Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Chen, a 17-year-old native of a snow-covered world, hunts a pack of Snow Wolves to hone his combat skills.
• After successfully hunting the wolves, Ye Chen is caught in an avalanche and survives due to an unknown protective barrier.
• He discovers a mysterious, rising black tide in an abyss at the foot of the mountain, which pulls him into a hallucination of a deep sea filled with tentacles and eyeballs.

Character Developments

• Ye Chen demonstrates proficiency in marksmanship and swordsmanship, as well as control over Auling energy, which enhances his strength, agility, and perception.
• He shows resilience and determination in facing the Snow Wolves and the avalanche.
• Ye Chen exhibits curiosity and a desire for answers when confronted with the mysterious abyss and its hallucination.

Significant Themes

• Survival and adaptation in a harsh, unforgiving environment.
• The unknown and its potential dangers.
• The development of skills and abilities through rigorous training.
• The struggle between curiosity and fear.

Character Interactions

• Ye Chen interacts with the Snow Wolves, demonstrating his hunting skills and the use of Auling energy.
• He has an unspoken connection with his teacher, who protects him from the avalanche using a strange barrier.
• Ye Chen's encounter with the mysterious abyss and its hallucination is a one-sided interaction, as the entity does not communicate directly with him.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Chen discovers the Abyss has risen to the middle of Boundary Mountain, and sees illusions within it.
• Lyle, Ye Chen's teacher, reveals that Ye Chen will face his first Nightmare, which will awaken his Innate Spirit Art.
• Ye Chen prepares for the Nightmare and falls asleep. He finds himself in a Blood Pool surrounded by fog and weapon fragments.
• A strange, rhythmic sound assaults Ye Chen, causing him pain. He realizes it sounds like someone humming a song.
• Ye Chen reaches out to grab a broken blade but wakes up in his room, indicating the Nightmare has temporarily ended.

Character Developments

• Ye Chen: Shows determination and resilience in the face of the Nightmare. His perception of Auling Power has grown stronger.
• Lyle: Reveals more about the Nightmare process and his plans for Ye Chen's future. He remains calm and composed throughout.

Significant Themes

• Awakening: Ye Chen's Nightmare is a ritual of breakthrough and awakening for his Auling Power.
• Survival: Ye Chen's instinct to survive drives him to find a weapon and understand the source of the strange sound in his Nightmare.
• The Unknown: The Nightmare's setting and the Abyss's illusions represent the unknown and the mysterious aspects of Ye Chen's world.

Character Interactions

• Ye Chen and Lyle: Lyle provides guidance and information to Ye Chen, while Ye Chen shares his experiences and seeks understanding from Lyle. Their relationship is one of teacher and student, with Lyle being the sole source of knowledge for Ye Chen.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Chen has his first nightmare, which includes elements like a Blood Pool, dense fog, weapons, and voices.
• Ye Chen becomes stronger physically, but his Auling Power concentration remains unchanged.
• Lyle shoots Ye Chen at close range to demonstrate his newfound bodily resilience.
• Ye Chen discovers he can enhance a weapon's power using his blood.

Character Developments

• Ye Chen: Becomes stronger physically, discovers his Blood Spirit Art ability, and learns about the Auling Labyrinth.
• Lyle: Reveals more about the Auling Labyrinth and Spirit Arts, guides Ye Chen through his new abilities.

Significant Themes

• The Auling Labyrinth: A vast, ring-shaped region encompassing all things, dividing the world into the Abyssal Purgatory and the Holy Light Pure Land.
• Spirit Arts: Advanced applications of Auling Power, unique to each individual based on their nightmare and soul essence.
• Physical Strength vs. Auling Power: Ye Chen's physical strength increases noticeably after the nightmare, while his Auling Power concentration remains the same.

Character Interactions

• Ye Chen and Lyle: Teacher-student relationship; Lyle guides Ye Chen through his new abilities and explains the Auling Labyrinth and Spirit Arts.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Chen discovers that his blood can enhance bullets, creating powerful "Blood Bullets."
• Lyle explains that Ye Chen's ability will grow stronger with more injuries, making him harder to kill.
• Lyle reveals that the sound in the Nightmare was the Labyrinth's summons, and those who endure it are called "Those Who Hear Its Song."
• Lyle announces three trials for Ye Chen to complete, with the first being to hunt and kill an escaped death row prisoner using Spirit Art.

Character Developments

• Ye Chen learns to control and use his Blood Spirit Art, understanding its strengths and limitations.
• Ye Chen becomes more confident in his ability and its potential for growth.
• Lyle demonstrates his knowledge and experience as a Hunter, guiding Ye Chen through his new powers and the upcoming trials.

Significant Themes

• The power and danger of the Nightmare and Spirit Art.
• The importance of understanding and controlling one's abilities.
• The necessity of facing and overcoming challenges to grow stronger.

Character Interactions

• Ye Chen and Lyle discuss the nature of Ye Chen's ability and the upcoming trials.
• Lyle guides and teaches Ye Chen, preparing him for the trials and the world beyond the Eternal Winter Hidden Domain.
• Ye Chen's internal monologue reveals his thoughts, feelings, and determination as he prepares for the trials.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Chen, a boy from the Eternal Winter Hidden Domain, leaves the church to find a fugitive in the village ruins, following Lyle's instructions.
• He discovers a series of traps set up by the fugitive, including steel wires connected to warning devices or deadly traps.
• Ye Chen carefully approaches the only intact house in the ruins, where he finds a figure huddled inside, wrapped in a blanket.
• He prepares his revolver with a "Blood Bullet" and aims at the figure, but cannot see a corner of the room clearly.

Character Developments

• Ye Chen: Shows maturity, caution, and strategic thinking in his approach to the mission. He is determined, observant, and resourceful.
• Lyle: Though not physically present, his wisdom and foresight are evident in his instructions to Ye Chen. He is portrayed as an omniscient figure.
• Goda (the fugitive): His backstory is revealed through a flashback. He was once an ordinary, miserable man who led a poor life. His experience in the Nightmare has changed him, hinting at a transformation or new power.

Significant Themes

• Transformation: The theme of transformation is introduced through Goda's backstory. His experience in the Nightmare has changed him, suggesting that he is no longer the same person he once was.
• Perseverance and Caution: Ye Chen's careful approach to the mission highlights the themes of perseverance and caution. He takes his time, observes his surroundings, and plans his actions carefully.

Character Interactions

• Ye Chen and Lyle: Though not physically interacting, Lyle's instructions guide Ye Chen's actions, showing a mentor-mentee relationship.
• Ye Chen and Goda: There is no direct interaction yet, but Ye Chen's careful approach to Goda's location suggests a potential confrontation between them.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Goda, after a horrifying nightmare, awakens with a mutated body and altered personality.
• He becomes violent and vengeful, leading to his wanted status in Frost White City.
• Captured by city guards, Goda escapes using his enhanced strength and breaks free from his restraints.
• He hides in an abandoned village beneath Snow Mountain Church, planning his next move.
• Ye Chen, a Nightmare Sensor like Goda, arrives at the village and exchanges gunfire with Goda, who reveals himself to be a Frost White Person with enhanced physical capabilities.

Character Developments

• Goda's transformation from a timid, bullied individual to a violent, aggressive fugitive.
• Ye Chen's calm and strategic approach to dealing with Goda, demonstrating his combat experience and tactical thinking.

Significant Themes

• The influence of the Nightmare on individuals, leading to physical mutations and personality changes.
• The struggle for survival and the consequences of reckless behavior, as seen in Goda's story.
• The curiosity and hostility that arise from encountering unfamiliar beings, as shown in Goda's reaction to Ye Chen.

Character Interactions

• Goda's initial curiosity and shock upon seeing Ye Chen, followed by his violent intent to consume him.
• Ye Chen's cautious and calculated approach to engaging with Goda, using probing attacks to assess his opponent's capabilities.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Chen confronts Goda, a powerful fugitive, in a snowfield.
• Goda attacks Ye Chen with chains fused to his arms, displaying formidable strength.
• Ye Chen evades Goda's attacks, trying to find an opening.
• Goda destroys a cabin, revealing his Spirit Art's ability to control and enhance his chains.
• Ye Chen triggers a hidden Beast Trap, wounding Goda's foot.
• Goda attempts to remove the trap, but Ye Chen fires a Blood Bullet, destroying Goda's left arm.

Character Developments

• Ye Chen demonstrates his agility, strategic thinking, and use of his Spirit Art to enhance the Beast Trap.
• Goda shows his immense strength, ferocity, and overconfidence, which ultimately leads to his downfall.

Significant Themes

• The importance of strategy and adaptability in combat.
• Overconfidence can lead to underestimation of one's opponent and potential defeat.
• The power of Spirit Arts and their versatility, as seen in both Ye Chen's and Goda's abilities.

Character Interactions

• Ye Chen and Goda engage in a cat-and-mouse chase, with Ye Chen evading Goda's attacks and trying to find an opening.
• Ye Chen uses Goda's overconfidence against him, setting a trap and waiting for the right moment to strike.
• Goda underestimates Ye Chen, leading to his injury and eventual defeat.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Chen, a young Hunter, pursues and captures Goda, a dangerous fugitive.
• Goda, despite being severely injured and disarmed, tries to negotiate for his life using emotional manipulation.
• Ye Chen hesitates but ultimately decapitates Goda, completing the hunt.
• Ye Chen returns to the Old Church and reports to his teacher, Lyle.
• Lyle scolds Ye Chen for his mercy, which could have led to his own misfortune.
• Lyle offers Ye Chen the choice to rest or proceed to the second trial immediately.

Character Developments

• Ye Chen: Shows growth as a Hunter, demonstrating decisive action and skill in combat. However, his mercy and naivety lead him to hesitate at the end of the hunt, showing he still has room for improvement.
• Lyle: Reveals a more emotional side, showing anger and anxiety. His stern teaching style is maintained, but his concern for Ye Chen's safety is evident.

Significant Themes

• Mercy vs. Cruelty: Ye Chen's mercy nearly leads to his downfall, highlighting the theme of the necessity of cruelty in the Hunter world.
• Emotional Manipulation: Goda attempts to manipulate Ye Chen's emotions to save himself, showing the importance of emotional resilience in Hunters.
• Mentorship: Lyle's stern teaching and concern for Ye Chen's well-being emphasize the importance of mentorship in the Hunter world.

Character Interactions

• Ye Chen and Goda: Their interaction shows the dynamic between prey and Hunter, with Goda attempting to manipulate Ye Chen's emotions, and Ye Chen ultimately making a decision based on his training.
• Ye Chen and Lyle: Their interaction highlights the mentor-mentee relationship, with Lyle scolding Ye Chen for his mistake but ultimately offering him the chance to continue his trials.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Chen's second trial is to hunt an Ice Ape in Cold Wind Pine Forest, tainted by the Abyss, making it savage and dangerous.
• The journey is long, so Ye Chen travels with Heiqi, Lyle's horse.
• Ye Chen encounters a group of Frost White villagers hunting the same Ice Ape to protect their village.

Character Developments

• Ye Chen shows confusion about the Abyss's intrusion but remains focused on his mission.
• The Frost White villagers display determination and fear due to the recent Ice Ape attacks.

Significant Themes

• The unknown danger of the Abyss and its influence on creatures.
• The importance of preparedness and adaptability in facing the unknown.

Character Interactions

• Ye Chen and Lyle: Teacher-student relationship, with Lyle giving Ye Chen a challenging mission and advice.
• Ye Chen and the Frost White villagers: Ye Chen joins forces with the villagers to hunt the Ice Ape, showing mutual respect and understanding despite their different backgrounds.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A group of villagers from Cold Wind Village, led by Lloyd, venture into Cold Wind Pine Forest to hunt the man-eating Alpha Ape, accompanied by Ye Chen.
• They follow markers left by Ponsen, the Guard Squad leader, who has been tracking the Alpha Ape.
• After an hour, they reach a hill where Ponsen's markers stop, and they find his bloodstained hat. They hear a loud, approaching sound.

Character Developments

• Ye Chen: Shows caution and keen observation skills, noticing the Alpha Ape's footprints and warning the group about Ponsen's possible fate.
• Lloyd: Initially welcoming of Ye Chen, he becomes increasingly worried and determined to avenge his fallen comrades as they delve deeper into the forest.

Significant Themes

• The Abyss's Influence: Creatures contaminated by the Abyss undergo extreme changes, turning into rabid beasts.
• Loss and Grief: The villagers grapple with the loss of their loved ones and comrades, fueling their determination to defeat the Alpha Ape.

Character Interactions

• Ye Chen and Lloyd: Ye Chen provides valuable insights, while Lloyd shares information about the Alpha Ape and his village's plight. They form a temporary alliance to defeat the common enemy.
• Lloyd and his companions: They express concern for each other's safety and share a common goal of defeating the Alpha Ape and avenging their fallen comrades.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Cold Wind Village Guard Squad, led by Lloyd, encounters the Alpha Ape, a giant, abyss-tainted creature that has killed their leader, Ponsen.
• The squad attempts to kill the Alpha Ape using poisoned arrows, but the creature's abyss-tainted form absorbs the toxins, rendering the arrows ineffective.
• Ye Chen, an outsider, observes the battle from a nearby tree, realizing the poison's futility and preparing a Blood Bullet.

Character Developments

• Lloyd demonstrates strong leadership and resolve, rallying his companions despite their fear.
• Ye Chen shows strategic thinking and adaptability, quickly assessing the situation and preparing an alternative plan.

Significant Themes

• The power of adaptability and strategy in the face of overwhelming force.
• The corrupting influence of the abyss, represented by the Alpha Ape's taint.

Character Interactions

• Lloyd and his companions display camaraderie and shared resolve to avenge Ponsen.
• Lloyd and Ye Chen have a tense relationship; Lloyd is initially dismissive of Ye Chen, while Ye Chen observes Lloyd and his squad without direct interaction.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Guard Squad's arrows and bullets fail to harm the Alpha Ape, leading to a desperate situation.
• Lloyd and his squad see Ponsen's face on the Alpha Ape's belly, causing them to lose their will to fight.
• Ye Chen, hidden in the treetops, attempts to attack the Alpha Ape but is affected by the Abyss Matter, causing his shot to miss.
• The Alpha Ape, wounded by Ye Chen's Blood Bullet, becomes more aggressive and charges at Ye Chen.

Character Developments

• Lloyd, the Guard Squad's captain, loses his will to fight after seeing Ponsen's face on the Alpha Ape, demonstrating his emotional vulnerability.
• Ye Chen's mental preparation against the Abyss Matter's invasion fails, showing that the Abyss Matter's strength is beyond his expectation.

Significant Themes

• The corrupting influence of the Abyss Matter, which can invade minds and control actions.
• The struggle against despair and the loss of will to fight in the face of overwhelming odds.

Character Interactions

• Ponsen's wandering soul interacts with Lloyd and his squad, causing them to lose their will to fight.
• Ye Chen and the Alpha Ape engage in a showdown, with the Alpha Ape becoming more aggressive after being wounded by Ye Chen's attack.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Chen encounters an Alpha Ape tainted by the Abyss, which is much stronger and faster than Goda, a fugitive he hunted earlier.
• Ye Chen uses his Auling Power to dodge the ape's attacks and sets Beast Traps to wound it.
• He kills the Alpha Ape with his Blood Blade, but the Abyss Matter on its body continues to move.
• The ape's belly transforms into faces of its victims, including Goda, who attacks Ye Chen mentally.
• Ye Chen withstands the mental assault and defeats the illusion.

Character Developments

• Ye Chen demonstrates his agility, strategic thinking, and mental fortitude in facing the Alpha Ape and its illusions.
• The Alpha Ape's strength and the Abyss Matter's corrosive effect are revealed, showing the true threat of the Abyss.

Significant Themes

• The power of the Abyss and its mental corruption.
• Ye Chen's resilience and determination in facing overwhelming odds.

Character Interactions

• Ye Chen's encounter with the Alpha Ape and its illusions highlights his ability to maintain composure and act decisively in dangerous situations.
• The appearance of Goda's ghost emphasizes the Abyss's ability to manipulate and exploit one's memories and emotions.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Alpha Ape, seemingly mortally wounded, escapes with three Beast Traps attached to its body.
• It attacks and kills the remaining Guard Squad members, demonstrating its ability to regenerate using Abyss Matter.
• Ye Chen discovers the Alpha Ape's regeneration and decides to pursue it.
• One of the surviving Guard Squad members commits suicide, driven mad by the Abyss.
• Ye Chen convinces Lloyd, the Guard Squad captain, to lead him to the Alpha Ape's likely hiding place.

Character Developments

• Ye Chen shows determination and calm under pressure, suppressing his emotions to analyze the situation and make strategic decisions.
• Lloyd struggles with fear and responsibility but ultimately chooses to face his fears to protect his village and family.

Significant Themes

• Fear vs. Courage: Characters grapple with fear (e.g., Lloyd, the suicidal Guard Squad member) and muster courage to face their fears (Ye Chen, Lloyd).
• Responsibility: Characters must decide whether to act out of self-preservation or responsibility to others (Lloyd).

Character Interactions

• Ye Chen and Lloyd form a reluctant alliance, with Ye Chen providing calm leadership and Lloyd offering local knowledge.
• Ye Chen's calm demeanor and determination help Lloyd overcome his fear and make a decision.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Chen and Lloyd journey through Cold Wind Pine Forest, tracking the mutated Alpha Ape.
• They reach the Ice Apes' cliff, finding hundreds of corpses and signs of the Alpha Ape's presence.
• Ye Chen creates another Blood Bullet and prepares for battle.
• Ye Chen discovers Abyss Matter on nearby Ice Ape skeletons, suggesting the Alpha Ape's surveillance.
• The Alpha Ape ambushes Ye Chen with a giant tree trunk, and Lloyd is targeted by the Alpha Ape's mind-controlling power.

Character Developments

• Ye Chen demonstrates caution, respect for his prey, and strategic thinking, refusing Lloyd's help due to the high risk.
• Lloyd shows determination to fight the Alpha Ape but is later overwhelmed by its power, frozen in fear.

Significant Themes

• The Alpha Ape's intelligence and adaptability, using Abyss Matter for surveillance and ambush.
• The power of fear and its ability to incapacitate enemies, as seen with Lloyd.

Character Interactions

• Ye Chen and Lloyd work together to track the Alpha Ape, with Ye Chen leading the way and Lloyd providing local knowledge.
• Ye Chen protects Lloyd from the Alpha Ape's initial attack and warns him to fall back.
• Lloyd's fear and paralysis when faced with the Alpha Ape's mind-controlling power, contrasting with Ye Chen's calm and strategic thinking.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Chen saves Lloyd from the Alpha Ape by using his Blood Bullet, which sends the ape crashing into trees.
• Ye Chen and Lloyd work together, using blood-stained arrows to wound the Alpha Ape, but Lloyd's arrow has no effect.
• Ye Chen realizes the Blood Spirit Art only works when he's the one using it.
• Ye Chen fights the Alpha Ape in close combat, using his revolver to provoke and distract the ape while slicing its legs with his Blood Blade.

Character Developments

• Ye Chen demonstrates his quick thinking, strategic prowess, and combat skills, using bluffs and mind games to outmaneuver the Alpha Ape.
• Lloyd shows improvement in his archery skills but still lags behind Ye Chen.

Significant Themes

• The power of strategy and adaptability over brute force.
• The importance of understanding one's own abilities and their limitations.

Character Interactions

• Ye Chen and Lloyd work together to fight the Alpha Ape, with Ye Chen taking the lead and Lloyd supporting him.
• Ye Chen's actions and decisions drive the plot, with Lloyd primarily following his lead.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Chen encounters an Alpha Ape infected by Abyss Matter, which causes it to transform and attack.
• The Alpha Ape emits a powerful, devastating roar, injuring Ye Chen and fatally wounding Lloyd, a Frost White Person who had been following Ye Chen.
• Lloyd dies, asking Ye Chen to save his wife and daughter in Cold Wind Village from the Alpha Ape.

Character Developments

• Ye Chen demonstrates his courage and determination, facing the Alpha Ape despite its terrifying display of power.
• Lloyd shows bravery and selflessness, worrying more about the safety of his family and village than his own impending death.

Significant Themes

• The destructive power of the Abyss Matter and the Alpha Ape's roar, highlighting the danger and chaos it brings.
• The theme of bravery and selflessness, shown by both Ye Chen and Lloyd in their own ways.

Character Interactions

• Ye Chen and Lloyd's interaction is brief but impactful. Ye Chen tries to save Lloyd but knows his injuries are fatal. Lloyd asks Ye Chen to save his family and village before dying, leaving Ye Chen with a promise to fulfill.
• Ye Chen's standoff with the Alpha Ape shows his determination and willingness to fight, even when outmatched.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Chen blows an ancient whistle to signal for help and rides Heiqi to Cold Wind Village.
• The Man-eating Giant Ape has attacked the village, causing destruction and chaos.
• Ye Chen finds the Alpha Ape pursuing a mother and daughter, and throws a spear, saving them.
• The Alpha Ape prepares to use its terrifying ape-cry attack, which would harm both Ye Chen and the villagers.
• Ye Chen leaps onto the Alpha Ape, stabbing it with his blood-infused blade to prevent the ape-cry.

Character Developments

• Ye Chen demonstrates his bravery, resourcefulness, and determination to save the villagers.
• The Alpha Ape shows its brutal nature and desperation to survive.

Significant Themes

• Bravery and selflessness in the face of danger.
• The consequences of unchecked power and brutality.
• The struggle between good and evil.

Character Interactions

• Ye Chen and Heiqi work together to quickly reach Cold Wind Village.
• Ye Chen saves the mother and daughter from the Alpha Ape.
• The Alpha Ape's Abyss Matter and Ye Chen clash, with Ye Chen ultimately preventing the ape-cry attack.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Chen battles and defeats the Alpha Ape using a combination of physical combat, oil, and fire, ultimately destroying its Abyss core.
• The villagers, initially terrified of Ye Chen's power, are cautious around him.
• Ye Chen learns that the girl he saved is the daughter of a Cold Wind Village guard who went hunting on the mountain.

Character Developments

• Ye Chen demonstrates exceptional combat skills, resilience against Abyss seduction, and strategic thinking.
• The villagers, particularly the guards, are shown to be resilient and wary of Ye Chen's power.
• The young girl, despite her age, shows courage and admiration for her father and Ye Chen.

Significant Themes

• The power of determination and will against Abyss seduction.
• The fear and awe inspired by great power.
• The love and respect between a father and daughter.

Character Interactions

• Ye Chen and the Alpha Ape: A tense, one-sided battle where Ye Chen uses his skills and resources to outmaneuver and ultimately destroy the ape.
• Ye Chen and the villagers: Initially fearful, the villagers show caution and respect towards Ye Chen after he saves them.
• Ye Chen and the young girl: Ye Chen shows kindness and concern for the girl, while she admires his strength and shares information about her father.
• The girl and her father: Their bond is evident in the girl's words, showing her love and respect for her father.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Chen returns from Snow Wind Village, reflecting on the hunt and the villagers' grief.
• He arrives at the Old Church and reports to Lyle, who is displeased with Ye Chen's emotional involvement in the hunt.
• Lyle and Ye Chen have a conversation about Ye Chen's approach to hunting and the nature of the Abyss.
• Lyle asks Ye Chen about his experience when his body made contact with the Abyss.

Character Developments

• Ye Chen: Shows empathy for the villagers, feels regret for Lloyd's team, and stands up to Lyle, defending his hunting approach.
• Lyle: Reveals his past experiences and beliefs about the hunter's world, expresses concern for Ye Chen's emotional involvement, and shares his own survival strategy.

Significant Themes

• The struggle between emotion and practicality in hunting.
• The dangers of sentimentality and kindness in the hunter's world.
• The nature of the Abyss and its influence on people's minds.

Character Interactions

• Ye Chen and Lyle: Have a tense conversation about Ye Chen's hunting approach, with Lyle expressing dissatisfaction and Ye Chen defending his actions. Lyle shares his past experiences and advice with Ye Chen.
• Ye Chen and the villagers: Ye Chen feels empathy and regret for the villagers, particularly the little girl who lost her father.