The Most Satisfied Reincarnate

[Scan Complete!]

[System Conclusion: Within a 500-meter radius, no beings were detected except for some strange existences.]

Desmond gazed upon the village, contemplating its safety. With a gentle flick to Laura's forehead, he startled her awake, and her eyes fluttered open, filled with confusion. She glanced around, slowly grounding herself on her feet.

"Stay alert. There are numerous unknown dangers lurking here," Desmond warned, his grip tightening on his sister's hand as he urged her to stay close. In the hierarchy of importance, family clearly took precedence for Desmond.

The maids understood his decision to prioritize his family, and they, too, felt it was only right. They formed a protective circle, guarding each other's backs, while maintaining a vigilant watch over their surroundings.

Advancing cautiously, Desmond led the way, with the maids following closely behind. In the middle of the group walked Alice, delighted to finally hold her brother's hand after being apart for so long. She could sense the transformation—those once smooth little palms had grown larger and rougher. Holding his hand now provided her with a profound sense of security.

Unbeknownst to anyone, though, her expression twitched in discomfort, concealing the pain she endured from lingering chains still attached to her body.

When they arrived at the edge of the mist, Desmond motioned for everyone to halt. He stared at the dense mist, obstructing his view and hiding the truth beyond.

The mist hung in the air, a swirling vapor that weaved its way through the village, occasionally brushing against their skin. Desmond tentatively extended his hand, piercing the dense veil. A chilling and tickling sensation crept over his skin as he witnessed the mist react, resembling a serpent attempting to coil around his hand.

It's like touching a slimy substance, he mused, as the sensation dissipated upon his hand fully submerging into the mist, seemingly waving at the empty air.

"Stay here. If I don't return within five minutes, leave and turn back, seeking another path to rendezvous with the others at the Beasts' outer territory," Desmond instructed solemnly. However, he could discern from their gazes that most of them were unwilling to let him go. Particularly his sister, who silently stared at him, her grip on his wrist tightening.

"We cannot allow you to sacrifice yourself, young master," Laura, now conscious, prepared her spells, ready to accompany him. Annie, too, firmly gripped her daggers.

Desmond understood their concerns, but how could he explain? Alice had been unconscious during his battles, subject to repeated deaths, while the rest were unaware of his eternal body.

It would be troublesome to bring a girl along while exploring such unknown dangers, he pondered, briefly studying them before continuing, "You are too weak. In case of danger, you would only burden me. Listen to my words; there's no time for arguments."

The girls flinched at his words. As they watched Desmond slowly venture into the mist, they couldn't refute his logic or hold him back. Helplessly, they could only witness his figure being swallowed by the billowing fog.

Their initial purpose of seeking refuge and rest in this village had taken an unexpected turn. Instead, they found it abandoned, teeming with perilous unknowns, leaving them with no choice but to establish a temporary safe camp near the entrance.

As Desmond ventured deeper into the village, he noticed the mist encompassing its borders. The once star-filled night sky had transformed into a blood-red expanse, illuminated by a large, radiant half-moon.

Underfoot, the ground was already overgrown with moss and weeds, while the village buildings displayed signs of decay, with missing roofs and crumbling walls, leaving only skeletal structures and standing doors.

*Step* *Step*

"Where are those strange existences?" Desmond wondered aloud as he explored the village. His gaze fell upon human skeletons strewn across the ground, adorned with black garments.

Halting in his tracks, he squatted down, only to discover that the bones had already corroded, emitting a foul and putrid odor. Upon closer inspection of the black attire, he recognized a familiar emblem attached to it, causing his pupils to shrink.

"Imperial Assassins," he muttered. Suddenly, a shadow leaped from one of the village buildings. Desmond swiftly reacted, evading the imminent danger by sidestepping.

*Boom*

The ground beneath them erupted into a small crater in the shape of teeth and a gaping maw, sending the human skeletons and fragments of bones and pebbles flying in all directions. Simultaneously, a cloud of dust formed, obscuring vision while the shadowy figure darted toward Desmond.

Utilizing his control over the element of fire, he summoned a Fire Spear. The energy materialized into a hovering, blazing red spear that shot forth, aiming directly at the shadow. Startled, the shadow attempted to evade the attack, but...

*Stab*

*Growl*

*Boom*

The shadow, vulnerable while airborne, succumbed to the fire spear's piercing strike, crashing into the building behind it, leaving a trail of flames in its wake.

The creature emitted pained growls as Desmond's footsteps drew nearer. Upon reaching the scene, he was taken aback by its appearance.

"A ghoul? How did this creature find its way into this world?" Desmond questioned, his voice filled with disbelief.

The ghoul's green blood oozed and mingled with the ground, its humanoid form contorted in a manner reminiscent of a hunched monkey. Its mouth, unnaturally enlarged, housed an array of flesh-covered teeth.

This creature belonged to the realm of undead beings, akin to vampires and werewolves. However, in Desmond's knowledge, these creatures were confined to the realm of fiction in his previous world—they were never meant to exist here.

*Growl*

In a sudden movement, the ghoul attempted to remove the fire spear lodged in its body, surprising Desmond. As the creature's large hands came into contact with the flaming weapon, it emitted a piercing growl, enveloped by the engulfing fire until it turned to ashes.

[Mass of Unique Energy Found!]

[Does the Host wish to absorb it? Y/N]

Desmond watched the ghoul's demise with an expressionless gaze. He briefly glanced at the notifications but chose to ignore them for the time being.

"This village truly surprises me," he murmured, and in that instant, Desmond swiftly turned around, confronting a multitude of shadows hurtling towards his location.