Chapter Summaries

Sunan helped Kei outfit Blackstone City’s growing army with Blackrock Panthers, while the city prospered and Muzar offered Sunan an extravagant birthday gift. After learning that Owen’s former allies would attend a festival in Shining City, Kei decided to attack the Blackscale Lizardmen, and Sunan agreed to join him.

• Kei assigned the first Blackrock Panther to Brad, and Sunan explained that each mount cost about thirty-eight Gold Coins to craft.
• Over two months, Blackstone City prospered as the reopened mine attracted merchants and the city absorbed refugees into its army and farmland.
• At Sunan’s seventeenth-birthday banquet, Muzar gave him twelve rubies, and Kei later suggested that Muzar was courting Sunan because he was a Wizard Apprentice.
• Kei learned that Zolv, Norwood, and Devon would attend the Harvest Festival in Shining City and grew concerned that Owen would soon move against Blackstone City.
• Kei decided to attack the Blackscale Lizardmen nest in three days, and Sunan rose to join the expedition.

Kei led Blackstone City's cavalry and soldiers to attack the Blackscale Lizardmen Tribe in the Redhorn Wilderness. The Blackrock Panther Cavalry and Sunan's Acid Splash overwhelmed the lizardmen, who recoiled in fear from his magic.

• Kei led more than five hundred soldiers into the Redhorn Wilderness to attack the Blackscale Lizardmen Tribe.
• The army confronted hundreds of armed lizardmen, including a Peak Knight-level chieftain and more than a dozen knight-level warriors.
• The cavalrymen drank Sunan's Brute Force Potions and charged the lizardmen atop their Blackrock Panthers.
• The Blackrock Panther Cavalry tore through the lizardmen's defenses, exploiting their inexperience against mounted beasts.
• Sunan cast Acid Splash from the rear and killed a knight-level Blackscale Lizardman, frightening the nearby warriors.

Sunan used spells and a Fire Sprite to defeat the Blackscale Lizardmen’s giant mutant lizard. After capturing the exhausted creature, he sent the Fire Sprite toward the surviving lizardmen, leaving them terrified.

• Sunan killed seven knight-level Blackscale Lizardmen with Acid Splash while Kei kept the Chieftain from reaching him.
• A mutant Giant Lizard ambushed Sunan, but Brad was knocked aside when he tried to stop it.
• Sunan used Sleep Spell and a Summon Monster scroll to bring forth a Fire Sprite, which burned the Giant Lizard and drove it into retreat.
• Sunan stopped the Fire Sprite, put the wounded Giant Lizard to sleep, and drained its strength with Touch of Fatigue while the Blackrock Panther pinned it down.
• Sunan turned toward the battle and sent the Fire Sprite after the surviving Blackscale Lizardmen, who watched in horror.

Sunan helped Kei’s forces destroy the Blackscale Lizardmen, then used their blood and the Giant Lizard Mutant’s Dragon Lizard Blood to produce potions. After synthesizing and drinking a Dragon Blood Potion, Sunan greatly increased his constitution and prepared another potion for Kei.

• The Fire Sprite killed the Blackscale Lizardman Chieftain and routed the tribe, while Kei’s forces captured surviving Blackscale Lizardmen and the Giant Lizard Mutant.
• Kei’s army returned to Blackstone City to cheering crowds, and Kei held a celebratory banquet for the victorious knights.
• Sunan made Lesser Dragon Blood Potions from the captured blood, helping new knights emerge in Blackstone City.
• Sunan drew Dragon Lizard Blood from the recovered Giant Lizard Mutant and used it to make more Lesser Dragon Blood Potions.
• Sunan synthesized a low-grade Dragon Blood Potion, drank it, and increased his constitution from 5.61 to 11.46.
• Sunan made another Dragon Blood Potion for Kei, expecting it to help him advance to Grand Knight.

Sunan advanced to a Level Two Wizard Apprentice after completing the fourth level of Star Ring Meditation, gaining stronger control over Energy Particles and faster spellcasting. He decided to explore his new abilities, activate his Blood Vine Ring, create Energy Rune Gems, and consider transforming the Giant Lizard Mutant into a Magic Pet.

• After Kei became a Grand Knight, Sunan shut himself in his meditation room to prepare for advancement.
• Sunan completed Star Ring Meditation Lv4 and advanced to a Level Two Wizard Apprentice, increasing his Spirit Power and Physique.
• Sunan discovered that his spellcasting preparation time had decreased and demonstrated his new ability to manipulate Energy Particles into elemental effects.
• Sunan realized he could now activate the Blood Vine Ring and create Energy Rune Gems.
• Sunan remembered the Giant Lizard Mutant in his courtyard and decided it might make a powerful Magic Pet.

Sunan studied Shield Spell and crafted Rune Gems to strengthen his defenses and offense, while considering how to fund faster advancement. He then began a Physical Modification Experiment on the Giant Lizard, hoping to give it camouflage abilities before turning it into a Magic Pet.

• Sunan began learning Shield Spell and crafted two defensive Earth Rune Gems, then made offensive and healing Rune Gems.
• Sunan realized that increasing his Spirit Power enough to advance would take many years and considered reclaiming Shining Territory to raise his income.
• Sunan brought the weakened Giant Lizard to his laboratory and prepared to modify it before transforming it into a Magic Pet.
• Sunan used a Green Chameleon as the source for a camouflage-related modification and put the Giant Lizard to sleep before beginning the experiment.

At the Harvest Festival, nobles discussed Blackstone City’s rise and Sunan’s rumored role in it. Owen concluded that Kei and Sunan had become a threat and decided to eliminate them through assassination rather than invade openly.

• At the Harvest Festival banquet, guests gossiped about Blackstone City’s growth and dismissed Sunan as incapable of causing it.
• Owen told Zolv, Devon, and Norwood that Kei and Sunan had reopened the Blackstone Mining Area, defeated the Blackscale Lizardmen, and formed a Cavalry Regiment.
• Zolv, Devon, and Norwood argued that Blackstone City’s cavalry posed little threat, but Owen knew its new mounts had helped it defeat the Blackscale Lizardmen with few losses.
• Owen decided he could no longer delay dealing with his nephews and said Kei and Sunan’s deaths would return Blackstone City to his control.
• Owen rejected sending troops and implied that he would arrange an assassination, leaving the three knights to consider how to target the brothers, including the reportedly Grand Knight Kei.

Sunan transformed the giant lizard into a Magic Pet, greatly increasing its size and strength while granting it the Ethereal Shift Ability. After testing its new powers, he named it Hidden Dragon.

• Sunan tested the giant lizard’s enhanced color-changing ability, which nearly made it invisible but still revealed its position through sound.
• Sunan used a Contract Array and a Rune Gem to transform the giant lizard into a Magic Pet, and its body grew into a huge, scaled form.
• Sunan tested the transformed creature’s strength, toughness, and ability to vanish from sight.
• The giant lizard turned incorporeal and passed through a tree stump, revealing its newly awakened Ethereal Shift Ability.
• Sunan named the giant lizard Hidden Dragon.

Kei oversaw three Apprentice Knights taking Sunan’s Lesser Dragon Blood Potion, while Blackstone City’s army received diluted potion to strengthen its warriors. The city’s supply of lizard blood was running low, and Kei continued to rely on Sunan as Blackstone City expanded its strength.

• Jordan led three excited Apprentice Knights to the Training Field and reassured them about taking the potion, crediting Sunan for making their advancement possible.
• Kei ordered Brad to distribute diluted Lesser Dragon Blood Potion to eligible warriors, with officers receiving an extra bowl each day.
• Kei gave the three Apprentice Knights their potions; two advanced immediately, while the third was expected to advance after several days of cultivation.
• Kei reflected that Blackstone City had more than a hundred knights, but the supply of Blackscale Lizardmen blood was exhausted and potion production would have to slow.
• Kei saw Geller’s servants carrying skinned sheep to Sunan’s courtyard and let them pass without asking why Sunan’s Giant Lizard needed the meat.

Sunan planned to raise Hidden Dragon’s Dragon Lizard Bloodline concentration by repeatedly drawing, synthesizing, and transfusing its blood. That night, Hidden Dragon ambushed two assassins who infiltrated Sunan’s courtyard, killing one and incapacitating the other.

• Sunan considered how to increase Hidden Dragon’s Dragon Lizard Bloodline concentration after Dragon Blood Potion had little effect.
• Sunan decided to use the Synthesis Cube to upgrade Hidden Dragon’s blood and transfuse it back, though the procedure would need to be repeated over time.
• Two assassins slipped into Sunan’s courtyard and searched for his room, unaware that Hidden Dragon was watching them.
• Hidden Dragon killed one assassin and revealed itself to the other.
• The surviving assassin fled toward the courtyard wall, but Hidden Dragon struck him down and overwhelmed him.

Sunan discovered that assassins had attacked his residence and rushed to help defend the main building, where two Grand Knight-level killers were fighting his people. Hidden Dragon revealed its immense new power and killed one assassin, leaving the other terrified as the battle continued.

• Hidden Dragon killed the two Advanced Knight assassins who entered Sunan’s courtyard, and Sunan realized his elder brother might also be under attack.
• Sunan cast a Shield Spell and hurried to the main building after sensing a commotion there.
• Brad and the knights struggled against a Grand Knight while Kei fought a Black Sword Knight, so Sunan ordered everyone to fall back.
• Hidden Dragon struck the Grand Knight while invisible, then revealed itself and tore him apart.
• The Black Sword Knight realized the assassination operation had badly misjudged Blackstone City’s defenders and stared at Hidden Dragon in terror.

Sunan defeated the Black Sword Knight after Hidden Dragon killed the Middle-aged Knight, and Kei learned that Owen had likely arranged the attack through the Golden Rock Marquis. The Blackstone City forces prepared for further threats from the Marquis, while Sunan remained confident and concealed his willingness to abandon the territory if necessary.

• Hidden Dragon ambushed and killed the Middle-aged Knight, while the Black Sword Knight charged at Sunan and his Aura Emission attack struck an invisible Tower Shield.
• Sunan threw a glittering ruby that blasted the Black Sword Knight into a tree and left him unconscious.
• Jordan and the armored knights arrived after the fight, and Kei ordered the battlefield cleared and the unconscious assassin taken away.
• Kei told Sunan that Owen had sent the assassin, and Sunan suspected Owen had used the Golden Rock Marquis's connections.
• Sunan reassured Kei that the Marquis would likely avoid openly seizing a vassal's territory, though they needed to watch for more assassins.
• Jordan heard Brad describe Hidden Dragon's abilities, and the Knights marveled at Sunan's power.

Sunan used Charm Human to make the Black Sword Knight reveal that the Starfire Cult had sent him to assassinate Blackstone City's lord and had secretly killed nobles across Golden Rock Province. The chapter left Sunan suspecting the Golden Rock Marquis had a deeper objective than taking control of the province.

• Kei ordered the attack kept secret while the wounded Black Sword Knight was imprisoned, but two days of torture yielded no information.
• Sunan questioned the captive with Charm Human, learning his name was Yuri Ellick and that Priest Casper had sent him.
• Yuri revealed that he belonged to the Starfire Cult and named spies in Blackstone City, prompting Brad and Jordan to leave and make arrests.
• Sunan learned that the Starfire Cult cooperated with nobles, had strongholds in Golden Rock Province, and had assassinated several local nobles over the past decade.
• Yuri disclosed that the Starfire Cult had arranged the death of Sunan's nominal father, leading Sunan to suspect the Golden Rock Marquis had a deeper plan for the province.

Sunan learned that the Starfire Cult had been hunting a mysterious feline Magical Creature in Stone Bell City, apparently on orders related to wizards. He planned to investigate after preparing, while Kei secured Blackstone City and resolved to reclaim Shining Territory.

• Sunan interrogated the Black Sword Knight and learned that the Starfire Cult had hunted a cat-like Magical Creature near Stone Bell City for reasons connected to wizards.
• Kei learned of Golden Rock Marquis's role in Storm Earl's attack and concluded that reclaiming Shining Territory could give them a chance to oppose him.
• Sunan told Kei he planned to travel to Stone Bell City to find the Magical Creature, and said he would prepare before leaving.
• Kei moved into the Military Camp for protection, and Sunan upgraded Kei's Blackrock Panther to Grand Knight level.

Sunan prepared to leave for Stone Bell City while planning to sell diluted potions through the Fire Fox Merchant Guild to fund his advancement. After arranging the trade with Kei, he rode Hidden Dragon out of Blackstone City in the first snow of the Frostfall Moon.

• Sunan decided to sell diluted Tier-Zero Potions through the Fire Fox Merchant Guild to increase Blackstone City's income and pay for better Activity Potions.
• Sunan prepared for the journey by bringing Hidden Dragon, more than thirty Rune Gems, Spell Scrolls, and the Blood Vine Ring.
• Sunan presented the potions to Kei, who agreed to contact Muzar and arrange a sale to the Thorn Flower Principality.
• Kei warned Sunan that the Starfire Cult might attempt another assassination, and Sunan left the Military Camp.
• Sunan rode Hidden Dragon into the wilderness as snow began falling, heading toward Stone Bell City.

Sunan heard that Kubeiro Baronet’s manor was haunted and considered investigating the evil spirit for its potential use in creating a Soul Crystal, but chose to focus on the Starfire Cult first. Later that night, Sandy tried to visit his room, not knowing he had already left.

• Sunan went to the Golden Wheat Tavern to gather information while searching for the Starfire Cult’s stronghold in Stone Bell City.
• Sunan overheard patrons say that Kubeiro Baronet’s manor was haunted and that knights sent inside had failed to return.
• Sunan considered investigating the manor because an evil spirit could provide material for a Soul Crystal, but decided to prioritize the Starfire Cult.
• Sandy went to Sunan’s room late at night to offer him a massage, but received no answer and turned away after refusing another man’s request.
• Sunan’s room had already been empty.

Sunan questioned Honi Diomand, a Starfire Cultist, and learned that the cult was searching for a Magical Creature in the north side of Stone Bell City. Before Sunan could finish questioning him, a mysterious white cat appeared inside the locked room and spoke.

• Sunan followed a Starfire Cultist from the cult's stronghold to a commoner's house and found him secretly meeting Baronet Kubeiro's wife.
• Sunan knocked Honi Diomand and Kubeiro's wife unconscious, then used Charm Human to question Honi.
• Honi revealed that Priest Troy and Ryan Priest led the search for the Magical Creature, using an underground passage and searching the north side of the city.
• Sunan decided to search the north side of the city with Hidden Dragon rather than waste time finding the underground passage's exit.
• A white cat appeared on the table despite the closed doors and windows, approached Sunan, and asked what he was doing.

Sunan met Amy, a talking cat who could travel through space and had escaped the Starfire Cult after stealing an item from her missing master's residence. Amy showed him a piece of God Blood Amber, which Sunan secretly examined and discovered could increase Energy Particle affinity but cause mental pollution.

• Sunan was startled when Amy spoke, then learned her name and watched her use Space Travel to cross the room instantly.
• Amy explained that her master, whom she called Master, had disappeared while she was asleep and that the Starfire Cult had searched the residence and tried to catch her.
• Amy said she had followed the cult to reclaim her master's belongings but took the wrong item, prompting the cult to pursue her.
• Amy produced a round piece of amber from her spatial bell, and Sunan secretly put it in his magic cube to inspect it.
• Sunan learned the amber contained God blood and could increase Energy Particle affinity while causing fanatical faith through prolonged exposure.

Sunan discovered that the God Blood Amber increased Energy Particle absorption but caused dangerous Mental Pollution, and he agreed to help Amy drive away the Starfire Cult in exchange for more. When Starfire Cult members ambushed them, Sunan revealed his power as a wizard and faced their leaders, Troy and Ryan.

• Sunan touched the God Blood Amber, experienced visions and murmurs from its Mental Pollution, and realized it could also enhance Energy Particle absorption.
• Sunan learned that Amy had taken one piece of God Blood Amber and that the Starfire Cult had twenty-five; Amy offered to give him the amber if he helped drive away the people pursuing her.
• Sunan wrapped up the amber, snapped Honi's neck, and activated the Earth Rune Gem when attackers burst into the room and killed the noblewoman with sword energy.
• Sunan went outside and found more than twenty Starfire Cult members surrounding the house, led by the Grand Knights Troy and Ryan.
• Ryan identified the divine blood on Sunan using a statue and demanded it; Sunan answered with lightning that killed several followers, prompting Troy and Ryan to order their forces to kill him.

Sunan defeated the Starfire Cultists who came to reclaim the God Blood Potion, while Amy revealed her ability to sense hostility. He recovered a second piece of God Blood Amber and confirmed that synthesizing the amber reduced its mental pollution.

• Hidden Dragon invisibly killed more than a dozen Starfire Cultists before Troy and Ryan charged at Sunan.
• Sunan killed Ryan with a Rune Gem, while Troy fled and was struck down by Hidden Dragon and Sunan's lightning.
• Amy appeared and explained that she could sense malice, and Sunan realized this was why she had trusted him.
• Sunan found a statue on Ryan, crushed it, and discovered another piece of God Blood Amber inside.
• Sunan placed both amber pieces in the Magic Cube and confirmed that synthesis reduced the amber's mental pollution.