novelraw Chapter 311: The Hunt
Chapter 311: The Hunt
"Six people..."
Chen Qi lowered his head, scanning the figures below.
Gambler Loren, mechanist Dia, horticulturist Nancy, thief Gray Mouse, the silver-masked scout...
And where was the sixth one? Chen Qi rested his right hand on the sword hilt at his waist.
The next second, a faint icy breath, like a slender needle, gently pierced the back of his neck.
Behind him!
Chen Qi whirled around instantly.
As he turned, white hair strands already brushed against his face, and a pair of icy blue eyes were mere ten centimeters away from his.
Moreover, a blue crystal staff made of silverwood was already aimed at his chest, positioned for a direct strike.
Mage An!An took a deep breath, her azure eyes widening as she gently pushed the staff forward:
"Cannon!"
Instantly, sapphire spiritual energy traveled along the staff, condensed, transformed, and finally coalesced into a powerful spiral that shot from the staff's tip like a water jet piercing through steel!
Boom!
The spiritual energy cannon was the most fundamental spell for mages.
Yet, supported by an immense amount of spiritual energy, this energy blast descended like a dazzling chariot of white light from the sky, slamming him toward the ground.
Chen Qi crossed his arms to block, his entire body forced backward, feet scraping sparks across the ground.
This strike wasn't meant to kill but to drive him into the six-person encirclement.
Bang!
The six Ember's Touch hands behind Chen Qi stabbed into the rocky ground like nails, resisting the impact and halting his momentum, positioning himself safely.
Then he looked up at An standing on the rooftop.
Amid the spiritual energy waves, An's feet hovered slightly as she held her staff with her left hand, looking down at him from her elevated position.
Behind him, Gambler Loren reloaded his gun and aimed it at the back of his head.
From the shadows beneath his feet, dark silhouettes twisted into silent hands that stealthily, ever so quietly, crept toward the arm at his waist.
Nancy straightened her bloodied neck and spat golden seeds from her mouth.
Close-combat mage An, Gambler's gun, Gray Mouse's shadow-affinity thief hands, and horticulturist Nancy skilled in plant-based attacks...
Unconsciously, the six of them had formed a four-sided encirclement.
Chen Qi touched his chest - his arm felt slightly burned, and the flesh on his chest had sunken inward.
Without doubt, the most troublesome was An. As a mage, despite his high inspiration, she could still conceal her presence and launch highly effective stealth attacks.
Already surrounded, and now at dusk when the Lamp Keeper's passive couldn't activate... Chen Qi scanned his surroundings.
He could hear the entire Scorched Earth Town erupting in chaos. He was like a monster that had fallen into a civilian town, except this town had rather too many police officers.
Gambler Loren's gaunt, pale face twisted into a bitter smile:
"Mr. Black Hunter, your luck isn't great, but we're not confident we can defeat you without suffering damage ourselves. Perhaps we could discuss this, play a little game?"
He's stalling for time... Chen Qi straightened his posture as dark-fire hands drew the sword from his waist, ready to strike at any moment.
In this situation, he had to identify the weakest point to break through!
Gambler Loren's profession was gambler, the most common third-tier Dice affinity occupation that could increase luck rates for all probability-based weapons and items.
As a typical weapon hunter, every piece of his equipment relied on probability-based special gear. As a hunter in Release state, if he could tap into that one percent luck, he could even briefly battle legendary foes!
Gray Mouse's profession was shadow-affinity thief, capable of manipulating shadows and mastering multiple Rat Substitute techniques with exceptional escape and tracking abilities. As the Hunter Association branch leader, he possessed numerous items - once entangled with him, breaking free became extremely difficult.
An's profession was mage, theoretically making her the most fragile and easiest to breakthrough.
However, though her spiritual field remained third-tier in essence, her spiritual energy now surged through Scorched Earth Town like ocean waves, resembling an insurmountable barrier.
This vast spiritual energy resembled an ocean, far beyond what any third-tier Transcendent should possess.
Unlike mages who relied on meditation, magic circuits, skills, and Spiritual Core to enhance their spiritual energy, An had obtained unprecedented fortune that granted her spiritual energy far exceeding ordinary people.
An tightened her grip on the staff again, aiming at his head:
"Cannon!"
Boom! Massive spiritual energy poured forth!
Chen Qi's figure blurred like flowing water as he dodged the attack.
"Hound's Pace Blink Step!"
Gray Mouse exclaimed in astonishment from afar - this was a rare technique he had painstakingly collected and only sold to twenty-one people.
While evading, Chen Qi quickly turned his head, scanning the entire encirclement.
Without question, the biggest weak point here was the elf hunter, horticulturist Nancy.
Nancy lay on the ground, having already buried seeds in the soil.
Horticulturist was one of the most combat-capable third-tier floral aspect professions, characterized by enhanced control and cultivation abilities over all 'supernatural plants'.
Using supernatural seeds, they could rapidly establish a territory of supernatural plants on any land. Once completed, this final encirclement would be completely sealed.
Drip! Drip!
Nancy cut her right hand with a small knife, blood droplets falling to nourish the tiny seeds taking root in the scorched earth, sprouting, growing, then breaking through the soil to form enormous flowers.
"Hold them off, just a bit longer, and I can summon the Earth Mother's vines to firmly bind the Black Hunter with tendrils, completing this terrifying mission."
Under the curse's influence, Nancy smiled bitterly uncontrollably, revealing her entire plan.
As a support hunter, she could no longer control her 'taunt' skill activation.
Feeling the dark branching paths, Nancy tearfully added:
"Don't come over here."
Their preparation isn't sufficient - did they find me by accident?... Chen Qi didn't hesitate, his figure darting like dark lightning toward Nancy lying on the ground.
Forward Slash!
As Chen Qi advanced, he swung his blade, black fire waves pouring forth with the sword energy!
Instantly, the sharp sword energy reduced Nancy's right hand, along with her blood, to ashes.
Simultaneously, behind him, An closed in like a vengeful spirit.
A mage chasing a warrior... Chen Qi glanced sideways at An above him.
An gripped her crystal staff with both hands, then swung it downward in a chopping motion:
"Slash!"
Boom!
Tremendous spiritual energy transformed into a cutting wave rushing toward Chen Qi's body, its massive energy surge even blocking the dark-fire hands' defense.
Boom!
At this moment, his body felt as if struck by a giant hammer, tremendous roaring echoing endlessly in his head.
The sound of breaking bones... Chen Qi was forced to withstand this blow because he interrupted Nancy's technique.
The injuries from his battle with the Dragon Tamer King hadn't fully healed yet.
Whoosh!
In the howling spiritual energy winds, An quickly returned to combat stance, gripping her staff again with her right hand to gather energy.
On her right hand, a small rift slowly opened, pouring river-like spiritual energy continuously into the staff.
Under this immense energy, even the specially crafted crystal staff showed signs of damage along its shaft.
Press the advantage!
Casting speed, spiritual energy volume - nothing like a mage... With broken bones, Chen Qi endured the pain as dark-fire hands behind him gripped his arms, wrapping around them like exoskeleton, forcibly positioning him in a horizontal blade stance.
Unstoppable spiritual energy waves concentrated at the staff's tip.
In An's arrogant blue eyes flashed a hint of dismissive contempt.
He's been forced into a corner!
"Activate Release, Black Hunter."
An's words gently stirred Chen Qi's desire, along with fear of this technique.
He had exposed too many weaknesses to sever Nancy's arm!
Pain from bones piercing flesh spread throughout his body.
Suddenly, Chen Qi felt unprecedented spiritual energy permeating his body and mind.
A notification appeared.
[You have partially digested Moonlight Flower Sea Elixir, Constitution+3, Inspiration+3, Agility+3, gained Spiritual Energy Surge, Inspiration Ecstasy state!]
In that instant, Chen Qi felt as if bathing in an ocean, endless spiritual energy surging through his entire being.
His body seemed to burn, urgently needing to release this vast energy!
The effect of Philosopher's Stone Potions!
Seizing this moment of inspiration, four dark-fire hands abruptly extended, six hands simultaneously gripping Flesh Cleaver Bone Breaker's hilt.
Unsheathe!
Destructive blue flames ignited along the long blade!
Spiritual Energy Surge enhanced total spiritual energy, while Inspiration Ecstasy greatly increased inspiration.
Under this tremendous inspiration, Chen Qi could already see An's fully formed technique and its weakness.
Chen Qi drew his blade and swung.
Black Wave Slash, sever everything!
Boom!
Both techniques unleashed simultaneously!
Blades of spiritual energy and fire collided, stirring up massive fire waves over the town, dazzling white light illuminating the entire street!
Gambler Loren stood in the distance, watching the scene:
"Truly two monsters."
Gray Mouse focused completely on the spectacle - the outcome of this exchange was crucial.
As the sea breeze blew, the roaring fire waves gradually dissipated.
"Huff, huff, huff..."
An gasped heavily, right hand pressed against her chest. Her mage robes bore another scar, chest burning with scorching flames, blood dripping to the ground.
Hit... Chen Qi looked at An's current disheveled state and sighed in relief.
Sometimes, some activity helps better digest potions.
With the Philosopher-grade potion's enhancement, that slash he just delivered already rivaled Release.
However...
Chen Qi turned his head to look at his right shoulder.
Splash! Blood suddenly gushed from his right shoulder!
"Huff, huff, huff..."
An looked at her right palm - what rested there wasn't her blood, but the Black Hunter's blood.
This strike, she had obtained the Black Hunter's blood!
Then she casually tossed the staff from her left hand to the ground, allowing blue flames to consume it completely.
Clap! Clap! Clap!
"Well done! An!"
Gambler Loren couldn't help but applaud.
"Loren, our preparation wasn't sufficient..."
An said quietly.
This chase had been too sudden - she hadn't repaired her staff, nor completed her meditation in advance.
Moreover, her right hand trembled, the small rift in her palm slowly, gradually expanding uncontrollably like a greedy beast's maw opening to devour her whole.
Some post-meal exercise isn't bad either... Chen Qi felt the tremendous spiritual energy within his body.
This ambush was too sudden - he hadn't made complete preparations yet.
However, An seemed to be considering retreat due to her condition.
But Gambler Loren and Gray Mouse didn't want to end this battle.
Even just prolonging this fight would count as their victory.
Need to leave before An recovers... Chen Qi stepped back, boot stepping on Nancy's arm.
Suddenly, Nancy hurriedly reached for a Backpack Card.
Backpack Card, right, can claim this horticulturist's spoils... Chen Qi's dark-fire hands behind him silently extended, preparing to take this Goldenfinch Kingdom horticulturist's Backpack Card.
Suddenly, Nancy sobbed:
"Black Hunter, this Backpack Card is fake, it only contains useless items. The truly valuable things... are, are... in the pouch at my waist..."
"Huh?"
Chen Qi stopped his movement.
What is this woman saying?
Volunteering her most important storage?
Trap, temptation, deception, or has she lost her mind?... Chen Qi tilted his head in confusion.
"Black Hunter, can you pretend you heard nothing? If you didn't hear, I'll be grateful!"
Nancy said in terror.
In her agitated state, she couldn't remain silent, completely unable to stop herself from speaking her mind!
"Can do."
Saying this, Chen Qi smiled slightly as his dark-fire hands simultaneously collected both the Backpack Card on her and the pouch at her waist.
"Everyone, farewell..."
Then Chen Qi kicked hard, sending the wailing Nancy flying, before dashing at full speed toward the sea.
"Whew..."
Chen Qi blew a whistle.
"After him!"
Gray Mouse and Gambler Loren simultaneously gave chase.
Even if An couldn't assist, as long as they could delay the Black Hunter until reinforcements arrived, ultimately, victory would still be theirs!
Moreover, they had already formed an encirclement!
Gambler Loren looked at the numerous ships on the sea.
"Stop him!"
"As you command!"
The navy on the docks immediately sprang into action, firmly guarding near the captain's cabin.
Scorched Earth Town's ships had already been seized by the navy. To prevent the Black Hunter from hijacking a vessel, they had even deliberately smashed the rudders of fast ships.
The Black Hunter's only remaining option was sea walking ability, which would ultimately result in being surrounded by the naval fleet!
Under the dusk sky, Chen Qi stepped onto the sea, instantly running across the ocean's surface.
Gambler Loren and Gray Mouse also employed sea walking ability, closely following the Black Hunter.
Their speed was remarkable - in fact, in terms of pure velocity, they surpassed the Black Hunter!
Whoosh...
Yet contrary to their expectations, the next moment, the Black Hunter stopped.
Chen Qi turned back, curiously scanning Gambler Loren and Gray Mouse.
Currently, it appeared these people possessed items that could track him.
Given up, or waiting for the Flower Witch... Seeing this, Gambler Loren extended his hand:
"Black Hunter, won't you play a while longer?"
The dark-fire hands behind Chen Qi slowly retracted.
Then he looked up and said casually:
"No."
"..."
Gambler Loren fell into thought - the Black Hunter's tone was unusually casual, as if he had already escaped their extensive encirclement.
On Scorched Earth Town's docks, numerous ships' cannons aimed at the hunter before them.
However, the next moment, a sudden change occurred.
Waves crashed against Loren's long trousers.
"Wait—"
They saw the waves beneath their feet begin to boil, revealing an unprecedented massive figure.
"Fall back!"
Gray Mouse urgently warned.
Under nameless fear, Gambler Loren and Gray Mouse immediately created distance.
In the twilight light, their vision continuously followed a black monster rising upward...
Scalding blood mist emanated from dark scales, crimson dragon eyes looking down upon the island from above.
"Farewell, I need to return home to cook for my crew."
Chen Qi stood atop the rising Coastal Apex Predator, leisurely eating an apple pie.