Chapter Summaries

Lanchi summoned the Tier 8 phantom Poet of Great Love, who incapacitated Warden Melissa with a breath. The phantom then challenged Lanchi, furious that he seemed unaffected and was silently mocking her.

• Lanchi decided to use the Ferrat-style Emotional Calming Method on Warden Melissa and prepared to summon the Poet of Great Love.
• The Tier 8 phantom Poet of Great Love emerged from black mist at the end of the corridor.
• Warden Melissa charged toward the phantom, but its breath overwhelmed her and left her collapsed on the floor.
• The phantom Poet of Great Love asked why Lanchi was not afraid and offered him a Great Demon Race Mark if he defeated her.
• Lanchi held back laughter and regarded the phantom with pity, provoking her into a rage.

On Helrom Prison’s Negative Fifth Floor, Lanchi faced Lanfu’s Tier 8 phantom, the Poet of Great Love, whose emotional magic failed to affect him. When she attacked him in anger, he produced an Orange Semi-Transparent Magic Card, reluctant to fight her.

• The Poet of Great Love tried to unsettle Lanchi with threats and magic that heightened desire, but he remained unaffected.
• Lanchi told Lanfu’s phantom that he was a man and mocked her attempts to charm him.
• Furious that her power had failed, the Poet of Great Love attacked Lanchi with her black-jade fingertips.
• Lanchi produced an Orange Semi-Transparent Magic Card and said that seeing Lanfu like this made him sad.

Lanchi used the Nuclear Fusion Wolf to defeat and seal the Phantom Poet of Great Love on the Negative Fifth Floor. The Poet of Great Love then gained the Hopeless Mark and became a Nameless Great Demon Race.

• The Phantom Poet of Great Love assumed Lanchi’s Magic Card summoned a weak creature, but Lanchi released the Nuclear Fusion Wolf.
• The Nuclear Fusion Wolf burned and pinned down the Phantom Poet of Great Love, whose summoned-creature attributes made her vulnerable to it.
• Lanchi refused the Phantom Poet of Great Love’s pleas and had the Nuclear Fusion Wolf seal her into a Magic Card, which vanished into the labyrinth’s Barrier Magic Power.
• The Phantom Poet of Great Love was surrounded by gathering magic power and received the Hopeless Mark, recognized by Hopeless Sadia.
• Lanchi realized that the connected marks had transformed him into a Nameless Great Demon Race.

While preparing food at Cat Boss Restaurant, Talia sensed that a new Great Demon Race had appeared and wondered who it was, then remembered her missing friend Antanas. She arranged to visit South Wantina Territory during the academy break to see a painting Lanchi had made.

• Talia paused while cutting vegetables after sensing that someone connected to her had become a Great Demon Race.
• Asina asked what was wrong, and Talia told her she had remembered a close friend she had not seen in a long time.
• Asina suggested asking Lanchi to help find the friend, but Talia declined because the friend was Antanas, an ancient Great Demon Race.
• Talia asked Asina for a few days off during the midterm break so she could return to South Wantina Territory.
• Talia told Asina she wanted to visit the Wilford Family and see the painting Lanchi had made.

After defeating Warden Melissa on Helrom Prison’s Negative Fifth Floor, Lanchi gained the Hopeless Mark and arranged for Melissa to receive medical care without revealing what had happened. He reunited with the others at the Exit Teleportation Hall, where they prepared to search for the floor’s second Great Demon Race.

• Lanchi assessed the Hopeless Mark’s effect on his summoned creatures and found Warden Melissa unconscious after their confrontation.
• Lanchi told the arriving medical team that Melissa had suffered from work-related psychological stress and asked them to pass on information about counseling.
• The medical team carried Melissa away, and Lanchi continued toward the Exit Teleportation Hall.
• Antanas, Hughberlian, and the two Ba Tian Priests gathered in the hall and waited for Lanchi, while Hughberlian worried about what had happened to him.
• Lanchi arrived, noted that they could now see the floor’s prisoner list, and joined the others as they prepared to find the second Great Demon Race.

Lanchi and Antanas assessed the strength of Law-Breaking Sinora and considered how she and other demons might fare against a powerful mage. Lanchi used their estimates to prepare for a formidable opponent at the upcoming Bishop Election, while Hughberlian hoped to finish the Ba Tian Branch transaction and leave Helrom.

• Lanchi told Hughberlian that he had found the warden already badly injured and sent her back to the Basic Level for medical care.
• Lanchi and Antanas confirmed that Law-Breaking Sinora was imprisoned on the Negative Fifth Floor, while Truth-Seeking Planai was on the Negative Sixth Floor.
• Antanas explained that Sinora could reverse-engineer spells and dismantle them after seeing them once, though the Hopeless Extinction War made her own cell a Safe Zone.
• Lanchi asked Antanas whether she and Sinora could defeat an Eighth-Rank mage, and Antanas said they might succeed with Planai's help, even against Isis.
• Lanchi resolved to judge the coming opponent at Askesang's peak strength, while Hughberlian hoped to complete the Ba Tian Branch deal and return to the Aetherland Kingdom.

Lanchi, disguised as the Poet of Great Love, traveled with Antanas and Hughberlian to Law-Breaking Sinora’s cell in Helrom Prison. As Antanas explained Sinora’s weakness around handsome men, Lanchi prepared to negotiate with her, while Hughberlian briefly glimpsed something demonic in his eyes.

• Antanas led Lanchi and Hughberlian toward Sinora’s cell and warned Lanchi to stay cautious around her.
• Antanas revealed that Sinora kept her eyes closed because handsome male enemies distracted her and made her hesitate in battle.
• Lanchi decided he would negotiate with Sinora while Hughberlian waited outside with Antanas.
• Antanas guided Lanchi and the Poet of Great Love to Sinora’s sealed cell after they paid the Service Points to unlock its entrance.
• As Lanchi refocused on Helrom Prison, Hughberlian briefly saw emerald-green demonic pupils in his eyes, though they looked human when she examined them.

Poet of Great Love and Antanas entered Sinora’s special cell, despite Hughberlian and the Ice Witch’s fears that approaching the dangerous demon would provoke her. They reached Sinora sitting quietly in the dark, and she showed no reaction to their arrival.

• Hughberlian worried that Sinora and Planai might attack the group, but Poet of Great Love followed Antanas into Sinora’s cell.
• The Ice Witch warned Hughberlian against provoking the imprisoned demons and blamed Loren’s student for encouraging her recklessness.
• Loren endured the Ice Witch’s anger and wondered what Lanchi was trying to accomplish at the prison.
• Poet of Great Love and Antanas found Sinora seated in the dim cell, her powerful aura filling the room.
• Sinora remained still with her eyes closed as Antanas and Poet of Great Love approached.

Antanas and the Poet of Great Love entered Sinora’s cell, where Sinora attacked them before recognizing Antanas’s magic. The Poet revealed her face, leaving Sinora shocked by how much she resembled Talia.

• Antanas approached Sinora’s cell with the Poet of Great Love behind her and called Sinora’s name.
• Sinora attacked them with her halberd-staff, but Antanas’s barriers blocked the blows.
• Antanas shouted her name and trapped Sinora inside a barrier, prompting Sinora to recognize Antanas’s magic.
• Antanas denied betraying the demons and told Sinora they had come to rescue her.
• The Poet of Great Love removed her mask, and Sinora mistook her for Talia before wondering whether Talia had married.

The Poet of Great Love asked Sinora to leave Helrom Prison in exchange for a fair Demon Race Trade Contract, but Sinora challenged her with the pressure of a Great Demon Race. Sinora discovered that the Poet of Great Love had a resonant demonic mark and agreed to consider a transaction, though she refused to leave without seeing her true form.

• The Poet of Great Love asked Sinora what she wanted and proposed a fair trade in return for Sinora forming a contract before leaving Helrom Prison.
• Sinora rejected the offer and released the pressure of her Great Demon Race status, but the Poet of Great Love stood firm as different patterns appeared in her eyes.
• Sinora teleported away and realized the Poet of Great Love was also a Great Demon Race whose power she could not discern.
• The Poet of Great Love said she had come to rescue Sinora and asked to borrow her strength in exchange for an equivalent transaction.
• Sinora asked to see the Poet of Great Love's true form, but the Poet of Great Love said Sinora could see it only after leaving with her, so Sinora lost interest.

Poet of Great Love revealed herself as a Great Demon and refused Sinora’s offer to lead a rebellion against the Protos Empire, proposing instead that humans and demons coexist peacefully. Sinora remained unwilling to abandon vengeance, but Poet of Great Love’s questions left her uncertain about what victory would achieve.

• Sinora asked Poet of Great Love to lead the demons in restoring their nation by taking control of the Protos Empire.
• Poet of Great Love refused, saying she did not want innocent people to suffer, and suggested changing the Empire so humans and demons could coexist.
• Sinora argued that the demons’ pursuit of revenge was justified and rejected the idea of surviving by meekly cooperating with humans.
• Poet of Great Love warned Sinora that conviction could become harmful and asked whether revenge would truly help the demons.
• Sinora admitted she did not know what would happen after defeating the Empire, while Antanas noticed that Poet of Great Love’s words were making Sinora’s resolve waver.

The Poet of Great Love persuaded Sinora to question her desire to restore the demons’ former power and focus on the present. Sinora chose to leave Helrom Prison with him, while Antanas suspected his words had an unsettling power over people.

• Sinora challenged the Poet of Great Love to explain whether demons should reclaim their status and rule, and he asked what kind of leader she expected him to be.
• The Poet of Great Love questioned whether conquering the world would solve the endless struggle for resources, leaving Sinora unable to answer.
• He urged Sinora not to remain trapped in the past or place too much hope in the future, and promised to give her the best present.
• Antanas noticed that Sinora’s resolve was wavering and wondered whether the Poet of Great Love could influence people through their thoughts.
• The Poet of Great Love mentioned Talia’s happy life and suggested Sinora was wasting her time in prison, stirring Sinora’s jealousy.
• Sinora decided to leave and seize the present, while Antanas grew suspicious of the Poet of Great Love’s persuasive ability.

Sinora pledged allegiance to the Poet of Great Love, who chose a Demon Race's Transaction over a slave contract because he trusted her. Before leaving Helrom Prison, Sinora gave Lanchi her Law-Breaking Mark, adding another passive magic to his collection.

• Sinora bowed to the Poet of Great Love and pledged to follow him, agreeing to help him and Antanas fight an eighth-tier enemy.
• Sinora offered to sign a slave contract, but the Poet of Great Love refused and said he trusted her, choosing a Demon Race's Transaction instead.
• Sinora asked how else she could help, and the Poet of Great Love requested her title mark.
• With Antanas lowering the protective barrier, Sinora performed the inheritance ritual and bestowed the Law-Breaking Mark on Lanchi.
• Lanchi inspected the mark, which slightly reduced the impact of spell effects, and thanked Sinora for its usefulness.

The Poet of Great Love arranged for Sinora to escape Helrom Prison by trading places with a loyal Ba Tian Priest and giving Sinora a human identity. Sinora learned she would live as a professor and student in the Protos Empire, leaving her stunned by the comfortable life prepared for her.

• The Poet of Great Love asked a female Ba Tian Priest to impersonate Sinora until he and the bishop could rescue her.
• The Ba Tian Priest transformed into Law-Breaking Sinora, while Sinora used Transformation Art: Human to take on the priest's appearance.
• Sinora realized the New King had prepared her new appearance and identity with care, and she thanked him.
• The Poet of Great Love gave Sinora an academy Student Bracelet and explained her identity as a Boen City native and third-year student at the Protos Royal Magic Academy.
• The Poet of Great Love told Sinora she would work as a Senior Professor four days a week, take minor church assignments, and experience life in Helrom before possibly leaving the Northern Continent with them.

Lanchi arranged for Sinora to leave Helrom Prison and take a long vacation in the Southern Continent, where she could help at Cat Boss Restaurant when needed. After the group escaped Sinora’s cell, her dangerous phantom appeared, forcing them to flee toward the Exit Teleportation Hall.

• Lanchi offered Sinora a paid vacation in the Southern Continent and said she could help at Cat Boss Restaurant during busy periods.
• Sinora and Antanas left the cell with the Poet of Great Love, knowing Sinora’s phantom would pursue them outside the Safe Zone.
• The Ice Witch recognized Sinora in the observation space and suspected Loren was secretly orchestrating events.
• Hughberlian carried the Poet of Great Love and ran after the escaping group as they fled Sinora’s phantom.
• Antanas told Sinora that Hughberlian was Ifatia’s daughter, and Sinora wondered who would dare marry Ifatia.

Poet of Great Love and the others reached the Negative Sixth Floor’s Teleportation Hall, where Lanchi asked Sinora about her brother, Truth-Seeking Planai. Sinora explained Planai’s beliefs and abilities, and Lanchi prepared to meet him with her help.

• Hughberlian carried Poet of Great Love to the Exit Teleportation Hall, while Antanas led the group along the mapped route.
• Sinora reached the Teleportation Hall and felt relieved that she could now pass through the Void Teleportation Gate with her legitimate Protos Empire identity.
• Lanchi asked Sinora about Planai, and she explained that her older brother opposed the holy war and wanted demons to understand and coexist with humans.
• Sinora told Lanchi that Planai could see through falsehood and magical disguises and could predict opponents’ movements to a limited extent.
• Lanchi reflected that Planai’s Talent Magic might have developed further if he had reached the ninth tier, and Sinora offered to help him speak with her brother.
• Lanchi felt relieved that Talia and Ifatia still remembered the Sinora siblings and resolved to bring Talia’s friends home for a good New Year.

Hughberlian and her group reached Helrom Prison’s Negative Sixth Floor, where they had to patrol and repair cells inside an increasingly dangerous illusion. Warden Deria stopped them before they could begin, leaving the group waiting to hear what she wanted.

• Hughberlian and the Poet of Great Love entered the Negative Sixth Floor through the Void Teleportation Gate with their teammates.
• The group read the floor’s rules and learned that they needed to inspect the cells, earn Warden Deria’s permission, and pass a final evaluation to return to the Basic Level.
• Hughberlian recalled the Upside-Down Path to Rebirth trial and considered how the illusion’s danger increased with fear and time spent outside the Safe Zone.
• Hughberlian greeted Warden Deria and said the group would start their patrol and repair work.
• Deria stopped the group as they were about to leave the Safe Zone and beckoned them over.

Hughberlian and her companions reached Deria, the Negative Sixth Floor warden, who demanded they drink with her to earn permission to proceed. Poet of Great Love recovered his senses and volunteered to handle the situation, but froze when he recognized the liquor.

• Hughberlian asked Deria how the group could earn her evaluation and permission to pass.
• Deria explained that drinking with her would determine their evaluation, then set out Snowy Plains Liquor.
• Deria said she was protected by her mentor, Great Sage Isis, and teased the students for hesitating.
• Poet of Great Love sensed Hughberlian's distress, reassured her, and assessed the situation.
• Poet of Great Love fell silent when he saw the liquor, remembering the trouble alcohol had caused him before.

Poet of Great Love drank against Warden Deria to secure help for Hughberlian, despite the liquor overwhelming her body. Hughberlian fed her more drinks as the contest continued, while Antanas and Sinora worried she might not survive.

• Poet of Great Love chose to drink with Warden Deria rather than let Hughberlian take his place.
• Poet of Great Love and Warden Deria began a drinking contest, with Deria growing increasingly excited as they matched each other glass for glass.
• Poet of Great Love became too weak to lift his glass and asked Hughberlian to help him.
• Hughberlian realized Poet of Great Love wanted her to pour the liquor into her mouth and, trusting her, fed her the drink.
• Antanas worried Poet of Great Love might already have died, while Sinora admitted she would have collapsed much earlier.

The Poet of Great Love defeated Warden Deria in a drinking contest and earned a top-tier evaluation, then insisted on continuing through the Negative Sixth Floor despite his failing body. As Lanfu dreamed helplessly through his actions, he headed into the Upside-Down Path to Rebirth while Antanas and Sinora prepared to reach Truth-Seeking Planai.

• The Poet of Great Love kept drinking until Warden Deria collapsed, and she awarded the group a top-tier evaluation before passing out.
• The Poet of Great Love gave Warden Deria the Redmond Building’s visiting hours through his Demonic Voice, then fell over from physical exhaustion.
• The Poet of Great Love refused Hughberlian’s offer to take over and ordered Antanas and Sinora to rush toward Truth-Seeking Planai’s cell once he unlocked the floor.
• The Poet of Great Love entered the Upside-Down Path to Rebirth alone, while Sinora and Antanas marveled at his resistance to the illusion.
• Lanfu dreamed that a demon controlled her body, tormented her with a giant wolf, and forced her to drink until she felt as though she were falling apart.