Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Jie, a time-displaced history student, is aboard the steam freighter Sea Witch, traveling from Guangzhou to an unknown destination in the Indian Ocean.
• The ship deviates from its normal route, and an eerie atmosphere takes over, with sailors humming an ancient, ominous song about a vengeful woman cast into the sea.
• A fellow laborer goes mad and disappears, and an invisible pressure builds on the ship.
• One night, Lin Jie hears scratching sounds on the hull and sees a pale, humanoid creature with long hair and tentacles in the water, which gazes at him through a porthole.
• The ship's engine stops, and the crew begins to hum the eerie song en masse, preparing for an unknown fate.

Character Development

• Lin Jie: Initially numb and resigned to his fate, he demonstrates resilience and analytical skills, noticing the ship's deviation and the strange occurrences. He experiences fear and shock upon seeing the creature and having it gaze at him.

Significant Themes

• Survival and resilience in the face of harsh, inhuman conditions.
• The unknown and the terrifying aspects of the deep sea.
• The powerlessness of individuals against absolute violence and the law of the jungle.

Character Interactions

• Lin Jie interacts with fellow laborers, observing their despair and resignation but maintaining a level of detachment due to his unique knowledge and situation.
• He has no direct interactions with the overseer or sailors, but witnesses their cruelty and later their eerie behavior.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A sudden panic erupts among the trapped laborers in the ship's hold after encountering an unknown creature.
• Lin Jie, instead of panicking, focuses on escaping through a weak point in the iron bars using a makeshift tool.
• A battle ensues on the deck between the ship's crew and creatures from the deep sea, referred to as "Deep Sea Resentful Women" or "Grudge Women."
• A German investigator, armed with a special revolver and a portable lamp, fights valiantly against the creatures but is eventually overwhelmed.
• Lin Jie manages to grab the investigator's revolver after it slides towards him, discovering that it provides mental resistance against the creatures' fear-inducing abilities.
• Lin Jie shoots and kills a Grudge Woman, but the creature's consciousness invades his mind, causing him immense pain and sensory overload.
• Lin Jie struggles to maintain his sanity and focuses on the investigator's portable lamp, formulating a plan.

Character Developments

• Lin Jie: Initially panicked, he quickly regains composure and demonstrates resourcefulness and determination in the face of danger. He shows courage in shooting the Grudge Woman and resilience in resisting its mental invasion.
• The German Investigator: Skilled in combat and knowledgeable about the creatures, he fights bravely until overwhelmed. His final words, "Licht... mehr Licht!" (Light... more light!), hint at a possible weakness of the creatures.

Significant Themes

• Survival: Characters struggle to survive against overwhelming odds and supernatural threats.
• Fear and Mental Fortitude: The creatures prey on fear, and characters must maintain their mental composure to resist.
• Resourcefulness: Lin Jie's ability to adapt and use available resources to escape and fight back.

Character Interactions

• Lin Jie and the German Investigator: Though they don't interact directly, Lin Jie learns from the investigator's actions and uses his weapon and final words to his advantage.
• Lin Jie and the Grudge Women: Lin Jie's mind becomes a battleground for his consciousness and the Grudge Woman's, highlighting the creatures' ability to invade and overwhelm human minds.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Jie is saved from the Grudge Women by a sudden, intense pain and a clear sentence in his mind: "Light... more light!"
• He uses a German-made hand lamp to repel the Grudge Women, discovering that its light is harmful to them.
• Lin Jie rallies the surviving sailors and overseers, convincing them to create a large fire using combustible materials to keep the monsters at bay.
• A tropical storm arrives, extinguishing the fire and driving the Grudge Women away. The survivors must then face the storm's fury.
• Dawn breaks, revealing a distant coastline, indicating that they have drifted closer to land.

Character Developments

• Lin Jie demonstrates extraordinary courage, resilience, and leadership in the face of the supernatural threat. He evolves from a passive observer to an active survivor and savior.
• The sailors and overseers, initially terrified and helpless, find their courage and will to survive under Lin Jie's guidance.

Significant Themes

• The power of light and fire against darkness and supernatural entities.
• The human will to survive and the ability to overcome fear and adversity.
• The unpredictable nature of the sea and its storms, serving as both a threat and a means of deliverance.

Character Interactions

• Lin Jie interacts with the surviving sailors and overseers, initially using broken English and gestures to communicate his plan. He earns their trust and cooperation.
• The Indian overseer, despite his past brutality, joins Lin Jie in his plan, showing a desire to survive and redeem himself.
• The older sailor takes charge in organizing the survivors and executing Lin Jie's plan, demonstrating his experience and leadership.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The ship carrying Lin Jie and survivors docks at London's Limehouse Docks after a storm.
• Lin Jie sneaks away from the group and hides in an alley to assess his possessions: a German diary, silver coins, a medicine bottle, and a revolver with a monster scale embedded in the grip.
• He exchanges one silver coin for money at an antique shop, unknowingly alerting the shop owner to his unusual possession.
• Lin Jie rents a bed in a cheap lodging house and starts studying the German diary when two men, including the shop owner, arrive to confront him.

Character Developments

• Lin Jie demonstrates resourcefulness and adaptability in navigating the unfamiliar city and securing basic needs.
• The shop owner is revealed to be more than he seems, showing cunning and connection to higher authorities.

Significant Themes

• Adaptation and survival in an unfamiliar environment.
• The double-edged nature of possessions: they can provide means for survival but also attract unwanted attention.

Character Interactions

• Lin Jie's initial interaction with the shop owner is deceptive, as the owner is not who he appears to be.
• Lin Jie's presence in the lodging house draws unwanted attention, setting the stage for a confrontation with the two men.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Two unknown, well-dressed men arrive at Lin Jie's dormitory, causing tension and fear among the tenants.
• Lin Jie recognizes the antique shop owner and realizes they're after the diary and gun.
• Lin Jie hides, then escapes through a window, pursued by the men.
• Lin Jie is injured but manages to evade his pursuers, hiding in Whitechapel District's alleys.
• He realizes the gun enhanced his reflexes and decides to seek refuge in the Lawless Land, a dangerous area even the police avoid.

Character Developments

• Lin Jie demonstrates quick thinking, desperation, and survival instincts during the chase.
• He discovers the gun's ability to enhance his reflexes.
• Lin Jie's determination and resourcefulness grow as he decides to seek refuge in the Lawless Land.

Significant Themes

• The power dynamics between the wealthy and the poor, with the wealthy men using their influence and resources to hunt down Lin Jie.
• The struggle for survival and the desperation of those at the bottom of society, as seen in Lin Jie's actions and the living conditions of the Whitechapel District tenants.
• The theme of the unknown and the dangerous, represented by the Lawless Land and the mysterious organization pursuing Lin Jie.

Character Interactions

• The two men, likely part of a powerful organization, display professionalism and ruthlessness in their pursuit of Lin Jie.
• Lin Jie interacts with the other tenants briefly, showing their shared fear and understanding of danger.
• Lin Jie's internal dialogue reveals his thoughts and decisions, showing his growing determination and resourcefulness.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Jie, wounded and pursued, navigates through Whitechapel District, a grimy and crime-ridden area of London.
• He seeks refuge at 11 Dorset Street, a cheap and lawless lodging house known as the Rat's Nest.
• Lin Jie encounters a drunken Irishman who tries to rob him, but he defends himself, establishing his authority among the lodgers.
• A woman's scream is heard outside, but it goes unnoticed by Lin Jie, who is focused on his predicament.

Character Developments

• Lin Jie: He demonstrates resilience, resourcefulness, and a calm demeanor under pressure. He's willing to defend himself and assert his authority to ensure his safety.
• The Irish Drunk: He initially tries to take advantage of Lin Jie's situation but backs down when threatened, showing a cowardly nature.

Significant Themes

• Survival: Lin Jie must navigate a dangerous environment and assert his authority to ensure his survival.
• Class Divide: The chapter contrasts the glamorous upper-class life with the grimy, poverty-stricken Whitechapel District.
• Despair and Crime: The district is characterized by poverty, crime, and a sense of hopelessness.

Character Interactions

• Lin Jie's interaction with the Irish drunk shows his determination to protect himself and his belongings, earning respect from the other lodgers.
• The woman's scream outside the lodging house highlights the dangerous and violent environment of Whitechapel District, where such incidents may go unnoticed.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Jie spends his first night in Rat's Nest, tense and alert due to the unsavory environment.
• He buys breakfast and visits a church-run reading room to study the German diary.
• The diary contains sketches and notes about various anomalous creatures, including one resembling Jack the Ripper.
• Lin Jie learns about a recent murder near Rat's Nest, matching the diary's description of a Town Rank UMA.

Character Developments

• Lin Jie demonstrates adaptability and resilience in his new environment.
• He shows determination and resourcefulness in his pursuit of understanding the diary's contents.

Significant Themes

• The struggle for survival in a harsh, unfamiliar environment.
• The pursuit of knowledge and understanding in the face of danger.
• The blurring of lines between reality and the supernatural.

Character Interactions

• Lin Jie interacts with the other patrons of the reading room, observing their reactions to the newspaper report of the latest murder.
• He does not engage with them directly, maintaining his focus on deciphering the diary.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The latest murder by "Jack the Ripper" has Londoners in a panic, with gruesome details and rumors spreading.
• Lin Jie, a Chinese man, analyzes the Ripper cases, concluding that the killer might be an Unknown Mystical Animal (UMA).
• He identifies patterns: victims are homeless, irregularly living women; wounds suggest a natural weapon; sulphurous smell is a key clue.

Character Developments

• Lin Jie: Calm and analytical despite the panic around him. He develops a revolutionary crime profile based on UMA behavior.
• Arthur Weston: A veteran Scotland Yard constable, pressured by the Ripper cases. He notices Lin Jie's unusual behavior and engages him.

Significant Themes

• Fear vs. Calm: Lin Jie's calm analytical approach contrasts with the panicked reactions of those around him.
• The Unknown: The fear of the unknown drives panic, but understanding the unknown (the UMA) allows Lin Jie to remain calm.
• Predation: The UMA's predatory behavior is a central theme, with Lin Jie analyzing it like a naturalist studying an animal.

Character Interactions

• Lin Jie and Arthur Weston: Weston approaches Lin Jie, intrigued by his calm demeanor. They have a brief, symbolic conversation about the Ripper case, with Lin Jie sharing his sulphur and feeding theory.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Jie's conversation with patrolman Weston hints at the existence of a mysterious organization, I.A.R.C., hunting him.
• Lin Jie surveys the Whitechapel District, marking crime scenes, and visits the Berner Street crime scene.
• He uses his ability to "read" the wall where the murder occurred, confirming the crime's connection to the UMA he knows.
• Lin Jie encounters I.A.R.C. investigators Barton and Marcus at the crime scene, learning about their equipment and the Cartographer's diary.

Character Developments

• Lin Jie demonstrates his ability to "read" memories, showing growth in understanding and control over his power.
• Barton and Marcus are introduced as professional and powerful I.A.R.C. investigators, revealing their capabilities and technology.

Significant Themes

• The theme of secrets and hidden truths continues, with Lin Jie uncovering more about the UMA and I.A.R.C.
• The struggle for information and intelligence becomes crucial, with both sides seeking an advantage.

Character Interactions

• Lin Jie's interaction with Weston hints at a potential ally or informant within Scotland Yard.
• Lin Jie's encounter with Barton and Marcus highlights the danger and tension between them, as they are unaware of his presence but close to discovering him.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Jie encounters an I.A.R.C. investigator, realizing his ability to read memories is a liability near crime scenes.
• He returns to a cheap reading room, gathering newspapers about Jack the Ripper's cases to create a detailed analysis.
• Lin Jie draws a map and table analyzing crime patterns, revealing the killer's growing hunger, precision in targeting, and high intelligence.
• He encounters the old constable, Arthur Weston, who becomes suspicious of Lin Jie's analytical abilities.
• Lin Jie draws three simple shapes on a paper—victim, crime scenes, and a predicted new crime scene—to bait Weston.

Character Developments

• Lin Jie: Realizes his ability's weakness, shifts focus to information analysis, and takes a calculated risk by predicting the next crime scene.
• Arthur Weston: Becomes suspicious of Lin Jie's abilities, but is intrigued by the prediction of the next crime scene.

Significant Themes

• The danger of Lin Jie's ability and the need for caution.
• The analytical approach to crime investigation, contrasting with the era's methods.
• The temptation of knowledge and its potential consequences.

Character Interactions

• Lin Jie and Arthur Weston: Their interaction shifts from casual to tense as Weston becomes suspicious of Lin Jie's abilities. Lin Jie uses this opportunity to plant a seed of intrigue with his prediction.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Jie, a mysterious young man from the East, gives Weston, an old patrolman, a newspaper with a cross marking Mitre Square, predicting the next Jack the Ripper victim.
• Weston, despite his initial skepticism, decides to investigate Mitre Square after considering the clues' accuracy and his responsibility to protect potential victims.
• He spends the night vigilantly watching the square and witnesses a shadowy, humanoid creature, later identified as Jack the Ripper, stalking a woman.
• Weston blows his whistle to alert other patrolmen, scaring off the creature, and saves the woman's life.

Character Developments

• Weston: Initially skeptical and prideful, he evolves into a more open-minded and responsible officer, willing to act on uncertain information to protect lives.
• Lin Jie (off-page): Implied to be insightful, mysterious, and possibly aware of the supernatural, as he accurately predicts the next crime scene and provides crucial clues.

Significant Themes

• Trust and Instinct: Weston learns to trust his instincts and act on uncertain information when it aligns with his responsibility to protect.
• Supernatural vs. Reality: The chapter explores the blurred line between reality and the supernatural, challenging Weston's (and the reader's) understanding of the world.
• Responsibility: Weston's decision to act on Lin Jie's prediction is driven by his sense of responsibility towards potential victims.

Character Interactions

• Weston and Lin Jie: Their brief encounter sparks Weston's curiosity and leads him to take action, setting the stage for a potential alliance or mentor-student relationship.
• Weston and his colleagues: Weston's decision to investigate Mitre Square on his own reflects his isolation within the police force, as he fears ridicule or disbelief from his peers.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The chapter opens with a failed attempt by police to find Jack the Ripper (UMA codenamed Mist Walker) in Mitre Square.
• Old constable Weston, influenced by Lin Jie's prophecy, arrives early and blows his whistle, scaring off the UMA.
• I.A.R.C. investigators Barton and Marcus observe the scene from a rooftop, confirming the UMA's presence using an Aether Fluctuation Detector.
• Lin Jie, back in his apartment, realizes the consequences of his actions and decides to be more proactive.

Character Developments

• Barton: He remains calm and analytical, upgrading the target's status from a mere 'thief' to a 'key figure' of immense intelligence value. He decides to change the operation's level from 'elimination' to 'observation and contact.'
• Marcus: He initially scoffs at the idea of an ordinary man scaring off a UMA but later accepts Barton's analysis. He shows deference to Barton's decision-making.
• Lin Jie: He feels guilty for putting Weston in danger and realizes the need to be more proactive. He decides to study the UMA's weakness to gain leverage with I.A.R.C.

Significant Themes

• Control and Manipulation: Lin Jie feels he is a pawn in a larger game, manipulated by forces beyond his control. He decides to take more control of the situation.
• Consequences of Actions: Lin Jie grapples with the unintended consequences of his actions, particularly the danger he put Weston in.
• Intelligence and Knowledge: The value of Lin Jie's knowledge about the UMA is recognized by both him and Barton. Both parties seek to gain more intelligence to gain an advantage.

Character Interactions

• Barton and Marcus: They work together, with Barton making strategic decisions and Marcus following his lead. Their relationship is one of mutual respect and trust.
• Lin Jie and the UMA: Lin Jie's actions indirectly influence the UMA's behavior, leading to the incident in Mitre Square. He decides to study the UMA further to gain leverage.
• Lin Jie and I.A.R.C.: Lin Jie realizes that I.A.R.C. is aware of his actions and decides to find a way to communicate with them on equal footing.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Jie is ridiculed and ordered to take leave by Scotland Yard for his "eyewitness report."
• The I.A.R.C. investigators disappear from Whitechapel District.
• Lin Jie decides to use himself as bait to lure the UMA "Mist Walker."
• He disguises himself as a drunken, emaciated vagrant and wanders Mist Walker's hunting grounds.
• Lin Jie enters a high-danger area, George Field, and awaits Mist Walker's arrival.

Character Developments

• Lin Jie demonstrates courage, strategic thinking, and resourcefulness in his plan to bait Mist Walker.
• He shows determination and mental fortitude in maintaining his disguise and facing his fear.

Significant Themes

• The theme of facing one's fears and taking initiative in the face of danger is prominent.
• The chapter also explores the theme of disguise and deception, both as a survival strategy and a means to understand an enemy.

Character Interactions

• Lin Jie interacts with various Whitechapel District residents, who ignore him due to his convincing disguise.
• He mentally interacts with Mist Walker, attempting to understand and predict its behavior.
• Lin Jie's mental connection with the Deep Sea Resentful Woman's companion scale provides him with emotional support.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Jie, disguised as a drunkard, is stalked by Jack the Ripper UMA in an alley.
• After an unknown period, the UMA approaches Lin Jie, preparing to attack.
• Lin Jie, feigning unconsciousness, waits for the perfect moment to strike.
• He fires his Webley revolver at point-blank range, revealing the UMA's true form—a three-dimensional shadow.
• Lin Jie evades the UMA's counterattack and throws a bag of red pigment powder, revealing the UMA's outline.
• Lin Jie shoots the UMA with alchemy bullets, injuring it severely.
• The dying UMA launches a final, desperate attack on Lin Jie.

Character Developments

• Lin Jie demonstrates exceptional patience, self-control, and strategic thinking in facing the UMA.
• The UMA shows remarkable patience, stealth, and speed, but is vulnerable to attacks that reveal its true form.

Significant Themes

• The struggle between hunter and prey.
• The importance of patience and timing in combat.
• The vulnerability of even powerful entities when their true nature is revealed.

Character Interactions

• Lin Jie and the UMA engage in a tense, silent standoff, each waiting for the opportune moment to strike.
• Lin Jie's actions force the UMA to reveal its true form, giving him an advantage in combat.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Mist Walker launches a fatal attack on Lin Jie, who cannot dodge in time.
• Barton and Marcus intervene, freezing and binding Mist Walker with advanced weapons.
• Marcus purifies Mist Walker using a special liquid, but the UMA unleashes a final mental curse targeting Lin Jie.
• Lin Jie instinctively uses the Webley revolver as a mirror, reflecting light that accelerates Mist Walker's dissipation.
• Mist Walker is completely eliminated, leaving behind a small black crystal.

Character Developments

• Lin Jie demonstrates quick thinking and resourcefulness under pressure, discovering and utilizing Mist Walker's weakness.
• Barton shows exceptional reflexes and professionalism, using a mirror to hasten Mist Walker's destruction.
• Marcus is revealed to be part of the I.A.R.C. team, using advanced technology to bind and purify the UMA.

Significant Themes

• The power of knowledge and information (Lin Jie's discovery of Mist Walker's weakness).
• The importance of adaptability and quick thinking in survival situations.
• The use of advanced technology and equipment in combating supernatural threats.

Character Interactions

• Lin Jie and Barton face off, with Lin Jie revealing his possession of valuable information.
• Marcus, Barton, and Lin Jie form an uneasy alliance, with Marcus and Barton acting as saviors and Lin Jie as bait.
• Lin Jie's actions earn him respect from Barton, shifting their dynamic.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Jie uses his [Afterimage] ability to deduce the true form and weakness of the Mist Walker UMA.
• Barton, the I.A.R.C. investigator, questions Lin Jie about his knowledge of Karl's diary and the UMA.
• Lin Jie explains his process of deducing the UMA's form and weakness without revealing his ability.
• Barton apologizes to Lin Jie for the misunderstanding and thanks him for his help in solving the case.

Character Developments

• Lin Jie demonstrates exceptional observational, deductive, and logical reasoning skills.
• Barton shows professionalism, curiosity, and a willingness to apologize and thank Lin Jie for his help.
• Marcus's hostility towards Lin Jie decreases as he comes to believe Lin Jie's account of Karl's death.

Significant Themes

• The power of observation, deduction, and logical reasoning in solving mysteries and understanding the unknown.
• The importance of clear communication and explanation in resolving misunderstandings.
• The professionalism and humility of elite investigators in acknowledging and apologizing for mistakes.

Character Interactions

• Lin Jie and Barton engage in a tense yet productive dialogue, with Lin Jie cleverly explaining his actions without revealing his ability.
• Barton's apology and thanks to Lin Jie signify a shift in their relationship from pursuer and target to collaborators.
• Marcus's initial hostility towards Lin Jie decreases as he comes to believe Lin Jie's account of Karl's death, showing a willingness to accept the truth.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Jie and Barton's conversation moves to the I.A.R.C.'s safe house.
• Lin Jie enters the I.A.R.C.'s underground stronghold in Whitechapel.
• Lin Jie reveals his ability, the Touch of Afterimage, to Barton.

Character Developments

• Lin Jie: Struggles with his identity and trust issues regarding his abilities. He decides to provide a reasonable explanation for his powers to gain the I.A.R.C.'s acceptance.
• Barton: Initially suspicious of Lin Jie, he becomes convinced by Lin Jie's explanation of his abilities and extends an olive branch.

Significant Themes

• Trust and identity: Lin Jie grapples with proving his trustworthiness and explaining his unique abilities to the I.A.R.C.
• Power systems: The I.A.R.C. and Lin Jie discuss the nature of his abilities, fitting them into the organization's understanding of supernatural powers.

Character Interactions

• Lin Jie and Barton: Their initial hostility turns into a mutual understanding and respect as Barton accepts Lin Jie's explanation of his abilities.
• Lin Jie and Marcus: Marcus remains vigilant but is confused by Lin Jie's explanation of his powers.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Jie clears his name and presents a valuable "resume" to I.A.R.C.
• He returns Cartographer Karl's relics, demonstrating goodwill.
• Barton offers Lin Jie Karl's revolver, the "Heart of Serenity," as a reward.
• I.A.R.C. headquarters confirms Karl's death and rescinds Lin Jie's arrest warrant.
• They offer Lin Jie two cooperation agreements: official membership or a "Free Hunter Agreement."

Character Developments

• Lin Jie: Proves his worth to I.A.R.C., gains a powerful ally, and is offered a significant role within the organization.
• Barton: Shows appreciation for Lin Jie's actions and offers him a unique opportunity.
• Marcus: Develops a newfound respect for Lin Jie's abilities and potential.

Significant Themes

• Trust and loyalty: Lin Jie earns Barton's trust by returning the relics and accepting the reward graciously.
• Power and freedom: The two offered agreements represent different levels of power and freedom within the organization.

Character Interactions

• Barton and Lin Jie: Their relationship evolves from suspicion to mutual respect and cooperation.
• Lin Jie and Marcus: Marcus's perception of Lin Jie changes from hostility to curiosity and admiration.
• Lin Jie and I.A.R.C. headquarters: Lin Jie's actions and abilities impress the headquarters, leading to a special offer.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Jie joins the I.A.R.C. as a 'peer', not a formal employee.
• They travel to the British Museum, where the true London headquarters is hidden.
• The headquarters is revealed to be an 'Underground City' with a vast, advanced infrastructure.
• Lin Jie sees the 'Black Book' and 'Hunter List', which record UMA and elite investigators respectively.

Character Developments

• Lin Jie demonstrates his knowledge of the Rosetta Stone, impressing Barton.
• Lin Jie's ambition grows as he sees the Hunter List, aiming to make his mark on it one day.

Significant Themes

• Hiding in Plain Sight: The I.A.R.C. headquarters is hidden within a public museum, reflecting the organization's ability to blend into the surface world.
• Power and Ambition: The Hunter List represents the pinnacle of achievement in the Underworld, driving Lin Jie's ambition.

Character Interactions

• Barton serves as Lin Jie's guide, showing him around the headquarters and providing explanations.
• Lin Jie interacts with the environment more than other characters, absorbing the sights and knowledge of the Underground City.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Jie is led by Barton to meet Arthur Conan, the craftsman responsible for inspecting and registering new hunters' initial equipment.
• Arthur is in the middle of a delicate task when they arrive, causing a brief delay.
• Lin Jie presents his Heart of Serenity Webley revolver and the Mist Walker's core crystal for evaluation.

Character Developments

• Lin Jie: Shows curiosity and patience in dealing with Arthur's eccentric behavior. He learns valuable insights about his weapon from Arthur.
• Arthur Conan: Reveals his neurotic and obsessive nature, particularly when it comes to craftsmanship and materials. He demonstrates deep expertise in his field.
• Barton: Shows understanding and tolerance towards Arthur's eccentricities, indicating familiarity with his behavior.

Significant Themes

• Expertise and Professionalism: Arthur's evaluation of Lin Jie's weapon highlights the vast difference in understanding between a professional and amateurs like Lin Jie and the I.A.R.C.
• Art vs. Function: Arthur's disdain for the revolver's design emphasizes the conflict between aesthetic and functional considerations in craftsmanship.

Character Interactions

• Lin Jie and Arthur: Their interaction is tense initially, with Arthur dismissive of Lin Jie's weapon. However, Lin Jie's curiosity and Arthur's passion for craftsmanship lead to a productive exchange of information.
• Barton and Arthur: Barton's familiarity with Arthur's behavior shows a long-standing working relationship, with Barton acting as a mediator between Arthur and the rest of the I.A.R.C.