Don't confiscate my identity as a human race

[Darkness falls and a red glow emerges.]

[The forms of the Demon People twist and contort grotesquely, half-human, half-beast, letting out pitiful shrieks mingled with cackling laughter, huddling together.]
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[Perhaps just yesterday they were living normal lives in this city-state, with mothers enduring hardships to raise their children, living modestly yet looking forward to the future where the children would grow up, earn money, and improve their family's life.]

[But everything changed too fast, a brutal catastrophe shattered their lives into pieces.]

[Unfortunately, they could no longer be saved.]

The next moment, Lanci pursed his lips, turned his head aside, and with a point of his finger, blazing flames burst from the forest floor.

Flames licked, ashes fluttered.

Only silence remained in the basin.

All was calm again.

"Lanci, if there's to be a third simulation, let's not come here next time."

Talia understood that every time Lanci came here and saw the demon mother and child, unable to save them, and having to personally lay them to rest, it tormented him repeatedly.

"If only we could be a little earlier..."

Lanci bit his lip.

"You know the chances were slim, they might have been turned into Demon People a day before, or even earlier. It's not something a few minutes or hours earlier could change."

Talia consoled him.

According to the information they had previously obtained in Soren City, rumors about the Demon People of Viok City were circulating about two days ago.

Even if this simulation was a day earlier, there was little hope to stop what was already destined to happen.

"But the descriptions of the Demon People in the rumors don't match this mother and child."

Lanci frowned as he spoke.

Thus, it couldn't be ruled out that there might have been other Demon People before this mother and child, and if that was the case, coming here today might have saved them.

[You feel helpless, yet you must accept reality.]

The surrounding bushes began to distort, and the text of the Mirror of Tiberius appeared on the trunk of a large tree.

[You will now choose:]

[A. Hunt Demons along the way]

[B. Head straight to the Capital]

[C. Continue investigating]

[D. Intervene personally]

[Time remaining: 3 days 22 hours 16 minutes]

"We have plenty of time this round, and you won't be weakened; before heading to the Capital, we should have another round to gather information, so shall we choose the third option, continue investigating?"

Talia suggested.

The last simulation was clear in thought and also to ensure they could make it to Blood Moon City to fight with the Blood Clan and uncover the truth, thus they chose to head straight to the Capital.

But this time was different, they had early control of the information about the decisive battle that could be obtained by going to Blood Moon City, whereas there were still puzzles lingering around the Demon People.

"I think, if we continue investigating, it's likely that we won't find out anything substantial about the cause. If such transformations of civilians into Demon People are happening everywhere, but every place is as quiet as a stone thrown in a deep pond, that means, the information you're seeing is likely only what someone wants you to see."

Lanci's gaze shifted upwards.

Resting on the option of hunting demons along the way.

"You mean... the civilians who've been turned into Demon People probably had their information erased beforehand, and there's a power manipulating the game's rules?"

Talia sort of grasped Lanci's point.

"Right, continuing to investigate here could more likely expose ourselves; on the contrary, if we just continue hunting demons along the way, the truth will find us, those guys will definitely not sit idly by as we disrupt their variables."

Lanci replied with certainty.

"The guys who want to deal with us will come to kill us, naturally unveiling the truth; as long as we don't die, we will definitely see the truth."

Talia understood.

This was initially a gambler's mindset, but now Lanci was invincible. No assassin, however powerful, sent by enemies could kill him, so it was a safe bet.

Lanci thus made his choice and picked the first option.

Hunt Demons along the way.

[You continue to head south, and wherever you hear news of Demon People, you deal with them.]

["Demon Hunter Randall" quickly became renowned.]

[You were supposed to become a hero praised by people.]

[Against all odds, something happened.]

In the southern part of the Huo Ning Empire, Tarberg Province, Salzburg City.

A dense fog spread across the cobblestone streets, enveloping the ancient city-state like a thick blanket.

The moist air was filled with a musty smell, intermingled with the faint fragrance of bread from a distant bakery.

A man dressed in a brown cloak emerged from the fog, his boots making no sound on the stone road, preserving the stillness of the early morning.

The man appeared to be a traveling merchant, carrying a briefcase.

He slowly walked to the center of the square and stopped in front of a large wanted poster.

The dim street light made the wanted poster shine, and it was written in bold black ink:

"Wanted Notice: Randall Reinhardt"

"It has been brought to our attention that a dangerous individual, self-proclaimed 'Demon Hunter', is active in the central provinces of the Empire, creating Demon People, harming innocents, and devoid of any conscience. Randall Reinhardt, male, 29 years old, about 6 feet tall, well-built, brown hair, green eyes."

"Reports indicate that this person is skilled at manipulating minds and has strong magical abilities. If you have any relevant information, report immediately to the local garrison. Remember, this person is extremely dangerous and must not be approached recklessly!"

"Issued by."

"Governor of Tarberg Province: Conrad Hoffman"

"Imperial Calendar, Year 614, December 28"

Dressed as a merchant, Lanci stared at the wanted poster, frowning deeply.