Chapter Summaries

Jonas learned from Annis Erdoka that the Predecessor Civilization had possessed Dorothy and was preparing another operation. She revealed that the civilization had planned to sacrifice the Zerg to ascend to a higher dimension, and warned Jonas that their ascension tool remained beneath the Wasteland.

• Noel told Jonas that Dorothy was secretly mobilizing resources and personnel for a large-scale operation, and Jonas warned her not to investigate Dorothy.
• Jonas told Celine and Afanisi that the Federation was preparing an operation and ordered them to get ready.
• Jonas fell asleep and met Annis Erdoka in a dark, star-filled space.
• Annis Erdoka showed Jonas that the Predecessor Civilization had planned to sacrifice the Zerg for ascension, but the Zerg struck back and both sides were devastated.
• Annis Erdoka warned Jonas that the Predecessor Civilization's ascension tool was beneath the Wasteland and urged him to be careful.

Dorothy searched the Wasteland for traces of the predecessor civilization and marked five locations with psionic fluctuations. At the fifth site, an excavation triggered a lethal psionic surge that killed the crew, leaving Dorothy alone beside the discovery.

• Dorothy used her psionic perception to search the Wasteland and detected traces of the predecessor civilization at five locations.
• Dorothy marked the five excavation sites on her tablet and ordered the Federation's excavation team to investigate them.
• Dorothy and the team moved through the first four sites, finding nothing at each one.
• At the fifth site, the excavation equipment triggered a powerful psionic surge from underground that killed everyone at the site except Dorothy.
• Dorothy stood among the dead and said, "Found it."

Dorothy discovered a secret base of the predecessor civilization and awakened Zero, its metal guardian. Zero recognized Dorothy as human, then revealed that Jonas was listed as a thief who stole the Forerunner's technology tree.

• Dorothy descended into the underground base and activated a remnant of the predecessor civilization's ascension technology.
• Dorothy reached the deepest hall and activated the installation beside the metal girl.
• The girl, Zero, awakened and attacked Dorothy after her Superbrain identified her as unauthorized.
• Dorothy's psionic imprints made Zero recognize her as human and withdraw her attack.
• Dorothy asked about Jonas, and Zero identified him as a thief who stole the Forerunner's technology tree.

Dorothy awakened the Predecessor Civilization’s Underground City, and its emergence drew attention across the Federation. Jonas recognized the danger posed by Dorothy’s legacy and warned his people away, but Eiffel returned with news of an important call.

• Dorothy made Zero mark Jonas as the Zerg’s highest-priority target and ordered her to help restore the Predecessor Civilization.
• Dorothy activated the underground facility, causing the Underground City and its systems to rise from the earth.
• People across District 25 and the Federation discussed the newly revealed city and joked about claiming it.
• Eiffel told Jonas the Federation had sealed off the Underground City and sent research teams to investigate it.
• Jonas ordered Eiffel to monitor the situation and keep their people away because Dorothy controlled the city.
• Eiffel returned to Jonas’s office and told him an important call had come in.

Jonas negotiated with Ji Yeling, Dragon City's chief Swordbearer, and accepted her offer to help District 25 against the Federation while both cities investigated the Predecessor Civilization. After the call, Ji Yeling dealt with internal opposition and sent Jonas a promise that the Federation would not move against District 25 unless Dragon City openly broke with it.

• Eiffel connected Jonas to a Dragon City representative, who introduced herself as Xuanyuan and offered to share information about the Wasteland anomaly in exchange for cooperation.
• Jonas identified Xuanyuan as Ji Yeling, the chief Swordbearer of Dragon City's Swordbearers, and took control of their negotiations.
• Ji Yeling offered to divert the Federation's attention and explained that Dragon City feared the Federation had contacted the Predecessor Civilization; Jonas accepted her assistance.
• Ji Yeling told her subordinates that District 25 had agreed to cooperate, then left work early and visited her usual hot pot restaurant.
• After receiving a call about officials opposing action against the Predecessor Civilization, Ji Yeling agreed to confront them and messaged Jonas that the Federation would not attack District 25 while Dragon City remained neutral.

With the Federation occupied by other problems, Jonas finally had time to rest in District 25. Eiffel grew unusually warm toward him and asked him to have dinner with her, leaving their date plans poised to begin.

• Jonas received Ji Yeling’s assurance that the Federation would not target District 25 unless he provoked it.
• Eiffel brought Jonas coffee and cookies, then offered to help him relax.
• Eiffel asked Jonas why he never spent his free time with her.
• Jonas asked whether Eiffel had time to go out, and she said her schedule was clear.
• Eiffel asked Jonas to have dinner with her, returning his invitation.

Jonas and Eiffel prepared carefully for a date and went to a luxurious restaurant Eiffel liked. As they sat together beside a window, Eiffel asked Jonas to make memories with her that they could fondly remember.

• Jonas invited Eiffel to dinner and carefully dressed and groomed himself for their date.
• Eiffel chose an elegant black gown and prepared herself for the evening.
• Jonas took Eiffel to a five-star restaurant he had chosen because she liked it.
• Eiffel admired the restaurant’s decor and asked Jonas to make memories with her that they could look back on fondly.

Iris nervously sought Jonas’s help with a book, then accepted his invitation to sit in his lap and asked him to spend more time with her. Encouraged by the other voice in her mind, she moved closer to kiss him, but switched to her other self at the last moment.

• Iris sat in Jonas’s office, pretending to read while the other voice in her mind teased her about her feelings for him.
• Iris asked Jonas for advice about difficulties with her book, and he set aside his work to help her.
• Iris asked what Jonas was working on and whether he needed her help, then sat on his lap when he gestured for her to come closer.
• Jonas held Iris and told her she could come closer whenever she wanted, while promising to make more time for her once his work was done.
• Iris asked Jonas to spend more time with her, then moved in as if to kiss him before switching to her other self.

Iris fell asleep in Jonas's office after becoming exhausted, and Celine arrived hoping to claim her reward from Jonas. She hinted that she wanted to put on a combat outfit her sister had left behind.

• Iris grew tired while reading in Jonas's office and fell asleep on the sofa.
• Jonas covered Iris with a blanket and put away the Coconut Milk Pudding before Celine called to ask if she could visit.
• Celine chose a bright yellow hoodie and denim shorts, excited to see Jonas and claim her reward.
• Celine arrived, saw Iris sleeping, and quietly asked Jonas whether he had forgotten her reward.
• When Jonas asked what she wanted, Celine hinted that there was a combat outfit in her room that her sister had left behind.

Jonas shared breakfast with Esnie at the Alt Conglomerate after spending the night with Celine, and Esnie expressed her jealousy and longing. She asked Jonas to help her pick out clothes, leaving him to decide whether to go shopping with her.

• Jonas had breakfast with Esnie in his office after running into her that morning.
• Esnie complained that Jonas had been spending time with others instead of her.
• Jonas mentioned that he had spent time with Celine and might visit Eiffel, prompting Esnie to question his intentions.
• Esnie asked Jonas to help her pick out clothes.

Jonas and Esnie went shopping at an Alt Conglomerate mall, where Esnie tried on outfits and bought several. She ended the outing by suggesting that she and Jonas play Love Nikki again that night.

• Esnie suggested shopping for clothes and teased Jonas about looking at other people because he might not find her attractive.
• Jonas agreed to accompany Esnie and proposed closing the mall so they could shop privately.
• Esnie chose an Alt Conglomerate clothing store, where she showed Jonas a pink dress and a black suit.
• Esnie told Jonas she had bought several outfits, including suits, school uniforms, and nun outfits, then asked him to play Love Nikki with her that night.

Jonas spent a peaceful morning with Esnie before returning to the Office and checking his messages. Chelsea invited him to dinner with Ryoko, saying she wanted to discuss recent events.

• Jonas woke to find Esnie cuddling and kissing his neck, and they shared a warm conversation in bed.
• Esnie got dressed, told Jonas to get up, and left for training and the Security Department.
• Jonas showered, changed, and went to the Office, where he had coffee and a simple breakfast.
• Jonas read Chelsea's invitation to dinner with Ryoko and her request to talk about what had been happening lately.

Jonas invited Chelsea and Shigure Ryoko to meet at his office in Alt Tower, but Chelsea had to return to work and sent Ryoko ahead. The chapter ended with Ryoko suddenly standing behind Jonas to massage his sore shoulders before he had even asked.

• Jonas and Chelsea arranged to meet at Alt Tower, and Chelsea sent him a video of herself and Ryoko.
• Jonas prepared milk, cookies, and chocolate for his visitors and opened the office door when Ryoko waited outside.
• Ryoko entered alone and explained that Chelsea had gone back to the company and would come later.
• Jonas told Ryoko his shoulders were sore, and she sprang up to help before he could say anything else.

Shigure Ryoko nervously massaged Jonas and accepted his milk and cookies while waiting for Chelsea. After Jonas teased her, Ryoko suddenly worked up the nerve to grab his collar, while Chelsea waited outside the locked Office, unable to reach either of them.

• Shigure Ryoko massaged Jonas's shoulders and blushed as she grew flustered around him.
• Jonas reassured Shigure Ryoko that Chelsea would arrive soon, then had her sit down and finish milk and cookies.
• Jonas teased Shigure Ryoko by claiming she owed him for accepting his treats, then joked that he knew what she had been thinking.
• Shigure Ryoko grew angry at Jonas for repeatedly reading her thoughts and grabbed his collar.
• Chelsea waited outside the Office after she could not open the door or reach Jonas and Ryoko on the Communicator.

Chelsea waited at the Alt Conglomerate's lounge and called Shigure Ryoko, while Ryoko and Jonas were absorbed in a competitive game. After the call, Ryoko and Jonas continued their game, leaving Ryoko flustered and distracted.

• Chelsea waited for Jonas and Ryoko to answer her calls while imagining what they might be doing.
• Jonas coaxed Shigure Ryoko into answering Chelsea's call as they played Dragon vs. Hero.
• Ryoko told Chelsea she and Jonas were gaming, and made up an excuse when Chelsea heard a muffled grunt.
• Chelsea accepted Ryoko's explanation and told her to call back after she and Jonas finished.
• After ending the call, Ryoko and Jonas continued their intense game, and half an hour later Ryoko drank coffee that tasted fishy.

Ji Yeling investigated the Federation, was captured and questioned by Dorothy, then escaped her surveillance and traveled to District 25 to assess its strength and meet Jonas. After spending a day exploring the transformed district, she received a call from Jonas asking how she had enjoyed her visit.

• Ji Yeling dismissed Dragon City's official delegation and secretly entered the Federation with her assistant to investigate its political changes and security.
• Ji Yeling's assistant reported the Federation's centralization, curfew, surveillance, and disappearances before security forces captured her.
• A robot brought Ji Yeling to Dorothy, who warned her to keep Dragon City out of the Federation's dispute with District 25 and released her and her assistant.
• Ji Yeling evaded Dorothy's watchers and headed to District 25 to meet Jonas, deciding she trusted him more than Dorothy.
• Ji Yeling explored District 25 and saw its advanced infrastructure, strong defenses, and improved living standards before Jonas called to ask about her visit.

Ji Yeling tested whether Jonas and the Alt Conglomerate truly controlled District 25 before agreeing to cooperate with Dragon City. After Jonas demonstrated the conglomerate’s intelligence network, connections, and command over local media, Ji Yeling asked whether it was qualified to work with her.

• Ji Yeling accepted Jonas’s invitation to dinner and chose an evening gown before meeting him at an old tavern.
• Ji Yeling questioned whether the Alt Conglomerate could maintain control of District 25, and Jonas used a nearby Skull Gang conflict to demonstrate its intelligence network and mobilize the Peacekeeping Forces.
• Jonas called Yucas, who affirmed her close bond with him and said she would die for him, leaving Ji Yeling momentarily speechless.
• Jonas showed that District 25’s media had suppressed all reports of the Skull Gang operation for three hours, then revealed that the gang had colluded with the Federation.
• After the Alt Conglomerate publicized the Skull Gang’s crimes and Federation ties, local media spread the story widely, and Jonas asked Ji Yeling whether the conglomerate was qualified to cooperate with Dragon City.

Ji Yeling secured a partnership between Dragon City and District 25 while secretly planning to obtain District 25’s Tactical Mecha technology. She recruited Yue Chen and Ye Hua to travel there and gather intelligence, leaving the mission to begin after their arrival.

• Ji Yeling and Jonas agreed to a closer partnership, and Jonas wondered what other surprises she might bring after she left.
• Ji Yeling planned to investigate District 25’s Tactical Mecha technology while keeping Dragon City’s intentions hidden.
• Ji Yeling asked her deputy to find capable Swordbearers for the mission, and the deputy suggested the recently returned Yue Chen and Ye Hua.
• Ji Yeling contacted Yue Chen, who argued with Ye Hua over fruit on their pizza before agreeing to the mission after hearing about the pay and mecha technology.
• Yue Chen and Ye Hua agreed to leave for District 25 within hours, while Ji Yeling planned to send them intelligence and enjoy her stay.

Ye Hua and Yue Chen arrived in District 25 for a mission involving Dragon City and the Alt Conglomerate, settled into their apartment, and met Mr. Jonas. After leaving Alt Tower, Yue Chen planned to meet their contact at night while Ye Hua stayed behind, but a call from Boss interrupted them.

• Ye Hua and Yue Chen arrived in District 25, checked into their apartment, and Ye Hua scanned it for bugs and hidden cameras.
• The next morning, Ye Hua told Yue Chen they would visit the Alt Conglomerate and meet Mr. Jonas before pursuing their mission.
• Yue Chen and Ye Hua met Jonas at Alt Tower, exchanged formal greetings, and discussed their stay and partnership.
• Yue Chen asked Jonas for help getting restaurant reservations, then explained to Ye Hua that the favor would build rapport without creating a major obligation.
• Yue Chen decided to meet their contact that night and told Ye Hua to stay at the apartment, but Boss called Yue Chen on her Communicator as they headed back.

Yue Chen reassured Ji Yeling about their progress in District 25 while secretly keeping up her carefree act, and Ye Hua met a Dragon City contact at an underground bar. The chapter ended with Ye Hua leaving an eavesdropping follower incapacitated in an alley.

• Yue Chen told Ji Yeling that she and Ye Hua had arrived safely and that Jonas seemed easy to deal with, prompting Ji Yeling to warn her not to trust appearances.
• Yue Chen told Ye Hua she was only pretending to be impressed by Jonas to try to get extra pay if the mission failed.
• Ye Hua and Yue Chen decided to eat at a restaurant before returning to their apartment.
• Ye Hua disguised herself and met a female contact at an underground bar using a drink as a code phrase.
• Ye Hua noticed a follower trying to report the meeting, then disabled him in an alley after discovering he had no signal.