Chapter 24: The Surrey Settlement

The ranking system for bounty hunters is divided into six levels, from One-Star to Five-Star, corresponding to E-class through A-class superhumans. To advance to a higher hunter level, one must first possess the requisite strength for that rank and then accumulate hunter points by completing a set number of missions.

The highest level of bounty hunter is known as the Hunter King, all of whom are S-class powerhouses—legendary figures whose presence is rarely glimpsed. The badge for a One-Star hunter is adorned with a single upright sword, whereas the Five-Star badge bears five swords—four crossed horizontally in a flat X shape, with the fifth piercing down vertically through them.

The Hunter King's badge is not a sword, but a formidable wolf's head—symbolizing the wolf pack, the finest hunters of the forest: disciplined, orderly, and united. The design carries this meaning.

Hunters of each star level may take on missions up to one level above their own, provided their personal strength meets the requirement. However, failure results in a significant deduction of hunter points.

Take Han Feng, for example. He is currently a One-Star hunter, the lowest rank, but his abilities have already reached D-class. Thus, he can accept missions normally available only to Two-Star hunters—D-class missions. If completed successfully, he gains extra points; if he fails, the penalty is double the point deduction and a negative evaluation of the mission.

This system offers those with strength a fast track for advancement, while preventing those who overestimate themselves from recklessly attempting higher-level missions.

Points can be regained, but a negative record in one's mission history damages reputation, barring access to high-quality missions and potentially leading to unemployment—unable to take any missions at all.

The underlying principle is simple: know your limits.

Anna transmitted a filtered list of available missions to Han Feng's personal terminal, consisting only of those he qualified for—primarily E-class and D-class missions.

E-class missions appeared in green, indicating they matched his current rank, while D-class missions were in yellow, signifying they were above his level, annotated with "Recommended for higher rank or team acceptance."

Having just defeated two D-class superhumans yesterday and gained new cards and martial arts abilities, Han Feng was confident in his strength. He skipped the E-class missions and selected D-class ones to quickly raise his hunter rank.

At the top of the list was the incident mentioned by the hotel attendant:

[Sari Settlement Massacre]
[Mission Type: Open]
[Mission Level: D-class]
[Mission Description: The Sari Settlement suffered a catastrophic disaster—overnight, thousands of residents perished, their bodies drained of blood, with no survivors, not even the old, weak, women, or children. Fear spread like a plague, causing panic in neighboring towns. An official special squad was dispatched to investigate, but contact has been lost.]
[Mission Objective 1: Go to Sari Settlement, investigate clues, identify the culprit.]

[Mission Objective 2: Search for traces of the missing squad.]
[Mission Objective 3: Kill or capture the culprit.]
[Mission Objective 4: Rescue the missing squad.]
[Mission Rewards: Bounty paid according to mission completion. (System bonus: 2 card points for completing objectives 1 and 2, 3 card points for objectives 3 and 4, and 2 skill points for completing all objectives.)]
[Accept/Decline?]

Open missions can be accepted by anyone whose hunter rank matches, not just a single individual. Some unique missions are restricted to one person or team; once accepted, they disappear from the directory, per the employer's request.

Han Feng chose to accept. Completing the mission would earn not only bounty but also 2 skill points and 10 card points. He still didn’t know their exact purpose, but was certain they weren’t mere decorations.

After accepting the mission, Han Feng did not linger, turning to leave the Hunter Guild.

He retrieved a black half-face mask from his car, covering nose, mouth, and half of his face, leaving only his narrow phoenix eyes exposed. This way, he could avoid unnecessary trouble if he encountered someone who had seen him before.

He started the car, speeding toward Sari Settlement; the coordinates were already displayed in his cyber-brain, less than a hundred kilometers from Stel City.

The scenery on either side of the road receded swiftly as the vehicle advanced, but at some point, Han Feng drove into a dense fog.

At first, it was just a light mist, visibility still decent, so Han Feng paid it little mind. But as he drove, the fog thickened until he could no longer see the road ahead.

A glance at his portable cyber-brain revealed it was no longer receiving satellite signals. Whether this was due to the fog or something else, his exact location was unclear. Based on time and distance, he should be close to his destination.

The fog was so thick and appeared so eerily that the car became useless. Han Feng decided to proceed on foot.

He carried no firearms; in this fog, guns would be ineffective. Besides, he now wielded lightning and magic flame powers, and had unlocked the martial arts skill tree—making firearms his weakest tool.

He tightened his black trench coat and summoned Greyshear—Dawn of Destruction—holding it in hand as he strode into the depths of the mist.

Visibility within the fog was less than ten meters; only nearby objects could be seen. Han Feng relied on his instincts to make his way to the settlement.

The mist was utterly silent—so quiet it was maddening. Walking, only the echo of his shoes on the ground could be heard.

The enhancements to his body had sharpened Han Feng’s senses; he could feel something in the mist watching him.

This was an instinctive sense of danger. He unconsciously gripped his sword more tightly.

Soon, he saw a shadowy shape ahead. The outlines were vague in the fog, but it seemed to be a cluster of buildings.

In this remote star system, population was sparse and buildings seldom tall; being far from the city, the structures ahead were only two or three stories high.

That cluster must be the target of his mission.

The closer he got, the stronger the sense of being watched became.

As he drew near, he could finally make out the buildings—three-meter-high gray-white stone walls enclosing matching two-story residences. The gate stood open, and the tidy streets were clean, not at all deserted.

The sign above the gate read “Sari Settlement.”

Han Feng, sword in hand, strode through the entrance. Within the thick fog, he saw figures moving.

“Who’s there? Are you a fellow hunter?” Han Feng called out, reasoning that since this was an open mission, others must have accepted it as well—perhaps other bounty hunters.

The figure seemed not to hear, quickening its pace.

Han Feng darted forward, bridging the ten meters in the blink of an eye, blocking the figure’s path three meters ahead. He looked closely.

A resident?!

Someone was still alive?!