Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Yu finds a frozen corpse, realizing the NPC he met earlier might not be trustworthy.
• He deduces that the "Fraudster" in his mission might not be another player but something else in the game.
• Lin Yu reaches the next sector and encounters a stronghold with a cautious inhabitant, Karen, a 'Lawyer' profession player.
• Lin Yu shares his findings about the untrustworthy NPC and the false information it provided.

Character Developments

• Lin Yu: Becomes more suspicious and cautious about NPCs and the game's rules. He starts questioning everything and everyone, even other players.
• Karen: Initially wary of Lin Yu, he becomes more trusting after Lin Yu proves his 'Teacher' profession with a Shakespeare quote.

Significant Themes

• Trust and deception: Lin Yu's growing distrust of NPCs and the game's rules highlights the theme of trust and deception in the game world.
• Information and knowledge: The false information provided by the NPC emphasizes the importance of accurate information and knowledge in navigating the game.

Character Interactions

• Lin Yu and Karen: Lin Yu's interaction with Karen demonstrates his ability to win over others with his 'Teacher' profession and knowledge, while also showing his willingness to share crucial information with other players.
• Lin Yu and the NPC: Lin Yu's interaction with the NPC, though not directly shown, reveals his growing suspicion and caution towards NPCs and the game's rules.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Yu decides not to reveal the full truth about the "Teacher"'s information to Karen.
• Lin Yu obtains the "Thug" profession after intimidating an "Otaku Woman" in a stronghold.
• Lin Yu learns from the "Teacher" that "Chate" is not alive and being alone reduces, but doesn't eliminate, the risk of encountering "Chate."

Character Developments

• Lin Yu: Becomes more assertive and intimidating after obtaining the "Thug" profession. He also becomes more worried about the true nature of "Chate."
• Karen: Shows willingness to help Lin Yu in the upcoming game.
• Fat Woman (Otaku Woman): Initially frightened and defensive, she becomes more cooperative after believing Lin Yu's "Thug" profession.

Significant Themes

• The importance of information and its interpretation in survival.
• The impact of professions on behavior and interactions.
• The uncertainty and danger of the mysterious "Winter Mountain."

Character Interactions

• Lin Yu and Karen: Lin Yu manipulates Karen into believing his story, and Karen offers help in the future.
• Lin Yu and Fat Woman: Lin Yu intimidates the Fat Woman into giving him food, demonstrating his new "Thug" profession.
• Lin Yu and the "Teacher": Lin Yu learns crucial information about "Chate" but keeps it hidden from Karen.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Yu, after obtaining a 'Rule Exemption', visits several strongholds and meets various players: 'Summer' (Veterinarian), 'Old Yao' (Thief), 'Fei Yun' (Reporter), and 'Level 8 Big Gale' (Programmer).
• Lin Yu successfully finds the seventh stronghold, where he meets 'Sherlock', a 'Detective' player.
• Lin Yu initially struggles to convince Sherlock of his 'Doctor' profession but eventually succeeds.

Character Developments

• Lin Yu: Demonstrates adaptability and quick thinking in approaching different players, showing his ability to role-play various professions.
• Sherlock: Reveals himself to be naive and trusting, contrary to the stereotypical detective image, making him easy to deceive.

Significant Themes

• The awakening of 'professions' is based on life experiences rather than personal abilities.
• Lin Yu's ability to adapt and deceive others highlights the theme of role-playing and identity manipulation.

Character Interactions

• Lin Yu interacts with several players, using different tones and expressions to gather information and obtain professions.
• Lin Yu's interaction with Sherlock is the most challenging due to Sherlock's 'Detective' profession, but Sherlock's naivety makes him easy to deceive.
• Lin Yu and Sherlock's interaction is marked by Lin Yu's casual and evasive answers, contrasting with Sherlock's serious and reverent demeanor.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Yu continues his journey, obtaining the remaining five professions: "Postman," "Thug," "Cook," "Corporate Slave," and "Referee."
• He discovers that food in the instance is "alive" and moves slowly beneath the snow.
• Lin Yu decides to investigate the central stronghold, noting its peculiarities compared to others.

Character Developments

• Lin Yu gains confidence and reduces his survival pressure after obtaining all twelve professions.
• He becomes immune to the strangeness of the instance and plans to expose its truth.

Significant Themes

• The instance's peculiarities and Lin Yu's determination to uncover its secrets.
• The deceptive nature of the instance, with living food and a central stronghold that differs from others.

Character Interactions

• Lin Yu interacts with the remaining five NPCs to obtain their professions, deceiving them with distinct personas for each profession.
• There's no direct interaction with other players, but Lin Yu considers the possibility of meeting them and being exposed.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Yu discovers a well-maintained cabin, unlike the previous temporary strongholds.
• He finds evidence suggesting that a serious, intellectual, and book-loving individual lived there.
• Sherlock, the "Detective," arrives and reveals that the strongholds are distributed within a perfect circle, with the current stronghold being the center.
• Lin Yu shows Sherlock the map, pointing out that the circle can be divided into twelve 30-degree sectors.
• Lin Yu uses the [One-sentence Lie Detector] and [Infallible Revolver] to confirm Sherlock's identity and reveals that he knows Sherlock's real name is 'Chate.'

Character Developments

• Lin Yu demonstrates his observational and deductive skills, comparable to Sherlock's.
• Sherlock shows his spatial reasoning abilities and deductive skills, confirming his role as the "Detective."
• Lin Yu's actions suggest he is cautious and prepared, using items to verify Sherlock's identity.

Significant Themes

• The theme of deduction and observation is reinforced as both characters demonstrate their skills.
• The partnership between a "Doctor" and a "Detective" is hinted at, suggesting teamwork and mutual respect.

Character Interactions

• Lin Yu and Sherlock (Chate) meet for the first time since the previous night's encounter.
• They exchange deductions and observations, showing mutual respect for each other's abilities.
• Lin Yu tests Sherlock, revealing his knowledge of Sherlock's real name, indicating a level of trust or threat, depending on the context.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Yu initially trusts Sherlock's identity as a detective.
• Lin Yu discovers the map has omissions, with 13 players but only 97 strongholds marked.
• Lin Yu confirms an entire sector is hidden, where Sherlock's stronghold is located.
• Lin Yu shoots Sherlock, who dies and melts into black liquid.
• Lin Yu deduces the hidden area forms the word "cheat" when connected, suggesting a deception.

Character Developments

• Lin Yu becomes more suspicious and strategic, using his doctor ability to analyze the situation.
• Sherlock (fake) is revealed to be an imposter, killed by Lin Yu.

Significant Themes

• Deception and truth: The map's omission and the word "cheat" suggest a larger deception at play.
• Trust and suspicion: Lin Yu initially trusts Sherlock but becomes suspicious due to the map's inconsistencies.

Character Interactions

• Lin Yu interacts with Sherlock (fake), leading to Sherlock's death.
• Lin Yu interacts with the map, discovering the hidden area and the word "cheat".

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Yu realizes he has an advantage in the mission as he's in the warmest room and doesn't need extra fuel or food.
• He regrets not choosing the 'Detective' profession but then remembers there's a 'Detective' in the instance, Sherlock.
• Lin Yu considers bringing Sherlock to use his abilities but is cautious due to the competitive nature of the instance.
• He decides to take a short nap, setting his internal alarm to wake up around 3:30 PM.

Character Developments

• Lin Yu shows strategic thinking and caution, weighing the pros and cons of involving Sherlock.
• He demonstrates self-awareness and adaptability by realizing his fixed way of thinking and finding a solution.

Significant Themes

• The competitive nature of the instance and the potential danger of trusting others.
• The importance of rest and self-care even under time pressure.

Character Interactions

• Lin Yu hasn't interacted with Sherlock yet, but he plans to bring him to use his 'Detective' abilities.
• Lin Yu's internal monologue reveals his thought processes and concerns.

Dreamscape

• Lin Yu has a lucid dream set in the instance's environment.
• He sees a group of rough men, including one he had seen before, discussing the high price of 'Black Oil' and their plans to obtain it.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Yu has a dream about the thirteen uncles who entered "Winter Mountain" for treasure hunting. They separate upon entering, and Lin Yu follows the rough uncle he first met.
• The uncle finds Black Oil using a tool similar to one used by a Player named "Dolphin." He doesn't go to the 'Stronghold' and makes his own fire, indicating that the 'Strongholds' haven't been established yet.
• The uncle dies in his sleep under a rock, showing signs of terror and a silent scream before freezing. Lin Yu concludes that the monster 'Chate' kills by causing nightmares and fear.
• Lin Yu realizes he's in a dream and uses his "Corporate Slave" skill to calm himself. He hears a distant voice giving him a hint: "Remember, you are the smartest here. I hope you can escape – or, end all of this."
• Lin Yu wakes up at 3:35 AM.

Character Developments

• Lin Yu demonstrates his analytical skills and calmness under pressure, even within a dream. He uses his "Corporate Slave" skill to maintain his composure and clarity of thought.

Significant Themes

• The cruelty of the game and the nature of the 'NPCs' as living beings.
• The importance of maintaining emotional stability and clear judgment in a death game.
• The potential for 'emotions' to be the difficulty of instances themselves.

Character Interactions

• Lin Yu interacts with the rough uncle in his dream, observing his actions and ultimately witnessing his death.
• Lin Yu has a conversation with an unknown voice in his dream, receiving a hint about his potential role in the game.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Yu discovers he's slept longer than he thought and his 'Postman' ability has disappeared, indicating the first victim has appeared.
• He finds Sherlock's stronghold empty, with signs of a thorough search, suggesting Sherlock has moved on.
• Lin Yu finds Sherlock at the next stronghold and asks for his help in solving puzzles, but Sherlock declines due to the distance and risks.
• Lin Yu pulls out a revolver and threatens Sherlock to force him to comply.

Character Developments

• Lin Yu: Shows cunning and ruthlessness in threatening Sherlock to get his way.
• Sherlock: Initially cooperative, but becomes frightened and compliant when threatened with the gun.

Significant Themes

• Manipulation and coercion: Lin Yu uses threats to control Sherlock's actions.
• Trust and deception: Lin Yu's lies are starting to have consequences, with the first victim appearing.
• Survival and risk: Sherlock is cautious about the risks of traveling far in the cold and facing monsters.

Character Interactions

• Lin Yu and Sherlock: Their interaction shifts from friendly to tense when Lin Yu threatens Sherlock with a gun, highlighting their differing priorities and willingness to take risks.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Sherlock, the detective, discovers a hidden mechanism in the workbench, which turns out to be a metal box with a combination lock.
• Lin Yu, holding a gun, initially doubts Sherlock's abilities but later trusts him after his logical deductions.
• The table is burned to reveal the metal box, but Sherlock burns his hand on the hot box.

Character Developments

• Sherlock demonstrates his detective skills by using his knowledge of various subjects to deduce the presence of a hidden mechanism.
• Lin Yu shows trust in Sherlock's abilities after his deductions prove correct, despite initial skepticism.
• Sherlock's impulsive action of touching the hot box reveals his lack of caution, contrasting with his otherwise sharp mind.

Significant Themes

• The importance of knowledge and observation in detective work.
• The tension between trust and skepticism in the face of uncertain evidence.
• The contrast between Sherlock's intellectual prowess and his lack of physical caution.

Character Interactions

• Lin Yu and Sherlock: Lin Yu initially doubts Sherlock's abilities but comes to trust him after seeing his deductions. Sherlock, despite his intellectual capabilities, shows a lack of caution that contrasts with Lin Yu's calm and calculated demeanor.
• Sherlock and the metal box: Sherlock's impulsive action of touching the hot box highlights his lack of caution, contrasting with his otherwise sharp mind.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Sherlock finds a clue to the password in a pile of books.
• Lin Yu and Sherlock search for the password clue together.
• They decide to cook dinner using ingredients from Sherlock's "Discount Shopping Bag."
• Lin Yu discovers a pattern in the page numbers and blackened parts of the books, forming a puzzle.

Character Developments

• Sherlock's initial fear of Lin Yu dissipates as they spend more time together.
• Sherlock reveals his inability to cook and his "Discount Shopping Bag" item.
• Lin Yu shows his cooking skills and reveals his family's influence in the restaurant business.

Significant Themes

• The importance of teamwork and communication in solving puzzles and overcoming challenges.
• The value of basic necessities and simple pleasures, such as a home-cooked meal.
• The power of observation and critical thinking in uncovering hidden patterns and clues.

Character Interactions

• Sherlock and Lin Yu work together to search for the password clue and cook dinner.
• Lin Yu helps Sherlock understand the puzzle by sharing his observations and insights.
• Sherlock expresses his admiration for Lin Yu's cooking skills and considers his potential as a restaurant owner.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Yu and Sherlock piece together torn pages, forming the numbers 9, 4, 5, and 7.
• They deduce the correct password order as 5497 or 7945.
• The password opens a box containing a researcher's notebook, ID, and key.
• The notebook reveals a distressing account of the researcher's experiences and discoveries on Winter Mountain.

Character Developments

• Lin Yu shows determination in uncovering the truth.
• Sherlock reveals his enthusiasm and dedication to solving puzzles and mysteries.

Significant Themes

• The pursuit of truth and understanding.
• The consequences of human actions on the environment and society.
• The struggle against mental deterioration and fear.

Character Interactions

• Lin Yu and Sherlock work together to decipher the password, showcasing their complementary skills.
• Sherlock expresses gratitude to Lin Yu for bringing him to this instance, despite being forced.
• Sherlock's enthusiasm for solving puzzles is reignited, leading him to commit to uncovering the truth about Winter Mountain.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Sherlock and Lin Yu decide to sleep after a long day, with Sherlock expressing his determination to solve the Instance's mystery and earn the "Unraveling the Clues" reward.
• Lin Yu dreams of Veil Valetti, a researcher who discovers several corpses and realizes that an organization's leak caused their deaths.
• Lin Yu follows Veil Valetti to a sealed cave entrance, where he encounters Veil's consciousness, who hints at the truth behind the Instance.

Character Developments

• Lin Yu: Shows trust in Sherlock's detective skills but continues to ponder the Instance's mysteries independently. He demonstrates critical thinking and problem-solving skills in his dream.
• Veil Valetti: Revealed to be a B-3 Level Researcher whose consciousness remains in the Winter Mountain. He hints at the truth but cannot directly reveal it due to an unknown entity's influence.

Significant Themes

• The pursuit of truth: Both Lin Yu and Veil Valetti are driven by the desire to uncover the truth behind the Instance and the deaths in the Winter Mountain.
• The consequences of secrets: The organization's leak has led to the deaths of innocent people, highlighting the dangers of hidden information and the importance of transparency.

Character Interactions

• Lin Yu and Sherlock: Although not present in this chapter, their interaction is implied as they decide to sleep together to rest before continuing their investigation.
• Lin Yu and Veil Valetti: Lin Yu interacts with Veil Valetti's consciousness in his dream, asking questions and receiving hints about the Instance's truth. Veil Valetti expresses hope in Lin Yu's intelligence and potential to end the situation.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Yu and Sherlock wake up after sleeping for around 3 hours, but Lin Yu has lost three abilities, indicating that the people associated with those abilities are dead.
• They find the corpse of a Player who believed he was a "Cook," killed by the instance's monster, "Chate," which causes death in dreams.
• Lin Yu deduces that they've been sleeping for more than 24 hours each time, and it's actually the fifth day, not the third.
• Sherlock decides to play the instance seriously, using 100% of his power.

Character Developments

• Lin Yu: Shows analytical skills and deductive reasoning, gaining insights in his dreams from Veil Valetti.
• Sherlock: Initially carefree, he becomes more serious and committed to the instance after learning about the accelerated time and the monster's killing method.

Significant Themes

• Time distortion: The instance's monster causes time to pass more quickly while they're sleeping.
• Death in dreams: The monster kills by instilling fear in dreams, causing victims to die of fright.
• Trust and teamwork: Lin Yu begins to trust Sherlock more, and they start working together.

Character Interactions

• Lin Yu and Sherlock: They start to rely on each other more, with Lin Yu providing deductions and Sherlock offering his analytical skills. Their relationship evolves from initial wariness to cooperation.
• Lin Yu and Veil Valetti: Though not physically present, Veil Valetti's influence is significant as she sends Lin Yu dreams containing valuable information.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Yu decides to share information with Sherlock, embellishing the story of Veil Valetti and the Instance's events.
• Sherlock deduces the tragic history of the Instance and the 'Chate' monster.
• Lin Yu and Sherlock discuss the risks and rewards of investigating further, with Lin Yu convincing Sherlock to continue.
• Sherlock leads Lin Yu to the suspected location of the cave but realizes something is amiss.

Character Developments

• Lin Yu: Becomes more open with Sherlock, using his understanding of Sherlock's personality to manipulate him into continuing the investigation.
• Sherlock: Enters "full power mode," showing his exceptional deductive skills but also revealing his overconfidence and vulnerability to illusions.

Significant Themes

• Trust and deception: Lin Yu manipulates Sherlock, while Sherlock remains wary of Veil Valetti and potential NPC threats.
• Obsession with truth: Both Lin Yu and Sherlock are driven by their desire to uncover the truth, even at great risk.
• Illusion vs. reality: The Instance's events and the 'Chate' monster challenge the characters' perceptions of reality.

Character Interactions

• Lin Yu and Sherlock: Their partnership deepens as they share information and experiences, with Lin Yu manipulating Sherlock's obsession with solving puzzles to convince him to continue.
• Lin Yu and Veil Valetti: Lin Yu remains cautious about trusting Veil Valetti, acknowledging the potential risks but deciding to proceed anyway.
• Sherlock and the Instance: Sherlock's overconfidence in his abilities leads him to underestimate the Instance's challenges, ultimately causing him to realize something is amiss.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Yu and Sherlock search for a cave on Winter Mountain based on Lin Yu's dream.
• They discover an incongruous rock face that doesn't react to heat, suggesting it's a 'rock face of the past'.
• Lin Yu uses his torch to melt the rock face, revealing a hidden cave with a metal door.
• The cave's entrance matches Lin Yu's dream, indicating they're on the right track.

Character Developments

• Lin Yu: Shows intuition and understanding of the 'Black Gold Oil' and its properties, leading them to the cave.
• Sherlock: Uses his detective ability to confirm Lin Yu's intuition and provides insight into the 'Black Gold Oil' technique.

Significant Themes

• The power of intuition and dreams.
• The transformative nature of emotions and memories, represented by the 'Black Gold Oil'.
• The pursuit of truth and understanding, symbolized by their search for the cave.

Character Interactions

• Lin Yu and Sherlock work together, combining Lin Yu's intuition and Sherlock's analytical skills to find the cave.
• They share a friendly banter, with Sherlock admiring Lin Yu's torch and Lin Yu questioning Sherlock's dignity.
• Their partnership is built on mutual respect and understanding, with each contributing to their shared goal.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Yu and Sherlock enter a cave with advanced technology, contrary to the instance's initial low-tech impression.
• Lin Yu realizes Sherlock knows about the organization behind the instance's technology.
• Sherlock reveals he's encountered this organization in previous instances and has been testing Lin Yu.

Character Developments

• Lin Yu: Shows keen observational skills and deductive reasoning, suspecting Sherlock's true thoughts. Reveals he's been testing Sherlock as well.
• Sherlock (For pollo): Admits he recognized Lin Yu and thought he was a high-ranking member of the 'Psychology Society.' Reveals his past encounters with the organization.

Significant Themes

• Trust and deception: Both characters have been testing each other, hiding their true thoughts.
• Power dynamics: The organization's advanced technology gives them god-like power, creating disparities in living standards.
• Identity: Lin Yu's true profession and his connection to the 'Psychology Society' are still unclear.

Character Interactions

• Lin Yu and Sherlock's dynamic shifts as they reveal their suspicions about each other.
• Lin Yu's lie detector confirms Sherlock's genuine belief about Lin Yu's identity.
• Lin Yu expresses frustration with Sherlock's incorrect assumption about his identity.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Yu and Sherlock clear up the misunderstanding about Lin Yu's connection to the "Psychology Society."
• They discover an abandoned, advanced factory deep underground, filled with black oil and pulsating machinery.
• The source of the black oil is revealed to be a machine that converts 'emotions' into physical entities, likely representing 'fear.'
• Veil Valetti, an employee of the "Truth Company," appears and confirms that 'Chate' is a project, not a creature.

Character Developments

• Lin Yu: Shows curiosity and determination to unravel the mystery, revealing his true feelings about the "Psychology Society."
• Sherlock: Becomes more open and trusting of Lin Yu after learning he's not from the "Psychology Society," showing a more friendly and supportive side.

Significant Themes

• The power of emotions: The conversion of emotions into physical entities highlights the theme of the power of emotions.
• Truth vs. Perception: The reveal of 'Chate' as a project rather than a creature challenges the players' perceptions and the truth they've been led to believe.

Character Interactions

• Lin Yu and Sherlock: Their relationship evolves from suspicion to trust and cooperation as they work together to uncover the truth about 'Chate.'
• Lin Yu and Veil Valetti: Their interaction is brief but significant, as Veil confirms Lin Yu's suspicions about 'Chate' being a project rather than a creature.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Truth Company, using alchemical technology to convert human emotions into energy, becomes a major corporation in the City That Never Sleeps.
• The company secretly develops "Oil of Fear," a versatile and potent emotional creation that can store and simulate human consciousness, and even imprison souls.
• In the Great Wilderness, the Truth Company establishes a base under Winter Mountain to extract fear from villagers, leading to the creation of a monster called Chate.
• Chate, now controlling Winter Mountain, lures more people to maintain its growth and self-propagation.
• Lin Yu and Sherlock encounter Veil Valetti, a manifestation of Chate, who reveals the truth about Winter Mountain.

Character Developments

• Lin Yu demonstrates his intelligence and curiosity, questioning Veil Valetti's intentions.
• Veil Valetti, initially presented as a mysterious guide, is revealed to be a creation of the Truth Company, driven by the need to end its own existence.

Significant Themes

• The consequences of unchecked corporate power and greed.
• The dual nature of technology, which can both benefit and harm society.
• The struggle between intelligence and ignorance, as seen in the interactions between Lin Yu and the villagers.

Character Interactions

• Lin Yu and Sherlock work together to uncover the truth about Winter Mountain.
• Veil Valetti interacts with Lin Yu, initially guiding him but later revealing his true nature and seeking Lin Yu's help to end Chate.
• The villagers are manipulated by the Truth Company and Chate, driven by their greed and ignorance.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Yu meets Veil Valetti, who reveals the truth about the 'monster' created by the Truth Company.
• The 'monster' is a collective consciousness formed by devoured souls, aiming to gain true life by digesting more souls.
• Veil Valetti tasks Lin Yu with finding and destroying the monster's true form within the dream, but Lin Yu refuses to enter the dream.
• Lin Yu reveals he can't enter the dream due to his unique abilities and lack of personal stakes in the survivors' fate.
• Veil Valetti offers to help disrupt communication in the dream to protect Lin Yu's secrets and offers his indestructible notebook as a deal.

Character Developments

• Lin Yu: Shows resolve in completing his mission, prioritizing his own safety, and maintaining his secrets. He demonstrates his ability to manipulate rules.
• Veil Valetti: Reveals more about the monster and his role in it. He shows desperation and is willing to make a deal to save the survivors.

Significant Themes

• The truth vs. deception: Lin Yu's mission revolves around exposing the truth, while the monster and the company represent deception.
• Self-preservation vs. sacrifice: Lin Yu prioritizes his own safety, while Veil Valetti is willing to risk himself to save others.

Character Interactions

• Lin Yu and Veil Valetti: They negotiate a deal, with Veil Valetti offering help to protect Lin Yu's secrets and Lin Yu agreeing to let Veil Valetti disrupt communication in the dream.
• Lin Yu and Sherlock: Sherlock is suspicious of Veil Valetti and warns Lin Yu, but Lin Yu makes his own decisions.