Under the Black Rose Knights' supervision, about a third of the crowd had tears in their eyes as they parted with their loved ones... The sorrow in their eyes felt strangely intense, creating an unsettling atmosphere like bidding farewell at a funeral.

This strange atmosphere caused caused many in the square to break down.

Just then, the voice boomed across the square once again:

"Fear will only make you weaker. And the weak have no place in our current world."

"Remember this - you and your families are alive today only because the elite members of the Thirteen Knight Orders risk their lives in the 'Destiny Space' to obtain unique brass materials, which built this [Holy City - Nointera] that shelters a million people."

"Now is your time to prove your worth!"

"Journey to the Destiny World, resist unprecedented fears, struggle at death's edge and survive to become 'Returners.'"

"Remember, reason and courage are your only 'weapons.'"

"Survive, and you'll be rewarded. Your families will be proud, and you'll all live better lives."

The knight's words echoed in everyone's minds.

Though these weren't exactly rousing words of encouragement，these words dispelled much of the crowd's fear.

Indeed - since they'd come this far, why not give it their all? If not for humanity, then at least fight to survive for themselves and their families.

While the young people in the square were trying to form teams and encourage each other, Leon chose to find an empty spot in the crowded area and sit down, pondering the information mentioned in the knight's speech.

"Destiny Space?"

This new term in the knight's speech particularly interested Leon.

"Survive to become a 'Returner'?

Could these knights, whose physical abilities far exceed ordinary people, be the elites who survived this current ritual?

Just what kind of place is it? Why is the death rate so high?"

Leon wasn't afraid.

He'd already died once - he didn't believe anything could be more terrifying than death itself.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Instead, he found this 'Destiny Space' intriguing.

He waited quietly, staring at the clockwork device on his wrist as the countdown neared its end.

10, 9, 8...

The final ten seconds.

Even Leon grew tense, taking a deep breath to calm his nerves.

3, 2, 1...

The ground suddenly transformed into a pool of viscous, dark liquid.

Thousands gathered in the square fell in simultaneously.

The sticky fluid enveloped their bodies, making it difficult to breathe or struggle much.

At the same time, a prompt sound transmitted through the viscous liquid into everyone's ears.

『Entrant Identity Confirmed - Newcomer.』

『Generating Random Scene...』

These first two messages were broadcast to everyone.

Just as most people were about to pass out from suffocation, different prompt sounds echoed in each person's mind.

Leon received this message:

『Scene Generated, Background: Based on Nine Realms Film 'Possessed' (Director's Cut)

Type: Evil Spirit Event

Difficulty (Newcomer): ★★★★

Main Quest: Survive for three days without leaving the abandoned mountain manor.

Reward: Destiny Point [1], Low chance to obtain 'Destiny Card (Novice Level)'』

As the prompt ended, the sticky sensation enveloping their bodies vanished.

Leon and five others from the Holy City appeared on a rural path.

Muddy paths, low-lying houses, utility poles plastered with local advertisements - this place was all too familiar to Leon. As a Italian-Chinese mixed heritage, this was just like his mother's hometown.

A local breed dog with its distinctively curved tail resting by a farmhouse gate painted the authentic picture.

The mix of newly-built villas, internet cables on poles, and elderly residents watching short videos on smartphones in their doorways helped him place the time period

It seemed to be the same era Leon had lived in before his death.

He also noticed his clothes had changed to match a contemporary college student's simple attire.

"So the Destiny Space uses movies from my original world as backgrounds?"

While Leon marveled at the environment's realism and the authenticity of the characters, his five teammates were completely panicked.

Not because of the unfamiliar architectural style, but because of their 'system messages.'

A thin woman with black hair fell to her knees, clutching the cross on her chest while trembling.

"Lord! Why? Why must I endure such suffering?!"

A man around 25 years old stood dejected, grinding his teeth. "Evil Spirit type... four-star difficulty! We're done for. There's no chance of survival. Damn the Knight Order, I curse you all!"

An attractive woman with long hair and blue eyes kept scanning her companions, searching for any 'hope of survival.' "Excuse me, is anyone here a Knight Order candidate? Could you please help me survive... I'm willing to give anything."

Her gaze fell upon the composed Leon, but she immediately ruled him out - his frail physique made it clear he couldn't be a Knight Order candidate.

Soon, having found no one to rely on, she stood motionless, her eyes vacant with despair.

As most of them sank into despair, one unique young man among the six stepped forward.

He had golden curly hair and wore an elaborate pair of copper goggles.

Leon noticed the man's right arm moved unnaturally... between his white glove and sleeve cuff, hints of metallic gleam were visible.

Though everyone wore attire fitting the current background's college student setting, this man's bearing clearly set him apart from common civilians.

He seemed to come from the Holy City's middle class, or perhaps even higher.

"Friends, now is not the time for fear and panic. Remember what the great Black Rose Knight just told us?Fear will only lead to failure.Reason and courage are our only 'weapons' - the only weapons that can defeat 'Evil Spirits.'The great Black Rose Knight Commander once cleared a five-star difficulty event as a newcomer! We're only facing a four-star difficulty event - it's not hopeless. If we unite, we can find a way to survive!"