Chapter 34: Hui Guo Rou Must Die
"She accepted you as her boss?"
When Menchi heard this, she was stunned.
Even though Haru always acted mature and composed, indistinguishable from an adult; even though he claimed he was actually a 20-year-old trapped in a child's body; and even though his strength was undeniable—he still looked like a little boy!
The young gourmet hunter frowned, crossing her arms. "Shizuku, are you serious about this?"
Shizuku, slightly confused, nodded. "Of course."
Haru chimed in with a grin, "Menchi, how about you? I've still got eight spots left, and I can barely squeeze you in! Your skills... well, they're passable. You can be the chef for my future-glorious organization!"
Menchi wasn't angry—she respected Haru's abilities enough to let it slide. "We'll see! I only just became a professional Hunter myself..."
As the three of them talked, they continued heading into the protected area overseen by the Blanchett Corporation.
As usual, the site manager assigned staff members to accompany them during the investigation, following a safe distance behind.
Menchi activated Gyo and asked, "What exactly do these Nen inscriptions look like?"
Haru replied, "They're basically a bunch of incomprehensible scribbles! Look closely at flat surfaces, rocks, or tree trunks—there's a chance we might find something."
Menchi gave an exaggerated thumbs-up.
Surrounded by dense forest and prowling tigers, the group had to remain vigilant against predators while searching carefully for inscriptions. Gyo wasn't without its drawbacks. Even the most skilled practitioners wouldn't constantly use it—prolonged concentration was draining. If they were attacked while fatigued, the consequences could be dire.
"It would be so much easier if I knew En," Haru lamented.
Menchi grinned mischievously. "What's this? The great Haru, Mr. Prodigy, can't do something? I thought you could master anything instantly! Guess you're human after all!"
Haru pondered aloud, "I think this might not be a talent issue."
"Then what else could it be?" Menchi muttered, glancing at Shizuku, who was using Gyo nearby. "Shizuku, can you use En?"
Shizuku replied, "I've heard of it, but I haven't learned it."
Haru added, "If I really wanted to learn it, I would've asked Ginta while he was still around! So the only explanation is... deep down, I don't feel a strong desire to master En."
Menchi looked puzzled. "What does that even mean?"
Haru explained, "Sure, En is a convenient scouting skill, but one, it's not suitable for combat. You have to withdraw the aura used for En to fight effectively. Two, when you detect someone with En, they'll realize they've been spotted, like peeking at a teacher through a pile of books—when you see them, they see you."
"Maybe I find that kind of scouting dull, so I've been indifferent about learning it," Haru concluded.
Menchi chuckled. "Well, now you really want to learn it."
"Yeah, you only miss a skill when you need it," Haru admitted.
Menchi suggested, "Why not ask that 'little tiger,' the Twelve Zodiac member Kanzai, to teach you?"
Haru countered, "He has his own mission. If something happens to the target he's protecting while he's teaching us, who takes responsibility?"
"Fair point..." Menchi muttered.
---
The three searched the protected area thoroughly for another day but still found nothing.
At one point, they ran into the five amateur hunters, who looked utterly exhausted. It seemed they hadn't had any luck either.
With only three days left until the mission deadline and no progress to show, everyone was feeling the pressure. Their dark circles and weary expressions made that clear.
---
As dusk settled, low tiger roars echoed through the forest.
The Blanchett staff accompanying them tensed, hands moving toward their tranquilizer guns. From the woods emerged a Moonlit Tiger, its glowing stripes shimmering like jade.
"Oh, it's you," Menchi said, stepping forward to pat Toru. She reassured the staff, "We've run into this one several times. It's friendly, no need to worry."
Toru approached Haru and nuzzled its large head against him.
Haru smiled and patted the tiger's head. Suddenly, a thought struck him. He turned to the staff and asked, "By the way, are there ghost stories about this place?"
"There's no such thing."
"Just baseless rumors."
"Ghosts and spirits don't exist—it's all made up."
"How could anyone believe that nonsense..."
The staff members hastily dismissed the idea, but their nervous tone only made it sound less convincing. Haru, however, seemed unconvinced from the start.
"If you don't believe us, why ask?"
Shizuku tilted her head, her curiosity piqued by Haru's question.
Haru surveyed the area and called out loudly, "They say the Kakin Kingdom has always been wary of this land—or rather, what used to be this land before it became an island twenty years ago. What are they hiding?"
"Who are you talking to?" Menchi asked, startled by Haru's serious tone.
Shizuku mimicked him, scanning the surroundings.
"Hey, kid, don't scare us like that," one of the staff members protested. "If we fail this mission, fine, but don't go—" They cut themselves off abruptly.
Both Menchi and Shizuku immediately turned to stare at them.
"So there is something here, huh?" Menchi teased with a grin.
Haru continued as if he hadn't heard, "I've heard the Kakin Kingdom is steeped in rituals and curses. While some dismiss it as superstition, every rumor has a grain of truth. Why else would they avoid this land, as if it were cursed? If something or someone has been wronged, come forth and speak your grievances!"
The surrounding forest grew eerily quiet. Toru prowled restlessly, low growls rumbling from its throat. More Moonlit Tigers emerged from the shadows, their glowing stripes casting a ghostly light.
"If you harbor hatred toward Kakin and wish to vent your rage, show yourself and share your story!" Haru called out, his voice carrying through the trees.
The others watched in stunned silence.
Suddenly, a pale, ghostly figure flickered in the distance—a small, childlike silhouette.
"What the hell is that?!"
"Did you see that shadow?!"
"Is it a ghost?!"
The amateur hunters panicked, their fear contagious.
"Calm down!" Dago snapped, though he himself felt a chill run down his spine. "There's no such thing as ghosts. If this is real, it's just..."
A Nen ability!
The realization dawned on them all at once.
Meanwhile, the Blanchett staff were rubbing their eyes, struggling to make sense of what they were seeing. The pale figure seemed to flicker in and out of view, blending with the forest shadows.
Shizuku activated Gyo, her gaze fixed on the translucent childlike form. "It's real," she said softly.
Menchi swallowed nervously, her wide eyes darting between the figure and Haru.
The figure hovered silently for a moment before fading away.
"What now?" Menchi asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Listen closely," Haru instructed, his tone firm.
Both Shizuku and Menchi funneled their aura into their ears. Slowly, faint, haunting words began to emerge, growing clearer with each repetition:
"Hui Guo Rou... must die... Hui Guo Rou... must die..."
And just like that, the ghostly figure vanished, leaving behind an oppressive silence.
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