Chapter Summaries

Lin Yu and Fu Luo discovered that Baron Coleman’s flight and theft of Reed’s experimental data had made him a suspect, but also provided the clue needed to solve the murder. As Fu Luo asked where the murderer was, an outside attack distorted the laboratory, while armed intruders weakened the Ancient Notebook and the Despair Furnace aboard the Despair Train.

• Coleman admitted that he had fled after finding Reed’s body and failed to erase his access record.
• Coleman confessed that he had copied Reed’s experimental data, creating evidence that made him look guilty.
• Fu Luo said Coleman’s motive was the key to the case and that only one puzzle piece remained: the murderer’s location.
• The laboratory distorted, and Coleman recognized the disturbance as an attack on the Ancient Notebook.
• Three armed intruders entered Carriage One, used metal spheres to weaken the Sentries and the Despair Furnace, and found their firearms had vanished when they raised them.

Li Nian stole Group δ's weapons and communicator, then introduced herself as the Phantom Thief and tried to negotiate with the team. When the Deputy Team Leader revealed that his orders were to leave no survivors, Li Nian fought back, but he recognized that her knife attack was fast rather than unusual and ordered his team to protect their vital areas and kill her.

• Group δ's Deputy Team Leader discovered that Li Nian had taken the team's weapons and communicator while they remained conscious.
• Li Nian introduced herself as A Nian, the Phantom Thief, and offered to leave Truth Company alone in exchange for a little something.
• The Deputy Team Leader told Li Nian that his orders were to leave her alive for no one, and she guessed that the entire train had been marked for extermination.
• Li Nian drew a utility knife and cut the Deputy Team Leader's wrist before he could tell how she had attacked.
• The Deputy Team Leader concluded that Li Nian was merely fast and ordered his teammates to guard their vital areas and kill her.

Li Nian and Truth Company's agents stalemated while waiting for reinforcements, as Lin Yu and the others investigated Reed Christopher's murder inside the Ancient Notebook. Fu Luo proposed that the killer had manipulated the time-of-death estimate, but Lin Yu argued that the murder had not originally been planned as a frame-up against Baron Coleman.

• Li Nian and the Truth Company agents kept each other occupied, each expecting allies to arrive and turn the balance in their favor.
• Pankto and Baron Coleman found that the past inside the Ancient Notebook had stabilized, and Baron Coleman credited Lin Yu and Li Nian's friends with helping.
• Fu Luo explained the locked-room mystery and noted that the killer had little time to murder Reed Christopher and frame Baron Coleman.
• Fu Luo reasoned that the laboratory's low temperature could have made the estimated time of death inaccurate, giving the killer as much as an extra hour.
• Baron Coleman asked how the killer could have predicted his arrival, and Fu Luo said the new clue narrowed the suspects.
• Lin Yu disagreed with Fu Luo's conclusion, saying no one had deliberately tried to frame Baron Coleman when the murder occurred.

Lin Yu reasoned that Baron Coleman had been caught up in a murder plot by bad luck, though someone later exploited the situation to frame him. As the group wondered whether the Ancient Notebook could show events farther back, it began rewinding the scene and revealed a younger, panicked Coleman moving backward into the laboratory.

• Lin Yu explained that the killer’s original plan likely did not involve framing Coleman, who had been an unexpected variable.
• Coleman struggled to accept that the incident that began his downfall might have happened because of bad luck, then drew encouragement from Pankto’s much worse current state.
• Coleman decided to find the real culprit, suspecting that someone with greater authority had later taken advantage of the situation.
• Lin Yu said rewinding farther might reveal the crime scene, and the laboratory’s instruments began making distorted noises as the group became spectators.
• The Ancient Notebook rewound the scene and showed a younger, panicked Coleman moving backward into the laboratory.

Lin Yu and the others uncovered Minister Paris as the mastermind behind Reed Christopher’s murder, but the culprit’s revealed face matched Pankto’s. After they returned from the memory, Paris’s men attacked, and Coleman unleashed a swarm of explosive Calamity Series robots.

• The group found an unsent message from the off-site operative to Minister Paris, and Coleman recognized Paris as the man who had framed him.
• Pankto removed the operative’s mask and saw that the young man’s face was identical to his own before the memory ended.
• Lin Yu woke to find Li Nian surrounded by eleven armed men, and Pankto, Coleman, and Lin Yu joined the fight while Fu Luo hid.
• Lin Yu drove the attackers back with the Fear Torch as Li Nian fought and stripped equipment from them.
• Coleman called for Paris to reveal himself, and Paris sent a swarm of Calamity Series robots that attacked the armed men and began exploding.

Baron Coleman confronted Pankto over their past and the crimes Pankto could no longer remember, while Lin Yu and Li Nian learned the truth behind the robotic bees’ mental attack. Fu Luo recalled details of an old case that might help them investigate Pankto’s past, leaving them with a possible lead to pursue.

• Fu Luo explained that the robotic bees attacked minds and souls, and Lin Yu stepped forward to mediate after their victims collapsed.
• Baron Coleman accused Pankto of betraying him years ago, but softened when he remembered that the amnesiac Pankto was no longer the same person.
• Pankto agonized over his forgotten past and admitted he could not tell whether he had committed the crimes he was accused of.
• Baron Coleman described an old case in which Pankto had been blamed for destroying a residence and killing three women, including two minors.
• Fu Luo recognized the case as the deaths at the Heer Apartments and explained that he had memorized its file because he suspected it was suspicious.

Fu Luo deduced that Director Chide had planted the bomb that killed his mistress and daughter, then framed Pankto, whose name was cleared by Baron Coleman. As the group considered their next move, the leader of Group δ appeared and threatened to kill them all.

• Fu Luo deduced that Director Chide had planted a time bomb in his Apartment, stolen Pankto's weapon to frame him, and killed his mistress and ten-year-old daughter.
• Baron Coleman confirmed that Pankto had been falsely accused and apologized for suspecting him.
• Lin Yu noted that Sherlock had completed two-thirds of his mission, while Fu Luo and Baron Coleman warned that President Paris might have another plan and advised against retreating.
• The leader of Group δ appeared in Carriage Two and declared that he had enough power to kill everyone.

Lin Yu used the [Ancient Notebook] to withstand a powerful attack from Paris, then fooled him and the others into believing he had taken a Constitution Enhancement Potion. The belief of those present made Lin Yu’s temporary physical boost real, giving him a chance to fight Paris.

• Fu Luo urged the group to attack, but Paris swiftly struck Pankto and revealed how badly he outclassed him.
• Baron Coleman identified Paris as a former member of the Great Wilderness Special Operations Team, and Paris targeted Lin Yu next.
• Lin Yu used the [Ancient Notebook] as armor to endure Paris’s punch, while Paris hurt his hand on the notebook.
• Lin Yu claimed that he had taken a Constitution Enhancement Potion, and Fu Luo recognized the supposed potion as a powerful item sold by the Player Mutual Aid Society.
• Lin Yu’s scam became real through the belief of those present, granting him a temporary physical boost and the ability to fight Paris.

Lin Yu and Pankto battled the leader of Group δ until the Great Purge and the Wrath Throne turned the fight against them. Just as the leader armed himself with Calamity Series equipment, Li Nian revealed that their side had reinforcements too.

• Lin Yu used the Fear Torch to hold off the leader of Group δ, and Pankto joined him with the Short Staff until they reached a stalemate.
• Li Nian tried to steal from the leader while Baron Coleman realized he was waiting for reinforcements.
• The leader of Group δ triggered the Great Purge, unleashing Truth Company’s machines to attack everyone in the train car.
• A massive aircraft called the Wrath Throne tore off the train car’s roof, and the leader received equipment that transformed him into a humanoid weapon.
• Li Nian recognized a voice behind the leader and called on Brother Wang and Sis-in-law to take him down.

Wang Yuyang confronted the leader of Team δ on the Despair Train, while Pan Yuqiang revealed her power as the Executioner of the Gallows and captured him. The chapter ended with Pan Yuqiang asking Fu Luo to keep her identity secret as Wang Yuyang prepared to return to the carriage.

• Wang Yuyang arrived wearing rugged mechanical armor and blocked the leader of Team δ’s attack before charging into battle.
• Wang Yuyang overwhelmed the leader of Team δ and severed two of his mechanical arms, but the Wrath Throne supplied replacements.
• The leader of Team δ forced Wang Yuyang onto the train roof, where floating cannons attacked him, and Lin Yu stopped Pankto from rushing to help.
• Wang Yuyang called for Pan Yuqiang, who looped a hemp rope around the leader of Team δ and dragged him into the air.
• Fu Luo recognized the Gallows and identified Pan Yuqiang as the Executioner, and she asked him to keep her identity secret.

Lin Yu used the captured δ-team leader and Wang Yuyang’s credible threat to negotiate with President Paris, forcing the Wrath Throne to leave. The group was left with the unconscious captive and the machines temporarily suppressed.

• Pan Yuqiang kept the δ-team leader hanging until he lost consciousness, then lowered him and Wang Yuyang carried him to Lin Yu.
• Lin Yu explained that he wanted to use the captive to make the Wrath Throne leave, since Baron Coleman was strained from suppressing the berserk machines.
• Lin Yu called out to President Paris and offered to spare the δ-team leader if the warship withdrew.
• When Lin Yu threatened to have Wang Yuyang kill the captive, the Wrath Throne trembled and President Paris agreed to the deal.
• The Wrath Throne ascended, and Lin Yu explained that Wang Yuyang’s genuine killing intent had made the threat convincing.

Lin Yu used his [Collar] and [Tongue of Deception] to turn the captured leader of Team Delta into someone loyal to him, intending to question him about Truth Company and Pankto’s lost memories. The conversion succeeded, leaving the others shaken by Lin Yu’s terrifying ability.

• Baron Coleman and the others discussed whether to release the leader of Team Delta, and Lin Yu argued that he could reveal information about Truth Company and Pankto’s past.
• Lin Yu revealed that he had advanced as a veterinarian along the [Collar] path and planned to make the captured leader his pet.
• Despite warnings that the powerful, modified human would resist conversion, Lin Yu used [Tongue of Deception] to make the [Collar]’s success rate practically one hundred percent.
• The leader of Team Delta struggled as the [Collar] branded him, then became loyal to Lin Yu while retaining his memories.
• Fu Luo, Wang Yuyang, and Li Nian reacted with fear and amazement, while Pan Yuqiang found Lin Yu intriguing.

Lin Yu pressed Baron Coleman to explain his past, and Coleman admitted that he had pursued the Ghost Project for his own ambition rather than being an innocent victim of Paris. He revealed that the laboratory data contained Professor Dort and Veil Valetti’s discovery about Fear, leaving Pankto to learn how their past had been distorted.

• Lin Yu challenged Baron Coleman’s account and asked whether Coleman had known about Pankto’s role and the laboratory’s secrets before he was framed.
• Pankto asked Coleman whether Lin Yu’s suspicions were true, and Coleman admitted he had concealed unfavorable facts from him.
• Coleman explained that he, Pankto, and Paris had once worked together to rise within Truth Company, each driven by personal ambition as well as their original goals.
• Coleman revealed that he had entered Laboratory No. 7 specifically because he already expected evidence of the Ghost Project to be there.
• Coleman said Paris had planned to lure Reed away while he stole the project data, but he later realized Paris had used the scheme to kill his accomplices and claim a discovery about Fear made by Professor Dort and Veil Valetti.

Baron Coleman revealed the truth about Professor Dort’s legacy and asked Lin Yu to help Pankto escape and recover his memories. After learning he had a daughter, Pankto faced Coleman’s plan to stay behind as a diversion, but Lin Yu exposed that Coleman intended to blow up the furnace, making Pankto refuse to leave.

• Baron Coleman confirmed that Professor Dort’s research legacy was stored in his mind and asked Lin Yu to take Pankto somewhere safe so he could recover his memories.
• Coleman gave Pankto a golden ticket and urged him to leave the Despair Train, but Pankto rejected the gift and insisted he would leave on his own.
• Coleman told Pankto that he had a daughter waiting outside and argued that Pankto needed the chance to escape more than he did.
• Coleman explained that one of them had to remain on the train as a diversion, and Lin Yu guessed that Coleman planned to blow up the furnace.
• Pankto refused to leave after Lin Yu exposed Coleman’s plan.

Pankto and the others escaped the carriage after Baron Coleman revealed that he was dying and chose to stay behind. Coleman released his control over the machines and was engulfed by the swarm alongside the Despair Furnace.

• Baron Coleman told Pankto that his damaged brain left him little time and insisted that sacrificing himself was the only way for the others to escape.
• Pankto and Wang Yuyang tore their tickets, and Lin Yu learned that Baron Coleman had left the promised payment in the Ancient Notebook.
• Fu Luo realized that Chen Zhuo was still missing, but Chen Zhuo returned safely and Li Nian falsely claimed she had arranged his rescue.
• Chen Zhuo, Fu Luo, and the others tore their tickets and were taken aboard Special Car No. 008, while Pankto was pulled aboard first.
• Baron Coleman released his suppression of the machines and let the swarm engulf him and the Despair Furnace.

Lin Yu and the others watched Baron Coleman’s sacrifice disable much of the City That Never Sleeps’ power and surveillance systems. They chose to take Pankto to the Great Wilderness, where Truth Company had little control, and the vehicle crossed the city wall into its territory.

• Baron Coleman’s train exploded, plunging the City That Never Sleeps into darkness and disrupting Truth Company’s surveillance systems.
• Pankto asked whether he could escape Truth Company’s tracking during the blackout, and Fu Luo confirmed the disruption might help.
• The Delta Squad Leader suggested hiding Pankto in the Great Wilderness, where Truth Company’s influence was weak and the Divine Power Group held sway.
• Pankto asked Lin Yu to find and look after his wife and daughter while he was away, and Lin Yu agreed.
• Lin Yu set the flying vehicle’s destination for a settlement in the southern Great Wilderness, and it crossed the city wall into the barren land beyond.

On the way back from the Great Wilderness, Fu Luo explained why Pankto was wrongly suspected of killing Investigator Reed, while the others teased Lin Yu over a fabricated romance rumor. The Instance ended after their aircraft reached Fu Luo’s lavish residence, and the group arrived in the Settlement Space with questions about his connections.

• Fu Luo told Lin Yu that Pankto was also falsely implicated in Reed’s murder and explained that Pankto’s weapon preferences pointed away from him as the killer.
• Lin Yu deduced that the notebook’s faces matched because the scene came from Baron Coleman’s memories, and Fu Luo falsely claimed May had praised Lin Yu’s beauty and character.
• Li Nian, Wang Yuyang, Pan Yuqiang, and Chen Zhuo misread Fu Luo’s comments and teased Lin Yu about a forbidden romance between members of Order and the Freedom Alliance.
• The aircraft landed at Fu Luo’s luxurious courtyard residence, ending the Instance before Lin Yu could ask him about the address.
• Lin Yu arrived in the Settlement Space after receiving seven days of Survival Time, and Li Nian demanded to know why Fu Luo had not used his powerful connections sooner.

In the Settlement Space, Fu Luo revealed his connection to the Nightless Sky Family, and Lin Yu received two new items and unlocked the Social permission. After leaving the Settlement Space, Lin Yu discovered that the new permission had given him a chat-like Player interface.

• Fu Luo explained that he could not use his name to bluff because the mansion belonged to Paris, and revealed that he and Paris served the same family, the Nightless Sky Family.
• Li Nian recognized Nightless Sky Huo Le, and Fu Luo thanked Zhu Ming and the others for helping him advance a tier.
• Lin Yu received the [Unraveling the Clues] and [Famous Far and Wide] ratings, earning Item Spray and Item Corner.
• The Settlement Space announced that Lin Yu had unlocked the Social permission after meeting the reputation, interaction, and Rank Advancement Trial requirements.
• Lin Yu returned to the car with Li Nian and Chen Zhuo and discovered a chat-like Social panel within his consciousness.

After clearing the Instance, Lin Yu unlocked the Social panel and discussed payment and future plans with Chen Zhuo and Li Nian. Li Nian offered him a place in the Freedom Alliance, but Lin Yu insisted he would join the Psychology Society and asked her to keep his situation confidential; she then gave him a Survey Magnifying Glass to pass to Sherlock.

• Lin Yu explored the Social panel, found Pankto Feng Valetti listed under Non-Player, and wondered which identity he should use for its features.
• Chen Zhuo thanked Li Nian and Lin Yu for their help and promised to pay their shares after selling his Items.
• Li Nian used an Item to carry herself and Lin Yu underground, then gave him a bottle of high-end liquor as a referral fee.
• Li Nian said Lin Yu was already effectively a Freedom Alliance member, but Lin Yu declined and asked her to have Pan Yuqiang keep his situation confidential while he pursued the Psychology Society.
• Lin Yu said he wanted to target Fluoxetine despite knowing her earlier actions had been a misunderstanding, and Li Nian accepted his decision.
• Li Nian gave Lin Yu a Survey Magnifying Glass and asked him to deliver it to Sherlock, a mutual friend of theirs.

Lin Yu examined his new Items and discovered that the head of Truth Company’s Delta Group had followed him out of the Instance as a follower-type Item. After summoning him, Lin Yu learned that the man could not imagine harming him, though he remained furious and self-aware.

• Lin Yu tested the Mind-Reading Mirror and examined the Wailing Fish Launcher, which fired a talking fish that vanished into bubbles.
• Lin Yu discovered that the head of Truth Company’s Delta Group was still in his Item Space despite the Collar’s duration ending.
• Lin Yu asked Hannah about her experience inside the Item Space, and she said she had been comfortably asleep.
• Lin Yu summoned the head of the Delta Group, who charged at him before freezing and realizing he could not imagine harming Lin Yu.