Chapter Summaries

Kraun and Jason sparred, and Kraun defeated him after enduring Jason’s Wind Slash. The teams uncovered a hidden passage beneath Bran Ancient Castle and entered its underground chambers, where they found infant bones, strange roots, and a huge hole leading deeper inside.

• Kraun and Jason fought a sparring match, and Kraun held off Jason’s Wind Slash until Jason conceded defeat.
• The teams searched Bran Ancient Castle for Vampires and a hidden chamber, then Lorraine recalled seeing servants pass through a concealed entrance in the hall.
• Lia found a wooden handle beneath a loose floorboard and activated a mechanism that opened a hidden passage.
• Nick chose Jason and Mara to guard the entrance while he led Kraun, Nielsen, Lorraine, and Lia underground.
• The group found ruined wine barrels, broken jars, infant bones, and a large hole lined with tough, fleshy black roots, then Nick entered the hole with his Flail glowing red.

Kraun’s team searched the underground passages while Jason and Mara guarded the entrance, where Evil Spirits overwhelmed them and forced them to flee. The passage collapsed behind them, leaving both groups trapped underground as they regrouped and prepared to continue.

• Lia examined fresh claw marks and tracks in a chamber with three branching tunnels, identifying a heavy bipedal monster, and Nick led the team down one passage to search.
• Jason and Mara fought off waves of Evil Spirits, but two powerful corporeal leaders appeared, forcing them to retreat into the passage.
• The Black Shadow and Grey Shadow closed the mechanism and caused the passage to collapse, trapping Jason and Mara underground.
• Nick’s group encountered a dead end and turned back when the tunnel began shaking; they reunited with Jason and Mara at the chamber.
• Jason reported that the passage was blocked and the Evil Spirits had attacked; Kraun gave him and Mara Holy Water while Nick enchanted the team’s weapons with Burning Weapon.
• Nick ordered everyone to rest briefly and then continue exploring the underground passages.

Kraun protected Nick’s investigation team with talismans as they fought mutated Bristle Rats and a powerful underground monster. The team explored deeper into the mountain and found a cavern where winged creatures were feeding on a human corpse.

• Kraun used Heart-Clearing Talismans and Golden Light Talismans to strengthen the team’s minds and defenses before they entered a cavern full of Bristle Rats.
• Nick and the team fought through the rat swarm, then Kraun treated Nielsen’s wounds and renewed everyone’s armor protection.
• Kraun and the others encountered a huge monster in the tunnel, and Nick repelled its charge with Flame Protection before killing it with his Flail.
• The team reached a cavern filled with black tendrils and hanging sacs, where Kraun shot down and dissected a small winged creature.
• Nick chose to keep exploring, and the team found dozens of winged creatures fighting over a blood-soaked human corpse.

The investigation team discovered that Vlad had returned and retreated from his Vampire nest, but Marika and her swarm attacked them on the way out. As Vlad fed on imprisoned humans, Marika targeted Kraun, whose heightened senses warned him that she was behind him.

• Lorraine identified the Vampire Bride as Marika and told Nick that Vlad, the former lord of Bran Castle, had returned; the team estimated that both Vampires could be Tier 3.
• Nick ordered the investigation team to retreat, but Marika summoned her bats and little Vampires after finding the severed limbs of her children.
• The Vampires attacked the retreating team, and Nick allowed Lia's group to use firearms as the investigators fought their way forward.
• Vlad entered the prisoners' chamber, drained three young women, and left the other captives grieving and praying.
• Kraun fought off the attackers until Marika arrived, cast an illusion on him, and rushed to strike from behind; Kraun sensed the danger just before she attacked.

Crowan and the investigators fought Marika’s vampire swarm until Vlad arrived and trapped them in a war of attrition. Crowan drew Marika away into the passage, where he faced her alone as she tried to seduce him.

• Crowan survived Marika’s powerful attack, wounded her, and learned she was a Tier 3 vampire before she transformed and summoned more bats.
• Nick rallied the injured investigators behind Flame Protection while Crowan, Jason, and Lia fought the swarm and killed many vampires and bats.
• Vlad arrived, called off the swarm, and threatened to wait until Nick’s protective spell drained his Holy Power.
• Crowan re-shielded his teammates and ran toward the passage to draw Marika away; Vlad sent her after him while the others refused to abandon their group.
• Crowan fought the pursuing bats in the narrow passage with Blade Storm, and Marika appeared to offer him Source Blood and the promise of Pleasure.

Kraun killed Marika and took her Blood Source Core, then returned to find Vlad attacking his teammates. Vlad killed Mara and Geo, leaving Nick, Lia, and Jason in danger as Kraun rejoined them.

• Kraun lured Marika into range and used Time Stop to stab her through the chest, then removed her Blood Source Core and cut off her head.
• Vlad used illusions to attack Nick, Jason, Lia, and Mara, then knocked Mara unconscious and carried her off.
• Vlad drained Mara's blood, dropped her body, and killed Geo by tearing out his heart.
• Jason wounded Vlad with Wind Slash, but Vlad healed by eating Geo's heart while Nick urged the survivors to stay together.
• Kraun returned with Marika's head and charged toward his teammates, and Nick recognized him as an ally.

Kraun’s team defeated Vlad with a trap using Golden Light Talismans, recovered survivors from the Vampire’s lair, and returned to the Seventh Branch after losing Nielsen, Mara, and Geo. The team received five days off, and Kraun planned to search for his missing older sister, Tiffany Moya Wilkerson.

• Kraun’s Golden Light Talismans blinded the Vampires and badly wounded Vlad, allowing Jason and Nick to kill him while the monster swarm scattered.
• Nick’s team recovered the captives from the lair, but one man died after reacting violently to Holy Water and contamination from the Gray Fog.
• The team left the cave behind Bran Castle, reunited with Del and Lucas, and returned to the Seventh Branch with the rescued people.
• Kraun told Jason he was searching for his older sister, Tiffany Moya Wilkerson, and Jason offered to ask contacts in the Patrol Squad Headquarters for help.
• Nick reported that the team had five days off, that the bureau would buy their spoils, and that compensation and future public-service priority would go to the dead investigators’ families.

Kraun visited Yennefer Gale at the Warlock Brotherhood to buy Spirit Controller books and Spirit Familiars. After agreeing to a long-term Talisman Water deal, he learned that she had a Familiar suited to both his offensive and defensive needs.

• Geralt told Kraun that Alan had been taking jobs at City Hall and offered to introduce him to the Warlock Brotherhood's Spirit Familiar distributor.
• Kraun and Geralt visited Yennefer Gale, who agreed to supply Spirit Controller books and discuss Spirit Familiars in exchange for Talisman Water.
• Kraun agreed to provide Yennefer with at least forty bottles of Talisman Water each month, beginning the following month.
• Yennefer quoted five Gold Spirit Coins for the Brotherhood's Spirit Controller books and explained the two ways to buy Spirit Familiars.
• Kraun declined an expensive Ice Elemental Spirit and asked for a Familiar that improved melee damage or defense.
• Yennefer said the Brotherhood had a Spirit Familiar that met both of Kraun's requirements.

Kraun bought a Metal Spirit Familiar and a hundred ordinary Spirit Familiars from the Warlock Brotherhood, then returned home to bind the Metal Spirit Familiar. Yennefer revealed that Lisa Smith had become the first controlled Tier 3 Spirit Controller, while Kraun began purging his new Familiar with the Golden Light Incantation.

• Yennefer described the Metal Spirit Familiar’s armor and metal-shaping abilities, and Kraun bought it for seventeen Gold Spirit Coins with a binding book and potion.
• Yennefer told Geralt that Lisa Smith had advanced to Tier 3, could merge with her Flame Dancer Familiar while retaining her reason, and had become exceptionally powerful.
• Kraun used Yennefer’s authorization to buy a hundred ordinary Spirit Familiars, then asked Del to watch his pets while he prepared to bind the Metal Spirit Familiar.
• Kraun bought a hundred pounds of refined iron, returned home, and told Del that he would ask Father whether Toris could join their team.
• Kraun released the Metal Spirit Familiar from its container, endured its attempted possession, and used the Heart-Clearing Incantation and Golden Armor Art to weaken it.
• Kraun began Visualizing the Golden Light Incantation, causing the Familiar’s black mist to dissipate as its screams and bodily markings faded.

Kraun strengthened his cube Spirit Familiar by devouring Evil Spirits and iron, developing a thin, controllable layer of liquid-metal armor. After arranging for Toris to join the team and buying more iron, he spoke with Geralt about his plans and was about to greet Jason.

• Kraun discovered that his cube Spirit Familiar could reshape metal, absorb iron or copper essence, and form armor, then tested the abilities on a Refined Iron Ingot.
• Kraun devoured Evil Spirits throughout the night, using the Golden Light Incantation to control contamination and strengthen the cube.
• Kraun absorbed his remaining Refined Iron Ingots and tested armor that he could move, reshape, thicken, and repair with Spirit Control Power.
• Kraun asked Nick to help Toris join the team, bought five hundred pounds of Refined Iron Ingots, and found Geralt waiting with Del.
• Geralt said Alan would stay in Rhine City to gain experience and that he planned to remain for about half a year; Kraun paid Geralt and teased him before he left for dinner with Yennefer.
• Kraun agreed to give Del and Toris pointers at the Training Hall, then went to answer the door when Jason arrived.

Kraun helped Kraun locate his sister’s family, then advanced his Spirit Control Art by training with the Fire Seed Cube and discovered the high cost of developing its armor. The chapter ended with Kraun drawing his sword after a blacksmith refused to sell him more iron and accused him of causing trouble.

• Jason visited Kraun with news that his sister’s family lived at 12 Wutong Street in Bolton District, and Kraun thanked him for the information.
• Rodney told Tiffany he wanted to enter the Patrol General Headquarters’ super-soldier program despite its risk of failure and death, while Tiffany pleaded with him not to go.
• Kraun named his black cube the Fire Seed Cube, used it to shape a miniature Bumblebee, and replenished its power with a Gold Spirit Coin.
• Kraun trained until his Spirit Control Art advanced to Tier 2, then tested Armor Condensation and realized that developing a full suit would cost more than he could afford.
• Kraun returned to the blacksmith shop to buy five hundred pounds of Refined Iron Ingots, but the shopkeeper refused and confronted him with several armed apprentices.
• Kraun drew his longsword as the shopkeeper and apprentices armed themselves and warned him not to cause trouble.

Kraun bought refined iron, trained Del and Toris at the Flame Grail, and visited his sister Tiffany and her family. He reunited with them and told them that their parents had died in supernatural incidents and the attack on Zack Town.

• Kraun bought five hundred pounds of refined iron from Chaxi Smith and arranged another delivery for the next morning.
• Kraun advanced his Spirit Control Art practice, made small metal figures, and increased his Golden Light Incantation proficiency.
• Kraun trained with Del and Toris at the Flame Grail, correcting their Breathing Technique movements and sparring with them.
• Kraun practiced Blade Storm at the training hall, drawing attention from other warriors, including Tula.
• Kraun traveled to 12 Wutong Street and reunited with Tiffany, Rodney, Julia, and Martin after Rodney initially pointed a gun at him.
• Kraun told Tiffany that their parents had died during supernatural incidents and that mutated beasts had attacked Zack Town after the Gray Fog descended.

Kraun visited his sister Tiffany and persuaded her to let Rodney join a Spirit Controller training program, while teaching her a method to develop protective spiritual armor. After returning to the Security Bureau, Kraun learned that Archbishop Fland wanted to meet him the next day, as the team prepared to spend Full Moon Night outside the Sanctuary.

• Rodney told Kraun that he wanted to join the Spirit Controller training program, but Tiffany feared the risks and refused to agree.
• Kraun explained the dangers of transcendence, demonstrated his talismans and protective armor, and convinced Tiffany that he could make Rodney's Spirit Awakening Ceremony safe.
• Kraun gave Rodney Talisman Water, taught Tiffany the Golden Light Incantation, and left her instructions to keep practicing.
• Kraun returned to his lodgings, reflected on his aimless life, and decided that he needed more power to choose his own path.
• Kraun met new teammate Toris Parker at the Security Bureau and learned that Full Moon Night would keep the team from entering a Sanctuary.
• Nick told Kraun that Archbishop Fland wanted to see him the next day and urged him to wear his armor for their visit to the Holy Fire Cathedral.

Kraun endured the Full Moon Night, then demonstrated his abilities to Cardinal Flandre McLean at the church’s Training Ground. His Solar Flame Art eventually broke through Flandre’s Fire Spirit Shield, leaving the cardinal to assess the strength of Kraun’s attacks.

• Kraun resisted the Full Moon Night’s spiritual disturbances with the Heart-Clearing Incantation and practiced the Rock Breathing Technique until the moon set.
• Flandre McLean, Lord Cavendi, and their companions entered a Spirit Ruins portal alongside Lisa and the Brotherhood’s Warlocks.
• Kraun met Flandre McLean and another old man at the Training Ground, where Flandre asked to see his abilities.
• Kraun demonstrated Moon Spirit Shield and Golden Armor Art, and Flandre praised their effects and asked him to show his Vampire-damaging ability.
• Kraun repeatedly struck Flandre’s Fire Spirit Shield with Solar Flame Art, breaking through its defenses with his eighth attack.

Kraun impressed Cardinal Fland and Cavendish with his swordsmanship, earned two secret techniques, and learned that his strikes carried a lingering Sharpness effect. After returning to the Security Bureau, he began training in the techniques before Nick announced a new job and distributed the rewards from their last mission.

• Kraun demonstrated his attacks against Cavendish, who praised his fundamentals and gave him a Signet Ring to exchange for Power Strike and Wind Slash.
• Fland and Cavendish discussed the expanding Spirit Ruins and recognized that Kraun’s sword strikes carried a lingering Sharpness effect.
• On the carriage ride back, Kraun and Nick discussed Spirit Controllers, Nilie, and Kraun’s brother-in-law joining a training program.
• Kraun studied Power Strike and Wind Slash at the Bureau, quickly learning their basics and practicing Power Strike.
• Nick announced a new job for the following day and distributed the last mission’s rewards, including thirty-six Gold Spirit Coins to Kraun.

Rodney survived the Spirit Awakening Ceremony and gained an Ice Flame Spirit Familiar, while Kraun discovered that his cooking could enhance his abilities. The chapter ended as Kraun’s squad prepared to travel by Steam Locomotive to investigate disappearances in York Town.

• Rodney left his family to attend the Brotherhood’s Elite Training Program and began the Spirit Awakening Ceremony with a starfish-like Spirit Familiar.
• Rodney’s golden light burned away the Evil Spirit, leaving him with a blue star and the ability to create Ice Flame.
• Kraun’s new cooking effects sharpened his senses and temporarily improved his Metal Devouring, so he tested how different dishes affected his power.
• Nick briefed Kraun’s squad on disappearances and deaths in York Town, then ordered them to investigate immediately.
• Kraun volunteered to drive a Steam Locomotive, and the squad collected supplies and started Locomotive S7-12.

Rodney survived the Brotherhood’s Spirit Awakening Ceremony and learned that his clear blue Spirit Familiar might protect him from corruption, while Johnny’s new ability left him humiliated and injured by Fekat. Meanwhile, Nick’s team arrived in York Town to investigate disappearances, questioned Father Peter, and entered the abandoned house where four officers had vanished.

• Fekat’s assistants opened the training rooms, killed failed subjects, and found Rodney among the twenty-one survivors out of seventy-two participants.
• Rodney learned that Johnny had gained Beast Transformation, then watched Fekat throw Johnny into a wall after he challenged the training.
• Kraun and Toris drove to York Town with Nick’s team, where Patrol Squad sergeant Elijah Pierce briefed them on the disappearances and the abandoned house.
• Nick’s team visited the elderly Father Peter, who offered little information, then went with James Anderson to the abandoned house where four officers had disappeared.
• Kraun protected the team with talismans before they entered the courtyard, while James refused to follow them inside.

Kraun and the team investigated the house where an elderly woman had disappeared and found signs of several Evil Spirits. The house transformed its hunting display into attacking creatures, and Kraun intervened when a stag nearly struck Toris.

• James waited outside while a whirlwind gathered courtyard leaves into a human shape and then scattered them into a face-like pattern.
• Kraun, Nick, Jason, Del, and Toris searched the house, found fresh blood and traces of four Evil Spirits, and discussed Kraun’s suspicion about Father Peter.
• The team went upstairs, where a shadow merged with a portrait, while James noticed the house’s front door had mysteriously shut.
• In the exhibition hall, the doors and windows were sealed by iron grates, and the mounted animal heads and hides reassembled into living creatures.
• Del’s attack bounced off the Brown Bear, and Toris’s sword became trapped in the stag; Kraun shoved Toris clear and swung at the stag with a Power Strike.

Kraun and the others defeated three beasts empowered by Flesh Alchemy and searched the house for clues. In the attic, they found skin mannequins and a threatening message declaring that they would die too.

• Kraun and Nick fought three armored beasts, and Kraun’s Solar Flame Art drove the Evil Spirits out of them.
• Kraun and Nick killed the weakened beasts, then Kraun used the Fire Seed Cube to devour part of the iron gate and Del broke it open.
• Nick led the group through the second-floor rooms, but they found no clues.
• The group entered the attic, where Kraun’s Solar Flame Art revealed skin mannequins seated before a blood-smeared message: “Everyone will die. You’re no exception either.”

The Investigators identified the missing townspeople’s skins in the haunted house but found no sign of the hidden culprit, then discussed the town’s disappearances and their lack of investigative support. A church bell rang that night as a great fire lit the western sky over York Town.

• Jason, Del, Nick, and the others found the missing townspeople’s skins and a bloody warning in the attic, then brought James in to identify the victims.
• Kraun destroyed the sinister portrait with Holy Water, and James recorded the victims’ names while Kraun drew the outsiders the patrol officer did not recognize.
• Nick questioned Elias, who identified Father Peter and Doctor Acrylic as the town’s other Transcendentalists and agreed to gather information before the group investigated an abandoned mansion.
• At Tree Shade Tavern, Jason rejected Toris’s proposal for a night patrol, and Nick ordered the team to rest before checking the mansion the next day.
• Nick asked Kraun about his ability to melt metal, and Kraun withheld his secrets until he reached Tier 3.
• A bell rang urgently, and Nick and Kraun saw the western sky blazing red above York Town.