Chapter Summaries

After escaping the Petrification Lizard, Xia Nan found himself trapped in a strange cave and cautiously searched for a way out. He discovered a colossal dead serpent pinned to the ceiling and began considering whether to take some of its remains as loot.

• Xia Nan woke in a sealed cave, killed a reddish-brown snake, and treated his injuries with supplies from his Medical Tool Kit.
• He checked his equipment, found his leather armor ruined and his [Dead Line] ring on cooldown, then cautiously explored the cave alone.
• Xia Nan followed a bone-filled corridor to a black, scale-textured barrier and uncovered a small opening beside it.
• He crawled through the opening into a vast chamber and realized the black barrier was the body of a colossal serpent.
• Xia Nan saw that a stone spike had pinned the serpent's head to the ceiling and, after inspecting its scales, considered taking some of it as loot.

Xia Nan failed to harvest the Giant Snake’s scales and gall, then searched the cavern for an exit and found a valuable scale lodged in a skeleton’s chest. He took the scale and discovered that an Old Wooden Sword beside the remains displayed translucent information when he focused on it.

• Xia Nan tried several ways to cut or climb the Giant Snake but could not penetrate its scales, so he gave up on collecting loot and focused on finding an exit.
• Xia Nan examined the cavern and found a largely intact skeleton in dark blue robes, with a black scale embedded in its chest and the wall behind it.
• Xia Nan pulled out the Steel-Tough Snake Scale and stored it in his backpack, considering having Rock Hammer in River Valley Town turn it into equipment.
• Xia Nan noticed an Old Wooden Sword beside the skeleton and saw a string of translucent information appear when he focused on it.

Xia Nan discovered that Li Haoran and the giant snake had come from another world, buried Li Haoran’s remains, and used the wooden sword to reveal a hidden chamber. After catching the Golden Dewdrop, Xia Nan returned to Thin Mist Forest as messages flooded across his Attribute Panel.

• Xia Nan examined Dewdrop and realized the cave, the giant snake, and Li Haoran’s relics had come from another world.
• Xia Nan identified the skeleton as likely belonging to Li Haoran, buried him beneath a pile of stones, and marked the grave with his name.
• Dewdrop grew hot and pointed toward the place where Li Haoran’s skeleton had been sitting, revealing a hidden stone chamber when Xia Nan tapped the wall.
• Xia Nan caught the Golden Dewdrop as it fell, and it seeped into his skin.
• Xia Nan reappeared in Thin Mist Forest while messages streamed across his Attribute Panel.

Xia Nan absorbed a golden Dewdrop in a vanished cave, recovering from his injuries and gaining Constitution and the Bronze Sinew, Iron Bone Feat. After reuniting with Hai An and Wood, he learned about Secret Realms, and the three returned safely to the edge of the Thin Mist Forest, where Hai An and Wood said farewell.

• Xia Nan absorbed the Dewdrop, healed his injuries, gained three Constitution points and the Bronze Sinew, Iron Bone Feat, and emerged from the vanished cave with Blue Rare Equipment.
• Xia Nan reunited with Hai An and Wood, then gave them a partial account of what had happened in the cave.
• Wood explained Secret Realms but doubted that Xia Nan's cave had been one because of its unusual effects and the fact that Hai An and Wood could not enter it.
• Hai An asked whether the cave had contained anything with an Elven style, and Xia Nan said it had not.
• Xia Nan, Hai An, and Wood returned to the edge of the Thin Mist Forest in a day, where Hai An gave Xia Nan 100 gold and promised to find him a Combat Skill instructor before departing with Wood for Newm.

Chapton ran the bustling White Tit Tavern in River Valley Town and watched a black-haired youth enter after an apparent adventure. The youth reached the bar, where a drunken patron approached and asked if he was new.

• Chapton cleaned glasses and reflected on how he managed the tavern and maintained relationships with its customers and associates.
• Chapton considered sending gifts to Edwina of the Green Grass Crucible and Mr. Frank’s son.
• A black-haired youth entered the tavern wearing bloodstained, damaged leather armor and carrying two swords, but looked unusually energetic.
• Chapton wondered how the youth could have traveled through the dangerous Thin Mist Forest at night, then decided not to pry.
• A drunken patron staggered up to the youth and asked whether he was new there.

Xia Nan avoided a tavern confrontation with the drunkard Bernie and celebrated his completed mission with a meal at the White Tit Tavern. While reflecting on his improved Constitution after absorbing Dewdrop, he realized how much his stamina and resilience had increased.

• Xia Nan prepared to fight Bernie, who confronted him while drunk, as Chapton recognized the troublemaker and grew uneasy.
• Two adventurers apologized for Bernie, paid for Xia Nan’s expenses, and dragged Bernie back to their table.
• Xia Nan ordered Meal No. 3 at the White Tit Tavern and accepted a glass of liquor from Chapton.
• Xia Nan reflected on how Dewdrop’s Constitution boost improved his endurance, combat resilience, and ability to use [Whirlwind Slash].
• Xia Nan imagined surviving another charge from the Petrification Lizard but decided he would rather not test it.

Xia Nan dealt with the spoils from his recent adventures in River Valley Town, earning a large sum from Firefly Garlic Vine and Rust Monster Poison Glands. After tallying his savings, he asked Kukunur whether the general store sold Combat Skills, and Kukunur presented him with a dusty box of them.

• At the Adventurers Association, Xia Nan learned that the Firefly Garlic Vine mission had expired, and a staff member suggested he ask Edwina about selling the plants directly.
• Xia Nan brought Lava's Sigh to Edwina at Green Grass Crucible, sold her thirty-two clusters of Firefly Garlic Vine for thirty-two Gold Coin, and sold four Rust Monster Poison Glands for twenty-four Gold Coin.
• Xia Nan sold miscellaneous items from the two adventurers he had fought to Kukunur for 3 Gold Coin and 7 Silver Coin.
• Xia Nan calculated that his savings totaled 236 Gold Coin, 2 Silver Coin, and 7 copper coins, then asked Kukunur if he sold Combat Skills.
• Kukunur hauled a dusty box onto the counter and offered its Combat Skills for three copper per pound, with a discount for buying ten pounds.

Xia Nan searched for usable combat skills at the General Store but found that his Golden Finger could not identify the books. He left with two cheap manuals and went to Rock Hammer, where Barn offered to buy back his damaged armor.

• Xia Nan tried to use his Golden Finger on combat skill books at the General Store, but it did not respond.
• Kukunur warned Xia Nan that the cheap books were unreliable, and Xia Nan bought [Forward Thrust] and [Block Upward Slash].
• Xia Nan went to Rock Hammer and saw a middle-aged man buy a spear from Barn Steel Beard.
• Barn recognized Xia Nan's bloodstained leather armor, and Xia Nan said it had helped him survive a dangerous mission.
• Barn offered Xia Nan three Silver Coins for the damaged armor.

Xia Nan sold his damaged leather armor to Barn Steel Beard, commissioned a scabbard for the [Green Pine] Wooden Sword, and began choosing replacement armor at Rock Hammer. He narrowed his options to chainmail and scale armor but had not yet decided which to buy.

• Xia Nan sold his battle-damaged leather armor to Barn Steel Beard for three Silver Coins.
• Xia Nan praised the Beheading Longsword and suggested its Gray Steel might make it unusually durable, but Barn said its quality could not be reliably replicated.
• Xia Nan commissioned a simple, durable Rock Carbon Steel scabbard for the [Green Pine] Wooden Sword for 10 gold, to be ready in three days.
• Xia Nan decided to prioritize protection without significantly reducing his Agility and considered 50-gold chainmail and scale armor.
• Xia Nan compared the armor’s different strengths and drawbacks but had not made his choice.

Xia Nan bought a chainmail shirt suited to hunting Monsters in the Thin Mist Forest, then asked Barn to make equipment from the Snake Scale he had found. Barn proposed forging it into an arm shield and suggested it might even become a magic item, leaving Xia Nan willing to wait and asking about the cost.

• Barn advised Xia Nan to choose between scale armor and a chainmail shirt based on his usual work, and Xia Nan chose the chainmail shirt for hunting in the Thin Mist Forest.
• Xia Nan paid for the chainmail shirt and put it on, feeling more secure in the metal armor.
• Xia Nan showed Barn the Snake Scale he had found and asked whether it could be made into equipment.
• Barn examined the Snake Scale and proposed using it to make an arm shield.
• Barn said the scale might be suitable for a magic item, but the shop had many orders and few materials, so Xia Nan agreed to wait and asked how much it would cost.

Xia Nan had Barn make a temporary arm shield from the Snake Scale and declined an offer to guard a caravan. After leaving the blacksmith shop with new equipment and plenty of money remaining, he planned to rest in River Valley Town and practice his Combat Skills.

• Barn tactfully advised Xia Nan to preserve the Snake Scale as a temporary arm shield rather than attempt expensive advanced equipment.
• Xia Nan agreed to pay thirty-five gold for the custom arm shield, and Barn measured his arm and discussed its design with him.
• Barn offered Xia Nan a caravan guard job to Kalanfu'er in exchange for a discount, but Xia Nan declined so he could rest and await the Half-Elf's news about a Combat Skill instructor.
• Xia Nan left the Blacksmith Shop wearing new Chainmail and carrying his Dual Blades, with more than a hundred and forty gold still in his wallet.
• Xia Nan planned to rest, look for thrown incendiary items, and practice his Combat Skills before his next mission.

Xia Nan received Hai An’s letter confirming that a Veteran Professional would pass through River Valley Town in mid-Month of Scorching Sun, leaving him nearly seventy days to wait. With no need to rush into another adventure, he reconsidered joining a caravan and planned to use the trip to investigate his Combat Skill training bottleneck.

• Xia Nan practiced Forward Thrust and Block Upward Slash but continued to struggle with unstable form, and he arranged to check on his Snake Scale Arm Shield at Barn’s blacksmith shop.
• Barn asked whether Xia Nan would join the caravan guards, and Xia Nan promised to give him an answer the day after tomorrow.
• Chapton delivered a letter from Hai An, and Xia Nan saw a skinny youth swiftly avoid Bernie’s spilled ale before the youth left Bernie badly injured.
• Xia Nan read that a Veteran Professional would visit River Valley Town in mid-Month of Scorching Sun, and he decided to consider caravan work while testing his theory about his Combat Skill progress.

Tim’s gambling addiction drove his wife and daughter to leave, and he lost his chance to return to his adventurer party. After selling his old gear and gambling away the money, he found a strange hide-bound book marked with a white skull.

• Tim lost his remaining money gambling, then returned home and apologized to Beth for forgetting her muffins.
• His wife told Tim she planned to take Beth to the countryside, and gave him her savings so he could seek work or return to adventuring.
• Tim failed to find work, returned to the tavern, and woke to find his wife and Beth gone from their empty house.
• Tim prepared to repair his old gear, but his former captain said he had removed Tim from the party roster and gave him a purse of money.
• Tim pawned his armor and blades, gambled away the proceeds, and found a strange book bearing a white skull after a drunken collision.

Xia Nan traveled with Jeff’s caravan from River Valley Town toward Kalanfu'er, taking a break from hunting Monsters while guarding the merchants. As the camp settled for the night, he heard that adventurers had found no secret in the strange ruins of Thin Mist Forest, then watched Alton struggle in with a huge pot of stew.

• Xia Nan accepted Barn’s commission to guard a caravan traveling from River Valley Town to Kalanfu'er.
• Jeff stopped the caravan for the night and told Xia Nan that Alton was preparing stew and the guards would keep watch.
• Xia Nan listened as the Adventurers discussed strange buildings in Thin Mist Forest and said high-level adventurers had found nothing there.
• Xia Nan wondered whether his connection to the cave-like Secret Realm explained why others could not reach it.
• Alton arrived carrying a huge, unsteady iron pot, and called for help with the stew.

Xia Nan shared a stew cooked by Alton and learned that the Lightfoot Halfling honored Tymora, the Goddess of Fortune. The chapter left Alton revealing his devotion through a coin bearing Tymora’s image.

• Alton brought Xia Nan a pot of stew and urged him to taste it.
• Xia Nan sampled the stew, praised it, and learned more about Alton’s curious, outgoing nature as a Lightfoot Halfling.
• Xia Nan asked which deity Alton believed in, and Alton explained that Halflings treated their pantheon like family.
• Alton flipped a coin and revealed the image of Tymora, the Goddess of Fortune.

Xia Nan learned about Alton’s faith in Tymora and wondered whether he could gain the goddess’s favor himself. Jeff arrived to discuss the caravan’s plans, but an alarm rang before he could finish.

• Xia Nan reflected on how Tymora’s followers differed from other religious devotees and noticed Alton’s unusual superstitions.
• Alton explained that anyone could consider themselves a believer in Tymora, though he had received her oracle in a dream.
• Xia Nan concluded that casual prayers were unlikely to attract Tymora’s attention and continued chatting with Alton over stew.
• Jeff came to the adventurers’ camp to discuss reaching Kalanfu'er and the caravan’s plans afterward.
• A trap was triggered, and its urgent ringing interrupted Jeff.

A caravan came under attack by twenty-three Goblins, and Xia Nan joined the adventurers defending it. After Alton’s music seemed to bolster the fighters, Xia Nan used Whirlwind Slash to kill four Goblins, exhilarated by the release of his pent-up pressure.

• A bell rang through the night, and Xia Nan, Alton, and the other adventurers prepared for battle.
• Alton spotted twenty-three Goblins approaching the caravan, and Klee, Wilson, and the coachmen shot down several of them.
• The party’s leader ordered the adventurers to charge before the Goblins could reach the caravan.
• Alton played an inspiring tune as Xia Nan sprinted toward the Goblins and checked for signs of an ambush.
• Xia Nan used Whirlwind Slash to kill four Goblins in one sweep and felt exhilarated.

Xia Nan tested whether using unfamiliar combat skills in real battle increased his proficiency while helping defeat a goblin raid on the convoy. After the adventurers killed all twenty-three goblins, Jeff offered to pay their bounties from the Guards’ funds when they returned to River Valley Town.

• A fleeing goblin panicked after seeing Xia Nan kill four of its companions, but Xia Nan caught it and used Forward Thrust to pierce its chest and abdomen.
• Xia Nan killed two goblins trying to sneak around the battlefield and used Block Upward Slash against another, but his Attribute Panel showed no proficiency gains.
• The adventurers defeated and killed all twenty-three goblins within ten minutes, then collected their left ears for the bounty.
• Jeff proposed counting the goblin bounties toward the Guards’ pay and settling with the adventurers after they returned to River Valley Town.

After Xia Nan fought off a Goblin attack, Alton praised his swordsmanship and explained his salute to Alvulin, while the caravan’s adventurers grew warmer toward Xia Nan. By the campfire, Jeff asked Alton whether the Goddess of Fortune might bless his family, and Alton assured him that she watched over those who worked hard to live.

• Alton praised Xia Nan’s sword strike, and Xia Nan credited Alton’s music with helping him fight.
• Alton saluted Alvulin and told Xia Nan that the Lady of Smiles did not care about such rituals.
• The caravan dealt with the Goblin corpses and stopped to rest, where the adventurers treated Xia Nan more warmly after seeing him fight.
• Jeff told Alton that he was saving money for his children’s futures and hoped Jamie would teach Common Tongue while Lilina opened a tailor shop.
• Jeff asked whether praying to the Goddess of Fortune could bring his family safety and prosperity, and Alton said she watched over the brave and hardworking.

After arriving in Kalanfu'er, Xia Nan accepted Alton’s invitation to visit the Full Money Bag tavern, a gambling house. They encountered Sheriff Ingram with Jeff on the way, then entered the tavern as dice games and the desires of its patrons filled the warm, noisy room.

• Xia Nan arrived in Kalanfu'er with the caravan and joined Jeff’s celebratory lunch, drinking only a little while considering how to spend the afternoon.
• Alton invited Xia Nan to visit the Full Money Bag tavern, and Xia Nan agreed after noticing Alton’s lucky coin.
• Before leaving the inn, Xia Nan and Alton met Sheriff Ingram, whom Jeff introduced as an old friend.
• Xia Nan and Alton found the Full Money Bag tavern and entered, leaving the cold, deserted street for its warmly lit, noisy gambling room.