Chapter Summaries

Zong Shen finished turning the cellar into a food store with the Frost Raven, then hurried toward the Dungeon front line after Vereesa reported that Commander-level monsters had appeared. Meanwhile, Safri discovered that the Church’s secret supplies were missing and followed tracked vehicle marks, suspecting Goblins had taken them.

• Zong Shen used the Frost Raven’s cold breath to freeze fresh meat and cool the cellar, then rewarded the bird and had it locked up to continue taming it.
• Zong Shen checked the Legion, watched rain begin, and received Vereesa’s report that a Commander-level monster had broken through the front line and destroyed a Thatched Shed.
• Zong Shen gathered the Exploration Squad and rode with them through the rain to reinforce the Dungeon front line.
• Safri learned from Byst that the Church’s secret supplies had been cleared out and ordered a Frost Raven courier to bring replacements by a different route.
• Safri spotted tread tracks in the mud and concluded that Goblins driving Load-Bearer Mechas had probably stolen the supplies.

Zong Shen investigated the Ghost Banshee that had appeared at the Dungeon front line and prepared his forces for its return. When another Banshee spawned, he examined its abilities and identified the five-second possession window as the best chance to kill it.

• Safri followed tank tracks southwest while pursuing a lead about the stolen Secret Supplies.
• Vereesa told Zong Shen that a Commander-level Banshee had possessed Rudnev, forcing the soldiers to wound him until it was expelled.
• Zong Shen checked on Rudnev, gave him two Soldier Strengthening Beads, and gave Vereesa Exorcised Satin Boots to counter possession.
• Zong Shen warned his channels about the Banshee, recalled his soldiers, and waited for the next Dungeon wave.
• A Ghost Banshee appeared with the new wave, and Zong Shen inspected its attributes and learned that its possession left it vulnerable for five seconds.

Zong Shen used a Two-headed Hellhound to kill a Ghost Banshee, then returned to his territory and misdirected Safri's search for stolen supplies toward Goblin merchants. Safri and her party headed north, leaving Zong Shen to continue his monster hunt and hope the Goblins took the blame.

• Zong Shen discovered that the Two-headed Hellhound could resist the Ghost Banshee's possession and watched it help kill the Banshee, which dropped a Soul Orb usable only by Undead units.
• Zong Shen left the Two-headed Hellhound with Favid to guard against more Banshees, then returned to his territory with the Exploration Squad.
• Safri and her party arrived near Zong Shen's territory seeking the stolen supplies and asking whether he had seen Magic-Energy Mechas.
• Zong Shen claimed that Goblins had driven the mechas north, and Safri thanked him and gained favor with him.
• Safri said he seemed familiar and promised to visit again, then rode north with her party toward the forests.
• Zong Shen worried that the Goblin merchants, especially Boswell, would take the blame and led his warriors out to hunt.

Zong Shen hunted Dungeon Monsters with his squad, earning Dungeon Points and Extraction Value while improving his Strength and helping Favid summon more Two-headed Hellhounds. After the hunt, he used a Level 3 City Lord's Mansion Upgrade Voucher, expanding the courtyard and transforming the building into a larger three-story residence.

• Zong Shen led his squad around the territory, clearing five monster groups and arranging for himself and Favid to deliver the final blows.
• Zong Shen bought an Excellent Grade Hand Crossbow so he could finish off Ghost Banshees, which he called Welfare Banshees.
• Zong Shen rejoined the squad and hunted monsters until night, raising his Dungeon Points to 43,729 and his Strength to 72 while Favid summoned two more Two-headed Hellhounds.
• Zong Shen returned to the territory and used his Level 3 City Lord's Mansion Upgrade Voucher, enlarging the courtyard and upgrading the mansion into a three-story building with additional rooms and balconies.

Zong Shen gave Tie Zhu and the Scout Squad a mission to establish themselves in Dinan Village and gather information for the territory. Maryl then reported her market trades and showed Zong Shen a Tainted Heart that could grant the power to transform into a Spirit of Holy Light once its Evil Grime was removed.

• Zong Shen assigned Tie Zhu and the Scout Squad 10,000 Continental Denars to pose as merchants in Dinan Village, build local ties, and report information about the village and other lords.
• Tie Zhu accepted the mission and set out to gather the Scout Squad that night.
• Maryl reported the day's trades, including resources and several items acquired through the market.
• Maryl showed Zong Shen the Tainted Heart, whose hidden nature was a powerful Spirit of Holy Light's heart tainted by Evil Grime.
• Maryl explained that she had bought the Tainted Heart on impulse because she felt it might be useful to Zong Shen.

Zong Shen ordered a three-day training program for the farmers and experimented with the Tainted Heart, discovering that his Demon Heart could gradually remove its Evil Grime. Absorbing a piece granted him a defensive skill, though its tiny coverage left him wondering how much more power he could gain from the rest.

• Zong Shen instructed Maryl to have all the farmers train for three days, feed them extra Dried Beef, and arrange for Dwarf Uncle to forge lightweight armor, shields, and short swords.
• Zong Shen tested the Tainted Heart with his swords and found that its Evil Grime resisted even the Dragon-Slaying Greatsword.
• Zong Shen used the Demon Heart to strip a small piece of Evil Grime from the Tainted Heart, and the system automatically granted him Evil Grime Lv. 1.
• Zong Shen examined the skill and learned it could create a small patch of protection for one minute, then considered how absorbing more Evil Grime might expand its usefulness.
• Zong Shen checked that he had reached Lv. 21 and went to rest in his room.

Zong Shen brought the Cursed Doll to the [Magic Hall] to learn the secrets it held about the Land of Buried Bones. At three in the morning, its Wraith emerged as a pale boy whose face matched the one Zong Shen had glimpsed on the doll.

• Zong Shen examined the Cursed Doll and saw the cursed boy's face appear on it in the moonlight.
• Zong Shen summoned Luna and the mages, and Tasia explained that the doll was a Wraith burdened by a curse and resentment.
• Zong Shen left the doll with Tasia and rested with Luna in a Meditation Room while they waited for three in the morning.
• Tasia woke Zong Shen when the doll's curse began to weaken and black mist started pouring from it.
• At three in the morning, the mist formed a cocoon and vanished, revealing a pale boy about six or seven years old.

Zong Shen accepted Petir Kim’s quest and followed the restless soul to the Land of Buried Bones to find the box buried underground. Digging awakened Richardson, a powerful Lion Skeleton Knight who seemed to be resisting his undead instincts, leaving Zong Shen facing an uncertain encounter as Petir’s time to manifest ran short.

• Petir Kim told Zong Shen that someone was still in the box, then led him and his companions toward the Land of Buried Bones.
• Zong Shen followed the Strategy Guide’s directions and led everyone in digging at the spot where Petir Kim had been wandering.
• The excavation caused the ground to split, and a powerful undead knight and his Skeleton Horse emerged from beneath it.
• Zong Shen identified the knight as Richardson, a veteran of the Lion Knights Order who appeared to retain some of his knightly honor and resist attacking the living.

Zong Shen uncovered the cellar and discovered that Little Kim’s obsession centered on an elven child named Uria, who had died trapped inside a chest. After giving Uria his father’s picture book, Zong Shen helped him pass on and received a protective buff, while the quest to defeat Grunch’s remnant soul remained active.

• Richardson resisted its murderous instincts and rode north into the mountains, allowing Zong Shen and his companions to continue digging.
• Zong Shen broke into the cellar and found Little Kim waiting beside a strangely preserved chest containing the dried corpse of an elven child.
• Little Kim’s obsession was resolved, revealing the Nightmare Doll and a quest to defeat the Stitcher Grunch’s remnant soul.
• Uria appeared as a ghost, and Zong Shen accepted a quest to find the birthday present his father had left him.
• Zong Shen gave Uria the Loving Picture Book, and Uria departed to join his parents after thanking him.
• Uria’s Gratitude granted Zong Shen a one-time safeguard that could block one attack dealing up to 2,000 damage.

After completing Uria’s mission, Zong Shen experienced a vision of demons devastating his future territory, which drove him to prepare urgently for the next mission. He led his reinforcements to a ruined Tower and uncovered a hidden passage, leaving the entrance concealed behind them.

• Uria’s mission ended, and Zong Shen received her blessing, which could block one fatal blow of up to 2,000 damage.
• Zong Shen saw a vision of demons overrunning his territory and a Great Demon killing Colby and his Giant Wolf, then resolved to develop his territory quickly.
• Zong Shen contacted Colby and had him bring Wolf Cavalry Squad 1 to reinforce the group for Kim’s mission to destroy what remained of Grunch.
• Zong Shen led the group west through the Land of Buried Bones to a ruined Tower near the Calamity Raven Church’s operation.
• Zong Shen used an Ejection Grappling Hook and the group’s combined strength to rip up a flagstone covering a hidden passage.
• Zong Shen followed the others into the passage and pulled the flagstone back into place, concealing the entrance.

Zong Shen explored the Blood-Burning Demons’ underground bunker, learned about their history from its reliefs, and used the Strategy Module to locate hidden treasure. After opening a Silver Treasure Chest and claiming its rewards, he replaced his old helmet with a Rare Grade Silver Knight War Helmet.

• Zong Shen studied reliefs depicting the Blood-Burning Demons’ rise and their invasion through a Dimensional Portal.
• Zong Shen and his party entered the Bone-Burial Bunker’s main corridor and followed Soul Guidance toward the hall where Stitcher Grunch had died.
• Zong Shen asked the Strategy Module about nearby treasures and learned about several chests, valuable items, and a Demon Lord’s Decree ahead.
• Zong Shen found and opened a hidden Silver Treasure Chest, receiving a Rare Grade helmet, recruitment scrolls, blueprints, and other items.
• Zong Shen replaced his Bull Horn Helmet with the Silver Knight War Helmet, which granted greater protection and a Radiant Headbutt skill.

Zong Shen recruited the fire mages Pax and Doris during the exploration and discovered that Doris was an exceptionally talented mage with a reckless history. He ordered both newcomers to follow his commands in battle, especially restricting their use of skills.

• Zong Shen donned his heavy helmet, joked with his companions, and used two recruitment scrolls to summon fire mages.
• Pax and Doris introduced themselves and joined the territory, while Favid identified Doris's Flame Crest as proof of her rare talent.
• Zong Shen inspected their attributes and found that Pax had crowd-control and area attacks, while Doris possessed Rare aptitude and a powerful Fourth Order summoning skill.
• Zong Shen learned from Doris's history that a serious battle mistake had wiped out her former squad, and resolved to watch her conduct in combat.
• Zong Shen instructed Pax and Doris to stay with Favid, obey his orders, and use no skills beyond Small Fireball unless permitted; Doris agreed with a faint smile.

Zong Shen collected relics and recruited three Night Huntresses before reaching Stitcher Grunch’s hall. After his warriors easily killed one Stitch Monster, the hall’s coffins opened and a horde of Abominations rose to face them.

• Zong Shen gathered treasure, a third Elven Key fragment, and three Night Huntress Recruitment Scrolls while heading toward the hall.
• Zong Shen activated the scrolls and recruited Nina, Kaisa, and Fia, placing them under Luna’s command.
• Zong Shen entered the hall and found his warriors fighting a Stitch Monster Experimental Version II.
• Zong Shen’s warriors quickly tore the Stitch Monster apart, then retreated into formation as the coffins and deformed demon statue began to shake.
• More than twenty coffins burst open, releasing armed Abominations that confronted Zong Shen and his group.

Zong Shen and his forces battled Stitcher Grunch and the Stitch Monsters in the buried hall, but the monsters’ Rotting Poison Gas and Grunch’s Demonic Lightning forced Zong Shen to order a retreat. The fight remained unresolved as he called for stronger magic support.

• More than twenty Stitch Monsters emerged from the sarcophagi and knelt before the trembling Deformed Demon Statue, so Zong Shen ordered his troops to attack.
• The statue became a Two-Headed Deformed Demon, and its black barrier blocked the attacks until the fighters broke through it.
• Stitcher Grunch revealed himself as an undead remnant soul in a Corpse Puppet, and Zong Shen identified him as a powerful Commander-level enemy.
• Zong Shen summoned three Greatsword Warriors and led his Wolf Cavalry in an assault while the mages attacked Grunch and the Stitch Monsters.
• The Stitch Monsters filled the hall with Rotting Poison Gas, weakening Zong Shen’s troops, and Grunch struck Zong Shen with Demonic Lightning.
• Zong Shen ordered everyone to retreat and told Pax to summon Flame Storm and Doris to summon a Fire Spirit.

Zong Shen’s forces confronted the Forgotten of the Evil God, a devouring monster that spawned dangerous Apostles and proved resistant to their attacks. As the battle intensified, Zong Shen kept his soldiers back and used ranged attacks, but the Forgotten One opened its eyes to attack.

• Zong Shen withdrew the Wolf Cavalry from the Rotting Poison Gas and used a Healing Ward while the mages prepared their spells.
• As the gas faded, Ashia identified the enormous creature as the Forgotten of the Evil God, which had devoured Abominations and produced Apostles.
• Pax’s Flame Storm damaged the monster, but it healed and grew stronger by devouring Abominations; Zong Shen learned its attributes and warned that the Wolf Cavalry must not approach.
• Zong Shen ordered Ashia to summon Holy Spirits and directed the Wolf Cavalry to retreat while he and the others attacked the advancing Apostles with flames, spells, and Moon Glaives.
• The Apostles pushed through the attacks as the Forgotten of the Evil God moved closer, stopped within twenty meters, and opened its many eyes.

Zong Shen defended against the Forgotten of the Evil God’s rays and advancing Apostles while his allies summoned powerful warriors to turn the fight around. The Fire Spirit Warrior Nobus and Holy Spirit Warrior Doyle attacked the Forgotten One, whose assault continued as their fiery and holy powers combined.

• The Forgotten of the Evil God fired a yellow Evil Eye Ray that pierced Zong Shen’s summoned Violent Bear Warrior and wounded him with lingering pain.
• Zong Shen sent Violent Bear Warriors, Luna, the Huntresses, and Tasia’s Skeleton Archers to hold back the Apostles of the Forgotten One.
• Nobus arrived to block a pale blue Evil Eye Ray, then attacked the Forgotten One with his fiery skills while Doris summoned three Fire Tornadoes.
• The Fire Tornadoes and Nobus’s Fire Spirit Storm trapped and burned the Forgotten One and pulled Apostles away from the defenders.
• Nobus leaped into the Forgotten One’s maw and slashed its interior as Ashia summoned Doyle, who used Holy Light Illumination and Dual Sword Storm against it.
• Nobus’s and Doyle’s auras began enhancing each other’s attacks with both burn and holy damage.

Zong Shen and his forces killed the Forgotten of the Evil God, completing Kim’s revenge quest and earning its rewards. He gave Tasia the Summon Infernal skill book and examined the unsealed Nightmare Doll, which remained a powerful puppet despite Kim’s spirit having disappeared.

• Zong Shen, Doyle, Nobus, Doris, the Wolf Cavalry, and the mages overwhelmed the Forgotten of the Evil God after its Apostles and Tentacle Monsters were destroyed.
• Zong Shen fired the finishing shot, killing the Forgotten of the Evil God and gaining experience and reputation.
• Zong Shen’s completion of Kim’s Revenge earned him the Nightmare Doll, the Summon Infernal skill book, and additional reputation.
• Zong Shen gave Tasia the skill book, and she learned Summon Infernal after her Intelligence reached 39.
• Zong Shen inspected the restored Nightmare Doll and found it was a self-repairing puppet that could transform into a stronger nightmare form.

After defeating the Forgotten, Zong Shen collected its valuable remains and discovered items that could help him manage the Land of Buried Bones. He learned that gathering the three Demon Lord's Decrees would let him control its undead, then examined Aegwynn’s Book of Ten Thousand Laws.

• Zong Shen collected thirty-seven Evil Eyes, seventy-two fangs, and the Forgotten’s Legendary skin from its remains.
• Zong Shen found a Core of Chaos that could neutralize conflicting powers, including the Demonic Power in his body, and stored it safely.
• Zong Shen identified the Demon Lord's Decree as one of three tokens needed to open the Tower of the Dead and control the undead in the Land of Buried Bones.
• Zong Shen learned that the remaining decrees were in the Land of Buried Bones and Duke Jonathan’s possession in Saint Sebastian Imperial City, and resolved to find them.
• Zong Shen examined Aegwynn’s Book of Ten Thousand Laws, a Legendary spellbook that could randomly cast Tier 1 to Tier 3 magic.

Zong Shen secured the first volume of the Book of Ten Thousand Laws, treated his injury, and led his group out of the Bone-Burial Bunker. Meanwhile, Safri investigated the bunker’s burnt remains, and Boswell’s goblins confronted Vereesa at Zong Shen’s territory.

• Zong Shen decided to keep the Legendary Book of Ten Thousand Laws with him and choose a mage to use it when needed.
• Zong Shen rinsed the wound from the Evil Eye Ray with Moon Goddess Spring Water, then had Favid burn the bunker’s remains before leading the group out.
• Raven Saintess Safri and a Church Elder discovered a passage into the bunker, detected a burnt smell, and Safri ordered an investigation while discussing her distrust of the goblins.
• Boswell arrived near Zong Shen’s territory with six Goblin Airships to search for the settlement where Zong Shen had robbed the goblins.
• Vereesa warned Boswell that the territory was private as goblin crossbowmen took aim and Maryl called for reinforcements.

Vereesa turned away Boswell and the Goblin merchants after making them pay compensation, and Zong Shen returned to find his territory running smoothly. He reviewed his plans for after the Dungeon Challenge while wondering what kind of trial the Lord System would bring next.

• Maryl sent the territory patrol and more than two hundred Kobolds to reinforce Vereesa as Boswell arrived with Goblin troops and Ogres.
• Boswell showed Vereesa a portrait of Zong Shen and asked whether she had seen him, but Vereesa denied knowing him and demanded compensation for the Goblins’ provocation.
• Vereesa made Boswell pay five thousand Continental Denars, then ordered the Goblins to leave.
• Zong Shen returned, praised Maryl and Vereesa, and told Maryl to watch for the Goblins in case they came back.
• Zong Shen checked on the territory’s training and resources, then considered his plans for after the Dungeon Challenge and the Lord System’s next challenge.