Hell Game: Starting from Metropolis

Since the city hall's demand for blood gems is unlimited, it means that there are plenty of these gems available, so there's no need to rush.

"Without the ruby ​​pendant, Mom and Dad won't believe you."

The little girl explained.

"Okay, then."

Liu Zheng didn't stand on ceremony and walked to the window to take the gem.

Name: Small Blood Gem (Disposable)

Type: Items/Miscellaneous Items

Quality: Excellent

"Effect 1: Direct use can restore your 'blood quality'."

"Effect 2: When inlaid on a weapon, it can provide additional effects."

"Note: It is defiled by blood, and sacred because of its defilement."

"Can it be taken out of the instance: Yes"

It is another item that, like the Killing Stone Fragment, possesses both types.

But what exactly is "blood quality"?

"Do you know what this is?"

Liu Zheng looked at An Ke.

"This is the Blood Gem; only powerful beasts can produce something like this."

Those who can hunt powerful beasts are naturally the more powerful hunters.

Anco's earlier statement that Fura's father was an excellent hunter was just polite talk; now it seems that Father John is indeed no ordinary man.

"Mr. Liu Zheng, please let me speak with you in private."

Anke walked up to Liu Zheng and whispered something in his ear.

Chapter 255 Hunters are more terrifying than beasts

"what happened?"

Liu Zheng asked.

"This is something I might not be able to say directly."

Anke said tactfully.

"It's alright, just say it. I, Liu Zheng, have always acted with integrity and honesty, so why should I hide anything from others?"

He waved his tentacles in a triumphant gesture.

"."

Anke realized that, whether it was real or an act, this outsider had a bit of a performative personality.

"Are you truly committed to fulfilling Fura's request?"

He had no choice but to get straight to the point and ask.

"Of course, isn't it only right to take someone's money and do their bidding?"

Liu Zheng asked curiously.

Even in a metropolis, this is the most basic rule.

Without this rule, he would have died countless times.

"If that's the case, I don't recommend you accept this commission."

Anko said.

"why?"

"Anyone who possesses the Blood Gem must be a very powerful hunter. But Father John's situation is clearly not quite right."

Anke said tactfully.

"What's wrong?"

Liu Zheng, however, failed to understand his meaning.

“Normally, hunters would definitely participate in hunting and patrols. Since Father John didn’t go in the first place, there must be something wrong with him.”

"If it is a summons from the church or he solves his own problems, then Fura's mother will not need to go out to look for him."

“I suspect that Father John may have become a beast.”

Anke hesitated for a moment before revealing his guess.

Can hunters who hunt wild beasts also become wild beasts themselves?

"Will do."

Anke nodded.

Although he had never seen it, he had heard similar rumors.

As for why they are relatively rare, whether it's because there are few hunters to begin with, the special nature of hunters, or because they are disposed of internally, we don't know.

"You must not underestimate wild animals just because you have hunted a few."

"They are just ordinary residents in disguise, and they are not much of a threat to real hunters."

"And it's hard to imagine how terrifying a beast would become if a powerful hunter like Father John were to transform into one."

Anke shivered.

The disparity in physical strength between formal hunters and ordinary residents is greater than the difference between adults and children, which is a major reason why the church is able to rule the city.

"I see. Then such a powerful hunter transformed into a beast must have the Blood Gem inside its body, right?"

Liu Zheng asked.

"Huh? Shouldn't I?"

Anco said somewhat uncertainly.

"Did you hear it?"

He shouted into the window.

“I heard you, sir.”

The little girl said weakly.

"That's good. Your father may have turned into a beast, and your mother may have been killed by him. Now you have two choices."

Liu Zheng said in a strange accent.

"First, stay inside the house and wait for your parents, who may never return. Your father, on the other hand, will wander the streets, continuing to kill more people until he is hunted down by a hunter."

Without waiting for the little girl's response, he continued talking to himself.

"Second, come with us to find your parents. If they are alright, I will take you home or find you a safer place. If your father has turned into a beast, I will let you see him one last time."

"If you'd like, you could even free him yourself."

After uttering a long string of cruel words, he shut his mouth and waited for the little girl's reply.

Anke opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing.

The outsider is right. When children lose their guardians, they have to learn to face the world on their own.

No matter how dark and cold this world may be.

"Uncle Anke, what should I do?"

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

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

Before Anco could speak, Nina broke free from her mother's hand and shouted.

"Mr. Cat?"

"Mmm. Mr. Cat, may I pick you up and show you to Fura?"

Nina looked at the calico cat expectantly.

"Meow!"

The calico cat shook its head, its refusal quite clear.

This human child really treated it like an ordinary cat. Although it wasn't as heavy as gold, it was much heavier than it looked.

However, even though it refused Nina, it still stood up and waved towards the window.

"Ah, it waves!"

Fura exclaimed in surprise.

"Meow~"

The calico cat meowed triumphantly.

If Liu Zheng hadn't told it not to be too high-profile, it could have even performed a tap dance.

“It’s Ms. Cat. Come with us, Fura.”

Anke corrected him, belatedly, and then spoke to the person inside the window.

“If your parents really do meet with misfortune, Marian and I would be willing to adopt you, and Nia and Nina would also love to have another sister.”

He hesitated for a moment before speaking.

On a pale night, it would be difficult for a little girl to survive alone at home.

The Anke family wouldn't feel too much pressure raising another daughter.

"Uncle Anke, has my dad really turned into a beast?"

Fura asked in a low voice.

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

Anko shook his head.

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

The small figure left the bedside.

Soon, the door was opened with difficulty, and a little girl wearing a black and white lace suit and with her hair braided into a long braid came out.

She was carrying a small bag in her left hand and a basket in her right.

The basket contained some dried meat, hard bread, preserved fruit, and other similar foods.

She glanced timidly at Liu Zheng, who was carrying a butcher's knife, and then steeled herself and walked up to him.

Although Fura is young, she is not an ignorant girl.

The customs of Athens and the teachings of Father John were enough for her to understand who was in charge of this group.

"Thank you, kind sir."

She bowed in greeting.

Marian's elegant movements caught her eye.

Although her two children were kind and lovely, they had grown up in a tavern and their manners were only so-so.

If we really adopt Fura, we could have her teach Nia and Nina how to be ladies.

“I am not merciful, it is merely an exchange of equals. If your father can provide me with high-quality blood gems, I can also give you a fortune.”

Liu Zheng looked down at her and said in a cold tone.

Anke looked at him with suspicion. Although this stranger had acted strangely before, he was a gentle person. Why was he so indifferent to this poor little girl?

"Uncle from out of town, you've gone too far! How can you bully a girl like that? It's so ungentlemanly of you."

Nina, the younger sister, rushed to Fura's side, took her arm, and then, with her hands on her hips, angrily said to Liu Zheng.