Chapter Summaries

Arro visited Oak Tree Granny to ask her to care for his Ghost Orchids, and she discovered that they contained a stable trace of Abyssal aura. After explaining why she trusted him, Arro realized the aura came from his Magic Strike Technique and began to tell her about their first meeting.

• Arro traveled through the rain-soaked Treant Forest and accepted Oak Tree Granny’s hot, overly sweet jasmine nectar, cooling it with a Waterball Spell.
• Oak Tree Granny explained why Undead System magic power opposed Life Force and agreed to inspect Arro’s Ghost Orchids before deciding whether to care for them.
• Oak Tree Granny found a stable trace of Abyssal aura in the Ghost Orchids and reassured Arro that she knew he had not deliberately tainted them.
• Oak Tree Granny explained that her Fairy eyes could sense lies and good or evil emotions, prompting Arro to realize she trusted him because he had been honest with her.
• Arro connected the stable Abyssal aura to his Magic Strike Technique and asked Oak Tree Granny whether she remembered him flying through the air during their first meeting.

Arro learned from Oak Tree Granny that the thirty-six Ghost Orchids had become his Magic Pets through an extraordinary combination of circumstances. She explained the dangers and mental costs of Magic Pets, leaving Arro to consider what might happen if all thirty-six developed the ability to think.

• Arro suggested that the Abyssal power from his contract Magic Tools might have tainted the Ghost Orchids, and Oak Tree Granny inspected them using Natural Magic Power.
• While Oak Tree Granny examined the orchids, Arro conjectured that plant bodies might have magic-power pathways similar to a Meridian Map and decided to investigate the idea later.
• Oak Tree Granny discovered that Arro had formed contracts with all thirty-six Ghost Orchids, making them his Magic Pets despite their being low-level magic plants.
• Oak Tree Granny explained that Magic Pets could build independent Magic Pools but could also expose their masters to attacks, interfere with their thinking, and slow Mental Strength recovery.
• Arro asked whether the Ghost Orchids could gain thinking ability, and Oak Tree Granny warned that thirty-six thinking Magic Pets could impose a severe burden on his mind.

Arro asked Oak Tree Granny to help him manage the thirty-six Ghost Orchids, which could protect his mind but might also threaten his reason and leave him vulnerable. He agreed to let her shrink them into hardened seeds, though whether they would retain their mental connection remained uncertain.

• Arro weighed the Ghost Orchids’ mental protection against the danger of their influence splitting his consciousness and making them vulnerable targets.
• Oak Tree Granny teased Arro into asking for help sweetly, then asked what he valued and feared about the Ghost Orchids.
• Arro explained that he valued their mental connection but worried about their growth, fragility, and the difficulty of keeping them safe.
• Oak Tree Granny proposed regressing the Ghost Orchids into portable seeds and strengthening them with acorn shells, while warning that the process might affect their connection.
• Arro decided the chance of preserving the Ghost Orchids’ abilities was worth testing and asked Oak Tree Granny to proceed.

Oak Tree Granny shrank the Ghost Orchid into a seed while preserving Arro’s connection to it, then encased it in an acorn sphere containing witchcraft magic patterns. She explained that the sphere could merge with an ordinary plant and let Arro sense its condition, and assured him it would sustain the seed by drawing nutrients rather than dissolving a branch.

• Oak Tree Granny reversed the Ghost Orchid’s growth until it became a tiny seed, while Arro’s mental connection to it grew stronger.
• Arro examined the seed and found that he could sense it as part of his own body, even feeling his palm’s temperature through it.
• Oak Tree Granny wrapped the seed in an acorn shell, making it into a smooth, heavy bead that preserved Arro’s perception of it.
• Oak Tree Granny revealed that she had added Natural Magic Power and witchcraft patterns so Arro could merge the seed into an ordinary plant and sense the plant’s condition.
• Arro worried that using the witchcraft would consume one of his thirty-six Ghost Orchids, and Oak Tree Granny assured him that the seed would draw nutrients from the plant instead.

Arro and Oak Tree Granny discussed the Ghost Orchids’ dependence on his consciousness and the limits of the seeds he had planted in an ordinary tree. Oak Tree Granny decided to prepare all the Ghost Orchids as seeds so Arro could try planting them in Treant Guard clones once he learned Summon Treant Guard.

• Arro removed a Ghost Orchid bead from a tree after sensing that its seed was still hungry, and Oak Tree Granny explained that stronger wood magic and Forest Perception would reveal more.
• Oak Tree Granny described how Ghost Orchids lacked their own consciousness and might reflect Arro’s thoughts, though their Abyssal origins could make them dangerous.
• Oak Tree Granny offered to teach Arro the difficult level 3 Trick Summon Treant Guard, but Arro dismissed the idea as impractical for him.
• Arro changed the subject to processing the remaining Ghost Orchids, and Oak Tree Granny pelted him with empty acorn shells when she refused to let him avoid the lesson.
• Oak Tree Granny agreed to degrade all the Ghost Orchids into seeds and told Arro to begin learning Summon Treant Guard so he could use it after becoming an Advanced Apprentice.

Oak Tree Granny gave Arro a level 3 wood-element trick and thirty-five Ghost Orchid seeds, explaining that she hoped he would learn it because of her feelings about having once been a Fairy. Arro joked with her, and she turned the seeds into sturdy prayer beads for him to wear.

• Oak Tree Granny gave Arro a level 3 wood-element trick, and he explained that wood magic did not fit his current plans for developing as a wizard.
• After devolving the Ghost Orchids into seeds, Oak Tree Granny admitted that giving Arro the trick was a small selfish wish tied to her memories of being a Fairy.
• Arro teased Oak Tree Granny about youth and old age, and she scolded him for acting as though his youth had already passed.
• Arro suggested stringing the seeds into a necklace, so Oak Tree Granny made a sturdy cord and added magic patterns to create prayer beads.
• Arro put on the prayer beads and thanked Oak Tree Granny.

Arro investigated a blood trail, found that another adventurer had already been harvested, and continued searching the Dark Plain. He encountered and killed a group of Water Ghosts, collected four intact heads for their low-value magical materials, and washed off their stench.

• Arro followed a trail of blood to a decapitated adventurer's corpse and concluded the area had already been cleared.
• Arro continued through the Dark Plain and stumbled into a Water Ghost gathering place.
• Arro used Cyclone Slash to disperse the foul odor, then killed the Water Ghosts as they tried to flee.
• Arro collected five Water Ghost heads, four intact, and estimated they were worth about one Magic Stone.
• Arro stored the heads in his Space Ring and washed his sword and body in nearby water.

Arro collected valuable materials on the Dark Plain and found that his Space Ring made the work profitable, but he soon encountered a suspicious group near Forest Island. After fleeing their attack, he faced an Old Mercenary who had shot down the Omen Birds following him.

• Arro realized that ordinary Intermediate Apprentices could not earn enough in the Dark Plain to cover their expenses, while his Space Ring let him gather valuable materials.
• Three Omen Birds circled Arro near Forest Island, and he waited after recalling that they often cooperated with powerful hunters.
• A River Otter warned Arro that multiple Golden Crown Python Mother Snakes were present and that people would kill him to keep the news secret, then vanished into the swamp.
• A group of people charged from Forest Island and attacked Arro with Low-Level Tricks, but he escaped using the Soaring Dragon Movement Technique.
• An unseen shooter killed the three Omen Birds with a crossbow, then revealed himself as a scruffy Old Mercenary.
• The Old Mercenary blamed Arro for drawing the Forest Island group toward him, and Arro challenged the idea that being called a Demon Hunter was praise.

Arro confronted the Old Mercenary, whom he suspected of being a Demon Hunter, and challenged him to a fight after hearing the name Ferlando. Their duel escalated from swordplay into witchcraft, and Arro ended the chapter pressing a fierce attack against the Old Mercenary’s magic shield.

• Arro introduced himself as Moon, while the Old Mercenary accused him of exposing his camp and demanded compensation or half a month of obedience.
• Arro mentioned Ferlando, and the Old Mercenary proposed testing his skills before suddenly drawing his sword to attack.
• Arro and the Old Mercenary exchanged blows, with the Old Mercenary using Quen, Yrden, and Igni while Arro relied on spells and sword techniques to defend himself.
• Arro revealed that he had offensive witchcraft but had held back to test his combat skills, then charged the Old Mercenary with the Soaring Dragon Movement Technique.
• Arro’s Arc Moon Triple Slash knocked the Old Mercenary back, and his Cyclone Slash battered the man’s magic shield.

Arro defeated the former Demon Hunter Anabe in their third round and persuaded him that they were not enemies. Arro then asked how many former Manticore Tail School members were connected to the Saint Fernando Empire and the Fernando Wizard Family, but Anabe did not understand the question.

• Arro activated the second level of the Magic Strike Technique, taking the form of a Black Flame Fire Phoenix, and the Old Mercenary drew a divine silver-plated sword.
• Arro and the Old Mercenary clashed, and Arro used the Second Body Flickering Technique to evade the Old Mercenary’s counterattack and defeat him without injuring him.
• The Old Mercenary accepted defeat, took Arro’s hand, and asked whether Arro was an Abyss Sorcerer; Arro denied it.
• The Old Mercenary identified himself as Anabe and revealed that he had once belonged to the Manticore Tail School before becoming a free mercenary.
• Arro asked Anabe about former Manticore Tail School members in connection with the Saint Fernando Empire and the Fernando Wizard Family, and Anabe asked what he meant.

Arro pieced together that Anabe and the demon hunters were connected to the events surrounding Arro, though Anabe refused to confirm anything. While sharing roasted birds and Bailisha Fruits with Anabe, Arro learned how the fruit revealed a person’s Magic Attributes and asked whether it could test ordinary people’s Energy Affinity.

• Arro questioned Anabe about the Fernando Wizard Family, the empire, and the Demon Hunter School, then showed him the Countess's Appointment Letter naming him master of the Corey Viscounty.
• Anabe denied knowing about politics and suggested they move elsewhere after spotting three Omen Birds in the sky.
• As they traveled, Anabe identified useful plants and explained that Bailisha Fruits had to be soaked in alcohol to remove their toxicity.
• Arro, Anabe, and the otter ate roasted birds and sampled Bailisha Fruits, whose flavors reflected the drinker’s Magic Attributes.
• Arro asked whether Bailisha Fruits could test ordinary people’s Energy Affinity, and Anabe explained that they only resonated with Magic Attribute.

Arro used a story about a hunter, a shepherd, a servant, and a bard to show Anabe how the Demon Hunters had shifted danger onto him while pursuing their own interests. Anabe asked what Arro wanted, and Arro requested large quantities of Magic Material rich in Life Force in exchange for reasonable compensation.

• Anabe thanked Arro on behalf of the Manticore School Demon Hunters, and Arro questioned his right to represent them after leaving the order.
• Arro told Anabe a story in which a hunter's actions drew danger toward a bard, then argued that the hunter owed the bard an explanation.
• Anabe challenged flaws in Arro's story, and Arro suggested that the hunter's group had delayed and left the bard exposed to risk.
• Arro pressed Anabe to acknowledge that Demon Hunters who had left the order still bore responsibility for benefits they had received.
• Anabe asked what Arro wanted, and Arro requested as much Life Force-rich Magic Material as possible for reasonable compensation.

Arro negotiated with Anabe to gather magical plants and learned that Anabe’s group had helped frame the Fernando Wizard Family, while Rett had been involved in the mistaken killing of the Domestic Wolf. Arro then prepared for Morton’s trip to the Dark Plain market and posted low-paying Demonic Beast bounties to draw Rett out.

• Anabe agreed to spend half a month gathering magical plants and said two other retired Demon Hunters could help spread news of the Fernando Wizard Resource Area.
• Anabe reacted angrily when Arro mentioned Rett, explaining that Rett had been one of the hunters who mistakenly killed the Domestic Wolf.
• Arro told Anabe he had met Rett in the Viscount Territory more than half a month earlier, and Anabe guessed Rett was still hiding near the Earl’s territory.
• After leaving Anabe, Arro doubted he would work diligently and considered using Rett to motivate the Demon Hunters.
• Arro spent two days hunting low-level Demonic Beasts, bought Purification Potions, returned to the Viscount Territory, and had Dylan post small bounties intended to attract Rett.

Arro ambushed Morton and unleashed a series of powerful attacks, but Georg survived by merging with his bloodline. With the mission still incomplete, Arro rose high into the sky to prepare a devastating diving attack, leaving the final blow unresolved.

• Georg sensed an ambush, but explosions destroyed Morton's carriage and left the songstress gravely wounded.
• Arro revealed himself and attacked Morton with the Magic Phoenix Golden Armor and the Third Layer Magic Strike Technique.
• Morton ordered Georg to merge with his bloodline, transforming the giant gorilla into a five-meter-tall beast that survived Arro's first major strike.
• Arro realized Morton was still alive and that Georg had no effective ranged attacks, so he climbed high into the sky.
• Arro transformed the Black Flame Fire Phoenix into Star River Surge and launched his prepared finishing blow toward the ground.

Arrow fought Morton on the ruined Forest Island, using the Blazing Greatsword and his movement skills to counter the Wind Dragon Armor and Morton's hoard of Secret Treasures. Arrow outmaneuvered Morton’s cyclone attack and struck him down.

• Arrow’s attack devastated Forest Island, and the surviving creatures fled before predators returned to the ruins.
• Morton emerged from the sludge wearing the Wind Dragon Armor, recognized Arrow Garner, and tried to flee, but Arrow caught him.
• Arrow heated the Blazing Greatsword to pressure Morton, who unleashed ice arrows, a flaming lion, crystal blades, and other Secret Treasures.
• Arrow dodged Morton’s scattered attacks and closed the distance while criticizing his poor tactics.
• Morton charged with the Wind Dragon Armor’s cyclone attack, but Arrow used Soaring Dragon Movement Technique—Hidden Dragon, Do Not Use to slip aside and slash him.

Arro killed Morton and claimed his Space Bracelet, then studied Morton's notes on the mental Trick Dominate Humans and its methods for influencing people. The chapter ended with a report that Arro had appeared in the Dark Plain reaching three mysterious figures in the Fernando Wizard Family.

• Arro defeated Morton, escaped into the Dark Plain with his corpse, and admitted that nearby scouts had recognized him.
• Arro examined Morton's death and wondered how the system judged enemies dead and why the Revenge of the Departed Souls quest had granted Skill Points.
• Arro found Morton's Space Bracelet, which contained Magic Stones, Secret Treasures, a Wizardry Book, and Morton's extensive notes on Dominate Humans.
• Arro read Morton's methods for reducing hostility, winning the favor of powerful wizards, and cultivating talent, and he found the talent-training research especially interesting.
• As night fell, Arro realized he was in the wilderness and left Morton's corpse beneath the tree, where Demonic Beasts began devouring it.
• A gaunt old man told three mysterious figures in the Fernando Wizard Family's meeting hall that Arro had appeared in the Dark Plain.

Arro visited Mannheim Market to sell Demonic Beast materials and learned that the Fernando Wizard Family had sealed the Main Roads after its Resource Areas were attacked. He then asked Old Mr. Arthus about potions that could nourish souls or Mental Strength, and was told that Soul Dew might help.

• Arro disguised his appearance and traveled through the Dark Plain to Mannheim Market to prepare materials for his base.
• Arro sold harvested materials to the cat-eared shop owner for sixty Gold Coins and learned that the Fernando Wizard Family had restricted trade caravans after attacks on its Resource Areas.
• Arro considered staying secluded to advance his Meditation Technique and Qi Blood Rampage, then visited Old Mr. Arthus's Potion Shop.
• Arro explained that souls of his former friends were trapped inside a wooden ball and asked about potions that could replenish souls or Mental Strength.
• Old Mr. Arthus examined the wooden ball and suggested that Soul Dew might meet Arro's needs.

Arro learned from Arthus that Soul Dew strengthened the soul and that apprentices should learn to refine powerful potions themselves, though he could not afford the potionology books. He then visited Harvey, whose armor business had boomed after the previous day’s events, and came to repay him.

• Arthus explained that Soul Dew could strengthen the soul and greatly aid advancement to a Formal Wizard, while distinguishing dead spirits from the souls of Formal Wizards.
• Arthus recounted how his family’s Soul Dew was taken by a servant who became a Formal Wizard, and advised Arro that knowledge and self-refined potions were more valuable than relying on others.
• Arro thanked Arthus but declined to buy the expensive potionology books, replenished his basic potions, and left the shop.
• Arro entered Harvey’s Alchemy Workshop and learned that customers had bought out his armor stock and placed orders months ahead, while the Fernando Wizard Family had offered to hire him.
• Arro told Harvey he had come to repay him.

Arro arranged for Harvey to sell the Secret Treasures he had taken from Morton and bought materials for his plans. At the Viscount's Manor, he met Anabe and two former Demon Hunters, Francis and Edgar, who had come after hearing about the events of the previous day, but they had not yet explained what changed their minds.

• Arro left twelve Secret Treasures with Harvey to sell, and Harvey identified the Cursed Magic Crystal Boots as a valuable cursed item.
• Arro asked Harvey to obtain materials, including components for Wind Dragon Armor, and told him not to inform Ian about him.
• After buying materials at Mannheim Market, Arro rode toward his territory and learned that Anabe and two guests had been waiting at the manor.
• Arro welcomed Anabe, Francis, and Edgar, then hosted them in the renovated living room with drinks and pastries.
• Anabe said Francis and Edgar had hurried to meet Arro after learning what happened the previous day, while Edgar and Francis clarified that their decision was not simply due to Arro's strength.

Arro confronted Edgar and Francis for secretly using him to guard Peran Castle and spread news about the Fernando Wizard Family’s resources. He demanded they serve him for half a year in return, while Anabe agreed to provide materials for payment; Arro revealed that his reward would strengthen the Demon Hunter inheritance.

• Arro challenged Anabe, Edgar, and Francis over their refusal to accept his task and pay for their contributions.
• Francis admitted the Demon Hunters had publicized the Fernando Wizard Family’s resource areas, and Arro explained how this could expose him to danger while keeping him at the front of the conflict.
• Arro accused the Demon Hunters of using him to guard Peran Castle without telling him their purpose, then argued that resentment should be repaid rather than answered with kindness in a lawless world.
• Arro demanded that Edgar and Francis serve him without pay for half a year, matching the time they had secretly used him.
• Anabe offered to provide his gathered materials and asked about payment, and Arro promised a reward that would strengthen the Demon Hunter inheritance.