Chapter Summaries

Key plot points

• Qin Ran, Lawless, and Hans are pursued by more than a hundred mounted soldiers. Qin Ran recognizes them as the Gale Knights Regiment, an elite force under Duke Merck, distinguished by unusual armor and powerful, tireless horses.
• Their sudden arrival raises questions about how Duke Merck learned of the castle rebellion so quickly—and whether he knew about it in advance. Qin Ran dismisses the idea for now, believing the duke would not have allowed his youngest son to be killed if he had known.
• Since their horses cannot outrun the regiment, Lawless and Qin Ran decide to delay the pursuers while Hans escapes through Pilgrimage Forest to complete his main quest. Hans is reluctant, but Lawless insists they must honor their Contract to protect him.
• Qin Ran volunteers after discovering a side quest that rewards him for killing members of the regiment. He gives his horse to Hans, who now has two mounts, and joins Lawless on one horse.
• As the knights unleash a volley of arrows, Lawless deflects them with an impressive sword technique. They charge through the attack, and Qin Ran leaps into the regiment’s ranks with a spear.

Character developments and interactions

• Qin Ran stays focused on quests and rewards even in a desperate situation, while also recognizing the tactical threat the regiment poses. His thoughts about Lawless’s skill lead him to suspect that later Instances impose stricter limits on gunpowder weapons.
• Lawless acts decisively and accepts the danger of holding off the knights. His advanced swordplay reveals abilities beyond his apparent reliance on heavy weapons. He also warns Qin Ran not to depend too heavily on gunpowder.
• Hans is shocked by the regiment’s appearance and distressed at leaving the others behind, but rides on after Lawless reminds him of their Contract. He promises drinks when they reunite.

Significant themes

• Duty and sacrifice: Lawless and Qin Ran risk themselves to give Hans a chance to finish his quest.
• Adaptation under constraint: Limited equipment and an overwhelming enemy force force the group to rely on planning, skill, and teamwork.
• Uncertainty and hidden motives: The regiment’s unexpected arrival hints that Duke Merck’s knowledge or involvement may be more complicated than Qin Ran assumes.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Qin Ran and Lawless ambush the Gale Knights Regiment, taking out over a dozen members.
• The remaining knights use a "Segmented Shooting" technique and special armor to maintain a relentless arrow assault.
• Qin Ran and Lawless decide to head for a nearby forest to split up and increase their chances of escape.
• The Gale Knights Regiment anticipates their move, forming a shield wall with lances and setting up a rope net behind them, forcing Qin Ran and Lawless into a dilemma.
• Qin Ran decides to charge the shield wall using his [Wild Soul] ability, a rhinoceros phantom.

Character Developments

• Qin Ran demonstrates his strategic thinking and adaptability in battle.
• Lawless shows confidence in Qin Ran's abilities and trusts his judgment.
• The Gale Knights Regiment reveals their exceptional teamwork and tactical prowess.

Significant Themes

• The importance of adaptability and quick thinking in battle.
• The power of teamwork and coordination in combat.
• The strategic value of terrain and environment.

Character Interactions

• Qin Ran and Lawless work together, communicating effectively and trusting each other's abilities.
• The Gale Knights Regiment members display exceptional coordination and unity, anticipating and countering Qin Ran and Lawless's moves.

Key plot points and events

• Qin Ran’s Savage Charge smashes through the Gale Knights Regiment’s shield wall, killing many soldiers and opening a path into the woods. He and Lawless escape separately, intending to head toward Pilgrimage Forest.
• The pursuing knights stop at the forest’s edge rather than risk fighting among the trees. Their captain signals for reinforcements, launching hunting falcons to carry the alarm.
• Qin Ran receives confirmation that he killed 21 pursuers and completed the side quest [Pursuers] with an Excellent rating. He also discovers that using Savage Charge damages the Piercing Spear, though he decides the weapon’s wear is worth the attack’s power.
• A new quest, [Interception], warns that the reinforcements are pursuing him. Qin Ran suspects they include Stegerna, Duke Merck’s swordmaster and the man behind the castle rebellion.
• Fearing he cannot defeat Stegerna and will be found if a large force searches for him, Qin Ran abandons his obvious route toward Pilgrimage Forest. He decides to double back toward the castle, hoping to pass Stegerna unnoticed and later escape by another route.

Character developments

• Qin Ran demonstrates the destructive force of Savage Charge, but also recognizes its cost to his equipment. Though he feels helpless at the prospect of facing Stegerna, he refuses to surrender and devises a risky alternative.
• Lawless remains Qin Ran’s escape partner and follows their plan into the woods, though the two separate once they reach the trees.
• The Gale Knights’ captain shows caution and discipline by refusing to pursue into terrain that would neutralize his force’s advantages.
• Stegerna remains a looming threat: Qin Ran believes he is far more dangerous than the disguised Mask Man he previously encountered.

Significant themes

• Power and its price: Savage Charge can overwhelm defenses, but the force damages the weapon used to channel it.
• Survival through adaptation: Qin Ran changes course rather than follow the predictable escape route.
• Courage amid fear: Qin Ran recognizes that Stegerna may be unbeatable, yet continues searching for a way forward.
• Terrain and strategy: The forest protects the fugitives while limiting the knights’ weapons, numbers, and mounted mobility.

Character interactions

• Qin Ran and Lawless exchange a glance and act on their escape plan without needing further discussion.
• The knights’ captain restrains his men and orders a signal for reinforcements rather than rushing after the fugitives.
• Qin Ran’s thoughts about Stegerna shape his decision: instead of risking a direct encounter, he chooses to evade him by reversing course.

Plot

• Qin Ran returns to Merck Castle’s vicinity after a slow, cautious journey, avoiding patrols and deciding not to enter the heavily guarded castle.
• While hiding near a dead tree, he sees Gratton—Duke Merck’s injured knight and western-region official—waiting for someone.
• A cloaked visitor arrives. Gratton urgently questions them, insisting they would never act so violently unless someone had forced them. The visitor remains silent, then cuts his throat and apologizes, saying they cannot turn back.
• After examining Gratton’s body and leaving, the visitor returns to search the area. Qin Ran realizes they may have discovered his presence and prepares to attack. The chapter ends as the visitor stops just before reaching his hiding place.

Character developments and interactions

• Qin Ran stays wary and pragmatic, choosing concealment over attempting a dangerous castle entry. His curiosity about Gratton’s meeting turns into alarm when he witnesses the murder.
• Gratton appears unusually distracted and emotionally shaken. His desperate attempt to persuade the visitor suggests a close, trusting relationship and a belief that they have been driven into their actions.
• The cloaked visitor, whose identity Qin Ran suspects but the chapter does not reveal, shows both remorse and resolve: they apologize to Gratton but insist they cannot turn back. Their return to search the area demonstrates caution.
• The meeting contrasts Gratton’s appeals and trust with the visitor’s lethal response, leaving Qin Ran caught between hiding and striking first.

Significant themes

• Betrayal and broken trust: Gratton is killed by someone he appears to know and believe in.
• Moral conflict and irreversibility: The visitor expresses guilt but claims they cannot change course.
• Caution and danger: Qin Ran’s careful concealment becomes precarious as the visitor methodically searches the scene.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Qin Ran encounters two figures: Mordler (Duke Merck's eldest son) and Feilin (an adviser with hidden powers).
• Feilin reveals he faked his death and has been manipulating events from the shadows.
• Mordler learns that Feilin knows his secret: he's not Duke Merck's biological son.

Character Developments

• Qin Ran remains cautious and strategic, trying to gather information without revealing himself.
• Feilin shows his true colors as a cunning and ruthless manipulator, seeking to eliminate Mordler.
• Mordler initially tries to maintain composure but eventually reveals his fear and desperation.

Significant Themes

• Manipulation and Power Struggles: Feilin's actions highlight the theme of manipulation and power struggles within the duchy.
• Secrets and Lies: The revelation of Mordler's non-biological relation to the duke underscores the theme of secrets and lies.

Character Interactions

• Qin Ran observes the interaction between Mordler and Feilin, trying to understand their dynamics and gain information.
• Mordler and Feilin's exchange reveals their mutual animosity and desire for power, leading to a tense standoff.

Plot points and events

• Feilin captures Duke Merck’s eldest son, Mordler. Though Mordler appears to surrender, Feilin suspects a trick and badly wounds him, then takes him north as “insurance” while waiting for Stegerna.
• Qin Ran, hidden nearby, realizes Feilin is using Mordler to lure Stegerna north—toward the ongoing war between the Duchies of Merck and Titan.
• Rather than take the safer southern route out of the duchy, Qin Ran follows north. He hopes to exploit the coming clash between Feilin and Stegerna and profit from their defeat.
• Overnight, a storm floods Merck Castle’s moat. Stegerna arrives, learns Gratton left the castle under orders to bar entry and exit, and infers that something has happened to Mordler.
• The rain has erased most traces, but Gratton’s body and unusual marks on a dead tree point Stegerna toward Feilin. Stegerna rides north, vowing revenge if Mordler has been harmed.

Character developments

• Qin Ran remains cautious, cleaning up evidence of his presence, but his greed and opportunism lead him to choose the dangerous northern route.
• Feilin shows both restraint and ruthlessness: he formally acknowledges Mordler’s rank, yet mutilates him to ensure his cooperation and uses him as bait.
• Stegerna is revealed to be deeply attached to Mordler, suggesting their relationship may be more than that of instructor and student. His concern quickly becomes fury.

Significant themes

• Opportunity versus safety: Qin Ran knowingly risks danger for the chance of greater rewards.
• Power, loyalty, and manipulation: Feilin uses Mordler’s status and personal ties to draw Stegerna into a trap.
• War and rivalry: The long-running conflict between Merck and Titan shapes the characters’ plans and offers cover for their coming confrontation.
• Suspicion and hidden motives: Neither Qin Ran nor Feilin trusts Mordler’s apparent surrender, while Stegerna reads the clues left behind to uncover what happened.

Character interactions

• Feilin treats Mordler with formal courtesy because of his rank, but makes clear that his “surrender” requires physical proof of compliance.
• Qin Ran watches Feilin’s actions from hiding and interprets them as part of a plan to draw Stegerna into battle.
• Stegerna reassures the guards that Gratton’s orders should be followed, then privately recognizes the situation as a trap and pursues Feilin.

Plot points and events

• Merk’s victory over Titan is nearly complete, and Merk’s soldiers are repairing Afterglow Bastion so it can better protect the duchy.
• Qin Ran hides nearby, watching Feilin and the captured Mordler. He remains wary of Feilin’s unnerving composure and is close to completing his own quest.
• Duke Merck arrives and, after sending everyone else away, beats Mordler severely for disappointing him. He then draws his sword—but uses it to cut Mordler’s bonds and carries him away.
• Stegerna suddenly attacks the duke, demanding that he release Mordler. Feilin blocks the strike, while Duke Merck insists on handling the matter himself.
• Stegerna claims Mordler is his son and that Kelly was his wife. Duke Merck counters that Mordler is Kelly’s son—and his own—and gives Mordler the ring symbolizing the duke’s authority.
• Stegerna rejects the duke’s account as a lie and charges again. At the same moment, Titan’s banner appears, suggesting the battle may not be over after all.

Character developments and interactions

• Qin Ran stays cautious and observant. He is surprised by the revelation linking Mordler and Stegerna, but the conflicting claims leave him uncertain about the truth.
• Feilin continues to show disturbing emotional control, yet his loyalty to Duke Merck is clear: he intercepts Stegerna and stands ready to defend the duke.
• Mordler endures the beating in silence and appears prepared to die. His confusion when Duke Merck spares him hints that the father-son relationship is more complicated than he believed.
• Duke Merck shifts from apparent rage to protection, freeing Mordler and giving him the ducal ring. He insists he recognizes Mordler as his own son.
• Stegerna is consumed by fury and insists that Mordler is his child and Kelly was his wife. His accusations directly contradict Duke Merck’s account.

Significant themes

• Truth and competing claims: The chapter’s central question is who Mordler’s parents are; both men speak with conviction, but the evidence remains unresolved.
• Trust and betrayal: Duke Merck says his greatest disappointment is that Mordler does not trust him, while Stegerna frames the duke as a liar.
• Duty and authority: The repaired fortress and the ducal ring represent Merk’s responsibility to defend its people and preserve its leadership.
• Appearances versus reality: Duke Merck’s beating initially looks like a prelude to execution, but his actions reveal a different intent; likewise, the apparent end of the war is challenged by Titan’s sudden return.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Duke Merck's knights engage and hold back the Duchy of Titan's forces despite being outnumbered.
• A fierce battle ensues between Stegerna and Feilin inside a ravine.
• Duke Merck reveals secrets to his eldest son, Mordler, distracting Stegerna and allowing Feilin to gain the upper hand.
• Qin Ran realizes the battle is a trap set by Duke Merck to lure and eliminate the Duchy of Titan's forces.
• Duke Merck admits to knowing about the rebellion and orchestrating the trap, revealing his ruthless ambition.
• Stegerna, mortally wounded by Feilin, embraces Duke Merck and orders Qin Ran to act.

Character Developments

• Duke Merck: Reveals his manipulative and ruthless nature, prioritizing victory and power over human life and family.
• Stegerna: Proves his loyalty and determination by choosing to die rather than let Duke Merck use Mordler as a bargaining tool.
• Qin Ran: Demonstrates keen observation and deduction skills, realizing the true nature of the battle and Duke Merck's intentions.

Significant Themes

• Deception and manipulation: Duke Merck's use of Stegerna's emotions and the Duchy of Titan's forces to further his goals.
• Ruthlessness: Duke Merck's disregard for human life and family in pursuit of power and victory.
• Loyalty and sacrifice: Stegerna's willingness to die to protect Mordler and defy Duke Merck's plans.

Character Interactions

• Duke Merck and Mordler: Duke Merck uses his storytelling to distract Mordler and manipulate Stegerna.
• Stegerna and Feilin: Their intense battle highlights their skill and determination, with Feilin gaining the upper hand due to Duke Merck's interference.
• Qin Ran and Duke Merck: Qin Ran's realization of Duke Merck's true nature leads to a shift in his perception of the Duke.
• Stegerna and Qin Ran: Stegerna's final order to Qin Ran indicates trust and reliance on his abilities.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Decadent, a character in an online game, is seeking monthly votes to progress in the game's ranking system.
• Decadent's in-game chrysanthemum, a symbol of their rank, has been "blown out" or reset, causing them distress.
• Decadent uses a metaphor about queuing for a specific dish at a restaurant to express their frustration at the vote shortage.

Character Developments

• Decadent: Shows determination and persistence in seeking votes to improve their in-game rank. Their desperation is evident, indicating a strong desire to succeed.

Significant Themes

• Persistence and determination: Decadent's repeated requests for votes reflect their unyielding pursuit of progress in the game.
• Frustration and disappointment: Decadent's metaphor about the sweet-and-sour sauce highlights their feelings of frustration and disappointment at not getting what they want.

Character Interactions

• Decadent interacts with the game's players, pleading for their votes. The chapter implies a community of players who can vote for Decadent, suggesting a level of interaction and engagement within the game's ecosystem.

Plot points and events

• Stegerna reveals that he has understood Qin Ran’s Savage Charge and uses Feilin and Duke Merck as leverage, hoping to save Mordler. Qin Ran realizes Stegerna is willing to die for the son he raised, while Duke Merck has repeatedly treated his sons as expendable.
• Qin Ran charges. Feilin sacrifices himself to pull Duke Merck out of Stegerna’s grasp, but Qin Ran’s spear cripples the duke’s arm. Stegerna then throws his sword through the protective shadows, apparently killing Duke Merck.
• Qin Ran deliberately alters his charge’s path so he will not kill Stegerna. The maneuver badly wounds Qin Ran, but Stegerna survives long enough to reach Mordler, give Qin Ran a golden badge, and die beside his son.
• The badge, Lionheart King, is revealed as Legendary equipment with powerful once-daily abilities that can also benefit up to four recognized teammates.
• Duke Merck proves to be alive. Qin Ran kills him, triggering the early end of the main quest and a five-minute countdown to leave the instance. He gathers several valuable drops, then notices a ring on the unconscious Mordler and suspects it may be the duchy’s missing Inheritance Item.

Character developments and interactions

• Qin Ran acts on his own moral judgment, choosing not to kill Stegerna even at considerable personal cost. He shows no such mercy to Duke Merck, whom he views as ruthless and selfish.
• Stegerna is revealed as a devoted father figure who prioritizes Mordler’s survival over his own. He recognizes Qin Ran’s character and rewards him before dying.
• Feilin dies protecting Duke Merck, demonstrating fierce loyalty.
• Duke Merck is exposed as manipulative and survives Stegerna’s attack, only to be killed by Qin Ran.
• Mordler remains unconscious and is left with Stegerna’s final farewell; the ring on his finger becomes the focus of Qin Ran’s next decision.

Significant themes

• Contrasting ideals: Duke Merck’s self-interest is set against Stegerna’s willingness to sacrifice himself for his son.
• Choice and responsibility: Qin Ran’s decision to change course reflects his belief that he should act when he has the power to prevent an outcome.
• Sacrifice and loyalty: Feilin and Stegerna both risk or give their lives for others, though their motives and relationships differ.
• Rewards and consequences: Qin Ran’s moral choice brings him a valuable reward, while his actions also alter the quest’s outcome and hasten his departure.

Chapter Summary

Key plot points and events

• Qin Ran considers killing Mordler to avoid further punishment, but Stegerna’s gift, the [Lionheart King], prevents him from attacking Mordler unless Mordler acts hostile first. Qin Ran leaves rather than violate that constraint.
• Soldiers arrive to find Duke Merck, adviser Feilin, and Stegerna dead, while Mordler is unconscious. They cannot determine what happened.
• Mordler inherits the duchy and blames Titan for the killings. Merk’s forces defeat Titan, then Mordler spends the next twenty years conquering neighboring duchies and nearly unifying the continent. Later, he honors Stegerna with a statue—apparently remembering the swordmaster as his true father figure.
• Back in the game room, Qin Ran earns a Z rating, the title King’s Assassin, and substantial rewards. His exceptional rating comes from completing the missions, active combat, and killing major figures—especially Duke Merck, whose death changes the era’s course.
• The rating carries restrictions: Qin Ran cannot enter a derivative instance or draw a specific reward item. He regrets losing the chance at what he suspects would have been a Legendary-tier prize.
• His other spoils include Rose’s Thorn, a Rare sword that grants a sword-skill level but cannot raise a skill beyond Transcendent, and Stone Armor, Rare armor with strong defense and a temporary immobility-based defense boost. Qin Ran decides to sell the armor rather than give up his existing Legendary bracer and useful Rare rings.
• The chapter ends as Qin Ran examines his final reward, a Special Tier skill book, and reacts with surprise.

Character development

• Qin Ran acts cautiously despite his ambition: he recognizes the danger of the punitive instance but respects the restriction imposed by Stegerna’s gift. His Z rating and new title mark him as a highly consequential player, while his disappointment over the missed reward shows how strongly he values equipment and opportunity.
• Mordler transforms from an unconscious heir into a powerful ruler. He uses the deaths of his father and allies to unite Merk against Titan, then builds a near-continent-spanning dynasty. His later tribute suggests lasting respect or affection for Stegerna.
• Stegerna’s legacy endures beyond his death: Mordler’s statue and apparent address to him as “Father” imply that the swordmaster shaped Mordler more deeply than Duke Merck did.

Significant themes

• Choices and consequences: Qin Ran’s actions change the political course of the world, while his decision not to attack Mordler reflects the limits imposed by past gifts and commitments.
• Power and reputation: Killing a ruler earns Qin Ran the powerful King’s Assassin title, but also draws hostility from local rulers.
• Legacy and loyalty: Mordler’s later honor for Stegerna suggests that mentorship and personal bonds can outweigh blood ties.
• Reward versus cost: Qin Ran’s extraordinary success brings major rewards but also restrictions and a painful lost opportunity.

Character interactions

• Qin Ran’s relationship with Stegerna is defined by the swordmaster’s gift, which protects Mordler from Qin Ran’s first strike and shapes Qin Ran’s choice.
• Mordler and Stegerna appear to have shared a father-son-like bond, reflected in Mordler’s later tribute.
• Mordler and Titan become enemies after he blames the rival duchy for the deaths at court, using that accusation to rally Merk’s people.
• Qin Ran’s comparison of possible gear trades reflects his practical prioritization of established, versatile equipment over a single new armor set.

Key plot points and events

• Qin Ran discovers a Stealth Book, which raises [Stealth] by one level without costing the Points or Gold Skill Point such an upgrade would normally require.
• The book raises [Stealth] from Peerless to Transcendent, unlocking a choice between three abilities:
  • Shadow Cloak: create supernatural darkness around himself, gaining shadow-like evasion while potentially blinding opponents.
  • Shadow Dagger: empower an attack after spending time in the shadows.
  • Shadow Armor: create shadow-based defensive armor after preparation.
• Qin Ran chooses Shadow Cloak, valuing its usefulness in unexpected emergencies over abilities that require preparation.
• The upgrade improves Stealth’s concealment effects, raises his Agility from C- to C, and displays a note that the skill has reached its limit.
• Qin Ran considers whether to spend resources bringing other skills to Transcendent or instead improve [Foot Blade] to Master. Before deciding, he receives invitations from Lawless and Hans to meet at the Harvest Tavern.
• He heads out, intending to ask Lawless what Transcendent choices his other skills might offer, but stops when he notices someone outside his room.

Character development

• Qin Ran continues to plan carefully around scarce Points and Gold Skill Points, weighing immediate combat strength against broader versatility.
• His choice of Shadow Cloak reflects a preference for flexible protection against unpredictable danger.
• The upgrade gives him greater confidence and prompts him to think more strategically about future skill development.

Character interactions

• Lawless and Hans invite Qin Ran to the Harvest Tavern; Hans offers to pay. Qin Ran accepts, honoring his earlier promise and seeking Lawless’s advice.
• The chapter ends with Qin Ran encountering an unidentified person outside his room.

Significant themes

• Preparation versus adaptability: Qin Ran favors an ability that can help when danger arrives without warning.
• Scarcity and strategic investment: He must choose how to distribute limited resources among competing skills.
• Limits and advancement: The Transcendent upgrade raises the question of whether skills can progress beyond their apparent ceiling.

Plot points and events

• As Qin Ran prepares to return to his room, his Perception detects a brief, hostile gaze. He finds no person nearby, but spots an unusually clever eagle watching him. The bird evades his gun and drops a note bearing a crude smiley face drawn in blood. Qin Ran cannot identify its meaning and heads to Harvest Tavern.
• At the tavern, Qin Ran reunites with Hans and Lawless. Their teasing over Hans’s promise to pay for dinner leads to a joke from Rachel about taking a hand as payment; Hans, believing she might mean it, quickly agrees to pay.
• Qin Ran asks about Lawless’s warning against relying too much on firearms. Lawless explains that dungeons can restrict or weaken gunpowder weapons, sometimes granting a replacement skill but no replacement equipment. Hans reinforces the need for solo players to prepare for different settings and weapon types.
• Qin Ran shows them two Rare Tier items, [Rose’s Thorn] and [Stone Armor], obtained after killing Duke Merck and his advisor Feilin. Lawless and Hans advise him to trade the set for useful items or advanced skill books, and Qin Ran accepts their guidance.
• Rachel serves an expensive but potent meal and wine. Hans pays 3,900 Points, while Qin Ran discovers the food and drink can restore health and stamina and briefly boost Strength.
• As Qin Ran prepares to auction the equipment, Lawless receives a private message. His expression turns cold, and a wave of murderous intent knocks over furniture and frightens the tavern’s veteran players.

Character developments

• Qin Ran remains cautious, checking for threats before approaching his room and verifying the note is safe before opening it. He also shows humility by relying on his more experienced friends’ advice about trading equipment.
• Lawless shifts abruptly from joking and sharing practical advice to displaying overwhelming anger after reading a message, suggesting a serious threat or provocation.
• Hans is comic and melodramatic, but also experienced: he explains the risks of dungeon-specific weapon restrictions and helps Qin Ran assess his gear.
• Rachel maintains her intimidating, businesslike manner, though her threat to take Hans’s hand may be a joke—or may not be.
• Qin Ran, Hans, and Lawless share a relaxed, friendly evening, enjoying Rachel’s food and trading playful insults.

Significant themes

• Vigilance and hidden threats: The blood-marked note and evasive eagle suggest that danger can come from unseen observers and unconventional means.
• Adaptability and preparation: Qin Ran learns that a player must not depend on one weapon type; dungeon rules can undermine even powerful equipment.
• Experience and cooperation: Qin Ran benefits from veteran players’ advice, while his friends help him navigate equipment trading.
• The costs and rewards of survival: Valuable restorative food, healing, and gear offer significant benefits, but come at steep prices or require careful choices.
• Sudden violence beneath ordinary life: The convivial tavern scene ends with Lawless’s murderous outburst, sharply shifting the mood.

Character interactions

• Qin Ran and the eagle engage in a brief standoff: he tries to target it, but it escapes after delivering its message.
• Hans jokes about working off his meal, while Rachel’s unsettling response sends him back to his seat; Qin Ran and Lawless tease him.
• Lawless and Hans explain dungeon restrictions and trading strategy, with Qin Ran listening and accepting their advice.
• Rachel’s meal brings the three friends together in a moment of shared pleasure before Lawless’s message abruptly changes the atmosphere.

Plot points and events

• Lawless erupts in anger after learning that Killer Players have attacked his group, but Rachel stops him by smashing a bottle over his head. He apologizes to her and the other players, then explains that the attackers killed one of his men, badly injured Cole, and abducted him.
• A screenshot of the unconscious, bloodied Cole was sent by a player using the name Night Owl. No one recognizes the nickname.
• Qin Ran studies the image for clues, but Rachel warns that the bottles and other details cannot be reliably identified under the Underground Game’s rules. Qin suggests investigating the scene.
• Lawless divides the group: some stay behind to seek information about Night Owl, while he leads Qin Ran, Hans, and two other veterans to the attack site.
• Levin, a reserved player with animal-related abilities, uses stray cats, dogs, and birds to scout the area. After they report it safe, the team proceeds cautiously.
• At the alley, Qin Ran uses Tracking to reconstruct the ambush: two attackers struck while another Killer Player logged in, killing the lookout and knocking Cole into a wall before the group escaped.
• Qin Ran concludes that the attackers’ precise timing and coordination suggest they may know one another outside the game. Levin then announces that he has found something.

Character developments and interactions

• Lawless reveals a frightening level of rage and murderous intent, then regains control and apologizes. His reaction hints at the personal weight of the attack and his concern for Cole.
• Rachel acts decisively to interrupt Lawless’s outburst, while their familiar exchange suggests she knows him well and has repeatedly covered his debts.
• Qin Ran shows careful observation and increasingly effective investigative reasoning. He also recognizes how much more experienced and powerful Lawless may be.
• Hans supports Qin Ran’s proposal and takes the lead as the group’s defensive shield-bearer.
• Levin demonstrates his talent as a scout and his status as a Chosen One, despite his extreme reticence.
• The veterans coordinate according to their specialties: Hans protects the front, Lamont provides offense, Levin scouts, and Lawless commands from the rear.

Significant themes

• Experience and power gaps: Qin Ran realizes that veteran players’ histories and abilities may far exceed what he has seen.
• Trust and coordination: The ambush appears too precisely timed to be the work of strangers, raising the possibility of real-world alliances among Killer Players.
• Investigation under uncertainty: The characters must infer what happened from partial traces, screenshots, and skills rather than relying on conventional evidence.
• Control and camaraderie: Rachel’s intervention and Lawless’s apology show how relationships within the group help contain dangerous emotions and keep the team functioning.

Plot points and events

• Levin uses a bird to scout the area. It reports that three people went left at a T-junction, and the group follows.
• Qin Ran suspects the bird’s appearance was intentional: the Killer Players may have used it to signal or lure them toward an ambush.
• The five advance cautiously through a narrow alley, with Hans, Levin, and Lawless on the ground and Qin Ran and Lamont moving along the walls.
• At a third corner, a vast black veil suddenly appears overhead and Intangible Wraiths attack. Qin Ran and Lamont fight with fire, while Lawless uses incendiary bombs; the wraiths are quickly destroyed.
• The veil unsettles the veterans. Hans asks whether it is “that guy,” prompting Qin Ran to ask who he means.

Character developments and interactions

• Qin Ran’s perceptiveness is emphasized: he assesses Levin’s apparent weaknesses and hidden equipment, suspects the bird is part of a trap, and spots the wraiths first with his [Tracking] vision.
• Levin’s bird-summoning or animal-related ability is demonstrated, though its full nature remains unknown.
• Lamont is shown to be an experienced, ready fighter, while Hans manages the group’s defense and tries to stay composed under pressure.
• The veterans’ reactions suggest they share a frightening history or knowledge of a dangerous figure that Qin Ran lacks.
• The group works effectively together, responding quickly to Qin Ran’s warning and defeating the attackers.

Significant themes

• Caution and suspicion: The group treats seemingly harmless signs as possible bait.
• Preparation and teamwork: Different positions, abilities, and weapons allow the group to repel the attack efficiently.
• Unequal knowledge: Qin Ran’s newcomer status leaves him outside the veterans’ shared understanding—and the chapter ends on the mystery of “that guy.”

Plot points and events

• Black Prison Banning, one of the Witch’s Ten Supernovas, appears. Hans describes him as a cold, selfish fighter who can be hired for enough Points and Skill Points—and may betray his employers.
• Banning’s arrival unnerves Hans, Lamont, and Levin, while Lawless stays focused and asks Qin Ran to hold off the Intangible Wraiths for ten seconds.
• The Wraiths return by emerging through walls and the ground. Qin Ran fights them with lightning and fire as the others rally to protect Lawless: Lamont creates a fiery barrier, Hans shields him, and Levin uses a scroll to block their routes.
• Qin Ran suspects Banning is nearby, directing the swarm to keep them trapped beneath the Black Curtain. He spots an unusually solid, motionless shadow among the Wraiths and moves toward it.
• Lawless heats an [Iron Fist-II] rocket launcher and fires at the Black Curtain. The blast wipes out the Wraiths and ruptures the curtain, but the explosion throws the group into the air.
• The strange shadow suddenly attacks Lawless. Qin Ran uses the Deceiver’s Key to swap places with him and punches toward the attacker with a fist gathering intense cold. The chapter ends mid-strike.

Character developments and interactions

• Qin Ran remains resourceful under pressure: he protects Lawless, searches for the hidden threat, and intervenes when it attacks.
• Lawless shows determination and confidence, risking a difficult shot with the launcher while his companions buy him time.
• Hans, Lamont, and Levin recover from their fear of Banning and work together to defend Lawless.
• Banning is established as a dangerous, possibly mercenary opponent, though his precise location and role in the attack remain uncertain.

Significant themes

• Trust and self-interest: Banning’s reputation raises the question of whether loyalty can be bought—or trusted.
• Teamwork under pressure: The group’s distinct abilities combine to give Lawless the opening he needs.
• Sacrifice and quick decisions: Qin Ran risks taking the shadow’s attack himself to save Lawless.
• Danger hidden in chaos: Even after the swarm and Black Curtain are destroyed, a concealed enemy remains.

Plot points and events

• Qin Ran kills the shadow attacking Lawless, revealing the assailant as the Killer Player Shadow Assault. The self-defense kill earns Qin Ran an Honor Kill and Shadow Assault’s 8,000 Points, 8 Skill Points, and room rights.
• Lawless survives Banning of Black Prison’s attack by unleashing an exceptionally powerful strike, though it destroys his rocket launcher and leaves him exhausted. The others recognize his strength as comparable to a Supernova.
• The group returns to the Harvest Tavern, where veteran players celebrate Lawless and speculate about the growing number of unfamiliar but formidable Killer Players.
• Rachel recognizes Qin Ran as “Crow,” then announces that Zor—the auction Registrant and a trusted subordinate of the Broker—claims to know Cole’s whereabouts. The tavern falls silent.

Character developments and interactions

• Qin Ran protects Lawless and privately notices that Lawless seems to have realized something about the appearance of powerful newcomers. He chooses not to press his friend, trusting Lawless to speak when ready.
• Lawless is revealed to be formidable but vulnerable after using his signature attack: he needs a new main weapon and admits he is not yet quite a Supernova. He thanks Qin Ran, who jokingly asks for a discount on his fee.
• Hans, Lamont, and Levin share the veterans’ surprise at the unfamiliar Killer Players and admiration for Lawless.
• Rachel briefly recognizes Qin Ran beneath the system’s disguise, then shifts the group’s attention to Zor’s lead on Cole.

Significant themes

• Hidden identities and uncertain loyalties: Shadow Assault’s unexpected appearance and Rachel’s recognition of Qin Ran suggest that appearances and identities may be unreliable.
• Strength at a cost: Lawless’s devastating power comes with exhaustion and the loss of his weapon.
• Trust and restraint: Qin Ran senses Lawless is withholding a discovery but preserves their friendship by waiting for him to share it.
• Rising danger and mystery: The repeated emergence of powerful strangers hints at a larger, unexplained change in the world.

Key plot points and events

• Zor the Registrant arrives at the Harvest Tavern to discuss Qin Ran’s two rare pieces of equipment, which the Broker wants for a future Secret Market auction.
• As Zor speaks, the Broker contacts Qin Ran and Lawless privately. He explains that the Killer Players have targeted him and that he suspects they may have spies among his people—or even inside the tavern.
• Qin Ran is stunned by the threat. He had assumed the Broker’s vast resources, including powerful robots and contracted players, made him nearly untouchable.
• The Broker proposes cooperation, offering Qin Ran and Lawless each one item of their choice from his collection. Lawless suspects he wants to use them as bait, and Qin Ran asks what the Broker’s actual plan is.

Character developments

• Qin Ran recognizes that he has underestimated the Killer Players and their willingness to risk death. Though alarmed, he deliberately stays calm and tries to assess the situation.
• Lawless takes the lead in the meeting but reacts angrily to the suggestion that they might be used as bait.
• The Broker reveals vulnerability beneath his immense power: he has been attacked unexpectedly and now distrusts even those bound to him by Contracts.
• Zor is unusually courteous, addressing Rachel and Lawless with titles of respect while calling Qin Ran “Mister,” prompting Qin Ran to wonder what sets them apart.

Significant themes

• Trust and betrayal: The Broker’s fear of infiltrators and a Contract-bound attacker shows that even formal bonds may not ensure loyalty.
• Power and vulnerability: The Broker’s resources are formidable, yet he remains exposed to surprise and betrayal.
• Risk and cooperation: The offer promises valuable rewards, but the proposed alliance may put Qin Ran and Lawless in serious danger.
• Caution and judgment: Qin Ran’s decision to ask for the plan before agreeing reflects his awareness of his inexperience and the stakes involved.

Character interactions

• Zor approaches Qin Ran and Lawless about the equipment on the Broker’s behalf.
• Lawless challenges the Broker’s motives through private messages, while the Broker insists he seeks genuine cooperation and offers substantial payment.
• Lawless looks to Qin Ran before responding, and Qin Ran breaks his silence with a direct question: “What’s your plan?”

Key plot points and events

• Broker tells Qin Ran that Cole is being held outside the Killer Players’ rooms and urges Qin Ran and Lawless to help retrieve him.
• Qin Ran suspects the kidnapping is bait. He reasons that the Killer Players are divided into rival factions: one group abducted Cole, while Black Prison Banning and Shadow Assault—who ambushed Qin Ran earlier—may belong to another.
• Broker claims to have reliable information that a Killer Players leader is interested in Qin Ran or Lawless. He presents the rescue as a chance to strike back, but Qin Ran remains wary and asks for time to verify the information. Broker says they have roughly seven hours before the best time to act.
• Negotiations begin over two Rare Tier items. Lawless demands four skill books, but Broker says he has none of them and offers Alchemy recipes and Potion-making formulas instead, asking for additional payment.
• Qin Ran declines the formulas and recipes. He explains that he wants the relevant disciplines mainly to increase his Mysterious Knowledge, so he asks for equipment or skill books of comparable value suited to his Leg Combat specialization. Broker agrees to look for suitable items.

Character developments and interactions

• Qin Ran shows caution and strategic thinking: he recognizes a possible trap, questions Broker’s unusually precise intelligence, and avoids accepting a deal before verifying the facts. He also reveals a practical, long-term approach to developing his abilities.
• Lawless takes charge of bargaining and pushes hard for valuable compensation, using the auction prices of Rare Tier items to challenge Broker. He then steps aside when the negotiation calls for a decision about Qin Ran’s future.
• Broker (Mo Nian) is persuasive and commercially minded. He tries to recruit the pair by presenting the rescue as an opportunity, but his information and exact timing make Qin Ran suspicious. He also values his formulas and recipes more than the equipment Qin Ran requests.
• The exchange between Lawless and Broker is combative and teasing, while Qin Ran and Lawless operate as a cautious team, with Lawless negotiating and Qin Ran making the final call.

Significant themes

• Trust and uncertainty: Broker may be offering a genuine opportunity—or manipulating Qin Ran and Lawless into a trap.
• Factional rivalry: The Killer Players appear to be a large, divided organization with competing strategies.
• Pragmatism and self-interest: Each participant weighs the value of information, equipment, skills, and future potential before committing.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The chapter is a call-to-action, encouraging readers to vote for the web novel "Decadent" using their monthly tickets before the month ends.
• The novel is published exclusively on twkan.com.

Character Developments

• No significant character development occurs in this chapter as it's primarily a message to readers.

Significant Themes

• The theme of engagement and participation is highlighted, encouraging readers to actively support the novel.
• The temporality of opportunities is emphasized, as the chance to vote only exists for a limited time each month.

Character Interactions

• The author (or narrator) directly addresses the readers, expressing gratitude for their votes and encouraging those who haven't voted yet to do so.