F-Class Destiny Hunter

Chapter 128

According to legend, the cat was unable to attend the Twelve Zodiac Banquet after being deceived by the rat. However, in Vietnam and Thailand, there exists the Cat Zodiac instead of the Rabbit Zodiac. Additionally, there were cases where the Pig Zodiac was replaced by the Elephant Zodiac or Wild Boar Zodiac.

"Yeah. You know it well. The cat that lost its turn harbors resentment towards the rat, so it chases after rats whenever it sees one," Lanaught Mauer said calmly, looking down at his claws, which resembled a big cat's claws.

"Why would I say something like that? Well, I have the Cat Zodiac. Don't misunderstand. It's not that I dislike you just because of a zodiac sign. It's just..."

Lanaught Mauer slowly raised his head, his eyes filled with an inexplicable vitality.

"I just don't like your face, maybe?"

[Ability 'Cat's Grudge' activated!]

[In this realm, the abilities of the Twelve Zodiacs are maximized!]

"Annoying!"

Shouting like that, Lanaught Mauer propelled himself towards Seo Gangrim.

By now, Lanaught Mauer was running on all fours like a cat. However, his attack power was equivalent to that of a fierce beast like a lion or a tiger, not a cat.

-Cha-ching! Cha-ching!

Claws and swords clashed, creating a loud noise.

Can Lanaught Mauer's current appearance truly be called human?

When the aggressiveness and instincts characteristic of wild animals were triggered, his speed became incomparable to earlier, thanks to the effect of his ability.

[Ability] Cat's Grudge

[Rank] Spirit First-class

[Description] When attacking an opponent with the characteristics of a rat, the ability is maximized.

This ability, which exerts a powerful effect on creatures of the rat species or individuals with rat characteristics, allowed Lanaught Mauer to fight on a level similar to Seo Gangrim, despite his low Destiny grade and overall low stats.

At that moment, Lanaught Mauer swung his leg towards the empty side of Seo Gangrim's waist.

-Whoosh!

Suddenly, blades were protruding from the tips of the shoes. However, thanks to wearing the 'Between Life and Death,' the attacks didn't land properly.

Seo Gangrim scrutinized Lanaught Mauer with sharp eyes. 'Why did the Clown Troupe send this guy?'

Lanaught Mauer was undoubtedly strong, but not strong enough to kill Seo Gangrim. Both the Clown Troupe and Lanaught Mauer must have known this fact. 'Fast, but low attack power. The Clown Troupe isn't trying to kill me. They have another goal.'

Seo Gangrim's gaze fell on the claw. It was short for causing fatal injuries but suitable for inducing bleeding. He asked with a jab, "Are you aiming for my blood?"

Lanaught Mauer had been targeting somewhere other than the vital points from the beginning, like someone whose only goal was to cut. Lanaught Mauer's expression subtly changed.

"You catch on quickly, aren't you? Perhaps because you're a rat. But even if you figure it out..."

-Whoaack!

The claw sharply aimed Seo Gangrim's face, flying towards him at a speed that could barely be grasped. Lanaught Mauer, with eyes shining like a cat in the sunlight, said, "Can you keep blocking my attacks?"

Lanaught Mauer's attack power wasn't particularly high, but his speed left Seo Gangrim stunned. Lanaught Mauer assumed his attacking stance again and said, "Seo Gangrim, you're strong. But in this realm, being a cat gives me the advantage!"

"Yeah, that might be true."

Seo Gangrim casually replied as if he already knew.

Lanaught Mauer's eyebrows twitched momentarily in response to Seo Gangrim's calm reaction.

Seo Gangrim, his eyes glowing, said, "Then I'll just summon another from the Twelve Zodiac other than the rat."

As those words finished, a small whirlwind appeared in the air, creating a vortex. Lanaught Mauer stared at it, internally mocking Seo Gangrim. 'Summoning a spirit beast? Still, it doesn't matter. Surely his spirit beast is young...!'

At that moment, within the whirlwind, Lanaught Mauer sensed an immense amount of magic being released. Every hair on Lanaught Mauer's body stood on end. Something was emerging from the vortex.

[Spirit beast 'Yorn' has been summoned!]

It was a dragon.

When Lanaught Mauer had received reports about Seo Gangrim, he had heard that he often accompanied a dragon.

'But the size of this...!'

Astonished, Lanaught Mauer looked up at the creature hovering in the sky. The jet-black dragon casting a shadow on his face was undoubtedly in its mature stage.

'Even though the report said it was still in its youth...!'

Yorn, once small and cute enough to fit in one hand, had now changed. The once charming and adorable demeanor was gone, replaced by a breath laced with venom.

"In this realm, the effects of the Twelve Zodiacs are maximized. It corresponds to the Chinese zodiac," Seo Gangrim said nonchalantly, while Lanaught Mauer was still in shock.

While Lanaught Mauer was in awe, Seo Gangrim turned to Yorn.

"Yorn."

"Krung?"

"Eat."

Before the words were fully spoken, Yorn opened its mouth toward Lanaught Mauer. Lanaught Mauer's animal instincts were screaming at him to flee from the predator. While desperately trying to escape Yorn, something grabbed Lanaught Mauer's leg.

"You shouldn't run away."

After Seo Gangrim grabbed Lanaught Mauer's leg, he hurled him towards Yorn. Just as the panicking Lanaught Mauer was about to launch an attack against Yorn, the energy that had been overflowing from his body just moments ago suddenly disappeared.

[Confirmed that there are no elements related to rats in the hostile target!]

[Ability 'Cat's Grudge' is released!]

-Thud!

"Aaaargh!"

Without a chance to evade, Yorn's teeth sank into Lanaught Mauer's arm. Blood flowed profusely from the wound, and the bitten area rapidly succumbed to poisoning. Lanaught Mauer, his face turning purple, collapsed.

As Yorn, excitedly attempting to end Lanaught Mauer's life, moved in, Seo Gangrim intervened.

"Yorn, that's enough."

"Krung?"

"Because I need to get information."

He couldn't let Lanaught Mauer die like this. He needed to uncover the purpose of this attack, find out about the hideout, and identify the leader of the Clown Troupe. Seo Gangrim approached the fallen Lanaught Mauer, intending to help him up.

-Zwijik!

Something flew from the empty space, cutting through the air between Seo Gangrim and Lanaught Mauer. It slammed into the ground, crumpling and bouncing off like a wheel. It was not just one wheel but dozens, spinning in the air at a furious speed. Someone was sitting on the flat side of one of the wheels.

"Ah, so he wasn't alone after all."

The person on the wheel seemed to be a member of the Clown Troupe, wearing a black mask that covered only the area below the nose. Her voice sounded feminine.

"Thought he could handle it alone, but I guess it's good that I followed."

Landing lightly next to Lanaught Mauer, she swiftly picked him up, placed him on the wheel, and then looked at Seo Gangrim.

"Hello, Seo Gangrim. Even more handsome up close, huh? Nice to meet you. I'm Verna."

Verna spoke with a witty and friendly tone. Seo Gangrim, still maintaining a guarded stance, observed her.

In response, Verna exaggeratedly said, "Wow, scary. Relax, I didn't come here to fight. Just wanted to take our cat with me."

"You can't take him. Or you stay."

Seo Gangrim couldn't afford to let an important source of information slip away. He needed to extract as much information as possible about the Clown Troupe.

Reflecting on the situation, Verna tilted her head as if in contemplation and then spoke with a thoughtful tone.

"Well, that's a problem. We both have things to do. But if you let him go, I'll tell you something good."

"..."

"You can't wait to get to " and the others right now, can you?"

-Kwang!

No sooner had the words left her mouth than the Chiljido came crashing down on Verna. As the dust settled from the attack, the destroyed wheel became visible. Unbeknownst to Seo Gangrim, Verna had already mounted the wheel and was floating in mid-air.

"Sorry for taking our cat. As an apology, I'll give you some information."

With arms spread wide, Verna spoke. A smile played on her lips.

"He is expecting a lot from you."

"He?"

Seo Gangrim's pupils sharpened with suspicion. Verna's lips curled upward.

"You need to get even stronger, Seo Gangrim. Much stronger than you are now. That's the only way to please him."

"Yorn."

Seo Gangrim called Yorn's name with a low, threatening voice. Upon hearing the call, Yorn immediately charged toward Verna. However, once again, a wheel blocked its path.

-Kwagwak!

"Planning to keep fighting? Sure, then I'll have to deal with you. Other clowns will be coming, not just me."

With a slightly different energy than before, Verna spoke. She mounted the wheel and looked down at Seo Gangrim.

"Reinforcements will arrive soon. Even if you're strong, I wonder how long you can hold out."

"I may not need to."

In response to Seo Gangrim's words, Verna tilted her head in puzzlement. Seo Gangrim pointed his sword at the monitor drone hovering near his head. When Verna saw the scene reflected on the monitor, her eyes widened.

***

Thunderous noise and flames were erupting throughout the demon realm. The number of clowns engaged in battle appeared to be in the hundreds if not more. Meanwhile, the race was nearing its end, and most of the hunters and manshins were already exhausted.

'At this rate, it'll be over soon. Once all the hunters and manshins are down...'

One of the clowns smirked as he assessed the situation. Although the laughter was concealed behind the mask, he raised his head and looked at the monitoring drone.

'I'm sure everyone is seeing this now.'

The battle here was being broadcast live, making it the perfect event to officially announce the presence of the Clown Troupe to the world. As clowns surrounded fallen hunters and manshins, one of the clowns addressed his comrades.

"They're weaker than I thought."

"They're nothing special."

The clowns exchanged conversations in cheerful voices. However, soon, screams echoed from nearby. One clown rushed towards his comrade, shouting.

"What's going on? What's happening?"

"Here...! There's an incredibly powerful creature...!"

As he tried to speak with a trembling voice, suddenly, a manshin appeared like lightning, sending the clown flying with a powerful punch. Shin Sooah approached, leaving the fallen clown behind.

Her eyes glowed with a determined light.

"Who the hell are you people and what are you up to?"