Hunter 93: Encirclement

"News has arrived!"

Doran and his group of contractors received a distant, hastily captured video clip. The two contractors who had been tailing were still fairly diligent—after all, their ability to complete the mission and return to the Reincarnation paradise alive was at stake.

Although the footage was unclear due to the distance, the general situation could still be understood.

Contractor 13014, the one they had previously seen wielding a knife and suggesting they sign a contract, had suddenly attacked Lisa Lisa and successfully snatched the Super Aja Stone.

"Heh, if we don't act now, we might miss our chance, huh?"

Doran mused, realizing that the final battle was only about five days away. It made sense that someone would seize the opportunity to snatch the Super Aja Stone at this moment.

"Gather the brothers. In ten minutes, we move. It's a good thing he hasn't gone far—the Aja Stone necklace he stole is now ours for the taking!"

Doran grinned.

The other contractors shared his enthusiasm. They were members of small adventuring teams, temporarily banded together. Being a lone wolf wasn't so easy these days—it might sound cool, but it often led to a quick death.

As long as they could snatch the Super Aja Stone from that lone contractor and each hold onto it for 24 hours, they could complete their mission.

Ten minutes flew by, and the public channel displayed Lin Jiu's coordinates.

While Lisa Lisa and her group were still waiting for news from the SPW Foundation, Gentle Youth and his team discussed their next steps in the team channel. Gentle Youth informed Lisa Lisa and the others that they had a way to track Lin Jiu.

Without hesitation, the group let Gentle Youth's team lead the way, tracking Lin Jiu's location.

Doran's group was also aware that the protagonist's team had another group of contractors who could track the lone contractor's position. It was now a race to see who could grab the stone first.

The coordinates displayed on the public channel were clear enough. The other party also knew their position was exposed and was constantly on the move, trying to buy time to gain a nine-minute breathing window.

With the Super Aja Stone necklace in hand, Lin Jiu naturally took a closer look to see how it differed from a regular Aja Stone. To his surprise, it was no longer just a stone but an actual piece of equipment.

[Aja Stone Necklace]

Origin: JoJo's Bizarre Adventure

Quality: Blue

Type: Necklace

Durability: 50/50

Equipment Requirement: 15 Intelligence

Equipment Effect: Sunlight Radiance. Increases the power of light-based attacks by 50%.

Additional Attribute: Ripple Energy Amplification by 100%.

Rating: 70

Description: A necklace made from a rare and precious stone found in nature. Its crystalline structure can reflect light billions of times, emitting it from a single point, harnessing a strange natural power.

Note: This equipment remains ownerless until you leave this world.

Price: 5600 Paradise Coins.

========

The city area where Lin Jiu was located grew increasingly remote. He could see figures in the distance. With a smirk, he headed toward an abandoned corner of the city, aware that more and more people were following him.

"There's nowhere to run! Hand over the Aja Stone necklace, and we won't have to fight," Doran said with a smile as he and the contractors cornered Lin Jiu in a dead-end alley.

Lin Jiu chuckled as he drew his sword, [Dawn Shadow]. The reason he was cornered here was that he had intentionally chosen this spot. In an open area, it would be tough to withstand an attack from more than a dozen contractors, but in this alley, he only had to face four or five at a time—a much easier battle.

Doran and his group thought they had surrounded Lin Jiu, unaware that they had fallen into his trap. Lin Jiu knew that the contractors from the protagonist's team would bring Lisa Lisa and the others to track him down. When they arrived, Lisa Lisa's group would encircle these contractors from behind, leaving them with no escape.

Lin Jiu openly put on the Aja Stone necklace in front of them, effectively equipping it. He hadn't expected the necklace to be recognized as an official piece of equipment, which was a pleasant surprise.

This provocative gesture was too much for one of the contractors, who, despite Doran's attempts to restrain him, cursed and charged Lin Jiu.

Lin Jiu's eyes sharpened. As the contractor, brandishing his sword, approached, Lin Jiu quickly raised [Dawn Shadow], deflecting the attack. Before the contractor could unleash any skills, Lin Jiu struck his temple with an elbow.

For an ordinary person, this blow would have been fatal. However, the enhanced contractor wasn't mortally wounded but was nearly knocked out. Lin Jiu wasted no time and swiftly slashed his throat.

This fatal injury immediately killed the contractor. Their data only served to help them monitor their condition, not to turn their bodies into data. Unless they were a special race, injuries to vital areas like the brain or heart would still result in death.

"No wonder you were able to snatch the Aja Stone necklace from Lisa Lisa. You do have some skill!"

Doran's expression was no longer as relaxed as before.

The contractor who had charged ahead was among the stronger members of their group, yet he hadn't lasted three moves against Lin Jiu. Now, as Doran reexamined the surroundings, he realized they couldn't all attack at once.

But it was too late to change tactics. Doran could only command his team to attack in a boss-fight formation.

Lin Jiu watched as two shield-bearing tanks slowly advanced, protecting the rear. The long-range attackers behind them were ready to unleash their attacks.

Given that the battle had already shifted to an environment Lin Jiu had intentionally chosen, he wasn't about to hold back. With [Dawn Shadow] in hand, he charged toward the group of contractors. Before he could engage the front-line tanks, bullets and arrows were already flying at him.

Unfortunately for the attackers, the narrow environment only allowed three contractors to attack at a time. Without a barrage of long-range attacks, Lin Jiu easily sensed and dodged the incoming projectiles.

"Hah!"

The lead tank saw that Lin Jiu had reached them unharmed and confidently raised his shield to block.

"Thanks!"

Lin Jiu thanked the tank and used his shield as a stepping stone, vaulting over the tank to strike at the ranged attackers and healers behind them.

"Not good! Warriors, get in there!"

Doran shouted urgently.

Screams erupted from the group. The ranged attackers and healers had little experience with close combat. One slash from Lin Jiu, and the soul-rending pain would incapacitate them.

Lin Jiu finished off those he could, and when he couldn't, he switched targets. Although Doran and two other warriors managed to stop Lin Jiu's assault, nearly half of the squishy contractors had already died at his hands.

With each contractor's death, the dissipating soul energy subtly enhanced Lin Jiu's perception and reflexes, making his mind extremely sharp. This hidden ability allowed Lin Jiu to grow stronger with each kill.

"I underestimated you!"

Doran said, his face darkening.

Lin Jiu was already considering where best to break through their ranks, ignoring Doran's words. Tanks and warriors weren't nearly as satisfying to fight as the squishy targets in the back.

"Be... be careful! Don't let... his sword cut you. There's..."

One contractor, who had been struck twice by Lin Jiu, managed to give Doran and the others a warning before collapsing from soul exhaustion.

"Is his knife poisoned?"

Doran and the others noticed that the blade of [Dawn Shadow] had a grayish-white tint, similar to the sword's body but distinct enough to catch their attention.

"How treacherous!"

They were now convinced that the enemy had poisoned the blade.

"It's a sword."

Lin Jiu corrected when he heard the contractor's words.

"Ridiculous, that's a..."

One contractor started to retort, but before he could finish, Lin Jiu seized the opportunity to strike, cutting him down before he could react.

The contractor tried to raise his weapon in defense, but Lin Jiu stepped on his toes as he moved forward to attack.

The sharp pain caused the contractor to shudder, slowing his movements just enough for Lin Jiu to deliver a fatal blow.

This was one of the three warriors, and with his death, Lin Jiu successfully broke through their defenses, bypassing Doran and the others to attack the rear.

The remaining squishy contractors looked on in terror as Lin Jiu approached, frantically retreating. Since many of their comrades had died, the area was less crowded, but they couldn't outrun Lin Jiu, who had 10 points in agility.

At the critical moment, another main tank blocked Lin Jiu's path. His shield grew larger, cutting off the route.

Seeing this, Lin Jiu immediately turned around and charged Doran and the remaining warriors. Squishy contractors were his top priority, followed by warriors, with tanks left for last!