Hacking the Game Didn't Go as Intended [Part One]

CHAPTER 130: Covetous Pursuit - The Lone Journalist

Daisuke approached cautiously, daggers at the ready as he felt a sense of unease wash over him. The patch of land encompassing the tree and the hut seemed out of place, as if it had been plucked from the pages of a fairytale. Vibrant butterflies flitted about, perched delicately on blades of grass that carpeted the rolling meadow. A small pond, framed by decorative stones, shimmered under the soft light, teeming with fish and other aquatic life. Nearby, a well-tended garden burst with color, a riot of flowers and plants thriving against the odds.

This enchanting scenery stood in stark contrast to the looming, dungeonesque features that surrounded it, creating an otherworldly oasis amid the decay and despair. It was clear that the resident of the crude dwelling wasn't fond of strangers or trespassers, because it didn't take long before an imposing figure emerged from the building.

The bipedal, reptilian humanoid towered at least twelve feet tall, its powerful frame and muscular tail clad in gleaming golden armor and rugged leather that starkly contrasted with its brilliant red scales. Two massive dadao swords were strapped across its back, their blades glinting menacingly in the ethereal light. Its striking blue eyes shimmered with an intensity reminiscent of a tidal wave, filled with both curiosity and a latent ferocity that warned Daisuke to tread carefully.

The atmosphere shifted as the creature stepped forward, the ground trembling slightly beneath its weight. With every deliberate movement, it exuded an aura of authority, an unspoken command that hinted at the strength and skill it possessed.

DING!

[The Hidden Dungeon Boss awakens to your presence!]

DING!

[«Kaizyreus, the Weapons Master» approaches!]

DING!

[Kaizyreus | Lvl 430 | Named Monster | HP: 119411000/119411000]

The blood drained from Daisuke's face.

***

"Kheh?!"

"Gheeki?!"

A band of Goblins darted into hiding, making themselves scarce as waves of grinning humans swept through the dense forestry. Despite their innate loathing for people, instinctively, all manner of beasts shrank back, sensing the dark intent in the air.

But these humans weren't here for monsters—they were on the trail of something far more enticing. Their faces, twisted with greed, betrayed their aim: they hunted a single, elusive human, a target precious enough to justify the ruthless pursuit unfolding across the wilderness.

Dozens of individuals, mercenaries, and several guilds dotted the forest floor, exchanging gossip about a player rumored to possess a legendary skill—one that not only allowed him to locate and one-shot unique monsters but also to transform rocks into gold and entire lakes into healing elixirs.

As word of Haxks Starfrost circulated across the web, spreading like wildfire through online communities, claims of his abilities quickly spiraled out of control. Yet, even if most of these claims were exaggerated, one fact was undeniable and verified by the Leaderboard: Haxks had cleared both a standard and a hidden dungeon, defeated five Field Bosses, and taken down a unique monster. That alone was reason enough to justify the hunt.

One among the hunters, however, sought a different kind of prize. Concealed behind a thick tree trunk, a male journalist quietly shadowed a group, eavesdropping on snippets of conversation exchanged between several suspicious figures. Leading them was a man outfitted in high-grade gear, his attire setting him apart from the others who trailed behind in worn, dark attire—the unmistakable mark of hired mercenaries.