Chapter Summaries

Chapter Summary: “That Was Just a Dream”

Key plot points and events

• During a Tarot Club gathering, Mr. Sun shares information about the relationship between the Spectator Pathway and Dragons. Mr. Fool (Klein) deliberately blocks Mr. Hanged Man from hearing it but allows Mr. Power (Lynch) to listen. Lynch listens calmly, even though Klein privately resents how popular Lynch is with women.
• Miss Justice (Audrey) thanks Lynch personally, saying he only stayed to protect her from being misled. Mr. Hanged Man is confused and frustrated; before he can offer to listen next time, Mr. Fool dismisses him.
• After the gathering, Audrey receives a telegram: her brother found the Seven-Colored Lizard Dragon and gave it to Susie. She also receives a letter from investigators she hired. It contains three portraits of Nighthawks who lost teammates and transferred to Backlund for revenge. One portrait is Lynch’s.
• Audrey admires Lynch’s handsomeness and considers visiting him at work, but worries that her parents would never allow a noble lady to pursue an ordinary employee.
• The next day, an disguised Klein visits Lynch’s security company. He calls Lynch out for entering his dream and leaving only two pennies. Lynch denies it with “That was just a dream,” but Klein insists the face was too familiar. Lynch deflects and suspects Klein came for something far more serious.

Character developments

• Lynch / Mr. Power: Shown as quietly protective, staying to listen to potentially misleading information for Audrey’s sake. He remains composed and evasive when confronted by Klein, refusing to admit the dream encounter.
• Audrey / Miss Justice: Becomes increasingly fond of Lynch, viewing him as an exceptionally warmhearted and handsome gentleman. She is also aware of the social gap between them and is anxious about her parents’ disapproval.
• Klein / Mr. Fool: Annoyed by Lynch’s popularity, but willing to let him hear privileged information. He disguises himself to confront Lynch in person, suggesting he has a hidden purpose beyond the dream argument.
• Mr. Hanged Man: Jealous and comically frustrated—he wants access to the information and hopes Audrey will one day find him handsome too.

Significant themes

• Dream vs. reality: The central dialogue hinges on whether Lynch’s intrusion was real or just a dream.
• Class and social barriers: Audrey worries about her noble status versus Lynch’s ordinary occupation.
• Information and protection: Knowledge is selectively shared; Lynch’s presence helps shield Audrey from potential misinformation.
• Attraction and favoritism: Lynch’s charm creates jealousy, special treatment, and growing interest from Audrey.

Character interactions

• Klein blocks Mr. Hanged Man while allowing Lynch to listen, then reflects on Lynch’s popularity.
• Audrey publicly thanks Lynch, while Hanged Man protests and is dismissed by Klein.
• Lynch and Klein meet face-to-face in disguise, exchanging the “dream” and “two pennies” conversation, ending with Lynch changing the subject and suspecting a larger reason for Klein’s visit.

Chapter Summary: “Seers Are So Annoying”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Klein explains that he disguised his appearance and hired a makeup artist so Lynch would not recognize him as the former Klein Moretti, even in dreams.
• After refusing to investigate Ian for Mersault, Klein is attacked at home. He kills Mersault in self-defense, discovers that Mersault was a Hunter, and realizes he may be connected to the dangerous forces pursuing Ian.
• Klein reports the killing to the police, but his revolver is retained as evidence. Afterward, he discovers that his room has been searched, confirming that he is now involved in a serious investigation.
• He realizes that Mersault was likely one of the events Stephanie’s diary warned would cost him ten thousand pounds. Klein regrets refusing Mersault’s earlier commission, recognizing that his refusal made him suspicious.
• Seeking protection and a way to recover financially, Klein considers returning to the Nighthawks despite his assumed death. He uses the two pennies Lynch left behind to divine Lynch’s location.
• Klein visits the Blackthorn Security Company and presents himself as Detective Moriarty, claiming that Mersault tried to kill him because he refused to find Ian. He asks the Nighthawks for protection.
• Lynch is surprised by Klein’s account and goes to consult Dunn. Leonard, however, immediately recognizes Klein despite his altered appearance and covertly confronts him.
• Klein denies being Klein and reminds Leonard that the Holy Cathedral has ordered him to keep his identity secret. He warns that exposing him would make Leonard the one betraying the Goddess.

Character Developments

• Klein: Becomes increasingly frustrated by the consequences of his earlier decisions and by the ambiguity of Seer-related information. He remains resourceful, using disguise, divination, deception, and his knowledge of the Church’s orders to protect himself. His concern over losing ten thousand pounds also reveals his practical, money-conscious side.
• Lynch: His dream attacks were not merely harassment; he was also testing whether “Moriarty” was actually Klein. However, Lynch still fails to identify him because Klein can remain lucid in dreams and prepared his disguise carefully.
• Leonard: Demonstrates that he recognizes Klein beneath the disguise and remains deeply suspicious of his motives. Despite this, he does not expose Klein, constrained by the Church’s instructions.
• Mersault: His attack on Klein confirms that Ian’s disappearance is tied to dangerous Beyonder forces and organized pursuit.
• Stephanie: Though absent, her vague diary warning continues to influence Klein, who blames her unclear phrasing for his predicament.

Significant Themes

• Identity and deception: Klein’s disguise, aliases, and fabricated story allow him to operate among former allies while concealing who he is.
• The danger of incomplete knowledge: Klein’s failure to understand Stephanie’s warning and Mersault’s motives shows how partial information can lead to disastrous choices.
• Fate and consequence: Klein recognizes that refusing Mersault’s commission helped create the very danger he now faces.
• Trust and institutional secrecy: The Church’s decision to hide Klein’s survival forces Leonard and the Nighthawks to communicate through implication and restraint.
• Humor amid danger: Klein’s irritation at “Seers,” his focus on the ten-thousand-pound loss, and his exasperation with Leonard’s suspicions lighten an otherwise dangerous situation.

Character Interactions

• Klein and Mersault: Their conflict escalates from a refused commission to a deadly confrontation, leaving Klein implicated in Ian’s disappearance.
• Klein and Lynch: Klein presents a false account and requests protection while Lynch unknowingly interacts with his former colleague. Lynch’s earlier dream harassment is revealed to have served as an identity test.
• Klein and Leonard: Their tense exchange is built on mutual recognition and denial. Leonard threatens to expose Klein if he is plotting against the Nighthawks, while Klein counters that doing so would violate the Goddess’s orders.
• Lynch and Leonard: Lynch dismisses Leonard’s suspicion that Moriarty is Klein, explaining that he had also initially suspected the same thing.

Chapter Summary: “The Stand-In?”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Klein asks Leonard for protection after learning that the person behind Mersault’s assassination attempt wants him dead.
• Leonard is furious because Klein has privately admitted his true identity, yet Leonard cannot expose him without violating the Nighthawks’ rules.
• Klein commissions the Nighthawks to protect him for five hundred pounds. Dunn accepts the job, partly because the team is short on money.
• Dunn assigns Leonard to protect Klein first, mistakenly believing the two men may be romantically interested in each other. Both strongly deny it.
• Lynch repeatedly teases Leonard and Klein by suggesting they are attracted to one another, worsening their mutual disgust.
• Inspired by the situation, Lynch writes a letter to Rozanne describing the relationships and odd behavior of the Nighthawks. He worries that Leonard may be treating Detective Moriarty as a substitute for the deceased Klein.

Character Developments

• Klein remains cautious and opportunistic, using the Nighthawks for protection while hiding his identity. He is irritated by Leonard’s hostility but accepts the expensive commission because his life is in danger.
• Leonard is trapped between loyalty to the Nighthawks and his knowledge that Detective Moriarty is actually Klein. He cannot reveal the truth and is forced to endure Klein’s threats and the team’s misunderstandings.
• Dunn acts professionally but completely misreads the relationship between Klein and Leonard, interpreting their tension as romantic interest. His growing relationship with Daly is also revealed.
• Lynch continues to be mischievous and provocative, deliberately encouraging the misunderstanding between Klein and Leonard. He ultimately becomes genuinely concerned that Leonard may be emotionally fixated on Klein.
• Daly and Dunn are shown to be romantically involved and possibly considering marriage and children.
• Old Neil has become healthier after advancing to Melee Scholar, though Lynch worries that further advancement could be dangerous given his age.

Significant Themes

• Identity and concealment: Klein’s false identity creates constant tension, especially because Leonard knows the truth but is forbidden to disclose it.
• Misunderstanding and mistaken relationships: The chapter uses repeated misunderstandings for comedy, with everyone interpreting Klein and Leonard’s hostility as attraction.
• Grief and substitution: Lynch worries that Leonard may be projecting his feelings for the deceased Klein onto Detective Moriarty, who resembles him.
• Duty versus personal feelings: Leonard must protect Klein despite his anger and frustration, prioritizing the rules of the Nighthawks over his own judgment.
• Romance and companionship: The developing relationships of Dunn and Daly contrast with the antagonistic dynamic between Klein and Leonard.

Character Interactions

• Klein and Leonard trade hostile, sarcastic remarks while pretending not to know each other’s true connection.
• Lynch intentionally provokes both men by suggesting they should date, leaving them equally disgusted.
• Dunn mistakenly encourages Leonard to pursue Klein, while Daly privately comments on the situation and embarrasses Dunn.
• Lynch observes these interactions and turns them into a humorous, concerned letter to Rozanne, concluding that Detective Moriarty must not become merely a “stand-in” for Klein.

Chapter Summary: “These Two...”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lynch continues serving as Klein’s bodyguard because of the threat of assassination against Klein in Backlund. Despite the danger, Klein accepts Mrs. Sammer’s commission to investigate her husband’s suspected infidelity.
• The investigation leads Klein and Lynch to the Crag Club, but the doorman refuses them entry. Lynch demands that Klein pay his membership fee, eventually convincing Klein to split the cost.
• Mrs. Mary Gale, the client, is impressed by Lynch and pays both men’s membership fees. She also expresses interest in obtaining Lynch’s contact information, viewing him as a possible romantic prospect. Klein privately plans to avoid giving it to her.
• Lynch enthusiastically enjoys the club’s facilities and food, but Klein insists on leaving after lunch because his spirituality warns him that an assassination attempt may occur that night.
• Before Lynch can contact Dunn and the Nighthawks for reinforcements, a police officer identifying himself as Inspector Fassin approaches them.
• Remembering that the enemy previously disguised himself as an inspector, Lynch immediately pulls both himself and Klein into a dream and orders Klein to attack.
• The disguised man reveals himself as Rosago, a Seer who has investigated both Klein and Lynch. Rosago attempts to control Klein and claims that Lynch has already been subdued.
• Lynch secretly resists the control and expels Klein from the dream. Klein responds by using the powerful “Words of Filth,” disrupting Rosago.
• While Lynch jokingly wonders about Klein’s unexplained access to the ability—and even imagines that Klein and Leonard may be romantically involved—he places Creeping Hunger on Rosago’s head, preparing to capture or overwhelm him.

Character Developments

• Klein: Becomes increasingly bold and reckless, accepting a dangerous commission despite the assassination threat. He trusts Lynch’s abilities and his own supernatural safeguards, including Azik and the Nighthawks. He also demonstrates improved combat readiness and reveals that he has secretly obtained the Words of Filth.
• Lynch: Continues acting as Klein’s protector but remains pragmatic and financially demanding, insisting on compensation for entering the Crag Club. His dream abilities and quick reaction prevent Rosago from gaining control of the situation. He also retains his humorous, irreverent personality, even during danger.
• Rosago: Shows careful preparation and intelligence by disguising himself as a police inspector and researching his targets. However, his confidence is undermined when Lynch resists him and Klein unexpectedly uses the Words of Filth.
• Mrs. Mary Gale: Develops a strong interest in Lynch, treating payment for the club membership as an investment and considering contacting him romantically.

Significant Themes

• Danger beneath ordinary life: A seemingly routine adultery investigation takes place under the shadow of assassination and supernatural conflict.
• Trust and cooperation: Klein and Lynch operate effectively as partners, combining Lynch’s dream abilities with Klein’s combat skills and supernatural weapons.
• Preparedness versus improvisation: Rosago arrives with a carefully planned disguise, but Lynch and Klein adapt quickly and turn his ambush against him.
• Humor amid danger: Financial bargaining, romantic matchmaking, and Lynch’s gossip provide comic relief in the middle of a life-threatening confrontation.
• Hidden identities and deception: Rosago’s disguise, Klein’s concealed abilities, and Lynch’s feigned vulnerability emphasize the importance of secrecy and misdirection.

Character Interactions

• Klein and Lynch bicker over who should pay for the Crag Club, reflecting their casual but mutually dependent relationship.
• Mrs. Gale interacts favorably with Lynch and attempts to establish a future romantic connection, while Klein subtly tries to prevent this.
• Dunn’s concern for Lynch’s safety influences the team’s strategy, emphasizing that Lynch is valuable but not expected to sacrifice himself recklessly.
• Lynch and Klein coordinate instinctively during Rosago’s ambush: Lynch creates the dream trap, Klein attacks, and both quickly recover when Rosago attempts to control them.

Chapter Summary: “How Could You Be Broke?”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lynch launches a surprise attack on Rosago, using his speed and Creeping Hunger to absorb part of Rosago’s body before Rosago can react.
• He empties his revolver into Rosago and burns the corpse to ensure that the Marionettist is truly dead. Lynch deliberately leaves the corpse intact enough for Klein to claim Rosago’s Beyonder Characteristic.
• Klein and Lynch argue over ownership of the Characteristic. Lynch jokingly claims that, as an external member of the Nighthawks, Klein’s possessions belong to the team and that even his expensive talisman should be surrendered.
• Lynch then proposes splitting the Characteristic and demands compensation. He initially asks for 1,000 pounds, claiming he needs money to investigate Ince Zangwill’s whereabouts.
• After bargaining, Klein agrees to pay Lynch 800 pounds in exchange for the Marionettist Characteristic and Lynch’s silence about Moriarty obtaining it.
• Klein stays behind to handle Rosago’s corpse, while Lynch returns to the Nighthawks team and reports the transaction to Dunn.
• Lynch claims he obtained the money for the team and intends to help Dunn and Daly, who he believes are financially strained. Dunn accepts the explanation and arranges for Lynch to receive 400 pounds.
• Lynch also collects 62 pounds and 10 soli from Klein’s payment for the protection commission, leaving him pleased with his unexpected earnings.

Character Developments

• Lynch demonstrates his characteristic opportunism and mischievousness by exploiting Klein’s desire for the Beyonder Characteristic and pretending to be financially desperate. Beneath the manipulation, however, he genuinely cares about the Nighthawks and views them as family.
• Klein remains highly protective of his secrets, particularly his identity as Mr. Fool. He reluctantly pays Lynch because he fears Lynch might discover the connection between Moriarty, Klein, and Sefirah Castle. Klein also reveals his growing concern over money, despite possessing powerful resources.
• Dunn shows his concern for Lynch, telling him that he does not need to shoulder the team’s burdens alone. He accepts Lynch’s explanation and responds with trust and gentle understanding.
• Lynch and Klein’s relationship becomes increasingly familiar and antagonistic. Their exchanges resemble friendly bickering, but both remain wary of what the other might discover.

Significant Themes

• Trust and secrecy: Klein trusts Lynch enough to cooperate with him but remains intensely afraid that Lynch will uncover his deepest identity.
• Money and exploitation: The chapter humorously treats Beyonder resources and supernatural assistance as financial transactions. Lynch uses Klein’s wealth and urgency to profit from the situation.
• Found family and responsibility: Lynch’s willingness to help Dunn and Daly reflects his emotional attachment to the Nighthawks, while Dunn’s response emphasizes that Lynch does not need to sacrifice himself for the team.
• Humor amid danger: The aftermath of a deadly battle shifts quickly into bargaining over an 800-pound payment, highlighting the characters’ contrasting priorities and the series’ comedic tone.
• Revenge and preparation: Lynch’s stated goal of investigating Ince Zangwill connects the financial dispute to a larger pursuit of justice and vengeance.

Important Character Interactions

• Lynch and Klein: They negotiate over Rosago’s Beyonder Characteristic, with Lynch teasing Klein, questioning his supposed expenses, and pressuring him into paying 800 pounds.
• Klein and Rosago’s corpse: Klein takes responsibility for disposing of the body so that Rosago’s remains do not expose Moriarty’s involvement.
• Lynch and Dunn: Lynch presents the payment as a contribution to the team, while Dunn responds with concern and affection, treating Lynch like a younger family member.
• Lynch and Mrs. Dewitt: Lynch uses Dunn’s written authorization to collect his share of the money.
• Lynch and Mr. Fool: Although Lynch benefits financially from Klein’s connection to Mr. Fool, he avoids praying to him while dining, fearing Mr. Fool might demand that he sacrifice some of the expensive food.

Chapter Summary: “Mr. Power Is Amazing”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lynch returns to work and learns that Rosago’s identity was uncovered. Rosago was an agent of Ambassador Baclond, leading the authorities to report the matter to the Holy Cathedral.
• Baclond attempts to flee, resists arrest, and is shot dead. Newspapers identify him as an Intis spy who stole and transmitted intelligence. Loen demands an explanation from Intis and threatens serious consequences, creating the possibility of war.
• Lynch and the other police officers receive no public credit for their role, but they are satisfied that the important cases have been resolved. The man who killed Mr. Dewitt is sentenced to death within two days, and Baclond’s murder of a minor noble’s daughter enters the legal process.
• At Earl Hall’s villa, Audrey hears that Baclond was connected to a police officer named “Trance,” recognizing the name as Lynch Trans—her “Mr. Power.” She becomes excited and admires him for helping expose a spy.
• Klein infiltrates the Quelaag Club to obtain evidence of a man’s affair for Mrs. Mary. He successfully photographs the cheating couple, using his abilities and a self-summoned spirit to handle the camera.
• Klein reflects resentfully that Lynch received a free year of club membership but never helped him there. He nevertheless credits Lynch’s success against Rosago with giving him access to valuable potion formulas for the Magician, Faceless, and Marionettist sequences.
• Klein attends an underground gathering but buys nothing because he still owes Lynch eight hundred pounds.
• On his way home, Klein discovers the mutilated corpse of a woman whose organs have been removed. He suspects the Blood Sanctify Sect but chooses not to investigate, fearing that events in Backlund may be deliberately arranged and that acting carelessly could endanger him.
• Klein meets an elderly man named Carter, who asks him to investigate a house for fifty pounds. After divining about the matter, Klein decides to seek help from the Nighthawks, specifically Leonard, while avoiding Lynch because he fears Lynch would charge him.

Character Developments

• Lynch: His role in exposing Rosago and contributing to Baclond’s downfall remains officially unrecognized, but his reputation grows privately. Audrey continues to view him as an impressive and courageous figure.
• Audrey: Her admiration for “Mr. Power” deepens after learning that he was involved in identifying a spy. She sees him as consistently heroic, both in Tingen and Backlund.
• Klein: He remains cautious and increasingly distrustful of Backlund’s hidden dangers. He demonstrates resourcefulness by gathering evidence for Mrs. Mary, but also shows financial anxiety over his debt to Lynch. His suspicion of larger conspiracies makes him reluctant to intervene without divination or official support.
• Leonard: Klein sees him as a useful ally and intends to draw him into investigating Carter’s house, partly by framing the request as service to the Goddess.
• Earl Hall: He views Baclond’s death mainly as a diplomatic and political problem, dismissing the idea that an ordinary police officer could have played a major role.

Significant Themes

• Hidden heroism and public recognition: Lynch’s important actions are erased from official reports, while Audrey privately recognizes and celebrates his accomplishments.
• Political tension and espionage: Baclond’s death exposes international intrigue and raises the threat of conflict between Loen and Intis.
• Caution in a dangerous city: Klein’s refusal to investigate the mutilated woman reflects his growing awareness that Backlund is filled with concealed forces and carefully arranged events.
• Debt and personal obligation: Klein’s eight-hundred-pound debt affects his decisions and makes him wary of relying on Lynch.
• Faith and manipulation: Klein plans to invoke service to the Goddess to persuade Leonard to help, blending genuine religious duty with self-interested strategy.

Important Character Interactions

• Lynch, Dunn, and Old Neil: They discuss the official account of Baclond’s arrest and the newspaper coverage, accepting that their own contributions will remain mostly unmentioned.
• Audrey and Earl Hall: Earl Hall explains Baclond’s death and dismisses Lynch’s importance, while Audrey enthusiastically defends and praises him.
• Klein and Lynch: Though they do not meet directly in the chapter, Klein repeatedly thinks about Lynch—resenting his lack of help, appreciating the potion formulas obtained from Rosago, and worrying about repaying him.
• Klein and Leonard: Klein seeks Leonard’s assistance with Carter’s mysterious house, planning to persuade him through religious duty rather than payment.

Chapter Summary: “Klein’s Envy”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Klein visits the Nighthawks headquarters intending to arrange help exploring Mr. Carter’s underground ruins. Leonard is away on a mission, so Lynch receives him instead.
• Lynch teases Klein about repaying the 800 pounds he owes. Klein claims he has come to thank Lynch rather than request a commission, but he nearly leaves when he realizes Lynch is his creditor.
• Klein unexpectedly encounters Old Neil. Because Klein is disguised as Detective Moriarty, Old Neil does not recognize him, though he comments on Moriarty’s resemblance to Klein. Klein stays to speak with him despite his fear of being exposed, leaving with mixed emotions and renewed sorrow over his separation from the Nighthawks.
• Meanwhile, Lynch joins Dunn and Leonard in investigating a string of murders in the Golden Card District. The crimes appear to involve a Beyonder Devil, and the Nighthawks are cooperating with the Machinery Hivemind because victims include both Goddess and Lord of Steam believers.
• Klein later reports that he has found markings from the Fourth Epoch Tudor Kingdom in the underground ruins. Although this information should earn him a reward, Dunn forgets, Lynch stays silent, and Leonard deliberately refuses to pay him while mocking his motives.
• Dunn initially considers sending Leonard with Klein, but Klein rejects Leonard by accusing him of harassment and requests Lynch instead. Dunn agrees, warning them not to go too deep or take unnecessary risks.
• Before entering the ruins, Klein asks how Lynch will deal with the snakes inside. Lynch explains that Creeping Hunger contains a Conspirer capable of burning them, possibly even allowing them to eat the snakes afterward.
• Lynch reveals that Creeping Hunger now contains multiple powerful souls: a Gatekeeper, Conspirer, Light Priest, Hypnotist, and Lucky One. Klein becomes intensely envious of Lynch’s artifact and resources.

Character Developments

• Klein: His disguise as Moriarty creates both awkwardness and emotional pain. Seeing Old Neil reminds him of the Nighthawks and the relationships he has lost. He also shows resourcefulness by seeking Lynch’s assistance, while his jealousy toward Creeping Hunger reveals his desire for greater power and better tools.
• Lynch: He continues teasing Klein over his debt but remains dependable and capable. His possession of an enhanced Creeping Hunger demonstrates his growing strength and privileged access to powerful resources.
• Leonard: He proves perceptive by recognizing that Klein’s “commission” is not truly an official task. His antagonistic relationship with Klein continues, though his refusal to reward Klein is partly motivated by exposing Klein’s intentions.
• Old Neil: His brief interaction with Klein highlights the lingering bond between them. Though he fails to recognize Klein, his warmth intensifies Klein’s homesickness and grief.
• Dunn: He acts cautiously and responsibly, coordinating the Devil investigation and giving Lynch and Klein practical safety instructions. He also instinctively recognizes Lynch’s tendency to endanger himself, despite Klein’s disguise.
• Mr. Azik: Though absent, he is shown to have strengthened Creeping Hunger by providing Lynch with higher-quality Beyonder characteristics and souls.

Significant Themes

• Longing and loss: Klein’s meeting with Old Neil emphasizes his emotional distance from his former identity and comrades. His inability to reveal himself makes the encounter especially painful.
• Envy and unequal power: Klein’s reaction to Creeping Hunger reflects his frustration with his own limitations and his envy of Lynch’s powerful artifact.
• Identity and disguise: Klein must maintain the Moriarty persona even around people he cares about, forcing him to suppress his true feelings and endure misunderstandings.
• Loyalty and trust: Lynch’s reliability, Dunn’s concern for the team, and Klein’s continued reliance on former comrades show that past relationships still influence current decisions.
• Humor amid danger: Debt jokes, Leonard’s mockery, and the idea of eating burned snakes provide comic relief despite the serious murder investigation and dangerous ruins.

Character Interactions

• Lynch needles Klein about his unpaid debt, creating an immediately uncomfortable but familiar exchange.
• Klein and Old Neil share a warm conversation shaped by dramatic irony: Old Neil sees the resemblance to Klein but does not know he is speaking to Klein himself.
• Klein and Leonard clash over the underground mission and the missing reward, with Klein theatrically accusing Leonard of being a pervert to avoid traveling with him.
• Dunn mediates between them, ultimately assigning Lynch to accompany Klein.
• Klein questions Lynch about Creeping Hunger, pretending indifference while clearly coveting its abilities. Lynch openly explains its contents, making Klein’s envy even stronger.

Chapter Summary: “Feeling Pretty Good”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lynch boasts that the negative effects of the Beyonder item Creeping Hunger have been sealed by the Evernight Goddess, leaving only minor pain when it is used. Klein suspects Lynch is exaggerating and that Mr. Azik may also have helped him.
• Lynch teases Klein about Leonard, implying that he knows secrets about him. Klein denies being interested, though internally he remains eager to learn more.
• Lynch and Klein enter the ruins through a dark stone passage. At the entrance, Klein warns Lynch about the many snakes inside.
• Lynch uses Creeping Hunger’s Conspirer ability to create fire, burning the snakes before they enter. The pair find the ruins filled with roasted snakes and proceed inside.
• They explore the Fourth Epoch structure, discovering:
  • Inverted candlesticks and other architectural features associated with the era.
  • Two large iron-black seats bearing the emblems of the Tudor and Trunsoest families.
  • Seven enormous doors, each apparently connected to a particular deity.
  • A large statue of the Evernight Goddess behind one door, showing Her as a beautiful woman with night and stars upon Her body.
  • Statues of other Gods behind the remaining accessible doors.
• Lynch refuses to open the central door because his spirituality warns that extreme danger lies beyond it. Klein divines the same danger by secretly tossing a coin, but senses that the area may still be survivable and worth exploring—possibly because Lynch is present.

Character Developments

• Lynch continues to appear confident, reckless, and unusually protected by powerful figures. His casual attitude toward divine matters and his apparent immunity from Creeping Hunger’s drawbacks reinforce the impression that he has exceptional backing.
• Lynch also reveals his ignorance of Fourth Epoch history. He pretends to understand the ruins but is actually learning from Klein, who notices this and quietly finds it amusing.
• Klein remains suspicious of Lynch’s claims but increasingly recognizes Lynch’s unusual status and connection to the Evernight Goddess. Klein is also frustrated by his own curiosity about Leonard and embarrassed that Lynch can easily manipulate him with teasing.
• Klein becomes more cautious around divine relics and statues, fearing that speaking carelessly about the Gods could attract Their attention. Nevertheless, his curiosity and investigative instincts continue to draw him toward danger.
• Klein’s secret use of divination shows his ongoing need to conceal his abilities and identity from Lynch.

Significant Themes

• Unequal protection and hidden influence: Lynch’s relationship with powerful beings, especially the Evernight Goddess, makes Klein feel comparatively insignificant and highlights the mysteries surrounding Lynch.
• Knowledge versus pretense: Lynch acts knowledgeable but depends on Klein’s explanations, while Klein—despite being more informed—must conceal much of what he truly knows.
• Curiosity and danger: The ruins offer valuable historical and divine knowledge, but every discovery carries serious risks, particularly the unopened central door.
• The casual presence of the divine: Statues and remnants of Gods show that divine beings once walked openly among mortals during the Fourth Epoch, contrasting with Klein’s fear and reverence.
• Trust and uncertainty: Klein and Lynch cooperate effectively, yet Klein remains unsure how much Lynch knows, what he is hiding, and whether Lynch’s presence makes the exploration safer or merely more dangerous.

Character Interactions

• Lynch repeatedly provokes Klein by joking about Leonard and pretending to know more than he does.
• Klein responds with outward indifference but is internally irritated and curious, creating a humorous contrast.
• During the exploration, Lynch acts as the more confident guide while Klein supplies much of the actual historical knowledge.
• Lynch’s casual comments about becoming a God unsettle Klein, who views such statements as dangerously disrespectful.
• At the central door, Lynch relies on his spirituality to sense danger, while Klein secretly uses divination. Their conclusions align, though Klein suspects the door may be explorable because Lynch is with him.

Chapter Summary: “Go Take a Look”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Klein and Lynch investigate an underground passage beneath Mr. Carter’s property. Inside, they discover a second door with a pair of mysterious eyes staring through the crack.
• Lynch immediately uses his “Lucky One” ability, grabs Klein, and flees. Klein discovers that a black worm has entered his arm and cuts it out before they escape.
• They seal the passage and agree that it is too dangerous to explore further. Lynch plans to report the discovery to the Holy Cathedral and warns Klein to discourage Mr. Carter from entering.
• To stop Mr. Carter from investigating, Lynch creates a highly realistic dream in which Klein leads Carter into the passage and Lynch appears as a terrifying evil spirit. Carter is successfully frightened away and even pays Klein two pounds, which Lynch claims as his own compensation.
• Klein realizes that Lynch had also been the one who previously frightened and humiliated him in a dream by giving him two pennies. Lynch unapologetically demands the pennies back.
• Lynch reports the ruins to Dunn, who forwards the matter to the Holy Cathedral. Because the Nighthawks are concentrating on the Devil murder case, the dangerous ruins are likely to be left to the Red Gloves.
• The Devil murder investigation continues without much progress. The victims are women who had previously worked in the flesh trade, but the investigators cannot predict the next target because many women were forced into such work by poverty.
• Lynch and the others attempt to identify likely locations and question people connected to the victims, but the Devil seems able to sense planned ambushes.
• The Government Employees Unified Examination officially passes, prompting Lynch to think of Benson and Melissa, who will soon be coming to Backlund. He plans to write them a letter.
• Lynch reflects on Ince Zangwill, recognizing that dealing with him again would be extremely dangerous because of his demigod status.

Character Developments

• Lynch demonstrates quick thinking and powerful abilities by detecting the danger in the ruins and saving both himself and Klein. His strong survival instinct contrasts with his playful greed and mischievous humor.
• Klein remains cautious and resourceful, removing the black worm from his arm before it can cause further harm. He is increasingly convinced that Lynch has recognized his true identity.
• Klein also realizes that Lynch’s constant demands for money may be a humorous form of retaliation for Klein faking his death. Despite being exploited, Klein is touched by Lynch’s continued concern and loyalty.
• Dunn continues to act cautiously and responsibly, reporting the ruins to the Holy Cathedral and organizing further investigation into the Devil case.
• Mr. Carter is successfully manipulated through Lynch’s dream and abandons his plan to enter the ruins.

Significant Themes

• Friendship despite deception: Klein’s hidden identity and staged death have not destroyed his bond with Lynch. Lynch’s teasing and financial exploitation conceal genuine concern.
• Humor as emotional compensation: Lynch uses money and pranks to express resentment and affection, while Klein recognizes that these actions may be his way of coping with Klein’s supposed death.
• Danger and restraint: The mysterious eyes and black worm emphasize that some supernatural threats are beyond the characters’ current ability to confront. The decision not to explore further reflects the importance of caution.
• Social injustice and desperation: The Devil’s victims are linked to prostitution or other “depraved” work, but the chapter stresses that many women entered such lives because of poverty and the need to support their families.
• Power and manipulation: Lynch’s dream deception, the Devil’s ability to evade traps, and Ince Zangwill’s demigod-level influence all highlight the dangers of characters who can control perception or foresee threats.

Character Interactions

• Lynch and Klein flee the ruins together, with Lynch physically dragging Klein to safety.
• Their conversation after escaping is dominated by Lynch’s demands for payment and Klein’s refusal, reinforcing their playful but deeply loyal relationship.
• Lynch and Klein cooperate to deceive Mr. Carter through a shared dream, though Lynch takes the financial reward for himself.
• Klein interprets Lynch’s behavior as evidence that Lynch may know who he really is and may be gently punishing him for hiding the truth.
• Dunn and the Nighthawks coordinate with the Holy Cathedral and continue working with the Machinery Hivemind against the Devil, despite limited leads and increasing public criticism.

Chapter Summary: “Five Hundred Pounds”

Key Plot Points and Events

• In Tingen, Melissa receives a letter from Lynch, who shares several pieces of good news:
  • The government has passed a civil service examination bill, allowing Benson to begin preparing.
  • Backlund Technical College has become a university, which Lynch believes suits Melissa’s practical and technical abilities.
  • Most importantly, Lynch reveals that Klein is still alive. Klein is living under another identity and cannot acknowledge his family, but Lynch recognizes him by his build and personality.
• Lynch tells Melissa that Klein seems lonely and suggests that Klein may have faked his death for an important mission, possibly working for the government. He warns her and Benson not to reveal the truth, since doing so could endanger Klein.
• Lynch has rented a house in Backlund and arranged rooms for Melissa, Benson, and their elders. He eagerly awaits their arrival but admits that he feels lonely there.
• Melissa is overjoyed by the news and invites her maid to accompany the family to Backlund. She waits until evening to give the letter to Benson.
• Benson is delighted to learn that Klein is alive, though he also feels frustrated that Klein allowed them to mourn him. He recognizes that Klein still considers Lynch part of the family.
• Meanwhile, Lynch continues working to catch the hidden Devil, who avoids all patrols and refuses to appear. Exhausted and annoyed, Lynch later attends the Tarot Gathering in Sefirah Castle.
• Mr. World appears at the gathering, heavily concealed. Lynch jokingly suggests that he might be a wanted criminal. Justice asks Mr. Fool to verify Mr. World’s identity, and Klein confirms that Mr. World has not committed any illegal acts.
• Lynch apologizes, claiming that his suspicions are an occupational habit. He then offers Mr. World five hundred pounds if Mr. World reveals his location so Lynch can apologize in person, leaving Klein tempted by the money.

Character Developments

• Melissa moves from prolonged grief and gloom to renewed happiness after learning that Klein is alive. She also begins looking toward her own future through education in Backlund.
• Benson responds with relief and familial affection, though his happiness is mixed with resentment over Klein’s deception and disappearance.
• Lynch continues acting as a dependable friend and surrogate family member. He supports Melissa and Benson, prepares a home for them, and protects Klein’s secret. His playful, irreverent personality is also evident during the Tarot Gathering.
• Klein remains cautious and secretive while living under the identity of Mr. World. He protects his true identity but is visibly tempted by Lynch’s offer of five hundred pounds.
• The maid is shown to be loyal but uncertain about relocating to Backlund, since doing so may require leaving her current employment.

Significant Themes

• Family and belonging: Despite Klein’s absence and hidden identity, the Moretti siblings and Lynch remain emotionally connected. Lynch’s preparations for their arrival emphasize that he considers them family.
• Grief transformed into hope: The revelation that Klein is alive gives Melissa and Benson emotional relief and restores their optimism.
• Secrecy and sacrifice: Klein cannot reveal himself because of his mission, forcing his family to accept incomplete explanations and continued separation.
• Humor amid danger: The serious dangers surrounding the Devil and Klein’s concealed identity are balanced by Lynch’s teasing and the absurd exchange over Mr. World’s identity.
• New beginnings: Melissa’s possible education in Backlund and the family’s planned move suggest a hopeful future after the upheaval caused by Klein’s apparent death.

Character Interactions

• Melissa and the maid discuss the letter and the possibility of moving to Backlund together.
• Melissa waits to share the news with Benson, showing consideration for his connection to Lynch and Klein.
• Benson reacts to Lynch’s message with relief and restrained irritation toward Klein.
• During the Tarot Gathering, Lynch openly teases Mr. World, while Justice adds to the interrogation by asking Mr. Fool to confirm his identity.
• Klein, forced to defend Mr. World, confirms that he has committed no crimes. Lynch then turns the exchange into a joke by offering five hundred pounds for a face-to-face apology, creating the chapter’s comedic ending.

Key plot points and events

• Mr. Fool introduces Mr. World as the Tarot Club’s newest member. Lynch refuses to reveal Mr. World’s location for £500, but agrees to give him a discount on a future purchase.
• Miss Justice asks Lynch’s permission before asking Mr. Fool to recommend two potential members—a deference that makes Klein privately feel that Lynch, not he, seems to rule the club. Mr. Fool agrees, but requires the candidates to pass an assessment: gather information on the Fallen Nobles.
• Miss Justice learns of Ambassador Baclond’s death and asks what happened. Lynch admits he helped bring Baclond’s associates to justice, while Mr. Hanged Man explains that Baclond had been responsible for many murders.
• Lynch describes one case: Baclond’s lackey murdered a man who had pursued charges against the ambassador, then coerced the man’s family into presenting it as suicide. Lynch says the bereaved wife and child are now safe, and the child has started school.
• The discussion runs long, and Lynch reminds everyone to give Mr. Fool the diary pages he needs. He contributes one page; Mr. Hanged Man silently envies how little Lynch seems to have to memorize.

Character developments and interactions

• Lynch/Mr. Power acts protectively toward Miss Justice, cautions her to be careful when recruiting members, and shares details of the Baclond case. His influence over the club is so pronounced that Miss Justice seeks his approval before Mr. Fool’s.
• Miss Justice is eager to expand the club and impressed by the idea of an entrance assessment, though worried about its cost. She is troubled by Baclond’s victims and especially concerned for the murdered man’s family.
• Mr. Fool/Klein maintains authority by setting the assessment, but privately resents how much deference Lynch receives. He also uses the task to investigate the Fallen Nobles without revealing what he knows.
• Mr. Hanged Man supplies context about Baclond’s crimes and envies Lynch’s seemingly casual contribution of a single diary page.

Significant themes

• Authority and appearances: Though Mr. Fool leads the club, Lynch’s status makes others treat him as its real power.
• Justice and accountability: Baclond’s death ends the chance to prosecute him, leaving victims’ suffering and the desire for justice unresolved.
• Compassion and practical aid: The club’s members show concern not only for the dead but for the family left behind.
• Money and obligation: Miss Justice balances recruitment costs with the money she still intends to repay Lynch.

Key plot points

• Klein reads the latest Roselle diary pages. Roselle records a prophecy about his daughter, references the Sauron Family, and reveals that he planned to create the twenty-two Cards of Blasphemy to expose hidden secrets. He also confirms that Sequence 0 is a true god.
• A diary page fabricated by Lynch presents Klein’s transmigrated predecessor, Stephanie, as a Faceless. She describes her loneliness and fear of being discovered by a powerful, unnamed organization. She decides to join rather than risk being killed.
• Klein suspects this is the same organization Roselle joined. He infers that it is formidable, may be impossible to name, and seeks to keep pace with the times.
• During the Tarot Club’s free discussion, Mr. World seeks several ingredients. The Sun agrees to help find one, while Justice and the Hanged Man offer to look for the others. Lynch can obtain Magician ingredients through his team, but only if Klein reveals his identity and joins as an external member; Klein declines to respond.
• Justice requests the Sequence 7 Psychiatrist formula. Lynch gives it to her without charge, leaving her grateful—and the other members envious.
• Klein asks Lynch about the unnamed organization. Lynch confirms he knows it, but says the information is worth at least 10,000 pounds.

Character developments and interactions

• Klein’s reading renews his own homesickness and loneliness. He hides his sadness behind a smile, and his urgency to finish the gathering suggests he is struggling to remain at Sefirah Castle.
• Stephanie’s diary portrays her as isolated and cautious: despite wanting to pursue her own goals, she judges that joining the organization is safer than opposing it.
• Lynch shows generosity toward Justice but guards valuable information, insisting on payment for details about the organization. He also offers access to ingredients only in exchange for Klein’s identity and formal affiliation.
• Justice is considerate and determined to repay Lynch, while the Hanged Man and Klein privately envy her free formula but fear that asking for the same favor could bring trouble from Lynch’s powerful elder.

Significant themes

• Loneliness and displacement: Both Klein and Stephanie miss their former lives despite their opportunities in the new world.
• Power and coercion: Stephanie’s decision to join suggests the organization can eliminate those it cannot recruit.
• Knowledge as leverage: Roselle’s Cards of Blasphemy promise to reveal concealed truths, while Lynch prices information about the organization at a staggering sum.
• Trust and secrecy: Klein wants answers but refuses to expose his identity, highlighting the risks of intimacy and cooperation in a world shaped by hidden powers.

Key plot points and events

• Lynch trades information with Mr. World at the Tarot Club. He learns that the secret organization is the Twilight Hermit Order, whose name must not be spoken outside and whose founder is an active angel. In return, he gives Mr. World the information that Sequence 0 means a true god.
• The Nighthawks continue exhausting night patrols to prevent the Devil from killing again, despite being short-staffed.
• Lynch encounters the Devil’s black dog attacking a woman. His bullets fail, but the dog retreats when he raises Creeping Hunger. He rescues the woman and takes her back to the team.
• While Lynch is away, the Devil kills another woman in the gap between the Nighthawks’ and Machinery Hivemind’s patrol areas.
• The rescued survivor is identified as Shibelle, a sixteen-year-old worker at the Golden Rose, a legal brothel. The team decides to investigate it, and Leonard insists Lynch come along.

Character developments and interactions

• Lynch learns something significant about the Twilight Hermit Order but keeps quiet about the source and does not offer Mr. World further information.
• He shows composure and resourcefulness during the dog’s attack, then recognizes that the Devil may have deliberately drawn him away to create an opening.
• The team is frustrated and helpless after the Devil’s latest murder, but turns to Shibelle for a possible lead.
• Leonard believes Lynch’s appeal to women makes him especially useful for questioning the Golden Rose’s workers. Lynch disputes this, but Leonard remains convinced—especially because Shibelle spoke only after Lynch intervened.

Significant themes

• Information as currency: Knowledge about powerful organizations and the divine is exchanged for a price.
• The limits of vigilance: Even coordinated patrols cannot protect everyone when the authorities lack manpower.
• Manipulation and adaptation: The Devil exploits the team’s staffing weakness, while Lynch tries to anticipate its strategy.
• Appearance and assumption: Leonard attributes Lynch’s success with women to his looks, despite Lynch’s objections.

Lynch and Leonard rushed back to join Dunn’s team as they prepared to hunt the Devil Dog, using a Sealed Artifact to keep civilians out of danger. They reached the target area and began their plan, with Lynch reciting poetry to draw the crowd into dreams.

• After the Golden Rose yielded little information, Lynch told Leonard that he suspected the black dog had an owner who was the real Devil.
• Lynch and Leonard hurried back to headquarters, where Dunn told them he had located the black dog and was waiting for their help.
• Lynch brought Sealed Artifact 3-3569, the Vanishing Locker, so the team could remove ordinary people from the area before confronting the dog.
• Dunn instructed the team to quietly put civilians to sleep and draw them into the artifact before the Mandated Punishers or Machinery Hivemind intervened.
• Leonard asked Lynch to recite poetry, and Lynch began reciting a poem as they carried out the plan.

The Nighthawks killed the Devil Dog behind the serial murders and began searching for its owner. On his way home, Lynch met Mr. Z, who offered him a place in the True Creator’s organization and promised him a Sequence 6 Rose Bishop potion.

• Dunn ordered Daly to discard the Wooden Carving, and the team trapped the Devil Dog in a dream before Lynch devoured its brain with Creeping Hunger and the others shot it.
• Bersha’s ritual revealed that the Devil Dog had an owner who was often with it, though she could not see his face.
• Dunn ordered Leonard to notify the Holy Cathedral and Lynch to summon the Mandated Punishers and Machinery Hivemind to help identify the owner.
• After explaining the case to the other groups, Lynch headed home and recognized Mr. Z, a former superior from Tingen and believer in the True Creator.
• Mr. Z told Lynch that the True Creator and Mr. A approved of him, offered him a place in their organization, and promised him a Sequence 6 Rose Bishop potion.