Chapter Summaries

Ian studied the Abyss’s layered structure and planned to use the Black Erosion Realm as a stepping stone for infiltration. After creating an Abyssal Mimicry Rune, he told Alliance leaders that he had found the realm’s coordinates, but Oleander warned that past attempts to explore the Abyss had gone poorly.

• Ian learned from the Status Panel that the Abyss consisted of increasingly chaotic layers and identified the Black Erosion Realm as a recently engulfed world in the first or second layer.
• Ian asked Ysera to use the Abyss model and coordinates to locate the Black Erosion Realm without contacting its inhabitants.
• Ian summoned Moulton and combined the Alliance’s Mimicry Rune with his Blind Spot Rune, creating an Abyssal Mimicry Rune capable of disguising chaotic fluctuations to the Abyss’s third layer.
• Ian invited Grand Scholar Oleander, Azshara, and Seraphina to his study and proposed using the Black Erosion Realm to investigate the Abyss.
• Oleander cautioned Ian that the Alliance had tried to explore the Abyss before, with poor results.

Oleander recounted the Alliance’s failed attempts to infiltrate the Abyss, and Ian introduced an Abyssal Mimicry Rune that could disguise projections from the Abyssal Will. At the Bright Sun conference, the Alliance unanimously approved the Abyss Plan, while Ian arranged to pursue his own infiltration separately.

• Oleander explained that past infiltration attempts failed because the Abyssal Will detected foreign rules and eventually found every intruder.
• Ian presented the Abyssal Mimicry Rune, which could imitate chaotic fluctuations and disguise itself as deep as the Abyss’s third layer.
• Three days later, Oleander proposed a coordinated infiltration plan at a Bright Sun conference, and Ian persuaded the gathered Wizards by revealing that the White Emperor had defeated the Abyssal Will, which remained wounded.
• The Bright Suns unanimously approved the plan and formed a five-person preparatory group, but Ian asked Oleander to remove his name so he could act independently.
• The three True Spirit Wizards approved the plan and ordered absolute secrecy before the conference adjourned.

Ian tested the Mimicry Rune by sending a projection into the Black Erosion Realm, where he searched for a creature capable of bearing his consciousness. He successfully possessed a dying juvenile Tanar'ri, leaving his projection inside the realm.

• Kerrigan reported finding Zagara's traces amid the Abyss's twisted rules, and Ian told her to gather intelligence on the outskirts and wait for Tassadar.
• Ysera reported that the Mimicry Rune let her reach the Black Erosion Realm's outer layer, where she sensed twisted rules, numerous monsters, and nearly vanished native civilization; Ian rewarded her with a Purple Soul Potion.
• Ian descended into the Black Erosion Realm with a projection and failed to possess a Bone-Spiked Wolf and a Horned Demon, suffering mental strain from the attempts.
• Ian searched the realm's creatures and found a badly wounded juvenile Tanar'ri with a complex, humanlike soul structure.
• Ian possessed the juvenile Tanar'ri successfully because its dying soul offered almost no resistance.

Ian fused with the dissipated consciousness of Zul, a young Tanar'ri mine slave, and began healing his severely injured body in the Black Erosion Realm. After killing a Bone-Spiked Wolf that attacked him, he tested Devouring Evolution by absorbing energy from its corpse.

• Ian examined Zul's memories of being captured, brutalized by Bonecrusher, and left to die outside the Blood-Slag Mine.
• Ian confirmed that his projection had inherited Chaos Conversion and Devouring Evolution, then used his Immortal Soul to slowly mend his injuries.
• Ian assessed the mine and its overseer, Bonecrusher, while comparing the crude Devouring Evolution talent with his own Chaos Conversion.
• A Bone-Spiked Wolf tracked Ian through the rubble and lunged at him, but Ian killed it with a precise strike through its skull.
• Ian checked the wolf's Abyssal Energy and activated Devouring Evolution, consuming its corpse and leaving its hide and shattered bones behind.

Ian discovered that Chaos Conversion extracted far more energy from a Bone-Spiked Wolf than Devouring Evolution and learned about possible Tanar'ri evolutionary paths. After meeting the stealthy Quasai Demon Nix, he accepted its offer to provide information and followed it toward a safer place to hide.

• Ian compared his talents and found that Chaos Conversion gained nearly all the energy remaining in the Bone-Spiked Wolf's corpse.
• Ian reviewed the available evolutionary paths and decided to recover and gather intelligence before choosing one.
• Ian left his rubble shelter and noticed a hidden creature following him through the darkness.
• Ian ambushed Nix, a Quasai Demon, and learned that it had been watching him since he killed the Bone-Spiked Wolf.
• Nix offered information about patrols, Bonecrusher, Iron Jaw, and an abandoned smelting pit, and Ian told it to lead him to a deeper cave.
• Nix guided Ian toward an abandoned pit where they could avoid larger monsters.

Ian settled into a sheltered mine pit and hunted nearby demons to absorb their energy, steadily increasing his evolution progress. After clearing seven congested energy nodes with Chaos Conversion, he returned to the pit with his circulation restored and expected to advance soon, while Nix grew increasingly devoted to him.

• Ian and Nix found an abandoned mining pit, blocked its entrance, and used it as a shelter while Ian recovered.
• Ian hunted Bone-Spiked Wolves, using their weaknesses to kill them and absorb their energy as Nix watched and helped dispose of the remains.
• Ian killed a Stone-Skin Demon by breaking down its armor with Chaos Conversion, then fought and killed several Abyss Centipedes near an underground river.
• After his accumulated energy passed eighty points, Ian cleared seven congested nodes in his body and learned that his evolution potential was high.
• Back at the pit, Ian checked Zul's improved status while Nix ate a harmless glowing worm and settled into their routine of hunting and sharing scraps.

Ian completed his evolution into a juvenile Balor, gaining enhanced Chaos Conversion and the new Chaos Flame. He left the pit with Nix and headed back to Blood-Slag Mine.

• Ian reached the advancement threshold and selected the Balor evolution path, which the Status Panel recommended for his talents.
• Ian endured a painful transformation as Chaos Conversion combined with his new lineage to create Chaos Flame.
• Ian completed his evolution into a juvenile Balor, becoming stronger than tenfold and reaching the equivalent of a peak Second Order wizard.
• Nix trembled before Ian's new form, then followed when Ian told him they were returning to Blood-Slag Mine.

Ian killed Bonecrusher and took control of Blood-Slag Mine, then set new rules for its workers and appointed Nix to manage it. He secured his first foothold in the Abyss, though the nearby Split-Hoof Mine and stronger overseers remained threats.

• Ian killed the two Horned Demon guards at Blood-Slag Mine’s entrance and entered the tunnels.
• Ian defeated Bonecrusher with Chaos Flame, gaining 45 Abyssal Energy and leaving the mine without an overseer.
• The mine slaves and Horned Demons knelt before Ian, who kept the ore quota, established punishments and rewards, and ordered the patrol teams to continue as before.
• Ian appointed Nix to manage Blood-Slag Mine on his behalf.
• Ian checked his Status Panel, which recorded Blood-Slag Mine as his territory and Split-Hoof Mine as a known faction.

Ian gathered intelligence about the Black Erosion Realm, refined Bonecrusher’s Magic Iron stash to increase his Abyssal Energy, and hunted creatures around Blood-Slag Mine until his power unlocked Advanced Fire Affinity. As the local prey fled, he set out to investigate a solitary Shadow Demon in the Grayrock Wasteland.

• Ian questioned Nix about nearby mines and learned of Bonepiercer and the three Demon Commanders who ruled the Black Erosion Realm.
• Ian used Chaos Conversion to refine Bonecrusher’s stored Magic Iron ore, raising his Abyssal Energy to 102.
• Ian hunted Bone-Spiked Wolves, Stone-Skin Demons, Rotmarsh Lizards, and Blackthorn Scorpions with Nix’s help.
• After five days of hunting, Ian reached 203 Abyssal Energy and unlocked Advanced Fire Affinity, strengthening his Chaos Flame.
• Ian found that nearby monsters had fled, then learned from Nix about a solitary Shadow Demon in the Grayrock Wasteland and told Nix to return to the mine while he investigated.

Ian killed a Mid-Level Shadow Demon and extracted Shadow Stealth, then hunted demons across the Black Erosion Realm to collect new talents and grow stronger. After learning about the realm’s Demon Commanders and a Rift leading to the Abyssal Second Layer, he prepared to advance and move east into Cracked Hoof’s territory.

• Ian killed the Mid-Level Shadow Demon with Chaos Flame and extracted its Shadow Stealth talent.
• Ian hunted several Mid-Level Demons, gaining Mighty Strength, Super-Strong Scales, Basic Toxin Resistance, and Super Perception.
• Over more than a month, Ian’s Abyssal Energy and body grew stronger as Nix watched his transformation and gathered information.
• Ian learned about the Bone Demon Lord, the King of Flames, the Shadow King, and a Rift said to connect to the Abyssal Second Layer.
• Ian reached 486/500 evolution progress and planned to refine Magic Iron ore before advancing and annexing the Split-Hoof Mine to the east.

Ian evolved into an Intermediate Balor and conquered Split-Hoof Mine by killing Iron Jaw and its elite Scorpion Demons. He spared the succubus Nilos and appointed her to manage the mine.

• Ian refined the accumulated ores, evolved into an Intermediate Balor, and gained enhanced Chaos Flame and other abilities.
• Ian traveled alone to Split-Hoof Mine and killed the four Scorpion Demon guards at its entrance.
• Iron Jaw attacked Ian, but Ian burned it to death with Chaos Flame and extracted its Carapace Hardening talent.
• Ian killed Iron Jaw’s five elite Scorpion Demon subordinates and extracted two additional talents.
• Nilos approached Ian and begged for her life, and Ian spared her and ordered her to manage the mine.

After killing Iron Jaw and taking control of Split Hoof Mine, Ian learned that the mine’s ore shipment was tied to the Bone Demon commander and that war was looming. Thornbone demanded Ian pledge loyalty at Whitebone Fortress in three days, while Ian concealed his intentions and prepared to investigate the coming conflict.

• Nilos told Ian that Iron Jaw had prepared valuable ore for delivery to Whitebone Fortress, and Ian ordered the stock sealed.
• Thornbone arrived with three Whitebone Demons, threatened Ian with execution, then offered him a chance to pledge loyalty at Whitebone Fortress in three days.
• Ian followed Thornbone with barrels of liquor, learned that the Bone Demon was gathering forces for an imminent war, and gave him a box of Magic Iron Crystals.
• Nilos warned Ian that Thornbone had informants in the mines, and Ian approved her plan to investigate them.
• Ian concluded that the Bone Demon was likely preparing to fight the King of Flames in the west and decided to visit Whitebone Fortress to learn more.

Ian and Nilos reached Whitebone Fortress, where they learned that Lord Bone Demon was preparing for an all-out war with the King of Flames. As they headed for the city lord’s residence, Nilos secretly took a rune-marked shard that she recognized as a Succubus message token.

• Ian left Nix in charge of Blood-Slag Mine and traveled with Nilos to Whitebone Fortress, where he entered using Thornbone’s bone token.
• At the Broken Horn Tavern, Nilos learned from an Earthfire Demon and a Marilith that Lord Bone Demon and the King of Flames were mobilizing for war, with Thornbone handling recruitment.
• Nilos used her allure to question the tavern patrons, and Ian warned her not to repeat the behavior before they left for the city lord’s residence.
• Nilos spotted a rune-marked bone shard wedged in a warning post, recognized it as a Succubus communication mark, and slipped it into her sleeve without Ian noticing.

Ian received an order to recruit three hundred demons for the Bone Demon army within a month, despite having few fighters available around Split-Hoof Mine. He sent Nilos to recruit idle demons in Whitebone Fortress, and as they left with a growing group, Nilos approached Ian, troubled by a bone fragment she had kept hidden.

• Thornbone gave Ian a summoning order requiring him to assemble a force of at least three hundred within one month.
• Nilos told Ian she could identify thirty or forty capable mine slaves and another fifty or sixty potential recruits.
• Ian appointed Nilos recruitment officer and gave her Magic Iron Crystals to use as recruitment fees.
• At the market, Nilos recruited a damaged Stone Statue Demon and an injured Poisonblade Demon by offering aid and payment.
• Nilos gathered twenty-eight demons, and Ian led them away from Whitebone Fortress.
• Nilos approached Ian on the road, still troubled by the bone fragment she had hidden in her sleeve.

Nilos revealed that her clanmate Livna was being held by the Might Demon, while Ian considered the threat. Later, Kerrigan and Tassadar entered a collapsing Rift into a highly advanced world, leaving Ian unable to reach them as he and the Life Sovereign assessed the passage.

• Nilos told Ian she had come from outside the Black Erosion Realm and that Livna was trapped in the Whitebone Fortress with the Might Demon.
• Ian verified Livna's message and kept the shard, while Nilos hoped he would help rescue her.
• Kerrigan sent Ian a message saying she and Tassadar had entered a temporary passage after pursuing Zagara, then lost contact with him.
• Ian contacted the Life Sovereign, and they traveled to the Rift's coordinates as the passage collapsed.
• The Life Sovereign determined that the Rift led to a highly advanced world already being infiltrated by the Abyss, and suggested Kerrigan might establish a foothold there.
• Ian confirmed Kerrigan was still alive through their contract bond and decided to wait a few months before choosing what to do next.

Ian used the conscription order to assemble a force from shirkers, suspicious mine slaves, Scorpion Demons, and idle demons while investigating Kata and the Might Demon. Livna remained captive and badly injured, and the chapter ended with Nilos worrying that she might never escape.

• Ian ordered Nilos to list habitual shirkers and suspected informants so he could take them when he set out, and he instructed her to bring Kata close to him while keeping him on normal patrol duty.
• Nilos identified eighty-seven lazy miners and seven suspicious mine slaves, and Ian assigned Druk and Mog to lead squads while recruiting more demons from Whitebone Fortress.
• Nilos reported that the Might Demon imprisoned and tortured low-ranking demons, but she could not discover where Livna was being held.
• Ian sensed Livna near the road from Blood-Slag Mine, but neither he nor Nilos approached her, and Livna remained hidden, injured, and unaware of them.
• Nilos trained the new recruits to form ranks and flee, while Ian continued strengthening himself and told her not to pursue three deserters who stole Magic Iron Crystals.
• Nilos returned to her cave worrying about Livna's chances of escape.

Ian hunted Flamehorn Demons in the Stone Forest to strengthen his abilities and complete his evolution into a High-Level Demon. He returned to Split-Hoof Mine two days before the expedition, where Nilos reported that all had remained quiet.

• Ian left Nilos in charge of the mine and traveled to the Stone Forest to hunt Flamehorn Demons.
• Ian killed more than thirty Mid-Level Flamehorn Demons, raising his Evolution Progress to 2482/3000.
• Ian defeated the High-Level Flamehorn Demon and strengthened his Flame Affinity with its energy.
• Ian hunted the awakened Flamehorn Demons and other demons, gathering enough Evolution Progress to evolve into a High-Level Demon.
• Ian returned to Split-Hoof Mine two days before the expedition, and Nilos told him that nothing unusual had happened.

Ian led a poorly equipped force of 312 demons to the Scorched Earth Plain, where Bonepiercer ordered a massive army to cross Blackstone River and fight the King of Flames. As the forces marched north, Ian positioned his troops behind weaker units and secretly prepared to take advantage once battle began.

• Ian received Bonepiercer’s summons and assembled 312 demons, leaving Nilos behind to guard Split-Hoof Mine.
• Ian led his ragtag force to the Scorched Earth Plain, where other overseers mocked the mine slaves carrying pickaxes.
• Bonepiercer announced that the Bone Demon Commander was at war with the King of Flames and ordered the assembled forces to cross Blackstone River and kill every living creature on the far side.
• Bonepiercer promised territory to those who returned alive, then ordered the army to move out.
• Ian positioned his force behind several weak units, spread his perception across the army, and waited for the fighting to begin.

Ian used the battle at Blackstone River to hunt wounded demon warlords, raising his Evolution Progress to 6340/20000 before the Flame Vanguard retreated. As both armies regrouped for the larger war ahead, Ian returned to camp and began refining the energy he had gained.

• The Bone Demon army and the King of Flames' vanguard clashed at Blackstone River, where the Flame Demons tried to cross under heavy ranged fire.
• Ian slipped away from the main battle with Shadow Stealth and killed a wounded Flame Demon Warlord and its two guards.
• Ian killed a Whitebone Demon Warlord being besieged by Flame Demons, then continued hunting wounded warlords across the battlefield.
• After the Flame Vanguard failed to cross and retreated, Ian pursued wounded stragglers and raised his Evolution Progress to 6340/20000.
• Ian returned to his camp, found Druk and Mog alive despite heavy losses among the mining slaves, and began refining his newly acquired energy.

Ian secretly killed the Might Demon, gained powerful talents, and continued harvesting Flame Demons as the Bone Demon army advanced. By nightfall, his Evolution Progress had passed 15,000, and he learned the Bone Demon Lord would inspect the army the next day.

• Ian killed the Whitebone Demon Warlord and his reinforcements, then killed the three Flame Demons surrounding the wounded Might Demon and absorbed the Might Demon's talents.
• Ian returned to camp as the Might Demon's death weakened Bone Demon morale, and Druk reported heavy losses in their squad.
• On the third day, Ian left the retreating Flame Vanguard Army's main pursuit to hunt scattered Flame Demons, killing more than a hundred.
• Ian wiped out a squad of Whitebone Demons and later killed four High-Level Flame Demons at Lava Gorge, strengthening his Bone Carapace and Flame Demon Bloodline talents.
• Ian checked his Status Panel and saw his Evolution Progress at 15,280/20,000, while his name remained midway down the battle merit ledger.
• Druk told Ian that the Bone Demon Lord would personally inspect the entire army the next day.