High School of Demon Hunting

Chapter 994: Chapter 56 Before the Black Current

In the ancient tales of the Wizard World, the Mad Hunt refers to a group of wizards who, obsessed with demon hunting, became lost in the darkness.

They roam the edges of the world, banners and magic wands in hand, mounted upon Night Qi, accompanied by the mist, with the cold wind as their companion, frost as their horn, and death as their sole pursuit.

Driven mad by the hunt, they are relentlessly in pursuit, and hence, they are known as the Mad Hunt.

But in reality, for the residents of Buji Island, the Mad Hunt is an endless nightmare lurking within the Silent Forest. Comprised of wizard souls who have lost their way in the Silent Forest, they usually slumber beneath the forest’s humus—only to mount their Skull Horses, don tattered robes, and, before the hungry magical creatures, assault Beta Town’s living magical defenses during the surge of the dark tide, chasing prey they can never catch.

Because they haven’t completely fallen into darkness, they are not erased from this world by purification magic used by First University; because their consciousness is confused, they cannot turn into members of the Ghost Tribe and join the ranks of the creatures Under the Moon; being devoid of life, they are also not accepted by the magical creatures of the Silent Forest.

As outcasts, they can only rush towards Beta Town before each black tide, like moths to a flame.

”Why can’t we grant them eternal rest?”

Zheng Qing has always been puzzled about the school’s methods in dealing with the Mad Hunt: ”Like with vengeful spirits, we could have Atlas Academy organize more masses, or the school could hold more Luo Tian rituals... Wouldn’t it be better to let them find tranquility again?”

”It’s exactly because we want them to find peace again that we don’t take such drastic measures,” Xiao Xiao explained in a low voice. ”Only the truly brave and resolute Hunters can become part of the Mad Hunt. Each one of them, a product of a Wizard Hunter’s failed combat with demons, bravely ended their own lives before being transformed while resolutely resisting the call of the Demon’s True Ancestor.”

”This leaves their souls in a very delicate situation... any carelessness, and they could truly fall into eternal darkness.”

”So they are like porcelain dolls that can’t be shattered nor burnt to ashes, right?” Zheng Qing concluded, ”All we can do is clear a wide path and let those howling souls rush past us.”

”You could also choose to use a Binding Spell,” Robert Lee interjected at that moment, adding, ”I don’t recommend using the Soft Leg Curse or Chaos Spell, as those will make the condition of the Mad Hunt worse... Of course, when things don’t harmonize, you should prioritize your own lives. Whatever magic you have at hand, use that. After all, they no longer belong to this world.”

His advice was succinct yet brutal.

Zheng Qing could not comment on his suggestion, so he shifted his focus to another concern.

”We can take this time to fix the breach in the wall, right?” the young scholarship student couldn’t help but express the thought he had been suppressing since the beginning: ”If we block that hole, those guys won’t be able to get in, right?”

”Heh heh,” Robert turned his face sideways, glancing at the young scholarship student, ”Do you think this is like patching a broken flowerpot with a plaster? No, this breach to Beta Town’s defense system is like a rat hole appearing right in the middle of a thousand-mile dyke. It simply cannot be thoroughly repaired in a short period of time.”

”A dam’s collapse is just a matter of time.”

His analogy was apt, immediately providing a clear concept.

Xin Fat Man scratched his chin with the long feather of his quill and let out a long sigh, ”Houdou, Mad Hunt... all foretelling the arrival of disaster. What’s next? Zhu Yan? Fat Heritage? Or perhaps Fuzhu, or Win Fish?”

”Nonsense.” Doctor Xiao, who had been quietly staying in the back, sneered at the fat man’s words and raised his voice to argue, ”It is they who bring disaster, not they who foretell it. Your understanding is putting the cart before the horse... The most frustrating thing about old-school wizards is that they always summarize some superficial experiences to guide more profound actions.”

”You’re happy, that’s good enough.” Xin Fat Man had no intention of arguing with Xiao Xiao on this matter.

He tucked the quill behind his ear, notebook gripped in his mouth, strode forward, and with a sudden plunge of his hands, he grabbed the hind legs of a Houdou that swooped past him—as they delved deeper into the Forest Goods Market, some of the rampaging Houdous finally turned their attention to these new hunters and began to stealthily attack.

Before the Houdou could turn its head to bite, Blue Fatty’s eyes bulged, a grunt escaping him, his breath thunderous, his arm muscles swelling suddenly, and with just one tug, he ripped the not-so-large Houdou into two.

Red blood, pink intestines, and fresh viscera scattered all over the ground with that pull, falling with a clatter.

And the orange-red flames that remained in the stomach of the Houdou also dripped along with its blood, drop by drop, into the dust. The burning bluestone floor cracked and sizzled.

”Nicely done!”

Zheng Qing lightly pulled the trigger, and with a snap, bound another Houdou with a Binding talisman bullet, still having the strength to turn to Xin and praise him while also reminding, ”Watch your figure, unless you want to streak... Your robe is about to burst.”

”There’s also the environmental issue,” Xiao Xiao reminded from behind. ”I don’t fancy resisting the Black Tide only to be dragged here by the head of the School Works Committee to wash the market floor...”

”No, you don’t need to worry about that.” Robert chuckled lightly, consoling them, ”The subsequent cleaning fees for the market will be fully covered by the Beta Town Management Committee. As temporarily conscripted Hunter Volunteers, if you perform well, you can also receive a bounty and a certificate of reward from Beta Town.”

”Oh, that makes me feel much better.” Xin Fat Man wiped his hands on his robe roughly and said in a deeply resonant voice, ”But I’d rather get the chance for an exclusive interview.”

That request was beyond the jurisdiction of Sheriff Robert.

He immediately dismissed the fat man’s question and raised his hand to greet Professor An not far away, ”Old An, I’ll take these young folks to the breach to hold off for a while... Once you’ve cleared these Houdous, hurry and assist the other wizards in the market to evacuate.”

”And inform both Beta Town Management Committee and the university,” Trishula Commissioner called out loudly besides Professor An.

”Yes,” Robert Lee couldn’t help but smile, ”and remember to inform the university.”

Wielding the Law Book, Professor An released Binding Spells, Chaos Spells, and Soft Leg Curses in alternation to attack the Houdous while loudly aye-ing in agreement with the sheriff’s arrangements.