The Unwilling Shadow Hunter

The night after the Derby, in Jianzhou Ranch's surveillance room.

Zhang Jun sat before a bank of screens, holding a cup of hot tea, his eyes fixed tightly on one particular feed.

On the screen, Shadow Hunter was quietly eating grass and rolling around in his stall. Everything appeared normal.

"Jun, you've been watching all night. It's already past two in the morning. Shouldn't we go back and get some sleep?" Luo Heng yawned as he walked in from outside.

"Hasn't Shadow Hunter been doing pretty well these past two days? He's eating and sleeping fine. He doesn't look like anything's wrong with him at all."

Zhang Jun shook his head, his gaze never leaving the screen. "I just feel like something's off with Shadow Hunter."

"What's off?"

"It's just... he's too quiet." Zhang Jun frowned and thought for a moment.

"Think about it. What's Shadow Hunter usually like? The moment he sees me, he rummages through my pockets for treats. He runs wild all over the pasture. When has he ever been like this? All he does is eat and sleep all day. He won't even play with me."

Luo Heng paused, carefully recalling Shadow Hunter's behavior that day. "Now that you mention it, it does seem a little... But maybe he's just exhausted from the race? The Derby was pretty intense, after all."

"Maybe." Zhang Jun yawned as well and stood up. "Forget it, I'll go back and sleep first..."

Before he could finish, Shadow Hunter suddenly moved on the screen.

He stopped eating, raised his head, and slowly pinned his ears back. Then he suddenly spun around and violently kicked at the wall with his hind legs!

Bang!

Even through the screen, Zhang Jun could feel the force behind that kick.

"Shadow Hunter!" Zhang Jun cried out,