After an unexpectedly challenging journey, Ray and his party finally arrive at Gideon, The City of Duels. The mere sight of the towering arenas and thriving fantasy townscapes is enough to instantly awe and enchant him. However -- like anything that stands tall and proud -- the city cast a great, dark shadow. The name of this shadow is the Gouz-Maise gang -- a loathsome band of cutthroats who turn their profit kidnapping children and demanding ransom. Ray, wide-eyed and innocent, was blissfully unaware of just how cruel the hyper-realistic world of Infinite Dendrogram would become.

The trouble with full-on MMO's is that there's always some overpowered nutcases who can show up and wreck things. It seems like Infinite Dendrogram is no different, with a set of four in the Kingdom of Altar alone! Having previously been PK'ed out of the game, Ray continues his quest to level up and press ahead, But in the background, political maneuverings cause the game's top players to make their presence known.

In a world of infinite possibilities, how would you choose to live?

"First published in Japan in 2018 by Hobby Japan, Tokyo."--Colophon.

An AI looks into the past, at an event long before Ray Starling set foot in the world of Infinite Dendrogram. The unstoppable Tri-Zenith Dragon emerges from the mountains. It is a bringer of death, wielding a miasma of desolation in its wake. The citizens of Altar can do nothing but watch as doom descends upon them. However... There are three who may be up to the challenge. Three Masters who, if they managed to work as one, could stop the imminent desolation of the land they call home. But with so much glory to gain, what could they stand to lose?

As conflict rages at the peace conference between Altar and Dryfe, another battle entirely breaks out on the city streets. Ideologies intersect as those seeking the truth clash with each other, while a treasure-seeker makes her own desperate play. A grand battle, one that may well begin to unravel the mysteries weaved into the world, is about to unfold... What exactly are the Control AIs? What is the nature of the Arch Sage? And, perhaps most urgent of all... How might the people within Infinite Dendrogram avoid the ultimate Game Over?

Ray finds himself kidnapped by The Lunar Society, and is approached by their spiritual leader and the last Superior of the kingdom -- High Priestess, Tsukuyo Fuso, who begins to unfurl her nefarious scheme.