Fantasy Family Simulator (FFS)

A moment of dizziness passed, and the light screen dissipated, returning to normal.

Rhett had finished reading the contents of the [Text Simulation], and as he saw what would happen in the coming months, he found it hard to believe!

First, his third son, Thales, secretly went to find Rilys and even sold his body for the sake of curing Rhett's illness!

Anger flared in Rhett's heart, but it quickly subsided. He sighed in frustration, his expression tinged with both bitterness and helplessness.

"In the end, the child was only thinking of me. How can I blame him? It's all my fault for being powerless..."

This simulation had finally helped Rhett understand the general function of his cheat ability—it seemed to grant a foresight-like ability to predict the future.

However, the simulation mainly revolved around events affecting him and his family's fate.

For example, significant occurrences involving him and his sons, as well as major events within his territory, could all be simulated to reveal the future.

But after seeing the final outcome, Rhett found it impossible to be happy.

"A traveling merchant? I know of them; they travel between towns and territories from spring to autumn to do business. But the simulator didn't mention a name..." Rhett's expression grew darker as thoughts swirled in his mind.

Based on the simulation, the traveling merchant was likely at a second-tier level, and he might even have some hidden tricks up his sleeve.

Therefore, waiting for the merchant to arrive and ambushing him first was also filled with uncertainty.

Rhett furrowed his brow and considered another possibility—refusing the traveling merchant's request to hunt the mutated Wind Wolf next year. However, that wasn't an ideal solution either.

After all, the mutated Wind Wolf was located near the western side of the Thorn Forest, close to his territory.

According to the simulator, the mutated Wind Wolf was a formidable opponent, and it might attack his territory again in the future.

By then, with his strength already weakened, Rhett might not be able to fend off the mutated Wind Wolf.

A glimmer of determination appeared in Rhett's eyes—he had to resolve this hidden threat!

He also noted that the [Text Simulation] had mentioned that on January 3rd of next year, a first-tier Wind Wolf would swoop in after two second-tier magical beasts fought each other.

Coincidentally, a month later, a second-tier mutated Wind Wolf would appear near his territory!

There was no way Rhett could believe this was a coincidence.

Before any territory is officially granted, it undergoes a thorough cleanup and inspection by the higher-ups to ensure no major threats remain.

Therefore, it was rare to encounter second-tier magical beasts around his territory. The most common threats were first-tier beasts straying from a nearby branch of the Magical Beast Mountain Range, but those posed little danger.

Rhett suspected that this second-tier mutated Wind Wolf was most likely the same first-tier Wind Wolf that had advanced!

And the opportunity for its advancement was either related to the two second-tier magical beasts or the relic left behind by the fifth-tier Grand Magus.

In this world, magical profession levels were clearly defined, with each third level marking a significant threshold. Thus, within the first nine levels, the titles varied—Magician, Magus, and Grand Magus.

A fifth-tier Magus would be powerful enough to serve as a marquis in the Kingdom of Jinlun. If Rhett had to face such an individual, he wouldn't even have the chance to fight back before being obliterated.

So, the legacy of a fifth-tier Grand Magus would be incredibly valuable. The temptation for Rhett was beyond words.

Even though Rhett couldn't be completely sure that this second-tier mutated Wind Wolf was the one that advanced after scavenging from the battle a month prior, his family's current situation was dire.

He had to take action!

"Well then, tomorrow I will gather all available hands and head to Thorn Forest!"

Rhett slowly closed his eyes, intending to meditate and strengthen his mental power.

Suddenly, he frowned, realizing he had yet to try the [Real Simulation]. He had been so focused on the [Text Simulation] that he had forgotten about it.

He opened the system.

[Do you wish to activate the Real Simulation? Each day simulated will consume 1 Fate Value.]

"Yes."

The space around him rippled, and when the ripples settled, Rhett found himself still in the same place.

He stood up, feeling no difference, and the surroundings remained unchanged.

Rhett twisted his neck slightly, scanning the area. "Has the simulation already started?"

With a thought, he realized he could still summon the system, though [Text Simulation] was unavailable in this space.

The main point was that he could end this simulation at any time if he wished.

After pausing for a few seconds, Rhett formulated a plan.

He began descending the stairs, and as he reached the fourth floor, the butler, Sveta, happened to emerge from a side door. Seeing Rhett coming down, Sveta was shocked and hurried forward to bow. "Master, if you need anything, just tell me. There's no need for you to act personally."

At the same time, Sveta wondered if the master had called out earlier and he hadn't heard.

Although Rhett's body was somewhat weak, he smiled. "I'm going out for a bit. Bring me a thick coat."

Sveta was stunned, thinking he had misheard. The master, in such a condition, going out alone on a snowy, freezing night...

But when he met Rhett's firm gaze, Sveta's heart tightened, knowing he had no choice but to obey the master's decision.

He quickly retrieved a thick bearskin coat and handed it to Rhett.

In the first-floor hall, Rhett ignored the objections of his three sons and others, insisting on leaving.

As he departed, Tucker scratched his head and grabbed a longsword, intending to follow and protect his father.

Rhett sternly refused this and commanded that no one follow him unless he ordered otherwise.

At that moment, Rhett fully displayed his authority as both a lord and head of the family!

The wind howled, and snow filled the air.

Under the watchful eyes of those left behind, Rhett gradually disappeared into the night.

Clad in the bearskin coat, Rhett braved the biting wind and began his journey to Thorn Forest.

He conjured a fireball in his palm, its warmth driving away some of the surrounding cold.

Though he was an earth-element magician, his affinity with other elements was poor, but that didn't hinder his ability to cast simple spells.

With the support of a wind-based light-body spell, Rhett's speed increased significantly.

After more than half an hour.

Rhett finally arrived at Thorn Forest, about fifty kilometers from his territory—Chuiying Town.

Gazing at the frost-covered plants, Rhett had no mood for appreciation. The harsh environment only made him more determined, bringing forth the battle-hardened mentality he had cultivated on the front lines.

Although his body was weakened, Rhett estimated he could still exert about seventy to eighty percent of his full strength.

However, if the battle grew too intense, he might not be able to sustain it for long.

Moreover, with each passing day, if the White-Headed Eagle Poison remained untreated, its impact would only worsen.

Rhett narrowed his eyes, then used his mental power to conceal his presence. If there were any creatures nearby whose strength didn't surpass his, they would find it difficult to detect him.

Cautiously, Rhett circled to the western side of Thorn Forest, fully focused as he assumed the search-and-destroy mindset he had used on the battlefield, seeking any useful clues.

He extinguished the fireball in his hand and formed a layer of earth-colored light around his body to protect against potential ambushes. The Earth Light Shield spell also helped ward off the cold.

Though the spell consumed a significant amount of mental energy, Rhett prioritized safety over all else.

The branches in the forest swayed violently in the wind, occasionally shaking loose large clumps of snow.

Not long after entering the forest, Rhett noticed some tracks in the snow. With his keen experience, he quickly recognized them as those of wild rabbits and deer.

He continued forward for another ten minutes.

Awoo~

A distant howl caught his attention.

Rhett tensed, straining his ears to pinpoint the source of the sound. It was definitely the cry of a Wind Wolf!

The howl cut off after just one cry, but Rhett had already determined the general direction. After walking a few more minutes, he found the Wind Wolf's tracks, just as expected.

Rhett gripped his magic staff tightly, a weapon he had acquired in the military, which provided some enhancement to his spellcasting.

Following the tracks, he finally stopped at the foot of a small hill about ten meters high. Here, the tracks disappeared, and faint sounds emanated from a nearby cave.

However, the cave's noises were faint, and Rhett could easily detect that only a first-tier Wind Wolf was inside.

Rhett felt relieved. It seemed his guess was correct—this was just an ordinary first-tier Wind Wolf, not yet mutated into a second-tier beast.

Feeling confident, he rushed into the cave without hesitation.

The Wind Wolf, gnawing on a wild rabbit, jerked its head up as Rhett barged in. Its fur bristled, and it sprang to its feet, growling menacingly.