Three years ago, a bloody incident occurred in the small Scrap Iron City.

A boy from the ruins outside the city, carrying a rusty sickle, walked into Room 302, Building 7, District Fifteen.

No one knows what happened.

Only the neighbor who called the police, trembling with fear, said on TV that there were piercing screams and devilish laughter coming from that room.

They heard the sound of a sharp blade tearing into flesh and blood splattering.

They saw the fish in their living room aquarium suddenly go mad, ramming into the glass wall, their brains smashed out.

They saw terrified bats gathering and crashing through the streets like a whirlwind...

...

...

When the Security Office and newspaper reporters arrived, they saw the boy sitting in the blood, staring blankly.

A family of six, four men and two women, all killed in that Room 302.

This incident spread through Scrap Iron City like the wind, causing extreme panic for a time.

People living in the city even became afraid of those who gathered outside the city, living off scavenging and collecting scrap.

For years afterward, even the usual contempt and arrogance toward them diminished greatly.

It was precisely because this incident caused such a stir that the case was closed extremely quickly.

In less than a month, news came that the boy involved had been identified as the murderer and executed by firing squad.

Many thought the matter was over, but Captain Owen, who came to Scrap Iron City after the incident to take over responsibility for handling supernatural events, naturally knew a few more secrets than ordinary people—or rather, some details that defied common sense:

For example, the family in the news report was not actually a family, though they also habitually operated as a “clan.”

For example, besides the corpses at the scene, some other things were found.

For example, traces of supernatural rituals could be seen all over the house.

Even when news later came that the perpetrator had been executed, he did not feel any doubt.

Previously—or rather, even now—it was not uncommon to use some essentially innocent people as scapegoats to quell public panic.

It’s just that, even he didn’t expect that this matter was actually not over.

Three years later, that boy actually returned. He rented the same room and even repainted it...

...into such a festive appearance.

...

Facing Captain Owen’s direct and probing questions, William Carter appeared very calm.

There was neither the embarrassment of having his identity exposed, nor the sudden sadness of having old matters brought up.

He seemed as if his expression hadn’t changed at all, simply looking at Captain Owen calmly, his tone even a bit relaxed:

“I thought you’d recognized me long ago...”

“...”

Captain Owen leaned back slightly, his expression unreadable.

Although he had already known, a trace of vigilance still appeared in his eyes.

“But, Captain, there’s one thing you might have misunderstood.”

William Carter suddenly showed a slight smile and said, “That person was me, but I wasn’t the murderer.”

Captain Owen raised his eyebrows.

William Carter continued with a smile, “Because at that time, not a single one I killed was human.”

...

...

In the half-red room, the atmosphere seemed to grow a bit heavier.

William Carter gave a very gentle impression, always speaking with a smile, sincere and earnest.

After admitting his identity, he also stared seriously at Captain Owen, as if wanting to see the captain’s reaction.

This refined, handsome old man seemed to have been affected by William Carter’s earnestness, and knowing what that final statement meant, a melancholy look appeared on his face. After a long while, he just gently shook his head and sighed.

“Young man, I understand you...”

A silent emotion appeared on his face, his eyes looking sincerely at William Carter.

“After the secret war that led to the abolition of the Twelve Gods Church, it seemed as if nothing changed in this world. People still rule over people, there are still classes and conflicts, ambition and greed, and all kinds of vicious incidents keep happening.”

His voice grew a bit heavy, tinged with helplessness:

“But, I was one of the first to be infected, and you came from a formal training camp, so we both understand.”

“This world is no longer the same.”

“With the emergence of demonic powers, there are now many man-eating monsters, disasters, and incurable diseases...”

“And many more madmen.”

“Some worship demons, doing whatever it takes to carry out acts that could destroy the world. Some are simply greedy, dreaming of using demonic power as a tool to plunder things from others, not realizing the noose is already around their own necks.”

“These people, even if they died ten thousand times, it wouldn’t be enough...”

“...”

Captain Owen’s voice grew lower and lower, then he sighed softly and said:

“It’s just that, Little William, we must always remember.”

“In this world, everyone who wants to live a normal life needs a bit of luck.”

“We never know when a crazed demon worshipper will appear at our side, willing to do anything to fulfill their orders.”