Chapter Summaries

Yi Chen brought Boss into the Duke's Guild, where she gained a workshop and renewed hope for her candle-puppet craft. In his private hotel suite, Yi Chen indoctrinated his damaged candle puppet, restored her consciousness, and named her Thirteen before preparing to take her to the auction.

• Yi Chen showed Boss his Mark of Transaction, convincing her to sign a long-term contract with the Duke's Guild and receive her own workshop.
• Boss offered Yi Chen lifelong free services and proposed replacing his candle puppet, but he refused and praised the effort she had put into it.
• A Golden Mask escorted Yi Chen to a private hotel suite and revealed that every Golden Mask was the Duke's Left Hand, while the Silver Mask was the Duke's Right Hand.
• Yi Chen examined the candle puppet's white-candle power core and used carved characters of madness to reorganize and restore her consciousness.
• The candle puppet called Yi Chen her teacher, accepted the name Thirteen, and asked him to buy books about candle puppets before they went to the auction.

Yi Chen and Thirteen prepared for the Duke’s auction, where the Duke began selling strange goods and selected ten spectators for forced auctions. The chapter ended as Yi Chen noticed that one selected bidder had horribly mangled, rotting skin.

• Yi Chen took Thirteen to the Candle Puppet shop, where Boss gave her a book on candle puppet craftsmanship.
• Golden Mask escorted Yi Chen to a private box, praised his modification of Candle Brain, and offered to discuss brain techniques with him.
• The Duke opened the auction in a miniature castle and sold a ball of food residue for forty-five thousand coins after Yellowhide explained its possible effect on Luck.
• The Duke auctioned thirty selected items, then drew ten spectators for the forced-auction segment, where unprepared participants faced being sold as slaves.
• Yi Chen noticed one selected spectator walking onto the stage with rotten, mangled skin, and Yellowhide trembled in response.

Yi Chen watched Aqim Cross’s forced auction and learned that the dying skin slave had come to sell a rare gangrenous skin sack. Yi Chen outbid an Old World researcher to buy it for twenty thousand coins, the exact amount of the Duke’s patent fee.

• Yi Chen questioned Golden Mask about Aqim Cross’s poor condition, and Golden Mask killed himself after accidentally revealing a customer’s private information.
• Yi Chen learned that Aqim’s wounds likely came from external injuries, a curse, or a failed skin-related disease deepening, and that the Merchant Guild would claim his possessions if he died during slavery.
• Aqim Cross stripped away his coverings, peeled himself out of his gangrenous skin, and offered the rare skin sack for auction.
• An old man from an Old World Research Organization bid ten thousand coins for the skin sack, but Yi Chen raised the bid to twenty thousand and forced him to withdraw.
• Yi Chen won the skin sack and realized that its price matched the Duke’s patent fee.

After learning that Achim Cross had died, Yi Chen examined the decaying Skin Carrier he had bought at auction. The Skin Carrier tried to possess him, but its consciousness was pulled into Yi Chen’s brain, where Yellow Skin awaited it.

• Yi Chen learned that Achim Cross had died after his disease worsened, and Golden Mask had disposed of his body through a Golden Burial.
• Yi Chen returned to his hotel suite and had Little Grape seal the room before examining the Skin Carrier while Thirteen watched.
• Yellow Skin identified the Skin Carrier as a rare, highly offensive Loser's Skin Carrier and questioned why its former owner had not returned to the Skin Factory.
• When Yi Chen touched the Skin Carrier, it covered his body and its former owner’s consciousness tried to take over him.
• The Skin Slave entered Yi Chen’s brain, where the Mad Brain pulled it into the Consciousness Space and Yellow Skin greeted it.

Yi Chen trapped the fugitive Skin Carrier in a Consciousness Space, carved a death-related character into his brain, and tamed his gangrenous skin. He then filled a golden bathtub with Black Death Fluid and ordered the Skin Carrier to drown in it as part of an experiment.

• Yi Chen recognized the gangrenous skin as the Skin Carrier’s true body and identified him as a wanted fugitive from the skin factory.
• The Skin Carrier panicked in Yi Chen’s maze-like Consciousness Space until Yi Chen lured him into the Black Mountain Orphanage operating room.
• Yi Chen sawed open the Skin Carrier’s skull and carved a madness character into his brain, confirming that the man could endure death.
• Yi Chen returned to the hotel and ordered Little Grape to maintain the seal while he prepared a golden bathtub.
• Yi Chen drained Black Death Fluid into the bathtub, then commanded the Skin Carrier to immerse himself and drown without resisting.

Yi Chen completed the fusion of black fluid and a failed high-grade skin, creating the Black Death Skin and upgrading his clothing into a death-infused overcoat. After Golden Mask congratulated him on his advancement, he learned the Duke's Merchant Guild was withdrawing from Lamp City and prepared to leave the hotel.

• Yi Chen waited ten days for the skin to soak in the black fluid before entering the bathroom with Candle Puppet Thirteen.
• Yi Chen absorbed the remaining black fluid and found a small piece of skin, which Yellow Skin confirmed was a flawless Black Death Skin combining the skin factory and Original Tomb attributes.
• Yi Chen asked Yellow Skin to fuse the Black Death Skin into his Gentleman's Attire, and the skin's threads spread through the clothing as it transformed into a black, furred overcoat.
• Dead Spine Lake reacted to Yi Chen's death-infused clothing, sending a spine and ax blade into his hand, while Yellow Skin warned him not to become immersed in death.
• Golden Mask told Yi Chen that the Duke's Merchant Guild was leaving Lamp City and the hotel would be stripped of its gold, so Yi Chen agreed to check out and offered to cooperate with repairs.

Yi Chen learned from a Golden Mask that his altered Skin Bible could draw suspicion from Old World extremists, and that the Affliction Master governed the Old World and its Source Plague Zones. He also learned how Pathways led toward the origin and that he would need to choose one to surpass Open Source, then prepared to leave the hotel.

• Yi Chen noticed that his Skin Bible had been stained and decayed by Black Death Skin, and a Golden Mask warned that changing a plague book could make him a target of Old World hardliners.
• The Golden Mask explained that the Affliction Master was the Old World's Origin Patient, that Open Source connected Yi Chen to Him, and that He had apparently allowed Yi Chen to exist so far.
• The Golden Mask described how the Source Plague Zones served the Old World and were granted the right to create plague books connected to the Primal Affliction.
• Yi Chen asked about Pathways, and the Golden Mask explained that they were routes toward the origin that could allow someone to break through Open Source.
• The Golden Mask advised Yi Chen to buy a Pathway Guide from the Duke, noted that the Silver-haired Youth had completed the rare Moon Pathway, and warned Yi Chen to be careful of him.

After leaving Ignacy with Duke’s Chamber of Commerce, Yi Chen headed toward Within the Original Tomb to seek death-related benefits and learn more about the Fear Circus. His Living Train reached Bonfire Valley, where he felt at home among the dead.

• The Golden Masks merged into one, and Duke’s enlarged castle departed Ignacy amid a public farewell with Yi Chen and Candle Puppet Thirteen following.
• Yi Chen told Duke he planned to visit Within the Original Tomb before the skin factory and hoped to obtain a Deadperson's Wedge Stone and possibly a Death Horse.
• Duke gave Yi Chen a meatball to eat when he was ready to seek information about the Fear Circus.
• Yi Chen hired a specialized Living Train after learning it could only take him near Bonfire Valley, the boundary between the dead and the living.
• After sleeping through the two- or three-day journey, Yi Chen saw Bonfire Valley’s enormous bonfire and felt at home as dead beings appeared.

Yi Chen and Thirteen approached Bonfire Valley, where the dead had built a city controlling access to the mountain pass. After Black Wolf Berna tested Yi Chen with a sudden attack, he recognized him and offered to take him into the Original Tomb.

• The Black Roundworm Train stopped early because the dead were spreading along its route, and Yi Chen continued toward Bonfire Valley with Thirteen.
• Yi Chen learned that Thirteen could withstand the Death Plague because she had been made to remain in a half-dead state as a container for the bonfire.
• Yi Chen saw that a city of the dead controlled the only road to the bonfire and decided to seek information about the Original Tomb there.
• Black Wolf Berna attacked Yi Chen with a tombstone greatsword, but stopped after recognizing him as the human who had defeated Balte Prada.
• Berna invited Yi Chen into the Original Tomb, and Yi Chen mounted the warhorse with Thirteen sitting on his shoulder.

Yi Chen arrived at Blackmouth City with Berner, but Renato stopped them and required Yi Chen to undergo an entry test at the bonfire. When Yi Chen reached it, he and Little Grape discovered it was burning Evil Sun Kindling.

• Berner brought Yi Chen toward Blackmouth City on his transforming dire wolf and said Yi Chen could enter Within the Original Tomb without identity checks.
• Renato blocked the city gate and insisted that Yi Chen follow the entry rules, prompting Berner to ready his tombstone sword.
• Yi Chen calmed Berner and agreed to undergo inspection by attempting to obtain a flame seed from the bonfire.
• Renato vanished into the night but continued watching Yi Chen as he entered the deserted military fortress.
• Yi Chen climbed to the bonfire platform, where he and Little Grape realized the fire was burning Evil Sun Kindling.

Yi Chen resisted the urge to interfere with the ancient white flame, letting Thirteen receive its fireseed before they left Blackmouth City. He and Thirteen entered the dark canyon toward the original tomb, preparing to pass among the dead.

• Yi Chen felt the bonfire’s scorching awaken the Thorned Iron Chain, but Thirteen warned him that its firewood was Aozun, the evil sun’s second daughter, whose existence maintained the boundary between the living and the dead.
• Yi Chen forced the chains back into his body and told Thirteen to accept the fireseed; a crowned white figure infused the candle atop her head with a living white flame.
• Yi Chen decided to leave the bonfire undisturbed until he was stronger, while Little Grape urged him to return later and take its firewood.
• Thirteen’s new flame drove the dead away as she and Yi Chen descended into Blackmouth City, while Crow Knight Renato watched them with irritation.
• Yi Chen and Thirteen crossed the city and entered the dark canyon; he chained them together and used death-tainted clothing, a death spine, and an iron mask to disguise himself and endure the darkness.

Yi Chen and Thirteen crossed into the Realm of the Dead and followed the dead-plague bacteria through the Grave Forest toward the Original Tomb. They reached a bottomless abyss, where Yi Chen began climbing down with Thirteen on his back.

• Yi Chen and Thirteen entered the Realm of the Dead, where Thirteen warned him that time aged and might die in its depths.
• After crossing the canyon, Yi Chen examined the growing gravestones in the Grave Forest, and Little Grape said the place might awaken her memories and ancient corpses.
• Yi Chen used Little Grape’s Ash Eyes to trace the bacterial flow toward the Original Tomb rather than choose among the seven tomb districts.
• Thirteen pulled Yi Chen back from the edge after he became absorbed in microscopic vision and entered a Lost State.
• Yi Chen had Thirteen climb onto his back and used his Thorned Iron Chain ability to begin descending the abyss toward the Original Tomb.

Yi Chen and Thirteen descended through the Original Tomb Abyss, enduring days of climbing before reaching the world of the dead below. Yi Chen discovered that the dead lived happily together there, and Black Wolf Berna revealed that elevators offered a much easier way down.

• Yi Chen asked Thirteen about the abysses and discussed exploring the Extreme Dark Zone together after she mastered puppet crafting.
• Yi Chen climbed and then ran down the abyss for five days and nights, exhausting himself before reaching the dense death-plague fog.
• Yi Chen and Thirteen passed through the fog and saw a vast underground world where the dead danced, played sports, and enjoyed games and water parks.
• Yi Chen crashed into a plaza, drawing a crowd of amazed dead who recognized him as a rare visitor from above.
• Black Wolf Berna arrived and explained that Yi Chen had taken the hardest route because elevators were hidden among the gravestones.

Yi Chen toured the seven layers of the Original Tomb with Berner and learned about the Death Plague Knights and the First Dead. At the Lowest Level, he shielded Thirteen’s candle and went alone to meet the First Dead.

• Berner showed Yi Chen the Original Tomb Square and explained how the tombstone elevators launched troops to the surface.
• Berner demonstrated how his Death Horse transformed into a wolf-head pendant and led Yi Chen to a knight’s elevator.
• The elevator attendant Vivi recognized Yi Chen, activated tour mode, and described the Original Tomb’s history and seven layers.
• Vivi criticized the Knight Order’s decline, and Berner rebuked her as the elevator descended toward the Lowest Level.
• At the Lowest Level, Yi Chen shielded Thirteen’s candle from the First Dead’s deathly presence, then left Berner with his student and walked alone toward the mausoleum.

Yi Chen reached the First Tomb and met the First Dead, who offered him a place in the original tomb and proposed a future exploration of death together. Bound by an existing Soul Contract, Yi Chen declined to stay but agreed to return once he had fulfilled the contract and grown stronger.

• Yi Chen crossed the Giant Tomb, found flowers and the inscription “For-My-Older-Brother” at a damaged gravestone, and followed a newly revealed passage into the First Tomb.
• Yi Chen saw the First Dead bound to a towering cross, its lower skull nurturing the oldest death plague.
• The First Dead offered Yi Chen death resources and a hundred years to grow in exchange for joining it.
• Yi Chen explained that his Soul Contract prevented him from accepting, and the First Dead verified the contract by probing him with Black Fog.
• Yi Chen and the First Dead agreed to explore death together in the future, after Yi Chen fulfilled his contract and approached the First Dead’s level.

Yi Chen received High-class Dead Citizen status from The First Dead and learned that a Deadperson's Wedge Stone could only be obtained by defeating an Abyssal Death Image. He secured a chance to join a subjugation if he could persuade Vivi to accompany the party, then went to investigate her while staying at Black Funeral House.

• The First Dead sent Yi Chen back to the elevator and granted him High-class Dead Citizen status.
• Vivi brought Yi Chen to the fourth-level residential district, where he met Berner and Thirteen at Berner's underground residence.
• Yi Chen told Berner he wanted a Deadperson's Wedge Stone to upgrade Dead Spine Lake, and Berner explained that the stones could drop from Abyssal Death Images.
• Berner agreed to seek approval for Yi Chen to join a Death Image subjugation if he persuaded Vivi to come along.
• Yi Chen chose to stay at Black Funeral House and investigate Vivi before approaching her for a private conversation.

Yi Chen learned how the Original Tomb was governed and sought out Mr. Bone Listener for information about Vivian West. After paying six thousand Ancient Coins, he received details about her schedule and the Knight Order, leaving him with the information he needed to plan his next move.

• Yi Chen studied the Original Tomb’s hierarchy and learned that the Knight Order managed it under The First Dead’s authority.
• Yi Chen asked the Black Funeral House’s owner about Vivian West and was directed to Mr. Bone Listener.
• Mr. Bone Listener offered Vivian’s information for thirty thousand Ancient Coins or an ear, then agreed to a discount after touching Yi Chen’s ear for three hours.
• Thirteen massaged Yi Chen’s swollen ear through the night, and Yi Chen later paid six thousand Ancient Coins for detailed information about Vivian and the Knight Order.
• Mr. Bone Listener warned Yi Chen to read and destroy the information or he would take Yi Chen’s ear and hearing.

On her monthly day off, Vivian met Yi Chen at a bar and discussed the Cancer Palace, the First Dead, and the former Death Plague Knights commander. After Yi Chen proved he was wanted by the Monastery and showed Duke Garryson’s mark, Vivian’s attitude toward him changed.

• Vivian disguised herself as an ordinary dead person and went to the Patella and Wine bar, where Yi Chen approached her.
• Yi Chen explained that he had severed ties with Berner, visited the Cancer Palace, and hoped to remain neutral; Vivian questioned him about the Tumor Knights.
• Yi Chen shared his impression that the First Dead seemed uninterested in the Original Tomb’s affairs, prompting Vivian to criticize the current leadership and praise the former commander.
• Vivian recounted how invaders implanted a Mind Entity in the former commander, leaving him in a Lost State, and revealed that the Monastery imprisoned him in its dungeon.
• Vivian suspected Yi Chen had ties to the Monastery because of his Spiked Mask, but Yi Chen said he was a wanted criminal and planned to confront the Monastery’s leader.
• Yi Chen showed Vivian the chains inside his body and Duke Garryson’s product insignia, convincing her and changing her attitude toward him.

Yi Chen persuaded Vivian to help him hunt an Abyssal Death Image in exchange for a Wedge Stone and the chance to reach the Original Commander. Vivian and Berner assembled a team with Mr. Bone Listener, and they set out for the Lowest Level.

• Yi Chen and Vivian spent the night discussing the Original Commander, and Yi Chen explained that he wanted to obtain a Wedge Stone before going to the leather factory.
• Yi Chen offered to help Vivian reach the Original Commander if she helped him hunt an Abyssal Death Image and obtain a Wedge Stone.
• Vivian agreed to the hunt and told Yi Chen to fetch Berner before her Elevator Duty resumed.
• Berner returned with Mr. Bone Listener, who recognized Yi Chen and reacted strangely when he saw him.
• The group prepared to travel to the Lowest Level, where the Death Image was located.

Yi Chen joined Berner, Vivian, and Stephen on a mission to destroy an Abyssal Death Image and retrieve a Wedge Stone. After their ambush shattered what they thought was their target, Stephen and Berner realized it was a decoy and that the real death image had lured them into a trap.

• Berner explained that death images formed around the First Dead and that breaking one could yield a Wedge Stone, while Vivian warned Yi Chen that even a slight injury could inflict Final Withering.
• Stephen used his sound-sensing abilities to locate two disturbances, and the squad followed him toward the weaker death image.
• Berner launched a silent Wolf Strike that cracked the stone image, and Vivian tore it apart with giant hands.
• Stephen noticed the sound of the shattered image was wrong, and Berner identified it as bait made by the awakened real death image.