Chapter Summaries

Youyi and Riva traveled through the forest and discovered six giant monsters eating the recently killed Soma People. They hid behind a mound as the monsters gathered around the corpses, and Riva recognized what they were.

• Riva stumbled into a pit, escaped without falling, and celebrated his improving strength while Youyi criticized his modest ambitions.
• Youyi sensed something nearby and rushed ahead, leaving Riva to chase after her through the forest.
• Youyi and Riva hid behind a mound and spotted dozens of recently killed Soma People strewn across the ground.
• Six towering, armed monsters arrived carrying more Soma People corpses and began eating the bodies.
• Youyi asked Riva what the creatures were, and he silently identified them as Giant Monsters.

Youyi and Riva investigated the aftermath of the Giant Monsters’ attack, found a pouch of fingernails that revealed its owner’s cruelty, and scavenged clothes from the dead. After Youyi remade Riva’s outfit and styled his hair, he admired his new appearance, while Youyi recalled the Dawn Sage’s advice about building confidence.

• The Giant Monsters ate corpses, stripped armor and clothing to add to their homemade armor, then disappeared into the woods.
• Youyi dragged Riva down to inspect the bodies and concluded the monsters had caught people who fled during the chaos.
• Riva discovered a pouch containing dozens of Soma women’s right middle fingernails, and Youyi condemned its owner as a monster.
• Youyi scavenged money and wearable clothes from the dead, then washed and altered the garments for Riva.
• Youyi styled Riva’s hair, and he admired his new look beside a lake as she recalled the Dawn Sage’s words about confidence and appearance.

Youyi gave Riva a Daybreak symbol that caused him intense pain, drawing Qin Xiaoxia’s attention from Earth and leading him to follow the pair as a thoughtform. Two days later, Youyi urged Riva to bluff a band of robbers threatening a refugee group.

• Youyi dressed Riva in scavenged weapons and, seeking to give him more substance, branded a strange symbol onto his palm.
• Riva collapsed in agony, and Youyi later eased his pain as Qin Xiaoxia sensed the event from the Qing Town Sanctuary.
• Qin Xiaoxia used his power to form a thoughtform and discovered Youyi, Riva, and the symbol linked to Dawn.
• Qin Xiaoxia followed Youyi and Riva on their journey for two days, observing their dealings with the world’s inhabitants.
• Youyi and Riva came across eight armed robbers threatening a group of refugees, and Youyi urged Riva to bluff them.

Riva overcame his fear and confronted the bandits threatening a family of travelers, driving them away without a fight. He and Youyi were left relieved that the encounter ended peacefully.

• Eight bandits threatened to rob a group of travelers and prepared to kill the men when the group refused to surrender its food.
• Youyi urged Riva to intervene, reminding him of his strength and saying she would look down on him if he abandoned the travelers.
• Riva stepped out from the trees and approached the bandits with a commanding presence, despite his fear.
• Riva ordered the bandits to leave and drew his heavy broadsword, making them flee without fighting.
• Riva, Youyi, and Qin Xiaoxia each sighed with relief after the bandits ran away.

Riva and Youyi rescued a group of refugees from bandits, then shared a meal with them and learned that Valvaris and several other western cities had fallen to an invasion by Savage Beastmen and Giant Monsters. Riva was left stunned by the news that his hometown had been captured.

• Youyi praised Riva for driving off the bandits and sent the refugees on their way without questioning them.
• The refugees traveled onward, and Elder Pisiri recognized bloodstains on Riva's clothes and suspected he had killed many people.
• Youyi and Riva followed the refugees' cooking smells and paid to share Pisiri's soup, easing the refugees' fear of them.
• Pisiri told Riva that Valvaris, Nonodesili City, and three other western border cities had fallen to Savage Beastmen and enslaved Giant Monsters.
• Riva reacted in shock and worried about his home, his neighbors, and whether Goys and the others had returned to the catastrophe.

Riva realized the Savage Beastmen’s autumn attack did not fit their usual seasonal raids, suggesting a sinister force was behind the war. When four Giant Monsters approached the camp, Riva hesitated between fleeing and protecting the people who begged him not to leave, then asked Youyi if she had said he was no longer an ordinary person.

• Riva explained that the Savage Beastmen had wealthy resources and reasons to trade peacefully, making their sudden attack in autumn suspicious.
• Qin Xiaoxia connected the war’s oddities to the monstrous Savage Beastmen and enslaved Giant Monsters, while Youyi mentioned the group had encountered Giant Monsters nearby.
• Youyi sensed Giant Monsters approaching the camp, and she and Riva woke everyone and put out the fire.
• Four Giant Monsters followed the group’s scent toward the camp as the frightened people looked to Riva for help.
• Riva considered escaping with Youyi, but the people’s pleas reminded him of being abandoned before, so he asked Youyi if he was no longer an ordinary person.

Riva risked his life to draw four Giant Monsters away from the refugees, then turned back when they pursued the fleeing group. As a faint glow appeared in Riva’s right palm, he instinctively dodged and struck a Giant Monster’s wrist with his Broadsword, leaving it badly wounded.

• Riva told the refugees to flee while he distracted the Giant Monsters, and Youyi chased after him despite his warnings.
• Riva dodged the monsters’ clubs and ran with Youyi, but turned back when he realized the Giant Monsters might catch the refugees.
• Riva raced back toward the monsters, pelting them with stones to draw their attention away from the fleeing group.
• The Giant Monsters charged Riva and hurled boulders at him, but he narrowly avoided their attacks.
• A glow appeared in Riva’s right palm, and he instinctively drew his Broadsword and slashed a Giant Monster’s wrist, sending it crashing to the ground.

After Riva defeated the Giant Monsters, the refugees treated his wounds and celebrated their newfound safety. Riva noticed the mark on his palm and asked Youyi what it meant, and she described it as a symbol of defiance against fate and the eternal undying dawn.

• Riva recovered from the fight as Youyi treated his shoulder wound and the refugees gathered around to thank and praise him.
• Four young men retrieved Riva’s Broadsword from beneath the dead Giant Monster and returned it to camp with his other weapons.
• Riva noticed that the mark on his palm had stopped glowing and asked Youyi what it was.
• Youyi explained that the mark represented fearlessness, sacrifice, wisdom, strength, and the eternal undying dawn.

Riva discovered that the Dawn Seal on his palm had awakened a power when he risked his life to protect refugees from Giant Monsters. In the following days, he and Youyi escorted survivors to safety and began earning a reputation as the Black-Clad Ranger.

• Youyi showed Riva the glowing Dawn Seal and asked what he had experienced during the fight with the Giant Monsters.
• Riva described how the mark’s warmth and heightened awareness helped him draw his sword, defeat the strongest Giant Monster, and protect the refugees.
• Youyi explained that the Dawn Seal had responded to Riva’s selfless courage and could connect him to the convictions of past heroes.
• Qin Xiaoxia observed their conversation, recognized Youyi’s understanding of Dawn, and grew interested in the unknown world.
• Riva and Youyi escorted refugees to a stable kingdom, rescued more survivors, and fought marauders as Riva’s combat skills improved.
• Stories of Riva and Youyi’s deeds spread, and people began calling Riva the Black-Clad Ranger.

In Rusbella, refugees found work and shelter at a dockside tavern, where Tumi told patrons that Riva, known as the Black-Clad Ranger, had saved them by fighting four Giant Monsters. Buck and his companion took the story seriously after recalling reports of a Giant Monster killed in the same way, while Riva and Youyi knew his fame was spreading.

• Old Pisiri and the refugees settled at the Organ Tavern, where Pisiri became head cook and the others found work.
• Mercenary Buck told tavern patrons that only seven of thirty scouting teams had returned from a dangerous mission beyond the defensive line.
• Buck asked Tumi about the Black-Clad Ranger, and Tumi excitedly said that Riva had saved the refugees.
• Meifoya confirmed that Riva had faced four Giant Monsters, wounded two, killed their leader, and driven the rest away.
• Buck and his companion connected Tumi’s account to a report of a Giant Monster slain by a blow through its eye and head.
• Riva and Youyi recognized that the Black-Clad Ranger’s fame was growing, and Youyi wanted to spread it further.

Riva and Youyi traveled toward a city where Riva could repair his damaged Broadsword, while Qin Xiaoxia secretly guided their journey. They came upon a fierce battle between Kingdom Army soldiers and Savage Beastmen, where the outnumbered defenders overwhelmed the attackers and the Kingdom officer fled.

• The Kingdom of Bia failed to win aid from the other Soma kingdoms as it prepared for a possible Savage Beastmen invasion.
• Riva put out the campfire and decided to find a blacksmith to repair his damaged Broadsword, while Youyi teased him about calling it an old friend.
• Qin Xiaoxia returned to the camp and reflected on how he had been guiding Riva and Youyi while they remained unaware of his efforts.
• Youyi led Riva toward a larger city, and they soon noticed a battle at a newly built Savage Beastmen outpost.
• The Savage Beastmen routed the Kingdom Army soldiers and mercenaries, and their officer lashed his Horn-Helmet Beast and fled while ordering his troops to hold the enemy back.

Riva intervened when a Kingdom Army officer fled and the remaining soldiers were being slaughtered by Savage Beastmen. After helping the survivors defeat the beasts, he accepted wounded soldiers and mercenaries as followers and led the group away to recover.

• The Kingdom Army's commander fled, causing many soldiers and mercenaries to abandon the formation as Savage Beastmen killed those left behind.
• Riva charged into the battle, killed the Savage Beastman leader and several warriors, and rallied the survivors to hold formation.
• The Kingdom Army soldiers and mercenaries fought alongside Riva and killed the remaining Savage Beastmen, though fewer than thirty could still stand.
• A dying mercenary named Sohel asked his companions to look after someone before he died, while a wounded Kingdom Army soldier asked to follow Riva.
• Youyi accepted the soldiers and mercenaries as Riva's followers, and Riva led the survivors away from the battlefield to rest and tend their wounds.

Riva led a group of survivors toward Ternal, but found the city overrun by Savage Beastmen. The wounded soldier Gurian assessed the enemy’s likely advance and mapped a long detour to safety, leaving Youyi convinced they had gained a valuable follower.

• Youyi promised to look after the badly wounded soldier while Riva returned with food, and the group began to trust Riva over a shared meal.
• By morning, the wounded soldier had improved enough to eat, and Riva set out with the group for a Kingdom city.
• Riva reconnoitered Ternal and reported that Savage Beastmen had taken it, with three Giant Monsters near the gates.
• Gurian drew a rough map and argued that Rebeck Fortress and five nearby Kingdom garrisons might also have fallen, forcing the group to take a wide detour.
• Youyi tugged at Riva’s clothes and whispered that they had struck gold by gaining Gurian.

Riva’s group crossed enemy-held territory after Gurian warned that the Savage Beastmen would send reinforcements. While scouting a massive enemy force, Youyi spotted strange black Savage Beastmen and recognized the corruption linked to them.

• Gurian persuaded Riva to lead the group around the occupied city, warning that more Savage Beastmen armies would arrive.
• Riva guided the small group through forests and swamps, where they encountered several enemy forces and confirmed Gurian’s prediction.
• Youyi praised Gurian’s strategic insight and explained that he had chosen to serve Riva after Riva saved him and earned his respect.
• Youyi sensed danger, left Riva to watch over the resting group, and scouted a force of thousands of Savage Beastmen and at least twenty Giant Monsters.
• Youyi spotted strange black smoke connecting uncanny Savage Beastmen to the others, noticed a resemblance to the locks at the ends of her hair, and identified it as corruption.

Youyi discovered a vast Savage Beastmen army near the group and warned Riva that Corruption was among them, forcing them to wake everyone and leave. Gurian interpreted their discovery as evidence that the Savage Beastmen planned to attack Matiaco and beyond, then announced he would explain Riva's supposed plan.

• Youyi returned from scouting in a panic after spotting thousands of Savage Beastmen, including Corrupted ones, and urged Riva to move the group immediately.
• Riva and Youyi woke the soldiers and mercenaries, and Riva warned them that over ten thousand Savage Beastmen and several Giant Monsters were nearby.
• Gurian reasoned that the army's presence near Ridge Mountain meant the group's route was unsafe and that the Savage Beastmen might have ambitions beyond attacking their kingdom.
• Gurian drew Matiaco on the ground and concluded that the Savage Beastmen intended to strike the Sogian Kingdom and threaten civilization across the world.
• Gurian declared that he would explain the Black Ranger's plan, although Riva and Youyi did not know what plan he meant.

Gurian explained how the group could use the Sogian king’s giant statue to trigger a collapse into the Gulot Reservoir Dam and unleash its stored water against the Savage Beastmen. Riva ordered the soldiers to set out at once, while Youyi wondered whether Gurian had already devised further steps in the plan.

• Gurian pointed out that Ridge Mountain and the Gulot River left the Sogian border vulnerable to the invading Savage Beastmen.
• Gurian explained that the Gulot Reservoir Dam held back water during the dry season, but could not be destroyed directly by the small group.
• Youyi suggested flooding the Savage Beastmen, and Gurian said her idea was close to the plan despite the difficulty of damaging the dam.
• Gurian revealed that boulders could knock down the enormous statue of Junobit II and send it crashing into the dam.
• Gurian urged Riva to depart immediately, and Riva ordered the soldiers to move out with Gurian.

Riva’s group hurried toward Gulot Dam while Gurian outlined how the Savage Beastmen could invade the kingdom’s west. Gurian proposed splitting the group so some could sabotage the enemy’s plans while others spread a fable to drive civilians to safety.

• Riva carried the wounded Gurian as Youyi scouted ahead and confirmed that most Savage Beastmen scouts were behind them.
• Gurian stopped the group and explained that the Savage Beastmen could attack from the west and north, leaving much of the kingdom’s western territory vulnerable.
• Gurian said the group should divide, with most continuing toward Gulot Dam and the others heading into the Western Territory.
• Gurian proposed that pairs spread a modified fable in unfallen cities to shake confidence and persuade civilians to flee toward the rear.
• Youyi reacted with widening eyes and a trembling body as Gurian described the fable.

Youyi, Riva, and their companions carried out Gurian’s plan to warn the western kingdoms and encourage civilians to flee as the Savage Beastmen advanced. In Jiniz, Jack began spreading the revised prophecy by revealing that the western defenses had supposedly collapsed and tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians were dead.

• Gurian directed fourteen people to spread the revised prophecy and two messengers to warn the leaders of the kingdom and the Sogian Kingdom, while Riva gave Jack and the others the group’s money.
• The group split into four parties and set out, with Riva carrying the wounded Gurian as they traveled toward the west.
• Jack and a companion arrived at Jiniz’s Foam Tavern, where Jack posed as a western fur merchant and drew the patrons’ attention.
• Jack persuaded the tavern owner to close the doors, then warned the gathered drinkers to keep his story within their families.
• Jack claimed that the Kingdom Army’s forty thousand troops, the western fortress cities, and five supporting cities had all been destroyed or captured, leaving everyone there dead.

Old Jack and his companion warned a tavern full of people that the Savage Beastmen invasion matched an ancient prophecy and urged them to flee east to Rusbella. They left the shaken patrons with a secret warning, while two regulars arrived and demanded to hear what had happened.

• Old Jack revealed that he and his companion had fled with a trading caravan before the Savage Beastmen invaded and had witnessed a falling star.
• Old Jack recounted the wealthy merchant’s prophecy about a corrupting darkness, a falling star representing dawn, and a destined savior who would be revived after death.
• Old Jack warned that the Savage Beastmen’s army, Mutant Savage Beastmen, and enslaved Giant Monsters threatened the city, and advised the tavernkeeper to flee east to Rusbella.
• Old Jack and his companion paid for their meal, left the tavern, and vanished into the night after urging everyone to keep the prophecy secret.
• Two fat regulars entered the tavern, noticed the patrons’ silence, and pressed them to explain what had happened.

A rumor that the Savage Beastmen would soon attack spread through the city after old Jack and his companion warned patrons at the Foam Tavern. The tavern emptied as people prepared to flee, and the secret continued spreading from household to household.

• Two fat regulars heard old Jack's story at the Foam Tavern, panicked, and rushed home to warn their families.
• Other patrons left the tavern, while its owner told the staff to keep quiet and revealed that old Jack's companion bore a scar from a Fangwolf Spear.
• Three regulars arrived after the tavern had emptied, and the owner eventually told them what had happened.
• One fat man warned his wife that the Savage Beastmen and Giant Monsters might attack and that they should leave soon.
• The wife insisted they warn Old Gemari's family, and similar rumors spread throughout the city that night.