036 The Hunter Hunted

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“I tried reasoning with you and you ignored me. When I picked up a gun, you still dared to provoke me. In that case, I can only shoot you dead.”

“Looking at you, you’re clearly no good person. I bet you didn’t expect your retribution to come so suddenly in this life…”

Cassiu squatted down, pried a piece of plastic from the death grip of Serpent-Eye’s hand, and toyed with it in his palm.

Serpent-Eye’s corpse was a ghastly sight. The four-barreled heavy hunting gun had obliterated his head entirely, leaving nothing behind.

The shape left by Serpent-Eye on the ground became: ㅈ.

“You have killed Player No.9, Serpent-Eye.”

“You have learned his power: Eye of Poison.”

“Eye of Poison: When the target makes eye contact with the user, a poison-eye brand forms on their arm. The speed of this brand’s formation is proportional to the intensity and duration of the target’s gaze—the longer and more focused the gaze, the faster the mark forms. Once formed, the mark can remain dormant and, when activated, blocks the target’s vision for five seconds. Avoiding eye contact or visual separation can prevent the Poison-Eye’s effect.”

The screen flickered and blurred, as if a sudden fog had descended all around. Moments later, everything returned to normal.

Cassiu raised his hand; a black vertical-slit eye mark was almost complete on his skin, just a breath away from taking full shape.

Serpent-Eye had seemed only to taunt, chattering nonsense. In truth, he’d been silently using his ability, intending to slip away once the mark was set and act later in Zone C.

But Serpent-Eye never expected that Cassiu would ignore all rules and shoot him dead on the spot.

After all, games are meant to be thrilling and satisfying. Serpent-Eye, hideous as a monster, still dared to threaten Xiu Nan. No wonder Xiu Nan chose him as the first target.

“You were attacked by No.9, Serpent-Eye.”

“Poison-Eye did not fully form. This attack failed, and the mark will vanish in three seconds…”

After the notification, the blurriness faded away.

Xiu Nan’s vision cleared once more.

A system prompt appeared on the screen.

“This location is Zone A. You have killed Player No.9, Serpent-Eye, in a non-combat area. Your qualification to participate in the Hunter Game has been revoked. Return immediately to the Hunter’s Lodge.”

“If you fail to comply, the event organizer, Tianheng Corporation, will send staff to apprehend or even execute you.”

Almost simultaneously, a broadcast echoed throughout the forest, reverberating across the clearings and among the hills.

“Hunter No.7 has killed Hunter No.9 in Zone A!”

“Hunter No.9 is confirmed dead!”

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“Hunter No.7 has been disqualified!”

In the forest, the seven remaining hunters all jerked their heads up. No matter their expressions, shock flickered in their eyes. Someone had died just ten minutes into the game?

Number 7 was certainly ruthless, killing in Zone A where violence was forbidden—reckless, but now two competitors were gone. Perhaps that was for the best…

Beside a small creek, No.6 halted. The clear water reflected her face, one eye an artificial implant.

“No.7 has been eliminated? It seems the first mission ended before it even began.” No.6 raised her hand slightly and fired. The crack of the gunshot was sharp, in stark contrast to the weapon’s massive recoil.

She staggered backward, as if shoved by a brute, but quickly regained her balance.

Dozens of meters away, a tree as thick as a thigh was blasted in half, jagged wood splinters jutting out. On the path, a wild pheasant exploded into a mess of blood and feathers, the air reeking of fresh gore.

It was obvious the gun No.6 used was mismatched with its power. She had performed worst in the courage challenge among the nine, and so had no choice but to take Weapon No.9.

Weapon No.9 was a hunting gun, the only model 32 Kun-gun, simple in design and supposedly the weakest of all. In reality, its power rivaled that of the four-barreled gun!

The Hunter Game continued. The remaining seven roamed the woods, hunting prey in Zone A.

In a shadowy corner of the woods, two hunters crossed paths. One’s arm was tightly bandaged and muscled; the other was bald, his scalp covered in strange black runes—No.2 and No.1, respectively.

Sunlight filtered through the leaves as the two faced off, neither making a move. As they advanced, eyes locked, the tension was palpable. It looked as if a fight could erupt at any moment, but this was forbidden in Zone A; neither would act so rashly.

After walking a distance, No.1 spoke.

“I’ll head west, you go east.”

No.2 hesitated, then nodded. “Alright.”

Bang!

His eyes flew wide open, bulging as if about to pop from their sockets. He looked down—there was a bloody hole in the center of his chest.

Shattered organs were clearly visible inside!

Bang!

Another thunderous blast, following instantly.

In the distance, No.2 saw No.1’s head explode like a melon, blood gushing from his neck.

“Ugh…” He struggled to turn his head.

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Four black gun barrels loomed large in his vision.

Bang!

Cassiu lowered the hunting gun and reloaded.

He had just used both abilities of the Fearsome Roar heavy hunting gun—briefly nullifying recoil for five seconds and firing two shots in rapid succession.

Only this way could he kill both hunters at once.

As for why Cassiu had started hunting the other hunters—it was, naturally, to gather enemy intelligence and prepare for his next life. After killing Serpent-Eye, the system had explained Serpent-Eye’s special ability. Killing other hunters would yield the same rewards; know your enemy and yourself, and you can win a hundred battles.

Cassiu’s goal was to eliminate as many hunters as possible before the organizers’ personnel could kill him.

“You have killed Player No.1.”

“You have learned his ability: Black Runes.”

“Black Runes: No.1’s forehead is covered in runes with special powers. Two effects: one, to greatly enhance all of his abilities for a short time; two, to induce hallucinations in opponents who stare at him for more than three seconds.”

“You have killed Player No.2.”

“You have learned his ability: Iron Wall.”

“Iron Wall: Can be used twice in a short period, causing all muscles to harden. Perfectly blocks attacks from small and medium hunting guns without suffering any injury.”

Click!

Xiu Nan snapped a photo, recording the scene.

Moments later, the broadcast rang out again—clearly, this area too was under the organizers’ surveillance.

“Hunter No.7 has killed Hunter No.1 in Zone A!”

“Hunter No.1 is confirmed dead!”

“Hunter No.7 has killed Hunter No.2 in Zone A!”

“Hunter No.2 is confirmed dead!”

“Alert! Alert! The five remaining hunters should ensure their own safety and avoid approaching No.7. If you encounter Hunter No.7, you may attack freely without penalty. The organizers have dispatched the Hunter Squad to correct the anomaly!”