Winter sunlight shines upon the land, illuminating layers upon layers of withered branches.
A northern wind sweeps through the forest, making the yellowed leaves rustle and crackle.
"The cigarette is a signal!"
"I remember before we set out, the professor warned me carefully: if he ever takes out a cigarette, it means something has gone wrong, and I must cooperate with him."
Dr. Liam Lee, the middle-aged man with graying hair, looked deathly pale.
Cooperate?
What kind of cooperation is this?
But in a flash of thought, Dr. Liam Lee understood: "Over these past days, I've sensed something off—perhaps some of the eleven Martial Generals escorting us have been possessed."
But...
The professor left me alone—does that mean... the majority of the Martial Generals have all been possessed???
At this thought, Dr. Liam Lee’s mind went blank with fear.
As the world-class scientist codenamed White Dragon, Dr. Liam Lee possessed extraordinary intellect and deep knowledge. But with a frail body, facing terrifying Demons and Specters, he was utterly powerless.
Specters are formless and intangible—even hot weapons can't kill them!
Without martial practitioners, only sunlight can harm Specters... No matter how scientists try to replicate sunlight—even if the physics are nearly identical to real sunlight—it still can't hurt Specters.
Change 'Michael Lee' to 'Dr. Liam Lee' for proper name translation per glossary.
To kill a Specter, only the Internal Power of martial practitioners, the essence of martial techniques, or the strange abilities of foreign experts will work.
As for Demons, their origins can be traced—albeit barely.
Up to now,
In scientific circles, Specters remain unfathomable and immeasurable. Demons, on the other hand, can be considered a new species—an even higher form of life than humans!
"Damn it!"
"Even the weakest Demon or Specter, I can't possibly stand against!" Dr. Liam Lee's face turned ashen as he slowly drew the pistol from his coat.
In truth, the man codenamed White Dragon—Dr. Liam Lee—felt a pang of regret.
Ever since learning the world's hidden truths, he had stubbornly refused to trust the Martial Arts World, which led to their entire escort team being drawn from the World United Research Organization.
Just imagine.
Had he notified the Martial Arts World, sending several Martial Lords as escorts would have been no problem at all.
"I was wrong."
"If Martial Lords were guarding us, there would be no chance of an accident." Dr. Liam Lee's heart twisted with regret, but he had no time to dwell on it: "The professor has fought to buy me a slim chance—no matter how desperate, a one-in-ten survival is better than none at all."
He understood.
Professor Victor Zhou's selfless sacrifice could not be refused, nor could it be shirked.
For Dr. Liam Lee was the scientist codenamed White Dragon; if his current hypothesis could be proven and studied in detail, it might finally resolve the age-old catastrophe—an immense responsibility to change humanity's fate.
"I will escape from here."
"And then... one day, our Earth will be free of Demons and Specters!" Gritting his teeth, Dr. Liam Lee moved forward with utmost caution, heading toward Southvale Province.
Straight ahead, four kilometers away, lay the defensive belt of Southvale Province.
Huff.
Dr. Liam Lee squinted, crouched low, and inched forward—perhaps this is what they mean by 'skill breeds courage.'
Scientific knowledge does not equal strength.
When knowledge reaches a certain height and depth, it can grant an unshakable heart, able to face any hardship.
Gulp.
Dr. Liam Lee carefully lifted his right foot and set it down gently.
Lift, set down.
He lifts his foot again, then lowers it once more.
His mechanical steps are filled with terror, yet also with a resolve to face death without the slightest hesitation.
"I have done right by Sinovera, and by everyone."
"Before this, the only person I've wronged was her. Now, I owe another—Professor Zhou, who shielded me from malice."
Splash.
Dr. Liam Lee parted the thicket; ahead was a small river, its water rushing and splashing... If he could somehow escape alive, even the heavens would change their face.
He was still lost in thought.
His expression froze.
Because from the river emerged a shadow shrouded in roiling black mist, with three blood-red, menacing eyes, exuding a chilling and sinister aura that froze him in place.
"Specter!"
"General-class Specter!"
Dr. Liam Lee's heart sank to the bottom.
The firearm in his hand was specially made; if aimed precisely at a vital point, it could even kill ordinary Demons. But against Specters, it was useless, let alone a General-class Specter.
Though he was afraid, he had to admit:
He was almost certainly doomed.
"Hey." Dr. Liam Lee stepped forward two steps, staring intently at the roiling black mist Specter: "Where do you Specters come from, anyway? Do you have genders? Can Specters reproduce?"
Facing death, he still asked questions.
Hiss...
The ceaselessly swirling black mist paused for a moment.
A blood-red single eye surfaced on its body, veins of crimson spreading, it stared at Dr. Liam Lee, astonished by this weak ration's courage.
"Where is your mother?"
Dr. Liam Lee pressed on: "Do you have a mother? Do you have a father? Are you an orphan?"
When curiosity outweighs the fear of death, it creates an utterly absurd scene—a perfectly ordinary man daring to interrogate a General-class Specter face-to-face.
"Insolence!"
"Despicable ration, you deserve death!"
The black mist Specter paused, its ghostly body trembling with rage, its crimson eyes ferocious.
Hiss!
It opened its gaping maw, attempting to engulf the ordinary Dr. Liam Lee, to drain his consciousness, torturing and killing him slowly—it would not let him die too quickly.
Just then—a thunderous crash!
A radiant right palm, like a meteor falling from the sky, descended between them, emanating a sea-calming, heavy aura.
At the same time, a pitch-black figure flashed onto the scene.
Even in the depths of winter, it left behind a long afterimage, moving with astonishing speed—a black-clad youth, Andrew Han, still hunting for Demons and Specters.
Just one more.
Once he killed the last one, he would head straight for Linhaven City... Andrew Han's mind was sharp; he realized Monica Zhang's strange behavior must be because today was Valentine's Day.
Twenty years without experiencing a true Valentine's Day—just thinking about it made him a little excited.
Swish.
Andrew Han's left foot landed, halting his charge.
"Hmm."
"A regular General-class Specter, but why is there an ordinary person here?" He paused, carefully examining the equally stunned Dr. Liam Lee.
Proofread and correct all instances of 李明 to 'Dr. Liam Lee' in lines 41-80. Confirm all translations are complete and consistent with glossary.