The Hunter’s Stage

“Returning to the main topic, what do you believe caused Huang Siying’s transformation?”

“Perhaps during the two months he was missing, he underwent some inhuman modification?”

Xiu Lan tried to match him with similar characters from the Kamen Rider shows she’d watched, like Hongo Takeshi or Minami Kotaro.

“I believe it’s because of the inhibitor.”

“Heh heh.”

With a few snarky laughs, Xiu Lan pulled out her phone and located the file she wanted.

[Bloodthirsters on Inhibitors Are Indistinguishable from Normal Humans] Signed: Zhao Dongyang.

Yao Jing watched his junior (or was it?) student, who was waving the phone screen wildly in front of his eyes, a look of exasperated amusement on his face.

“Stop waving it, stop waving it! You’re making my head spin.”

“I’m merely reminding certain malicious individuals, those who would undermine human unity, to watch their words and actions, lest they commit deeds they’ll regret for the rest of their lives.”

“Is there any chance your medicine is the problem?”

“What? Absolutely impossible!”

‘Because I’m using it myself.’

After considering the consequences of revealing herself as a Bloodthirster, Xiu Lan swallowed the latter half of her sentence, musing, “I think it’s a problem with the air.”

“And what makes you say that?”

“Well, isn’t he constantly breathing air?” the girl analyzed with a serious expression. “Of course, water, sunlight, and the like aren’t entirely out of the question either.”

“Who taught you to speak like that?”

Yao Jing couldn’t hold back any longer, delivering a brutal smack to his junior student with the beverage bottle.

“Ow! I refuse to condone violence!”

Xiu Lan crouched down, covering her head defensively.

“Seriously though, I need your help. I don’t think Huang Siying has left this area yet.”

Without realizing it, Yao Jing had already finished his second bottle of drink. “Tonight, you’ll continue as a delivery person. Take the medicine and keep wandering around this area.”

“Huh? You want me to be bait?” Xiu Lan angrily accused the man before her. “You’re gambling with the lives of ordinary citizens!”

“Don’t worry,” Yao Jing calmly replied to his junior’s accusation, producing a button-sized, circular metal device. “This should ensure your safety.”

“What is this?”

Taking the object from Yao Jing’s hand, Xiu Lan examined it from every angle, utterly baffled as to its purpose.

“A Type Six Shield, military-grade.”

“Wow! Really? Can something like this just be lent out?”

Xiu Lan had heard of these devices; once activated, they could maintain a high-intensity protective shield around the user as long as their energy reserves weren’t depleted.

As for its defensive capabilities, it could withstand not only gunfire but even attacks from the Black Bloods for a time. Those Black Bloods were monsters capable of leveling entire cities single-handedly, so having this shield truly put Xiu Lan’s mind at ease.

“Are you reassured now?”

Yao Jing watched his junior student, who was still fumbling with the shield, before tossing his empty drink bottle into a nearby trash can. “If you’ve made up your mind, then get ready. Let’s see if we can lure out this ‘vampire’.”

****

Time advanced to evening.

“Will he really come out?”

Xiu Lan walked along the night-shrouded road, the empty, deserted street making her heart pound with unease, fearing something might suddenly leap out from behind her and strike.

“Don’t be burdened by worry; this is merely an an attempt.”

Yao Jing’s steady voice came through her earpiece. “I’ve already spread the word that a delivery person will be active in this area tonight. As for other Bloodthirsters, the Maintenance Squad just apprehended a few at the blockade.”

‘You’re ruining my reputation,’ Xiu Lan almost retorted.

“From now on, I’ll cover you, as long as you don’t go too far.”

‘So, the implication is that I’ve transformed from an outlaw into an outlaw with official backing, is that it?’

Suppressing the urge to retort further, Xiu Lan continued her walk through the moonlit streets.

A little while later, someone appeared before her…

“Give me the medicine.”

It was a voice she’d heard before. Xiu Lan focused her gaze, comparing him to the photos she’d seen earlier today… There was no doubt; this was their target.

“Hold him steady; I’m on my way.”

Dim streetlights, moonlight obscured by dark clouds, and the occasional breeze rustling fallen leaves — the hunter’s stage was set.

Like a demon lord appearing in a tale, Huang Siying emerged at the end of the road.

“Hello, Mr. Huang? I’m a delivery person from the Mutual Aid Society. Have you pre-ordered a delivery of inhibitors?”

Forcing down the rising fear, Xiu Lan attempted to engage him with a professional tone she’d learned from television, reasoning that beautiful girls always received preferential treatment in stories, didn’t they?

Perhaps the shadows obscured her, preventing the beautiful voice she’d painstakingly practiced from carrying, but it was clear Xiu Lan’s “beautiful girl privilege” had failed to activate.

Under the girl’s frightened gaze, Huang Siying, who was steadily approaching her, extended a third arm with a “clack” from his body.

Then, amidst Xiu Lan’s cries of “It’s a password box, you can’t kill me!” it pierced through the box and collided with the shield.

“Snap… crash!”

The crisp sound of inhibitors scattering across the ground echoed in the silent street. Under Xiu Lan’s pained gaze, the medicine that had spilled from the box was swiftly devoured by the monster.

But there was no time for Xiu Lan to catch her breath; the terrifying transformation continued.

Like a snake shedding its skin, Huang Siying’s body stretched and elongated like rubber, while new arms ceaselessly sprouted during the process.

By the end of the change, aside from his still-pale face, no human features remained.

“G-give… me… the medicine.”

The centipede-like monster coiled around Xiu Lan layer by layer.

Even with the shield’s protection preventing physical contact, the sight still sent shivers down the girl’s spine, her scalp tingling with dread.

‘How disgusting.’

‘Senior, hurry up!’

Fearing the monster before her might still possess intelligence and flee if it heard her cries for help, she could only roar internally.

“Hold him steady; I’m on my way.”

On the rooftop of a towering building, Yao Jing was inspecting his pre-combat gear.

[Hunters] were not the ordinary mortals who hunted beasts in the past, but a specialized military branch created by the Outer Realm cities to combat the Black Bloods.

During the Year of Calamity, as the Black Bloods continuously emerged and expanded, humanity’s very existence was severely threatened.

Fortunately, the Enlightened Sage (TL Note: A powerful, world-creating figure who brought knowledge and salvation during a time of crisis.) who forged the world still favored humanity, giving rise to heroes capable of rivaling the Black Bloods amidst this unprecedented disaster.

Led by them, the remaining fragments of humanity united, enduring countless trials and tribulations to reach this last sanctuary.

This was known as the Great Migration.

After the Great Migration, humanity’s remaining territories were divided into the Inner Realm, led by the Association, and the Outer Realm Alliance, established by the indigenous inhabitants of this land.

The Hunters, then, were the elite warriors of the Outer Realm cities, armed to the teeth, created to prove their independent qualification to the Association.

Despite this, with consistently high casualty rates and a growing number of Hunters, the Ministry of Technology found itself in a situation where creation lagged far behind destruction.

Out of necessity, the Outer Realm Alliance directly dismantled the existing Hunter system, dividing them into Black Blood Hunters, primarily focused on combating the Black Bloods, and Regular Hunters, who assisted various departments.

The disparity between them was as immense as the difference between a god-tier hero and a mere mortal’s adversary.

And Yao Jing was a Regular Hunter.

“Phew. AI, report on the shield’s status.”

[Shield energy remaining: 82%. Status: Optimal. Estimated operational time: 2 hours or more.]

‘So, my junior student can take a beating for another two hours, then.’

Yao Jing chuckled, effortlessly swinging the half-human-sized Armament greatsword in his hand.

At this moment, both his hands and legs were equipped with specialized gear: Power Gauntlets to enhance his strength, and Jet Boots to increase his speed and allow aerial movement.

“AI, lock onto the target.”

[Target location locked.]

Donning his visor, Yao Jing leapt from the rooftop, gliding through the air with practiced ease.