Synopsis

The chapter reveals a previously encountered intelligent monster is a young Arcus Maddox, a future influential engineer and leader of a gnome empire. The protagonist realizes his good fortune in nearly eliminating the future threat but prioritizes getting treasure from a robot. Leaving his team to grind, he ventures alone to 'Scarlet Lake' then 'Sun Temple', using a doppelganger to misdirect guards before proceeding to get the Philosopher's Stone.