Chapter Summaries

Chapter Summary: “Changing Class”

Key Plot Points and Events

• William successfully advances to level 40, becoming an Intermediate-Class Professional and changing his class to Dawn Guardian.
• He gains several major rewards:
  • Four primary attributes increase by 10.
  • All five attributes increase by 1, including Charisma.
  • He receives eight free attribute points, which he assigns to Strength and Agility.
  • His Elf bloodline grants an additional 10 Charisma.
  • He awakens the new Talent Power of Thunder, granting Thunder attack power and resistance.
• His Legendary Battle Aura Cultivation Technique and meditation Secret Manual break through their previous level-15 limits and can now reach level 30.
• His Skills can now reach level 15, and starting from level 15, his Secret Manuals provide additional free attribute points per level.
• William spends his remaining experience raising both Secret Manuals to level 20 and improving most of his Skills to level 9. His newest Skills remain at lower levels due to insufficient experience.
• His resulting power increases dramatically, bringing him close to Alec’s strength and establishing him as a genuine Legendary Boss-level character despite having unupgraded equipment.
• The chapter concludes with William reflecting on the immense power of Legendary Secret Manuals and the deadly potential of his new abilities.

Character Development

• William undergoes a major transformation from a powerful professional into an Intermediate-Class Legendary-level combatant. His attributes, health, Battle Aura, mana, and Skill capabilities all rise sharply.
• He becomes more confident and excited about his strength, joking that he is becoming carried away by his rapid advancement.
• His understanding of high-level combat also deepens. He recognizes that Legendary Bosses are dangerous not only because of bloodline bonuses, but because of their Secret Manuals, Skills, equipment, and combinations of abilities.
• William also identifies the brain as a critical weakness in combat, realizing that his new Ghost Arrow could become a deadly assassination tool.
• Alec is astonished by William’s repeated bursts of growth. He is so surprised by William’s rapidly changing aura that he jokingly considers checking whether William is still the same person.

New Powers and Skills

• Power of Thunder: Grants 10% Thunder attack power and 10% Thunder resistance.
• Thunderflash Repeated Slash: Fires up to six Thunder Sword Auras. Repeated hits can paralyze or stiffen enemies.
• Soul Hand: Creates a giant soul-based hand capable of attacking, pulling enemies, knocking them back, or manipulating objects. It can inflict Fear.
• Ghost Arrow: A Soul Magic arrow capable of piercing armor, walls, trees, and other solid objects to directly strike a target. A headshot has a chance to deal massively increased critical damage.

Battle Aura Guard upgrades

• Doubles the effects of William’s Secret Manuals while active.
• Increases movement speed by 25%.
• Allows Thunder Reflection against melee attackers.
• Existing Skills such as Deadly Volley, Battle Aura Slash, Soul Shockwave, Soul Tentacles, Holy Soul Assault, and Holy Soul Enchantment also receive substantial improvements.

Significant Themes

• Power gained through advancement: The chapter emphasizes how class breakthroughs produce exponential increases in strength rather than simple numerical improvements.
• The importance of specialized manuals: Legendary Secret Manuals are presented as a defining factor separating ordinary professionals from elite Legendary Bosses.
• Build optimization and specialization: The discussion compares combat classes, life classes, bloodlines, and Secondary Classes, showing how different paths produce different attribute advantages.
• Preparation versus innate potential: Players can compensate for weaker bloodlines through classes, manuals, and specialization, while NPCs retain advantages through unique bloodlines and Talents.
• The danger of unchecked confidence: William is thrilled by his new power and admits he is becoming carried away, hinting at both his growing confidence and the potential risks of overestimating himself.
• Strategic combat and assassination: Ghost Arrow highlights the importance of bypassing defenses and exploiting vulnerabilities rather than relying solely on overwhelming force.

Character Interactions

• William and Alec share a brief humorous moment: Alec watches William’s power rise repeatedly and becomes bewildered by how quickly his lord is changing.
• William effectively interacts with his own progression by examining his Status Panel, testing the meaning of his new abilities, and evaluating how they might function in future battles.
• His reflections on Legendary Bosses connect his current advancement to the powerful enemies and figures he knew from his previous life, giving broader context to the world’s power hierarchy.

Chapter Summary: “Torment (Please Vote)”

Key Plot Points and Events

• After successfully advancing, William immediately returns to the Small Town with Alec to capture a spy connected to the earlier level-62 assassin.
• The spy is found in a private residence in Dawn City and attempts to escape, but William shoots him and drags him inside.
• William personally interrogates the spy, using extreme torture after the spy refuses to reveal who sent him. The spy’s thoughts reveal that he was gathering intelligence for a leader who viewed William as an obstacle and believed Dawn Town had to be captured for the “army of freedom” to operate.
• William tortures the spy throughout the night, eventually killing him without obtaining a formal confession.
• Dawn City’s guards conceal the true nature of the event from the Commoners, claiming that an assassin attempted to kill the Lord. The citizens accept the punishment because of their loyalty to William.
• The following morning, Lotner questions William about the interrogation. William explains that his brutality comes from years of fear and resentment after being targeted by enemies despite having done nothing to provoke them.

Character Developments

• William: His hidden fear of death and trauma after transmigrating become clear. Although he usually presents himself as gentle and composed, he releases years of suppressed anger through ruthless revenge. His morality has shifted toward a harsh belief that anyone who seeks his life deserves severe punishment.
• Alec: He remains loyal and guards the residence, but even as an experienced killer, he is disturbed and frightened by William’s cruelty.
• Lotner: He is revealed to have secretly tested Alec’s loyalty earlier. After witnessing William’s transformation, he becomes concerned and unsettled, recognizing that William is no longer the same gentle lord.
• The Spy: Rather than breaking through confession, he becomes consumed by hatred toward William and dies defiant, convinced that William must be eliminated.
• Dawn City’s Commoners: Their loyalty to William is emphasized. They trust him enough to believe that the tortured man deserved punishment, though they do not know William personally carried it out.

Significant Themes

• Fear beneath strength: William’s cruelty is shown as an expression of deep insecurity and terror of death rather than simple sadism.
• Revenge and moral corruption: Power allows William to retaliate against those who once made him helpless, but his methods increasingly resemble the brutality of his enemies.
• Power and responsibility: The chapter questions whether the strong have the right to punish weaker enemies however they choose.
• Loyalty and trust: Alec’s loyalty is tested, while Lotner struggles to reconcile William’s former kindness with his new ruthlessness.
• Public image versus hidden self: William’s benevolent reputation among the citizens contrasts sharply with the vengeful and violent person revealed behind closed doors.

Character Interactions

• William commands Alec during the capture and refuses Alec’s offer to conduct the interrogation himself.
• Alec witnesses William’s torture and becomes visibly shaken, revealing that William’s actions frighten even hardened killers.
• Lotner confronts William afterward, criticizing his cruelty and suggesting that it conflicts with the behavior expected of a strong person.
• William rejects Lotner’s criticism, explaining that his suffering while weak has shaped his decision to make revenge as painful as possible.
• William reassures Lotner that he will remain his enforcer, but Lotner awkwardly distances himself by asking William not to call him “Uncle.”

Chapter Summary: “‘Freedom’ Horn”

Key Plot Points and Events

• William reflects on Goethe Nassis, the revolutionary leader of Version 1.0 who claimed to fight for freedom, equality, and the abolition of nobility.
• Goethe’s movement, aided by endlessly respawning players, destroys the Steel Duchy’s noble system and eventually defeats the Blackrock Duchy.
• The revolution produces chaos rather than genuine freedom. Freed slaves and oppressed commoners massacre nobles, while widespread murder, rape, and looting turn the Blackrock Duchy into a hellish wasteland.
• Goethe deliberately allows the violence to continue until the noble class is destroyed, then uses military and government leaders loyal to him to suppress the mobs.
• Although he abolishes slavery publicly, he reinstates it as “criminal punishment,” enslaving those who committed atrocities. His former followers become a new ruling elite, revealing that the revolution merely replaces one power structure with another.
• William concludes that freedom without order is dangerous and that revolutionary change is only viable when the existing system has already reached the end of its lifespan. He decides that Goethe and the forces threatening the current order have crossed his personal limits.
• The next morning, William visits Moxis at the Divination House, supposedly to chat but actually to request enchantments.
• William unexpectedly brings all five hundred of his Elven Royal Guards, each carrying a full set of Silver-Quality equipment for enchanting. He also asks Moxis to enchant his own Gold-Quality gear, overwhelming the normally unflappable mage.

Character Developments

• William: His reflections reveal his political pragmatism and growing determination to oppose destabilizing revolutionary movements. Though he once intended to remain neutral, level up, and observe the conflict from the sidelines, he now feels personally compelled to act. He also demonstrates his increasing wealth and military strength by equipping hundreds of elite guards with expensive gear.
• Goethe Nassis: He is portrayed as a charismatic but manipulative revolutionary. Rather than pursuing true equality, he uses popular anger, violence, and reform rhetoric to dismantle the old nobility and establish a new ruling class under his control.
• Moxis Saint Vein: His extraordinary talent is emphasized: he became an Epic-tier Archmage at a remarkably young age and may possess the potential of a God of Magic. Despite his immense abilities, he is eccentric, casual, and comically unprepared for William’s enormous enchanting request.
• The Elven Royal Guards: Their advancement to the Intermediate tier and acquisition of complete Silver-Quality sets show the rapid strengthening of William’s forces.

Significant Themes

• Freedom versus order: The chapter questions whether freedom has value when it leads to lawlessness, revenge, and mass suffering.
• Revolution and political manipulation: Goethe’s movement demonstrates how revolutionary ideals can be exploited to gain power rather than create genuine equality.
• The cyclical nature of power: Destroying the nobility does not eliminate hierarchy; it simply creates a new elite with different titles.
• Social change and timing: William believes systems should only be radically changed once they have become unsustainable. Premature reform can produce catastrophic instability.
• Idealism versus reality: The players’ modern notions of freedom clash with the realities of a violent world governed by personal strength and rigid social structures.

Character Interactions

• William’s memories contrast his own pragmatic worldview with Goethe’s revolutionary ideology.
• At the Divination House, Moxis ignores William while enthusiastically cuddling a black cat, creating a humorous introduction.
• William casually asks Moxis for help enchanting equipment, then surprises him by presenting five hundred armed Elven guards and additional personal equipment.
• Moxis responds with disbelief and mock exhaustion, highlighting the contrast between William’s extravagant demands and Moxis’s relaxed, eccentric personality.

Chapter Summary: “Equipment and Closed Beta”

Key Plot Points and Events

• William visits Moxis at the Divination House to enchant two complete sets of Gold-Quality equipment:
  • The defensive

Dawn Set

• The offensive, Thunder-focused

Thunder Set

• Moxis quickly enchants both sets despite being an Intermediate-Class Professional. William rewards him by promising to buy him a drink, while the Divination House becomes crowded with Elves.
• William equips and evaluates his upgraded arsenal:
  • The Dawn Set greatly increases defense and HP.
  • The Thunder Set dramatically boosts Thunder damage and grants the Chain Lightning effect.
  • His Dark-Gold weapons include the Thunder Sword, Lightning Bow, and Venomous Shortsword.
  • His Epic defensive inner armor, Love’s Blessing, is upgraded and gains stronger protection and healing abilities.
• With the new equipment, William’s HP exceeds 12,000, and his overall combat ability rises to the point that he can challenge nearly any Intermediate-Class Professional.
• Siya informs William that representatives from the Temple of Light, Dark Hall, and Mercenary Guild want their branch locations moved closer to the city center. William refuses unless they pay his extremely high land prices.
• William reflects on the cost of supporting Dawn City’s Mages, noting that funding their research requires substantial wealth.
• The chapter ends with the announcement that the 12-day closed beta of Gods has begun, signaling the arrival of Players and a major shift in the story.

Character Development

• William becomes significantly more powerful through his equipment upgrades. His confidence and arrogance increase as he recognizes that he now possesses the strength of a “boss” among Intermediate-Class Professionals.
• He also demonstrates his characteristic pragmatism and greed by setting exorbitant prices for central city land while providing free plots on the outskirts.
• William continues developing Dawn City as a military and magical power, investing heavily in equipment and Mage research.
• Moxis is shown to be highly efficient and indifferent, but willing to cooperate when given meaningful work and the prospect of a reward.
• Siya continues to serve as William’s messenger and administrative assistant. Her enthusiasm for the potential profits from land sales reveals both her innocence and her interest in funding magical research.
• Lotner, Odom Heavyhammer, and Alice Blackleaf are indirectly highlighted as master craftsmen responsible for William’s powerful equipment.

Significant Themes

• Power through wealth and resources: William’s strength comes not only from talent or level but from enormous investments in rare materials, crafting, enchanting, and research.
• Preparation for future conflict: The extensive equipment upgrades prepare William and his Elven forces for the coming arrival of Players and the broader dangers of the game world.
• Military specialization: The Dawn Set emphasizes survivability, while the Thunder Set focuses on destructive area damage, showing William’s strategic approach to different battlefields.
• City-building and economics: William treats Dawn City’s land, Mage funding, and faction relationships as parts of a larger political and financial strategy.
• The divide between NPCs and Players: William’s equipment now places him far above ordinary Players of the same level, establishing him as an unusually powerful NPC before the closed beta begins.

Character Interactions

• William and Moxis interact in a brisk, transactional manner. Moxis silently judges William’s extravagant wealth but completes the enchanting job without complaint.
• William and Siya discuss the demands of powerful neutral factions. William takes a firm, profit-oriented position, while Siya focuses on the potential revenue and how it could support magical research.
• William observes Siya’s appearance and personality with his usual irreverent attitude, while also acknowledging her exceptional magical talent.
• The chapter’s final major interaction is between William and the impending Player community: the closed-beta announcement introduces a new group that will soon challenge the balance of power in Dawn City.

Chapter Summary: “Game Closed Beta (Please Vote)”

Key Plot Points and Events

• William has lived in the Otherworld for six months and has fully adapted to life as an NPC, including having to perform ordinary bodily functions there despite originally being a Player.
• The game Gods launches a twelve-day partial-wipe Closed Beta, allowing 1,000 Players to enter at Level 10 with ten Gold Coins. They can immediately change classes and experience professional careers.
• William discovers that he cannot log out or switch accounts. As an NPC, he can only observe the game Forum and live streams without posting or interacting directly.
• He watches the popular Streamer Angry Little Fatty, who has spawned near Dawn City and begins broadcasting its walls and surroundings.
• Players become fascinated when they see that Dawn City’s guards are attractive female soldiers. The stream’s popularity surges after Little Fatty jokingly renames it “Fatty Streamer Stumbles into the Daughter Kingdom.”
• At the gate, two female guards stop Little Fatty and ask whether he has a residence permit, a pass, or refugee status. He honestly identifies himself as a refugee and chooses to join Dawn City as a Professional.
• A guard escorts him to the Class Change Hall, allowing viewers to enter Dawn City and explore it through the stream.
• William observes that Dawn City is dramatically cleaner, greener, and more advanced than ordinary cities in the game world. Its underground facilities, paved roads, public restrooms, greenery, and mixed population make it highly attractive to Players.

Character Developments

• William: His transformation from Player to NPC is reinforced. He is now detached from the game’s normal Player systems and can only watch events unfold. He remains amused and observant, recognizing how Players react to the world he helped build.
• Angry Little Fatty: He is established as an entertaining Streamer rather than a conventionally attractive Player. He demonstrates practical judgment by honestly admitting he is a refugee and choosing to join Dawn City. He also understands how to attract viewers by emphasizing the city’s female guards and changing his stream title.
• Dawn City’s guards: They are shown as disciplined and authoritative, questioning newcomers before allowing entry. Their attractiveness also unintentionally becomes a major source of Player interest.
• Dawn City: The city itself has developed considerably over six months, evolving from a border settlement into a clean, organized, multicultural city capable of impressing Players from a technologically advanced society.

Significant Themes

• The boundary between game and reality: William is technically part of the game world now, while Players experience it as entertainment. Their everyday needs, class choices, and social interactions blur the distinction between a game and a lived world.
• Player influence and observation: Although Closed Beta Players cannot alter the overall course of history, their presence, opinions, and broadcasts can significantly affect public attention and the reputation of locations.
• Modern civilization versus traditional society: Dawn City’s sanitation, infrastructure, greenery, and urban planning contrast sharply with the filthy, disorganized cities dominated by the noble social system.
• Marketing and public perception: Streamers and live commentary shape how Players view the world. Dawn City gains attention not only because of its practical advantages, but also because of the entertaining image created by Little Fatty’s broadcast.
• Progress and reform: Dawn City represents William’s successful development efforts, showing how organized planning and improved living conditions can transform a neglected settlement.

Character Interactions

• William interacts indirectly with Players by watching the Forum and Angry Little Fatty’s stream, but he cannot communicate with them.
• Angry Little Fatty interacts with Dawn City’s female guards, who question his status and intentions before permitting him entry.
• The Streamer interacts with his audience through commentary, while the audience responds through excited bullet comments, especially regarding the female guards and the city’s potential as a starting location.
• William humorously observes the Players’ reactions, particularly their fascination with attractive women, noting that “men understand men.”

Chapter Summary: “A Few Words”

Key Points and Events

• The author openly acknowledges borrowing ideas and stylistic elements from The Legendary Mechanic, especially:
  • The concept of “harvesting” players within an infinite-flow/game-world setting.
  • The use of forums and player interactions as part of the narrative.
• The author explains that stories about protagonists reborn as game bosses generally focus on either:
  1. Fighting players directly, or
  2. Exploiting and developing players for the protagonist’s benefit.
• Because direct combat would become repetitive as the protagonist grew stronger, the author chose the player-harvesting model.
• To distinguish the story, the author placed it in a lord-based fantasy world with multiple factions rather than having every player join the protagonist’s city.
• Player factional conflict is presented as an important source of future plot, with players potentially joining opposing sides out of loyalty, pride, or identity.
• The author contacted Pipi Jia, author of The Legendary Mechanic, admitted borrowing the approach, and received permission.
• Pipi Jia also provided a chapter recommendation, which significantly increased the book’s readership and helped its bookmarks exceed ten thousand.
• The author asks dissatisfied readers not to accuse the book of imitation but simply to stop reading or remove it from their libraries.
• The chapter ends with thanks to readers and provides a group number for readers interested in urging updates, while joking that membership does not guarantee extra chapters.

Character and Author Development

• Although no fictional characters meaningfully develop in this author’s note, the author presents himself as:
  • Self-aware about the book’s influences.
  • Grateful toward Pipi Jia for his support.
  • Determined to introduce original plot developments despite borrowing structural ideas.
  • Defensive but relatively candid in responding to accusations of plagiarism or imitation.

Significant Themes

• Influence versus plagiarism: The author distinguishes openly borrowing a storytelling framework from attempting to pass it off as entirely original.
• Innovation within familiar formulas: The story may use a player-harvesting premise, but its faction-based lord setting is intended to create new conflicts and possibilities.
• Factional identity and loyalty: Players are expected to remain loyal to chosen sides even when those factions lose, emphasizing pride and belonging over practical advantage.
• Reader choice and author gratitude: Readers are free to support or abandon the work, while the author emphasizes appreciation for those who helped it gain visibility.
• The role of community support: Recommendations, comments, bookmarks, and update groups are shown as important to an online novel’s success.

Character Interactions

• The central interaction is between the author and Pipi Jia:
  • The author asks permission to use the player-harvesting concept.
  • Pipi Jia agrees and later recommends the book.
  • The author responds with public gratitude.
• The author also addresses readers directly, responding to criticism, explaining the book’s inspirations, and asking uninterested readers to stop reading rather than attack the work.

Chapter Summary: “A Sure Profit, No Loss”

Key Plot Points and Events

• William refuses to approach the newly arrived players, choosing to preserve his dignity as a Legendary Boss and focus on the upcoming Plunder War.
• He orders Nock to mobilize 2,000 troops and marches out of Dawn City.
• Angry Little Fatty, having just changed into the dual-wielding Sword Warrior class, encounters William’s army while exploring the city.
• Using the player ability Insight, Little Fatty identifies William as a Legendary Half-Elf, a Dawn Guardian, and the Lord of Dawn City with an “Extremely Dangerous” threat level.
• Little Fatty shares William’s information through his livestream, causing viewers to become extremely excited. They encourage him either to attack William, test his strength, or increase William’s favorability to obtain benefits from him.
• William ignores the attention. The livestream instead focuses on the impressive 2,000-man army, especially the 500 Elven Royal Guards, whose equipment includes full sets of Silver armor and Gold-quality weapons.
• The army’s departure dramatically increases Little Fatty’s livestream audience to 90,000 viewers.
• Searching for new content and quests, Little Fatty discovers Dawn City’s casino, whose prizes include Blue, Silver, and even Epic-quality equipment. The grand prize is an Epic battle saber designed for Intermediate-Class professionals.
• Despite having only six Gold Coins left for food, equipment, and survival during the twelve-day trial, Little Fatty enters the casino after viewers pressure him to gamble.
• Because Battle Aura and Magic are prohibited inside, he cannot use combat abilities to influence the games.
• He chooses the cheaper Lucky Prize Wheel, costing one Gold Coin per spin, rather than the large wheel, which costs ten Gold Coins.
• After winning only Silver Coins several times, Little Fatty finally wins a Low-Class Silver longsword on his last spin.

Character Developments

• William demonstrates confidence, discipline, and strategic focus. He does not allow the players’ arrival to distract him from his military preparations or compromise his imposing reputation.
• Angry Little Fatty is established as curious, impulsive, and highly influenced by audience expectations. His desire to attract and retain viewers leads him into increasingly risky situations, including gambling away his limited funds.
• Little Fatty also shows growing awareness of Dawn City’s wealth and organization, particularly its elite army and unusually high-quality equipment.
• The casino waiter acts as a persuasive, sales-oriented NPC, encouraging Little Fatty to continue gambling by emphasizing the possibility of profit and valuable connections.

Significant Themes

• Appearance and reputation: William’s status as a Legendary Boss and the spectacular presentation of his army shape how players perceive Dawn City.
• Risk and greed: The casino embodies the temptation to turn a small investment into a large reward. Little Fatty’s excitement gradually overrides his financial caution.
• Player and NPC perspectives: Players view William and his army as potential sources of loot, quests, or opportunities, while William sees the players as distractions and remains focused on larger strategic goals.
• Wealth and military power: Dawn City’s superior equipment and elite troops suggest that its strength extends beyond William himself.
• Entertainment and opportunity: Little Fatty’s livestream turns exploration into a performance, with viewer interest influencing his decisions.

Character Interactions

• William gives Nock direct military orders, and Nock responds with immediate obedience.
• Little Fatty observes William from the street but does not directly speak with him.
• The livestream audience repeatedly urges Little Fatty to attack William, pursue his favor, or exploit the encounter for rewards.
• The casino waiter persuades Little Fatty to gamble by presenting the Lucky Prize Wheel as a low-risk, high-reward opportunity.
• Little Fatty’s actions are heavily shaped by the relationship between himself and his viewers, who demand exciting discoveries and profitable content.

Chapter Summary: “Which Faction Has Better Prospects?”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Little Fatty learns that Mithril is extremely valuable, while a low-class Silver weapon can sell for around 100 Gold Coins. However, his apparent casino windfall is revealed to be the result of the casino attendant secretly manipulating the game to attract a new customer.
• William leads 2,000 soldiers against the 3,000-member Minotaur Tribe, claiming the tribe has encroached on Dawn City’s territory. His real goal is to force the Minotaurs to mine Mithril for Dawn City.
• William’s influence continues expanding. He has conquered or subdued multiple nonhuman tribes while establishing friendly relations and trade with others, such as the 50,000-member Winged Folk Tribe.
• A thousand Players enter the world using temporary trial passes. Since they are treated as mysterious stowaways rather than Chosen Ones, some are attacked, captured, or experimented on by NPCs.
• Players’ ability to resurrect as white light shocks NPCs. This sparks a widespread manhunt, while some Warlocks and Mages attempt to study or exploit the Players. A few Players even endure experiments to gain attributes or Talents.
• Streamer Try and Bite Me analyzes the game’s progression system, observing that Players must balance character levels with Skill levels. He also realizes that the Steel Duchy and Blackrock Duchy are likely preparing for war.
• Since ordinary quest opportunities are rare, Players obtain work through the Mercenary Guild or faction-based assignments. Current quests mostly involve gathering pelts, ores, herbs, and recruiting craftsmen, but Players recognize these as preparations for a future war.
• Players debate whether to settle in Dawn City, with its superior living conditions and unique atmosphere, or in the larger Human Duchies, which offer more territory, quests, military opportunities, and room for guild expansion.

Character Developments

• William becomes increasingly ambitious and pragmatic. He presents his campaigns as defensive or diplomatic actions but openly uses military force to secure resources and expand Dawn City’s power.
• Little Fatty remains comically optimistic and greedy, believing he has become rich through gambling before the truth behind his winnings is revealed.
• Try and Bite Me demonstrates strong analytical ability. By studying quest patterns and recruitment notices, he correctly infers that a major factional war will likely become the Open Beta’s central storyline.
• The Players collectively begin shifting from casual exploration to strategic planning. They start considering faction loyalty, settlement locations, guild bases, and long-term political prospects.

Significant Themes

• Power and diplomacy: William’s statement that “weak nations have no diplomacy” reflects the chapter’s view that peaceful negotiation is often backed by military strength.
• Resource-driven expansion: Dawn City’s conquest of the Minotaurs is motivated less by territorial defense than by the desire to obtain Mithril and strengthen the city’s economy.
• The collision of game logic and reality: Players expect conventional quests, leveling systems, and predictable game structures, but the world behaves like a real society with limited quests, political consequences, and dangerous NPC reactions.
• The mystery of resurrection: Players’ immortality makes them objects of fear, fascination, and exploitation, emphasizing how alien they appear to the native inhabitants.
• Faction choice and future opportunity: The chapter begins framing a major strategic decision: Dawn City offers comfort, prosperity, and distinctive development, while the Human Duchies promise broader territory, war-related quests, and greater potential for large guilds.
• The coming Open Beta: The upcoming mass arrival of Players and the likely war between the two Duchies are presented as events that will transform the entire continent.

Important Character Interactions

• The casino attendant manipulates Little Fatty’s game to lure him and other customers into playing, illustrating the deceptive but ordinary nature of casino business.
• William and the Minotaurs are positioned in conflict: William offers diplomacy first, but the Minotaurs reject his demands, leading to military action.
• William’s interactions with other nonhuman tribes vary between conquest and cooperation, especially contrasting the hostile Minotaurs with the trade-friendly Winged Folk.
• Players and NPC nobles clash when nobles attempt to enslave or arrest them. Players’ resurrection causes the nobles to become fascinated and alarmed.
• Players and Mages/Warlocks interact through capture and experimentation, with some Players treating the danger as an unusual form of hidden quest.
• Try and Bite Me and the audience debate the value of Dawn City versus the Human Duchies. Casual Players favor Dawn City’s superior environment, while competitive guilds prefer the Duchies’ larger territories and coming war.

Chapter Summary: Dawn Mercenary Group (1)

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Mercenary Guild expands into Dawn City. Unlike the Holy Hall and Dark Hall, it is an intermediary organization that issues missions, collects profits, and maintains loose relationships with cities and factions rather than directly commanding mercenary groups.
• William immediately establishes the Dawn Mercenary Group under his own name, intending to bring every military or combat-capable force in the city under his supervision.
• Because William is Dawn City’s sole ruler and has overwhelming authority, no one dares form a competing mercenary group. Many independent-minded Warriors and Rangers reluctantly—or happily—join his organization instead.
• Alec, a Shadow Ranger with a hidden class, is appointed vice commander and handles the group’s actual management.
• The group quickly grows to around eight hundred members, mostly Novice-Class Professionals and a few Intermediate-Class Professionals.
• The mercenaries receive lower-risk tasks that the regular army cannot spare time for, such as gathering materials and hunting for pelts. This gives ordinary professionals a way to earn money while preserving more freedom than regular soldiers have.
• A group of thirteen trial-pass players, including Angry Little Fatty and Changli Jiugu, discusses whether to create their own guild. They conclude that they lack the money, knowledge, and local connections to compete and decide to join William’s group.
• At the Mercenary Guild, they meet a lethargic receptionist and a sleepy Dawn Mercenary Group guide named Pete, whose unprofessional attitude makes them suspect that the organization may not be as impressive in practice as its reputation suggests.

Character Developments

• William is portrayed as highly controlling and politically strategic. By founding the mercenary group himself, he prevents rival forces from developing and consolidates nearly all combat power in Dawn City.
• Alec gains an important administrative role, becoming the person truly responsible for managing the group despite William’s ownership.
• Angry Little Fatty demonstrates caution and practical judgment. He recognizes that the players are still inexperienced in the new world and advises them to learn first rather than pursue premature independence.
• Changli Jiugu acts as a rational voice among the players, emphasizing their lack of funds, knowledge, and connections.
• Pete is introduced as a lazy, possibly incompetent guide, creating a humorous contrast with the prestige of the group’s founder.
• The ordinary Rangers, Warriors, and trial players adapt to William’s system, choosing the safety and benefits of association with a powerful ruler over risky independence.

Significant Themes

• Centralization of power: William ensures that all organized combat forces remain under his authority, preventing potential rivals from emerging.
• Authority versus freedom: Mercenary work offers professionals more independence than military service, yet William’s group still places them within his wider political control.
• Pragmatism and adaptation: The players abandon their previous status and ambitions, recognizing that they are newcomers who must first understand the environment.
• Prestige and reputation: William’s status as a Legendary Boss makes his mercenary group attractive even before its practical benefits are known.
• Control disguised as opportunity: Joining the group appears voluntary and beneficial, but the lack of viable alternatives shows how thoroughly William has shaped Dawn City’s society.
• Humor through contrast: The grand reputation of a mercenary group founded by a legendary City Lord is undercut by its sleepy, apathetic staff.

Character Interactions

• The players collectively discuss William’s control over Dawn City, with Changli Jiugu criticizing his authoritarian tendencies while others note that such centralized rule is normal for a lord-controlled Neutral Faction.
• Angry Little Fatty and Changli Jiugu persuade the other trial players not to establish their own organization and instead join Dawn Mercenary Group.
• The players interact with the Mercenary Guild receptionist, who directs them toward Pete after being irritated by the Guild’s lack of involvement.
• Pete casually confirms that any professional can join, but his sleepy demeanor causes the players to question the quality and efficiency of the organization they are about to enter.

Chapter 70 Summary: “Web Benefits and War (2)”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Angry Little Fatty reveals the Dawn Mercenary Group’s extensive benefits during his livestream. The rewards include free uniforms and housing, cheap white equipment, a free blue-quality item, contribution-point rewards, discounted goods, half-price Lucky Wheel spins, rank-based privileges, access to Secret Manuals, and—most sensationally—wives provided by the commander.
• The benefits immediately attract the thirteen trial players and excite viewers. The livestream chat erupts into arguments between wealthy players boasting about spending and poorer players reacting with envy, greatly increasing the stream’s popularity.
• The new members join the mercenary group and receive major equipment upgrades. Most obtain low-class white armor and blue weapons, while Angry Little Pig keeps his valuable Silver Weapon and chooses blue armor instead.
• The players encounter Alec, the Dawn Mercenary Group’s Deputy Commander, and discover that he is an Epic-Class NPC. This revelation further raises Dawn City’s reputation, since the trial players have rarely encountered NPCs of such high rank.
• Changli Jiugu organizes the group to complete missions and investigate what the Dawn forces are doing. Their first mission is humorously mundane: bathing William’s pet bear.
• Meanwhile, William leads two thousand troops to the Minotaur Tribe. The Minotaurs refuse to surrender and assemble an army of fifteen hundred adult warriors.
• William arranges his army into a disciplined formation: Shield Warriors at the front, Magic Swordsmen in the center, Rangers behind them, Warriors protecting both flanks, mounted Elven archers scouting and harassing from outside, and the Elven Royal Guards held in reserve.
• Rather than attempting a complicated strategy, William relies on a steady, conventional advance. He demands that the Minotaurs submit or face war, while his army’s unified roar intimidates the opposing force.

Character Developments

• Angry Little Fatty demonstrates his talent as a streamer and marketer. He understands that arguments and excitement in the chat increase his popularity, so he encourages the spectacle rather than intervening.
• Angry Little Pig continues to enjoy showing off his Silver Weapon. His pride and smugness make the other players jealous, though they are restrained by the weapon’s limited twelve-day duration.
• Changli Jiugu establishes himself as the practical leader among the trial players. His professional-player experience gives him authority, and the others follow his decisions.
• Alec has changed significantly since leaving the Shadow Killer Organization. His new position as Deputy Commander allows him to live openly and has made him happier, more relaxed, and brighter in personality.
• William shows caution and responsibility as a commander. He is inexperienced in large-scale warfare but compensates by choosing a simple, stable formation and keeping his elite Royal Guards in reserve.

Significant Themes

• Rewards and player motivation: The Dawn Mercenary Group uses generous benefits to attract and retain players, combining practical advantages, status progression, rare equipment, and humorous incentives.
• Spectacle and commercialization: The livestream turns the mercenary group into an advertisement. Player arguments, equipment displays, and NPC revelations all generate publicity for Dawn City.
• Power and prestige: Silver weapons, Epic-Class NPCs, Legendary manuals, and high-ranking benefits create envy and establish Dawn City as an extraordinarily powerful faction.
• Order versus disorder: William’s organized army contrasts with the Minotaurs’ hastily assembled “miscellaneous troops,” emphasizing discipline, formation, and hierarchy.
• Humor amid conflict: The chapter juxtaposes serious military mobilization with comic moments involving livestream arguments, equipment envy, and the players’ eagerness to bathe a bear.

Character Interactions

• The livestream audience reacts enthusiastically to the benefits, especially the promise of wives and access to powerful Secret Manuals. Wealthy and poor players openly mock and challenge each other.
• Angry Little Pig’s display of his Silver Weapon provokes envy among the other trial players, who jokingly ask to touch it and resent his smug behavior.
• Changli Jiugu directs the players toward completing missions, while Angry Little Pig and the others treat even the bear-bathing task as an opportunity for crude humor.
• Alec briefly passes the newcomers without much interaction, but his presence and revealed status leave them stunned.
• William confronts the Minotaur army directly, offering surrender before ordering his troops to prepare for battle. His declaration—“Submit, or war!”—is echoed by the entire Dawn force.

Chapter Summary: “A Real Man’s Duel”

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• William leads a two-thousand-soldier Dawn Legion into Minotaur territory. The army’s overwhelming battle aura terrifies the small Minotaur tribe, whose warriors are clearly no match for a trained military force.
• The Minotaur leader, Fiu Lesse, steps forward to confront William and defend his people.
• William offers a challenge: if Fiu dies, the tribe will submit; if William dies, the army will withdraw.
• Fiu initially suggests a “real man’s duel,” making William believe they will fight bare-handed. However, Fiu repeatedly stops the battle and finally declares that a true man’s contest is arm wrestling.
• William immediately defeats Fiu. Although William uses little force, Fiu is blasted backward, pretends to be gravely injured, and dramatically declares that he has lost.
• Fiu then vows to fight to the death if William harms the tribe, winning the admiration and loyalty of the Minotaurs.
• Impressed by Fiu’s supposed courage and devotion, William accepts the tribe’s allegiance.
• The entire Minotaur Tribe kneels and pledges loyalty to William as a clan, retaining the option to leave Dawn City if William dies rather than becoming fully integrated into the city.

2. Character Developments

• William demonstrates his overwhelming strength and military authority, but also shows pragmatism by offering the Minotaurs a chance to submit without mass bloodshed. He is easily fooled by Fiu’s performance and interprets the Minotaur leader’s theatrical cowardice as bravery and honor.
• Fiu Lesse is revealed to be far more cunning and cowardly than his intimidating appearance suggests. Rather than risk a genuine fight, he invents an absurd arm-wrestling duel and deliberately exaggerates his defeat. His strategy allows him to protect his people, preserve a degree of independence, and secure their survival.
• The Minotaur Tribe shifts from fear and resistance to admiration for Fiu and submission to William. Their loyalty is based on Fiu’s apparent willingness to sacrifice himself for them.

3. Significant Themes

• Cunning versus brute strength: William possesses overwhelming power, but Fiu survives through deception and political maneuvering rather than combat.
• Leadership and sacrifice: Fiu’s performance convinces the tribe that he is willing to die for them, strengthening his authority even though his actions are motivated by self-preservation.
• Power and submission: William’s military dominance forces the Minotaurs to recognize that resistance is futile, while the clan arrangement allows them to submit without completely surrendering their independence.
• Appearance versus reality: Fiu appears to be a fearless warrior but is actually a skilled opportunist. William appears perceptive and powerful, yet completely misreads Fiu’s act.
• Humor and parody: The chapter satirizes heroic “men’s duels” by replacing a deadly battle with arm wrestling and turning Fiu’s exaggerated injury into a ridiculous but successful diplomatic maneuver.

4. Character Interactions

• William and Fiu engage in a tense verbal confrontation before agreeing to settle the matter through a duel.
• Fiu repeatedly interrupts William’s attempts to fight, manipulating the situation until William agrees to arm wrestling.
• After losing, Fiu dramatically presents himself as a wounded but honorable protector, while William is confused by the performance.
• William publicly praises Fiu’s courage and accepts the tribe’s allegiance, unknowingly validating Fiu’s deception.
• The Minotaurs respond emotionally to Fiu’s apparent sacrifice and collectively kneel before William, establishing the tribe’s new relationship with Dawn City.

Chapter Summary: “Actors”

Key Plot Points and Events

• William oversees the Minotaurs’ relocation to Rainbow Lake, the former Troll territory. Their leader, Fiu Lesse, submits to Dawn City after recognizing that resistance is no longer possible.
• The Minotaurs’ relocation is presented as both a practical necessity and a political strategy. Rainbow Lake has enough grassland, forest vegetation, and wildlife to support the tribe, while placing them closer to Dawn City prevents them from fleeing or becoming independent threats.
• Dawn City’s growing military reputation has spread throughout the southeastern region. Nearby tribes understand that William has already destroyed several hostile forces, while the Winged Folk have proactively allied with him.
• Fiu Lesse accepts that some Minotaurs will work as mine overseers, supervising Orc prisoners in Dawn City’s four active mines. In return, William promises to train the Minotaurs into a regular army, with Fiu Lesse serving as commander.
• A group of players barely survives an encounter with William’s three Frenzied Giant Bear pets. The bears, intended to be harmless pets, are actually elite- and boss-level magical beasts capable of killing level-10 players with ease.
• After regrouping, the players discuss the difference between ordinary NPCs, elite creatures, and magical beasts. They conclude that Dawn City’s visible forces are already extremely formidable.
• Changli Jiugu proposes investigating Dawn City’s hidden strengths and determining whether it would be an ideal base for future player development. The players scatter through the city to search for hidden quests, resources, and advantages.

Character Developments

• William continues consolidating Dawn City’s power through both conquest and incorporation. He uses his intimidating reputation and the city’s military strength to force surrounding tribes into submission while offering them useful positions within his system.
• Fiu Lesse shifts from a reluctant tribal leader to a loyal subordinate. Though he understands that the Minotaurs will ultimately serve William, he is pleased by the opportunity to command a trained army and views the arrangement as personally advantageous.
• Changli Jiugu is established as an observant, strategic player with a strong interest in lore and long-term development. Rather than focusing only on immediate rewards, he recognizes Dawn City’s hidden potential and considers its importance to professional players and guilds.
• Angry Little Fatty and the other players gain a clearer understanding of the dangers posed by Dawn City’s magical beasts. Their experience makes them more cautious but also more interested in exploring the city’s secrets.

Significant Themes

• Power and submission: Dawn City’s military victories make resistance increasingly pointless, leading neighboring tribes to submit or seek alliances.
• Political integration: William does not merely destroy enemies; he relocates, employs, and reorganizes conquered peoples into productive parts of Dawn City’s growing state.
• Hidden strength versus visible power: The players realize that Dawn City’s known forces—such as its bears, mines, and army—may represent only a fraction of its true capabilities.
• Strategic development: The chapter emphasizes that long-term positioning, access to hidden quests, and choosing the right base may matter more to players than immediate experience or equipment.
• Appearance and reality: William’s supernatural handsomeness and the bears’ misleading “pet” status contrast with their real influence and danger, reinforcing the idea that surface appearances can be deceptive.

Character Interactions

• William warmly pats Fiu Lesse’s shoulder and praises his future, while Fiu Lesse responds with exaggerated respect, openly acknowledging William’s superiority.
• William’s promise to train the Minotaurs creates a mutually beneficial relationship: Fiu Lesse gains status and command, while Dawn City gains loyal soldiers.
• The players exchange observations about the giant bears’ strength and their own narrow escape, turning the encounter into a discussion about the game’s power hierarchy.
• Changli Jiugu persuades the other players to stop thinking only about leveling and loot. His reasoning convinces them to investigate Dawn City as a potential long-term center of power.

Chapter Summary: “Every Kind of Sycophant”

Key Plot Points and Events

• William returns to Dawn City after securing the Minotaur Tribe’s allegiance. He sends Nock and a thousand soldiers to supervise the tribe’s relocation while bringing Fiu Lesse and the rest of his forces home.
• The returning army impresses the observing players, especially Changli Jiugu, who discovers that William’s elven soldiers include many Elite, leader-tier, and even Grandmaster-class NPCs. He also notices an Epic-class Minotaur warrior.
• Fiu Lesse repeatedly praises William and Dawn City. Amused and pleased by the Minotaur’s flattery, William rewards him with custom Silver equipment and a Gold weapon.
• Changli Jiugu and Angry Little Fatty decide to approach William directly in hopes of increasing their favorability with him. They deliberately step into the army’s path, angering civilians and soldiers.
• Changli Jiugu uses an exaggerated display of remorse and offers to cut off his own arm as punishment for obstructing the army. William stops him and learns that the two are mercenaries serving under his command.
• Rather than punish them severely, William orders them to accompany him into the mountains the following day, giving them a chance to prove themselves.
• William’s triumphant military processions continue to strengthen public morale. His citizens increasingly view him as a near-religious figure because of the safety, wealth, food, and benefits he provides.
• William deliberately withholds favorability increases from the two players, recognizing that rewarding such disruptive behavior could encourage others to imitate them. However, he plans to use their fame to attract more players to Dawn City.

Character Developments

• William: Demonstrates both caution and political cleverness. He enjoys praise but does not reward it blindly, and he carefully manages the players’ behavior and public image. He recognizes Changli Jiugu and Angry Little Fatty as valuable publicity tools.
• Fiu Lesse: Establishes himself as an enthusiastic and shameless flatterer. His obedience and praise earn him valuable equipment and reinforce his loyalty to William.
• Changli Jiugu: Shows boldness, social manipulation, and deep knowledge of player-NPC systems. He is willing to take a major risk to gain William’s attention and uses theatrical self-punishment to turn a mistake into an opportunity.
• Angry Little Fatty: Follows Changli Jiugu’s plan despite his reservations. His surprise at Changli’s extreme flattery highlights their contrasting personalities, though he is equally eager to benefit from William’s favor.
• Dawn City’s citizens: Their admiration for William continues to grow, reflecting the success of his governance and propaganda through public military processions.

Significant Themes

• The power of flattery and sycophancy: Praise can produce real rewards, even from powerful rulers, but only when combined with usefulness and judgment.
• Favorability and social manipulation: The players treat relationships with NPCs as systems that can be exploited, while William is aware of these mechanics and manipulates them in return.
• Power and reputation: William’s military strength and public displays of victory enhance both civilian loyalty and his influence over players.
• Calculated leadership: William balances generosity with discipline, rewarding loyalty while preventing disruptive behavior from becoming a precedent.
• Player and NPC role reversal: Although players usually view NPCs as game elements, William understands their motivations and strategically uses famous players as tools for expanding his influence.

Important Character Interactions

• Fiu Lesse flatters William throughout the return journey, leading William to reward him with high-quality equipment.
• Changli Jiugu and Angry Little Fatty discuss how to gain William’s favor and decide to interrupt the victorious procession.
• Changli theatrically apologizes and offers self-mutilation, prompting William to spare them and assign them a future mission instead.
• William privately evaluates the two players, deciding not to increase their favorability yet while still exploiting their fame to attract additional players to Dawn City.

Chapter Summary: “Digging Deep into the Backstory”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Angry Little Pig begins an early livestream featuring himself and Changli Jiugu accompanying the Legendary City Lord William on a mission.
• Viewers speculate humorously that the two players gained William’s favor through bribery or “bootlicking.” Changli Jiugu is embarrassed because he is genuinely famous for cultivating NPC relationships through gifts and flattery.
• William arrives at the city gate wearing impressive armor and carrying two powerful weapons. His companions, Executive Lotner and Deputy City Lord Odom Heavyhammer, are revealed to be Epic-Class figures, causing the livestream audience to become even more excited about Dawn City.
• William leads the players into the mountains, bypassing the mine and heading toward Rainbow Lake, partly to display Dawn City’s development.
• The lake has become an economic resource, with a new dock and more than twenty fishing boats operating there, although fish remain too expensive for ordinary citizens.
• While walking, William discusses Dawn City’s trade with Blue Moon Town and asks about the princess connected to it. Odom accidentally addresses William as “Your Highness” before correcting himself, revealing that William may possess a royal background.
• The livestream audience and players begin speculating that William is a hidden prince, has a connection to a princess, and may be central to the game’s future main storyline.
• Online discussions about William expand, cataloging his known forces, abilities, subordinates, and possible hidden identity. Players increasingly conclude that joining Dawn City and currying William’s favor may be strategically valuable.

Character Developments

• Changli Jiugu: His reputation as an expert NPC flatterer is exposed to the audience. Though humiliated by the teasing, he remains determined to protect his techniques and continue benefiting from his social skill.
• Angry Little Pig: His livestream gains enormous popularity because of William’s presence and the revelations surrounding Dawn City. He recognizes that William may be a major “version protagonist” or central figure in the game’s unfolding plot.
• William: He is portrayed as confident, powerful, and somewhat vain, intentionally taking the players on a scenic route to show off Dawn City’s prosperity. His comments about inheritance and his lack of interest in descendants reveal his belief that personal strength, rather than bloodline, determines authority.
• Odom Heavyhammer: He functions as a loyal administrator and logistics official, reporting on trade and fishing development. His accidental use of “Your Highness” exposes information William appears to prefer keeping hidden.
• Lotner: Though he has little dialogue, his presence emphasizes Dawn City’s concentration of high-level NPCs and military power.

Significant Themes

• Player–NPC relationships: The chapter humorously explores how players adapt their behavior toward increasingly intelligent NPCs. Traditional gift-giving and flattery have evolved into sophisticated strategies for gaining favor.
• Power and political systems: William explains the difference between the lord system and the noble system. A lord’s territory depends heavily on the lord’s personal strength and authority, while noble territories possess more independent structures of loyalty and inheritance.
• Strength as legitimacy: In the lord system, political stability depends on the ruler’s individual power. William’s own rise and control of Border Town required overwhelming strength and loyal forces.
• World-building and foreshadowing: Trade, fishing, administration, military organization, and royal connections reveal Dawn City’s growing importance. William’s possible royal identity hints that he will play a major role in future main quests.
• Fame and speculation: Livestreams, bullet comments, and online forums turn William into a celebrity and encourage players to interpret his background as though they are uncovering a hidden storyline.

Character Interactions

• The livestream viewers mock Changli Jiugu and Angry Little Pig while debating how they earned William’s favor.
• Changli Jiugu silently reacts with embarrassment to the accusations, while Pig benefits from the increased attention.
• William acknowledges the two players but remains distant, leading them through the mountains without explaining much.
• William consults Odom about trade with Blue Moon Town and the behavior of its princess, revealing his personal concern for her.
• Odom’s slip—calling William “Your Highness”—creates excitement among the players and viewers, who immediately connect it to the princess and a possible royal past.
• The wider player community debates William’s future importance, with some praising him, others mocking the bootlickers surrounding him, and many deciding that joining Dawn City is the safest way to benefit from his likely central role.

Chapter Summary: “Closed Beta Ends, Ambition”

Key Plot Points and Events

• William travels from Dawn City to Rainbow Lake with two soldiers and the players Changli Jiugu and Angry Little Pig. The repaired mountain roads and removal of nearby threats have made travel safe enough for civilians and fishermen.
• Rainbow Lake is developing rapidly. Boats operate on the lake, wooden homes are being built, and the relocated Minotaur tribe is establishing a new settlement. Fiu Lesse is absent because he is obsessively having equipment forged, including gold-plated horns.
• Rainbow Dock has a fifty-man garrison. William privately questions the young captain about his investigation, while the two players remain outside.
• William’s senior subordinates, Odom and Lotner, discuss the players. Odom confirms that they possess “Undying” bodies after witnessing them repeatedly die and revive.
• Across the continent, the trial-card players are beginning to attract NPC attention, though their presence remains limited to beginner areas. The chapter explains that once Open Beta begins, millions of players will arrive and a divine revelation will identify them as the Chosen Ones.
• Players investigate the game world, discovering its factions, ranks, classes, and combat systems. Legendary and Epic-Class NPCs are extremely rare, while Dawn City appears unusually powerful because so many strong figures are concentrated in one small territory.
• Players also learn that combat is difficult: attacks cannot be locked on, NPCs are highly capable, and striking an enemy’s head may be the only reliable way to inflict a fatal blow. This appeals to hardcore players but frustrates casual ones.
• The possibility of dual classes, racial specializations, and learning skills from other classes renews player interest by suggesting enormous freedom in character development.
• After twelve days, the closed-beta players log off, the forums shut down, and William loses his main source of information about them. With this limitation removed, his ambition grows, and he turns his attention toward the southern coast and the Ten-Thousand-Meter Snow Peak.

Character Developments

• William continues expanding Dawn City and building a stronger territorial base. His actions reveal increasing ambition and a desire to move beyond local development toward larger regional goals.
• Odom has accepted the reality of the Undying players but remains suspicious of them. He outwardly treats them seriously while privately viewing them as strange, immortal lackeys.
• Lotner is cautious about the players and initially worries that William may have been misled, but William’s accomplishments have convinced him that his lord is acting rationally.
• Changli Jiugu and Angry Little Pig gain limited favorability with William after accompanying him, but they are still kept at a distance from important political discussions.
• Fiu Lesse is portrayed humorously as neglecting his tribe while pursuing elaborate personal equipment.
• The broader NPC population is positioned to become increasingly dependent on the players, despite widespread distrust of their reckless behavior and unnatural immortality.

Significant Themes

• Ambition and expansion: William’s development of Dawn City is only the beginning; the chapter ends by showing his sights shifting toward much larger territories.
• The tension between trust and usefulness: NPCs fear and distrust the players, but their immortality and rapid growth make them valuable tools and potential weapons.
• Immortality as alienation: The players’ ability to revive distinguishes them fundamentally from ordinary inhabitants, making them seem almost inhuman to NPCs.
• Hardcore versus accessible gameplay: The chapter highlights the game’s difficult combat mechanics, separating dedicated players from casual ones while emphasizing skill, experimentation, and preparation.
• Limitless potential: Dual classes, cross-class skills, and racial abilities suggest that player growth and combat styles have few restrictions.
• The widening gap between players and NPCs: As the closed beta ends, NPCs lose direct information about the players, while William must act with less certainty and greater independence.

Important Character Interactions

• William questions the Rainbow Dock captain privately, keeping sensitive information away from the players.
• Changli Jiugu and Angry Little Pig recognize William’s authority and ambition, choosing not to intrude on the private meeting.
• Odom and Lotner discuss whether the players can be trusted and assess the danger posed by their Undying bodies.
• Odom explains to Lotner how he tested the players by having Big Bear kill them repeatedly, confirming that they revive after death.
• William grants both players a small increase in favorability before separating from them, maintaining a cautious but potentially useful relationship.

Chapter Summary: “The Development Direction for the Next Half Year”

Key Plot Points and Events

• William recognizes that Dawn City’s main weakness is not his personal combat power but its lack of influence, population, territory, resources, and military strength.
• Dawn City has only about 60,000 inhabitants and roughly 5,600 total soldiers, making it incapable of resisting the much larger Human Duchies if war breaks out.
• Intelligence reveals that the Steel Duchy and Blackrock Duchy are likely to enter a full-scale war within six months. Dawn City may be forced to choose a side and suffer regardless of its decision.
• Steel Duchy spies have infiltrated Dawn City, exposing weaknesses in the city’s security.
• William presents two possible development strategies:
  1. Build a small but elite force.
  2. Expand the population and military on a large scale.
• Since Dawn City lacks the resources and food to support mass militarization, William chooses a different solution: expand southward toward the coast and develop seafaring, fishing, and overseas exploration.
• He reveals that his father’s old map marks a resource-rich island several hundred nautical miles south of Dawn City.
• The city will begin constructing a mountain road from Rainbow Lake to the coast and will prioritize shipbuilding.
• Because Dawn City lacks shipbuilding expertise, William orders Lotner to accompany him to Dark Night City and obtain shipbuilding blueprints or recruit a master shipbuilder—even through theft, kidnapping, or robbery if necessary.
• This mission also implies William intends to restore relations with the powerful Elven city of Dark Night City.

Character Developments

• William: Demonstrates strategic foresight and growing political maturity. He understands that authority requires both strength and the ability to win loyalty through fair rewards and punishments. He also shows boldness by proposing maritime expansion and planning a risky visit to Dark Night City.
• Alec: Proves the value of the intelligence network William ordered him to establish. He uncovers the impending war and the presence of Steel Duchy spies, strengthening his position as an important advisor.
• Odom: Accepts responsibility for the security failure. William punishes him mildly by deducting three months’ wages but allows him to focus on population management, showing William’s balanced leadership. Odom’s playful rivalry with Alec also reveals his confidence in William’s favor.
• Lotner: Becomes anxious when assigned the dangerous mission to Dark Night City. His reluctance highlights both his fear of the Elven capital and the difficulty of William’s ambitions.
• The other officials: Lotner, Odom, Alec, and Eric are initially stunned by William’s plan to develop the sea, revealing that maritime expansion is completely unfamiliar to Dawn City.

Significant Themes

• Influence versus individual strength: William realizes that personal power alone cannot protect Dawn City; a ruler also needs population, resources, military force, and political influence.
• Strategic development under pressure: The coming war forces Dawn City to pursue unconventional growth rather than follow a traditional military path.
• Balancing authority with loyalty: William combines punishment, mercy, rewards, and personal relationships to maintain control and earn the devotion of his officials.
• Expansion and exploration: The sea represents a new frontier that may provide food, resources, and strategic opportunities unavailable on land.
• Risk and ambition: William’s willingness to approach Dark Night City—and potentially steal or kidnap for shipbuilding knowledge—shows his readiness to take dangerous measures to secure Dawn City’s future.

Character Interactions

• Alec reports the intelligence about the coming war and infiltrating spies, indirectly criticizing Odom’s failure to detect them.
• Odom immediately accepts blame, while William responds with a measured punishment and a new responsibility, reinforcing his role as a fair but authoritative ruler.
• Odom then smugly reminds Alec of his privileged relationship with William, creating a humorous rivalry between the two officials.
• William’s announcement of maritime expansion surprises all four senior officials, who are uncertain how Dawn City could develop the sea.
• When William assigns Lotner the mission to acquire shipbuilding knowledge from Dark Night City, Lotner is visibly distressed, while the others realize that William is attempting to rebuild ties with the Elven kingdom.

Chapter Summary: “Simps Always Have Their Reasons”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Under the light of three rare blue moons, Dawn City celebrates with music, dancing, drinking, and festivities.
• William watches the celebration from a pavilion over the Rainbow River, reflecting on his city and its growing prosperity.
• Lotner informs William that Princess Alice’s father, the Black Leaf King, has forbidden her from seeing William or giving him any further assistance. This effectively cancels William’s planned visit to Dark Night City.
• William initially considers the political and personal implications of being rejected by his elven relatives, but quickly turns his attention to a more urgent goal: acquiring shipbuilding blueprints.
• He reasons that the Moonlight Elves may possess advanced shipbuilding knowledge because they live on a large island surrounded by a vast lake and retain ancient technological legacies.
• William decides to pursue Princess Angel, the Moonlight Elf princess, as his route to obtaining the blueprints. Since her favorability toward him is only 30, he plans to increase it through gifts and flattery.
• Knowing that Angel values glittering treasures such as mithril, gold essence, and gemstones, William resolves to discover a new mineral vein and use its resources to win her favor.

Character Developments

• William: Demonstrates emotional restraint and political maturity after learning that his mother has been cut off from him. Rather than falling into despair, he immediately begins searching for an alternative solution. His determination to maintain his dignity as a lord leads him to pursue increasingly unconventional methods, including deliberately “simping” for Princess Angel.
• Lotner: Shows concern for William’s emotional well-being and regrets not revealing the truth sooner. He views William as both a young man and someone vulnerable to the pain of family rejection.
• Princess Alice: Although absent, she becomes a central emotional figure through the revelation that she has been forbidden from contacting William or supporting him.
• Princess Angel: Is characterized as a difficult-to-please, tsundere-like princess who enjoys valuable, shiny possessions. Her preferences become the foundation of William’s next strategy.
• The Black Leaf King: Appears harsh and politically motivated, cutting off Alice’s relationship with William despite their familial connection.

Significant Themes

• Family rejection and emotional inheritance: William feels obligated to preserve his connection to his unfamiliar mother because he has inherited her emotional ties along with her identity, even though their relationship is complicated.
• Adaptability and determination: William refuses to let a blocked political route stop his plans. He searches for alternatives and treats setbacks as problems to solve rather than reasons to surrender.
• Political maneuvering and diplomacy: Personal relationships, gifts, and favorability are treated as important tools for securing technology and alliances.
• Power, status, and dignity: William worries that failing to obtain shipbuilding knowledge will damage his authority in the eyes of his subordinates. His pride forces him to follow through on his promises.
• Humor through self-awareness: William recognizes the absurdity of becoming a “simp,” but rationalizes it by noting that he is uniquely qualified to pursue the princess and that his actions serve a strategic purpose.
• Long-term development: His interest in shipbuilding reflects his awareness that maritime expansion will be crucial to Dawn City’s future.

Character Interactions

• William and Lotner have a brief but emotionally significant exchange. Lotner delivers the painful news about Alice, while William responds coldly at first and then dismisses him so he can think privately.
• William’s relationship with Princess Alice is explored indirectly through the restrictions imposed by the Black Leaf King.
• William plans to cultivate a closer relationship with Princess Angel by exploiting her love of precious and beautiful objects. He intends to use a newly discovered mineral resource as a gift to rapidly increase her favorability.
• The chapter also highlights William’s relationship with his citizens: he observes them celebrating freely and takes quiet satisfaction in the beauty and prosperity of the city he has built.

Chapter Summary: “Mana Crystals”

Key Plot Points and Events

• William delays the group’s departure to Dark Night City by seven days, claiming they need time to prepare suitable gifts.
• He leads his subordinates into a hidden, mist-covered valley east of Dawn City and orders the Elven Royal Guards to dig.
• The excavation uncovers a mana crystal vein, an extremely rare and powerful magical resource.
• Mana crystals are revealed to be the key material used to create weapons such as mana cannons, Magic airships, and the Winged Folk’s Sky City. Because of their destructive potential, they are compared to nuclear weapons.
• William decides not to mine the vein extensively. Since Dawn City lacks the technology, craftsmen, and magical expertise to use mana crystals effectively, he plans to use a small amount as diplomatic gifts—especially for Princess Annie.
• He orders Odom to supervise the excavation and commands the group to restore the site within seven days so the vein’s existence remains secret.
• After William expresses his trust in everyone present, Odom privately asks to speak with him, hinting that he is finally ready to reveal something important about his identity and ambitions.

Character Developments

• William demonstrates confidence, strategic thinking, and a willingness to trust his closest followers. He understands the political value of mana crystals but remains cautious about exposing or exploiting the vein.
• Eric is initially thrilled and worried by the discovery, but William’s words of trust greatly increase his loyalty.
• Lotner immediately focuses on concealing the discovery and preventing the secret from leaking, showing his practicality and protectiveness toward Dawn City.
• Odom is deeply affected by William’s trust. His loyalty rises dramatically, and he becomes more willing to discuss his true identity and possible desire to reclaim the lost Lonely Mountain Empire.
• Alec is already fanatically loyal, while the Elven Royal Guards are shown to be highly devoted to William.

Significant Themes

• Trust and loyalty: William strengthens his relationships by sharing a dangerous secret and openly affirming his faith in his subordinates.
• Power and restraint: Although mana crystals could transform Dawn City’s military strength, William recognizes that possessing such power without the means to control it could invite disaster.
• Secrecy and political danger: The vein must remain hidden because rival factions would resort to extreme measures to obtain it.
• Leadership and emotional intelligence: William uses reassurance and personal trust to inspire greater loyalty, proving that leadership depends not only on power but also on how followers are treated.
• Buried identities and ambitions: Odom’s private request suggests that long-suppressed truths about his royal heritage and dreams of restoring the Dwarf Empire will soon come to light.

Character Interactions

• William’s calm confidence contrasts with the alarm of Eric, Lotner, and the others after the mana crystals are uncovered.
• He reassures the group that they are trusted family and friends, emotionally strengthening his bond with them.
• Odom responds intensely to this trust, swearing his devotion and later requesting a private conversation with William.
• William assigns Odom responsibility for protecting and managing the excavation, signaling his confidence in Odom despite the dwarf’s relatively lower initial loyalty.

Chapter Summary: A Transmigrator’s Monologue

Key Plot Points and Events

• Seven days after Odom revealed his true identity, William accepted him rather than condemning him. William promised to help restore Odom’s lost country if the opportunity arose, despite Dawn City currently lacking the power to do so.
• Odom was deeply moved by William’s sincerity and swore to serve him until death. Their relationship strengthened, surprising the companions who witnessed their renewed bond.
• Back in Dawn City, the second planting season began. Because the region had an unusually long warm season, three harvests per year were possible, though William avoided exhausting the soil.
• William introduced the use of human waste as fertilizer, disguising the idea as advice from a Mage so that no one would connect the agricultural improvement to his modern-world knowledge.
• Traveling west alone, William was caught in heavy rain and took shelter beneath trees. He reflected on the danger of revealing knowledge that belonged to his original world, especially because future players might investigate Dawn City’s history.
• The rain damaged the road, making travel difficult. William continued onward, contemplating his precarious position as a transmigrated player living inside an NPC identity.
• After a difficult day of travel, William reached Blue Moon Town. Before entering, he washed himself in a lake to remove the mud and restore the appearance-enhancing effects of his equipment, then entered town in a carefully cultivated, confident manner.

Character Developments

• William: His relationship with Odom becomes more trusting and mutually loyal. Internally, he reveals significant fear and insecurity beneath his public confidence. He knows he must become powerful to survive dragons, gods, demons, the Dark Invasion, and political conflict, while also hiding his transmigrator identity.
• William consciously maintains two contrasting personas: he “grovels” when he needs protection and “swagger[s]” to inspire loyalty and project authority. He also recognizes that optimism, self-created confidence, and a strong mental foundation are necessary for survival.
• His humor and vanity remain prominent. Even while dealing with grave dangers, he jokes about being a “bootlicker,” worries about luck, and admires his own improved appearance.
• Odom: His full confession and William’s acceptance deepen his devotion. He shifts from a companion with a hidden past into a committed subordinate willing to dedicate his life to William.
• Dawn City’s people: Their farming practices and living conditions are changing under William’s unconventional policies, even though they do not understand the true source of his ideas.

Significant Themes

• Identity and secrecy: William must conceal that he is a player from another world. His knowledge is valuable but dangerous, since discovery could lead to imprisonment, torture, or experimentation.
• Power and survival: The chapter emphasizes that strength is the only reliable path to controlling one’s fate in a world threatened by supernatural and political forces.
• Public image versus inner reality: William’s lordly confidence is partly an act constructed to reassure followers, while internally he is lonely, cautious, and afraid of death.
• Adaptation and practical innovation: Modern knowledge can improve life, as shown by the fertilizer and agricultural reforms, but it must be introduced carefully to avoid suspicion.
• Loyalty and trust: William’s acceptance of Odom’s identity creates a stronger bond, showing how compassion and shared purpose can inspire absolute loyalty.
• Self-invention: William deliberately builds a persona and uses it as psychological support, turning performance and self-belief into tools for endurance.

Character Interactions

• William and Odom share the chapter’s most important interaction: Odom confesses his identity, William promises future assistance, and Odom responds with an oath of lifelong service.
• Their strengthened relationship astonishes the surrounding companions, who recognize that something significant has changed between them.
• William indirectly interacts with Dawn City’s farmers and commoners through his agricultural policies. Though they distrust the fertilizer at first, they obey because of his authority.
• William’s relationship with his subjects is therefore shaped by both trust and hierarchy: he improves their lives, but often hides the true reasons behind his decisions.

Chapter Summary: A Smile All Men Understood

Key Plot Points and Events

• William travels through the beautiful Elven settlement of Blue Moon Town while planning how to gain Princess Annie’s favor quickly and obtain a shipbuilding blueprint.
• He encounters Aliya Xiwu, a young Elf girl he met previously. Using Insight, William realizes that she is destined to become the legendary Dawn Archer known as the Child of Dawn.
• William gives Aliya a piece of human candy to establish goodwill. She quickly recognizes that he is an Elven royal because of the Blackleaf surname and correctly guesses that he has come to court Princess Annie.
• Aliya informs William that another prince, Tyler Blackleaf, arrived the previous day and is already pursuing Annie, creating a romantic “rivalry” from the outside.
• William reaches the Moon Tree, where Tyler is openly showering Annie with exaggerated declarations of love. Annie repeatedly rejects him and finally angrily tells him to shut up.
• William is allowed past the guards and deliberately gives Tyler a knowing smile, signaling that he intends to compete with him for Annie’s attention.

Character Developments

• William demonstrates his strategic and opportunistic nature. Although he claims his goal is merely to gain favor and acquire a shipbuilding blueprint, he begins cultivating relationships and manipulating circumstances to improve his chances.
• William also shows unusual foresight by recognizing Aliya’s future importance. His friendly treatment of her may help him secure a valuable ally long before she becomes famous.
• Aliya Xiwu is portrayed as intelligent, perceptive, playful, and socially observant. Despite her young age and initial shyness, she quickly identifies William’s royal background and understands the romantic competition surrounding Princess Annie.
• Tyler Blackleaf, the Elven King’s youngest son, is introduced as William’s apparent rival. He is persistent and confident in his own attractiveness, but his overly dramatic courtship annoys Annie and makes him appear somewhat foolish.
• Princess Annie is characterized as independent and impatient with unwanted advances. Her repeated rejection of Tyler establishes that persistence alone will not win her affection.

Significant Themes

• Courtship as strategy: Romance is presented partly as a contest involving status, timing, charm, and social maneuvering.
• Foresight and destiny: William’s knowledge of future events allows him to recognize Aliya’s legendary potential before anyone else appreciates her significance.
• The contrast between Elves and humans: Elven society is depicted as relaxed and long-lived, allowing children extensive freedom and giving individuals centuries to develop their talents.
• Comedy through misunderstanding: William insists that he is not truly courting Annie, while everyone around him—including Aliya and Tyler—interprets his actions as romantic competition.
• Rivalry and male recognition: William’s knowing smile at Tyler communicates an entire challenge without words, emphasizing the unspoken understanding between competing men.

Character Interactions

• William and Aliya establish a tentative but favorable relationship through candy, teasing, and mutual curiosity.
• Aliya playfully warns William about Tyler and encourages him to defeat his rival.
• Tyler’s exaggerated declarations of love provoke Annie’s irritation and showcase the mismatch between his romantic style and her preferences.
• William and Tyler exchange no direct confrontation yet, but William’s smile at the end clearly announces the beginning of their rivalry.