What a Hunter Should Hunt

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"Da da. da."

Staggering and swaying people wandered aimlessly through the streets.

They were ragged, even disheveled. Some dragged their intestines, leaving a crooked trail of blood on the ground. Others, without limbs, writhed like worms, sniffing the fragrant blood left by the former's grieving intestines.

Many of the wreckage lying by the roadside were unable to even move, their bodies as withered as old desert trees, as if all their bodily fluids had dried up.

If these types of people are considered normal, then there are many more people who are even more abnormal.

The aimless wanderers sensed something and automatically slowed their pace.

All that could be heard was a wet, limp sound coming from ahead, like a rotten sponge slapping the ground, making a nauseating noise.

The next moment, what appeared from the street corner was an incredibly bloated and enormous body.

Parasites, some thick, some thin, some long, some short, pierced through its swollen skin, twisting their bodies wildly toward the sky. With each slight movement, pools of thick bodily fluid would flow from under the skin of this clearly mutated host.

It raised its head, where so many parasites made it look like a moss-covered stone.

In the pitch-black night, where stars and moon were almost invisible, these bizarre parasitic beings, with voices like broken bellows, let out unconscious, strange cries.

Looking across the entire city, one sees a hellish scene.

This is where the Hidden Blood Parasite infestation first broke out, in Savis, the second largest city in the country called "Reed".

This city, which once befriended beautiful mermaids and produced abundant pearls, has now become a scene of utter devastation, with parasites roaming the streets. But this is far from the initial frenzy of the parasite outbreak, as many more parasites have left the city, carrying their worms to attack surrounding cities and towns.

The current area of infection spread is

As the parasites collectively uttered their delirious murmurs, several figures took the opportunity in a dilapidated house far from the main street to leap and tumble swiftly between one house after another. They all looked like parkour experts, and it was clear that they would be well-suited to develop their careers in Harran City.

"There are sixteen on Pearl Street, four in Salted Fish Alley, and twenty-three on Octopus Road. Tsk, and there's a big one out tonight too. Be careful not to get close to it."

These people carefully communicated the number of parasites and their movements through a conch-shaped communication device, and every step they took seemed to be very cautious.

Those who still dare to go out parkour late at night are the survivors of this city today.

They came out under the cover of night to look for supplies.

"Snap—"

However, someone still accidentally knocked something over, and even the slightest noise attracted the attention of several wandering parasites.

The person who made the sound looked annoyed, took a few deep breaths, gave the group a look, and then decisively broke away from the group, leading the parasitized creatures away.

People felt sad watching his departing figure, because they didn't know if he would ever come back.

One of the boys, whose faces looked more youthful than the others, was particularly saddened and appeared to be on the verge of tears.

A large hand slapped him hard on the back. He turned around and saw a middle-aged man. Although he lowered his voice, his tone was still quite stern.

"Fan En, don't cry, you're the eldest son of the hunter's family!"

The young man named Fan En paused, quickly nodded, and caught up with the group.

It was called a large group, but it was actually only seven people. Subtract the one who left alone earlier, and there were six left.

It's unknown how many survivors are left in the city. Those who have survived to this point must have some skills. Even the seemingly weak Fan En comes from a family of hunters and has learned how to hunt wild animals since he was a child.

Although, in a coastal city like Savis, there aren't many wild animals for him to hunt.

Fan En followed closely behind the people, trying to avoid looking at the horrifying parasitic infested beings, his mind replaying his deceased father's teachings:

"The first thing a hunter must hunt is his own fear."

No, Father, I've always been this timid.

Because he has been timid since childhood, today was the first time he had come out with others to search for supplies. The reason was that, in addition to the fact that the shelter's supplies had been completely used up, his sister had fallen ill with a high fever and the flu had broken out in the shelter, so they had to come out to find medicine.

Even though he was afraid of the monsters outside, he had to take on the responsibility of an older brother and find medicine to reduce his fever!

"Doctor Kale's clinic is just ahead. We haven't seen any of those monsters yet. Be careful."

The leader relayed the message, and everyone's breathing became tense. After carefully observing the surroundings, they cautiously landed on the ground, which represented death, and began to pry open the doors and windows.

Fan En nervously surveyed his surroundings when he suddenly remembered the rumors circulating in the shelter.

It seems to be near this street. For a period of time, the parasites gathered on this street, as if something was attracting them. During that time, people collected a lot of supplies while the parasites were distracted.

Unfortunately, the parasites later lost interest in the substance and began wandering the city again, making the survivors' situation difficult once more.

"What exactly is attracting the monsters?"

"It's open! Hurry up and get the medicine!"

There was no time for Fan En to think deeply. He followed the others into the clinic, anxiously searching for supplies on the dusty medicine shelves. Then, a look of surprise appeared on his face. He had found fever reducers, as well as many other medicines!

This should be enough for them to hold out until the country's army comes to their rescue! At this point, the survivors have no other choice but to firmly believe that the country will come to their aid.

"Now your sister can be cured," the same middle-aged man said, looking at Fan En with admiration. "What a brave and good brother you are."

Before Fan En could even offer a word of modesty, the burly man said, "Just take what you need. We still need to find food, and carrying too much will slow us down! Damn it, why is it that we Reids are the ones with the worst constitutions?"

There was a grocery store not far from the clinic, and although they might not have food that could be stored for that long, they had to try their luck.

One by one, people left the clinic. Fan En was the last to leave. He stuffed more medicine into his pocket, thinking that even if his sister couldn't use it, the other survivors might.

Today was such a lucky and smooth day. I'll be able to go home soon, right?

Just as Fan En smiled, the middle-aged man suddenly blocked his way out the door.

He looked up and saw that the other person was covered in cold sweat. A bad feeling suddenly arose in his heart.

"Don't come out, Fan En, before they see you." The burly man gritted his teeth, practically forcing the word out.

"Run!"

Fan En had no idea what was happening on the street, but his instincts as the son of a hunter made him take off running. He ran all the way to the second floor of the clinic, jumped through the window into another building, and only then did he hear the commotion on the street.

The streets were now crowded with parasites!

They're surrounded!

The most despairing thing is that the giant mutant that people used to fear was also on the list. No, it could be said that this mutant attracted all the parasites.

Fan En saw the survivor who had initially broken away from the group to attract the parasites. Now, with the mutated creature's tentacles inserted into his brain, he had a strange smile on his face and slowly raised his hand to point at the group.

A deafening sound rang in his mind, Fan En's eyes widened. When did these parasites learn to control people?!

They had seen parasites retain some of their habits from their previous lives before, but this was the first time they had seen a parasite that seemed to retain some memories and even actively lead the way to capture people!

It's because of that mutant!?

Just then, the mutant's enormous eyes moved and met Fan En's gaze.

"Alas!"

He shuddered and took off running. He knew the city well, and from there he could run back to the shelter in a little time.

But a moment of hesitation crossed his mind. If the humans controlled by the mutants could find them, then was it also possible for them to find the sanctuary?

The sudden despair made it almost impossible for him to breathe. Behind him came the shouts of the middle-aged men. It didn't sound like the screams of dying men, but rather like the cries of Warrior fighting hard!

Fan En glanced back, and at that moment the burly man also looked over. In his eyes, besides hatred for the parasite, there was also encouragement for Fan En!

"Come at me, you all!"

The burly man shouted, and the others followed suit, instantly attracting the attention of all the parasitized individuals. Doing so would only hasten their own demise, but the purpose was self-evident.

They were pinning their hopes on getting Fan En back alive so he could bring the medicine back with him!

Fan En didn't look back. His heart was filled with a sudden emotion, perhaps courage or something else. At the very least, he had to take responsibility and bring the medicine back.

The voices of the survivors and the parasitized gradually faded from his mind as he ran forward relentlessly. Closer now, just a few more blocks away—

"Smack!"

The roof beneath his feet suddenly collapsed, and he fell right into it!

Damn it, this is the Church of the God of the Ocean! Believers have been complaining for a long time that the church roof needs repairing, but those priests who only know how to make money just won't fix it!

Fan En raised his head in annoyance, but the scene before him sent a chill down his spine.

The huge church was packed with parasites lying on its walls!

The commotion caused by his sudden appearance made the parasitized people stand up. They had to run, and run now!

However, as soon as he turned his head, he was grabbed by the shoulder, and sharp tentacles sprayed a mouthful of foul-smelling liquid onto his face. Several bloody marks immediately appeared on his handsome face, and the foul-smelling liquid seeped deep into his skin. It seemed that wriggling parasites also flashed by.

Fan En felt a chill in his heart.

However, recalling the middle-aged man's efforts, a surge of strength suddenly welled up within him, and he struggled to break free from the host holding him, running towards the depths of the church. Behind him, the host, a chaotic mob of demons, surged towards him like a tidal wave.

There's still some time between infection and the onset of symptoms, so he should at least use this time to send the medicine back!

But he couldn't run very far. It felt as if countless hands were pulling at his hands, feet, waist, and head, as if the parasites were trying to tear him to pieces.

At this critical moment, Fan En suddenly remembered the hunting knowledge his father had taught him when he was a child.

"Humans are also a kind of beast, and I'll teach you a few techniques for hunting them."

His gaze suddenly changed, and he drew a dagger from his waist, stabbing the parasitized individuals who were holding his legs several times. Each stab precisely severed their tendons, and he then broke free and continued to escape.

The life-or-death situation seemed to unleash his potential, and he became a different person.

However, it is an undeniable fact that Reed was physically weak.

Even if Fan En suddenly unleashed his power, he couldn't hold on for long. He was quickly grabbed from behind by the parasites and stumbled down into the church's basement. His bones seemed to be broken, and more and more parasites pounced on him. Despair was brewing here.

"Buzz—"

A sudden burst of light illuminated the dimly lit basement, where the priests' collected treasures were piled up, dazzling and gleaming.

But what was even more astounding than these treasures was a door.

The light was rising from the door. The Stone Gate was originally empty with only a door frame, was suddenly filled with some kind of swirling substance.

Fan En seemed to have seen a similar door in a book; there was only one place where doors looked like this.

It's a portal to the dungeon!

The moment the portal lit up, the parasites seemed to be drawn in by something and rushed towards the vortex.

And Fan En, who was being held by them, was also pushed inside!

"Ahhh—"