novelraw Chapter 47: Hunter and Prey
Chapter 47: Hunter and Prey
The two men trembled as they looked up at the drastically transformed Old Hunter.
Compared to his initial appearance, the Old Hunter was now noticeably larger, and his entire body was covered in thick red fur.
Every time the Old Hunter absorbed the blood of a live red wolf, there was a small chance he would evolve.
And once he did—he would transform into a werewolf!
At that point, his aggression and danger level would spike to terrifying heights.
The two gulped hard, completely forgetting their original mission to assist their boss.
Judging from the scene, while they were away, the Old Hunter had attacked the Black Rabbit Gang members and absorbed a large amount of red wolf blood.
He was already taking the form of a monster.
Just then, everyone inside the Rift felt a wave of inspiration hit them.
【The Old Hunter has mutated. Rift distortion increased by 5%.】Inspiration appeared, and the distortion level rose!
In the hunting ground, this meant the Old Hunter would drop his disguise and fully become a true BOSS!
He would now wander the forest, launching indiscriminate attacks on any human he saw!
In monster form, the Old Hunter had an insane healing ability and tremendous strength.
Under normal circumstances, without a full team effort, there was nearly no chance of winning.
But now, the Black Rabbit Gang was almost wiped out, and solo hunters were hiding—there was no chance of cooperation.
Ordinary teams had no hope. Encountering the Old Hunter meant certain death.
The forest had now become a survival game.
In everyone’s hearts, only the mysterious and unpredictable Floral Witch stood a chance of defeating the Old Hunter.
Many people began to pray, hoping the Floral Witch would take down the Old Hunter—hoping he wouldn’t find them.
The two Black Rabbit underlings were praying in their hearts as well.
The Old Hunter exhaled a bloody mist and deliberately avoided the Floral Witch.
But now, he was desperate to test out his new power!
Red wolves and Black Rabbit grunts were just too weak!
The Old Hunter placed his rough hand on the two men's shoulders and exhaled:
“I’ll ask one more time—this ‘monster’ you mentioned. Where is it?”
Their bodies stiffened, like stone. Instinctively, they raised trembling fingers and pointed in the direction where their boss had been fighting Chen Qi.
Sorry, boss!
The Old Hunter bared his crimson teeth like a starving beast, stepping over branches and dry leaves:
“Then I’ll go hunt him now.”
…
…
The clouds blocked out the moon, and wind swept through the forest.
The fire from the grill had gone out. Two or three wolves ran past the cave.
Chen Qi sat at the cave entrance, petting one of the red wolves that had been eating.
His barbecue had successfully attracted quite a few red wolves.
Some of them had been completely won over—like oversized pet dogs.
Just moments ago, he had seen the Rift notice: 【The Old Hunter has mutated】.
That meant the Old Hunter had become a roaming monster and would now attack humans indiscriminately.
“Meat’s grilled, wolves are here—but where’s the Old Hunter?”
Chen Qi shook his head.
It wasn’t impossible that the Floral Witch found the Old Hunter and instantly dealt with him.
But that would mean all his previous efforts were for nothing.
Still, that wouldn’t be the worst outcome. Once the Old Hunter was defeated, the Rift would end early.
He could return to Moonstone City, sell off Scarred Rabbit’s loot, plus whatever was in the Deep Sea Hunter’s Treasure—a pretty nice payday.
But just then, the red wolves eating nearby suddenly bolted like frightened puppies.
Leaves rustled in alarm.
Huh?
Chen Qi was startled.
Beasts had senses far sharper than humans.
Judging by the wolves’ reaction, they had sensed an unprecedented threat.
Rustle.
Rustle.
In the distance, a tall figure gradually emerged, his steps heavy and firm, breathing like a beast's growl.
The Old Hunter walked out of the shadows and exhaled a bloody mist:
“Finally found you.”
He loaded his hunting rifle and continued:
“You know, based on my findings, there’s something even more terrifying than red wolves in this forest. Have you seen any signs of it?”
Chen Qi let out a long breath.
According to the hunting ground guides, this was when you should say "no."
Then the Old Hunter would happily chat with you, and mid-conversation suddenly reveal that he himself was the monster!
Of course, Chen Qi had no intention of chatting with him.
Right now, he could barely contain his joy!
He’d spread all that barbecue in the forest, lured all those red wolves, and waited this long—
This big fish had finally taken the bait!
The Old Hunter grinned, blood staining his teeth:
“What’s wrong… Did something happen? Are you scared?”
Bang!
Chen Qi didn’t hesitate—he picked up the Collector and fired straight at the Old Hunter’s face.
The bullet punched a small hole into the hunter’s cheek.
The Old Hunter looked surprised, glancing at the wound as blood dripped from his face.
The guy actually dared to attack him—the lord of this forest?
“Interesting! I wasn’t wrong—you’ve got a hunter’s spirit. Definitely got more guts than those soft ones.”
The Old Hunter chuckled.
Then the wound on his face twisted like a vortex and instantly healed.
“Whew…”
Chen Qi blew the smoke from the Collector’s barrel.
As expected of a raid-level BOSS—top-tier health and defense!
The Collector’s damage barely scratched him.
The real point of that attack was to pull aggro.
The Old Hunter raised his rifle and said to Chen Qi:
“You attacked me first—seems you’re ready to be hunted.”
“Hunted? You hungry or something? Want me to feed you barbecue, little dog?”
Chen Qi replied casually, showing not a shred of respect.
Then he grabbed his lantern and walked deeper into the cave.
“So arrogant—”
The Old Hunter’s face twitched. Something seemed to writhe beneath his skin.
He had a monster’s body now, and the guy dared to speak to him like that?
The Old Hunter entered the dim cave.
Whether the target ran or set traps—it didn’t matter. Nothing could escape his wolf claws.
As he walked, he spoke:
“Human, do you know? In my short life of hunting, the more I honed my skills, the more I realized the limits of humanity—how weak and pathetic people are.”
He stopped. He could smell Chen Qi now.
That beautiful human scent!
Drip. Drip.
The sound of water echoed through the cave.
When he reached the end and saw Chen Qi by the pool—
Instead of raising the hunting rifle that had accompanied him for years, he suddenly snapped it in half.
He lifted his head, eyes gleaming with excitement:
“Humans are weak things who can only rely on tools…
So, I won’t be human anymore!”
With that, the Old Hunter’s face twisted, his back arched, a wave of tearing pain ripped through him.
His muscles swelled, sharp claws and fangs burst from bone, and thick red fur engulfed his body—
He fully transformed into a terrifying werewolf!
“Roar!”
Now, he couldn’t wait to tear a human apart with this new body!
Chen Qi held his breath. The enemy had locked onto him.
The Old Hunter opened his mouth, baring crimson fangs, and charged at him:
“Human—witness the might of my monst—”
Boom!
Before he could finish his line, a tentacle slammed him against the cave wall.
The Old Hunter was dumbfounded, smashed into the rock by the Pool Dweller’s tentacle:
“What the f*** is this?!”
The Pool Dweller began to take form deeper inside the cave.
What even was that…? Chen Qi set down the kerosene lantern, unsure how to explain.
The Pool Dweller was a rare kind of monster.
If he just said “Pool Dweller,” the Old Hunter probably wouldn’t get it.
If he called it a slime, that wouldn’t help either.
Trying to be considerate, Chen Qi thought a moment and said kindly:
“Let me introduce you—this is my hunting dog.”