PATH OF THE STAR HUNTER

As a hunter, Desmond used more than just brute force. He used his wisdom and any tools at his disposal to ensure victory. Desmond was a decent enough hunter in that regard, but this was the first time in his life that he truly felt like the prey.

That was how big the difference in power was between Stalker and Desmond. The match had barely started, but Desmond had already lost an arm; worse than that was just being dead. In fact, Stalker may as well have killed Desmond with that last attack, but it seemed like Stalker wanted to get something out of Desmond.

Despite the direness of the situation, Desmond kept a clear mind. Neither the pain nor the loss of blood made him lose sight of his only goal: survival.

Since the other party wanted to know something about him, Desmond took the initiative to start a conversation. “What do you want to know?”

Desmond didn’t get a verbal response. Desmond knew something was wrong as soon as Stalker disappeared again. Thanks to Desmond circulating his mana beforehand, his reaction was quick enough for him to retreat a few steps before seeing the huge gash left in the sand where he stood.

Desmond had cold sweat dripping down his forehead. Just now, he had used and maintained the highest level of mana vibrations possible. Still, his reaction was barely quick enough to take him back a few steps in the time it took Stalker to cover a dozen meters of distance.

To make matters worse, given the way the cut was made, Desmond could tell that Stalker had targeted both of his legs. Desmond gulped as he realized how decisive and ruthless Stalker was. This was not an individual who would be disadvantaged by carelessness.

Unfortunately, given the power gap, carelessness was all Desmond could ask for. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be long before all his limbs were severed and he was captured.

.....

Standing next to the cut he had just made, Stalker remained impassive, although inside, he was somewhat surprised. His target, Desmond Astryd, was supposed to be a Mana user at the maximum level of the one-star class, but that was clearly not the case.

Stalker was quite upset at the error in the intelligence delivered to him. Even if he was just a bug compared to the entity that hired him, he still had his own job codes. Stalker judged Desmond should be in the low-level two-star class, probably recently promoted. However, he couldn’t explain why Desmond’s physical prowess was so high.

“A physique close to the one-star class maximum level of an Aura user.” Stalker thought but then stopped caring about it. To begin with, Stalker had been informed that Desmond’s combat prowess was higher than his actual level. That was precisely why they resorted to hiring someone like him, as far-fetched as it seemed. “Still, hiring a three-star class mercenary still seems overkill.” Stalker muttered.

Desmond listened to what Stalker said but showed no reaction. Desmond knew this was not a careless comment on Stalker’s part; the other party did it on purpose to increase the psychological pressure on him.

The pressure Desmond felt in the face of an enemy who outmatched him to such an extent and was still cautious and calculating enough to use mind games was no small feat. In a blink, there was another exchange.

This time, Desmond threw all caution to the wind, activating regardless of the backlash. Still, Desmond felt a claw slice through his left thigh to the bone just before he backed away enough to get out of Stalker’s attack range.

Desmond now had to use a small part of his mana to keep the blood from gushing out like a fountain from his severed arm and his torn thigh. Not wanting to remain passive, Desmond attacked.

With Stalker’s speed, Desmond knew his only option was to use the instant cast abilities stored in the ring Aisha gave him. Without hesitation, Desmond tried to at least open some distance between himself and Stalker, using , but the result left him disappointed.

Stalker slapped at the converging blue waves with utter disdain, breaking them into scattered spurts of aquatic energy. As if Desmond’s efforts to survive were nothing more than entertaining, Stalker commented, “Good reflexes; you’re pretty decisive and determined. That last hit came from the ring on your hand, right?”

When Desmond didn’t reply, Stalker, shrugged and added, “Never mind, you’ll be a dead man soon, and that ring will be a fine trophy for me. However, I still have to do my job. How about you answer some of my questions, Desmond?”

Desmond gritted his teeth angrily but still responded. “The last time I tried to do it, I almost had both legs amputated.”

Stalker laughed with undisguised amusement and replied. “Well, I thought it would be easier to completely cripple you before I interrogate you, but now it seems you have at least the ability to make your capture slightly annoying. So I’d rather you answer my questions now, so I can kill you later. I recommend you answer, so you will live a little longer with less pain.”

Desmond wanted to curse the other party for being arrogant, but he couldn’t. To begin with, given the disparity of his strength with Stalker’s, it was fair to say that the other party was not being arrogant but realistic. Besides, nothing good would come from provoking the other party.

Reading Desmond’s expression with amusement, Stalker smiled and took the initiative to ask. “Let’s start with an easy question. What is your relationship with Titania?”

Desmond’s pupils dilated to almost as thin as the point of a needle when he heard that question. Not even in his wildest dreams would Desmond have thought he would be asked that question. Desmond couldn’t understand why anyone would want to know about it, let alone how anyone would know about it.

Titania might have been pretty vague about her origin and identity, only mentioning her Queen of the Faeries title, but Desmond wasn’t stupid. One only had to think things through for three seconds to realize Titania’s true weight in the multiverse.

The woman was the Queen of an entire race and had her own planet. Besides, both things were anything but common. Hell, it took the little fairies that Titania treated like her daughters only a few minutes to create something like an elemental seed. This item would give Desmond a free pass to the three-star class. According to Kyuru, those were the weakest fairies found in the entire kingdom of Titania. That alone was enough to point out the absurdity of an existence like Titania being the ruler and guardian of that world.

Instantly, and against his better judgment, Desmond decided: No matter what happened, he couldn’t answer Stalker’s questions. Being an entire class above Desmond, Stalker instantly noticed Desmond’s change in attitude and was quite annoyed. “I guess it’ll be the hard way then.”

Desmond didn’t even bother trying to react or follow Stalker with his senses. Since the opponent was coming from the front, all Desmond had to do was devastate everything in front of him. Activating the ring once more, , Desmond unleashed an at full power.

Stalker was forced to reveal his form as he was rammed head-on by the massive aquatic mana serpent. To Stalker’s surprise, even with his three-star class Aura user strength, he was still pushed back by Desmond’s attack. Although he wasn’t hurt in the least, Stalker felt humiliated.

Desmond finally found the window of opportunity he was waiting for and tried to use the locket he kept under his coat, but Stalker was much quicker. Enraged, Stalker unleashed his Aura, shattering Desmond’s instantly. From there, Stalker closed the distance between himself and Desmond like it was nothing.

Desmond couldn’t react in time and could only watch as Stalker ripped open his abdomen with his claws. Desmond recoiled with part of his guts and mangled organs hanging out of his abdomen as he spat out several mouthfuls of blood.

Stalker could hardly believe that even in his state, Desmond could still stand up and keep fighting. At this rate, Desmond would die before answering any of his questions. If that happened, Stalker would be left without payment, which was unacceptable. Fortunately, Stalker was well-equipped for all kinds of events.

Desmond could barely stand; he couldn’t stop the bleeding from his wounds anymore, and he wouldn’t bother trying. The window of opportunity he had long sought was taken from him. And now he was sure Stalker would be wary of his previous actions, thus making it nearly impossible for Desmond to use the locket. Desmond struggled to keep his mind clear, but it was getting harder for him to fill it up; Stalker was now smiling at him as he held a strange device.

After being overwhelmed by the scenery in front of him, Desmond only formed a solid thought. Stalker had just fired his device, a lightning bolt large enough to make Desmond look small. Desmond felt a strong sense of paralysis from the lightning. He immediately understood what it was, but it only made him more desperate.