Chapter Summaries

• Rhode and Sulu meet in an abandoned factory. Rhode, a [Witch Hunter], is curious about Sulu's [Medium] profession and its Ouroboros emblem.
• Rhode reveals that the [Medium] profession is rare and has development issues. He suggests Sulu join the Church of the Goddess of Light for the [Apprentice] profession.
• Rhode agrees to take Sulu on a mission to train him and help him gain experience. He provides Sulu with a shotgun for self-defense.
• The mission involves dealing with a demon thrall, a common demonized creature.
• Rhode's strength and vitality are at a superhuman level due to his Tier 2 Witch Hunter status. He could potentially cause disaster if he chose guerrilla warfare within a city.
• Sulu is eager to gain experience points to advance to [Medium] and later swap to [Apprentice].

Key Plot Points and Events

• Rhode and Sulu, two Witch Hunters, are on a mission to eliminate Galan Owes, a man suspected of worshipping a demon to resurrect his deceased wife.
• They infiltrate Galan's home under the guise of Federal Tax Bureau agents.
• They discover a Lesser Demon, disguised as Galan's infant daughter, in the house.

Character Developments

• Rhode: Confident, aggressive, and skilled in dealing with demonic entities. He believes in direct confrontation and brute force when facing demons.
• Sulu: More cautious and analytical, he questions Rhode's methods but ultimately follows his lead. He is learning about the world of Witch Hunters from Rhode.

Significant Themes

• The corrupting influence of demons on humans.
• The necessity of dealing with demonic threats, even if it means breaking the law (as Rhode does with his forged documents).

Character Interactions

• Rhode and Sulu work together as a team, with Rhode taking the lead and Sulu providing support and asking questions.
• Galan Owes, driven mad by grief and the influence of a demon, believes his wife and daughter are still alive and interacts with them normally.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Sulu is left alone to deal with Galan, a demon worshiper, and his resurrected wife, who is now an evil spirit.
• Sulu kills Galan and the evil spirit, gaining experience points.
• Rhode and Sulu are ambushed by small monsters and an evil spirit. They fight together to defeat the monsters but are cornered by the evil spirit.

Character Developments

• Sulu demonstrates his combat skills and willingness to kill when necessary, but he's still inexperienced and struggles against spiritual entities.
• Rhode shows his combat prowess and strategic thinking but is overpowered by the evil spirit.

Significant Themes

• The danger of demon worship and the necessity of eliminating demon worshipers to prevent future harm.
• The struggle against supernatural forces and the limitations of physical strength against spiritual entities.

Character Interactions

• Rhode and Sulu work together to fight against the monsters but are ultimately cornered by the evil spirit.
• Galan's love for his daughter drives him to protect her, even in his demon-worshipped state.
• Sulu's inexperience and Rhode's strategic thinking contrast their approaches to the battle.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Rhode and Sulu encounter a powerful evil spirit during a mission.
• The evil spirit can pass through solid walls and has a corrosive touch.
• Rhode uses Holy Water of Light to temporarily repel the spirit.
• They find themselves trapped in a house due to the spirit's influence on the Spirit World.
• Rhode and Sulu decide to conserve their remaining holy water.
• Sulu aims to gain 50 more experience points to promote to a [Medium].
• Rhode is pulled into the black mist by the evil spirit.
• Sulu kills the last Little Imp, gaining 200 experience points, and promotes to a [Medium].

Character Developments

• Rhode: Shows his expertise in dealing with supernatural entities and his trust in Sulu.
• Sulu: Demonstrates his combat skills and determination, promoting to a [Medium].

Significant Themes

• Trust and teamwork between Rhode and Sulu.
• The power and danger of supernatural entities.
• The importance of preparation and information gathering in missions.

Character Interactions

• Rhode and Sulu work together to fight the evil spirit and Little Imps.
• Rhode trusts Sulu with his revolver and supports his plan.
• Sulu and Rhode separately engage with the evil spirit and Little Imps, showcasing their individual skills and teamwork.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Sulu classifies into a Medium, experiencing intense pain during the advancement process.
• He gains new skills: Soul Projection, Spirit Pressure, and Spirit Spike, and a new attribute: Inspiration.
• Sulu discovers a hidden space filled with black fog and encounters an evil spirit mimicking Rhode.
• Sulu uses his Spirit Pressure to disperse the evil spirit.

Character Developments

• Sulu advances to the Medium class, gaining new abilities and understanding of the spirit world.
• Sulu demonstrates his newfound power and awareness, successfully identifying and dealing with the evil spirit.

Significant Themes

• The struggle and pain associated with advancement and growth in power.
• The duality of reality and illusion, and the dangers of the spirit world.
• The importance of discernment and not being deceived by appearances.

Character Interactions

• Sulu and Rhode's bond is tested when Sulu suspects Rhode of being an evil spirit.
• Sulu's new abilities allow him to protect Rhode and dispel the evil spirit mimicking him.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Sulu confirms Rhode's identity and they decide to work together to defeat the evil spirit.
• Sulu reveals he has become a Medium, a profession that can sense and interact with spirits.
• They devise a plan: Sulu will use his Spirit Pressure to restrain the evil spirit, while Rhode uses his Holy Water and physical attacks to destroy it.
• Sulu successfully pins the evil spirit, and Rhode uses his Holy Water and a rune-engraved dagger to vanquish it.
• After the battle, they realize they are in the storage room of the house, and Rhode asks about Galan's fate.

Character Developments

• Sulu: Becomes a Medium, gains the ability to sense and interact with spirits, and demonstrates strategic thinking and bravery in battle.
• Rhode: Shows trust in Sulu, uses his skills and resources effectively to defeat the evil spirit, and expresses concern for Sulu's well-being post-battle.

Significant Themes

• Trust and teamwork: Sulu and Rhode work together to defeat a common enemy, demonstrating the importance of trust and cooperation.
• Power and responsibility: Sulu gains new powers as a Medium but also takes on new responsibilities and dangers.
• Adaptability: Both characters adapt to new situations and use their unique skills to overcome challenges.

Character Interactions

• Sulu and Rhode: They work together to defeat the evil spirit, with Sulu using his new Medium abilities to restrain the spirit, and Rhode using his Holy Water and physical attacks to destroy it. They show mutual respect and concern for each other's well-being.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Sulu and Rhode complete the mission at 233 Champagne Avenue, suspecting that the evil spirit has been eliminated but the place might still be dangerous.
• Rhode decides to find the person who posted the mission, while Sulu returns to his dorm.
• Sulu discovers he can see spirits after becoming a [Medium] and encounters a jellyfish-like spirit in his dorm.

Character Developments

• Sulu becomes more aware of his [Medium] abilities and their potential dangers.
• Sean is struggling with job interviews and Catherine's disappearance, showing signs of depression.

Significant Themes

• The dual nature of transcendent powers: beneficial but also carrying risks and dangers.
• The spirit world's overlap with reality and the potential for spirits to enter the physical world.
• The consequences of misinformation in missions, as seen through Rhode's determination to find the mission poster.

Character Interactions

• Sulu and Rhode work together to complete the mission, showing a growing partnership.
• Sulu interacts with the jellyfish spirit, demonstrating his newfound ability to sense and communicate with spirits.
• Sulu shows concern for Sean's well-being, offering encouragement despite his own recent experiences.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Sulu and Sean bid farewell to their university life, with Sulu moving into an abandoned factory with Rod.
• Sulu learns about Rod's [Witch Hunter] advancement requirements, which involve hunting demonized creatures.
• Rod reveals he has acquired a shop through a mission reward and plans to use it as a contact point and source of income.

Character Developments

• Sulu is now a [Medium] and is seeking information on his career advancement.
• Rod has become more open with Sulu about his [Witch Hunter] class and has acquired a shop.

Significant Themes

• The dangers and uncertainties of supernatural incidents.
• The importance of resources and advancement for transcendent classes.

Character Interactions

• Sulu and Sean part ways, expressing their hopes for the future.
• Sulu and Rod discuss their career paths and plans for the future, leading to a new living arrangement and business partnership.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Sulu is managing his brother's doll shop in Nia City, awaiting missions from the Goddess Church.
• He reflects on his recent missions with Rhode and the lack of extraordinary events.
• Sulu studies a notebook about Demon Hunting Lore, learning about Cursed Spirits.
• Rhode brings Sean, an acquaintance of Sulu, to the shop for a job interview.

Character Developments

• Sulu has become more comfortable with his [Medium] abilities and has improved his Demon Hunting Lore to LV4.
• Sean is struggling to find stable employment and is willing to work at the doll shop to support his studies.

Significant Themes

• The lack of extraordinary events in the current era.
• The struggle of finding employment and stability.
• The study of Demon Hunting Lore and the existence of Cursed Spirits.

Character Interactions

• Sulu and Rhode: They have worked together on several missions, and Rhode brings Sean to the shop for a job interview.
• Sulu and Sean: They are acquaintances, and Sean is surprised to find Sulu working at the doll shop. Sulu is taken aback by Sean's situation and his desire to work at the shop.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Sulu and Sean reunite, and Sean decides to work at Sulu's shop.
• Sulu learns that Sean is suspected of being tainted by 'Misfortune,' a force that brings bad luck.
• Rhode hires Sean, knowing the Church of the Goddess of Light will compensate for any losses caused by Sean's misfortune.
• Rhode reveals that there's a supernatural incident involving a Cursed Spirit, which concerns Molly, Catherine's apprentice.

Character Developments

• Sean: Shows excitement about working with Sulu and seems eager for a stable job.
• Sulu: Struggles with the decision to take a job at the Green Tree Castle, weighing the pros and cons.
• Rhode: Shows concern for Sulu and his friends, taking on a mission involving Molly.

Significant Themes

• Misfortune and bad luck as a force that can affect people's lives.
• The struggle between personal desires and responsibilities.
• The dangers and allure of the extraordinary and supernatural.

Character Interactions

• Sulu and Sean: Reunite and discuss Sean's new job at Sulu's shop.
• Sulu and Rhode: Discuss Sean's misfortune, the Church's involvement, and a new mission concerning Molly.
• Sulu and himself: Struggles internally with the decision to take the Green Tree Castle job.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Sulu and Rhode suspect that Molly might be involved in the supernatural haunting at the gallery.
• They decide to investigate the incident, preparing for a potential encounter with a Cursed Spirit.
• They meet Madam Xiling, a survivor, who is traumatized and cannot recall the ghost's appearance.
• They learn that another survivor, Mr. Gilbert, has been found dead in a locked room, killed in a mysterious manner.

Character Developments

• Sulu reflects on his experience points and the rules for gaining them, comparing them to online game systems.
• Madam Xiling is shown to be wealthy, fearful, and traumatized by the incident.
• The bodyguards display professionalism and vigilance, suspicious of Rhode and Sulu's true intentions.

Significant Themes

• The supernatural and the unknown, with a focus on vengeful spirits and curses.
• The power of memory and its fragility in the face of trauma.
• The theme of investigation and uncovering the truth behind mysterious events.

Character Interactions

• Sulu and Rhode work together, sharing their thoughts and plans.
• Rhode and Sulu interact with Madam Xiling and her bodyguards, with the bodyguards displaying hostility and suspicion toward them.
• Madam Xiling's bodyguards express concern for her safety and well-being, showing loyalty and dedication.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Rhode and Sulu's fake IDs are exposed, leading to a confrontation with Lady Xiling's bodyguards.
• Sulu demonstrates his transcendent power (Medium Spirit Pressure) to subdue the bodyguards and convince Lady Xiling of their true identity as protectors sent by the Church of the Goddess of Light.
• Rhode and Sulu are invited to dinner by Lady Xiling, where they discuss the Cursed Spirit's killing pattern and the existence of transcendental power among ordinary people.
• Lady Xiling remembers a detail about the Cursed Spirit's appearance.

Character Developments

• Sulu: Proves his power and earns respect from Lady Xiling and her bodyguards.
• Rhode: Shows knowledge about Cursed Spirits and their creators' motivations, further establishing his expertise.
• Lady Xiling: Initially skeptical, she accepts Rhode and Sulu's true identity after witnessing Sulu's power.

Significant Themes

• The existence and nature of transcendent power.
• The manipulation of human fear by evil entities.
• The difference between the Church and evil gods.

Character Interactions

• Rhode and Sulu work together to convince Lady Xiling of their true identity and protect her from the Cursed Spirit.
• Rhode and Sulu discuss the Cursed Spirit's killing pattern and the existence of transcendental power among ordinary people.
• Lady Xiling interacts with Rhode and Sulu, initially skeptical but eventually accepting their help.

Key Plot Points

• Madam Xiling panics and mentions a demon with red eyes and black skin, causing her to collapse.
• The demon's killing rule is revealed: recalling its image allows it to hunt the victim down.
• Madam Xiling is injured by the demon, and later abducted.
• Rhode and Sulu decide to act as 'corpse collectors' or 'cleaners' to contain the demon.

Character Developments

• Madam Xiling: Faints and is abducted by the demon.
• Sulu: Realizes the demon's power and his own limitations against it.
• Rhode: Shows grave concern and plans to contain the demon.

Significant Themes

• The power and danger of Cursed Spirits.
• The limitations of human power against supernatural forces.
• The importance of understanding an enemy's pattern or rule to counteract it.

Character Interactions

• Rhode and Sulu work together to understand and plan against the demon.
• Madam Xiling's maid, Katie, tries to comfort her employer but is helpless against the demon's attack.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Rhode and Sulu investigate the 'Insect Cocoon' gallery, cordoned off due to a horrific accident.
• They discover two corpses: Ms. Xiling, the gallery owner, and Molly Aibo, a girl Sulu had been searching for.
• The gallery is cursed by a 'Cursed Spirit', a spiritual entity set up by a powerful demonic professional.
• Rhode and Sulu find evidence suggesting that Ms. Xiling attempted to manipulate the Cursed Spirit to curse someone, likely Sulu, but failed, leading to her death.
• Molly Aibo, seeking answers, encountered a true demon in the gallery, which drove her to kill herself in terror.

Character Developments

• Rhode demonstrates his expertise in demon hunting, using his senses to track the demonic scent and analyze the situation.
• Sulu's Inspiration allows him to navigate the gallery and perceive his surroundings without looking, revealing his unique abilities as a [Medium].
• Molly Aibo's fate serves as a grim reminder of the dangers of dealing with demons and the power of a [Medium]'s abilities.

Significant Themes

• The power of curses and spiritual entities, and the dangers they pose to both ordinary people and low-level transcendents.
• The incomprehensible nature of demons and their terrifying influence on the minds of those who encounter them.
• The risks and consequences of attempting to manipulate or communicate with such powerful entities.

Character Interactions

• Rhode and Sulu work together, with Rhode leading the way and Sulu using his Inspiration to navigate and perceive their surroundings.
• Their conversation reveals their shared knowledge of demonic entities and their understanding of the dangers they face.
• The interactions between the characters and the cursed gallery highlight the isolation and helplessness of those caught in its power.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Sulu and Rhode discover the Cursed Spirit's gallery has been influenced by a demon, causing it to kill indiscriminately.
• They encounter Bill, a survivor who remembered the Demon Portrait, and escape together.
• The gallery transforms into a Ghost Domain, which they barely escape from.

Character Developments

• Sulu levels up his Spirit Pressure skill to LV2, temporarily boosting his Spirit attribute to 3.0.
• Rhode demonstrates his agility and strategic thinking in escaping the gallery.
• Bill, a coal merchant, is introduced as a survivor with knowledge of the Demon Portrait.

Significant Themes

• The influence of demons on Cursed Spirits, leading to increased danger and unpredictability.
• The importance of quick thinking and adaptability in survival situations.
• The power of Spirit and its significance in the Medium class.

Character Interactions

• Sulu and Rhode work together to escape the gallery, with Rhode pulling Bill along.
• Sulu uses his Spirit Pressure to create a gap in the black mist, allowing them to escape.
• Bill expresses his gratitude to Sulu and gives him his business card.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Bill Abel, a successful businessman, plans to auction a coal mine but is traumatized by a gallery incident involving a cryptic, lethal portrait.
• He obtains an address for the Rhode brothers, considering hiring them for protection.
• Bill sketches the Demon Portrait again, suggesting the curse's spread.
• Sulu hires a detective to find Beatrice Taylor and Kira Gales. He learns Kira is in Posi Port.
• The Doll House is vandalized, with a message written in blood: "We found you!"

Character Developments

• Bill Abel: Traumatized by the gallery incident, he seeks protection from the Rhode brothers, unaware of the curse's spread.
• Sulu: Realizes the danger posed by the Black Death Society, which is after Rhode.
• Rhode: Reveals his past troubles with the Black Death Society, who are now after him in Nia City.

Significant Themes

• The spread of the curse from the Demon Portrait.
• The pursuit of the Rhode brothers by the Black Death Society.
• The contrast between Bill's desire for protection and the brothers' potential danger.

Character Interactions

• Bill Abel considers hiring the Rhode brothers for protection.
• Sulu and Rhode discuss the Black Death Society's arrival in Nia City.
• Sulu and the detective, Fatima Montari, discuss the whereabouts of Beatrice Taylor and Kira Gales.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Sulu learns about the Black Death Society's worship of death and their rituals involving the moon.
• Rhode reveals that Sean, Sulu's roommate, has been kidnapped by the society.
• Rhode and Sulu decide to rescue Sean, with Rhode having already called for reinforcements from the Federal Police and the Church of the Goddess of Light.
• They meet Agent Jack, a Tier 2 [Gunfighter] accompanied by five [Soldiers], who will assist in the operation.
• The operation's target is a warehouse complex where the Black Death Society is hiding, with the negotiation site and their lair being different warehouses.

Character Developments

• Sulu shows impatience with typical kidnapping tropes and understands Rhode's lack of personal attachment to Sean.
• Rhode demonstrates his strategic thinking and preparation for the operation.
• Agent Jack reveals his professionalism and interest in Sulu's transcendent status.

Significant Themes

• The importance of strategic planning and preparation in facing threats.
• The danger posed by the Black Death Society and their necromantic powers.
• The professional transcendent system's complexity and variety.

Character Interactions

• Sulu and Rhode work together, with Rhode taking the lead in planning and Sulu following his strategy.
• Agent Jack joins the operation, expressing interest in Sulu's transcendent status and offering assistance.
• The dynamic between Sulu, Rhode, and Agent Jack shows a mix of respect, caution, and mutual understanding.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Rhode and Sulu infiltrate Warehouse No. 2 to rescue Sean, but find a disguised hostage and two kidnappers.
• Rhode kills the hostage, revealing it to be an imposter, and a fight ensues.
• Jack and his team from the Federal Bureau 11 attack Warehouse No. 6, engaging in a battle with the enemy's main force and cultists.
• Rhode and Sulu observe Jack's impressive gunmanship, and Rhode explains the importance of firearms at lower tiers.
• Paisno, a wanted criminal and Necromancer, is cornered and uses a curse ability before being killed by federal agents.

Character Developments

• Rhode demonstrates his ruthlessness, strategic thinking, and willingness to teach Sulu.
• Sulu learns about the power dynamics between different classes and tiers, and the importance of firearms.
• Jack showcases his exceptional marksmanship and tactical prowess.

Significant Themes

• The power dynamics between different classes and tiers.
• The importance of firearms at lower tiers and the role of the Gunfighter class.
• The danger posed by Experts and Masters from the Twilight of the Gods era.
• The ruthlessness and pragmatism of Rhode.

Character Interactions

• Rhode and Sulu work together to take down the kidnappers, with Rhode leading and teaching Sulu.
• Jack and his team coordinate with Rhode and Sulu to take down the enemy's main force at Warehouse No. 6.
• Paisno, the Necromancer, attempts to curse the federal agents before being killed.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The battle against the Necromancer ends with the death of the controller, causing the skeleton soldiers to lose their connection.
• The hostage, Sean, is found to have a lingering aura of misfortune, leading to his transfer by the captors.
• Sulu and Rhode part ways, with Rhode returning to Gusta State to resolve the Black Death Society mess and Sulu heading to Posi Port to seek the path forward for a Medium.

Character Developments

• Sulu decides to keep the Doll House shop and sell it later when its value appreciates.
• Sulu tallies his assets and finds he has 29 Gold Dragons, 5 Silver Eagles, and a large handful of Toner in cash.
• Rhode's departure leaves Sulu with a pile of messes to deal with.

Significant Themes

• The struggle of a Tier 1 Medium like Sulu, who feels weak and inadequate compared to transcendent beings like Rhode.
• The importance of XP for skill and attribute upgrades, and the lack of a stable source for XP.
• The difficulty in identifying transcendent beings who intentionally conceal their nature.

Character Interactions

• Sulu and Rhode part ways amicably, with Rhode hugging Sulu before leaving.
• Sulu interacts with the elderly couple and the young stranger in his train compartment, but detects nothing unusual from them.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Sulu, a Medium, uses the Soul Projection skill on a train journey.
• He explores the train's carriages, discovering that animals like cats can sense spirits but can't see them directly.
• He encounters a group of burly men in the third carriage, but they're not armed.
• Sulu notices an elderly man's spirit trying to escape his body, indicating his impending death.
• Sulu engages in conversation with the elderly couple and Dora, a reporter, to gather information about Posi Port.

Character Developments

• Sulu demonstrates his Medium abilities and learns more about the risks of Soul Projection.
• The elderly couple shows affection and concern for each other, with the old man aware of his impending death.
• Dora reveals her job as a reporter and the challenges she faces in her career.

Significant Themes

• The fragility of the human body and soul, and the inevitability of death.
• The power of legends and folktales to shape perceptions and beliefs (e.g., the Beak-Masked Man).
• The struggle for information and truth in society (Dora's job as a reporter).

Character Interactions

• Sulu interacts with the elderly couple, learning about their life and the legend of the Beak-Masked Man.
• He also speaks with Dora, gathering information about Posi Port and her experiences as a reporter.
• Sulu's interactions are driven by curiosity and a desire to avoid trouble, as well as a growing interest in the Beak-Masked Man legend.