Chapter Summaries

Summary of "A Share of the Spoils"

Plot Points and Events

• Wilson Richard, host of 'Richard's World', discusses the Kardashev Index and Blackwatch's Dyson Cloud Project on live TV, sparking global attention and debate.
• The Earth Federation convenes a summit to halt the project due to concerns about attracting alien attention and potential sun brightness changes.
• After three months of negotiations, the four major continental zones join the project, contributing funds, manpower, and resources to reduce the construction period.
• Thousands of engineers and scientists gather in Life Science City to discuss and plan the project's details.

Character Developments

• Wilson Richard: Shows passion and respect for Blackwatch's pioneering spirit.
• Chen Chen (implied): Maintains a firm stance on the project despite international opposition.

Significant Themes

• Humanity's advancement and potential for interstellar travel.
• Global cooperation and competition in space exploration and resource utilization.
• Ethical and safety considerations in large-scale space projects.

Character Interactions

• Delegates from Blacklight Technology and the four major continental zones engage in heated discussions and negotiations, sometimes clashing over project details and control.
• Scientists and engineers from various nations collaborate, sharing ideas and expertise to overcome challenges in the project's implementation.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Black Light Technology (BLT) rapidly expands, leading to public concern and debate about its influence.
• A young Black boy, George, experiences terrifying dreams and encounters monsters in his room.
• The next morning, George's mother's boyfriend, Quinton, and his mother are found dead in their home, drained of blood and missing internal organs. A psionics user, Sean, is called to investigate.

Character Developments

• BLT's growth and influence spark public discussions and controversies about its power dynamics with the Earth Federation.
• George, the young boy, is traumatized by his dreams and the subsequent events, becoming a survivor of a horrifying incident.
• Sean, a psionics detective, uses his ability to rewind time and investigate the crime scene, pushing his powers to their limit.

Significant Themes

• The rapid growth and influence of corporations, leading to public concern about power dynamics and potential corruption.
• The struggle between the real and the supernatural, as George's dreams manifest in reality, and Sean investigates the bizarre crime scene.
• The consequences of trauma and the impact of violent events on children, as seen through George's experiences.

Character Interactions

• BLT's expansion leads to online debates and arguments among netizens, with some supporting the corporation and others expressing concern.
• George interacts with Quinton, his mother's boyfriend, who dismisses George's fears and threatens him.
• Sean interacts with the local sheriffs, investigating the crime scene and discovering the bizarre circumstances surrounding the deaths.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Sean faints at the murder scene due to psionic exhaustion.
• He awakens in a hospital and discovers an autopsy report revealing that the victims' internal organs and blood are missing.
• The next day, Sean finds the orphanage cordoned off, and learns that everyone inside has died, including the children and staff, in the same manner as the previous victims.
• The Federal Special Operations Department, part of the Black Light Foundation, takes over the case, and Sean is temporarily conscripted to assist.

Character Developments

• Sean: He shows concern for the victims and determination to solve the case, despite the involvement of higher authorities. His psionic abilities are revealed to be useful but also taxing, leading to his fainting spell.
• George: The Black boy from the orphanage is now the main suspect in two consecutive psionics user murder cases. He is the only survivor of the orphanage massacre.

Significant Themes

• The struggle between ordinary people and psionics users, with the latter often having the upper hand.
• The involvement of higher authorities and specialized organizations in cases related to psionics users.
• The consequences of psionic abilities on the user, as seen in Sean's fainting spell.

Character Interactions

• Sean interacts with the Sheriff, who provides him with information about the orphanage massacre and the involvement of the Federal Special Operations Department.
• Sean meets Victor, the captain of the Black Light Foundation's Fifth Task Force, who reveals that he is also a psionics user and invites Sean to assist in the investigation.
• Sean encounters George, the main suspect, at the orphanage, but their interaction is limited to seeing each other from a distance.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Sean investigates an orphanage where children have been dying in their sleep, with only one boy, George, surviving each time.
• George accuses Sean of killing his parents and everyone at the orphanage, then faints.
• Sean uses his psionic abilities to regress into George's dream and sees monsters draining the life from the children.
• Sean learns that George is a special psionic user who materializes his dreams, causing the deaths uncontrollably.
• The Black Light Foundation tasks Sean with signing a Confidentiality Agreement and later borrows him to investigate another anomalous event, revealing that the previous task force was wiped out.

Character Developments

• Sean: Uses his abilities to solve the case but is angered by the foundation's authority and methods. He decides to take a day off to get a medical check-up due to his lack of appetite and thirst.
• George: Revealed to be a special psionic user who materializes his dreams, causing the deaths at the orphanage. He is taken away by the foundation for psychological counseling and potential recruitment.

Significant Themes

• The power and authority of the Black Light Foundation, which can override local police and even control the state police department's seal.
• The consequences of uncontrollable psionic abilities, as seen in George's case.
• The ethical dilemma of memory deletion and the violation of human rights, as mentioned by Sean.

Character Interactions

• Sean and George: Sean tries to comfort George but is accused by him, leading to George's fainting.
• Sean and Victor (Black Light Foundation): Victor asks Sean to use his abilities to identify the killer, and later, they discuss how to handle George. Sean is angered by the foundation's methods and signs the Confidentiality Agreement reluctantly.
• Sean and the Third Task Force: The task force members come to Sean's house, knocking roughly, and hand him a letter of assignment for a new anomalous event, revealing that the previous task force was wiped out.

Key Plot Points and Events

• An email reveals the annihilation of the Fifth Task Force by a suspected Alpha-class psionics user, a nine-year-old boy named George.
• Chen Chen hypothesizes that psionics might be linked to subspace, a mysterious space humans have never ventured into.
• Chen Chen tries to negotiate with 01 to hand over George but is refused.

Character Developments

• Chen Chen shows concern for the potential threat George poses and tries to intervene.
• 01 is determined to keep George for his own use, disregarding Chen Chen's warnings.

Significant Themes

• The power and danger of psionics, especially in the hands of an untrained child.
• The potential connection between psionics and subspace.
• The struggle for influence and power within the Black Light Foundation.

Character Interactions

• Chen Chen and 01's tense negotiation, with 01 refusing to hand over George.
• Chen Chen's discussion with Little X about the situation and his decision to wait and see.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A new wave of deaths occurs in Detroit, identical to previous incidents, with over a hundred victims.
• The psionics user boy, George, has been transferred, but the killings continue, suggesting the situation is more complex.
• The North American Zone headquarters suffers heavy losses, with the Third Task Force wiped out.
• Chen Chen agrees to help the Foundation by lending the reality anchor on the condition that his task force members will operate independently.

Character Developments

• Chen Chen demonstrates his strategic thinking and deductive reasoning by accurately predicting the situation in the North American Zone.
• 01, the Foundation's representative, shows desperation and humility in seeking Chen Chen's help, indicating the severity of the situation.
• The psionics user boy, George, is revealed to have an ability that can linger in reality and may be connected to subspace.

Significant Themes

• The power of psionics and its potential dangers.
• The need for cooperation and alliance in the face of extreme threats.
• The exploration of subspace and its connection to psionics.

Character Interactions

• Chen Chen and 01: They engage in a negotiation, with Chen Chen maintaining a calm and indifferent demeanor while 01 shows desperation and humility.
• Chen Chen and Little X: They discuss the situation, with Chen Chen sharing his deductions and theories about the psionics user boy's ability and its connection to subspace.
• The task force members: They travel to the North American Zone and interact with the Foundation's representatives, displaying professionalism and caution.

Plot Points and Events

• The reality anchor is activated, dispelling the sulfurous smell and initiating Task Force Six's search.
• No targets are found, and the interim supervisor orders a second plan: staying the night with the reality anchor active.
• Alex reports the strange situation to higher-ups, and Sean's condition worsens, with a monster manifesting in his reflection.
• A new death triggers an evacuation order; Alex and his team shut down the reality anchor and escape with the core.
• They reach the elevator platform, forcefully evicting others to board, and ascend to the surface.
• Upon reaching the farmhouse, they encounter farmers who warn of more casualties and order reinforcements.
• The ground trembles, and a distant growl signals an impending threat.

Character Developments

• Alex shows leadership and strategic thinking, prioritizing the mission and making tough decisions.
• Sean's condition deteriorates, and he experiences a terrifying manifestation, suggesting a deeper connection to the monsters.
• Vought displays recklessness and eagerness, contrasting with Alex's cautious and calculating nature.

Significant Themes

• The struggle against unseen enemies and the desperation to find a solution.
• The tension between following orders and making independent decisions based on the situation at hand.
• The personal cost and sacrifice of those involved in the conflict.

Character Interactions

• Alex and Vought's dynamic: Alex's stern leadership clashes with Vought's impulsiveness and eagerness.
• Alex's team works together to shut down the reality anchor and escape the headquarters, showing trust and reliance on each other.
• Alex's team interacts with the farmers on the surface, highlighting the desperation and urgency of the situation.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A massive, destructive force emerges from underground at the farm, revealed to be subspace creatures.
• Alex and his team flee, but Vought is killed by a tentacle.
• Chen Chen arrives, dissolves the tentacles, and creates a massive pit to expose the subspace passage.
• Chen Chen destroys the passage, but smaller monsters remain in the city.
• Chen Chen clears the city of infected psionics users and heads to the desert base, but it's already fallen to the subspace creatures.

Character Developments

• Alex shows bravery and leadership in evacuating his team.
• Chen Chen demonstrates his immense power, easily destroying subspace creatures and passages.
• The psionics user boy, the cause of the incident, is not mentioned directly but is implied to be the key to subspace creatures entering reality.

Significant Themes

• The threat of the unknown (subspace creatures).
• The power of psionics and its limits.
• The responsibility of protecting humanity from threats.

Character Interactions

• Alex and his team interact, showing fear, bravery, and camaraderie.
• Chen Chen saves Alex's team and later clears the city of infected psionics users, showing his power and responsibility.
• Chen Chen and Little X communicate, discussing the situation and the nature of the subspace creatures.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Chen encounters an octopus-like monster, which he believes is connected to the consciousness thief Arusoyutos.
• The monster communicates with Chen Chen, mistaking him for a subordinate of Arusoyutos.
• Chen Chen defeats the monster using his field energy and reality anchor.
• Chen Chen enters the subspace passage and finds himself on a blood-red continent.
• He encounters three voices, each representing different emotions or consciousnesses in the subspace.

Character Developments

• Chen Chen demonstrates his power and control over field energy, defeating the subspace monster.
• Chen Chen shows curiosity and willingness to explore the subspace, despite the risks.
• The three voices in the subspace reveal their desires and intentions, showcasing their manipulative and deceptive nature.

Significant Themes

• The struggle between order (represented by the Principle of Civilization) and chaos (represented by the subspace).
• The temptation of power and the consequences of giving in to it.
• The manipulation of emotions and the dangers of being swayed by them.

Character Interactions

• Chen Chen interacts with the octopus-like monster, communicating with it using psionic energy.
• Chen Chen engages with the three voices in the subspace, listening to their arguments and enticements.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Chen is confronted by subspace entities, who offer him godhood in exchange for the Principle of Civilization.
• Chen Chen refuses, rejecting the entities' terms and their threats of a miserable future for humanity.
• Chen Chen returns to reality, leaving behind a collapsed subspace passage.

Character Developments

• Chen Chen demonstrates unwavering determination and fearlessness in the face of subspace entities' threats.
• Chen Chen expresses concern for humanity's future and the potential dangers of subspace exploration.

Significant Themes

• The duality of technology: progress and danger.
• The consequences of rejecting divine offers and the potential repercussions.
• The struggle between humanity's future and the will of otherworldly entities.

Character Interactions

• Chen Chen interacts with subspace entities, negotiating and ultimately rejecting their terms.
• Chen Zeyu, Chen Chen's brother, is introduced, showing determination and a cold demeanor towards his peers.
• Chen Zeyu's friends, Dupont, Edward, and Herbert, display concern for him but also caution in discussing his behavior, hinting at Chen Zeyu's powerful family background.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Zeyu, 18, walks home from school, shocked by the advanced 2043 world.
• He remembers his past life: ruling Black Light Technology for 400 years, betrayed and executed by Chen Chen.
• Chen Zeyu is kidnapped by Black Knights and brought to Chen Chen.
• Chen Chen reveals he knows about Chen Zeyu's past life and consciousness theft.
• Chen Zeyu is taken away, to be studied for his psionic powers.

Character Developments

• Chen Zeyu: Struggles with the advanced world and his memories of his past life. Initially confident, he becomes desperate and fearful when confronted by Chen Chen.
• Chen Chen: Calm and collected, he reveals he knows about Chen Zeyu's past life and plans to use him for research.

Significant Themes

• Consciousness theft and the consequences of past actions.
• The power dynamics between Chen Chen and Chen Zeyu.
• The use of technology (God chip) for control and manipulation.

Character Interactions

• Chen Zeyu and Chen Chen: Their interaction is tense, with Chen Zeyu initially trying to hide his past and Chen Chen revealing he knows everything.
• Chen Zeyu and Little X: Little X is curious about Chen Zeyu but shows no sympathy for him.
• Chen Chen and Little X: They discuss their plans for Chen Zeyu, with Chen Chen wanting to create a clone to replace him and Little X agreeing to help.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Zeyu's clones are being created at Blackwatch University, and he's only returning home once a month, with Little X fabricating video calls to maintain the ruse.
• Chen Chen's parents are divorcing after forty years of marriage.
• Chen Chen's father is leaving with his new partner, a former housekeeper, and Chen Chen's mother is accepting of the situation.

Character Developments

• Chen Chen: Shows maturity and understanding towards his parents' divorce, but is still affected emotionally.
• Chen Chen's Mother: Accepts the divorce and her son's growth, showing independence and adaptability to societal changes.
• Chen Chen's Father: Leaves with his new partner, showing a change in his views on relationships and marriage.

Significant Themes

• Adaptability to societal changes and personal growth.
• The inevitability of change in relationships and marriage.
• The impact of technology on society and governance.

Character Interactions

• Chen Chen and his Mother: They have an open conversation about the divorce, with Chen Chen's mother counseling him and expressing her pride in his achievements.
• Chen Chen and his Father: There's a tense standoff at the door, with Chen Chen walking away without a word. Later, Chen Chen learns his father has left for the Central Continent Region.
• Chen Chen and Little X: They discuss the progress on Chen Zeyu's psionic gene and the future plans for Black Light Technology.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Chen, the helmsman of Black Light Technology, is harassed by a group of young people led by Li Zhennan, son of Li Jiangang, a Beta-class psionics user and consultant for Life Science City.
• Chen Chen, using his psionics, subdues Li Zhennan and his friends, then has them arrested by BSS soldiers for violating the law.
• Chen Chen confronts Li Jiangang, who arrives to plead for his son, and later meets with Qian Wenhuan, the CEO of the Africa District, to discuss the incident.
• Chen Chen orders Qian Wenhuan to investigate all high-ranking officials in Life Science City for any law violations.

Character Developments

• Chen Chen demonstrates his psionics abilities and commitment to upholding the law, even against powerful figures like Li Jiangang.
• Li Jiangang, initially arrogant and dismissive of the law, is shown the consequences of his actions and his son's when they face Chen Chen's power and the law.
• Qian Wenhuan, the Africa District CEO, is put in his place by Chen Chen and given a task to investigate his peers, serving as a warning to him.

Significant Themes

• The rule of law: Chen Chen emphasizes the importance of following the law, even for powerful individuals like Li Jiangang and Qian Wenhuan.
• Power dynamics: The incident highlights the power struggle between Chen Chen, the ultimate authority, and those who challenge or bend the rules he has established.
• Corruption and abuse of power: Li Jiangang's and Qian Wenhuan's actions hint at the potential for corruption and abuse of power within the system, which Chen Chen aims to address.

Character Interactions

• Chen Chen vs. Li Jiangang: Chen Chen demonstrates his power and commitment to the law, while Li Jiangang is forced to confront the consequences of his actions and his son's.
• Chen Chen vs. Qian Wenhuan: Chen Chen warns Qian Wenhuan about his actions and assigns him a task to investigate his peers, serving as a reminder of Qian Wenhuan's place and obligations.
• Li Jiangang vs. Qian Wenhuan: Li Jiangang's careless words implicate Qian Wenhuan, leading to a tense interaction between them as they face Chen Chen together.

Chen Chen visits the Spire Experimental Base, where Little X shows him a device that can transmit human consciousness across dimensions using Chen Zeyu's unique psionics and quantum technology. Chen Chen decides to test this technology by sending his consciousness into the apocalyptic world, where he finds Black Light City thriving under X-112's leadership. He plans to use this world as the setting for a new game, with players waking up in various locations based on their chosen background. He also plans to create official log-off points to protect players' characters and property.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The chapter introduces the trailer for the game "Old Day Civilization," set in a chaotic, post-apocalyptic world where humanity is enslaved by an Old Evil God.
• The trailer showcases various aspects of the game, including its realistic graphics, diverse gameplay scenarios, and intense combat sequences.
• The game is set to use advanced game pods for complete immersion, with features like constant temperature, immersion, and life support facilities.

Character Developments

• The main character, whose perspective we follow, is introduced as a person who has been reborn into this dark world. They are initially disoriented but must quickly adapt to their new surroundings.
• No specific named characters are introduced in the trailer.

Significant Themes

• Adaptation and Survival: The main character must quickly adapt to their new environment to survive.
• Chaos and Turmoil: The world is portrayed as dark, chaotic, and turbulent, with humanity struggling against an oppressive force.
• Resistance and Hope: Despite the bleak circumstances, there are still groups fighting against the Old Evil God, offering a glimmer of hope.

Character Interactions

• The main character interacts with their environment, observing the dilapidated city and the people around them.
• The male narrator's voice guides the main character and provides exposition about the world.
• No direct interactions between characters are shown in the trailer.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Black Light Technology's new game, "Old Day Civilization," sparks global interest and confusion due to its use of consciousness thieves and military experience requirements for beta testers.
• Shi Yangyu, a 50-year-old retired soldier, is selected as a beta tester and receives his game pod, which is exclusive to this game and has advanced consciousness immersion technology.
• Shi Yangyu creates a female character, "Juyang Jushi," with attributes automatically determined by the game based on his character creation choices.

Character Developments

• Shi Yangyu: A retired soldier who enjoys gaming and maintains a youthful appearance through life extension treatments. He is excited about testing the new game and creates a female character.

Significant Themes

• The blurring of reality and virtual worlds through advanced consciousness immersion technology.
• The impact of life extension treatments on society and individual choices, such as Shi Yangyu's decision to remain single and childless.
• The exploration of hardcore gaming elements, such as physical attribute enhancement through exercise, referencing real-world rules.

Character Interactions

• Shi Yangyu interacts with the game pod's AI, Lily, learning about the game's features and creating his character.
• Shi Yangyu's android, Tsunade, prepares food for him before he enters the game.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Shi Yangyu, a beta tester, enters the game Old Day Civilization, which has extreme realistic rules, including the need to eat, sleep, and heal injuries.
• Players can't log out anywhere; they must return to their designated room. Death results in character deletion or rebirth with lost progress.
• The game features full sensory feedback and is set in a post-apocalyptic city, Black Light City.
• Shi Yangyu wakes up in the game as a beautiful, amnesiac woman named Juyang Jushi, taken in by Sister Mi at her hotel.
• The game's popularity grows due to beta players' enthusiastic feedback and uploaded videos showcasing its realism and immersion.

Character Developments

• Shi Yangyu/Juyang Jushi: Initially confused and shocked by the game's realism, Juyang Jushi discovers she's a woman and explores her new body.
• Sister Mi: A kind-hearted hotel proprietress who takes in Juyang Jushi.

Significant Themes

• Realism vs. Gameplay: The game's extreme realism affects players' expectations and behavior, leading to suggestions for changes in rules and penalties.
• Identity and Body: Shi Yangyu's experience as Juyang Jushi raises questions about identity, gender, and the connection between one's body and self.
• Freedom and Consequences: The game's open world and lack of restrictions lead to both positive experiences and negative consequences, such as increased crime.

Character Interactions

• Shi Yangyu/Juyang Jushi and Sister Mi: Juyang Jushi interacts with Sister Mi, who takes care of her and offers her a place to stay and work.
• Beta Players and Chen Chen: Beta players provide feedback to Chen Chen, influencing his decisions regarding game rules and features.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Shi Yangyu, after a month of working at Sister Mi's Hotel, leaves with a significant amount of United Coins.
• He meets Caesar Reinhardt, a wealthy player who wants to hire him for a job.
• Shi Yangyu is attacked by Reinhardt and his men, leading to a violent confrontation.
• The police discover the aftermath but follow orders to not interfere in conflicts among outsiders.
• The Reinhardt Family offers a bounty in the real world for Shi Yangyu's identity, which Chen Chen responds to by banning the offender's account.

Character Developments

• Shi Yangyu: He has adapted to his in-game female character, gained new skills, and shown his combat prowess. He also demonstrates a strong sense of privacy and self-respect.
• Caesar Reinhardt: He is revealed to be a wealthy and influential individual in the European Region, but he is also violent and disrespectful, leading to his downfall.

Significant Themes

• The game's realism and the consequences of players' actions.
• The blurred line between the game and reality, and the importance of privacy.
• The power dynamics between players and the game's management.

Character Interactions

• Shi Yangyu and Caesar Reinhardt: Their interaction highlights the power imbalance between them and the consequences of Reinhardt's disrespectful behavior.
• Shi Yangyu and the police: The police's inaction shows the game's management's stance on conflicts among players.
• Chen Chen and Little X: Their conversation demonstrates Chen Chen's commitment to protecting players' privacy and the game's credibility.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Chen returns to the doomsday plane, finding Black Knights awaiting him.
• He learns about the unrest caused by the players' arrival in Black Light City.
• Chen Chen decides to build new cities to accommodate the influx of players and mitigate conflicts with natives.
• He plans to establish cities in Greenland, North America, Central Continent, and the Indian Continent.
• Chen Chen announces the official launch of Old Day Civilization, with changes to player spawn locations, currency, and rules.

Character Developments

• Chen Chen demonstrates strategic thinking and adaptability in response to the changing situation.
• X-112 shows initiative and understanding in assisting Chen Chen's plans.

Significant Themes

• The impact of technology on society and human behavior.
• The tension between the old and new civilizations, and the struggle for resources and power.
• The exploration of freedom, identity, and purpose in a virtual reality game.

Character Interactions

• Chen Chen and X-112 collaborate to plan for the game's official launch and the establishment of new cities.
• Chen Chen's decisions affect the lives of both players and natives in the doomsday plane.
• Players in the real world eagerly anticipate the game's launch, discussing and debating its features and implications.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Blacklight colony ship returns from subspace, damaged and pursued by unknown entities.
• Xiao, the sole survivor, navigates the ship back to the Solar System with the help of a mysterious star.
• The ship is inspected and cleared of subspace energies upon returning to Earth's orbit.
• Two thousand felons, acting as human colonists, are sent to Kepler-642b, a planet discovered during the Blacklight's mission.

Character Developments

• Xiao, the ship's navigator, demonstrates resilience and determination in facing subspace illusions and the unknown entity pursuing the ship.
• Chen Chen, the CEO of Black Light Technology, shows vigilance and strategic thinking in handling the Blacklight's return and the colonization of Kepler-642b.

Significant Themes

• Exploration and expansion of humanity's territory, reminiscent of the Age of Discovery.
• The unknown and potentially dangerous nature of subspace.
• The use of felons as test subjects for colonization, raising ethical questions.

Character Interactions

• Xiao reports to Chen Chen about the Blacklight's mission and the colonization of Kepler-642b.
• Chen Chen and Little X discuss the Blacklight's return and the mysterious star in subspace.
• Chen Chen orders the inspection and clearance of the Blacklight and the establishment of a colony on Kepler-642b.