233. Hunting

"Relax!"

Seeing the somewhat neurotic Owen, Sulu had to resort to Words of Arrogance again to calm him down a little.

"If that dry well truly appeared suddenly and involves mystery... physical methods of filling it in would be useless, and might even anger some being, bringing even more terrible danger..."

Sulu analyzed for Owen, "I can give you a few suggestions. First... move out."

"Of course, I would never dare to go back." Owen nodded repeatedly.

"Then... you need to go to the police station, or if you have connections, seek help directly from the Bureau 11... Finally, donate some money to the local Church of the Goddess of Light, hoping to spend the night there, or have the bishop perform a purification ceremony for you."

Sulu narrated calmly.

"Will that solve the problem?" Owen pressed.

"If it's just a typical paranormal event..." Sulu nodded.

"You must save me! You are the Mystic!" Owen looked at Sulu in despair.

"No, I'm just... a mystery enthusiast."

Sulu shrugged.

Getting involved in unexpected and mysterious events is a major taboo for any superhuman.

Furthermore, this is the most I can do to help him given Owen friendship; he has his own things to attend to.

Sulu would never admit that he secretly envied, resented, and hated the other person's carefree life.

'Hmm... As a tenant, I will report your situation directly to the Bureau 11. I'm sure they will prioritize it... Perfect!'

This is not because Sulu is cold-blooded.

Rather, it's about the importance placed on a 'curse' in a dream.

If this is a paranormal event, it is highly likely to involve a fourth-tier [Wicked Spirit] level being!

They mostly possess various bizarre and terrifying abilities; for ordinary people, encountering them only leads to eternal despair.

East of Lori City, the Great Swamp.

Sulu changed into a hunter's outfit, carrying a hunting rifle on his back. Beside him stood Margaret, also dressed as a hunter, wearing deerskin boots.

The girl's expression was somewhat heavy, as if she was still recalling Owen's helplessness earlier.

Even Harlock's various performances couldn't soften her expression even slightly.

Are you still thinking about what happened before?

Sulu picked up his hunting rifle, aimed at a bird not far away, but did not pull the trigger.

"Yes... I didn't know the Mystic World was so dangerous. Now I understand why Grandfather hasn't come to see us..." Margaret replied with a wry smile.

"But... you don't choose to give up."

Sulu smiled, "After the Owen incident is over, I will give you what you want as a reward for your perseverance..."

"Thank you, Mr. Sean. Are we now preparing to hunt... magical creatures?"

Margaret looked around and couldn't help but shiver.

"Yes, it's called ' Chikutal,' possessing the Wisdom of a humanoid child combined with ferocity and cunning, and is highly vigilant..."

This is the intelligence provided by the ' Saintess '. The other party has been loitering in the vicinity recently and has a record of attacking farms and livestock.

"Then... what should we do?" Margaret asked curiously, treating herself as an Apprentice.

"It's simple... find the area where they're active, set a trap, and prepare bait..."

Sulu answered without turning his head.

"Trap and bait?"

Margaret glanced at herself, then at the innocent-looking husky, and her expression changed. "Sir... hehe... you said... Chikutal likes fresh flesh? Especially flesh rich in spirit?"

"Yes, that's why it prefers to attack humans!"

Sulu smiled, revealing his pearly white teeth. "But... my bait is... it! In some ways... you're not even as good as a dog!"

He pointed at Harlock.

The spirituality of extraordinary beings far surpasses that of ordinary people.

'Not even as good as a dog!'

'Not even as good as a dog!'

'Dog!'

Margaret felt a little dizzy. She had heard many criticisms in her life, but none had ever made her feel so conflicted.

'I'm not even as good as a dog, that seems to be true. Harlock is amazing, possessing extraordinary power!'

'That's why I don't need to be the bait anymore. This feeling... is really complicated...'

"Waaah..."

Harlock the dog was startled; it understood Sulu's words, and it tried to run away, but it was too late.

Sulu grabbed the leash. "Harlock... be brave. If we succeed this time, I can leave Lori City sooner, and you can go back to Master Isaac."

Harlock raised his head, seemingly in thought, then turned around in circles.

Yes, in order to return to its true master as soon as possible and get rid of this devil, it will fight tooth and nail.

If we win, my dog life will be complete!

late at night.

The enormous moon hung in the sky, seemingly tinged with a crimson hue.

Under the moonlight.

A woman came alone to the desolate wilderness, on the outskirts of a swamp, and built an 'altar' using various spiritual materials.

In the center of the altar, there is a husky tied up with five flowers and arranged in the shape of a "wood". The dog's face is full of helplessness.

"Mr. Sean... what should I do next?"

Margaret looked around, her heart filled with fear.

"Don't speak except when chanting the incantation..."

A soft, gentle voice suddenly reached her ears. "I'm right beside you, don't be afraid! Now... light the incense!"

Under his guidance, Margaret cautiously lit some spices and added hydrosol, creating a rich and sweet aroma.

This is indeed part of a ritual; in ancient times, witches loved to use it to summon magical creatures roaming the wild and to make a pact with them.

Sulu made some slight modifications so that ordinary people could also operate it, at the cost of consuming more spiritual materials.

Furthermore, the aroma of the burning and the materials used are predominantly flesh and blood, which ensures that it will not attract plant-type spirits such as ' Flower Sprite ', but the probability of summoning Chikutal is very high—if it is nearby.

Raging!

The flames burned continuously, filling the air with a fragrant aroma that made Margaret unconsciously swallow her saliva.

Several meters away from her, a rustling sound could be heard, the sound of creatures from the swamp being attracted, but now they were being kept away by a force.

"Next, follow me in reciting the incantation."

Sulu taught Margaret to recite in Ancient Hebraic:

"In my name..."

"Summoning extraordinary creatures that roam the swamps, creatures that crave flesh and blood..."

"Give me your power, and I will return everything you desire..."

The woman's awkward voice echoed through the swamp of night.

Tap tap! Tap tap!

She didn't know how much time had passed, but just as the fuel was about to run out, Margaret suddenly heard the sound of horses' hooves.

She looked toward the source of the sound and instinctively covered her mouth.

It was a horse-shaped creature with four claws, its body blood-red, and it moved through the terrifying swamp as if it were flat ground.