Hacking the Game Didn't Go as Intended

CHAPTER 61: High Risk Yields High Returns - The Acquired Bounty

Ignoring the discontented growling of her stomach, Reeza kept a keen eye on the passersby until she scanned and identified one woman in particular who was dressed quite ostentatiously.

She knew to steer clear of those who might pose as easy marks but were actually the town's guards aiming to lure out and apprehend pickpockets. But Reeza already knew what to look out for to avoid them.

Unbeknownst to her, however, was that while she was observing others in search of prey, a pair of tiny eyes were also observing her from behind a stack of old crates deeper in the alley.

Focused on her target, Reeza smoothly maneuvered through the crowd with practiced ease. In a skillful move, she discreetly lifted a substantial coin purse from the clueless woman's waist bag, her face a mask of indifference, already searching for her next mark.

An air of sadness surrounded Reeza, her movements detached, as if propelled by a force, a reckless spell, well beyond her control. Like a leaf caught in an errand wind, she drifted toward a man she had chosen without care or concern. But it wasn't greed or pleasure that guided her steps, but resignation.

Reeza was tired.

Years of leading a life of degeneracy had worn away at her spirit, leaving her caught in a cycle of desperation—and her desperate desire for it all to be over had robbed her of her better judgement. But the curious eyes that watched her carefully appraised the target she had singled out as her next mark.

The man stood tall and imposing, his aura exuding an air of success. Yet, upon closer inspection, a subtle weariness lingered in his eyes, hinting at a life filled with trials and challenges. There was a certain ruggedness about him that suggested a background in mercenary work.

Whether he was retired, undercover, or simply taking a break remained a mystery, but one thing was certain: his vigilance and sharpness never wavered.

Reeza, unfortunately, didn't properly read the signs. Ensnared by her own compulsion, she moved in like a possessed corpse. And the tiny spectator took flight, abandoning its hiding spot to intervene.

The creature, akin to a yellow canary, zipped toward a nearby apple stall. The luminous bird emitted an otherworldly glow, its wings leaving a streak of golden electricity in its wake, clearly far from an ordinary canary.

Just before Reeza's hand invaded the man's sphere of detection, the mysterious bird knocked over a tower of apples that spilled over into the street. In the very instant that the man was distracted, Reeza seized the opportunity, swiftly snatching his purse and smoothly retreating from the scene.

From atop a nearby roof, the canary tilted its head robotically, turquoise eyes fixed upon the pink-haired girl who seemed to have snapped out of her reckless trance.

***

The air was thick with death and the smell of copper. Free from the binds of paralysis, the Volturax gradually pushed to its feet, a guttural growl bubbling up in its throat, and its eyes burned with a ravenous need for vengeance.

The explosion from the combined force of the Frost Prism and Flarial Seed had left a gaping hole in the creature's abdomen. But despite its intestines hanging out from the wound, the beast was still intent on devouring them all.

As the ringing ceased in Daisuke's ears, he could hear the hushed whispers of despair from the party. Zephyr had collapsed from exhaustion, the pup now vulnerable to an attack.

As if reading his thoughts, the Volturax's thick neck snapped to the side, the canine's motionless form reflected in the creature's one remaining eye.

Daisuke's own eyes dilated in horror.