Chapter 250

Chapter 250: The Hunt Begins

It was a breathtaking journey!

All the monsters were dashing forward at their top speed!

The path wasn't wide, just enough for four average-sized monsters to walk side by side. But would the monsters obediently run in a row? Of course not!

They leaped high, with those in the back constantly jumping over those in front. The monsters in front had no choice but to run faster or move even further ahead if they didn't want to be trampled.

Ji Huan soon understood why: the sea tide!

After a brief receding, the seawater was rising again!

Although it wasn't rising slowly, still...

Glancing back at the countless monsters behind him, could they really finish running this path before the seawater submerged it once more?

No wonder the monsters were running so swiftly!

Moreover, the danger didn't end there.

Ji Huan soon heard roars coming from behind!

Not monsters, but magical beasts' roars!

When he saw the black magical beast charging forward, trampling on the monsters, Ji Huan's heart skipped a beat: Right! There were also these magical beasts!

Not only monsters sought passage through this solitary road to reach the other side, but the magical beasts that had been waiting around the tent area as well!

Apart from that...

In the chaos, a young monster fell into the sea. Though the water was some distance from the path and bitterly cold, it posed no real threat to the monster, who quickly resurfaced. However—

Just as it attempted to climb back onto the road, a sea creature leaped out from the depths, its massive jaws fully open, aiming directly for the ascending monster!

The remaining monsters quickened their pace even more!

A chill ran down Ji Huan's spine.

At this moment, the sea was still a great distance from the road, a distance that sea creatures couldn't leap over. Thus, the monsters they faced were only land-based magical beasts and other monsters. Once the seawater continued to rise to a level where the sea creatures could reach, the danger they faced would triple. And once the water swallowed the road again...

The consequences would be disastrous.

Just then, Ajin suddenly released his grip on Ji Huan's hand. While Ji Huan was momentarily stunned, he felt his waist being embraced—Ajin had looped his arm around his waist, carrying him as they sped up.

The house-sized monsters were right behind them, encircling them in a fan shape, preventing any monsters from catching up. They were very safe.

Upon noticing that Ayi and Little Grey were also keeping up well, Ji Huan finally relaxed.

They ran for a full eleven minutes on this perilous path. When Ji Huan was put down, he was so dizzy that he nearly fell. Fortunately, Ajin's hand didn't leave his side, providing support with a firm lift when Ji Huan wobbled. Only then did Ji Huan regain his balance.

He instinctively looked back at the road they had just traversed. Most of the monsters had already made it to the shore. Only a few monsters and magical beasts at the tail end of the group were still running. The rising seawater rapidly submerged the road, wave after wave pounding relentlessly. The monsters and magical beasts continued their frenzied dash through the waves. Two more monsters reached the shore, but at that very moment, about two meters behind them, a colossal wave suddenly crashed down.

When those two monsters turned around in alarm, there was nothing left behind them.

All the monsters and magical beasts that had been running behind them were gone.

They might have been swept away by the massive wave, or perhaps seized by sea creatures lurking within it. In any case, they likely wouldn't have another chance to make it to the shore.

With one last glance at the path behind them, the fortunate monsters quickly brushed off the ice fragments from their knees and, selecting a direction, vanished from sight in the blink of an eye.

As the monsters gradually departed, the one named Hei paid a deliberate visit to Ji Huan before leaving. Perched high above, Hei gazed down at...the Black Egg nestled on Ji Huan's chest. With gloved fingers, Hei pointed at the small monster's backpack.

Black Egg nodded anxiously in response.

Only then did Hei turn and depart, his head held high.

"Let's proceed as well," Ajin pointed casually in a direction, and Ji Huan's group followed suit.

The heavy snowflakes fell, swiftly erasing the last vestiges of the monsters that had just departed, as well as their own tracks.

"Relax, now it's our turn to hunt. All we need to do is return to our previous location before the last petal of this flower falls," Ajin said, pulling out a transparent vial from his chest. Inside was a flower with blue petals that seemed to emit a faint glow in the dimming light.

It was likely issued by the "official" staff before they set off, while Ji Huan was occupied stuffing Black Egg's bag with poop pills.

Upon hearing their employer's words, the assembled monsters appeared visibly relieved, and Ji Huan could sense their tension easing.

The previous tension stemmed from their caution and vigilance towards unfamiliar surroundings and unforeseen events. Once they were certain that the alarm had been lifted, they would relax again, even if the environment around them had become more perilous.

"Spatially close by, there are small magical beasts. They're likely communal and about the size... about the size of an Obida," Hus spoke carefully as he blew away the thick layer of snow on the ground, revealing several footprints imprinted on the hard ice beneath.

Next to him, the slender Obida fell silent as his companions all turned to look at him.

Perhaps envisioning a group of Obidas running together, the guards burst into laughter.

Crystalline also approached the footprints—only he had followed among the trio of pack animals. Since he couldn't keep up with their pace, Hus had dragged him along the way. Perhaps due to the increased contact with Hus, he was no longer as afraid of him now.

"These prints resemble those of a rare magical beast called a Fei She, but we can't be absolutely sure. The Fei She's prints should be smaller than these, and moreover..." Crystalline glanced at Obida beside him before cautiously continuing, "A Fei She's body is only two-thirds the size of an Obida."

Once again, Obida found himself under scrutiny from his companions.

"What does a Fei She look like? What are its strengths and weaknesses? Tell us," Hus expressed interest in Crystalline's words. Turning his head, he adopted an attentive posture.

Crystalline felt a little embarrassed. Scratching his head, he whispered, "A Fei She's appearance is somewhat similar to a Molt, but it's a carnivorous magical beast with teeth resembling those of an No. 8."

The magic creatures from Ye Falar were left with a multitude of questions.

There was nothing to be done about it; such was the difference between the northwest and other regions.

While they spoke the same language, numerous terms were entirely distinct, not to mention that the western monsters Crystal mentioned were unknown to the guards. Similarly, no one had heard of Molt or Norba.

Observing the guards exchange bewildered glances, Ajin spoke up, "Molt resembles Mofate, while Norba is likely a variant of Norba."

Explaining in terms of western monsters, the Ye Falar guards finally grasped the concept.

Noticing Ji Huan still appeared puzzled, Ajin whispered an explanation just for him, "It's a cat-like creature with the body of a goat."

Ji Huan instantly understood.

"A Fei She has white fur and black eyes, which blend into the snowy landscape when seen from afar. They typically attack using their claws and teeth. Their weakness lies in their tail. Behind a Fei She's hindquarters, there are usually three to four long tufts of hair that resemble a tail. It's a deceptive method to protect their vulnerable tail." After explaining this to Ji Huan, Ajin continued sharing his knowledge about the Fei She with the group.

Throughout the journey, Ajin's familiarity and composure were evident to all the monsters. Despite being their first visit, he seemed to handle every situation effortlessly. The success of their journey could be attributed solely to him, making the guards feel somewhat redundant...

"Boss, you're incredible!" A young Ye Falar creature finally voiced his admiration.

Ajin glanced at him before retrieving a book from his robe after a moment's pause. "I'm merely reciting what I've read. I bought this book in the city."

The monsters of Ye Falar admired Ajin even more – while they spent their breaks strolling and indulging in food, their employer utilized his time to gather intelligence. How could they not be impressed?

Ajin's response emboldened the monsters, and from then on, those who had never dared to speak with him began to engage in conversation.

"Boss, are you indeed a monster from Ye Falar?"

Upon this question, all eyes turned towards Ajin, revealing that it was a matter that most monsters had long been curious about. Although they had suspicions, Ajin's enigma and authority deterred them from asking or seeking confirmation.

Ajin looked at the young monsters again before nodding after a moment's pause.

"See! I knew it! I said the Boss looked like a Ye Falar native, but you all insisted he must be rich, educated, and sophisticated, making it impossible. I won, I won!" The monster who posed the question flipped joyfully in the snow.

The young monsters' delight seemed to infect Ajin, and he unexpectedly shared a bit more of his history. "I was born near the border between District 11 and District 12. Afterward, I lived in a junkyard, learning to read and write from materials I found there. Eventually, I worked outside and later purchased a house in Ye Falar's Greenbelt, and now, I have a property in Yumac City."

"I know! I know! I saw a magazine with your picture on the street! Even though I couldn't understand it, I bought one! It was my first time buying a book!" The initial inquirer turned out to be an admirer of Ajin's, inadvertently revealing his secret.

"Indeed, reading and writing are crucial," the monsters concluded in unison.

Although Crystal hadn't followed the entire conversation, he clearly agreed with their assessment and hastily nodded vigorously.

"The testing area now offers literacy classes. The environment has significantly improved compared to back then. You're still young, and it's never too late to learn. If you're interested in enrolling..." Ajin pointed at Ji Huan. "The supervisor is right here."

Ji Huan nodded in agreement.

The young monsters became even more delighted.

Both Ajin and Ji Huan gave off an aura of 'keep out,' making them seem extremely unapproachable. Even when they conversed daily, their talks were strictly business-related. Today's conversation was unprecedented. Thanks to the joint hunting expedition, the monsters found not only that their employers were approachable but also shared a common origin. This realization drew them even closer to the two employers.

Assuming no unforeseen circumstances, Mr. Felzahar was likely the highest-ranking Ye Falar monster outside. From having nothing to being able to casually issue record-breaking bounties, the young monsters were filled with anticipation for their future!

Unbeknownst to them, Ajin had sown a seed of hope in these monsters' hearts.

In the hearts of these capable yet directionless creatures who merely struggled to survive each day.

Like an elder, Ajin shared all his knowledge about Fei She. With a clear understanding of their target before the hunt and the first-rate hunters accompanying them, two hours later, Ji Huan's group indeed succeeded in wiping out a Fei She den!

A total of twenty-three Fei She!

All captured alive!

Upon seeing the Fei She, Ji Huan realized that Ajin's description had been somewhat inaccurate: these creatures were more than just cats with a sheep-like physique! They were closer to being... tigers of immense size!

Crystal was astounded by their hunting prowess!

These Fei She were significantly larger and more ferocious than those found outside. Encounters with them were rare in the outer world, yet they had effortlessly captured an entire den! This accomplishment would be considered a modest feat even for seasoned hunters, let alone for a group that had entered merely to "sightsee."