Chapter Summaries

Tao Yu entered the military base with Park Ji-hyun, but the officers refused to cooperate and demanded he become a test subject, so he killed the command staff and began clearing the headquarters. He left Park Ji-hyun as the only person in the building, then attacked another captain’s squad near the laboratory, prompting a sergeant to call for backup.

• Tao Yu agreed to let Park Ji-hyun use the recovered vaccine to arrange a meeting with the base commander.
• General Han and the other senior officers rejected Tao Yu’s offer to cooperate and demanded he become a test subject, so Tao Yu killed them.
• Tao Yu questioned Park Ji-hyun about taking control of the base and decided to eliminate the remaining officers and cut off outside communications.
• Tao Yu silently killed the guards and swept through the headquarters, leaving Park Ji-hyun as its only survivor.
• Tao Yu followed a captain and his squad toward the laboratory, ambushed them, and left most of the soldiers alive but injured.
• A sergeant called for backup after reporting a powerful monster in Area B.

Tao Yu rampaged through the camp to reach the laboratory, where he seized the vaccine and subdued Dr. Ren. As Park Ji-hyun restored order, infected test subjects broke free from the laboratory, leaving the soldiers to contain the outbreak.

• Tao Yu used his agility, Spiritual Sense, and Chronostasis - Time Control to attack squads across the camp and evade their weapons.
• Tao Yu entered the laboratory through a ventilation duct and defeated the soldiers guarding it.
• Tao Yu severed Dr. Ren’s arm, opened the vaccine case, and knocked him unconscious after realizing he was beginning to mutate.
• Park Ji-hyun took command at the control center and organized searches throughout the camp.
• A Giant Muscle Monster Infected burst through the laboratory wall, and escaped test subjects flooded out before the soldiers drove them from the camp or incinerated them.

After Park Ji-hyun took charge of the surviving soldiers, Tao Yu led the researchers and Crow Squads to Green Home to collect the residents he had identified as test subjects. The convoy left for the rainforest with the residents, research materials, and vaccine, while Big Black and Little Black followed behind.

• Park Ji-hyun reorganized the ruined camp and led the researchers, experimental materials, and Nam Sang-won's body to the abandoned research facility with three Crow Squads.
• Tao Yu and Park Ji-hyun redirected the convoy to Green Home, where Park Ji-hyun took command of the twenty-four Crow Squad soldiers.
• The convoy arrived at Green Home, and Curly ran to report the infected residents to the soldiers.
• Tao Yu made it appear that Curly had reached for his gun, and Park Ji-hyun shot him dead.
• Tao Yu gathered the residents into reinforced vans and led them toward the rainforest with the armored vehicles, while Big Black and Little Black followed on the roof.

Tao Yu led the survivors through the World Barrier and into the rainforest, testing who could leave the world and explaining the effects of the transition. After several days of a grueling trek, he sensed a Pioneer nearby as the group continued toward safety.

• Tao Yu revealed that he had come from outside to contact Dr. Ren and take the survivors somewhere safer, then tested who could pass through the World Barrier.
• Che Hyeon-su, the convenience-store owner and his wife, and the man in the wheelchair passed through, while Dr. Ren and several Special Infected were blocked; Tao Yu left the barrier and tested how monsterification changed outside the world.
• Tao Yu brought Big Black and Little Black through the barrier and led the group into the rainforest, where Big Black drove off nearby aliens.
• Crow Squad and the survivors cleared a path while Tao Yu ordered everyone to keep moving, and the group struggled through the rainforest and camped overnight.
• After three days of travel, Tao Yu sensed movement nearby, and Big Black's warning roar silenced it.

Tao Yu’s group encountered Vinson and his two companions in the rainforest, and Tao Yu killed all three after Vinson moved to investigate. The chapter ended with Tao Yu burning the remains and worrying that the explosions and flames might start a forest fire.

• Vinson heard Tao Yu’s group nearby and used a cult incident as an excuse to approach them.
• Tao Yu declared that the aliens belonged to his group, then attacked when Vinson and his companions advanced.
• Tao Yu struck Qian Hai with a force-enhanced kick, destroying his artificial heart, then avoided Vinson’s gunfire.
• Tao Yu appeared behind Vinson and shot through his reinforced skull with bullets enhanced by Black Mist.
• Bowen begged Tao Yu to spare him, but Tao Yu cut him apart and burned the three men’s remains.
• Tao Yu looked at the nearby flames and wondered whether they would ignite the rainforest.

Tao Yu led the survivors out of the rainforest, where demonization had killed several of their companions, and brought them to the world barrier near the expanded base. He discovered that Glasses Boy Xiao Li could pass through the barrier, giving him a second Chosen One and new prospects for the journey ahead.

• Tao Yu warned the camp that cultists were a grave danger in the Abyss and concealed the details of his fight with the suicide bombers.
• The group crossed the rainforest, but four Crow Squad soldiers and other companions lost control to demonization and were burned.
• Tao Yu worried about Xu Yijing, whose fetus had grown visibly despite her remaining rational, while Park Ji-hyun admitted she had nearly lost control.
• The survivors reached the rainforest's edge and saw the expanded base, where Tao Yu recognized Panda, Qimen, Huang Jian, Norsen, and Han Lin among a crowd of Inner City colonizers.
• Tao Yu tested the survivors at the world barrier and found that Glasses Boy Xiao Li could pass through, joining Xiao Xian as a second Chosen One.

Tao Yu arrived at the settlement with his group and turned away an opportunistic Inner City pioneer without starting a fight. He reunited with Panda and the others, discussed their expanding company plans, and offered Ahn Ji-jeol as a helicopter pilot for their next supply expedition.

• An Inner City pioneer approached Tao Yu’s group, mistook them for newcomers from another world, and offered help while eyeing a share of their goods.
• Tao Yu ordered the pioneer’s crew to help the group down, then intimidated the pioneer when he asked for a share.
• Panda, Qimen, Han Lin, Huang Jian, and Norsen greeted Tao Yu, and the pioneer changed his attitude after seeing Tao Yu’s connections.
• Panda told Tao Yu that hauling profits had fallen and that the company planned to establish ammunition production lines and seek supplies in the New Frontier.
• Tao Yu agreed to support the new company and introduced Ahn Ji-jeol as a helicopter pilot who could help transport supplies.

Tao Yu explained Beastification to Panda and lent him a vaccine before returning to the base with the mission’s survivors, researchers, and materials. He entered the base safely with his aliens and headed to the mission hall to claim rewards and look for a way to make the Alien Queen productive.

• Tao Yu demonstrated his keratin-claw ability to Panda and explained Beastification’s risks and how to suppress it.
• Tao Yu lent Panda a vaccine, and Panda accepted it with thanks.
• Tao Yu departed with Crow Squad soldiers, Green Home survivors, Dr. Ren, and the other researchers in a modified bus.
• Tao Yu arrived at the expanding base, bought leashes for Little Black and Big Black, and led the group through the gates.
• Tao Yu took the mission materials and people to the mission hall to turn them in and ask about special work for the Alien Queen.

Tao Yu went to the mission hall to negotiate the sale of the Alien Queen, researchers, and research materials, but Frank tried to cheat and intimidate him. After Tao Yu exposed Frank with a recording, Frank attacked and Tao Yu shattered his arm with internal force.

• Tao Yu brought Dahai and Little Black to the mission hall and asked about turning in missions and selling research materials and researchers.
• Frank questioned Tao Yu, then offered him only fifty thousand Wish Power upfront and a note for the rest in a private deal.
• Frank revealed his contempt for Tao Yu as an Outer City partner and demanded that he take the money and leave.
• Tao Yu absorbed the Wish Power from Frank's empty card and played a recording that exposed the attempted fraud.
• Frank attacked Tao Yu, who countered with internal force and shattered Frank's arm.

Tao Yu defeated Frank and Sun Shiyu killed him, then Tao Yu used his Wish Power to Deify Fist Intent and improve Stealth. He decided to return home for a while, where he planned to help Third Brother fix his leg.

• Tao Yu confronted Frank over the intercepted jobs, and Sun Shiyu arrived after hearing that Frank's family was involved.
• Sun Shiyu twisted Frank's body into a knot, warned Tao Yu to leave by another route, and gave him three hundred thousand Wish Power as a reward.
• Tao Yu spent Wish Power to Deify Fist Intent, discovering it could erode and destroy physical objects and make his mind-based abilities more aggressive.
• Tao Yu upgraded the giant python's Stealth, gaining the ability to travel between connected shadows and absorb ambient Shadow Power.
• Tao Yu decided to leave the nearby area and return home to help Third Brother fix his leg.

Tao Yu returned to the Real World after more than two months away and reunited with his worried family. He revealed that he had brought a vaccine that could help Third Brother regrow his severed limb, but warned that it required absorbing over a hundred contaminated fragments over at least a month.

• Tao Yu left the Crow Squad and the people from Green Home Apartments with Jack, then returned to the Real World.
• Tao Yu came home and reassured his worried family that he was safe, while Uncle Hu warned him not to take excessive risks or use Joy.
• Tao Yu gave Uncle Hu cigars and told his family that his work in the New Frontier was profitable and that he got along with members of the Sun Family.
• Tao Yu presented Third Brother with a vaccine that could help regrow his severed limb and explained that its contaminated fragments had to be absorbed gradually.

Tao Yu reassured his family about the wealth he had earned, helped Third Brother prepare to absorb a demonization skill, and shared a joyful family meal. He then returned to the Myriad Flow Dojo, reflecting on how his growing ambitions would require far more Wish Power.

• Tao Yu told Tao Long that two powerful members of the Sun Family backed him and explained that he had found a Child of Destiny for the base.
• Tao Long warned Tao Yu to keep the hundred thousand Wish Power value secret, and the family agreed to be cautious.
• Tao Yu instructed Tao Tong to absorb no more than three demonization skill pieces per day, told Tao Shi to supervise him, and left them two thousand Wish Power for household expenses.
• Hong Xia and Tao Long raised the prospect of Tao Yu finding a partner, but Tao Long told her to let Tao Yu decide for himself.
• Tao Yu visited the Myriad Flow Dojo, where students greeted him as Martial Uncle, and began training while considering the cost of future skills and Deifications.

Tao Yu learned what it would take to settle in the Inner City and heard that Uncle Hu’s position as acting deputy captain was under threat. He decided to find a way to help without putting Uncle Hu at risk, while considering qualifying as an Intermediate Partner.

• Tao Yu impressed Liu Yi with his rapid progress and emphasized that an important figure from Floating City had favored him.
• Liu Yi explained that an Intermediate Partner could qualify to enter the Inner City with family, but that housing and living costs were high.
• Liu Yi told Tao Yu that a rival with Inner City connections wanted Uncle Hu’s acting deputy captain position in the Security Team’s South City branch.
• Tao Yu connected the challenge to the recent gang war and the missing Inner City Young Master, and realized his actions had helped create the opening to target Uncle Hu.
• Tao Yu ruled out solving the problem through a death that could implicate Uncle Hu and considered earning Intermediate Partner status to gain greater standing.

Tao Yu planned to enter the Inner City and pursue Intermediate Partner status, hoping to help Uncle Hu. Before setting out, he delivered food to his sister Fourth and learned she had returned to work just after giving birth.

• Tao Yu checked the requirements for Intermediate Partner status and estimated that his missions and transportation-company stake had brought him close to the necessary points.
• Tao Long and Hong Xia asked Tao Yu to take smoked meat and eggs to Fourth, who had recently given birth.
• Tao Yu carried the food through the Outer City to Fourth’s in-laws’ home and introduced himself to Uncle Gu and Auntie Gu.
• Auntie Gu told Tao Yu that Fourth had taken her newborn to work in the Inner City because a coworker had gone into labor early.
• Tao Yu reflected on the harsh conditions facing Outer City families and the dangers and inequalities of their world.

Tao Yu met his sister Tao Lan at the Inner City gate while she queued for work shortly after giving birth. After learning she was assigned to District 8, he said he would visit and help after handling his own business.

• Tao Lan queued to enter the Inner City with her newborn while her father-in-law's cousin, Third Uncle, arranged lighter work for her in District 8.
• A coworker asked Tao Lan how long it might take to earn a long-term work card, but she stayed silent about how unlikely it was.
• Tao Yu arrived and reunited with Tao Lan, drawing attention from her coworkers because of his A-rank talent.
• A guard confirmed that Tao Yu's Partner Certificate and identity chip allowed him to enter the Inner City, though he had to leave before nightfall without a task.
• Tao Lan told Tao Yu she worked in District 8 and urged him to focus on improving himself, while Third Uncle also warned him not to waste his talent.

Tao Yu entered the Inner City and went to a mission hall to find high-reward work that would help him qualify for Intermediate Partner status. He began asking Margot for recommendations on solo missions worth around 800 points.

• Tao Yu entered the Inner City using his partner identity chip and reflected on how his status could help him protect his sister and her family.
• Tao Yu decided to pursue Intermediate Partner status quickly so he could establish himself in the Inner City and deal with Uncle Hu’s situation.
• Tao Yu reached a mission hall and waited with other newcomers for it to open.
• Margot opened the hall, posted its rules, and greeted several regulars.
• Tao Yu complimented Margot and asked her to recommend simple, short Partner missions worth around 800 points.

Tao Yu visited the task hall seeking quick, solo jobs worth enough points to qualify as an Intermediate Partner, and Miss Margot assigned him three risky company tasks. After accepting them, Tao Yu joined the Four-Armed Vajra on a debt-collection job to learn the ropes.

• Tao Yu told Miss Margot he wanted a quick, uncomplicated task worth around eight hundred points, and she inferred that he was aiming for Intermediate Partner status.
• Miss Margot discovered Tao Yu had temporary clearance from the Outer City and recommended Debt Collection, Tax Clue Collection, and Property Seizure tasks.
• Tao Yu accepted all three tasks after Margot explained that Partners could use force while acting for the company, but had to surrender spoils and pay for damages.
• The Four-Armed Vajra explained that he was taking the Debt Collection task and had arranged to keep some profit after costs.
• Tao Yu tried to provoke the Four-Armed Vajra into letting him tag along, but the veteran recognized his intentions and kindly agreed to show him how the job worked.

Wang Goudan explained the Inner City’s security tiers to Tao Yu and took him to confront Boss White over a company debt-collection mission. When White refused to settle fairly, Tao Yu launched a violent attack, leaving White pleading for peace as the blade reached his brain.

• Wang Goudan warned Tao Yu that most debt-collection missions relied on procedure and explained the Inner City’s four security tiers and dangerous blind spots.
• Wang Goudan brought Tao Yu to the White Factory’s office and explained that the poorly monitored building made the mission likely to involve a beating.
• Boss White demanded extra wish power to settle the dispute, and Wang Goudan rejected his terms.
• Wang Goudan prepared for a direct confrontation, and Tao Yu asked whether he could fight without causing too much damage.
• Tao Yu rushed the group, embedded one bodyguard in the wall, disabled the other with gunfire, and drove the Giant Lizard’s Fang into Boss White’s skull.
• Boss White pleaded to talk as Tao Yu’s blade pressed against his brain, while Tao Yu pointed out that he had not killed him.

Tao Yu used overwhelming force to make White pay the mission fee and extra karmic energy, then accompanied Wang Goudan on two more missions and collected a total of fifty thousand. Wang Goudan arranged for Tao Yu to receive the first mission’s credit, bringing him closer to qualifying as an Intermediate Partner.

• White and his mechanical subordinates panicked after Tao Yu attacked them, and White agreed to pay the mission fee plus extra karmic energy to stay alive.
• Tao Yu negotiated another two thousand karmic energy from White, then withdrew his dagger and received a total of twenty-six thousand.
• Tao Yu asked Wang Goudan whether he could use the same approach on two more missions, and Wang Goudan warned that such targets were rare and usually well-informed.
• Tao Yu and Wang Goudan completed the other two missions, collecting enough rewards and tips to reach fifty thousand karmic energy in total.
• Wang Goudan contacted the mission issuers and arranged for the first mission, which was his, to be credited to Tao Yu so Tao Yu could build the points needed for Intermediate Partner qualification.

After completing three missions with Wang Goudan, Tao Yu invited him to dinner and went to find Tao Lan at work. Wang Goudan saw a chance to use Tao Yu’s connections to overcome his own limits, while Tao Lan was surprised when Tao Yu arrived to help her.

• Tao Yu and Wang Goudan thanked each other for their help, and Tao Yu invited him to dinner.
• Tao Yu told Wang Goudan that Tao Lan worked as a cleaner, prompting him to see Tao Yu as a possible path to better modification procedures and skills.
• Tao Lan finished her cleaning work in District 8 while worrying about Tao Yu and hoping his talent would help their family someday.
• Tao Yu and Wang Goudan found Tao Lan in an alley, and Tao Yu offered to help her finish work before taking her to eat.
• The kitchen employee noticed Wang Goudan’s four mechanical arms and reconsidered how he treated Tao Lan.