Chapter Summaries

Ian chose a perfect-grade Silver Halberd Falcon material as his reward from the Imperial Capital Association, intending to use it as a foundation for the Rockforged Knight. Master Vana mistook his choice for an effort to restore his family’s Silverpeak Envoy inheritance and praised his restraint.

• Master Vana offered Ian a choice between Second Energy Level materials, potion formulas, and accessories, and Ian chose a material.
• Master Vana showed Ian the vault’s list of perfect-grade materials, and Ian considered how to use his reward alongside materials from the Inspecting Knights Order.
• Ian selected the Rainbow Spear Plumes of a Silver Halberd Falcon for the Rockforged Knight’s outer armor, reasoning that its strength and endurance suited him.
• Master Vana saw Ian’s selection and assumed he wanted to restore the Chehalorvo Family’s Silverpeak Envoy true form, praising his prudent choice.

Ian accepted the power of the collective souls and became an Undead Monarch, gaining immense strength and a clearer path toward the Third Energy Level. As he guarded the Light-Embracing Rescue Team, Grand Duke Solin pursued his plan outside the Subspace Labyrinth, while another Undead Monarch sensed Ian's emergence.

• Ian gained Netherworld Armor, heightened control over Origin Matter, and the power to drain life force after the collective souls accepted him as their Undead Monarch.
• A white-haired man inside the Subspace Labyrinth sensed Ian's transformation, wondered if another Undead Monarch had been born, and ordered his phantom army to attack.
• Outside the Subspace Labyrinth, Split Solin told Director Moze that he would complete Inyaga's plan to establish an independent nation, despite the Emperor's likely wrath.
• Ian realized that his soul and body had become one and that he was close to understanding the Soul Light Body and reaching the Third Energy Level.
• The Light-Embracing Rescue Team noticed Ian's transformation, but he reassured them and offered to stand guard until they were ready to leave.
• Radiant Sword told the team not to worry and said that Gloomvale Knight had made his own choice.

Ian learned that defeating the Nightmare Spawn had given him a Fear Aura that made others obey him, and he used Director Honagar’s information to piece together the catastrophe at the Avak Central Laboratory. The chapter ended with Ian realizing that the Undead Monarch had absorbed power from the Dead River Project and could soon regain or surpass his former strength.

• Ian realized that the Nightmare Spawn’s lingering power gave him a Fear Aura that compelled people to obey his demands within the Subspace Labyrinth.
• Director Honagar revealed that the Spirit Cognition Institute, Grand Duke Solin, and the Blazing Flame Lands had separate core projects: the Nameless Savior, the Former Undead Monarch, and the Dead River of All Beings.
• Ian learned that a new researcher had released the Avak Laboratory’s artificial souls, transforming the Void Realm into the Silent Abyss and gaining the Undead Monarch’s power.
• Ian pieced together that the Undead Monarch had destroyed the Blazing Flame Lands’ refuge, while outside forces and rival factions delayed his advance.
• Ian concluded that the Undead Monarch was digesting power from the Dead River Project and might soon recover or exceed his peak strength.

After defeating the Dragon-Worshiping Cult ambush, Ian and Viscount Grant polished a report to secure credit and compensation while planning to exploit the captives’ rescuers. Ian returned to Harrison Port to a warm welcome, then looked toward the South Sea Grand Labyrinth and his next ambitions.

• Viscount Grant coached Ian to recast their victory as a defense of an innocent civilian convoy, exaggerate casualties, and blame the Blazing Flame Lands to win recognition and aid.
• Ian gave Viscount Grant seventy percent of the expected compensation as a gift for Little Comete, and Grant praised Ian while reflecting on how his coming family had clarified his purpose and brought him close to Third Energy Level.
• Ian ordered the three captured Dragon-Worshiping Cult cadres held in Harrison Port, and he and Viscount Grant planned to use their transfer to draw out the cultists waiting there.
• Azure Tide realized Ian and Viscount Grant had deliberately sent the captives toward Harrison Port to lure out the remaining cultists, and Ian ordered the convoy to depart.
• Three days later, Ian returned to Harrison Port, where the White Folk and others welcomed him; he considered the port his foundation and set his sights on the South Sea Grand Labyrinth.
• In the South Sea Grand Labyrinth, Sha Sha sensed that Ian had returned and excitedly urged the Crystal Dragon egg to stop waiting, while the egg continued to sway silently.

Ian captured Xike Nemasas, learned that the Blazing Flame Lands had sent him to seek a foothold on the New Continent, and revealed his powerful Ice Fairy form. He brought Xike to the Ironcloud Mountains to use his rapid-metamorphosis bloodline to accelerate the Glazed Crystal Dragon’s transformation, which began with a burst of azure light and a dragon’s roar.

• Ian read Xike Nemasas’s memories and learned that the Blazing Flame Lands had sent him and its Construct Knights to seek a way out on the New Continent after their military setbacks.
• Ian revealed himself as Fairy Ian, and Xike recognized him as a formidable Fourth Energy Level powerhouse and accepted that he would be captured and his soul imprisoned.
• Ian let Nethersea depart for its Farshore Island allies after it expressed its longing for peace and tranquility.
• Ian decided to use Xike’s Boundless Primordial Worm bloodline to accelerate the Glazed Crystal Dragon’s metamorphosis instead of mechanizing its body.
• Ian carried Xike to the Ironcloud Mountains, where the mountains trembled and a beam of azure light rose as the Glazed Crystal Dragon roared.

Ian and Adalbert committed themselves to a future-focused project, accepting that the systems they built would eventually be replaced once humanity could safely travel into space. In Xiahui Territory, education, agricultural growth, industrial development, and Ian’s authority over the Mountain Folk advanced, while Ian ordered former priests to teach or face replacement.

• Ian told Adalbert that he sought to help humanity reach the heavens, and Adalbert agreed to pursue the work despite its eventual failure.
• After Ian returned, Xiahui Territory promoted Roland’s Dwarf technicians, began an Alchemy Industrial Park, and required officials and residents to attend education and technical courses.
• By December of Terra Year 774, the second harvest of Rosy Radiance Grass brought Xiahui Territory’s annual net profit to one million Taler, much of which Ian directed toward construction and military industry.
• Ian secured the Mountain Folk’s support by displaying his Soul Light Body and became the central figure in their faith system.
• Ian ordered schools built across the Mountain Folk lands and directed former tribal priests to teach ordinary people, threatening to replace those who refused.

After taking Elan home, Ian collapsed in agony as the chip left by the late Emperor began connecting to his nerves. Elder Pude, meanwhile, concluded that Ian was a prophet and resolved to seek the natives’ holy relic to strengthen him and the White Folk.

• Ian told Elder Pude that he valued the White Folk clan and would not abandon it, and Elder Pude admitted he had little more to offer him.
• Ian cleaned Elan’s face, thanked Elder Pude, and took his younger brother home, explaining that their uncle might never return.
• After the brothers left, Elder Pude reconsidered past events and decided to pursue the Twin Leaves of Foresight to strengthen Ian’s spiritual energy and help the White Folk reclaim their glory.
• Once home, Ian collapsed and suffered intense pain as a rainbow radiance spread through his body.
• Ian realized that the chip called Inaga’s Legacy was connecting to his nerves.

Ian led the Light-Embracing Rescue Team toward the Undead Monarch’s lair, choosing a longer, safer route so they could rest. During their camp in the Black Soil Garden, he reassured the insecure Sheo about her mother before falling into a real sleep and resonating with souls.

• Radiant Sword advised Ian to evacuate, but Ian agreed to guide the team toward the exit and decide later whether to stay.
• Ian led the exhausted Light-Embracing Rescue Team through the Black Soil Garden, where they set up camp and rested in shifts.
• While on watch, Sheo worried that her mother would scold or reject her, and Ian encouraged her to speak to the Mountain King in her human body.
• Sheo entered dormancy, and Ian lay down to rest but unexpectedly fell asleep.
• Ian began resonating with one soul, then with countless souls.

Ian accompanied Isengard to meet Lady Ellen at the Ellen Family estate, where she congratulated him on becoming the youngest lord in Southern Ridge history. The chapter ended as Lady Ellen told him to put on his armor for an important pre-luncheon investiture ceremony and offered him a choice of territory outside Layan City.

• Ian and Isengard rode through the heavily guarded Second Layer District, and Isengard explained that Ian's generation had shed the Chehalorvo Family's displaced-person status.
• Ian and Isengard arrived at the Ellen Family estate, where Lady Ellen was waiting to meet them.
• Lady Ellen teased Isengard for failing to notify her about Ian's visit, then reminded him to take responsibility for his own safety.
• Lady Ellen told Ian to put on his armor for his investiture ceremony and offered him a territory anywhere except Layan City.
• Lady Ellen congratulated Ian on becoming the youngest lord in the history of the Southern Ridge.

Ian revealed his prophetic ability to Elder Pude and asked him to protect Elan while he went to help Hilliard. He demonstrated his control of Origin Matter, prompting Pude to recognize the possibility that Ian had inherited the mantle of the Sand Armor Apprentice.

• Ian returned home with Elan and waited for a signal from Hilliard, but none came.
• Ian took Elan to Elder Pude and revealed that a knight had come for him and Hilliard, asking Pude to care for Elan while he went to help his family.
• Ian told Pude that his visions showed that attempts to intervene or flee would end in death, and Pude struggled with whether to believe him.
• Ian showed Pude his ability to control Origin Matter, and Pude suspected that Ian had inherited the mantle of the Sand Armor Apprentice.

Ian fought Viscount Avak, who wielded the Dead River Armament, and killed him despite the Viscount’s ghost storm and overwhelming power. The Viscount revived and charged again, only for Ian to kill him a second time.

• Viscount Avak’s Dead River Armament blocked Ian’s opening sword strike, and Avak attacked with a halberd.
• Ian blocked Avak’s thrust, then plunged into his ghost storm and severed the structure holding it together.
• Ian cut through the Dead River Armament and killed Viscount Avak with a strike to the neck.
• Ian retreated as the Dead River Armament unleashed a crimson eruption and restored Avak and his armor.
• Avak charged Ian again, but Ian fought him at high speed and killed him once more.

After escaping the ruins through the hidden entrance beneath Odell Reef, Ian pieced together how Viscount Grant had learned about the natives’ sacred land but still failed to rescue the guard squad. The survivors heard naval cannon fire offshore, and Master Gose decided they needed to contact Aels for pickup before the situation grew troublesome.

• The survivors emerged from Redwood Base’s hidden entrance and breathed fresh air on an islet near Odell Reef.
• Isengard reflected on Patrick’s death and decided to avoid provoking Viscount Grant while they sought a pickup.
• Ian realized Morin had delivered the blue keycard to Viscount Grant, who had learned that the natives’ sacred land was a Pre-Epoch ruin but never came to help the guard squad.
• Ian concealed his troubling thoughts and spoke with Isengard as the rising tide and distant cannon fire shook the reefs.
• Bishop White Mist and Master Gose ended their conversation, and Master Gose concluded that a rapid fleet had arrived offshore and they should contact Aels for pickup.

Hua An helped Ian awaken Frost Butterfly and crafted a fairy shell for her from the materials he had prepared. As Frost Butterfly began forming her new body, Hua An asked Ian to help sculpt her face.

• Hua An explained that she had come to investigate a possible Native Fairy settlement in the South Sea Grand Labyrinth and taught Ian how to use the Awakening potion.
• Ian poured the potion into a pool, where water-aspect Nature Psionics formed an Element Crystal that Frost Butterfly hugged as she absorbed it.
• Hua An inspected Ian’s materials and crafted a fairy shell with an Origin Matter engine, wings, and outer armor.
• Ian placed the shell in the pool, and Frost Butterfly’s light and the potion’s materials flowed into it as she began forming her new body.
• Hua An grabbed Ian’s armor and asked him to sculpt Frost Butterfly’s face with her.

Ian confronted the Hive Mind and rejected its invitation to become the Brood’s master, choosing to pursue what he believed was a better future. He destroyed the Hive Mind’s brain, leaving the Brood’s fate unresolved as the battle outside continued.

• Ian discovered that the Hive Mind’s cocoon had grown around a ruined Pre-Epoch armored suit and that its crystals and living metal came from the suit’s Aether Furnace Core.
• Ian considered how becoming the Brood’s master could let him build a power, create a biological faster-than-light vessel, and seek the stars, but he feared accepting the Hive Mind’s offer.
• Ian reaffirmed his wish for the best possible future and identified a breach in the armor protecting the Hive Mind’s cocoon.
• Ian leapt forward and struck the cocoon with his sword, cutting through its armor and destroying the Hive Mind’s brain.
• Ian sheathed his sword over the shattered cocoon and said he had acted only for a better future.

In the Void Realm, Ian discovered that the Silver Chip could transform the souls left by his slain enemies into useful spiritual-matter units. He realized the units could serve as an auxiliary computing module, though he did not yet understand why the Silver Chip had activated there.

• Ian entered the Void Realm and found that the Undead Monarch’s power had condensed into a rhombohedral core within his soul.
• Ian used Precognitive Vision to identify the nearby lights as ownerless spiritual matter left by Ascenders slain by the Undead Monarch.
• Ian attempted to collect the spiritual matter, and the Silver Chip’s patterns spread across and reconstructed the aggregates.
• Ian identified the transformed units as spiritual-matter computing and supply units that could restore his soul and support special structures.
• Ian noticed the units increased his calculation speed and recognized them as an auxiliary computing module.

Viscount Dikas conveyed Crown Prince Carlos’s interest in Ian and offered cooperation, prompting Ian to recognize that Carlos had found a path to transform Terra’s civilization. Ian accepted the prospect of working together without choosing sides, and received official recognition for his church along with promises of Imperial aid.

• Viscount Dikas, temporarily possessed by Crown Prince Carlos, told Ian that Carlos had found a key to the next era and wanted to recruit him without forcing him to choose a side.
• Ian concluded that Carlos’s divine-power technology supported the Spirit-Venerating Divine Church, but decided Carlos was neither an enemy nor a true ally.
• Ian told Viscount Dikas that he agreed with Carlos’s ideas and was developing a church, while declining to commit to a faction.
• Viscount Dikas offered future cooperation and gave Ian a blank Empire Orthodox Church Qualification Certificate bearing the required seals and signatures.
• Ian welcomed the church’s official recognition, and Viscount Dikas promised that Carlos had secured the largest share of aid for him.

Roland took Xiahui Territory’s first civil service examination, answered its political and ethical questions according to his judgment, and submitted his paper early. In the rest area, veteran tax officer Old Fal recognized him and guessed that the final questions had troubled him.

• Roland left his ailing father’s house and walked through Rosy Glow City toward the examination hall, deciding to buy fruit for him on the way home.
• Roland passed the identity check and began the civil service examination, scoring confidently on questions about mathematics, general knowledge, agriculture, and mining.
• Roland criticized Nauman City’s famine response and described the Empire’s relationship with the Blazing Flame Lands in his written answers.
• Roland answered that he would refer a choice between two eligible subsidy recipients to the lord’s manor, then proposed delaying collection from a farming family unable to pay its taxes and seed fees.
• Roland submitted his paper as the second candidate and met Old Fal, who recognized him as Steward Morda’s youngest son and guessed that the final questions had troubled him.

After a Void Realm pulse disabled the transport vehicle, Ian led the Patrol Knights to prepare for an attack in Azure City. As monsters emerged from the fog, Ian identified the real threats and assigned Teres to fight the Iron-Clawed Honey Badger while he took on a phantom.

• The technical knight reported that the transport vehicle needed repairs, so Teres ordered the squad to unload supplies and explore on foot.
• Ian concluded that an enemy had sabotaged the vehicle and warned Teres to prepare for an attack; Teres put the squad on alert.
• Fungal zombies charged the squad, but mines blasted most of them apart while Ian explained that the other apparitions were illusions.
• Ian identified an Iron-Clawed Honey Badger and two phantoms approaching, then told the squad to handle the beast while he dealt with the female phantom.
• Teres accepted Ian's plan and focused on fighting the beast as Ian watched the enemies' movements.

Mikael revealed that he had found fragments of the shattered Heavenly Prison in the comet cloud and believed Axel planned to unleash the Light Calamity. Ian realized Axel was using the fragments as cover for another plan, and the chapter ended with Ian preparing to explain the Cradle and the true nature of the Light Calamity to Mikael.

• Mikael explained that his Sun God Bird bloodline made Terra feel like a suffocating cage and that he wanted to change the world.
• Mikael said he had traveled beyond Terra and found fragments of the Heavenly Prison in the comet cloud, where blazing lights had been sealed and controlled.
• Mikael accused Axel of controlling the Light Calamity and said he intended to stop his father from destroying the world.
• Ian deduced that the lights were energy held in Heavenly Prison fragments and that Mikael had mistaken them for the true Light Calamity.
• Ian realized Axel had triggered the fragments after warfare subsided to conceal a larger plan, then promised to tell Mikael about the Cradle and the true Light Calamity.

Ian dragged Osena’s corpse into Lake Forest, where a hungry female forest leopard confronted him as he prepared to attack. Elsewhere, an old knight returned to Harrison Port and investigated a blood-scented house after hearing two children inside.

• Ian dragged Osena’s corpse through Lake Forest, relying on food-fueled stamina to reach a secluded lake.
• Ian noticed a hidden forest leopard, grabbed his pitchfork, and used Osena’s corpse to distract it before advancing with a streak of golden light following him.
• An old knight reflected on Harrison Port’s decline as he walked through its abandoned eastern district.
• The old knight smelled blood near a decrepit house, heard two children breathing inside, and silently approached its window.