships and mission spoils back to Barracuda Bay after arranging passage for the rescued Islanders.
• Xia Nan settled the Islanders' accommodations, reassured Alton, Lorraine, and the others, then visited Auriye the next morning.
• Auriye praised Xia Nan for completing the mission and eliminating the Tide Retreat Gang's leader and many senior members.
• Auriye presented the Proof of Unweariedness and described its stamina recovery and training effects, while Xia Nan recognized that he had concealed or missed stronger attributes.
• Auriye asked about Xia Nan's spoils, and Xia Nan showed him three pieces of Enchanted Equipment.
• Auriye opened the crate, saw the Heavy Tower Shield, and recognized it with a sudden change in expression.

Xia Nan traded three enchanted items to Auriye Silverheart for [Proof of Unweariedness], a bracelet he prized for its training benefits. Ten days later, he was practicing his head-stacking architectural art in a Goblin Nest, while continuing to train and work toward his class advancement.

• Xia Nan showed Auriye the spoils from the Tide Retreat Gang, including Habik's Heavy Tower Shield, and explained where the Curved Saber and Octopus Horn came from.
• Auriye valued the three pieces of equipment at around 5,000 Gold Coins, then offered to exchange them for [Proof of Unweariedness], whose expected price was around 6,000 Gold Coins.
• Xia Nan accepted the barter and fastened [Proof of Unweariedness] around his wrist.
• Ten days later, Xia Nan stacked the Bear Goblin's head atop a structure made from Goblin heads in a cave outside Barracuda Bay.
• Xia Nan reflected on the difficulties of building larger structures from Goblin remains and continued using Goblins to train his combat skills and architectural art.

Seventeen days after the battle at Wildberry Cliff, Xia Nan found that [Proof of Unweariedness] had greatly accelerated his combat-skill training, and he reviewed his earnings before heading to the Three-Legged Sea Dog Tavern. There, he learned that the Governor's Residence had not responded to his warning about the Shahua Mermen and turned his attention to preparing for the Moon Tide Feast.

• Xia Nan saw that [Heavy Tide] had reached lv2 progress 72/100, largely thanks to [Proof of Unweariedness] and [Shifting Shadow Dust], and decided to seek more bracelet accessories.
• Xia Nan sold the remaining Wildberry Cliff spoils and ships, bringing his savings to 2,216 gold, 9 silver, and 3 copper.
• Xia Nan entered the Three-Legged Sea Dog Tavern, where adventurers recognized his growing reputation as Sea Fang, and treated Alton to drinks and food.
• Xia Nan asked Hera whether the Governor's Residence had responded to his report about the Shahua Mermen, and she told him there had been no follow-up.
• Xia Nan set aside speculation about the Governor's Residence and focused on preparing for the Moon Tide Feast.

The Oath of Vengeance Blades prepared to leave Barracuda Bay during the Sea Rhythm Festival and watched the Flower Boat Harbor Tour begin. Lorraine then ordered the fleet to sail for the Moon Tide Feast, where she hoped to avenge her father, Lyle Molton.

• The people of Barracuda Bay watched the flower-covered ceremonial ship carrying the Tide Chant Saint's statue sail into the open sea as dawn broke and the Sea Rhythm Festival began.
• Xia Nan and Alton hung a festival flag while the Oath of Vengeance Blades crew finished decorating and loading their ship.
• Hain offered to help Xia Nan find a buyer for his horn, and he told her he had already sold it to Auriye Silverheart.
• Xia Nan decided against claiming the Tide Retreat Gang's remaining assets, since he did not intend to establish himself in Barracuda Bay.
• Lorraine raised the Scale Fire Saber and ordered the Oath of Vengeance Blades to set sail for the Moon Tide Feast.

Xia Nan trained [Heavy Tide] while fishing aboard the Oath of Vengeance Blades, then helped watch for an approaching storm. As the fleet prepared for the Moon Tide Feast, a ship belonging to the Black Tide Hunter crew approached, and Lorraine readied her people for a possible fight.

• Xia Nan caught a tiny fish after a morning of fishing and gave it to Alton to add to the Cream Mushroom Soup.
• Xia Nan reflected that fishing helped train [Heavy Tide], which had reached Lv2 (95/100) and was close to Lv3.
• Xia Nan and Hain spotted an approaching storm and warned the crew to lower the sails and slow the ship.
• Xia Nan asked Hain about the Moon Tide Feast and Algae Scale Dodd, then discussed how his growing reputation might let him attend without an invitation.
• A lookout spotted an unidentified vessel, and Lorraine recognized its flag as belonging to the Black Tide Hunter crew.
• Lorraine summoned her squad and prepared the Oath of Vengeance Blades for battle as the Black Tide Hunter ship drew alongside.

The Oath of Vengeance Blades traded supplies with the Black Tide Hunter Fleet, whose captain, Ode, explained that his crew had been delayed by a difficult mission. As the Black Tide Hunter sailed toward an approaching storm, Xia Nan grew suspicious but stayed aboard to help his crew.

• Ode approached Lorraine and requested freshwater and five days of rations for twenty people, offering Monster Materials and the Black Tide Hunter Fleet’s friendship in exchange.
• Lorraine agreed to the deal and sent Raine to fetch the supplies while Xia Nan watched the other ship’s crew and noticed a female ranger carrying a metal longbow with no visible string or arrows.
• Ode recognized Xia Nan as Sea Fang and asked Lorraine whether the Oath of Vengeance Blades was heading to the Moon Tide Feast.
• Ode said his fleet would miss the feast because its mission had taken longer than expected, then thanked Lorraine and departed after the supplies were exchanged.
• Xia Nan watched the Black Tide Hunter sail toward the approaching storm and wondered about its intentions before turning to help the crew aboard the Oath of Vengeance Blades.

Ode’s Black Tide Hunter left the Oath of Vengeance Blades after trading supplies and sailed into a storm to pursue a colossal sea beast. As the creature appeared and Ode attacked, Xia Nan heard a distant horn aboard the Oath of Vengeance Blades.

• Ode’s crew departed after Sarisa warned that Xia Nan made a fight with the Oath of Vengeance Blades too dangerous to attempt.
• The Black Tide Hunter charged into a storm, following the horn of the sea beast they had tracked for weeks.
• Ode spotted the enormous horned creature and hurled his Whaling Harpoon toward it as his crew prepared for battle.
• Xia Nan asked Lorraine about Ode’s party while the Oath of Vengeance Blades prepared for the storm.
• Xia Nan heard a faint horn and asked Lorraine whether she had heard it, but she had not.

After the Oath of Vengeance Blades found a destroyed ship and a dying Ranger from the Black Tide Hunter Fleet, Lorraine prepared to save her and learn what had attacked them. The Ranger began to stir and whispered, “Fish... Murlocs...”

• After the storm passed, Xia Nan found a Half-Orc corpse while fishing, and Lorraine concluded that a powerful creature had torn him in half.
• The Oath of Vengeance Blades encountered the wreck of the Black Tide Hunter, which had also been ripped apart, though no bodies remained aboard.
• Xia Nan detected an invisible presence on the wreck and used gravity to reveal a badly injured Ranger from the Black Tide Hunter Fleet.
• Lorraine decided to give the Ranger a healing potion so she could learn what had happened, but the Ranger convulsed and murmured, “Fish... Murlocs...”