I Hijacked the Timeline (IHT)

"I... was assassinated?"

Staring at the email, Feng Qi's face was filled with confusion.

To uncover more, he scrolled further down to read the subsequent records.

"What I'm about to say next, you absolutely must remember. I couldn't change the situation, but you can."

"I always believed there was something wrong with the Crimson Research Institute, but I lacked the means to investigate it. My breakthrough came during a military-organized research exchange event, where I met a researcher from the Crimson Research Institute. Under the guise of work-related discussions, I slowly built a connection with him. Later, through his help, I was granted an opportunity to visit the Crimson Research Institute headquarters. It was during this visit that I realized the Institute harbored many unspeakable secrets."

"It was 8 p.m. that night. Under my friend's guidance, I stepped into the headquarters of the Crimson Research Institute for the first time. Compared to other research organizations, the Institute's security was absurdly strict. Not only was there a permanent elite military presence, but entry also required passing through multiple layers of scrutiny. With my friend as a guide, I toured several non-confidential projects, such as the domain field spiritual plant cultivation project, the Rune-Enhanced Human project, and the rune-powered equipment development project."

"These projects were interesting, but they weren't what I was looking for. Fortunately, I had come prepared. Before the visit, I asked Mo Fei to acquire the latest micro-robot from the Ministry of Technology—one with cloaking capabilities. Taking advantage of an opportunity to 'use the bathroom,' I hid inside, activated the micro-robot, and began remotely controlling it to infiltrate the restricted research labs."

"The reconnaissance almost ended in disaster. The Crimson Research Institute had installed numerous anti-surveillance scanners throughout its facilities. However, the latest version of the micro-robot came equipped with a sensor detection function, allowing me to narrowly avoid being caught several times. Eventually, I managed to follow a high-ranking member of the Institute into a room. It was there that I discovered something truly alarming: a list."

"Do you know whose names were on that list? Mu Qing, me, Lin Ran, and even Old Wang. Each name had symbols next to it: circles, crosses, checkmarks, and golden flowers, among others."

"At the time, I didn't think much of it. Given the Crimson Research Institute's unique role, researching contemporary geniuses seemed within reason. As for the symbols next to our names, I couldn't decipher their meaning, so I didn't dwell on it."

"However, what I discovered next made me realize that the situation might be far more sinister than I had imagined."

"After leaving the archive room, I continued to control the micro-robot, pushing deeper into the facility. Eventually, I infiltrated a hidden laboratory located on the third underground level of the Crimson base. What I witnessed there was beyond belief."

"The Crimson Research Institute had domain-transcendent creatures—walking freely and unrestricted within the facility!"

"These beings bore a human-like appearance, but their foreheads were embedded with rune crystals, and their skin shimmered like fish scales, reflecting faint light. I'm certain they were not Rune-Enhanced Humans—they were domain creatures."

"When I discovered it, one of these creatures was wearing the Crimson Research Institute's uniform and was conducting some kind of human experiment. Lying in front of it was a living test subject, marked with a numerical tag."

"This discovery led me to a terrifying hypothesis: Could it be that the Crimson Research Institute had already been taken over by domain-transcendent creatures capable of leaving their fields?"

"How else could a sworn enemy of humanity—domain creatures—be walking freely inside the Crimson Research Institute without any restriction, even participating in highly classified experimental research?"

Reading this far, Feng Qi's heart was in turmoil.

Domain creatures are humanity's mortal enemies—this is common knowledge shared by all of humankind. Therefore, the likelihood that the Crimson Research Institute had been infiltrated or even controlled by domain creatures was terrifyingly real.

Suppressing the flood of thoughts in his mind, Feng Qi continued scrolling down through the message.

"I originally planned to investigate further, but time was against me. There was a knock at the door, and someone outside asked if I was okay. I had no choice but to claim I had a stomach issue, quickly retrieve the cloaked reconnaissance robot, and rejoin the guided tour."

"Even after leaving the Crimson Research Institute, I couldn't calm down. The suspicion that the Institute might be controlled by domain creatures lingered in my mind like a dark cloud. When I returned to Tiger Soul Research Institute, I immediately reviewed the footage captured by the reconnaissance robot—particularly that list—and started searching for information online. What I discovered was even more shocking."

"Every name marked with an 'X' on that list belonged to someone extraordinarily talented in their respective fields, but without exception, all of them had died young. Moreover, the cause of their deaths was classified, and no publicly available records could be found."

"Recalling what I had witnessed earlier in the Crimson Institute's underground labs—domain-transcendent creatures freely walking around—I arrived at a horrifying conclusion: Is it possible that the Crimson Research Institute, under the control of domain creatures, is systematically assassinating humanity's brightest minds to delay our progress and weaken our chances for survival?"

"If this is true, I must expose this secret as soon as possible. Humanity's future hangs by a thread. The enemy has already infiltrated our ranks, and if these parasites are not rooted out, humanity's future will remain as you and I have seen it—shrouded in darkness, with no light in sight!"

"Today, something happened that confirmed my suspicions… Lin Ran was assassinated!"

"Fortunately, Lin Ran had recently developed a special defensive technique and managed to hold on until reinforcements arrived. Otherwise, he would have been killed for sure. This proves that my earlier guess is correct."

"I must ensure this information reaches the outside world. The Crimson Research Institute must not be allowed to continue existing."

"My statements have come under heavy scrutiny, and I've already drawn the attention of the Crimson Research Institute. The only proof I had—footage from the reconnaissance robot—was deleted after my computer was hacked. Even the copies I stored on external hard drives mysteriously disappeared. At this point, I know what comes next: the Crimson Research Institute will send someone to silence me."

"Learn from my failure: the Crimson Research Institute's influence is immense. Until you have the strength to challenge them, do not expose your secrets. No one will believe you—they will only dismiss you as paranoid and delusional."

"As for dying young… I was prepared for this outcome long ago. There are still so many questions I cannot answer. For instance: Why did Mu Qing betray humanity? If she discovered that the Crimson Research Institute had been taken over by domain creatures, she could have simply destroyed them. Why, then, did she choose to turn against all of humankind? And another thing: Old Wang, who was destined to be a historical luminary—why was he never targeted for assassination?"

"These mysteries are beyond my reach. But I know you will find the answers."

"This may be the last message I leave for you. The pressure I've faced recently has been overwhelming. Death doesn't scare me anymore—it feels like a release. You, on the other hand, must continue walking this path. As Old Wang once said: 'Believe firmly that the dawn will dispel the darkness. Victory belongs to humanity.'"

"Death is my escape, but you are the one who bears the heavy burden of the future."

"Good luck, Feng Qi!"

"Humanity will prevail!"

(June 22, 2038)