Black Brother

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Black Brother (黑哥)
Alias(es)	Old Black 42
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Leader of a temporary stronghold/outpost in District 33 26 37
Occupation/Role	Stronghold leader; hunter protector
Status	Deceased; died after using Overlimit a second time during the Shadow Spider battle 42
First Appearance	Chapter 26

Background / History

Years before meeting Lin Yun, Black Brother's wife was murdered in the ruins by Ghost, who shot her through the back with a crossbow bolt. Black Brother spent years investigating Ghost but could not find evidence against the elusive assassin. 42

After Lin Yun killed Ghost and collapsed from his wounds, Black Brother rescued him, treated and bandaged his injuries, and returned all of Lin Yun's possessions except Ghost's high-grade folding crossbow. He accepted the crossbow as payment for saving Lin Yun's life. 26

Black Brother later intervened when Boss Chen attempted to underpay Lin Yun for mutant-beast materials. His enforcement of fair dealings established the stronghold's rules and revealed his status as a Martial Master. 27 28

Appearance

A scruffy, weathered middle-aged man whose casual appearance conceals formidable combat strength. 26 28

• Messy hair and an unkempt beard. 26
• Wears a black tank top. 26
• Often seen eating instant noodles with a plastic fork. 27 28
• Uses a thick-backed saber in combat. 37

Personality

Black Brother is pragmatic and fair. Though he takes Ghost's folding crossbow as repayment for saving Lin Yun, he leaves every other item untouched and even has Lin Yun's beast materials expertly processed. 26

As the stronghold's leader, he expects honest business and protects those under his shelter. He advises Lin Yun not to remain constantly tense once inside the stronghold, believing that unrelenting vigilance can impede both recovery and mental health. 28

He is deeply self-sacrificing. When the Shadow Spider King and Queen threaten the trapped hunters, he refuses to abandon them despite being capable of escaping alone, instead burning his foundation through Overlimit to fight beside them. 40

Abilities & Skills

Martial Master Cultivation

Black Brother is a Martial Master, capable of infusing vital energy and blood into ordinary objects. He demonstrates this by driving a plastic fork through Boss Chen's hand and into a wooden table. 27 28

• Identified as an early-stage Martial Master during his battle with the Shadow Spider King. 39
• Possesses enough force to kill peak first-rank Shadow Spiders with single saber strikes. 37
• Can cut through durable spider silk and strike the weak gaps in Shadow Spider carapaces. 37

Saber Combat

Black Brother wields a thick-backed saber with precision, speed, and overwhelming power. 37

• Killed three peak first-rank Shadow Spiders in three strikes. 37
• Held off and wounded the second-rank Shadow Spider King, carving notches into its leg blades and opening deep cuts in its carapace. 39
• Killed the Shadow Spider Queen alone, though the effort left him mortally wounded. 42 43

Leadership and Threat Assessment

Black Brother responds decisively to dangers around the stronghold. He correctly deduces that Black-Iron Ants entering through the underground pipes were fleeing a spider-type mutant beast and orders watches before the Shadow Spider assault. 37

• Leads subordinates during crises at the outpost. 37
• Recognizes the danger posed by a second-rank Spider King and maintains the hunters' morale. 38
• Orders Lin Yun to evacuate the hunters when the Spider Queen joins the battle. 40

Overlimit

Black Brother can enter Overlimit, a Martial Master's last-resort state that burns his foundation for increased power. 40

• Uses Overlimit to sever the Shadow Spider King's foreleg and attack the Spider Queen. 40
• Uses Overlimit a second time during the battle; the accumulated damage proves fatal. 42

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Thick-backed saber — His primary weapon during the Shadow Spider assault. 37
• Alloy crowbar — Carried while investigating the underground parking area. 37
• Ghost's folding crossbow — Taken as compensation for rescuing Lin Yun. 26
• Plastic fork — Used to demonstrate Martial Master-level blood-energy infusion while disciplining Boss Chen. 27 28

Relationships

• Lin Yun — Rescued Lin Yun after he killed Ghost, accepted only Ghost's crossbow as repayment, and later fought beside him against the Shadow Spiders. Black Brother thanked Lin Yun before dying because Lin Yun had killed Ghost, his wife's murderer. 26 39 42
• Black Brother's wife — His deceased wife; Ghost assassinated her years earlier with a crossbow bolt. 42
• Ghost — The assassin who killed Black Brother's wife. Black Brother investigated him for years but never captured him. 42
• Boss Chen — Stronghold merchant whom Black Brother forces to deal fairly with Lin Yun. 27 28
• Skinny Monkey — Black Brother's most capable subordinate, who survives the Shadow Spider battle. 42 43
• District 33 hunters and merchants — The people under Black Brother's protection at the stronghold; he remains behind to defend them against the Spider King and Queen. 37 40

Story Role / Major Arcs

Rescue of Lin Yun

Black Brother finds the unconscious, critically wounded Lin Yun in the ruins after Ghost's death. He treats Lin Yun, returns his possessions, and introduces himself only as “Black Brother.” 26

Stronghold Dispute

When Boss Chen attempts to exploit Lin Yun's youth and injuries by underpaying him, Black Brother intervenes. He violently enforces the stronghold's rule of fair trade and ensures Lin Yun receives proper compensation. 27 28

Shadow Spider Assault

Black Brother identifies the approaching spider threat, organizes the stronghold's defense, and kills multiple peak first-rank Shadow Spiders. 37

During the siege by the Shadow Spider King and Queen, he serves as the hunters' strongest combatant. He enters Overlimit to confront the Queen while Lin Yun and the other hunters delay the King. 39 40

Death and Closure

Black Brother kills the Shadow Spider Queen but suffers catastrophic injuries, including the loss of his right arm. He dies after revealing that his actions against Ghost were connected to a long-unresolved matter. Lin Yun later discovers the investigation files and photographs confirming that Ghost murdered Black Brother's wife. 42

Notable Quotes

“When I set up a stronghold in this fallen zone, I never expected a good end. You all entered my stronghold. If I couldn't even protect you, how could I, Old Black, keep getting by?” 42

“I should be thanking you.” 42