Chapter Summaries

Summary of “Os’s Guess”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xia Hua spends the day secretly imitating Nameless, believing that copying his behavior might somehow make him have children with her. She soon discovers that his ordinary habits—resting, drinking, eating, admiring scenery, and smelling flowers—are more tiring and puzzling than expected.
• The next morning, Xia Hua wakes to find Nameless gone. She searches in the wrong direction, unaware that he has gone hunting on the opposite side of the tribes’ approach paths. Nameless later returns with a basket of monster meat.
• When Xia Hua asks if he is all right, Nameless gives her meat. Delighted, she follows him closely, further reinforcing the impression that they are a couple.
• The merged tribes encounter another tribe. Rather than fight, Nameless mediates, and the three groups unite.
• Nameless discovers another trial participant among the newcomers. The man, Os, has lost an eye, suffered severe internal injuries, and been stripped of his warrior status. Nameless also infers that another monster is following the tribe, confirming his theory that each tribe contains trial participants and an accompanying monster.
• Os secretly observes the merged groups, trying to identify other trial participants. He believes this stage requires participants to survive both monster attacks and possible attacks from rival participants, all while restricted to their Flesh Bodies.
• Os initially suspects several people, including Nameless, but dismisses Nameless because he appears completely indistinguishable from a savage. Nameless’s raw-meat eating, natural behavior, and apparent relationship with Xia Hua convince Os that he cannot be a cultivator.
• Os eventually wonders whether the other trial participants may already have died and considers abandoning his disguise. Before he can decide, the group encounters yet another tribe.

Character Developments

• Nameless: Continues behaving naturally and blending into the savage tribes. His observations and deductions about the trial’s structure are repeatedly confirmed. He also demonstrates practical leadership by mediating between tribes and ensuring access to food.
• Xia Hua: Becomes increasingly attached to Nameless. Her imitation of him shifts into openly following him, and she is thrilled by even minor attention, such as receiving a piece of meat.
• Os: Reveals himself as a cautious, injured trial participant. Though physically weakened, he remains analytical and alert, carefully searching for rivals while concealing his own identity and vulnerability. His assumptions about what a cultivator would or would not do lead him to misjudge Nameless.
• The other tribes: Their willingness to merge under Nameless’s mediation emphasizes the importance of cooperation and numerical strength in the dangerous trial environment.

Significant Themes

• Appearance versus reality: Nameless looks and acts like a savage despite being a trial participant, while Os’s expectations prevent him from recognizing the truth.
• Misjudgment and projection: Os assumes other participants will think and behave as he would, but this causes him to overlook Nameless. His contempt for Xia Hua also reinforces his mistaken conclusion.
• Adaptation and survival: Participants must abandon their former powers and rely on physical endurance, caution, cooperation, food gathering, and deception.
• Human attachment and misunderstanding: Xia Hua’s sincere infatuation contrasts with Nameless’s indifference, while outsiders misinterpret their interactions as a romantic relationship.
• Resource and threat management: Monster meat, tribal alliances, and the possibility of rival attacks all shape the group’s survival strategy.

Character Interactions

• Xia Hua constantly copies Nameless and later follows him after he gives her meat.
• Nameless treats Xia Hua casually and without romantic intent, but his small acts of kindness deepen her attachment.
• Nameless mediates peacefully between tribes, allowing them to merge instead of fighting.
• Os observes Nameless from a distance and repeatedly reassesses him, ultimately deciding that Nameless is merely a savage because of his behavior and apparent relationship with Xia Hua.
• The chapter ends with Os questioning whether he still needs to hide, just as another tribe appears and introduces a new potential threat or opportunity.

Chapter Summary: “Her Hero”

Plot Points and Events

• As the tribes near the finish line, they converge and grow in strength. A newly encountered tribe loses its will to fight after facing a three-to-one disadvantage, and Nameless negotiates their peaceful alliance.
• Nameless’s tribe and Xia Hua’s tribe, once suspicious of each other, merge with the help of the newly joined groups. The tribes appear to view Nameless and Xia Hua as practically betrothed, making cooperation between them easier.
• Xia Hua asks whether monsters are ahead, revealing that although she remains frightened of them, she has developed a fondness for monster meat.
• Nameless detects two uninjured trial takers in another group. They target Os, who deliberately moves closer to the tribal warriors for protection. Nameless notices the confrontation but chooses not to interfere or kill the competitors simply because he does not want to.
• During the daytime journey, Nameless rests while Xia Hua leads him carefully, avoiding obstacles so she will not disturb him.
• At night, Nameless observes Os and the two trial takers confronting one another, but neither side attacks. He dismisses the situation and returns to sleep.

Character Development

• Nameless: Remains powerful, detached, and guided by personal choice rather than practicality or cruelty. Although he recognizes Xia Hua’s feelings and worries about whether her affection is part of the trial’s “Heart Refinement,” he does not know how to respond. His exhaustion and helplessness also reveal a more vulnerable, human side.
• Xia Hua: Her admiration for Nameless has deepened into intense romantic devotion. She now sees him as her personal hero, believing he secretly protects the tribe from monsters at night. She is attentive, eager to care for him, and happy simply to remain by his side. Even after noticing his forced smile and emotional distance, she quickly regains her optimism.
• Os and the other trial takers: Os shows caution and tactical awareness by avoiding direct conflict and moving toward the tribal warriors. The other two competitors appear willing to challenge him but ultimately refrain from attacking.

Character Interactions

• Nameless and Xia Hua travel closely together, with Xia Hua pulling him along and later guiding him while he sleeps. She treasures even minor physical contact, while Nameless feels increasingly uncomfortable and conflicted.
• When Xia Hua offers him water, Nameless politely declines but gives a forced smile, immediately hurting her feelings.
• Xia Hua offers to stand guard while Nameless “goes to poop,” creating a humorous exchange that highlights her earnest concern and lack of embarrassment around him.
• Nameless watches Xia Hua sleep beside him and sighs helplessly when she moves closer, showing that he is troubled by her attachment but unwilling to reject her harshly.
• The cultivators watching through the livestream debate whether Nameless is misleading Xia Hua or whether she is simply pursuing him despite his rejection. Their discussion becomes comedic and eventually derails into talk of marriage and the Holy Monk’s ninth wife.

Significant Themes

• Unrequited or uncertain love: Xia Hua’s wholehearted affection contrasts with Nameless’s uncertainty and emotional restraint.
• Hero worship: Xia Hua idealizes Nameless as a protector and source of light, transforming the dangerous journey into something beautiful.
• Freedom of choice: Nameless refuses to kill merely because doing so would be advantageous, emphasizing his belief that people should act according to what they genuinely want.
• Reality versus illusion: Nameless questions whether Xia Hua and her feelings are real or part of the trial’s psychological “Heart Refinement.”
• Protection and dependency: Xia Hua believes Nameless protects the tribe, while she instinctively protects and cares for him during his rest, creating a mutual but unequal emotional bond.

Chapter Summary: “Howlbeasts Attack”

Plot Points and Events

• The tribe awakens before dawn and resumes its journey after eating and gathering supplies.
• Throughout the day, numerous groups of trial-takers join together. Their combined numbers eventually reach several thousand.
• The surviving trial-takers act cautiously, avoiding unnecessary conflict and prioritizing the protection of their groups.
• Nameless considers the possibility that all trial-takers are gathered in this stage, which could lead to a massive final confrontation. He recognizes that, despite their former powers, they are now physically vulnerable.
• Near evening, another large group joins the main force. Nameless notices a short trial-taker who might be Xu Qinqin but decides not to investigate.
• The enlarged tribe establishes a heavily organized camp, with warriors guarding the outer perimeter and civilians inside.
• Around the campfires, trial-takers exchange information and form alliances. Nameless learns that controlling a tribe, assassinating an elder, or gaining the loyalty of a female savage can provide major advantages and improve a trial-taker’s chances of survival.
• As night falls, Howlbeasts surround the camp. Warriors are ordered to defend the perimeter while children and nursing women gather in safety.
• Several warriors are dragged into the darkness before they can react. Nameless reaches the defensive line and sees the creatures: large, wolf-like beasts with powerful bodies and sharp, birdlike, barbed beaks. The chapter ends as the battle is about to begin.

Character Development

• Nameless remains observant, strategic, and cautious. He studies the growing population of trial-takers, evaluates the dangers of the stage, and recognizes how vulnerable everyone has become.
• He shows greater awareness of the trial’s political structure after learning that elders effectively rule their tribes and that control of a tribe can offer protection and privilege.
• Nameless reflects on Xia Hua’s feelings, wondering whether her affection is based partly on his strength rather than pure emotion.
• Xia Hua continues to stay close to Nameless, sharing his campfire and following him toward the danger when the Howlbeasts attack.
• The other trial-takers demonstrate practical intelligence by avoiding fights, forming alliances, and exploiting tribal customs to survive.

Significant Themes

• Survival through cooperation: The trial-takers increasingly merge into larger groups because strength in numbers offers protection.
• Power and authority: Tribal leadership provides safety and social advantages, making political control as valuable as physical strength.
• Vulnerability and adaptation: Formerly powerful cultivators are reduced to ordinary human bodies, forcing them to rely on strategy, alliances, and weapons.
• Trust and self-interest: Relationships may be motivated by practical benefits, as Nameless questions whether Xia Hua admires him for who he is or for his power.
• Threat from nature: The Howlbeast attack demonstrates that even a massive, organized group can be endangered by forces outside its control.

Character Interactions

• Nameless travels alongside Xia Hua, who remains attached to him and later follows him into the defensive battle.
• Trial-takers interact cautiously, sharing information and forming small teams while remaining suspicious of one another.
• Nameless learns about a trial-taker who assassinated an elder to seize control of a tribe.
• He also hears of another trial-taker who survived with the help of a female savage, prompting him to reflect on Xia Hua’s relationship with him.
• The chapter concludes with Nameless and the tribe’s warriors preparing to confront the surrounding Howlbeast pack.

Chapter Summary: “Slaying Howlbeasts”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Nameless observes that the grassland contains an unusually large pack of at least three hundred Howlbeasts, raising questions about how the ecosystem can support so many predators.
• The battle begins with the savage warriors surrounding and attacking individual Howlbeasts. Because the beasts are far stronger, the savages suffer severe casualties.
• Young savages, including children around Xia Hua’s age, are killed or dragged away after making reckless attacks.
• Nameless protects Xia Hua, warning her to remain within the firelight and close to his shadow.
• Entering the battle, Nameless kills several Howlbeasts effortlessly with precise punches, palm strikes, and thrown stones. His attacks penetrate their skulls or target weaker vital areas.
• Nameless searches for the Beast King, believing that killing the leader would allow him to intimidate or scatter the entire pack with his Bioforce Field. However, he cannot safely extend the field far enough to locate it while surrounded.
• Os is attacked and has his leg crushed, but Nameless kills the Howlbeast dragging him away with a single thrown stone.
• The Howlbeasts increasingly focus on Nameless, using coordinated ambushes and attacks from multiple directions. Nameless retreats while defending himself and Xia Hua.
• He adapts his fighting style to conserve energy, targeting the beasts’ abdomens and chests instead of their hard skulls.
• The chapter ends with Nameless countering a coordinated four-beast attack, striking three beasts in rapid succession and kicking the fourth away while protecting Xia Hua.

Character Developments

• Nameless: Demonstrates overwhelming combat ability, exceptional awareness, and strategic thinking. Rather than relying solely on raw strength, he studies the Howlbeasts’ anatomy and tactics, conserving stamina by attacking vulnerable areas. He also shows responsibility by protecting Xia Hua and rescuing Os.
• Xia Hua: Follows Nameless’s instructions closely and remains near him despite the danger. She is impressed by his strength but learns to stay alert rather than becoming distracted.
• Os: Initially observes Nameless with disbelief and suspicion, but after being rescued, he begins viewing Nameless as a powerful hidden expert and considers trying to win his favor or learn from him.
• The savage warriors: Suffer heavy losses and gradually recognize Nameless as a source of safety. Some move toward him for protection, though they scatter once too many Howlbeasts surround him.
• Howlbeasts: Are revealed to be intelligent, highly coordinated predators skilled at stealth, flanking, and exploiting weaknesses—especially Nameless’s missing arm.

Significant Themes

• Survival and sacrifice: The savages’ limited weapons and inferior strength lead to devastating casualties, emphasizing the brutal cost of survival.
• Skill versus numbers: Although the Howlbeasts vastly outnumber the fighters, Nameless’s precision and tactical awareness allow him to overcome individual attackers.
• Leadership and dependence: Nameless naturally becomes a protective center for the other savages, even though he does not formally seek leadership.
• Adaptation and observation: Success comes from understanding enemy behavior and anatomy rather than simply using greater force.
• Hidden power and mistaken identity: Os assumes Nameless is a mysterious expert or “big shot,” illustrating how extraordinary ability creates myths and speculation among the other trial participants.

Character Interactions

• Nameless repeatedly instructs and protects Xia Hua, acting as her guardian during the battle.
• Xia Hua admires Nameless’s effortless victories but responds obediently when he tells her to remain focused.
• Nameless rescues Os by killing the Howlbeast attacking him, causing Os to regard him with awe and begin considering how to gain access to his knowledge.
• Other savages instinctively gather near Nameless for protection, while Nameless remains focused on controlling the battle and locating the Beast King.
• Nameless uses his body and combat skill to shield Xia Hua from attacks, ultimately carrying or holding her close while defeating multiple Howlbeasts at once.

Chapter Summary: “Courting Death”

Key Plot Points and Events

• After using a powerful attack to kill four Howlbeasts, Nameless suffers severe stamina loss. Xia Hua helps him recover by giving him water and meat while they continue retreating.
• The savages survive the Howlbeasts’ initial assault by withdrawing toward bonfires. The flames prevent the beasts from attacking directly, allowing the savages to fight from a defensible position.
• Nameless uses a clever “fishing” tactic: by looking away, he tempts Howlbeasts to attack from his side, then kills them instantly with palm strikes. His only limitation is dwindling stamina.
• A howl from the darkness signals the Howlbeast King’s retreat. The savages take advantage of the beasts’ withdrawal to kill several more.
• Once the battle ends, the savages collect and butcher the Howlbeast corpses. They honor Nameless as a “God of War,” bringing him food and bowing before him.
• Several trial-takers become suspicious of Nameless’s extraordinary combat ability. One kneels and asks to become his disciple as a way of testing him.
• Other trial-takers plot against Nameless. One poisons the water, while another apparently poisons the Howlbeast meat being prepared for him.
• Nameless notices the poison in the water but does not expose the conspirators. When the poisoned meat releases its toxic fragrance, he reacts immediately, causing the nearby savages and the would-be disciple to collapse. He grabs Xia Hua and retreats before being affected.

Character Developments

• Nameless: Demonstrates immense combat power, tactical intelligence, and caution. He understands that his ability to use the Bioforce Field while other trial-takers cannot makes him a target. Rather than openly confronting the conspirators, he observes them and waits for them to reveal themselves. His quick response to the poisoned meat confirms his sharp senses and experience.
• Xia Hua: Continues to support Nameless practically and emotionally, supplying him with food and water and assisting during the retreat. Nameless’s decision to carry her away at the end shows their growing closeness and his instinct to protect her.
• The trial-takers: Become increasingly suspicious, jealous, and fearful of Nameless. Their attempts to test or assassinate him reveal their willingness to cooperate temporarily while secretly competing against one another.
• The savages: Come to revere Nameless after witnessing his slaughter of the Howlbeasts, treating him as a divine warrior and rewarding him with the best meat and supplies.

Significant Themes

• Power creates isolation and suspicion: Nameless’s exceptional strength distinguishes him from the other trial-takers, making him both respected by the savages and feared by his peers.
• Survival and pragmatism: Both humans and Howlbeasts avoid unnecessary death when possible. The battle is determined as much by positioning, stamina, and strategy as by strength.
• Betrayal beneath cooperation: The trial-takers appear united against external dangers, but they quickly turn to poisoning and manipulation when Nameless becomes too powerful.
• Instinct versus intelligence: The Howlbeasts possess enough intelligence to exploit openings, while Nameless repeatedly outmaneuvers them. His tactics expose the limits of their cleverness.
• Trust and loyalty: Xia Hua’s consistent assistance contrasts with the trial-takers’ treachery, reinforcing the developing bond between her and Nameless.

Character Interactions

• Xia Hua cares for Nameless after his exertion, feeding and supplying him while he leads their retreat.
• Nameless manipulates the Howlbeasts’ movements by appearing vulnerable, then killing those that approach.
• The savages express devotion to Nameless, calling him the “God of War” and offering him their finest meat.
• A trial-taker kneels to ask Nameless to accept him as a disciple, secretly hoping to determine whether Nameless is one of them.
• Other trial-takers observe Nameless from a distance and attempt to poison him. Their plan fails when Nameless detects the poisoned food, though the poison incapacitates the surrounding savages and the would-be disciple.
• Nameless ultimately chooses to rescue Xia Hua rather than the fallen trial-taker, underscoring where his loyalty lies.

Chapter Summary: “Instant Kill”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Nameless carries the poisoned Xia Hua away from the contaminated area and uses his Bioforce Field to identify and remove the toxins from her body. Within seconds, she is out of immediate danger, though the poison has left her physically weakened.
• A trial participant attacks Nameless with a poison-coated bone knife. Nameless catches the weapon effortlessly between his fingers.
• The attacker flees, but Nameless throws the knife and kills him instantly by striking his throat from a great distance, despite the man using nearby savages as cover.
• Nameless discovers that another trial participant has already died from the poison and condemns the attackers for abandoning their humanity.
• He warns the remaining trial participants that if anyone attacks him again, the entire attacker’s group will be punished if the attempt fails. This forces the participants to monitor one another and suppress their hostility toward him.
• Nameless informs the savages that the poisoned Howlbeast cannot be eaten. The information spreads through gestures, and the savages begin to regard him as a divine or supernatural figure.
• A savage builds Nameless a fire and offers him treasured fruits. Nameless accepts the fruits and reflects that he has previously been worshiped as a god, especially because such faith once empowered his Rescue God Exoshell.
• The group settles down for the night and roasts Howlbeast meat. The trial participants remain suspicious of one another, communicating through glances while preparing for the journey ahead.
• Xia Hua awakens but is extremely weak. Nameless explains that although he removed the poison, her body still needs time to recover.
• Xia Hua expresses complete trust in Nameless and says she is not afraid of death as long as she is with him. Nameless apologizes for involving her in danger and tells her that he will leave once the tribe reaches its destination.
• Xia Hua, still misunderstanding his identity, believes Nameless is a heavenly messenger sent to protect them. Nameless does not correct her and continues using the Bioforce Field to help her recover.

Character Developments

• Nameless: Demonstrates overwhelming combat ability, precise control of the Bioforce Field, and a strong moral reluctance to kill unnecessarily. However, he is willing to respond decisively to threats and uses the attacker’s death to impose order on the trial participants. He also shows compassion toward Xia Hua and the savages, while remaining emotionally detached from the worship they offer him.
• Xia Hua: Becomes more physically vulnerable after being poisoned but displays unwavering loyalty and affection toward Nameless. Her belief that he is a divine protector deepens.
• Trial participants: Their fear of Nameless intensifies. They are forced to restrain their own allies because Nameless threatens collective punishment. Their curiosity about his retained powers is overshadowed by the need to survive.
• Savages: Their respect for Nameless transforms into religious awe. They begin treating him as a god by offering gifts and moving closer to his campfire for protection.

Significant Themes

• Humanity versus brutality: Nameless criticizes those who attack and poison others, emphasizing that power should not erase compassion or basic human behavior.
• Power and responsibility: Nameless’s overwhelming strength allows him to protect others, punish threats, and control the trial participants, but he tries to use that power selectively rather than kill indiscriminately.
• Faith and worship: The savages’ belief that Nameless is a god reflects how extraordinary power can inspire religious devotion. Nameless accepts their faith without correction, partly because belief once provided him with strength.
• Survival and mistrust: The trial participants must cooperate and police one another despite their distrust, showing how dangerous environments force temporary alliances.
• Protection and attachment: Xia Hua’s devotion to Nameless contrasts with his intention to leave her, highlighting her emotional dependence and his reluctance to encourage it.

Character Interactions

• Nameless saves Xia Hua and later cares for her by giving her water and continuing to treat her with the Bioforce Field.
• He confronts the trial participants collectively, condemning the poison attack and threatening entire groups for future failed assaults.
• He communicates with the savages through gestures, warning them about the poisoned Howlbeast and earning their reverence.
• Xia Hua openly expresses her trust and affection for Nameless, while he apologizes for endangering her and maintains emotional distance by telling her he will leave.

Chapter Summary: “The Final Trial”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Nameless continues carrying Xia Hua at the back of the migrating savage tribes. Xia Hua repeatedly asks him to give her a child, but he refuses, partly because the journey is being livestreamed and he fears damaging his reputation.
• During the journey, Xia Hua asks Nameless countless questions about the world. He explains concepts such as oxygen, planetary motion, aging, cells, fire, and chemical reactions. His answers expose her to knowledge far beyond her tribe’s experience.
• Xia Hua becomes increasingly happy and emotionally attached to Nameless, wishing their journey could continue indefinitely. Nameless also recognizes that she is unusually intelligent and capable of understanding unfamiliar ideas.
• By late afternoon, the group sees the Sacred Mountain, the ancestral refuge of the savages. The tribes celebrate, believing they have finally reached safety, though the mountain remains farther away than it appears.
• That night, the savages hold a large feast and provide Nameless with especially generous treatment. Xia Hua continues questioning him, but eventually becomes sad when she senses that he will leave after they reach the mountain.
• The ground suddenly begins to shake, and humanoid monsters covered in stone-like armor approach the camp. The trial participants realize this is likely the final stage of the Divine Treasury’s trial.
• The tribal elders order the young, women, and children to flee toward the Sacred Mountain while the warriors and elders remain behind to hold off the monsters.
• Nameless realizes that the trial is not designed as an impossible battle. The objective is likely to protect the vulnerable members of the tribes until they reach the Sacred Mountain.

Character Developments

• Nameless: Remains cautious and pragmatic, refusing Xia Hua’s advances despite feeling guilty about rejecting her. He demonstrates broad knowledge and patience while answering her questions. He also develops a degree of respect and affection for Xia Hua, acknowledging her intelligence and comforting her by praising her ability to learn.
• Xia Hua: Grows emotionally dependent on Nameless after spending several days with him. Her curiosity expands as she learns about science and the outside world, and she becomes painfully aware that their time together is ending. Her questions serve both as a search for knowledge and as a way to remain close to Nameless.
• The savages: Treat Nameless as an honored figure, providing him with food and assistance. Their unity becomes clear when the entire migrating group responds to the threat and follows the elders’ plan.

Significant Themes

• Knowledge versus ignorance: Nameless’s scientific explanations broaden Xia Hua’s understanding and symbolize her transition from a primitive worldview toward greater awareness.
• Emotional attachment and separation: Xia Hua’s happiness with Nameless is shadowed by the knowledge that he will soon leave, emphasizing how quickly companionship can become indispensable.
• Protection and sacrifice: The final trial places the survival of children, women, and other vulnerable people above individual safety, requiring the warriors and elders to risk their lives.
• Trials as tests of judgment: Success may not require defeating the monsters directly; instead, the true challenge is recognizing the trial’s objective and protecting the tribes until they reach safety.
• Civilization and cultural difference: Nameless’s modern knowledge contrasts sharply with the savages’ beliefs, while Xia Hua’s ability to absorb unfamiliar concepts suggests that intelligence is not limited by culture or background.

Character Interactions

• Xia Hua persistently tries to persuade Nameless to father a child, while he humorously and firmly rejects her.
• She uses her questions about nature and science to engage Nameless, and he patiently explains concepts despite occasionally giving incomplete or improvised answers.
• Nameless reassures Xia Hua when she worries that she is unintelligent, praising her ability to understand new ideas and physically comforting her by rubbing her head.
• Their growing closeness is interrupted by the appearance of the monsters, forcing Nameless and the tribes to shift from personal conversation to survival and defense.

Chapter Summary: “The End of the Journey”

Key Plot Points and Events

• The trial-takers realize they must hold back a group of powerful humanoid monsters rather than defeat them outright. They prepare to sacrifice themselves to buy time for the others to escape.
• Nameless says goodbye to Xia Hua. She tearfully embraces him, and he urges her to train hard and live well before sending her away with the group toward the Sacred Mountain.
• Once Xia Hua leaves, Nameless joins the battle. He discovers that the monsters’ bodies are controlled by a nerve hidden behind the rock armor at the back of their waists.
• Using his powerful Bioforce Field and precise knowledge of the monsters’ weaknesses, Nameless kills the seemingly invincible creatures with single punches. His actions dramatically raise the morale of the savage warriors and astonish the trial-takers.
• Several trial-takers become greedy and attempt to pursue Xia Hua, planning to use her as leverage to force Nameless to reveal the secret of his power.
• Nameless senses their hostile intentions through the Bioforce Field. Without even looking, he throws a stone spear that impales all of them at once, killing them before they can reach Xia Hua.
• After killing the final monster, Nameless reflects on the long and meaningful journey. The trial abruptly freezes, and a Golden Gate appears, signaling the end of the stage.
• The remaining trial-takers rush through the gate. Nameless is the last to leave, pausing to look at the starry sky and the Sacred Mountain before silently blessing Xia Hua.
• Once he enters, the Golden Gate vanishes and time resumes. The savage warriors mourn and worship the place where he disappeared.
• On the Sacred Mountain, Xia Hua senses that Nameless has gone and begins to cry, understanding that her “hero” has left forever.

Character Developments

• Nameless demonstrates overwhelming combat ability, intelligence, and emotional restraint. He not only defeats the monsters but also protects Xia Hua from those who seek to exploit her.
• His farewell reveals a softer, paternal or deeply affectionate side. Though he leaves, he genuinely hopes Xia Hua can survive and build a good life.
• Xia Hua grows emotionally stronger during the separation. Although devastated, she respects Nameless’s wishes and continues onward with the group.
• The trial-takers are shown to possess the arrogance and opportunism of powerful cultivators. Their attempt to exploit Xia Hua leads to their deaths, exposing the danger of overconfidence.
• The savage warriors shift from fear to confidence under Nameless’s example, then from celebration to reverence after his departure.

Significant Themes

• Sacrifice and protection: The trial-takers and savage warriors initially prepare to delay the monsters so others can escape, while Nameless ultimately protects everyone through his superior strength.
• Parting and impermanence: Nameless and Xia Hua’s farewell emphasizes that meaningful relationships may end abruptly, especially within the trial’s artificial world.
• Arrogance versus caution: The greedy trial-takers underestimate Nameless and pay for their recklessness, illustrating how confidence can become fatal arrogance.
• Heroism and legacy: Nameless becomes a legendary figure to the savage warriors. Though he disappears, his courage and deeds remain behind as an object of worship.
• Humanity versus brutality: Nameless questions why some beings choose to behave like beasts despite possessing human potential, reflecting on the moral degradation caused by power and survival.
• Memory and emotional reality: Despite the trial being temporary, the experiences feel like years to Nameless and leave lasting emotional effects on Xia Hua and the savages.

Important Character Interactions

• Nameless and Xia Hua: Their tearful farewell is the emotional center of the chapter. He encourages her to live well, while she silently accepts their separation.
• Nameless and the savage warriors: His effortless victories inspire them to overcome their fear. After he leaves, they honor him as a savior or hero.
• Nameless and the hostile trial-takers: Their attempted manipulation of Xia Hua is met with swift, impersonal punishment. Nameless’s ability to detect their intentions makes their betrayal futile.
• Xia Hua and Nameless after the trial: Although physically separated, Xia Hua feels his departure and mourns him, confirming the emotional bond formed during their journey.

Chapter Summary: Eternal Martial Refinement

Key Plot Points and Events

• Nameless exits the Golden Gate after completing the previous trial, attracting hostile, greedy, and resentful attention from the other trial-takers.
• He deliberately suppresses his cultivation until he is reduced to Level One, concealing his true strength.
• The rewards for the trial are distributed. Nameless receives a black hexagonal metal object labeled Eternal Martial Refinement.
• After fusing it into his body, Nameless discovers that it strengthens his bones and meridians and grants three main abilities:
  • Devouring weapons
  • Simulating combat opponents
  • Mastering the weapons he consumes
• He tests the ability by swallowing an ordinary dagger. This transports his consciousness into a combat-training mental space, where he must fight increasingly powerful opponents using only the dagger.
• The first opponent teaches him the importance of observing and copying enemy techniques. After countless deaths and repeated attempts, Nameless defeats him.
• A second opponent, “Hammer Guy,” appears with a massive hammer. Since Nameless cannot imitate hammer techniques while holding only a dagger, he is forced to perfect his own movement, dagger work, and assassination methods.
• After ten years of endless combat within the mental space, Nameless defeats Hammer Guy by combining evasion, a thrown dagger, and a precisely timed kick.
• Before he can rest, a swordsman appears, followed by even more extreme opponents, eventually including firearms. Nameless is repeatedly killed but continues improving.
• He finally returns to reality, discovering that no time has passed in the Divine Treasury despite the countless years spent training mentally.
• Exhausted, Nameless closes his eyes to rest while the other trial-takers finish examining their rewards.
• The other participants are more interested in learning Nameless’s earlier cultivation method than in their own rewards. They are worried about the later stages of the Divine Treasury, where their supernatural abilities may once again be removed.

Character Development

• Nameless demonstrates exceptional composure by ignoring the crowd’s hostility and concealing his true Level.
• He becomes increasingly skilled and adaptable through relentless combat practice. Rather than relying on superior power, he learns to analyze, imitate, evade, and refine his techniques.
• His dagger gradually becomes an extension of his body, allowing him to attack from unusual angles and even use his feet to redirect it.
• The training changes Nameless from someone unfamiliar with weapon combat into a fighter confident that he can kill almost any opponent with a dagger, provided the Level difference is not overwhelming.
• Despite his strength, Nameless remains practical and aware of his limits: overwhelming differences in cultivation can still make technique irrelevant.
• His endurance and willingness to suffer through years of repeated death highlight his determination, though the experience leaves him mentally exhausted.

Character Interactions

• The surrounding trial-takers silently observe Nameless with envy, hostility, and dissatisfaction, but none dares confront him directly.
• Nameless has no direct interaction with them after receiving his reward, choosing instead to focus on training.
• Within the mental space, he “interacts” with simulated enemies:
  • The first dagger-wielding opponent becomes a teacher whose techniques Nameless studies and reproduces.
  • Hammer Guy forces Nameless to rely on evasion, precision, and tactical creativity rather than imitation.
  • Later opponents, including a swordsman and gun-wielding enemies, continue escalating the challenge.
• The other trial-takers later discuss Nameless indirectly, viewing his cultivation method as more valuable than their own rewards.

Significant Themes

• Relentless perseverance: Nameless improves through countless deaths and years of repetition rather than instant talent alone.
• Adaptation and learning: The ability to observe and reproduce an opponent’s techniques becomes more important than raw strength.
• Concealed power: Nameless hides his Level, reflecting the dangers of revealing one’s true abilities in a competitive environment.
• Time and sacrifice: The mental space allows him to spend centuries or more training without affecting reality, but the psychological burden is immense.
• Limits of technique: Martial skill can overcome many disadvantages, but an enormous gap in Level can still make mastery useless.
• Uncertainty and survival: The trial-takers face difficult decisions about when to leave the Divine Treasury, especially because future stages may strip away their powers again.

Chapter Summary: “Seventh Trial”

Key Plot Points and Events

• After Nameless refuses to reveal the cultivation method that allows him to bypass the Divine Treasury’s restrictions, a lion-headed trialist threatens him and warns that the others may target him in the next stage.
• The seventh trial begins, transporting Nameless to a sailing ship surrounded by pitch-black water filled with floating skeletons. A skeletal arm nearly drags him into the sea, establishing the water as extremely dangerous.
• Nameless discovers that all of his supernatural abilities—including mental strength, psychokinesis, Bioforce Field, Eagle Eye, and night vision—can only function aboard the ship. They cannot affect or observe anything outside it.
• The trial’s objective appears: circumnavigate the globe and land on seven Forbidden Islands. Nameless understands the first requirement but has no information about the Forbidden Islands.
• He summons the Deep Sea Apostle, which divides into multiple bodies to operate the ship, while Xiaoxi scans the vessel’s nautical chart and assists with navigation.
• Realizing that the ship must not be damaged and that falling into the sea would likely be fatal, Nameless reinforces the vessel and orders the Apostles to proceed cautiously.
• Using a telescope and comparing the visible scenery to the nautical chart, Nameless identifies his location near a small island marked by a distinctive cross-shaped lighthouse.
• The ship reaches a decaying dock beneath the lighthouse, and Nameless prepares to disembark, presumably beginning the search for the first Forbidden Island.

Character Developments

• Nameless remains calm, detached, and confident despite the threats from the other trialists and the dangers of the new stage. His refusal to respond to the lion man demonstrates both his unwillingness to compromise and his disregard for intimidation.
• He adapts quickly to the trial’s limitations, shifting from reliance on supernatural abilities to practical tools such as a telescope, nautical charts, ship reinforcement, and careful observation.
• Nameless displays strong strategic awareness by identifying the ship as the central condition for survival and preparing it before beginning the journey.
• The Deep Sea Apostles continue to function as a coordinated extension of Nameless’s will. Their ability to split into multiple bodies makes them well suited to operating the ship.
• Xiaoxi acts as Nameless’s information-processing and navigation assistant, scanning the chart and monitoring the surroundings as far as possible.

Significant Themes

• Adaptation under restriction: The trial deliberately limits Nameless’s powers, forcing him to rely on intelligence, preparation, and ordinary physical tools.
• Isolation and distrust: The other trialists’ desire to obtain Nameless’s cultivation method creates an atmosphere of hostility and future conflict.
• Control versus vulnerability: Although Nameless possesses overwhelming abilities, the ship and the hostile sea impose strict boundaries on his power, making the vessel both his refuge and greatest weakness.
• Preparation and rational problem-solving: Rather than rushing forward, Nameless reinforces the ship, studies the map, determines his location, and proceeds cautiously.
• The unknown and supernatural danger: The black sea, skeletal creatures, and mysterious Forbidden Islands suggest that the seventh trial will involve exploration, survival, and threats that cannot be overcome through brute force alone.

Character Interactions

• The lion-headed trialist attempts to pressure Nameless into trading his cultivation method for the stage’s reward. When Nameless ignores him, the lion man threatens him and promises that the others will target him later.
• Nameless does not engage verbally or physically, responding through complete indifference.
• Nameless commands the Deep Sea Apostles to operate and steer the ship, while they obey through their shared consciousness.
• He communicates with Xiaoxi for chart analysis and environmental monitoring, relying on the system to compensate for the limits placed on his abilities.

Chapter Summary: “Steadiness First”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Nameless hesitates to leave his sailboat and step onto the island, worried that the rotten dock will collapse and that he will lose his supernatural abilities.
• He tests the area with a life buoy and confirms that ordinary objects remain functional, leading him to rely on technology and physical precautions.
• He ties himself to the boat with a rope and carefully steps onto the dock with a shotgun.
• He discovers that landing on the island does not remove all his abilities. Instead, one ability is randomly retained:
  • First, Psychokinesis
  • Second, Mutation Eye
  • Third, Rapid Healing
• Returning to the boat allows him to refresh the retained ability only twice. After three total draws, the result becomes fixed. Nameless regrets losing Mutation Eye, which he considers the most useful option.
• Using Rapid Healing and his shotgun, he cautiously crosses the fragile dock and reaches the island’s dilapidated lighthouse.
• He notices possible bloodstains near the lighthouse but avoids entering. Instead, he spends hours throwing stones through the door, windows, and observation deck to search for traps or provoke a reaction.
• Since the stage has no time limit and the boat restores his condition, Nameless adopts an extremely patient and defensive strategy.
• He decides to burn the lighthouse from the outside using incendiary bottles and prepares flashbangs as additional tools.
• Because his equipment is too heavy to carry across the dock, he asks Xiaoxi to locate a technological landing device. The device unfolds into a metal passageway connecting the boat to the shore.
• Nameless sets the lighthouse on fire and throws flashbangs inside. This finally provokes a pale, corpse-like monster, which leaps from a window and attacks him.
• Nameless responds calmly and fires three shotgun blasts, striking the monster in the neck and heart and causing it to collapse.

Character Development

• Nameless demonstrates extreme caution, patience, and tactical creativity. Rather than rushing into danger, he tests the dock, probes the lighthouse, and uses distance, fire, explosives, and technology to minimize risk.
• He becomes more aware of the Divine Treasury trial’s rules, correctly deducing how ability selection works and recognizing that the trial prevents repeated exploitation.
• Although disappointed that he failed to retain Mutation Eye, he adapts quickly and makes effective use of Rapid Healing and conventional weapons.
• His confidence grows once the hidden monster finally appears; danger is reassuring to him because it confirms that his precautions were justified.

Significant Themes

• Caution and preparation: The chapter emphasizes that survival depends on refusing unnecessary risks and gathering information before acting.
• Technology versus supernatural power: When his abilities are restricted, Nameless relies on life buoys, firearms, incendiaries, flashbangs, ropes, and mechanical equipment, demonstrating that technology remains dependable.
• Adaptability: Nameless cannot control which ability is retained, so he adjusts his strategy around the limitations imposed by the trial.
• Patience as strength: With no time limit, he chooses a slow, methodical approach rather than pursuing speed or bravery.
• Controlled uncertainty: The island and lighthouse are dangerous, but Nameless reduces the unknown through repeated testing and indirect attacks.

Character Interactions

• Nameless and Xiaoxi: Nameless consults Xiaoxi to locate landing equipment that functions without supernatural abilities. Xiaoxi’s support helps him transport heavy supplies safely to the island.
• Nameless and the monster: Their first direct confrontation is brief and violent. The monster attacks after being driven from the lighthouse, while Nameless remains composed and kills or incapacitates it with three shotgun blasts.

Chapter Summary: “Unknown Virus”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Nameless confirms that the first monster is dead by shooting it again, then examines its body. Its organs and bone marrow have turned black, suggesting severe internal decomposition and mutation from a human.
• He concludes that the creature is similar to a Living Corpse or zombie, with the brain and heart as its main weaknesses. He burns the body to prevent further danger.
• To clear the lighthouse, Nameless throws flash grenades through its windows. A second monster emerges and is killed with a precise shot to the head.
• Concerned that more creatures may be present, he returns to the sailboat and has Xiaoxi examine him.
• The examination reveals that Nameless has been infected by an extremely small virus. Similar to Zuo Xiangming’s Living Corpse Virus, it can silently invade a living person and cause them to lose control of their body within thirty minutes.
• After purging the virus, Nameless puts on a protective suit and cautiously re-enters the island and lighthouse. He uses more flash grenades before entering to ensure no monsters remain.
• He explores the lighthouse’s six levels, finding abandoned equipment, storage rooms, a kitchen, washroom, bedroom, study, and maintenance tools.
• The books in the study are written in Japanese, causing Nameless to wonder whether the setting is connected to Earth or a Japanese-created world. However, the surrounding sea filled with skeletons proves that this is not ordinary Earth.
• In the lighthouse keeper’s bedroom, Nameless discovers a hidden diary beneath the pillow. He takes it with him to read safely later.
• He restores the lighthouse’s kerosene lamp and rotating lens mechanism, causing its beam to shine across the sea. However, no hidden mission is triggered.
• With time running short and the island still dangerous, Nameless begins returning downstairs.

Character Development

• Nameless demonstrates increasing caution and professionalism. Rather than rushing into the lighthouse, he eliminates visible threats, investigates the monsters, checks himself for infection, and uses protective equipment before continuing.
• His scientific and analytical instincts become clear as he studies the monsters’ anatomy and identifies their similarities to Living Corpses.
• He remains calm and resourceful under pressure, using grenades, precise shooting, fire, protective gear, and his knowledge of the lighthouse to minimize risk.
• His disappointment at finding no hidden mission reveals his continued focus on completing the trial, but safety remains his priority.

Significant Themes

• Caution and survival: Nameless’s careful approach prevents the virus from incapacitating him and reinforces that recklessness would be fatal.
• Hidden biological danger: The virus is more threatening than the monsters themselves because infection is nearly invisible and can quickly rob victims of control over their bodies.
• Decay and corruption: The blackened organs, decomposed corpses, ruined lighthouse, and skeleton-filled sea create an atmosphere of physical and societal collapse.
• Exploration and uncertainty: The Japanese books and unfamiliar world suggest that Nameless is investigating a setting with unknown origins and rules.
• Human remnants amid horror: The lighthouse, diary, tools, and personal belongings hint at the life of the former keeper, contrasting ordinary human existence with the island’s grotesque danger.

Character Interactions

• Nameless works closely with Xiaoxi, relying on her detailed medical examination to detect and remove the virus.
• His relationship with Xiaoxi reflects practical trust: he depends on her technology and analysis while making his own tactical decisions.
• Although no living human characters appear, Nameless’s examination of the lighthouse keeper’s belongings and diary creates an indirect connection with the absent keeper and hints at the person’s fate.

Summary of “Soothing Island”

Key Plot Points and Events

• After returning to his ship, Nameless reinforces and reads a diary recovered from Soothing Island. The diary belonged to Abe Yuzaburo, a former soldier assigned to maintain the island’s lighthouse and monitor foreign visitors.
• Abe’s duties involved refilling the lighthouse with oil, winding its mechanism, fishing, and recording the movements of blond, blue-eyed foreigners who frequently visited the island. He was forbidden from leaving the lighthouse or investigating them.
• Near the end of the diary, Abe records a mysterious illness: the veins in his eyes begin turning black. His superiors repeatedly deny his requests for medical leave.
• Suspecting that the foreigners are conducting biological experiments, Abe identifies areas where they often disappear and plans to investigate. The diary ends before he can do so.
• Nameless concludes that Abe was infected by a virus, transformed into a zombie, and later killed by Nameless. A second zombie found near the lighthouse suggests that the virus laboratory suffered a major outbreak, possibly killing the researchers as well.
• Nameless considers whether Soothing Island is one of the mission’s forbidden islands. He reasons that locating and clearing the suspected laboratory may be necessary to complete the mission.
• Because it is nighttime and the island’s mountainous interior is dangerous, he decides to wait until dawn rather than explore blindly.
• While waiting, Nameless inventories decades of advanced Rescue Team equipment stored in the Nameless Sea. He selects a Magnetic Levitation Rescue Ball, a remotely controlled aerial surveillance sphere, along with brainwave-control glasses and a signal amplifier.
• He places the amplifier atop the lighthouse, extending the Rescue Ball’s range, and sends it into the island’s forest to search for the laboratory.
• During the search, the drone discovers a pale, twisted monster with rope marks around its neck. The creature notices and stares directly at the hovering Rescue Ball.

Character Developments

• Nameless remains cautious and analytical. Rather than rush into the island at night, he evaluates the evidence and chooses surveillance and preparation.
• He demonstrates resourcefulness by remembering and repurposing old technological equipment that had previously been considered inferior to supernatural abilities.
• His confidence increases after deploying the Rescue Ball, believing that careful aerial reconnaissance will allow him to complete this stage safely.
• Abe Yuzaburo is revealed as a diligent but trapped observer who gradually becomes suspicious of the foreigners and their experiments. His illness and disappearance establish him as an early victim of the island’s outbreak.

Significant Themes

• Hidden experimentation and biological danger: The island’s visitors appear to be conducting secret virus research, turning the setting into a concealed disaster zone.
• Isolation and helplessness: Abe is confined to the lighthouse, denied medical assistance, and unable to act despite recognizing that something is wrong.
• Preparation versus recklessness: Nameless’s decision to wait for daylight and use surveillance technology emphasizes strategic caution.
• Advanced technology versus supernatural power: The Rescue Team’s equipment is highly sophisticated but was once neglected because it could not match superhuman abilities; Nameless finds a practical use for it.
• Uncovering buried truths: The diary and aerial search gradually reveal that the island’s apparent quietness conceals infection, death, and monsters.

Character Interactions

• Nameless works with Xiaoxi, who scans the diary and extracts its important information, removing Abe’s repetitive complaints and irrelevant material.
• Abe’s interactions with his superior are indirect but significant: his repeated requests for leave are refused, worsening his isolation and preventing him from obtaining treatment.
• Abe observes and suspects the foreign researchers but never directly confronts them.
• Nameless controls the Rescue Ball through his brainwaves and uses it to investigate the island remotely. The chapter ends with the newly discovered monster noticing the drone, creating an immediate threat and cliffhanger.

Chapter Summary: “Remote Sniping”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Nameless tests a Search-and-Rescue Ball against a pale forest monster and discovers that the creature can detect when it is being watched—even through a machine.
• The monster displays unnatural movement, extreme agility, stealth, strength, and tactical awareness. It follows the drone, hides, circles behind it, and repeatedly knocks it out of the air.
• Realizing the creature is too dangerous to confront directly, Nameless uses the Search-and-Rescue Ball as bait, switching from flying to rolling it across the ground to lure the monster toward the lighthouse and ship.
• Nameless sets up a sniper rifle aboard the ship, where his extraordinary abilities remain available. He uses Bullet Time and fires a silent shot that destroys the monster’s head as it emerges from the forest.
• With the first monster dead, the Search-and-Rescue Ball resumes scanning the forest. It discovers that no ordinary animals remain alive there.
• A second, more powerful monster appears: three pale bodies fused together, with three heads and multiple sets of limbs. It attacks the drone with tremendous speed and strength, damaging trees as it pursues it.
• Nameless again lures the creature out of the forest. When it notices the corpse of the first monster, it briefly realizes the danger, but Nameless uses Bullet Time to fire three precise shots, destroying all three heads nearly simultaneously.

Character Development

• Nameless demonstrates increasing caution and tactical intelligence. Rather than risk entering the forest, he studies the monsters remotely and exploits their reactions.
• He recognizes the limits of direct combat, acknowledging that even his shotgun might not be enough against the stronger creature.
• His confidence grows because he understands how to exploit the ship’s advantages, including enhanced abilities, silent sniping, and Bullet Time.
• Despite witnessing grotesque monsters, Nameless remains emotionally composed while safely aboard the ship, even eating noodles as he observes them. His confidence is situational, however; he admits he would fear confronting the creatures on foot.

Significant Themes

• Caution versus recklessness: Survival depends on gathering information and avoiding unnecessary physical danger.
• Technology as a force multiplier: The Search-and-Rescue Ball allows Nameless to scout, provoke, and study threats without exposing himself.
• Adaptation and strategy: Both Nameless and the monsters adjust to changing circumstances, creating a battle of intelligence rather than simple strength.
• The boundary between human and monster: The creatures possess inhuman bodies and instincts, yet they can observe, reason, recognize danger, and respond tactically.
• Control through distance: Nameless’s ability to fight remotely gives him overwhelming power while preserving his safety.

Character Interactions

• Nameless interacts primarily with the monsters indirectly through the Search-and-Rescue Ball, using its movements to provoke and manipulate them.
• The first monster reacts to observation and pursues the drone, revealing its predatory intelligence.
• The fused three-headed monster aggressively attacks the drone and demonstrates even greater physical power, but also shows awareness when it sees the dead creature.
• Nameless never confronts either monster face-to-face; instead, he controls the encounter from the ship and defeats both through carefully timed sniper fire.

Chapter Summary: “Alien Virus”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Nameless continues preparing to enter the monster-infested island, setting aside his sniper rifle temporarily while using his glasses to control the Search-and-Rescue Ball.
• He spends an entire day and night luring out and killing monsters from a distance. The creatures are highly varied, including grotesque combinations of human and animal bodies with unusual abilities.
• Nameless realizes that the island contains far more monsters than expected and postpones exploring it directly. He focuses on clearing the area to make future movement safer.
• Concerned that the island may not be the true Forbidden Island—and that someone else might complete the trial first—he redirects the Search-and-Rescue Ball deeper into the forest to search for the virus laboratory.
• The ball eventually discovers a concealed laboratory entrance disguised as a rocky surface. Most of the monsters have escaped, leaving the facility damaged and largely abandoned.
• Nameless retrieves several surviving research files and has Xiaoxi scan, translate, and organize them.
• The documents reveal the history of X-710, a powerful gene-enhancement drug derived from an extraterrestrial organism found in Europa’s subsurface ocean.
• X-710 can strengthen the body, extend lifespan, increase intelligence, and potentially grant animal-like abilities such as heat vision, compound eyes, or enhanced regeneration.
• Various countries developed increasingly powerful versions, including X-100, X-200, and X-210. These drugs produced super soldiers, enlarged bodies, and steel-hard bones.
• Nameless concludes that an alien organism—or what he jokingly calls an “alien virus”—may have spread across Earth, and he wonders whether this discovery occurred before or after his own arrival in the world.

Character Developments

• Nameless demonstrates patience, caution, and tactical flexibility. Rather than rushing onto the island, he methodically reduces the monster population and adapts his plan when he recognizes the scale of the threat.
• He remains highly observant, identifying the hidden bird head within a seemingly defeated hybrid monster and realizing that the island’s creatures possess complicated combinations of animal abilities.
• Nameless also shows strategic concern about the trial’s rules, questioning whether it is a solo challenge or a race against other participants.
• His technological disadvantage becomes clear compared with other trial-takers, who possess advanced weapons and transformed ships. However, he compensates through skill, careful planning, Xiaoxi’s assistance, and the Search-and-Rescue Ball.
• Xiaoxi continues to function as Nameless’s analytical and translation assistant, rapidly processing the laboratory files and allowing him to understand their contents.

Significant Themes

• Preparation versus technological advantage: Other trial-takers rely on advanced equipment, while Nameless must depend on precision, patience, and resourcefulness.
• Adaptation and survival: Both Nameless and the monsters adapt to changing circumstances. The creatures combine animal traits, while Nameless develops methods to counter them.
• Scientific ambition and danger: The X-series represents humanity’s desire to enhance strength, longevity, intelligence, and biological abilities, but the experiments also lead to instability, monstrous mutations, and possible catastrophe.
• Uncertainty and competition: Nameless does not know the trial’s exact conditions or whether others are racing him, creating pressure to balance caution with speed.
• Alien influence on humanity: The revelation that the drug originates from extraterrestrial life expands the story’s scope and suggests that Earth’s biological and political history may have been shaped by alien organisms.

Character Interactions

• Nameless interacts primarily with Xiaoxi, relying on her to scan, translate, and summarize the recovered documents.
• He indirectly interacts with the trial’s other participants through their technological displays and the threat they pose. Their superior equipment highlights Nameless’s disadvantage and makes possible future encounters dangerous.
• His encounters with the hybrid monsters serve as tactical confrontations rather than personal relationships, showcasing his ability to analyze their strange biology and exploit their weaknesses.

Chapter Summary

• Investigation into the X-Series Drug: Nameless searches the abandoned laboratory for information about how the advanced X-Series Limb-Regeneration Drug became linked to the zombie-like outbreak. The available records do not explain the transformation, but he continues gathering documents to improve his chances of completing the mission.
• Discovery of a laboratory monster: While exploring the residential area with the Search-and-Rescue Ball, Nameless encounters a dust-covered monster sitting on a bed. The creature pursues the drone but refuses to leave the laboratory, stopping every time it reaches the entrance. Nameless humorously mocks it as a “stay-at-home zombie,” but realizes he cannot lure it far enough away to attack safely.
• Monster’s destruction: Calculating the distance, wind, and rocket trajectory with Xiaoxi’s computing assistance, Nameless devises a coordinated ambush. He uses the Search-and-Rescue Ball to draw the monster toward the entrance and fires a rocket launcher from the sailboat at precisely the right moment. The rocket obliterates the monster, confirming that despite its supernatural appearance, it remains physically vulnerable to overwhelming force.
• Recovery of important documents: With the monster gone, the Search-and-Rescue Ball searches the laboratory without resistance and retrieves a large collection of records, especially files from the base commander’s room. Xiaoxi helps scan the documents while Nameless studies them.
• The laboratory’s true purpose: The base was publicly researching limb regeneration through cooperation between Country M and the Island Nation. Secretly, it was also developing biological armor and attempting to merge extraterrestrial organisms with humans to achieve immortality. The research centered on strange cells discovered in Europa’s underground ocean that appeared capable of surviving indefinitely without aging.
• Seven test subjects and the Forbidden Islands: The researchers created seven experimental subjects—one human and six animals—in their attempt to produce immortal beings. Nameless notices that the mission also requires him to land on seven Forbidden Islands. He theorizes that each island may be connected to one of the test subjects, which could have evolved into a powerful monster. If correct, completing the mission will likely require defeating all seven creatures.

Character Development and Interactions

• Nameless demonstrates caution, tactical intelligence, and adaptability. He avoids risking the Search-and-Rescue Ball in close combat, uses psychological provocation to study the monster’s behavior, and combines his own judgment with Xiaoxi’s computational abilities to execute the rocket ambush.
• Nameless and Xiaoxi work closely together, with Xiaoxi providing analytical and scanning support while Nameless makes the strategic decisions.
• Nameless and the monster interact indirectly through pursuit and provocation. Nameless tests its limits by taunting it, discovers its restricted range, and exploits that behavior to destroy it.

Significant Themes

• Scientific ambition and moral corruption: The pursuit of immortality leads researchers to experiment on humans and animals, showing how scientific progress can become dangerous when driven by powerful people’s desire to overcome death.
• The fragility of life: Despite the monster’s apparent strength and supernatural nature, Nameless recognizes that flesh and blood remain vulnerable to sufficient force.
• Exploration and hidden truth: The abandoned laboratory contains only partial answers, encouraging Nameless to piece together the outbreak’s origins from scattered evidence.
• Foreshadowing and escalating danger: The seven test subjects likely correspond to the seven Forbidden Islands, suggesting that future missions will involve confronting increasingly powerful experimental monsters.

Chapter Summary: “Threat”

Key Plot Points and Events

• On the fourth day after entering the seventh stage, Nameless returns to the laboratory and retrieves all intact samples of the alien organism known as Coras Cells.
• He sends the samples to Chen Weihua in Bubble World One for safe research, noting that the organism was originally discovered and named by Koras and may have caused Earth’s biological destruction.
• Nameless realizes that the pitch-black seawater may also be contaminated or biologically significant. He collects a sample and sends it to Chen Weihua.
• As he travels toward the stage’s seven Forbidden Islands, Nameless worries about the danger of landing there. Outside his sailboat, he will only have technological equipment and one randomly retained ability, which could prove useless.
• During the journey, Nameless studies the skeletons repeatedly caught while fishing. He discovers that their flesh has been consumed and that strange organisms living inside their bones allow them to move. He concludes that these creatures were likely created through Coras Cells mutating alongside Earth organisms.
• Chen Weihua delegates the biological research to her subordinates rather than conducting it personally.
• A hostile trial-taker aboard a silver warship attacks Nameless’s sailboat with lasers. Nameless uses the Book of Nameless to freeze time within the boat’s range, preventing the attack from causing damage.
• Nameless fires back with a sniper rifle, but the enemy catches the bullet effortlessly. Since neither can harm the other without leaving their respective ships, the exchange ends without casualties.
• The hostile man offers Nameless a Nano Battleship, capable of transforming his sailboat into an advanced warship, in exchange for the cultivation method from the previous stage.
• Nameless refuses because he distrusts the man and suspects the technology may contain a trap, a hidden weapon, or a backdoor allowing the enemy to control his ship.
• The enemy threatens to follow Nameless and prevent him from safely landing on any Forbidden Island, then departs.

Character Developments

• Nameless remains cautious, resourceful, and strategically independent. He gathers every potentially valuable biological sample and uses his abilities effectively under pressure.
• His caution becomes especially clear when he rejects the Nano Battleship despite its obvious advantages. He prioritizes security and distrusts hostile strangers over immediate power.
• Nameless also displays patience and adaptability, enduring the slow journey while preparing for the uncertain challenges ahead.
• Chen Weihua has shifted from direct scientific work to overseeing research through subordinates, suggesting that Bubble World’s scientific operations have expanded.
• The unnamed hostile trial-taker is established as aggressive, confident, technologically advanced, and willing to use intimidation and coercion against Nameless.

Significant Themes

• Scientific danger and unintended consequences: Coras Cells represent how discovery and exploitation of alien biology can lead to catastrophic destruction.
• Caution versus power: Nameless rejects a powerful technological upgrade because its unknown risks outweigh its benefits.
• Preparation for uncertainty: The upcoming Forbidden Islands force Nameless to confront the limits of relying on technology and randomly assigned abilities.
• Rivalry and strategic stalemate: The confrontation between Nameless and the hostile trial-taker shows that superior technology does not guarantee victory when both sides remain protected aboard their ships.
• Control and trust: Nameless’s fear of a Nano Battleship’s hidden functions reflects the danger of accepting help or power from an enemy.

Character Interactions

• Nameless gives Coras Cells, black seawater, and mutated skeleton samples to Chen Weihua for scientific analysis.
• Xiaoxi and the Search-and-Rescue Ball support Nameless by monitoring the surrounding waters, though the enemy’s sudden laser attack still catches him off guard.
• Nameless and the hostile trial-taker exchange attacks, threats, and a proposed trade. The man attempts to pressure Nameless by emphasizing his technological disadvantage, but Nameless refuses to trust him and remains defiant.

Chapter Summary: “Going On Ahead”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Nameless reflects that he does not regret sparing the trial participants from the previous stage. Unlike those who assume others will eventually become dangerous, he refuses to judge people by their worst possible future.
• A hostile trial participant aboard a fast silver warship taunts Nameless by making a throat-slitting gesture. Nameless responds indirectly by accelerating a small iron ball through a supernatural magnetic field inside his sailboat. Once released, the ball retains its momentum and explodes violently in the sea.
• Nameless realizes that although his supernatural abilities cannot directly leave the sailboat’s range, he can create indirect effects by transferring energy to objects through natural forces.
• The warship’s owner recognizes that Nameless’s attack could destroy his vessel. He abandons his original plan of confronting Nameless at Forbidden Island and instead relies on his ship’s superior speed to reach the island first.
• The man’s hostility toward Nameless stems less from an actual grudge than from humiliation suffered in the previous stage, when Nameless and the other participants were rendered helpless before a powerful predator.
• Nameless allows the man to leave, reasoning that the stage is likely filled with hidden dangers. He suspects the faster participant may trigger traps or die by rushing ahead.
• During the journey, Nameless reviews Masahide Kojima’s diary and laboratory records. He notices that all seven test subjects repeatedly stared at the sky, suggesting a potentially important connection.
• The sailboat travels safely for a week. Nameless enjoys the quiet journey, drawing the surrounding scenery rather than worrying about the future.
• The chapter shifts to the silver warship’s owner, Tian Deshan. He is a body-refining cultivator who practices the Earth Dragon Art, modeled after earthworms. The technique grants flexibility, recovery, and the ability to draw strength from the ground or water.
• Tian Deshan reaches an eerie island and hesitates before landing, implying that the island may contain a serious threat.

Character Developments

• Nameless: Demonstrates his nonjudgmental nature, patience, scientific creativity, and calm temperament. Rather than reacting emotionally to provocation, he tests the limits of his abilities and uses indirect methods to gain power. He remains cautious without becoming fearful or impatient.
• Tian Deshan: Revealed to be physically powerful, resilient, and opportunistic, but also deeply affected by humiliation. His decision to flee rather than confront Nameless shows practical judgment, while his hesitation before the island reveals that his confidence has limits.
• The trial participants: Their varied personalities and cultivation methods are emphasized. Their strength does not necessarily correspond to good character, and many remain motivated by fear, shame, resentment, or pride.

Significant Themes

• Judgment versus prejudice: Nameless refuses to assume that someone innocent or harmless will inevitably become dangerous.
• Indirect power and ingenuity: Even when supernatural abilities are restricted, intelligence and manipulation of natural forces can overcome limitations.
• Fear and humiliation: The hostility toward Nameless originates in the participants’ shame at having once been powerless, showing how wounded pride can become hatred.
• Patience versus recklessness: Nameless’s steady progress contrasts with Tian Deshan’s attempt to rush ahead and claim an advantage.
• Human nature and cultivation: The chapter challenges the assumption that powerful cultivators are morally superior, presenting a world where temperament, ethics, and strength vary independently.
• Mystery and foreshadowing: The test subjects’ fixation on the sky and the ominous Forbidden Island hint at unexplained dangers connected to the experiment and the trial.

Character Interactions

• Nameless and the hostile warship participant communicate primarily through provocation and strategic positioning rather than direct conversation. The participant threatens him nonverbally, while Nameless answers by demonstrating that his supposedly weak sailboat can still deliver a lethal attack.
• Their conflict is rooted in the participant’s resentment over past helplessness, while Nameless views the situation with detached amusement and caution.
• Nameless has no direct interaction with Tian Deshan in this chapter, but their parallel journeys establish a contrast: Nameless proceeds calmly and investigates clues, while Tian reaches the island first yet hesitates to enter it.

Chapter Summary: “Chen Weihua’s Discovery”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Tian Deshan approaches a terrifying, barren island surrounded by dense black fog. Despite recognizing the danger, he decides to investigate rather than wait, fearing that Nameless might arrive first and that hesitation could trap them both in the trial.
• He equips himself with Nano Armor, a gun, a Light Sword, and Floating Cannons before flying to the island. Once away from his battleship, he discovers that his self-healing ability remains available, suggesting that each trial-taker may retain one ability.
• After landing on the island, Tian initially wonders whether merely setting foot on it fulfills the trial’s objective. However, the fog thickens, and the Nano Armor’s night mode reveals the island’s true form: a gigantic black serpent coiled around the entire landmass.
• Tian attempts to flee while using his Floating Cannons as distractions, but the serpent destroys the cannons and knocks him down. His strength suddenly fails, and he experiences memories of his childhood, family, and entry into Divine Treasure Space before the serpent kills him.
• Meanwhile, Nameless is relaxing on his sailboat after losing repeatedly in a video game when Chen Weihua contacts him about her research into the Coras Cells.
• Chen reveals that the Coras Cells are not independent organisms but interconnected parts of one enormous living whole. The planet or environment Nameless is exploring may effectively be inside the body of this giant organism.
• The creature’s mental strength is extremely weak compared with its immense size, meaning many of its cells operate through instinct and can be influenced by the organisms they control.
• When Nameless asks how to deal with the Coras Cells without supernatural powers, Chen presents a modified tranquilizer gun containing darts filled with blue liquid, implying that she has discovered a practical method of neutralizing them.

Character Developments

• Tian Deshan is shown as cautious but decisive. Although deeply frightened, he chooses to take a calculated risk rather than remain immobilized by suspicion. His final memories reveal his attachment to his family and the important experiences that shaped him.
• Nameless remains casual and irreverent, spending his time gaming and napping despite the dangerous situation. However, he becomes attentive and serious once Chen’s discovery suggests a possible way to overcome the trial.
• Chen Weihua demonstrates scientific competence, initiative, and reliability. She organizes a large-scale investigation and successfully identifies both the true nature of the Coras Cells and a potentially effective countermeasure.

Significant Themes

• Fear versus action: Tian’s decision shows that courage does not mean lacking fear; he acts despite recognizing the island’s overwhelming danger.
• The hidden scale of danger: The island initially appears to be a small, isolated threat, but it is revealed to be part of a gigantic living entity, emphasizing how limited human perception can be.
• Science as a counter to supernatural threats: Chen’s research offers a non-supernatural solution to an otherwise seemingly impossible problem.
• Life, death, and memory: Tian’s final moments focus on family and meaningful experiences, highlighting what remains important when facing death.
• Interconnectedness: The Coras Cells’ collective structure suggests that apparently separate organisms may function as parts of a single vast consciousness or body.

Character Interactions

• Tian has no direct interaction with other trial-takers but internally debates whether to wait for Nameless, revealing the mutual distrust and strategic uncertainty governing the trial.
• Nameless and Chen exchange information by communication call. Their conversation shifts from Nameless’s playful attitude to serious discussion as Chen explains her discovery.
• Chen’s presentation of the tranquilizer gun ends the chapter on a note of anticipation, suggesting that her research may give Nameless a way to survive the trial and confront the Coras Cells.

Chapter Summary: “Really Did Take the First ‘Step’”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Weihua explains her plan to combat the planet-wide Blackened Coras Cells. She has cultivated a new, human-friendly strain of Coras Cells that can be injected into a target and made to fight the hostile cells from within.
• Nameless worries that Chen Weihua’s small supply will be overwhelmed by the Blackened Coras Cells, which have spread across the planet. Chen explains that the cells’ consciousness can focus on only one location, allowing the friendly cells to grow unnoticed—effectively attacking while the enemy is distracted.
• Nameless agrees to test the plan and releases the friendly blue Coras Cells into the blackened ocean, hoping they will multiply and eventually restore the sea.
• While waiting, Nameless notices that there are no birds in the sky, even though flying creatures should theoretically still exist as zombies. He cannot determine the reason and spends the day idly thinking about it.
• At night, Nameless discovers a large island and Tian Deshan’s unattended silver battleship nearby. When Tian does not respond to his calls or a thrown coin, Nameless suspects he may have gone ashore—or may be setting a trap.
• Rather than risk boarding the ship or island immediately, Nameless bombards the island with numerous accelerated iron balls. The repeated attacks devastate the mountain and presumably kill Tian if he was there.
• Nameless then destroys the silver battleship as well. Since Tian never uses it to retaliate, Nameless concludes that Tian had already died, likely before Nameless arrived.
• He jokes that Tian “took the first step” toward reincarnation, then retreats from the island for the night, planning to investigate it the following day.

Character Developments

• Nameless: Shows increasing caution and strategic thinking. Instead of rushing onto the island or ship, he considers multiple possibilities, conducts long-range attacks, and eliminates potential threats before approaching. He also remains characteristically irreverent, treating Tian’s apparent death with dark humor.
• Chen Weihua: Demonstrates scientific expertise and a willingness to assist Nameless. Her research provides a possible large-scale solution to the Coras Cell crisis, and she adopts a protective, cooperative attitude by warning Nameless to stay safe.
• Tian Deshan: Although absent, he remains a source of suspicion and hostility. His silence and failure to control the battleship lead Nameless to infer that he is dead.

Significant Themes

• Strategy versus brute force: Chen’s plan relies on stealth and gradual growth, while Nameless combines careful analysis with overwhelming firepower.
• Uncertainty and suspicion: Nameless cannot know whether Tian is dead, hiding, or preparing an ambush, so he acts against every possibility.
• Humanity’s struggle against corruption: The conflict between friendly and Blackened Coras Cells reflects the broader fight to reclaim a world overtaken by hostile forces.
• Patience and wasted time: Nameless reflects that knowing how to pass time can be valuable, emphasizing the chapter’s slower, contemplative moments amid the danger.
• Death and dark humor: Tian’s possible death is treated casually and humorously, reinforcing Nameless’s detached attitude toward enemies and the harshness of the post-apocalyptic world.

Character Interactions

• Nameless and Chen Weihua: Their conversation is cooperative and trusting. Chen offers both a scientific solution and emotional concern, while Nameless gratefully accepts her help.
• Nameless and Tian Deshan: Their interaction is mostly indirect and antagonistic. Nameless attempts to provoke Tian into revealing himself, then attacks the island and battleship when he receives no response.
• Nameless and the Deep Sea Apostle: Nameless relies on the Apostle to steer the sailboat and retreat safely, showing his continued use of companions or tools to support his cautious exploration.