Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu Heng learns about the Monster Fish Virus and its threat to the ocean's water supply.
• He orders more monster fish to be caught for research and extracts the virus from the two captured fish.
• Tomie, transformed from Izumisawa Tsukiko, is imprisoned in an armored cage.
• Wu Heng traps Ryu in a sealed chamber with a snail and uses a puppet projection to challenge him, threatening him with spinning blades.

Character Developments

• Wu Heng: He becomes more determined to control Tomie and uses Ryu for his own purposes.
• Tomie: She retains her consciousness and personality after transforming, but her divided consciousness causes her pain.
• Ryu: He awakens in a sealed chamber and must face Wu Heng's challenge to survive.

Significant Themes

• Survival and desperation: Both Wu Heng and Ryu are driven by their desire to survive and achieve their goals, no m

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ryu, trapped in a chamber, discovers a switch that releases his restraints but also activates guillotine blades and rotating blades that threaten to slice him into pieces.
• He manages to turn the switch, losing his legs in the process, and crawls towards a snail in a cage as his new host.
• Ryu possesses the snail and crawls through a glass tube, encountering Tomie's eyes at the end.
• From the surveillance room, Wu Heng observes Ryu's actions, planning to transfer him into a lab rat's body if his current plan fails.

Character Developments

• Ryu's desperation to survive leads him to possess a snail, demonstrating his resilience and determination.
• Tomie's eyes are introduced, captivating Ryu and hinting at her influence over him.
• Wu Heng's manipulation and observation of Ryu's actions reveal his intelligence and strategic planning.

Significant Themes

• Survival and the lengths one will go to in order to live.
• The allure and danger of Tomie's body and consciousness.
• Manipulation and control, as seen through Wu Heng's actions.

Character Interactions

• Ryu interacts with the snail and Tomie's eyes, demonstrating his possessive ability and its limitations.
• Wu Heng observes Ryu's actions from the surveillance room, showing his manipulation and control over the situation.

Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu Heng watches Tomie's armor open, confirming Ryu's success in killing Tomie.
• Ryu is trapped in a secret chamber and faces a final trial involving acid rain and a hydraulic press with blades.
• He discovers a candle in a bucket of acid, which temporarily enhances his ability tenfold but melts his current body three seconds later.
• Ryu swallows the candle, enhances his ability, and attempts to possess the creature behind the eyes in the iron door.

Character Developments

• Wu Heng evacuates the research institute and watches Ryu's final trial from a distance.
• Ryu, after possessing Tomie's body, faces his final challenge and must make a desperate choice to survive.

Significant Themes

• The consequences of one's actions and the struggle for survival.
• The difficulty of completing story missions and the Tower's methods of testing and punishing.
• The importance of resolve and determination in the face of adversity.

Character Interactions

• Wu Heng and Ryu's interactions are minimal, as Wu Heng observes Ryu's final trial remotely.
• Ryu interacts with the unknown creature behind the iron door through his possession ability.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu Heng successfully extracts Tomie's shell from the scenario world but is unsure if it contains consciousness.
• He places the shell in a deep space for observation and sets up experiments with a pitcher plant and a corpse to determine if Tomie's consciousness is present.
• Takagi, the homeroom teacher suspected of ordering students to dismember Tomie, escapes from the psychiatric hospital and is near Morita Hospital.

Character Developments

• Wu Heng demonstrates his strategic thinking and caution in handling the Tomie situation.
• Officer Mori's phone reveals that Takagi has escaped, prompting Wu Heng to investigate further.

Significant Themes

• The struggle between consciousness and the lack thereof, as seen in Tomie's shell and the pitcher plant.
• The theme of initiative vs. luck in surviving the lighthouse's scenario worlds.

Character Interactions

• Wu Heng interacts with the researchers at the institute, giving orders and ensuring the safety of the facility.
• Wu Heng communicates with Officer Mori's contacts, learning about Takagi's escape and heading to Morita Hospital.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Mitsuo Yukiko, suffering from kidney failure, awaits a donor kidney.
• Her boyfriend, Kitayama, breaks up with her after meeting Mizutani Kuriko (Tomie).
• Kitayama kills Kuriko and is arrested. Unbeknownst to Yukiko, Kuriko's kidney is matched for her transplant.
• Detective Wu Heng arrives at Morita Hospital to investigate a case, meeting Yukiko post-surgery.

Character Developments

• Mitsuo Yukiko: Initially resigned to death, she regains hope after learning about the kidney transplant. Her condition worsens after breaking up with Kitayama.
• Kitayama: Struggles with his feelings for Yukiko and Kuriko, eventually succumbing to his obsession and killing Kuriko.
• Mizutani Kuriko (Tomie): Manipulates Kitayama, revealing her true nature and identity before her death.
• Wu Heng: Arrives at the hospital to investigate, showing concern for Yukiko's well-being.

Significant Themes

• Obsession and Manipulation: Kuriko's manipulation of Kitayama and his subsequent obsession with her.
• Deception and Identity: Kuriko's lies about her identity and Kitayama's deception of his parents.
• Hope and Resilience: Yukiko's hope for recovery and resilience in the face of her illness and heartbreak.

Character Interactions

• Yukiko and Kitayama: Their relationship is strained due to Kitayama's infidelity and Yukiko's illness.
• Kitayama and Kuriko: Their relationship is marked by Kuriko's manipulation and Kitayama's growing obsession.
• Yukiko and Wu Heng: Wu Heng shows concern for Yukiko's well-being, ordering an X-ray to ensure her safety.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu Heng, a mysterious officer, interrupts Tamura and Mitsuo's conversation, demanding to see Mitsuo Yukiko.
• Mitsuo is rushed for an X-ray, revealing a human head and limbs growing inside her transplanted kidney.
• Tomie, the head, speaks and is removed during an emergency surgery.
• Wu Heng takes Tomie's head, learns about the impending Tomie eruption, and kills Tomie to absorb her power.
• Mitsuo Yukiko transforms into a Tomie after the surgery.
• Wu Heng encounters a violent ambulance incident on the street, with paramedics attacking bystanders.

Character Developments

• Wu Heng: Demonstrates forceful attitude, demands action, and absorbs Tomie's power to strengthen himself.
• Mitsuo Yukiko: Transforms into a Tomie after the surgery, showing Tomie's ability to take over bodies.
• Tomie: Reveals the impending Tomie eruption and the existence of a natural enemy.

Significant Themes

• Transformation and possession: Tomie's ability to take over bodies and transform them into new Tomies.
• Power and control: Wu Heng's forceful attitude and absorption of Tomie's power.
• Violence and chaos: The ambulance incident and the impending Tomie eruption.

Character Interactions

• Wu Heng interacts forcefully with hospital staff, demanding action and taking charge.
• Tomie interacts with Wu Heng, trying to gain his protection and revealing the impending Tomie eruption.
• Mitsuo Yukiko interacts with Wu Heng after her transformation, showing no recognition of their previous encounter.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A nurse, later revealed to be Tomie, arrives at an accident scene, displaying arrogant behavior and a lack of empathy.
• Tomie manipulates a blond young man into attacking and killing other injured bystanders, including Tomie herself.
• Wu Heng, a police officer with special abilities, arrives, uses his Siphon ability on Tomie, and drives towards the research institute.
• On the bridge, Wu Heng encounters numerous Tomies and monstrous fish fighting and multiplying, causing widespread destruction.
• Wu Heng detours around rivers and bridges, but encounters a monstrous, incomplete Tomie transformation of a monster woman called "Abyss."
• Wu Heng uses a rocket launcher to destroy Abyss and absorbs her energy using Siphon.

Character Developments

• Tomie: Revealed to be the source of the chaos, manipulating people and multiplying herself through her charm and influence.
• Wu Heng: Demonstrates his ability to resist Tomie's charm and uses his Siphon ability to absorb energy from Tomies and other creatures.
• Abyss (as a Tomie): Shows that even incomplete Tomie transformations can pose significant threats.

Significant Themes

• The corrupting influence of power and charm.
• The struggle against temptation and manipulation.
• The escalating chaos and destruction caused by Tomie's influence.

Character Interactions

• Tomie manipulates the blond young man into attacking others, demonstrating her ability to control people.
• Wu Heng encounters and absorbs energy from Tomies and Abyss, showing his ability to resist their charm and utilize their power.
• The interactions between Tomies and monstrous fish highlight the chaotic and destructive nature of Tomie's influence.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu Heng encounters Tomie and two controlled aberrations (a disheveled old man and a bandaged shadow) at the exit of Spiral Mountain Forest.
• He engages in a battle with the bandaged shadow, defeating it with ease.
• Upon reaching the research institute, Wu Heng finds the guards infatuated and obsessed with Tomie, warning him about her presence inside.
• Tomie appears in the corridor, holding a beaker containing writhing, self-repairing ashes.

Character Developments

• Wu Heng demonstrates increased control over his Spirit-Touch Power, compressing it to cover only his forearm.
• The guards at the research institute are shown to be under Tomie's influence, displaying obsession, infatuation, and madness.
• Tomie exhibits her ability to control aberrations and manipulate flesh, as seen with the ashes in the beaker.

Significant Themes

• The corrupting influence of Tomie's charm, affecting both humans and aberrations.
• The power dynamics between Wu Heng and Tomie, with Wu Heng holding the upper hand in combat but Tomie exerting control over others.
• The theme of obsession and its consequences, as seen through the guards' behavior.

Character Interactions

• Wu Heng and Tomie: Wu Heng is cautious and wary of Tomie, while Tomie seems to acknowledge Wu Heng's power but remains confident in her own abilities.
• The guards and Tomie: The guards are completely under Tomie's spell, ready to defend her and attack anyone who displeases her.
• Wu Heng and the bandaged shadow: Wu Heng shows no mercy in defeating the shadow, viewing it as a low-level aberration with no intelligence.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu Heng returns to the research institute to find it overrun by Tomie's influence.
• He clears out Tomies and locks down laboratories, including one with a pitcher plant and three injured guards.
• He discovers that Tomie's remains have been taken, and the Corpse Candle's wax is growing rapidly.
• On TV, Wu Heng sees that Neon City is now entirely controlled by Tomies, with people donating blood and going mad.

Character Developments

• Wu Heng demonstrates his ruthlessness and efficiency in dealing with Tomie's influence in the institute.
• The guards and researchers show varying levels of madness and desperation, some trying to help, others lost in chaos.

Significant Themes

• Madness and its contagion: The spread of Tomie's influence causes widespread madness and chaos.
• Inevitable calamity: The discovery of the strange fish and Tomie's nature suggest that the current disaster was unavoidable.

Character Interactions

• Wu Heng interacts with the remaining guards and researchers, either helping them (like the three injured guards) or eliminating them (like the guards outside the sealed room).
• Tomie's influence is seen controlling people on TV, with people donating blood and going mad in her presence.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu Heng discovers a flesh-type pitcher plant growing from the wax in the Life Box.
• He tests the plant's regenerative abilities and absorbs its restorative force and energy using his Siphon ability.
• Wu Heng successfully stores the pitcher plant in his personal space and decides to stay in the institute to cultivate and strengthen himself.

Character Developments

• Wu Heng shows growth and maturity in handling both success and failure, no longer openly delighted by achievements.
• Ruri, now a pitcher plant, retains her regenerative abilities but lacks Tomie's allure and seductive power.

Significant Themes

• The danger of infinite reproduction and the threat it poses to the world.
• The importance of preparation and caution in facing unknown threats.

Character Interactions

• Wu Heng interacts with the three guards, confirming they are fine before testing the pitcher plant's portability.
• Wu Heng communicates with the Lighthouse Mark to review the items he can carry back and considers the implications of early return.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu Heng remains at the research institute for seven days, cultivating the remains inside to gain energy equivalent to twenty Tomies.
• A massive war ensues between Tomies, anomalies, humans, and monstrous fish, with both sides displaying fearless determination.
• Wu Heng observes the battle from a distance and decides not to participate.
• He is forcibly returned after completing the basic mission, receiving rewards including Survival Points, items, and an Origin Fragment.

Character Developments

• Wu Heng focuses on strengthening himself by cultivating the remains, showing strategic patience and self-preservation.
• Naoko, back in her world, decides to enter the pool to obtain a talent, displaying resolve and determination.

Significant Themes

• The chaotic and brutal nature of the war between Tomies, anomalies, humans, and monstrous fish, reflecting the theme of survival of the fittest.
• The theme of self-preservation and strategic patience, as seen in Wu Heng's decision to observe the battle from a distance.

Character Interactions

• Wu Heng has no direct interactions with other characters in this chapter, focusing solely on his own survival and cultivation.
• Naoko's interaction with the pool and her resolve to enter it hint at her internal struggle and determination.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu Heng checks his survival points and appraises his pitcher plants in the Lighthouse.
• He discovers the next scenario world: 'The Rope Curse 2.'
• Wu Heng decides to sell the Living Soul Pitcher Plant in the Lighthouse Plaza.
• He notices changes in his appearance and buys foundation to conceal it.
• Wu Heng searches for a remote place to serve as a secret base and finds a guesthouse in Misty Willow Village.

Character Developments

• Wu Heng becomes more cautious about his appearance and plans to keep it concealed.
• He shows determination in preparing for the next scenario world.

Significant Themes

• The importance of understanding one's abilities and resources (Wu Heng appraising his pitcher plants).
• The need for caution and discretion in the face of the unknown (Wu Heng's decision to find a secret base).

Character Interactions

• Wu Heng interacts with his mother, Yang Huifen, informing her about his business trip.
• He communicates with the Tower Mark and the Lighthouse's AI for appraisals and trading.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu Heng's mother improves her cooking, showing more care and variety in breakfast.
• A news report reveals a full-scale war in Anqiluo, suspected to be against the Old Oro Clan, with multiple major powers intervening.
• Wu Heng visits Misty Willow Village and purchases a guesthouse, transforming it into a base for his operations.
• Wu Heng trains his Spirit-Touch Power and names the pitcher plant 'Swine Elixir'.
• Wu Heng finds a heavyset girl occupying his signboard at Lighthouse Plaza.

Character Developments

• Wu Heng continues to develop his abilities and plans his strategies, showing adaptability and resourcefulness.
• The heavyset girl is introduced, displaying confidence and disregard for rules.

Significant Themes

• Adaptation and resourcefulness in the face of challenges.
• The importance of rules and fairness in transactions.
• The power dynamics and politics of the apocalypse world.

Character Interactions

• Wu Heng interacts with his mother, showing concern for her well-being.
• Wu Heng deals with the real estate agent and the young man selling the guesthouse, demonstrating his business acumen.
• Wu Heng encounters the heavyset girl at Lighthouse Plaza, hinting at potential future interactions or conflicts.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu Heng, using the codename 'Doctor', meets Green Scale, an old acquaintance from Deep Blue Star, at Lighthouse Plaza.
• Wu Heng discovers Coral, a subordinate of Tower Master Shadow, occupying his stall with an item he wants to trade.
• Green Scale helps Wu Heng contact Coral, leading to a meeting with Tower Master Shadow to discuss the trade.

Character Developments

• Wu Heng: Maintains his disguise as 'Doctor', showing caution and diplomacy in his interactions.
• Green Scale: Demonstrates sharp perception and helpfulness, acting as a bridge between Wu Heng and Tower Master Shadow.
• Tower Master Shadow: Shows reasonableness and respect for Wu Heng's position, indicating a fair and considerate attitude.

Significant Themes

• Trust and Caution: Wu Heng is cautious about revealing his identity and ensuring safe trade conditions.
• Alliances and Connections: Green Scale's assistance highlights the importance of connections and alliances in the trading world.

Character Interactions

• Wu Heng and Green Scale: They greet each other warmly, showing familiarity and mutual respect.
• Wu Heng and Coral: They have a brief, apologetic exchange due to a misunderstanding.
• Wu Heng and Tower Master Shadow: They maintain a polite and respectful demeanor, showing mutual consideration.

Key Plot Points & Events

• Wu Heng meets the Shadow Tower Master and learns about Scarlet Silver, a currency exchanged between Tower Masters, and its origin from reality.
• He discovers the existence of the Land of Absurdity and shelters.
• Wu Heng joins the Night Rain Association as an honorary member and Shadow Lighthouse.

Character Developments

• Wu Heng becomes more proactive in seeking information and understanding the world's rules.
• Shadow Tower Master shows her interest in Wu Heng's potential and extends an olive branch.

Significant Themes

• The importance of information and understanding the rules of the world.
• The duality of strength and caution in the Tower.

Character Interactions

• Wu Heng and Shadow Tower Master have a cordial exchange, with the latter showing interest in the former's potential and offering him a chance to join her association and lighthouse.
• Wu Heng demonstrates his willingness to learn and adapt, accepting Shadow's offer without hesitation.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu Heng receives a badge from the Shadow Tower Master, containing a piece of Scarlet Silver and a mysterious image.
• He returns to the Shadow Tower's lighthouse and meets Coral, Moonlight, and Sword Ghost.
• Wu Heng visits the Intelligence Office to learn about the Land of Absurdity and the Yellow Mud Horror.

Character Developments

• Wu Heng shows curiosity and determination to understand the Land of Absurdity and its connection to reality.
• Coral, Moonlight, and Sword Ghost display friendly and welcoming behavior towards Wu Heng.

Significant Themes

• The struggle against the Yellow Mud Horror and the search for a solution.
• The responsibility and burden carried by those who can make a difference.

Character Interactions

• Wu Heng interacts with Coral, Moonlight, and Sword Ghost, showing respect and humility despite his capabilities.
• Coral enthusiastically welcomes Wu Heng, while Moonlight and Sword Ghost provide him with information and invite him to drink with them.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yang Ziming discovers that Chikuai Silver can seal and eliminate wraiths, ending the Yellow Mud Wraith calamity.
• Research reveals that the real world will merge into the Land of Absurdity in three to seven years, and Chikuai Silver is crucial for survival.
• The Lighthouse Council issues a decree stating that killing is no crime, as a war for survival against other worlds is imminent.

Character Developments

• Yang Ziming demonstrates his strategic thinking and resourcefulness in dealing with the Yellow Mud Wraith.
• Wu Heng, after learning about the impending apocalypse and the necessity for war, becomes more determined and serious about his role in the Lighthouse.

Significant Themes

• Survival and the will to live in the face of an impending apocalypse.
• The necessity of conflict and competition in a world where resources are scarce and crucial for survival.
• The blurred line between right and wrong in a desperate struggle for existence.

Character Interactions

• Yang Ziming and the Federal Council collaborate to find a solution to the Yellow Mud Wraith problem, showcasing the importance of collective effort and knowledge sharing.
• Wu Heng, though not directly interacting with others in this chapter, reflects on the information he's learned and prepares to enter the scenario world, demonstrating his personal growth and determination.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu Heng discovers and purchases several unique items from the Shadow Tower's trading board, including an ash urn and a soul-settling compass.
• He commissions a blacksmith to create Red-Silver lined clothing and a sack using his Red-Silver and Survival Points.
• Wu Heng enters the scenario world, "The Rope Curse 2," with the mission to survive for 30 days and complete story missions to earn Survival Points.

Character Developments

• Wu Heng demonstrates his resourcefulness and strategic thinking by purchasing useful items and customizing equipment.
• He shows restraint in spending his Survival Points, indicating a level of financial awareness and planning.

Significant Themes

• The importance of preparation and resource management in survival scenarios.
• The value of unique and customizable items in enhancing one's chances of survival.

Character Interactions

• Wu Heng interacts with a blacksmith who processes Red-Silver, commissioning him to create custom items.
• There's no significant interaction with other characters in this chapter, as Wu Heng is primarily preparing for his next scenario.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu Heng learns about the relationship between refreshes and multiplayer/solo instances.
• He meets two other Tower Guardians in the Lighthouse Space: Old Lamp and Little Sheep.
• They discuss their scenario mission, with Wu Heng suggesting they hide and wait for it to end, while Old Lamp wants to take a gamble and explore the scenario.

Character Developments

• Wu Heng: Shows strategic thinking and caution. He's aware of the importance of survival points and the dangers of the scenario. He also tests his teammates' attitudes and abilities.
• Old Lamp: Reveals his eagerness to explore the scenario and compete with other teams. He seems to belong to the main-storyline faction and has a competitive nature.
• Little Sheep: A newcomer with a carefree and impulsive personality. She's excited about being a Tower Guardian but lacks understanding of the risks involved.

Significant Themes

• Teamwork vs. Individualism: Wu Heng wants to ensure his teammates are reliable and capable, while Old Lamp is eager to compete with other teams. Little Sheep's impulsiveness could disrupt their plans.
• Risk vs. Caution: Wu Heng is cautious and wants to minimize risks, while Old Lamp is more willing to take risks and explore the scenario.

Character Interactions

• Wu Heng tests Little Sheep's attitude and finds her to be impulsive and inexperienced.
• Wu Heng and Old Lamp have a subtle power struggle, with Wu Heng asserting his leadership by setting Old Lamp straight about their strategy.
• Little Sheep is eager to participate but lacks understanding of the scenario's dangers.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The author announces the novel is going premium on December 1st.
• The author reflects on the book's journey, from initial reluctance to publish to signing a contract.
• The author acknowledges the niche horror genre and the careful filtering of readers who enjoy this type of story.
• The author expresses uncertainty about the novel's readership and asks for support to avoid "starving to death."

Character Developments

• The author's character is revealed through their introspective thoughts, showing their humility, dedication, and anxiety about the novel's performance.

Significant Themes

• The struggle of an author to connect with readers and find success in their work.
• The importance of reader support and feedback for an author's motivation.
• The challenges of writing in a niche genre.

Character Interactions

• The author interacts with their editor, Jiang Cha, who is described as the "most beautiful editor on Qidian."
• The author addresses their readers directly, expressing gratitude and asking for support.