Qin Ran

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Qin Ran (秦然)
Alias(es)	2567; Flame Emperor; King of Fire; Flame Demon; Sword of Dawn 1089
Gender	Male
Occupation/Role	Underground Game player; frequent solo-instance explorer; knight commander in one instance world 957
Affiliation	Associated with the Lone Wolves of Harvest Tavern; works independently 1499 1502
First Appearance	4

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Beginner Stealth	29	Acquired after killing an enemy with the same skill; his Agility also increased.
Mastery basic skills	37	Raised eight skills to Mastery, including Hand-to-Hand Combat, Light Firearms, Tracking, and Cold Weapons: Dagger; selected effects to suit assassination-based combat.
Basic Dawn Knight Body-Tempering Art	56	Mastered after seeing it demonstrated once; gave broad attribute improvements, including his Mental Attribute.
Peerless combat skills	145	Raised Hand-to-Hand Combat, Light Firearms, and Dodge from Master to Peerless; also raised Stealth to Peerless.
Transcendent Hand-to-Hand Combat and Light Firearms	243	Gained exceptional leg-combat ability and the ability to infuse bullets with armor-piercing faith.
Heart of Fusion acquired	277	Obtained an above-Epic organ with powerful abilities and a dangerous backlash.
Expert Mysterious Knowledge; Proficient Burning Hands	353	Improved his occult knowledge and flame technique while preparing for a Special Instance.
Transcendent Heavy Weapons	369	Gained the Shock effect and further attribute increases.
Master Dawn Knight Body-Tempering Art	415 465	Advanced through training and Gold Skill Point investment; Constitution and Spirit rose to major ranks.
Spirit reaches SSS+	465	Made Spirit his primary attribute; later demonstrated exceptional resistance to mental effects.
Character Template Limit reached	621	Strength, Agility, Constitution, and Perception reached their template limits through Gold Attribute Points.
Strength and Constitution breakthrough	783	Broke attribute restrictions through a day and night of running and controlled breathing; both reached SS-.
Master Dark Stealth Art	924	Learned concealment that uses both shadow and light.
Sword of Dawn title upgraded	1243	Fused with a fragment of Dawn power and gained Dawn’s Thorn, Dawn’s Descent, and Dawn’s Call.
Spirit reaches Newly Advanced IV	1255	Further Gold Attribute and skill-point investment made his thinking sharper and clearer.
Transcendent Demon Burning Technique	1833	Regained access to his Source Forces; gained stronger, more versatile creation and control of demon flame.

Background

Qin Ran entered the Underground Game while struggling with Genetic Virus Syndrome and the cost of treatment. His refusal to surrender to death defined his earliest actions: he chose to aid another survivor during an ambush and was prepared to detonate a grenade rather than die helplessly. 4 5 24

From the beginning, he treated every instance as an opportunity to secure strength, points, skills, and equipment. He prioritised side quests, title missions, and high evaluations even when doing so increased the danger and left him with little time between instances. 162 177 187 415

His early reliance on firearms, knives, stealth, and careful planning developed into a broad combat style built around Transcendent basic skills, physical cultivation, multiple Source Forces, and powerful equipment. The Heart of Fusion and Demon Transformation gave him immense power, but also forced him to confront the danger of becoming controlled by his own strength. 277 325 341

Appearance

Qin Ran is described as plain and insufficiently handsome by noble standards, an appearance that often contrasts with the pressure and danger others sense from him. 1042

• Usually maintains an expressionless or cold exterior, even under scrutiny or immediate threat. 1433
• Frequently favors black clothing and can alter his appearance and temperament through disguise-related abilities. 1342 1143
• His gaze and aura can intimidate opponents before he acts. 1014 1586
• His ordinary appearance has repeatedly caused others to underestimate him. 1042 1432

Personality

Qin Ran is intensely survival-driven, cautious, and self-reliant. He distrusts strangers, conceals his trump cards, and avoids thankless risks unless they offer a clear benefit or are necessary to achieve his objective. 935 1117 1631 1788

He is not needlessly cruel, but hostility is met with cold decisiveness. In peaceful circumstances, he can be mild and considerate; when someone threatens him or those under his protection, he becomes ruthless. 1090 1533

Strength is central to Qin Ran’s worldview, not as an end in itself, but as the means to retain freedom, protect his true self, and make his own choices. He repeatedly rejects power that he cannot control. 325 551 1243 1754

He is also practical to the point of miserliness. He values information, useful equipment, and profit, and does not hesitate to demand payment that he believes he has earned. 1499 1594

Abilities & Skills

Physical Combat and Leg Techniques

Qin Ran’s close-quarters ability developed from Hand-to-Hand Combat into a Transcendent discipline. He combines it with specialized kicking arts and high physical attributes.

• Uses Hundredfold Kick, Besika Leg-Kicking Art, and Charge-Up to overwhelm defenses with rapid cumulative attacks. 1241
• Improved Serpentine Leg, Foot Blade, and other leg techniques through Master and Peerless levels. 621 1255
• Can use brute force effectively even without a formal technique, as demonstrated with the Shattering Mace. 262
• His Transcendent Hand-to-Hand Combat grants extraordinary leg-combat ability. 243

Firearms and Ranged Combat

Firearms were among Qin Ran’s earliest strengths and remained a major part of his arsenal as his powers expanded.

• Raised Gunpowder Weapons: Light Firearms from Mastery to Peerless and later Transcendent. 37 145 243
• Can infuse bullets with armor-piercing faith at the Transcendent level. 243
• Uses specialized ammunition, including Blessed Bullets. 146 420
• Developed broader ranged options through bows, crossbows, and Peerless throwing weapons. 243 1516

Dawn Knight Body-Tempering Art

This cultivation art is the foundation of Qin Ran’s physical control and attribute growth.

• Improves Strength, Agility, Constitution, Mental Attribute, and Perception. 56
• Reached Master through training and Gold Skill Point investment. 415 465
• Its Transcendent Baptism option strengthened related skills and enhanced his Spirit-focused techniques. 897
• Its breathing method enabled him to break his Strength and Constitution restrictions. 783

Swordsmanship

Qin Ran uses multiple sword arts and powerful named weapons, favoring adaptable techniques rather than a single style.

• Sword Technique: Ten Thousand Snakes provides area attacks and illusion-based applications. 552
• Words of Arrogance allowed him to counter Ye Jing’s Frenzied Slash, destroy Eternal Night, and win their duel. 1242
• His upgraded Sword of Dawn title grants Dawn’s Thorn, Dawn’s Descent, and Dawn’s Call. 1243
• Dandelion’s Piercing supports stealthy ambushes. 1273

Stealth, Tracking, and Disguise

Qin Ran specializes in controlling information before a fight begins.

• Gained Stealth after killing a stealth-skilled rebel soldier and eventually advanced it to Peerless. 29 145
• Mastered Dark Stealth Art, combining shadow and light for enhanced concealment. 924
• Developed Tracking to Peerless, allowing exceptional observation and pursuit. 465 1270
• Thousand Faces can alter his appearance and temperament, making it useful across different instance worlds. 1143

Source Forces and Demon Power

Qin Ran possesses several internal powers centered on his two hearts: Dawn Force, Plague Force, Demon Power, Sin Force, and Holy Thorn Force. 997

• Demon Power is aggressive and feeds on darkness and Devil-related power; Qin Ran actively restrains it to protect his mind. 1054 1137
• Demon Burning Technique reached Transcendent level, improving the power and versatility of his demon flames. 1833
• Demon Transformation was once a primary trump card; Qin Ran seeks to reclaim its full strength while maintaining balance among his powers. 1407
• Dawn Sword and Plague Arrow advanced alongside his other Source Force techniques. 1833
• Holy Thorn Force is quiet and difficult for others to detect, yet can cooperate with even opposing powers. 1833

Beast of Desire

Qin Ran can call upon the Beast of Desire for destructive battlefield control.

• Thousand Evil-Eye Strikes wiped out more than a thousand Steppe cavalry in a single attack. 629
• Dead Gaze and resurrected dead caused terrified enemies to panic and turn on one another. 629
• Its presence can disrupt and frighten enemy troops. 842

Mental Fortitude

Spirit is Qin Ran’s primary attribute and one of his defining advantages.

• Reached SSS+ Spirit and became highly resistant to negative mental effects. 465 596
• Broke free from a Demon’s Intimidation almost instantly and immediately began planning how to fight it. 596
• Continues to prioritize Spirit advancement, eventually reaching Newly Advanced IV. 1255

Equipment and Items

• Heart of Fusion — Above-Epic organ with powerful effects and an initial backlash risk. 277 415
• Words of Arrogance — Sword enchanted with Critical Strike and Critical Hit; used to defeat Ye Jing. 621 1242
• Eternal Night — Ye Jing’s damaged sword, later repaired to improve its attack level and attributes. 1243 1255
• Wilk’s Redemption and Hilt’s Right Hand — Accessories upgraded to Quality II after absorbing power; gained frost-based abilities. 1408
• Earth’s Favor — Legendary accessory that permits underground burrowing and reduces body weight while both feet are grounded. 1416
• Shadow Rider — Powerful motorcycle-like item claimed from an Agility Entry Rank player’s room. 1502
• Floating Ring — Helped Qin Ran cross a dangerous staircase at Ailitelga Residence. 596
• Gordo’s Chains — Worn as bracelets and used as chains when needed. 1783 1788
• Philosopher’s Stone (Fragment) — Kept close among his essential items. 1783
• Soul Guardian Ring — One of the rewards acquired alongside Dark Stealth Art. 924

Relationships

• Lawless — Longstanding ally, trading partner, and fellow player. Lawless provides points, items, and information; Qin Ran accepts help pragmatically while maintaining independence. 369 1255 1499
• Rachel — Harvest Tavern proprietor and influential contact. Their relationship is built on mutual usefulness, guarded trust, and blunt exchanges of information. 1089 1499
• Shiqi — Friend and recurring companion in the Psychic Partners worlds. Shiqi recognizes both Qin Ran’s strength and strategic intelligence. 341 481
• Mary — Ally who supports Qin Ran despite fear, particularly during the Steppe king crisis. Qin Ran treats her with unusual warmth and reassurance. 626 661
• Mimosa — Friend and skilled cook who offers future dungeon assistance; their bond includes meals, practical cooperation, and mutual favors. 1416 1745
• Wu — Powerful associate whose help Qin Ran accepts cautiously. She understands his independent nature, while he dislikes owing her favors. 1407 1666
• Great Marsh — Respects Qin Ran’s understanding of strength and choice after their discussion during the Bloodline Limit event. 1243
• Higher Evil Spirit — Follower frustrated by Qin Ran’s utilitarian treatment, but identified as loyal to him. 1407 1671
• Frost Wolf — Companion seeking the Shattered Frost Heart; Qin Ran promises it the gem if it proves worthy. 1408

Story Role / Major Arcs

Early Underground Game Survival

Qin Ran begins as a vulnerable participant in the Beginner Instance, relying on caution, a dagger, firearms, and refusal to surrender. He obtains Stealth, increases his Agility, and begins building the skill-focused foundation of his combat style. 5 24 29 37

Psychic Partners and Alcatraz

As Nikelei’s assistant, Qin Ran earns trust through performance and completes his original main quest ahead of schedule. His growing involvement with Alcatraz Island and the Five Great Societies exposes him to threats beyond his initial level. 162 177 191

Giant City and the Pursuit of Strength

After entering Giant City, Qin Ran spends heavily to reach Peerless and Transcendent skill levels, gains the Heart of Fusion, and learns that overwhelming power can still be insufficient against deeper mysteries. 145 243 277 341

Warren and the Steppe War

Qin Ran becomes a decisive force in Warren’s defense, annihilating Steppe cavalry with the Beast of Desire and taking command when the Steppe king arrives. His strength inspires defenders while terrifying allies and enemies alike. 629 661

Sword of Dawn and Bloodline Limit

Qin Ran’s battle with Ye Jing culminates in the destruction of Eternal Night and the completion of the Bloodline Limit special quest. He fuses with a Dawn fragment and upgrades his Sword of Dawn title. 1241 1242 1243

Navia City and the Secret Thorn Temple

During the Fifth Instance Difficulty Special Instance, Qin Ran enters ruined Navia City to locate the Secret Thorn Temple. He gains the trust of a convoy through combat and healing, then uses political strategy, intimidation, and force to shape the region around Aya Outpost. 1516 1533 1537 1573

Later Source Force Recovery

After being bound by the Bastion’s chains, Qin Ran regains access to his Source Forces. His Demon Burning Technique, Dawn Sword, and Plague Arrow advance as he prepares to confront Broker and uncover the truth behind his schemes. 1833

Notable Quotes

“Wait for me!” 341

“I am only myself. Not him. Nor anyone else. Only myself.” 1406

“Strength!” 551

Trivia

• Qin Ran does not smoke in real life because of health concerns and the cost of cigarettes, though he is willing to use them in-game. 4
• He has a notably large appetite and has repeatedly drawn attention by ordering and eating every dish available. 1432 1446
• He considers food important enough to interrupt other plans only reluctantly. 1695
• His room is arranged for easy retrieval of needed items rather than cleanliness or tidiness. 1594