Hijacking the Timeline

I... was assassinated?

Feng Qi stared at the message in his inbox, his face etched with confusion.

To understand the details, he scrolled down to read the rest of the recorded message.

”You must remember what follows. I lack the power to change this situation, but you can.”

”I’ve always suspected something was wrong with the Scarlet Research Institute, but I lacked the means to investigate. However, at a military-organized research exchange meeting, I met a researcher from the Scarlet Research Institute. Under the guise of professional collaboration, I made contact with him. Later, with his help, I gained access to the Scarlet Research Institute for a tour. It was during this visit that I realized the institute harbored numerous dark secrets.”

”That night, at 8 PM, guided by my friend, I first entered the Scarlet Research Institute Headquarters. Compared to other research organizations, the institute’s security was exceptionally tight. Not only were elite troops stationed there, but entry required passing through multiple layers of rigorous inspection. Under my friend’s guidance, I toured several non-classified projects, including the Domain Field Spirit Plant Cultivation Project, the Rune Augment Project, and the Spirit Energy Rune Equipment Manufacturing Project, among others.”

”These research projects didn’t give me the answers I was looking for. Fortunately, I had prepared in advance. Before the visit, I asked Mo Fei to get me the Ministry of Science and Technology’s latest Camouflaged Micro-Probe Reconnaissance Robot. Then, under the guise of needing to use the restroom, I hid in the bathroom, activated the probe, and remotely controlled it to infiltrate the restricted research labs.”

”I nearly got caught during the reconnaissance. The Scarlet Research Institute’s labs were equipped with numerous counter-surveillance scanners. But thankfully, the latest Camouflaged Micro-Probe Reconnaissance Robot had a detection function for surveillance devices, allowing me to narrowly evade detection multiple times. Eventually, I followed a high-ranking official from the Scarlet Research Institute into a room, where I discovered a list.”

”Do you know whose names were on it? Mu Qing, mine, Lin Ran’s, even Old Wang’s were all listed. Each name was followed by a symbol—circles, crosses, checkmarks, golden flowers, and so on.”

”At the time, I didn’t think much of it. The Scarlet Research Institute was a special organization that could initiate research projects on any topic. Studying contemporary geniuses seemed perfectly reasonable. As for what the symbols after each name represented, I had no idea and didn’t dwell on it.”

”But subsequent discoveries made me realize the situation might not be as simple as I initially thought.”

”After leaving the archive room, I continued my investigation using the Reconnaissance Robot. During this phase, I entered a mysterious laboratory on the third underground level of Scarlet Base, where I witnessed an unbelievable sight.”

”The Scarlet Research Institute actually housed a Domain-Transcending Creature capable of moving freely and without restriction!”

”It had a humanoid appearance, with a rune crystal embedded in its forehead and skin that shimmered like fish scales. I’m certain it wasn’t a rune augment; it was a domain creature.”

”When I discovered it, it was wearing a Scarlet Research Institute uniform and conducting some kind of human experimentation. Lying before it was a living test subject with numbered tags affixed to their body.”

”This discovery led me to a terrifying hypothesis: could it be possible that the Scarlet Research Institute has actually been controlled by Domain-Transcending Creatures capable of leaving the Domain Field?”

”Otherwise, how could we explain why domain creatures—humanity’s mortal enemies—can move freely within the Scarlet Research Institute without restriction, even participating in the institute’s classified research projects?”

Feng Qi’s heart surged with turmoil as he read this.

The notion that domain creatures were humanity’s mortal enemies was a universal consensus. Therefore, it was highly probable that the Scarlet Research Institute had indeed been infiltrated and controlled by these entities.

Suppressing the flood of thoughts, he continued reading.

”I wanted to investigate further, but time was running out. A knock came at the door, and someone asked if I was alright. I could only claim I had diarrhea, quickly retract my Camouflaged Micro-Probe, and rejoin the tour outside.”

”Yet my mind remained unsettled. The suspicion that the Scarlet Research Institute might be under the control of domain creatures haunted me, and even after leaving the institute, I couldn’t shake the unease.”

”Back at the Tiger Soul Research Institute, I reviewed the footage captured by the Reconnaissance Robot, focusing particularly on that list. I began searching for related information online, and what I discovered next was another shocking secret.”

”Every name on that list marked with an ’X’ belonged to exceptionally talented individuals in their respective fields. Yet, without exception, they all died young, and the causes of their deaths remain shrouded in secrecy, impossible to uncover through online research.”

”Considering the Domain Transcender we discovered earlier in the Scarlet Research Institute, a chilling hypothesis has taken root in my mind... Could it be that the Scarlet Research Institute, controlled by Domain-Transcending Creatures, is secretly assassinating contemporary geniuses to deliberately slow down humanity’s progress?”

”If this is true, I must expose this secret immediately. Otherwise, humanity’s future hangs by a thread. The enemy has already infiltrated our ranks. Unless we eradicate these parasites, humanity’s future will be as bleak as the darkness you and I have witnessed—a future devoid of light!”

”Something happened today that confirmed my suspicions... Lin Ran was assassinated!”

”Fortunately, Lin Ran had recently developed a unique defensive technique and managed to hold out until reinforcements arrived. Otherwise, he would have certainly died. This seems to prove my earlier hypothesis was correct.”

”I must transmit this information. The Scarlet Research Institute must be eradicated.”

”My statements have been questioned and have already drawn the attention of the Scarlet Research Institute. The only video footage that could prove my claims was deleted due to a hacker attack on my computer, and even the copies I made on my external hard drive have mysteriously vanished. What I face next is likely an assassination attempt by the Scarlet Research Institute!”

”Learn from my mistakes. The Scarlet Research Institute’s influence is immense. Until you possess the power to counter them, never reveal your secrets. No one will believe you; they’ll just dismiss you as a paranoid lunatic.”

”A premature death? I’ve long been prepared for it. Though many questions remain unanswered in my heart—such as why Mu Qing betrayed humanity. If she discovered the Scarlet Research Institute’s secret control by domain creatures, why didn’t she simply destroy the institute instead of turning against all of humanity? And why, despite his extraordinary achievements as a historical figure, was Old Wang never assassinated? These answers elude me, but I know you will uncover the truth.”

”These may be some of the last messages I leave for you. I’ve endured immense pressure these past few months. If death comes, so be it—I’ve long since accepted it. But you must keep going. As Old Wang said, you must firmly believe that dawn will dispel the darkness and that victory belongs to humanity. For me, death is a release. It is you who will bear the heavy burden of continuing the fight.”

”Bless you, Feng Qi!”

”Humanity will prevail!”

(June 22, 2038)

(End of the Chapter)

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