Chapter Seventy-Six: The Purpose of the Prison Hunters

The mist surged toward you like a howling cloud.
The Lantern Fox halted, the small lantern around its neck glowing, pushing back against the oncoming force.
You raised your longsword before you, black fire igniting along its edge, bracing yourself against the savage assault of the cloud.
Although you couldn’t discern the precise level of the Mist Behemoth, the map of the Dimming Lightlands provided a few essential clues.
Mist Beast
Nature: Lantern Void
Description: A beast born from the white mist, its form resembles a colossal ghostly sheep. Its steps stir vast clouds of white fog, and once shrouded by this haze, the void seeps into the body, sowing confusion within the heart.
When enveloped by the fog, remain calm, lest you be lured by its call.
The Mist Behemoth wanders aimlessly and does not actively attack those untouched by the void.
Chenqi steadied his breath.
As long as he wasn’t targeted repeatedly or already tainted by the void, he could endure this wave.
The mist rushed around you, faint whispers brushing your ears, persuading you to abandon this futile journey.
Lantern aspect triggered! Such trivial mutterings within the mist could never shake your resolve!
You withstood the mental onslaught of the mist, opened your eyes, and gazed into the distance.
The Mist Behemoth was still charging toward you…
Chenqi studied the information. The Mist Behemoth shouldn’t attack people unprovoked—so why was it running at him?
Perhaps its goal was not to attack, but rather…
Your eyes widened; within that white fog, countless blades chained with darkness burst forth like a rain of lightning arrows.
The Mist Behemoth blocked the Prison Hunter’s path, and now the Prison Hunter was executing the beast!
Chains stabbed into the floating core of the Mist Behemoth, locking its massive body in place and tightening further, white foam cascading to the ground in torrents.
Boom!
The colossal body of the Mist Behemoth was wrenched from the air and slammed down onto the earth by the Prison Hunter!
A mournful wail escaped the Mist Behemoth, raising a billowing shroud of fog across the land.
Gradually, the surrounding mist began to dissipate…
This was the blade of District 8 in New Metro—the Prison Hunter!
Chenqi couldn’t help but marvel; before the Prison Hunter, the Mist Behemoth of the Dimming Lightlands seemed utterly insignificant.
You sat atop the Lantern Fox, watching the distant spectacle with caution.
A black figure, faintly tinged with red, stood far away.
The Prison Hunter retracted the chains into the core of his blazing body, scalding black smoke streaming from the fissures in his armor.
The red eyes beneath the Prison Hunter’s helmet turned toward you. There was a trace of the Witch’s aura upon you; you were not his target. The decree etched into his armor warned him—he could not harm you!
Chenqi swallowed hard, feeling the weight of the Prison Hunter’s gaze.
Having dealt with the obstacle in his path, the Prison Hunter resumed his march toward Mist City, soon vanishing from sight.
Phew…
Chenqi exhaled deeply. The Prison Hunter was like a machine executing commands; once he began an attack, he cared nothing for his surroundings.
Anything obstructing his mission would be destroyed!

But with the Blossom Witch’s lantern-badge, he was safe from the Prison Hunter’s wrath.
Chenqi turned to the text.
A message appeared, filling him with delight.
You ride forward atop the Lantern Fox, marveling as you spot a valuable item dropped from the Mist Behemoth’s corpse.
Prison Hunter, aren’t you going to loot the spoils?
Unlike most people, the Prison Hunter only slew the Mist Behemoth because it blocked his path.
Once it was dead, he paid it no mind; his heart held only the mission—he was a pure instrument of duty!
Would the Mist Behemoth yield any treasures?
Chenqi swiftly tapped the prompt, approaching the beast’s remains.
You stand before the towering corpse. Will you search it?
Yes.
Chenqi activated the Morningstar, beginning a rapid search.
Guided by the Morningstar, you commence your search.
With your Black Rain Boots, you climb atop the Mist Beast’s head and discover a cloud-like orb.
You have acquired the Mist Core.
Mist Core
Nature: Lantern
Description: All are lost within the lightless mist.
Introduction: A rare core crystallized from a Mist Beast. After use, it can greatly increase the density of mist in an area, or serve as a potent core for certain void-based weapons!
Increase the density of mist?
Chenqi inspected the item. Paired with the Mist Bell, it might prove invaluable.
You notice some cloud-like tufts still drifting on the Mist Beast.
You have acquired: Rare Mist Fleece x2.
Rare Mist Fleece
Description: A bundle of cloud-like, rare fur brimming with mist power. It can be given to a skilled weaver to craft powerful mist equipment.
So, these are crafting materials.
Ordinarily, wild creatures drop materials. For finished gear, one still needs an expert weaver or blacksmith.
Chenqi mused—the loot was decent. Even if it couldn’t be crafted, it would fetch a handsome price.
You gather your finds and look out over the land. Cold white mist continues to swirl in from all directions, obscuring the guiding daylight.
The Lantern Fox exhales a warm breath; you sense you’ve become lost…
Lost?
Chenqi opened his map. With the Morningstar’s guidance, his chance of becoming truly lost was greatly reduced.
Wait…
A thought occurred to him.
The Dimming Lightlands were perilous indeed. Traveling directly would only increase the danger the farther he ventured from daylight.

But since the Prison Hunter would slay any creature that blocked his path, most aggressive monsters would already have been dealt with.
In other words, as long as he followed the path the Prison Hunter had taken, his journey would be much safer!
The Prison Hunter himself was bound for Mist City.
This would not only make the road ahead safer, but allow him to scoop up leftover materials along the way…
What a wonderful prospect.
“Feasible.”
Without delay, Chenqi used the Morningstar to lock onto the Prison Hunter who had just felled the Mist Beast.
This could be a windfall!
The Morningstar leapt from your hand, guiding you onward.
You gently stroked the Lantern Fox’s soft fur, reassuring it not to fear the bitter mist.
Encouraged by you, the Lantern Fox trusted its master, gathered its courage, and pressed on at your command.
You hurried through the mist…
You came upon another Mist Beast’s corpse—the sight gladdened you. You obtained Mist Fleece x5.
You encountered yet another Mist Beast’s remains—joy flooded your heart. You obtained an Ethereal Mist Core and Mist Fleece x2.
Ethereal Mist Core
Description: With but a touch from the mist, I soared into the heavens.
Introduction: An extremely rare material imbued with potent ethereal energy. It can be used to craft items that sharply reduce body weight and increase agility for a short time, or, when used directly, to conjure powerful storm currents!
Not bad at all…
Chenqi read the prompt, admitting the Prison Hunter was truly remarkable.
You discovered half the corpse of a Treasure Raven and found four rubies.
…
Thanks to the Prison Hunter, Chenqi’s journey was smooth and hazard-free, gathering a wealth of resources along the way.
Suddenly, a crimson message flashed before his eyes!
Faintly, you hear the distant toll of a bell.
You draw a deep breath; it is the bell signaling the waning of daylight.
You glance back toward the far-off sky, where the day is gradually dimming.
True cold and terror are about to descend.
Time to prepare for the night… Chenqi swallowed hard.
At that moment, another message appeared.
Looking up, you see a thick, towering black wall ahead, and in the farthest distance, a spire that pierces the clouds.
Mist City lies before you…
(End of chapter)