The world has turned into Hell's Game, why should I stay human?
Chapter 257 - 253 Hunter is More Terrifying Than the Beast

Chapter 257: Chapter 253 Hunter is More Terrifying Than the Beast

"What’s wrong?"

Liu Zheng asked.

"This, it might not be convenient to speak directly."

Anke said tactfully.

"No matter, just say it. I, Liu Zheng, have always acted with integrity, why need to avoid others?"

He gestured with his tentacles in a bold manner.

"..."

Anke could see, whether it was genuine or pretense, this outsider had something of a performative personality.

"Are you truly willing to fulfill Flora’s commission?"

He had no choice but to ask straightforwardly.

"Of course, taking someone’s money to solve their problems, isn’t that what I should do?"

Liu Zheng asked, puzzled.

Even in a place like the Metropolis, that was the most basic rule.

If not for that rule, he would have died who knows how many times.

"If that’s the case, I advise you not to take this commission."

Anke said.

"Why?"

"Anyone in possession of a Blood Gem must be a very powerful Hunter. And Father John’s situation is clearly not quite right."

Anke said cautiously.

"What’s not right about it?"

Liu Zheng failed to grasp his meaning.

"Under normal circumstances, Hunters surely participate in hunts and patrols. Since Father John did not at first, there must be some issue with him."

"And if later it was the Church’s summons or he resolved his own problems, Flora’s mother wouldn’t have needed to go out looking for him."

"I suspect that Father John may have already undergone Beastification."

Anke hesitated for a moment but still voiced his suspicion.

"Can Hunters who hunt Beasts also turn into Beasts?"

"Yes."

Anke nodded.

Though he had never seen it, he’d heard rumors of the like.

As to why it was rare, whether it was because Hunters were few in number, or due to the Hunters’ uniqueness, or because the Hunters took care of it internally, that was unknown.

"You mustn’t underestimate the Beasts because of the few you’ve hunted."

"They’re just ordinary residents that have transformed; they aren’t much threat in front of a real Hunter."

"However, a Beast transformed from a Hunter as strong as Father John, it’s frightening to imagine how dangerous it could become."

Anke shivered.

The gap in martial strength between official Hunters and ordinary residents was even greater than that between adults and children, which was an important reason the Church could rule this city.

"Is that so? Then such a powerful Hunter transformed into a Beast should have a Blood Gem inside its body, shouldn’t it?"

Liu Zheng asked.

"Ah? Yes, it should, I suppose?"

Anke said, not quite certain.

"Did you hear that?"

He shouted towards the window.

"I heard it, sir."

The little girl said weakly.

"That’s good. Your father may have turned into a Beast, and your mother may have already been killed by him. And now, you have two choices,"

Liu Zheng said in a strange accent.

"First, stay inside the house, waiting for your parents who may never return. Your father will roam the streets, continuing his slaughter until he is hunted down by a Hunter."

Without waiting for the girl’s reply, he continued.

"Second, come with us to search for your parents. If they’re okay, I will take you home or find a safer place. If your father has undergone Beastification, I will let you see him one last time."

"If you’re willing, you can grant him his release yourself."

After saying this string of what could be described as cruel words, he closed his mouth, waiting for the girl’s response.

Anke’s mouth opened, but in the end, he said nothing.

The outsider was right, when a child lost their guardians, they had to learn to face the world on their own.

No matter how dark and cold that world might be.

"Uncle Anke, what should I do?"

After a moment of silence, Flora turned to the only adult she knew for help.

"Come with us, Flora. You can play with my sister and me, and Mr. Cat will protect you."

Before Anke could speak, Nina had already wriggled free from her mother’s grasp and shouted.

"Mr. Cat?"

"Mhm, Mr. Cat, may I pick you up to show Flora?"

Nina looked at San Huamao expectantly.

"Meow!"

San Huamao shook its head, clearly refusing.

This human child really treated it like an ordinary cat, although it wasn’t as heavy as gold, it was much heavier than it appeared.

However, although it refused Nina, San Huamao stood up and gestured towards the window.

"Ah, it can wave!"

Flora exclaimed in surprise.

"Meow~"

San Huamao called out proudly.

If it weren’t for Liu Zheng telling it not to be too high-profile, it could even perform a tap dance.

"It’s Lady Cat. Come with us, Flora."

Anke tried to make amends by correcting himself, then spoke to the person in the window.

"If... your parents have indeed met with misfortune, Marian and I are willing to adopt you, and Niya and Nina would also be happy to have another sister."

He said after hesitating for a moment.

In the Pale Night, a little girl left alone at home would have a hard time surviving.

And the Anke family wouldn’t be too strained by having one more daughter.

"Uncle Anke, did my dad really turn into a Beast?"

Flora asked softly.

"I don’t know, but everyone has their own destiny."

Anke shook his head.

"I understand, Uncle Anke, I’ll go with you."

The small figure left the bedside.

Soon, the front door was opened with difficulty, and a little girl in a black and white lace dress with her hair in a big braid stepped out.

She dragged a small pouch with her left hand and carried a basket with her right.

The basket contained some dried meat, hard bread, candied fruit, and the like.

She looked timidly at Liu Zheng, who stood there with the Slaughter Knife, then mustered her courage to approach him.

Although Flora was young, she wasn’t an ignorant girl.

The customs of Yate City along with the teachings of Father John were sufficient to make her understand who was the decision-maker in this group.

"Thank you, kind sir,"

she said, bowing respectfully.

The grace in her gesture caught Marian’s eye.

Her own two children, although kind and lovely, had grown up in a tavern and were only passably well-mannered.

If they really adopted Flora, she might teach Niya and Nina how to be proper ladies.

"I am not kind, only interested in fair trade. If your father can provide me with high-quality Blood Gems, I might even give you a fortune."

Liu Zheng looked down at her, his tone indifferent.

Anke gave him a puzzled look. This foreigner, although a bit strange in his actions before, had seemed a gentle person. Why was he being so cold to this poor little girl?

"Foreigner uncle, that’s too much! How can you bully a girl like that, it’s so ungentlemanly,"

his sister Nina rushed to Flora’s side, took her arm, and then stood with her hands on her hips indignantly speaking to Liu Zheng.

Niya hesitated a moment but chose to stand with her sister, taking Flora’s other arm.

Anke nodded in approval. The education he and his wife had provided was successful; they had raised two kind and united daughters.

But at the same time, he worried his daughters’ actions might anger the foreigner.

"The more alone a person is, the stronger they must be, understanding that in this world, no one will be good to you without reason. Everything must be fought for, whether it’s a trade or a plea."

As Liu Zheng spoke, his gaze shifted toward the other side of the street.

A torch extended from around the corner, and with it emerged the bell-shaped muzzle of a flintlock gun.

"It’s a Hunter!"

Anke cried out, immediately raising his boning knife.

Confronting a Hunter, he seemed even more tense than when facing a Beast.