One-Eyed Monster

Baharo had always been confident in his sense of smell. As a member of the Hounds and an outstanding figure among Hunters, he knew that without mastering his Secret Sensing Skills to perfection, he would struggle to hold his ground among a group of discerning Hunters.

At this moment, however, Baharo couldn’t detect any scent at all on Guru Mountain. Calling this place a dead mountain didn’t seem an exaggeration. Yet, the tall, thriving pine trees seemed to tell him it wasn’t that simple. So, he carefully approached a pine tree leaning against the mountain path and sniffed. Still, he found nothing.

Theoretically, any object would leave a residual scent; even Dead Objects would retain some trace of an odor. While Baharo’s nose might not be able to discern the full story from Dead Objects, it was still quite effective for most ordinary things.

But now, he couldn’t smell anything on this mountain. It was as if his nose had suddenly stopped working.

”Before this, had your Secret Sensing Skills detected any abnormalities?” Hector didn’t know much about the Spirit Sensing skills of Hunters; at best, he only understood the basics. However, seeing Baharo’s determined expression, he couldn’t help but become curious.

”There was a scent when we first climbed the mountain. It’s what led me to this expert,” Baharo said, nodding towards Stan Sol. It was clear that Stan Sol was currently the most powerful among their group; there was no doubt about that.

”So, from what you’re saying, someone is messing with us from behind the scenes,” Hector mused, following Baharo’s line of thought. He wanted to see what made this man, recruited by the Chief, so special. So far, his skills seemed comparable to someone in their thirties at the Alchemy Workshop—nothing extraordinary.

”I cannot confirm that. I’m not strong enough to make such bold assumptions.”

Baharo was no fool. While the surrounding devastation didn’t immediately reveal a way down the mountain, it was clearly the result of the combined efforts of the powerful individuals around him. He didn’t dare offend these experts who readily resorted to violence. Even if what he’d discovered was correct, he would feign ignorance, as if it were just a wild guess. After all, no powerful expert appreciated a weakling pointing out their shortcomings.

Joela and Stan Sol both had their eyes closed; apparently, they too had heard the conversation between Hector and Baharo.

Moreover, they could also feel something unusual about the Spirit Power Feedback in their surroundings.

It seemed their own Spirit Power encountered a certain resistance when they tried to explore outwards; the feedback they received was nothing but a void.

Spirit Exploration was an advanced form of Spirit Sensing abilities. Only High-Rank Adventurers with Class who specialized in it could use it proficiently. Although Baharo could barely be considered a High-Rank Hunter, he hadn’t even mastered the rudiments of Spirit Exploration.

Spirit Exploration involved a user materializing their stored Spirit Power into an extension of their body for long-range observation. Fighters typically materialized eyes, Hunters preferred noses, and Alchemists naturally favored hands. Such differences were normal; after all, experts in every field preferred to explore the world using methods most familiar to them.

”What do you think?” Joela opened his eyes, his gaze fixed upwards on Stan Sol. It was clear he considered the mysterious Hunter’s judgment particularly important.

”As... he... said,” Stan Sol replied without opening his eyes, pointing a finger at Baharo.

”Oh, it seems there’s some commonality between Hunters and... well, *his* kind of Hunter, then.” The Alchemy Workshop’s information-gathering skills weren’t on par with Dark Organizations like the Black Crow, but they meticulously monitored every detail within their Alchemy Array. Although their Alchemy Array couldn’t currently penetrate the secrets of Guru Mountain, they had done considerable research on Stan Sol.

”Newcomers... rise... We... can... only... integrate,” Stan Sol stated, summing up in a few words the arduous journey of the ancient Hunters.

”May you have a good ending. May the Stars in the sky bless you.”

”We... they... none of us... believe in... Stars.”

”Oh, right, I forgot,” Joela corrected himself. ”Those fellows in the Dark Cabinet worship the moonlight.”

The Dark Cabinet is the most prominent Hunter Organization on the Yowein Continent and also one of its most mysterious. It is simultaneously infamous and highly renowned. They undertake any task, from assassinations and targeted killings to theft and robbery, as long as the price is right. Moreover, once they accept a job, they are known to always complete it.

Clearly, Joela thought Stan Sol was a member of the Dark Cabinet.

The Dark Cabinet was leagues above Baharo’s Hounds in terms of prestige, so Baharo’s jaw nearly dropped.

”I... have no connection... with the Dark Cabinet,” Stan Sol flatly denied Joela’s assumption.

”Hmm, interesting. Hunters are different from other Classes; they’re quite cunning. In my experience, only High-Rank Hunters can use scent to interfere with Spirit Exploration.” Joela casually rose from the ground, brushed the dust off himself, and smiled at Stan Sol. ”Wouldn’t you agree?”

”The moon... excels... at hiding. Unlike... the Stars... which only... shine,” Stan Sol replied, not directly answering Joela’s question. He sensed a clear hostility from the Alchemist and wondered what he had done to arouse such suspicion.

”Don’t be nervous; I’m not targeting you. We all met by chance. I’m just very curious about that large rabbit you encountered earlier…” Joela’s eyes began to gleam, as if he had stumbled upon something extraordinary.

”Hm?” Stan Sol’s heart skipped a beat; it seemed Joela had revealed a hidden secret.

”The world is very small, especially the world of Adventurers with Class who possess Spirit Sensing. It’s incredibly small. Do you think you can hide this secret?”

”What... do you... mean?” Stan Sol tightened his grip on his Sharkmon, ready for anything.

The tension was so thick that even Baharo, standing nearby, found himself swallowing nervously.

”I’m not very familiar with the ancient Hunters of the Dark Cabinet. Outside of it, there are only a few legendary ancient Hunter lines. With your skills, the Sharkmon, and your flame, you’re clearly from the Sol Family.”

”So... what... of it!”

”Nothing much. It’s just that our Alchemy Workshop also knows an ancient Hunter from the Sol Family. And we’ve been eagerly searching for him,” Joela said, smiling brilliantly.

Stan Sol’s heart lurched again.

”Moreover, it just so happens we know this particular ancient Hunter is especially skilled at using scents to obstruct others.” Joela continued his lengthy explanation. ”This odorless obstruction... I’d wager there’s only one person in the world capable of creating such a trap. So, about that large rabbit… what happened to it? You couldn’t possibly not know—”

BANG—

Before Joela could finish, a large hole erupted in the ground before Stan Sol. A humanoid, rabbit-like creature wielding a curved blade lunged straight for Joela…

”Hello there, old friend!” Joela showed no signs of alarm; instead, a smile played on his lips.