Chapter 32: The Hunter's Game Begins

"Once you stop moving forward, the swamp of life will swallow you whole, dragging you down so you can never move ahead again. You’ll never see the end of this road, never witness those even more spectacular vistas. Don’t you agree with me, Knight?"

J stared at Cassius through the rearview mirror.

"When did you get so pretentious?"

Cassius rubbed his neck and tucked the silver cross pendant deeper under his shirt, hiding it behind his high collar.

"Fine, I’ll make it plain and simple!"

"Rose! Tonight, you’re going to show my brother just what the hell you mean by a more spectacular vista!"

J ran a hand over his shaved head, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.

"Of course, sir."

Miss Rose, as ripe and alluring as a sun-kissed peach, glanced over with sultry eyes, her tongue flicking across her full, red lips.

"Uh…"

Shunan’s hand trembled slightly on the mouse. Had he really just unlocked some sort of adult content?

"Miss Rose, being an extremely capable secretary, invites you to a delightful evening together."

"Your response is:"

◎Rose (Interactive)

A: But I refuse!
B: But I refuse!
C: But I refuse!
D: But I refuse!

"Damn it! This is infuriating!"

Cassius kicked off with both legs, sending his wheeled chair clattering to a stop at the edge of the bed. So the adult content was all a sham, just teasing at the edge of decency. Honestly, he’d get more excitement watching stray cats tussle outside his apartment at night.

He stood to pour himself a glass of water to steady his nerves before returning to his seat at the screen.

Gazing at the swan-like neck and those glossy, plump lips, Shunan clicked the mouse, his heart not quite in it.

"But I refuse!"

Cassius turned down Rose’s provocative invitation.

"You’re always so dull," she replied.

J, clearly deflated, pressed the horn, flicked on his turn signal, and quickly sped off the wide boulevard.

"Let’s get to the point," Cassius said, deliberately avoiding Rose’s disappointed gaze.

"Alright. Rose, give him the documents."

J snapped his fingers, and Rose pulled a stack of files from her briefcase, handing them to Cassius. As she let go, her red-lacquered nails trailed across his palm—a reminder that sometimes, when it comes to certain men, women can be just as bold.

Cassius spread the documents out on his lap.

[Name: Hunter’s Game]

[Description: The Hunter’s Game is jointly organized by the nine largest grey syndicates in the southeastern region of the Vigland United Kingdom. To resolve disputes of interest and, most crucially, the distribution of ‘Ring’ resources, they have adopted a proxy war method, deciding power through the game’s results.]

[Rule 1: Each syndicate selects one Hunter from within to represent them in the competition.]

[Rule 2: Before the game begins, there will be a Braveheart Challenge—sequentially stabbing a knife between the fingers in rhythm. This tests the Hunter's eyesight and reflexes, and provides an initial advantage. According to the Braveheart rankings, the nine Hunters will pick from nine different firearms in order.]

[Rule 3: The competition takes place in the northern Grevor Mountains, within a temperate broadleaf forest. The entire arena is oval, surrounded by barbed wire. Some areas have concealed cameras, allowing the agents to observe.]

[Rule 4: The arena is divided into four zones: A, B, C, and D. Zone A is home to hares and pheasants; Zone B to elk and wild boar; Zone C to tigers and brown bears; Zone D contains two fierce, mysterious creatures. Each prey offers different points, and the point values vary greatly between zones—prey in Zone D are worth the most.]

[Rule 5: In Zones A and B, Hunters are forbidden from killing each other—violation results in disqualification. In Zones C and D, killing is allowed without penalty, but only in Zone D does killing another Hunter earn you half their points as a reward.]

[Rule 6: The host is the Celestial Group, an independent neutral force apart from the nine syndicates.]

[Rule 7: …][Rule 8: …]

[Prize 1: Luminous Lion Hunting Coat]
[Prize 2: Large cash prize]
[Prize 3: Three types of special bullets]
[Prize 4: Killer’s Full Ability Pack (Top)]
[Prize 5: Seven-Letter Syndicate’s Mysterious Reward]

[Note: No one can refuse the game. No one.]

"A proxy war… Judging by the rules, this Hunter’s Game isn’t just about hunting wildlife in the forest, but also about not becoming prey to other Hunters…”

Shunan carefully took a photo of the screen, just in case he forgot any rules during the game.

As the rules scrolled by, the Prometheus sedan glided smoothly into an underground parking garage. Two men in suits and sunglasses stepped forward to receive them.

With a click, the car door opened.

"Mr. J! Sir Knight, Miss Rose."

The pair greeted them with utmost respect.

J nodded coolly. "Let’s go."

The group moved down a dim corridor, Cassius following just behind J, a half-step ahead of the others.

Through the screen, Shunan had the constant feeling that Rose, on his right, kept casting curious glances at Cassius—her interest evident in her eyes.

Cassius remained silent from start to finish.

Shunan had already realized that in this game, whenever the protagonist encountered a woman, he instantly evolved an iron chastity belt, complete with several unbreakable locks.

But perhaps that was for the best—cutting off any distractions made it easier to focus and play to his strengths.

"We’re here," J’s voice called from the front.

He stopped before a wall that looked just like any other—plain cement. J pressed his right palm to a particular spot.

A hissing sound emanated from the wall.

Within seconds, the wall split open with a sudden swish, revealing a brightly lit metal elevator.

They stepped inside. The doors slid shut.

"Knight, you know this: the Seven-Letter Syndicate is also conducting an internal selection. You’re my chosen man, but you still have six rivals. They’re all veterans—some are top-tier mercenaries, some are ex-elite soldiers, and some are even master assassins..."

"I hope you won’t disappoint me at this first step..."

After pressing the floor button, J turned to look at Cassius.

"Of course. I believe you’ll be satisfied," Cassius replied with a confident smile.

The elevator descended, the world outside blurring away.

"Two days later, you defeated each of the other six contenders from the Seven-Letter Syndicate, earning the right to represent the group as their agent in the Hunter’s Game."

"Director J is very pleased with your abilities."

"That very night, he sends his secretary, Rose, to your room, but even faced with her seductive charm, you refuse once again."

"One day later, you head to the northern Grevor Mountains."

"The Hunter’s Game begins!"