Chapter Summaries

Victoria refused Sylvia’s suggestion to join a larger team and decided they would form their own group for the undead extermination mission. Needing a third member, Victoria was approached by second-year Catherine Roman, who asked whether they planned to participate.

• Yelina struggled to organize the excited students gathering to form teams for the lucrative undead extermination mission.
• Sylvia suggested that she and Victoria join an experienced team, but Victoria insisted they operate independently.
• Victoria refused to invite Greg, claiming he was still recovering, and privately resolved to prove herself without his help.
• Victoria realized the team needed at least three members and began searching the crowd for a capable, fair-minded recruit.
• Catherine Roman approached Victoria and Sylvia and asked whether they planned to join the mission.

Catherine planned to use Victoria and Sylvia’s expedition as an opportunity to recruit them for testing her family’s anti-undead Magic Device, but Victoria instead invited Catherine to join their team. Meanwhile, Melina met with Yellow Springs in an underground tomb and arranged for an undead expedition to bring students—and eventually Glory Kael Magic Academy’s professors—into the graveyard, giving her a chance to enter the Academy and approach the Hero.

• Catherine introduced herself to Victoria and Sylvia, expecting to build rapport before offering them a paid Magic Device testing commission.
• Victoria asked Catherine to join their team for the undead expedition, leaving Catherine bewildered.
• Melina appeared at an underground ritual site and warned Yellow Springs to keep her secrets, while acknowledging their shared connection to Rockthorn.
• Melina learned that the Academy had accepted the commission to investigate and clear the graveyard, and dismissed concerns that students might not defeat the threat.
• Melina explained that student deaths would draw the Academy’s professors and help her obtain a new identity, enter the Academy, and approach the Hero.

Catherine joined Victoria Cecil and Sylvia Lorraine in a fog-shrouded undead-infested area, where she reluctantly fought while questioning her intelligence about the two girls. After Victoria invoked Greg to encourage Sylvia, Sylvia overcame her fear and destroyed the undead with powerful Light Element Magic.

• Catherine found herself in a filthy, dangerous undead-infested area instead of the office where she expected to be.
• Victoria urged Catherine to fight and threatened to withhold her share of the loot, so Catherine used Wind Blade: Flurry to cut down undead.
• Victoria asked Sylvia to use light magic, but Sylvia was too frightened to attack.
• Victoria mentioned Greg, prompting Sylvia to remember seeing Chloe and Yelina surrounding him and lose her fear of the undead.
• Sylvia trapped the undead between two Light Barriers and crushed and purified them.

Victoria, Sylvia, and Catherine pushed deeper into the graveyard, where they encountered three arrogant Student Council members and a horde of powerful undead. The students fled as at least fifteen level-20 Necromancers emerged from the fog behind the councilmen.

• Victoria and Sylvia defeated the undead blocking their way, and Catherine wondered whether Greg Sass had contributed to Victoria’s sudden strength.
• Victoria led Sylvia and Catherine deeper into the graveyard, where the undead grew stronger and more numerous.
• The trio encountered Allen, Mike, and Rod, who offered their protection and expected them to join their team.
• Victoria rejected the Student Council members’ offer and dismissed their status, angering the boys.
• A crowd of students fled from the fog, warning that powerful undead were coming.
• Allen, Mike, and Rod turned to face at least fifteen level-20 Necromancers emerging behind them.

Victoria defeated a horde of undead mages and won six students’ admiration, then chose to continue into the graveyard despite Catherine’s warning and Sylvia’s fear. Catherine began to suspect Victoria’s willingness to risk herself for others was why Greg Sass wanted her help.

• Victoria ordered Sylvia to bless her and disrupt the undead mages while Catherine attacked their casters with Wind Blades.
• Victoria unleashed a combat-refined Flame Storm, and she, Catherine, and Sylvia wiped out the undead mages.
• Allen, Mike, Rod, and three girls begged to follow Victoria, leaving her bewildered.
• A tremor shook the graveyard, and Catherine urged Victoria to withdraw before the danger escalated.
• Victoria refused to leave, declaring she would search for endangered students and help them.
• Catherine watched Victoria’s resolve and wondered if Greg Sass wanted her to help Victoria because of her selflessness.

Greg traveled by carriage to the outskirts of Glory City to enter the Old Cemetery, while the old coachman mistook his purpose for a secret tryst and gave him romantic advice. After Greg rewarded him with a gold coin, he headed alone into the fog as the coachman prayed for his safety.

• The old coachman warned Greg that the Old Cemetery was dangerous and repeatedly assumed Greg was meeting a woman there.
• The coachman shared detailed advice about discreet romantic rendezvous, and Greg humored him rather than correcting the misunderstanding.
• The carriage reached the wasteland at the edge of the Old Cemetery, where the coachman offered to take Greg back if he changed his mind.
• Greg gave the old coachman a gold coin as payment, a reward for his advice, and compensation for waiting.
• Greg walked into the dead grass toward the cemetery fog, and the old coachman prayed to the Mother of the Deep Shadows to protect him.

Greg entered the graveyard to secretly help Victoria by killing the undead commander, then descended into the central tomb. He found a hooded woman resurrecting the Death Knight and realized his bad luck had landed him in the middle of the ritual.

• Greg avoided the students' battles and headed for the underground tomb where the Level 30 Death Knight was believed to command the undead.
• Greg killed a Necromancer with a Fireball Spell and an Undead Warrior with a Water Gun as he crossed the graveyard.
• Greg opened a hidden staircase beneath an ancient gravestone and descended through the tomb to a cavern below.
• Greg leaped into the cavern and found a hooded woman tracing runes inside a magic circle as the Death Knight began to awaken.
• The hooded woman demanded to know who Greg was and how he knew about her resurrection ritual.

Greg faced Yellow Springs and the Death Knight in the Core Tomb, then revealed his Dark Erosion Armor and startled Yellow Springs with its strange power. Before Greg could act, the Death Knight struck Yellow Springs and drove her into the tomb wall.

• Greg realized that Yellow Springs had awakened the Death Knight, though he wondered whether someone else had sent her to trigger the event early.
• Yellow Springs attacked Greg with a Corrosive Ray, then ordered the Death Knight to kill him and use his soul as a ritual offering.
• Greg dodged the Death Knight's charge and decided to use Dark Attribute Magic to erode its soulfire.
• Greg formed Dark Erosion Armor, whose power made Yellow Springs tremble and feel compelled to submit.
• The Death Knight suddenly slammed Yellow Springs into the stone wall, leaving Greg stunned by their unexpected fight.

Yellow Springs recalled how the Demon King rescued and named her, how she became a trusted battle companion to Rockthorn, and how they were assigned to serve Melina. After Melina returned from the Dungeon, Yellow Springs discovered the princess had turned Rockthorn and the other subordinates into marionettes and demanded that she keep it secret.

• The Demon King freed Yellow Springs from a cage, gave her a name, and took her into his service.
• Yellow Springs met Rockthorn, and the two fought together through many campaigns until she came to trust him as a companion.
• The Demon King ordered Yellow Springs and Rockthorn to assist Melina, who showed them a sweet smile that concealed her scrutiny.
• Yellow Springs and Rockthorn carried out Melina’s requests as her power grew and her plans became increasingly inscrutable.
• Melina entered the Dungeon for the sake of the Demon King’s undertaking and later returned having turned Rockthorn and her other subordinates into marionettes.
• Melina asked Yellow Springs to keep the transformation secret.

Greg battled Yellow Springs with help from the Death Knight, but she tore away the parts of herself afflicted by his magic and devoured the Death Knight’s soul fragment. As Yellow Springs renewed her assault and Greg’s magic dwindled, he realized he needed to destroy her soul fragment.

• The Death Knight bowed to Greg, and Yellow Springs emerged from the wall and launched a stronger attack.
• Greg and the Death Knight struck Yellow Springs, and Greg afflicted her with several erosion effects.
• Yellow Springs tore away the afflicted flesh, pierced the Death Knight’s armor, and swallowed its soul fragment, causing it to collapse.
• Yellow Springs grew stronger and attacked Greg, who used Intangibility to evade her and struck her with another erosion effect.
• Yellow Springs ripped away the newly afflicted flesh and continued attacking, while Greg retreated and devised a plan to destroy her soul fragment.

Greg defeated Yellow Springs when his dark magic devoured her, then realized Melina had orchestrated the incident to eliminate an opponent. As he prepared for another fight, Victoria and a crowd of Academy students arrived in the tomb.

• Greg used LV5 Boohoohoo to halt Yellow Springs briefly, but his Dark Erosion Armor surged out of control and consumed her.
• Yellow Springs warned Greg to beware of the Demon King's daughter before vanishing, and the magic power she left behind flowed into Greg.
• Greg concluded that Melina had arranged the incident to eliminate opposition and resolved to avoid getting involved with her.
• Greg heard hurried footsteps in the passage and prepared to fight, but Victoria emerged with fifteen or twenty Academy students.
• The students fell silent when they saw Greg, the Death Knight's wreckage, and the battle damage in the tomb.

Greg emerged from the graveyard with Victoria, Lilith, and a third girl, prompting the old coachman to mistake their ordeal for a secret rendezvous. Victoria confronted Greg for taking on the crypt’s danger alone, while the wrecked chamber revealed that he had defeated a powerful undead enemy.

• The old coachman worried when Greg stayed in the graveyard for hours, then watched him emerge with three girls and assumed they had been together romantically.
• Greg tried to explain himself to Victoria, who accused him of lying because she and the others had found no stronger enemy in the crypt.
• Victoria recalled rescuing classmates and leading them toward the crypt, expecting to defeat the culprit and earn recognition at the Academy.
• Victoria and her group entered the crypt and found cracked ground, damaged walls, shattered armor, and a huge black iron sword.
• Greg stood amid the wreckage, battered but composed, after bringing the crypt’s battle to an end.

Greg emerged from the tomb after defeating the Death Knight, leaving the others astonished by his strength. Victoria accepted his explanation that he had entered first for her sake, then began introducing Catherine, whose apparent familiarity with Greg raised her suspicions.

• Greg stood amid the Death Knight's shattered armor, and the students marveled at his strength and appearance.
• Victoria grew irritated when the girls praised Greg, while Sylvia reassured her that Greg had his reasons and privately resolved to keep admirers away from him.
• Victoria asked Greg whether he had entered the tomb for her sake, and he swore that he had not lied.
• Victoria let Greg off with a warning to explain himself or take her along next time, and Greg inwardly felt relieved that his bluff had worked.
• Victoria introduced Catherine as the upperclassman who had posted a commission concerning Greg, then asked whether they already knew each other; Greg and Catherine denied it together.

After Greg offered to take Victoria and Sylvia to the Golden Crucible Restaurant, Catherine maneuvered her way into joining them by pointing out their battle-damaged uniforms and offering clothes from her nearby shop. Greg reluctantly followed, while Catherine viewed the outing as a chance to observe him more closely.

• The Old Coachman praised Greg before leaving, and Greg invited Victoria and Sylvia to dinner at the Golden Crucible to fulfill his earlier promise.
• Catherine followed the group despite Greg's doubts about why the wealthy merchant heiress would join their modest dinner.
• Catherine pointed out that Victoria and Sylvia's uniforms were too dirty and damaged for the upscale restaurant, prompting Sylvia to suggest returning to the dormitory to change.
• Catherine offered to take the girls to her nearby clothing shop and personally pay for suitable outfits as an extra reward for the mission.
• Victoria and Sylvia accepted Catherine's offer, and Greg reluctantly followed them after realizing he could not reasonably object.
• Catherine privately welcomed the chance to observe Greg more closely and considered the clothing expenses a worthwhile investment.

Greg entered the Golden Crucible with Victoria, Sylvia, and Catherine, drawing the restaurant’s attention before noticing a woman focused on eating and a graceful honey-haired guest. The group chose a quiet table, while Catherine wondered whether the honey-haired woman was nobility from the Empire.

• A doorman refused entry to a muddy adventurer couple, but warmly welcomed Greg and the three elegantly dressed women.
• Greg and his companions entered the Golden Crucible and attracted the attention of diners throughout the restaurant.
• Greg noticed a dark-golden-haired woman enthusiastically eating roast ribs and a beautiful honey-haired woman speaking with a richly dressed, middle-aged lady.
• Victoria teased Greg for looking at the women by the window, and he answered her with a taunt.
• Sylvia led the group toward an empty table, while Catherine studied the honey-haired woman and wondered if she was nobility from the Empire.

Wendy tried to persuade Deputy Bishop Ellie to approach Greg and his companions and learn about their backgrounds. Ellie recognized Greg and reacted with a dark, frightening aura, leaving Wendy worried she had caused trouble.

• Wendy admired Greg and his companions and considered using their connections to spread the faith of the Goddess of Night.
• Wendy asked Ellie to approach Greg's group and learn a little about their identities and backgrounds.
• Wendy appealed to Ellie's desire to impress the Bishop, and Ellie agreed to hear her request.
• Ellie looked toward Greg, recognized him, and became rigid as her expression darkened.
• Wendy noticed Ellie's terrifying aura and wondered whether she had stirred up a hornet's nest.

Greg joined Sylvia, Victoria, and Catherine for a meal at the Golden Crucible, where Sylvia secretly teased him under the table and Catherine discovered what was happening. The meal ended with Greg realizing that the server was Ellie, who threatened to kill him while revealing a sword.

• Greg sat with Sylvia, Victoria, and Catherine at the Golden Crucible, and Sylvia secretly rubbed her stockinged foot against his leg beneath the table.
• Victoria chose expensive dishes while Catherine noticed Greg's strained behavior and discovered Sylvia's foot against him when she bent to retrieve the menu.
• Catherine hid her discovery and resumed ordering, while Sylvia withdrew her foot and Greg resolved to seek the Saintess's help with his Cinnabar Seal.
• Greg handed the menu to the server, then recognized her as Ellie when she addressed him by name.
• Ellie smiled at Greg and threatened to kill him as a sword blade glinted beneath her skirt.

Ellie confronted Greg at the Golden Crucible restaurant, accusing him of neglecting her and calling the girls at his table man-stealing hussies. Greg tried to defuse the clash, but Victoria’s insult only made Ellie draw her sword further, leaving him to shield Victoria.

• Ellie arrived at Greg’s table and accused him of enjoying dinner with other girls while she struggled alone.
• Victoria stood up to challenge Ellie, while Sylvia tried to calm her and Catherine studied Ellie’s loyalty to Greg.
• Greg used Boohoohoo LV5 to explain that Victoria and the others were only classmates and friends he had invited to dinner.
• Victoria backed Greg’s explanation but called him an annoying jerk, provoking Ellie to draw her sword further.
• Greg stepped in front of Victoria to stop Ellie from attacking her.

Greg tried to explain Ellie’s provocative claims to Victoria, Sylvia, and Catherine, but Ellie escalated the misunderstanding until he dragged her out of the Golden Crucible restaurant. Wendy then followed them outside, while the others remained behind amid gossip and anger.

• Greg introduced Ellie as his longtime personal maid, but Ellie claimed she attended to his desires and embarrassed him further with suggestive remarks.
• Sylvia stood up and asked Ellie to stop upsetting Greg, prompting Ellie to threaten to kill him and the others.
• Greg grabbed Ellie’s wrist and led her out of the restaurant, promising to explain the situation later.
• Victoria angrily ordered several expensive dishes, Sylvia returned to her seat, and Catherine observed that Greg was popular with women.
• Wendy excused herself from the noblewoman at her table and quietly followed Greg and Ellie outside.

Greg calmed Ellie’s anger by claiming he had spent money at the Golden Crucible to rehearse a perfect dinner for her. Ellie softened, but Wendy overheard Greg’s story and considered exposing him.

• Greg led Ellie into a secluded alley, where she confronted him about borrowing money while spending lavishly at the Golden Crucible.
• Greg claimed his money came from a difficult mission and that the dinner had been a trial run for taking Ellie there.
• Ellie doubted Greg’s explanation but accepted that he could not fool her, then let go of her sword and complained that he should have told her directly.
• Wendy listened from the shadows and wondered whether to expose Greg’s lies to Ellie.