Chapter 168
There was an unwelcome visitor in the Fissure located in the Huam-dong area of Yongsan-gu, Seoul.
In the dimly lit Horned Squirrel’s Cave, a man wearing a black mask glanced around cautiously. It was late in the evening, and he pressed himself against the rocky walls, advancing step by step while keeping an eye on his surroundings, afraid that someone might catch him in the act. The sheer embarrassment of being seen like this might kill him on the spot.
The Horned Squirrels became alert to the intruder.
The man waved his hand dismissively, as if swatting away a nuisance. He didn’t need a weapon; his sheer killing intent was enough to deter the Horned Squirrels from daring to approach. He was not like the average person who wandered into this place.
“These guys... have suddenly leveled up, huh?” he said.
The man remembered his visit to the Horned Squirrel’s Cave three years ago out of curiosity. At that time, the Horned Squirrels were quick, but they were still F-rank monsters—not remotely a threat to an S-rank Hunter like him. However, their speed now rivaled that of a B-rank monster like the Rapid Star.
The man spotted the stash of acorns nestled in the squirrels’ nest; their golden sheen almost luminous.
“Found it.” He grinned and scooped up ten acorns, tucking them into his bag.
When he glanced around, he saw the Horned Squirrels trembling with rage, their bodies quaking as they watched their precious acorns being taken. Although the man felt a pang of guilt, he wasn’t about to leave empty-handed after coming all this way.
“Forgive me, fellas,” he muttered before vanishing like the wind.
***