Reputations count for nothing as master tactician Houdin returns to competition to apply his much-acclaimed gaming skills in a challenging new environment. A new game, Unity Online, run by artificial intelligence, in an unsettling new world. To embark on fresh quests and strive for hitherto unreached levels of performance, he has to assemble a combative team with the right combination of talents. The tests they face will stretch Houdin's powers of leadership and the skills of his team to the limit. They will have precious little time to learn and develop cohesion in hostile surroundings. Assumptions based on previous games are of scant help as the rules of engagement have changed radically. In a breathtaking adventure that involves threats from goblins, trolls, spiders, giants and other uncompromising adversaries, the team must adapt fast to stay in the contest and prosper.