Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Dekan decides to speedrun the fourth floor to gain time advantage.
• He spends 5400 Demon Points for two pieces of intelligence and a delivery service function.
• Arriving on the fourth floor, Dekan finds it to be a well-maintained library with strict rules for jailers and no restrictions for the Jailer.
• He discovers signs leading directly to the fifth floor, indicating the Jailer's desire for jailers to leave quickly.

Character Developments

• Dekan becomes more decisive, prioritizing his heart's desires and apologizing to Tata in his thoughts.
• The fourth-floor Jailer is introduced as self-indulgent and uninterested in engaging with jailers.

Significant Themes

• The theme of following one's heart and accepting destiny is reinforced.
• The contrast between the harsh environments of previous floors and the fourth floor's safety highlights the unpredictable nature of the Greed Prison.

Character Interactions

• Dekan interacts with the Jailer of the third floor, purchasing services and intelligence.
• Dekan's internal dialogue reveals his thoughts on apologizing to Tata and his curiosity about the fourth-floor Jailer.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Dekan, a Jailer, arrives on the fourth floor of the Demon Realm prison, aiming to quickly proceed to the fifth floor but must first search for his companions.
• Artis, the Jailer of the fourth floor, is engaged in a chess game with Morion, a human challenger she's been studying and conversing with.
• Dekan enters the hall, and Artis, not welcoming his arrival, reveals she had bet with Morion about a Jailer's arrival, which Morion won.

Character Developments

• Dekan: He's strategic, responsible, and prioritizes his team's safety, even if it means delaying his own progress.
• Artis: She's rational, curious about humans, and values knowledge over violence. She's also competitive and doesn't welcome Dekan's intrusion.
• Morion: He's calm, composed, and resourceful. He's managed to turn his imprisonment into an opportunity to learn about demons and make a wager with Artis.

Significant Themes

• Knowledge vs. Violence: Artis's fascination with humans and her preference for learning over fighting is a stark contrast to typical demon behavior.
• Strategy and Responsibility: Dekan's strategic thinking and responsibility towards his team highlight his leadership and care for his companions.

Character Interactions

• Artis and Morion: Their chess game and conversation represent a unique interaction between a demon and a human, with Artis learning from Morion and Morion using his knowledge to his advantage.
• Artis and Dekan: Their interaction is tense, with Artis not welcoming Dekan's arrival and Dekan needing to convince Artis to let Morion go with him.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Dekan finds Morion in a Tier 7 Shadow World prison, which is unusual given Morion's rank and the absence of his party's card.
• Dekan tries to buy Morion's freedom from the jailer, Altis, but she refuses, hinting at a wager between her and Morion.
• Morion, initially relaxed, freezes upon seeing Dekan's true form as a Little Succubus, realizing the danger he's in.
• Altis allows Morion to leave with Dekan after Morion agrees, but warns Dekan not to harm Morion.

Character Developments

• Dekan: Shows determination to rescue Morion, displays confidence in her understanding of humans, and grows irritated by Altis's prejudice against succubi.
• Morion: Initially confident, becomes terrified upon seeing Dekan, struggles with the decision to leave with her or stay with Altis, ultimately choosing to leave with Dekan.
• Altis: Shows curiosity about human emotions, is reluctant to let Morion leave, and expresses prejudice against succubi.

Significant Themes

• Prejudice and Stereotyping: Altis's view of succubi as base and despicable, and Dekan's frustration with this stereotype.
• Power Dynamics: The struggle between Dekan, Morion, and Altis, with Altis holding the upper hand initially but ultimately yielding to Dekan's determination.

Character Interactions

• Dekan and Morion: Their dynamic shifts from Dekan's initial amusement at Morion's predicament to Morion's fear and eventual resignation to leaving with Dekan.
• Dekan and Altis: Their interaction is tense, with Dekan growing irritated by Altis's prejudice and Altis finding Dekan's audacity amusing.
• Morion and Altis: Morion initially sees Altis as an angel compared to Dekan, but ultimately chooses to leave with Dekan, causing Altis confusion and curiosity.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Dekan and Altis argue about the treatment of humans, leading to a heated exchange.
• Morion tries to intervene but is dismissed by both.
• Altis proposes a knowledge competition in Human Ethics, best two out of three, with both Dekan and Morion allowed to participate but not collaborate.

Character Developments

• Altis: Shows her rational and reasonable nature, but also her contempt for Dekan and humans in general.
• Dekan: Reveals his hidden human identity and his desire to prove his understanding of humans.
• Morion: Realizes the complexity of Dekan's identity and the danger of facing an Eighth-Rank Great Devil like Altis.

Significant Themes

• The relationship between humans and demons: Altis and Dekan's argument highlights the tension and misunderstanding between the two races.
• Knowledge and power: The competition on the fourth floor shifts from physical prowess to intellectual knowledge, emphasizing the importance of wisdom in different contexts.

Character Interactions

• Dekan and Altis: Their argument reveals their opposing views on human treatment and sets the stage for their competition.
• Dekan and Morion: They exchange a glance and nod, indicating a newfound understanding and cooperation between them, despite their previous disagreements.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Dekan and Morion meet Altis, who reveals she has sealed exam papers from a human Empire that perished a millennium ago.
• Dekan learns that Morion has been using his name for registrations.
• Altis proposes a battle of wits, with the winner deciding the loser's fate. Dekan insists on raising the stakes, suggesting the loser must wear a cat-ear maid outfit and dance.
• Altis, despite her initial reluctance, accepts the challenge.

Character Developments

• Dekan: Shows his competitive and mischievous side, enjoying the challenge and provoking Altis.
• Morion: Struggles between loyalty to Dekan and his own ambitions, considering throwing the match to see Dekan dance.
• Altis: Initially arrogant and dismissive, she becomes conflicted and eventually accepts Dekan's challenge, showing her competitive nature.

Significant Themes

• Competition and Rivalry: The chapter revolves around the competitive battle of wits between Dekan and Altis.
• Understanding and Misunderstanding: Altis's lack of understanding of human behavior and Dekan's manipulation of this fact is a significant theme.
• Honor and Dishonor: Altis's honor and Dekan's lack thereof are highlighted, with Dekan trying to provoke Altis into dishonorable actions.

Character Interactions

• Dekan and Morion: Their relationship is strained as Dekan discovers Morion's deception, but they still share a sense of camaraderie and mutual understanding.
• Dekan and Altis: Their interaction is filled with tension and provocation, with Dekan trying to goad Altis into accepting his challenge.
• Altis and Morion: Altis is confused by Morion's reactions, unable to understand his amusement and anticipation.

• Dekan and Altis begin their competition, with Dekan choosing the subject of Human Ethics Synthesis.
• The exam is administered using a high-level magical item, a book-like box that creates a light barrier and prompts for the exam.
• Morion serves as the examiner, and Altis answers the first question ("Why must humans not kill other humans?") flawlessly, earning a perfect score of 25 points.
• Dekan realizes he's in trouble as Altis's comprehensive answer leaves him struggling to match her score.
• The chapter ends with Dekan sweating, realizing he might not win against Altis's unexpected proficiency in human philosophy.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Dekan faces a dilemma in answering the Human Ethics question, as Altis's answer is near perfect.
• Dekan chooses to give a different, risky answer for the second question on 'Life,' focusing on the meaning of human labor.
• Morion scores Altis's answer low (5 points), surprising her, and scores Dekan's answer high (20 points), shocking Altis.

Character Developments

• Dekan shows strategic thinking and willingness to take risks in his answers.
• Altis becomes overconfident and underestimates Dekan's answers.

Significant Themes

• The meaning and value of human labor.
• The application of Human Ethics principles in different scenarios.

Character Interactions

• Dekan and Altis engage in a debate, with Dekan challenging Altis's views on labor and ethics.
• Morion acts as the examiner, scoring their answers and influencing their interactions.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Altis and Dekan take an ethics exam with Morion as the examiner.
• Dekan scores high by understanding Morion's unique perspective and answering accordingly.
• Altis struggles to understand Morion's scoring criteria and questions her understanding of human ethics.
• The third question involves a Tier 6 Demon holding humans hostage, and Altis and Dekan must decide how to proceed.

Character Developments

• Altis: Struggles with understanding Morion's scoring method, questions her knowledge of human ethics, and becomes increasingly frustrated.
• Dekan: Understands Morion's unique perspective, scores high by answering based on Morion's mindset, and taunts Altis.
• Morion: Acts as an unconventional examiner, scoring based on his personal insights rather than generic answers.

Significant Themes

• The subjectivity of ethics and morality.
• Understanding and adapting to unique perspectives.
• The value of labor and utility in decision-making.

Character Interactions

• Altis and Dekan compete in the ethics exam, with Dekan initially scoring low but eventually surpassing Altis.
• Altis and Morion: Altis challenges Morion after receiving a low score, leading to Dekan's explanation of Morion's scoring method.
• Dekan and Morion: Dekan understands Morion's unique insights and provides answers that align with his perspective, securing high scores.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Altis realizes Morion and Dekan are colluding against her.
• The fourth and final question is posed: "Suppose you are a manufacturer... how should you treat him?"
• Altis asks for clarification on market conditions and regulations.
• She answers, focusing on "extracting value" from the merchant, including punishment, forced labor, and conversion to gold.

Character Developments

• Altis adapts her strategy after recognizing Morion's bias.
• Dekan remains quiet and unreadable throughout the final question.
• Morion seems unhappy with Altis's response, hinting at a potential low score.

Significant Themes

• The theme of "Anger" is explored through the scenario of a manufacturer's resentment towards a merchant.
• The exploitation of information asymmetry in business is highlighted.
• The idea of "extracting value" from a situation or person is emphasized.

Character Interactions

• Altis and Morion engage in a Q&A session to clarify the scenario.
• Altis expects Dekan to interrupt or challenge her but she remains silent.
• Altis believes Dekan is using psychological warfare but remains confident in her approach.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Dekan and Altis's exam continues; they've both failed the first subject, Human Ethics.
• Dekan deliberately chooses to fail the subject to humiliate Altis.
• Altis selects the next subject, Imperial Commerce, an objective-type exam.

Character Developments

• Dekan: Shows disdain for his reputation and enjoys humiliating Altis.
• Altis: Recovers from the shock of her defeat and becomes more determined to win.

Significant Themes

• The clash of values and ethics between vampires and humans.
• The importance of reputation and the consequences of disregarding it.

Character Interactions

• Dekan and Altis: Their rivalry intensifies as Dekan mocks Altis and she vows not to lose again.
• Dekan and Morion: Morion is disappointed in Dekan's deliberate failure, while Dekan shows no remorse.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Dekan is surprised by Altis's choice of Imperial Commerce, realizing Morion's expertise is needed.
• Morion takes the exam and loses to Altis, who finishes in 15 minutes compared to his hour.
• Dekan decides to choose an objective exam, [Imperial Arithmetic], against Altis's disbelief.
• Dekan finishes the exam in 6 minutes and 50 seconds, beating Altis's 12 minutes.

Character Developments

• Morion accepts his defeat and acknowledges Altis's superior knowledge and skill.
• Dekan shows confidence in his strategy and uses [Excel] to outperform Altis.
• Altis is shocked by Dekan's speed and performance, questioning her understanding of humanity.

Significant Themes

• The chasm between human and long-lived races' knowledge and skill.
• The power of human wisdom and innovation, represented by [Excel].
• The importance of adaptability and strategy in competition.

Character Interactions

• Dekan and Morion discuss their strategy and the possibility of Altis's weaknesses.
• Dekan and Altis engage in a mental battle, with Dekan using psychological tactics to unsettle Altis.
• Dekan and Altis make a bet, with Altis promising to fulfill her end if Dekan reveals his secret.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Dekan uses his Spell Card 'Excel' to defeat Altis in an exam, humiliating her.
• Altis, a Half-Demon, loses a bet to Dekan and is supposed to wear a cat-ear maid outfit and dance, but she refuses, willing to die instead.
• Dekan, finding Altis's honesty troubling, decides to concede and asks for information about the next floor instead.
• Altis reveals she's a Half-Demon, her mother being human, and that she's confined here by the Devil King.

Character Developments

• Dekan: Struggles with his desire to torment villains and his dislike for bullying honest people. He finds Altis's honesty troublesome but decides to concede.
• Altis: Reveals her pure and honest nature, willing to die rather than break a promise. She admits to being a Half-Demon.

Significant Themes

• The struggle between one's nature and societal expectations (Dekan's internal conflict).
• The concept of honesty and integrity (Altis's unwavering commitment to her promise).

Character Interactions

• Dekan and Altis: Their interaction is filled with tension and conflict, with Dekan trying to provoke Altis to break her promise, and Altis maintaining her honesty despite her distress.
• Dekan and Morion: Morion assists Dekan in neutralizing Altis's self-destructive behavior and looks at Dekan with contempt when he sees Dekan bullying Altis.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The author announces that the end of August's vote rewards (7,082 votes) equate to 12 character illustrations (5 new + 7 already commissioned).
• One illustration per week will be released starting now.
• The illustration of Little Succubus and Dekan for Volume 4 will be out in September.
• Volume 5 will feature a large-scale scene illustration of Dekan, the Master, and the Temple, following the success of the Volume 3 church illustration.
• The artist for Volume 5's illustration is the same as Volume 3's, but a rush order was required for an early October release, costing 8,000.

Character Developments

• No significant character developments in this chapter.

Significant Themes

• The power of the community (reader votes) in driving the story's progress and illustrations.
• The behind-the-scenes process of creating and commissioning illustrations.

Character Interactions

• The author (Xixi Dog) interacts with the readers, expressing gratitude for their support through monthly ticket votes.
• The author mentions the artist who worked on Volume 3's illustration and will be working on Volume 5's, highlighting their professional relationship.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Dekan confesses to Altis that he is human and plans to rescue the Saintess of Darkness.
• Altis reveals that escaping the Demon Realm within 14 days will be extremely difficult due to pursuers and blockades.
• She provides Dekan with a detailed map and route to escape the Demon Realm.
• Altis shares information about the Warden being defeated by an eighth-tier Paladin in the past.

Character Developments

• Altis: Reveals her kindness and desire to help humans, despite being imprisoned by the Devil King. She shows her intelligence and resourcefulness in planning escape routes.
• Dekan: Shows respect and appreciation for Altis, recognizing her as a friend. He decides not to say goodbye to her, feeling unable to express his emotions fully within the Shadow World.

Significant Themes

• Friendship and camaraderie across species and circumstances.
• The struggle for identity and acceptance, as seen in Altis's experiences with both humans and demons.
• The difficulty of the Shadow World mission, with its high-stakes time limit and powerful boss.

Character Interactions

• Dekan and Altis: Their relationship evolves from hostility to mutual respect and friendship. They share information and strategies to help each other achieve their goals.
• Dekan and Morion: They work together to gather information and plan their next steps, with Morion's intuition proving useful in guessing Altis's weak subject.
• Altis and the Warden: Altis's fear and respect for the Warden are evident, as she warns Dekan about the Warden's power and the difficulty of defeating her.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Altis asks Dekan to save her and take her away if the war ends, but Dekan refuses, only promising to be her ally if they meet again.
• In the real world, the Ice Princess feels empathy for Altis' situation.
• Dekan and Morion reach the fifth floor of the Demon Realm Prison, facing a harsh, cold environment.

Character Developments

• Altis: Shows vulnerability and hope for a better future, understanding the impossibility of her request.
• Dekan: Maintains his honesty and integrity, refusing to lie to Altis despite knowing the futility of her request.
• Morion: Admits to the intensity of the manhunt against him, expressing his desire to avoid further trouble.

Significant Themes

• The futility of hope in the face of inevitable fate, as seen through Altis' situation.
• The harsh reality of the Demon Realm Prison, contrasting with the more manageable environments of the previous floors.

Character Interactions

• Altis and Dekan: Altis pleads with Dekan, who refuses but offers a future alliance.
• Dekan and Morion: Dekan warns Morion not to cause trouble, and Morion assures him of his cooperation due to his own precarious situation.

Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Dekan and his team arrive at the fifth floor, the Fury Prison, an Exile Zone with no shopping points.
• They receive a Phantom Disguise, appearing as human prisoners.
• The Jailer, Faceless Ignis, attacks indiscriminately, drawn to negative emotions like fear and anger.
• Prisoners who survive have discovered ways to avoid the Jailer and sustain themselves.
• Jailers must blend in with prisoners, incite negative emotions, and guide the Jailer to eliminate them to earn Demon Points.

Character Developments

• Dekan shows concern for Cat Teacher's safety but is confident in his team's abilities.
• Cat Teacher feels secure with Dekan and Morion's protection.
• Morion remains indifferent and unconcerned about the floor's challenges.

Significant Themes

• Deception and manipulation of emotions.
• The power of evil and mental fortitude.
• Teamwork and trust among companions.

Character Interactions

• Dekan shares information about the floor with his team.
• Cat Teacher expresses confidence in Dekan's protection.
• Morion reassures Dekan about his capabilities.
• Dekan and Morion share a moment of understanding about their roles as teammates.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Elaine, a Tier 7 demon disguised as a prisoner, plans to manipulate the prisoners into killing each other and the Tier 7 mage Ryan, framing him as a traitor.
• Cornelia, a new prisoner, arrives and assists Elaine in gathering supplies, unaware of Elaine's true identity.
• Two scouts, Philos and Ada, are found poisoned and killed, not by the Jailer Faceless Ignis but by someone among the survivors.
• Elaine, Cornelia, and Ryan discover the bodies, and Elaine decides to investigate further, taking Cornelia with her.
• Elaine plans to use Cornelia as bait to lure Faceless Ignis and have him kill her, as she suspects Cornelia is also a Jailer.

Character Developments

• Elaine: Reveals her true colors as a manipulative and cruel demon, seeking to toy with the prisoners' emotions and cause their downfall.
• Cornelia: Demonstrates her courage and resilience, assisting Elaine without knowing her true intentions.
• Ryan: Shows loyalty and trust in Elaine, following her commands without question.

Significant Themes

• Manipulation and deception: Elaine's actions highlight the theme of manipulation and deception, as she seeks to control the prisoners' emotions and actions for her own gain.
• Trust and betrayal: The theme of trust and betrayal is evident in Elaine's plan to frame Ryan as a traitor and have the prisoners kill him.
• Fear and courage: The prisoners' struggle against fear and their attempts to maintain courage in the face of adversity is a central theme.

Character Interactions

• Elaine and Cornelia: Elaine manipulates Cornelia into assisting her, while Cornelia remains unaware of Elaine's true intentions.
• Elaine and Ryan: Elaine trusts Ryan implicitly, using him as a confidant and ally in her plans.
• The prisoners: The prisoners interact with one another, trying to maintain hope and support each other in their struggle for survival.

Key Plot Points

• Cornelia finds Dekan on the prison floor.
• Dekan and Morion toy with and defeat Faceless Ignis.
• Elaine, a demon in disguise, interacts with Dekan, Cornelia, and Morion.
• Dekan asks Elaine for information about the floor's survivors.

Character Developments

• Cornelia: Shows determination and resourcefulness in finding Dekan and gathering information.
• Dekan: Demonstrates leadership, multitasking abilities, and concern for Cornelia's well-being.
• Elaine (demon): Maintains her disguise, showing cunning and adaptability.

Significant Themes

• Trust and deception: Elaine's deception is exposed, highlighting the theme of trust and its importance.
• Power dynamics: The interaction between Elaine and the trio showcases the power dynamics between them.

Character Interactions

• Dekan and Cornelia: They reunite, showing camaraderie and mutual respect.
• Elaine and the trio: Elaine tries to deceive them, but Dekan sees through her act, leading to tension and uncertainty.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Dekan uses the [Blood Purification] spell on Elaine, causing her immense pain and temporarily paralyzing her.
• Elaine, realizing Dekan's true identity as a jailer, tries to negotiate and offer cooperation to survive.
• Dekan reveals he wasn't certain about Elaine's identity as a demon but targeted her due to his egalitarian approach to beating up everyone he encounters.
• Elaine tries to use the survivors' dependence on her as a bargaining chip, but Dekan reveals his intention to punish her uniquely without collapsing their morale.

Character Developments

• Elaine's true nature as a demon is revealed, and she shows desperation to survive, trying to negotiate and manipulate Dekan.
• Dekan displays his impartial and egalitarian approach to dealing with everyone he encounters, regardless of their apparent innocence or guilt.
• Cornelia follows Dekan's instructions without hesitation, showing loyalty and understanding of his methods.

Significant Themes

• The struggle for survival and the lengths one will go to preserve it.
• The theme of impartiality and egalitarianism, even in the face of deception and manipulation.
• The consequences of one's actions and the unintended harm caused by trying to protect others.

Character Interactions

• Elaine and Dekan: Elaine tries to manipulate and negotiate with Dekan, while he remains impartial and unyielding, revealing his true intentions.
• Cornelia and Elaine: Cornelia injects Elaine with the paralysis potion without hesitation, showing loyalty to Dekan and understanding of his methods.
• Dekan and Cornelia: Dekan uses Cornelia to inject Elaine with the potion, showing trust in her abilities and understanding of her character.

• Dekan returns to the camp with the survivors, pretending they've just defeated the Jailer. Elaine is severely injured and unable to move or speak.
• The survivors are shocked and mourn Elaine's impending death. Ryan, the strongest mage, examines the corpses and realizes the food was poisoned, not Elaine.
• Dekan berates the survivors for their cowardice and lack of will to live, stirring their emotions and igniting their will to survive in Elaine's honor.
• Elaine, unable to move or speak, is horrified as the survivors praise her as a saint and hero. She struggles to express her true intentions but fails.
• Dekan bids Elaine farewell, expressing his satisfaction with her "noble" death. Elaine's last attempt to move fails, and she accepts her fate.
• Cornelia, Morion, and Cat Teacher witness Dekan's genuine amusement at the situation, highlighting the irony of Elaine's demise.