Gourmet Hunter - Chapter 180 (Patreon)

Chapter 180: Flaws

A breathtakingly beautiful woman emerged from the smoke and dust, leaning on a harp, untouched by the mundane world.

The woman sported sharp, black short hair, with strands above her forehead and beside her ears gathered back and secured with a small silver ring. Her face featured delicate moth-like eyebrows and a smooth forehead, marked by a red mandala flower.

She wore a white long-sleeved silk shirt, intricately embroidered with a vibrant red flower near the cuffs, and a sleeveless red bodysuit over it, embroidered with a spreading red bird at the chest.

Her waist was cinched with a wide belt, and she wore a red pleated skirt.

Standing before the crowd, her eyes closed and lips lightly pursed, her skin was unusually pale, yet she did not appear fragile. In fact, her short hair gave her a brisk and spirited look.

Her harp, made of stone, was carved with floral and plant reliefs, exquisitely detailed upon closer inspection.

The crowd watched as this woman walked out of the palace, their reactions varied. Their gazes initially lingered on her stunning face, then moved to the rare stone harp, and finally settled on the gemstone pendant hanging on her chest.

A small, intricately crafted blue bead passed through a knot, connected below to a silver lock shaped like an ancient bird totem, and linked further to a rhombus-shaped silver frame inscribed with ancient script, housing a deep blue sapphire.

Upon seeing the pendant, a name popped into everyone's mind: "Stajy's Tears."

The bird totem-like lock, the rhombus silver frame, and the blue gemstone—these three features associated with "Stajy's Tears" were so distinctive that they could be found online without even referring to ancient texts.

Why were "Stajy's Tears" here, and why on this woman? This was clearly an ancient relic site.

Everything the group had seen and heard along the way had led them to reconsider their initial belief that this was Stajy's tomb. But the appearance of the woman wearing "Stajy's Tears" shook their conviction that this was an ancient relic site.

The unique stone harp, the distinctive attire, and the dazzling gemstone pendant made Luo, who had memorized much information recently, feel a chill.

This woman with her eyes firmly closed was not from the modern era… Considering more details led to chilling conclusions.

If this was indeed Stajy's tomb, and there was only one entrance, then the skeletons that crumbled to ash at the slightest sound along the corridor and the stairs confirmed something.

That is, for hundreds, perhaps even longer, years, they were the first visitors, so who was this woman coming out of the collapsed palace?

Whoever she was, not just Luo but also Uncle Li and the others quickly reached a conclusion.

A dead person.

A person dead for who knows how many years, yet whose body was preserved so perfectly that she could walk, support a heavy stone harp, play music, and use Nen!

Back off!

That was the immediate reaction of the group after assessing the situation.

They quickly retreated while focusing on the surging black "Nen" behind the woman, a vaguely human form intertwined with strands of chill.

Antomu, the main culprit for collapsing the palace and bringing out this woman, was the quickest to retreat, a behavior contrary to his earlier confident declaration.

His intention of not letting Uncle Li and the others give up seemed clear: facing an unknown enemy, having more people, even if only as cannon fodder, would be advantageous.

This was his sinister plan.

He was tall and robust, seemingly cumbersome, but moved with great speed towards the closed stone door, kicking two stone pillars in his path and then chopping down on them before they hit the ground.

With a loud crash, the stone pillars broke into several pieces, flying towards the stone door and causing a tremendous noise.

The debris completely blocked the stone door. To leave the hall now would first require clearing the stone debris.

"Antomu, you!" Seeing this, Uncle Li immediately became furious, and those who had previously wanted to give up looked very displeased.

Bisky glanced at the expressionless Antomu, her demeanor rather calm. With her strength, no matter how peculiar the woman was, she could break through the hall's walls at any moment.

However, given the thickness of the hall walls, even if Uncle Li and the others were uninjured, they lacked the capability to break through quickly.

Realizing Antomu's intent and thinking about the eerie woman they would have to face, Uncle Li and the others' faces became as grim as if they were about to drip water.

"Kill that woman, and it's over."

Antomu stood in front of the stone door. He used "Ren," his robust body surging with energy, exuding a compelling aura. This was his true strength.

He

 believed his strength, physical condition, and speed surpassed anyone present. He could prevent anyone from leaving the hall, forcing them to confront the dead woman.

If Uncle Li and the others were unwilling to face the dead woman and chose to negotiate, he still held the absolute advantage, able to survive until the very end and then decide based on the situation.

His actions had sealed Uncle Li and the others' retreat, leaving them only two choices: drag it out until death or knock down the dead woman to survive.

If it weren't for Uncle Li and the others wanting to give up, he wouldn't have done this. Instead, he would have hidden until the last moment, idly working or slacking off. Before eliminating all obstacles, he wouldn't deliberately harm or save anyone.

Surviving would prove one's capability, and those capable deserved to enjoy the spoils of war.

"Sneaky."

Luo quickly saw through Antomu's intent. From Antomu breaking the stone pillars and collapsing the palace to showing a speed faster than anyone present and then the powerful aura he emitted at the doorway, it clearly showed his advantage.

Luo could think of this, so naturally could Uncle Li and the others.

A hunter targeting his prey would skillfully use all available conditions, even patiently waiting if necessary.

"Things are getting interesting, but it's a good chance to test that young man's mettle." Bisky casually stepped back, the woman in ancient attire indeed being the key figure pushing the situation to this point.

As Bisky retreated, she also observed Luo's reaction. Seeing Luo remain very calm, her evaluation of him increased by another level.

Calmness was a necessary quality, whether in situations or in battle.

This sudden development made it impossible for Uncle Li and the others to calm down because they indeed had their retreat cut off, unlike Bisky, who could create an exit for herself at any moment.

In contrast, Luo remained calm.

With this contrast, Bisky felt somewhat satisfied, but she didn't know that Luo's calmness also stemmed from his ability to leave at any time.

In fact, while Luo thought Antomu's actions were sneaky, he also didn't want Uncle Li and the others to retreat. Having more people did provide an advantage, a view Luo shared with Antomu.

However, Luo wouldn't force Uncle Li and the others, but Antomu's actions had made everything irreversible. Thus, Luo wouldn't use the power of "God's Hand" to break Antomu's scheme.

"Antomu, you've hidden your true self well!"

Uncle Li gritted his teeth, gathering with Aya and the others away from the eerie woman and Antomu, stopping at a spot where he then materialized his "Hacker's Means."

He used "Nen," not to deal with the dead woman.

Antomu, seeing this, just gave a cold smile.

Meanwhile, the woman who had walked out of the palace slowly opened her eyes, revealing flawless blue irises.

Not the black energy, but a crystal-clear light rotated within her pupils, exceptionally beautiful.

Unfortunately, those sapphire-like eyes appeared vacant and lifeless.

She was indeed... a dead person.

Possessing peerless beauty, yet born only to lack.

After opening her eyes, the woman's hands swiftly plucked the harp strings, a sliding sound from high to low echoing throughout the entire hall.

The music of the seven tones.

Shaping, sliding tones.

Amid the surging black aura, like smoke, seven figures composed of black "Nen" took shape.

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