Splitting into Two Paths

Squeak.

Squeak, squeak.

A plump, rodent-like monster, a Rat Demon, was fleeing in a panic, with rustling sounds coming from the grass behind it. A leopard with a patterned coat was leisurely pursuing its prey.

The rodent monster ahead, startled, exerted all its strength and fled wildly. Before long, it was clear that its stamina was depleted, and its speed was far from what it had been.

Meanwhile, the pursuing leopard remained full of energy. It had deliberately maintained a distance from its prey, using only enough speed to avoid being outrun, its goal being to wait for this very moment.

From here on, it only needed to exert a little more effort to easily capture the exhausted, plump Rat Demon and make a meal of it.

This was its survival wisdom.

However, just as it was preparing to deliver the final blow...

Squeak, squeak!

Suddenly, the Rat Demon ahead let out a strange, tragic cry.

A primal sense of danger caused the poised leopard to halt abruptly. Its brownish-red eyes warily fixed on the fallen Rat Demon, whose body was twitching violently.

And...

Around the Rat Demon, withered plants and dead grass were covered in a black, viscous substance. The ground itself seemed alive, twisting and writhing with a sickening corruption.

If the leopard had been able to turn and flee quickly at this moment, it might have survived.

Unfortunately, its survival wisdom had not taught it about the current situation.

It was still thinking about its prey, the plump Rat Demon.

Then, the leopard got its wish.

The Rat Demon shakily stood up again. Its skin peeled off in layers like calluses, revealing rotten muscle underneath. Its previously timid and fearful eyes now glowed with a scarlet light, staring intently at the only other living creature present.

Squeak!

With a piercing shriek, the Rat Demon, which should have been the prey, lunged at the leopard hunter. Only then did the leopard finally realize something was wrong.

After swatting away the decaying Rat Demon that had latched onto its leg, the leopard turned and fled in a panic.

But it had only run a few steps.

Thump.

With a tragic whimper, the leopard also collapsed on the ground, its body beginning to twist and convulse. The exact same scene as before, with the Rat Demon, played out again.

When the leopard stood up again, its eyes also glowed with a scarlet light, and its body exuded a rotten stench, like a... moving corpse.

This scene was not isolated to this spot; it was happening all over the Claw Forest.

Vivian and her companions, who were rushing through the forest, also witnessed this spectacle.

Big Watermelon and Melee God of Magic, carried one in each of Vivian's hands as she ran towards the forest's edge, were both shocked and terrified. They quickly typed private messages to each other.

"What the hell is going on? It's like a zombie virus. Are we playing a horror game?" Melee God of Magic was about to wet himself.

He had personally seen a completely rotten rabbit leap from the ground and try to bite them, only to be swiftly stomped on and have its head crushed by Vivian.

But who would have thought that even in such a state, the rabbit, with its brains splattered everywhere, would still shakily stand up and continue searching for the next living creature.

"I don't know if it's a horror game, but... have you noticed the names of these mutated monsters?" Big Watermelon, compared to Melee God of Magic, was much calmer.

He had found some clues from the monster panels he had scouted.

"No matter what kind of monster it is, after mutating, they all seem to be called Abyss Creatures."

"Huh? Now that you mention it, that seems to be true! But what exactly is this Abyss thing? I'm pretty sure I've never seen it in the game's background lore."

"I'm not sure."

"But let's just follow the plot for now! Regardless, it looks like we can finally get into Huodian City!?" Big Watermelon's tone was clearly excited.

This showed the difference in mindset between the players and the world's true natives.

The former, besides the visceral fear of these terrifying Abyss Creatures, felt more of a thrill and eagerness for the major events about to unfold, even if it meant disaster.

But as for the latter...

It could only be said that the players' hopes of entering the city were likely to be dashed.

What should we do now!

What to do!

Vivian's second personality was responsible for escaping the Claw Forest, while Vivian's main personality paced anxiously back and forth in her mental space, her brow furrowed.

Vivian was faced with a difficult choice.

While the players were thinking about the grand plot and major events, and the possibility of going to a big city, Vivian's mind immediately jumped to her family.

She had to quickly notify all the villages around the forest to evacuate immediately!

But...

She also bore another heavy responsibility: entrusted to her by Bella, she had to carry a token and rush back to Huodian City as quickly as possible to deliver this message to the important figures within the city.

Furthermore, the importance of this message was such that it could even alarm the Fire God himself, or at least, that's what the soul of the Fire God Cult Bishop had said.

So, on one side was her home, and on the other, the bigger picture.

Should she prioritize the village or the greater good?

In this extremely critical situation, Vivian only had enough time to choose one side.

"Forget about Huodian City, they'll figure it out eventually. Hurry back to the village and organize everyone to evacuate!" the second personality's voice echoed in her mind without hesitation.

Clearly, she had chosen the village without a second thought.

"But... what if not getting this message out leads to even bigger consequences?"

Vivian had personally witnessed the infection speed of those zombie-like creatures.

If they weren't stopped, it wouldn't be long before most of the monsters in the Claw Forest turned into rotting abominations that would frantically attack anything alive.

And that didn't even include the source of it all, the lair they had just escaped from, that terrifying mutated Bone Winged Dragon, nor those sinister and evil Black Hands.

"Without support from Huodian City, it's useless even if we evacuate early. With just us... we can't possibly deal with those monsters!"

It wasn't just about public duty; for her own personal reasons, Vivian absolutely had to deliver the message to Huodian City and request the protection of the city's important figures and the Fire God.

"So annoying, so annoying! Then what do you suggest we do now!" A deep sense of helplessness rose from the second personality's heart, making her even more agitated.

Yes, what should she do!

Just as the young woman's mind was in turmoil, Liao Zixuan, who had been silent until now, let out a quiet sigh.

He had originally just wanted to play his Witch-raising game properly.

But now it seemed...

The situation had escalated to a point where he had no choice but to intervene.

Fine.

Abyss creatures, huh? I haven't even come looking for trouble with you yet, and you're already here causing me headaches.

Then let's have some fun!

Without further hesitation, Liao Zixuan began to transmit his plan to Vivian via Telepathy – a plan that would satisfy both sides.

The plan was actually very simple.

Since both matters were indispensable, needing to deliver the message and quickly evacuate the villagers, why not...

Split into two groups?

You, Vivian...

Continue to take the Fire God Cult's token and go to Huodian City to deliver the message and request support.

As for returning to the village, organizing and persuading the villagers to evacuate quickly, and establishing a village defense force...

That would be entrusted to...

Him.

Wouldn't it?