Hunters' Onslaught

Without a word, Lynne quickly swung down from the beam. He then instantly saw the sealed mouth of the Left Hand, from which four legs—two large, two small—flailed wildly.

[Blood Clad Evil Spirit's Sanity -10]

[Evil Spirit Blood Baby's Sanity -10]

Lynne: "!!!"

"Halt! Halt! They're our own!"

Lynne urgently reached out.

…

A few minutes later, the slimy Blood Clad Evil Spirit and the dazed little sprout sat back-to-back at the threshold, viscous drool dripping from them.

"It felt like... a nightmare..." Blood Clad Evil Spirit murmured in a daze.

"Yada—"

The little sprout (๑＞︶＜)و stretched out its tongue, licking off the slime from its mother's face.

Pulling back his Left Hand, Lynne exclaimed, "Lady, why are you here?"

Blood Clad Evil Spirit forcefully shook off the drool and looked at him intently, saying, "Of course, out of concern for you. You dashed out so hastily during the day and haven't come to find me by night. What if you encounter creatures like last night?"

Lynne was moved.

Indeed, after fighting side-by-side the previous night, their relationship had clearly deepened.

"And... this is..."

Blood-clad Evil Spirit eyed Lynne's left hand warily. Upon seeing the mouth in its palm, her caution intensified.

"Allow me to introduce." Regaining his composure, Lynne smiled and pointed to his left hand, saying, "This is the one that mutated last night and consumed that creature. Since it's my left hand, I've temporarily named it 'Hidari.'"

Awooo—

The Left Hand (*〝▼皿▼) immediately snapped at the finger Lynne used to point at it.

[Left Hand's favorability towards you -1]

[Left Hand's favorability towards you -1]

Blood Clad Evil Spirit was taken aback, saying, "A... a hand?!"

The terrifying scene from last night immediately flashed in her mind—the gruesome sight of the creature being consumed from the inside out. This was beyond her comprehension.

Furthermore, it seemed to have its own consciousness. It looked like his mutation had resulted in a creature that defied all logic. And it also seemed... somewhat uncontrollable.

Blood Clad Evil Spirit stared, dumbfounded, at Lynne struggling with his left hand, which kept gnawing at his right. The entire scene felt absurd.

"Let's not waste time on pleasantries," Lynne managed, keeping his left hand in check, "Tonight won't be peaceful. After the death of the puppet yesterday, its organization will surely send someone to investigate. We're in for another restless night."

Blood Clad Evil Spirit cast a wary glance outside and questioned, "Are you sure it's tonight?"

Lynne replied cautiously, "I have my sources."

And just as they finished their conversation,

Clink—

Clink—

From the mist outside the door, there came consecutive sounds, as if blades were striking the ground.

The two exchanged glances, a silent understanding passing between them.

Lynne quickly swung to perch atop a beam.

Blood-clad Evil Spirit transformed into her true form, hovering by the damaged ceiling like an octopus. Her nails grew longer, and a hint of madness and excitement appeared in her eyes.

The little sprout was dangled near the doorframe by one of her tentacles, curiously observing the Left Hand beside her.

Slurp—

She (๑＞︶＜)و playfully extended her tongue, licking the Left Hand.

[Ding! Evil Spirit Blood Baby's Favorability towards your Left Hand +1]

"Eh?"

The Left Hand seemed puzzled, looking back at the blinking little sprout.

Slurp—

It too tried to return the gesture, licking the little sprout's cheek.

[Ding! Your Left Hand's Favorability towards Evil Spirit Blood Baby +1]

Slurp—

[Ding! Evil Spirit Blood Baby's Favorability towards your Left Hand +1]

Slurp—

[Ding! Your Left Hand's favorability towards Evil Spirit Blood Baby +1]

The two of them seemed to have struck an odd friendship. For a moment, it was as if two kindred spirits with the same strange inclination were gleefully licking each other. Joy among monsters can be so simple sometimes.

Witnessing this bizarre interaction by the doorframe, Lynne whispered in exasperation, "Stop licking! Stop it! Someone's approaching!"

…

And in that moment, beyond the door, shrouded in a nebulous darkness, Three immense figures, each a blend of human and spider, slowly emerged before the entrance.

"Target location confirmed... Initiating scan..."

The leading creature's eye glinted, emitting a subtle crimson light. Its gaze swiftly settled on the vacant store interior.

In a mere heartbeat, Lynne rolled, gun in hand, instantly aiming for the creature's eye.

Bang—

A gunshot rang out.

The demon-hunting bullet tore through the air, landing squarely on the creature's eye socket.

Hiss hisss hisss—

Immediately, a holy force spread throughout the creature's form, electric currents coursing through its entirety.

"No need to hide! They've sent another bio-puppet! Ready for battle!" Lynne's voice thundered.

Having heard the synthesized voice from beyond the door, Lynne realized that the creature possessed scanning capabilities. But since they were already at his doorstep, he'd face them head on!

"Target locked... Identity verified... Maximum threat level... Terminate..."

Almost instantaneously, the three creatures moved. In a blink, their bodies left afterimages as they dashed, their arms morphing to brandish scythe-like mantis blades.

So fast! Before Lynne's eyes, a display of the three creatures appeared:

[Hunter Model 120]

[Level: ???]

[Alignment: None]

[Race: Bio-mechanical Fusion]

[Combat Abilities: Extreme speed and formidable regenerative capabilities!]

[Description: A top-tier hunting tool of the Demonfolk Association, renowned for its agility and speed. It possesses lethal striking power and tracking abilities. Frequently utilized by the Demonfolk Association for hunting tasks. Lacking a soul, it's immune to psychic attacks and mental curses...]

As expected of the Demonfolk Association's creations!

Almost instantly, the three hunters locked onto Lynne, initiating a swift pursuit. And just as one of the hunter's mantis blades was about to slash Lynne's face, a pair of crimson claws intersected its path.

"Leave it to me!"

In a flash, a red silhouette darted across Lynne's vision. Beside him appeared the Blood Clad Evil Spirit in her demonic form. Her half-meter-long razor-sharp nails clashed with a resounding clang against the weapons of the two hunters. Excitement and a hint of madness gleamed in her scarlet eyes.