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

CHAPTER 203: The Slum Sprites - Unforeseen Reunion

"Hey! It's Big Brother Brek!"

"Big Brother Garrett's back, too!"

In the front yard of a familiar orphanage, the children abandoned their play, racing over to greet the returning trio who had taken it upon themselves to become hunters. Their faces beamed with anticipation—until their eyes landed on the single, pathetic Horned Rabbit dangling from Brek's grip.

"Ehhhh?" One of the younger kids groaned in disappointment. "We only got one today?"

"A-Are we gonna starve?" another murmured, nervously clutching his stomach as if it was already shrinking.

"Is that even enough for everyone... including them?" a third whispered, casting wary glances at the others.

Garrett's eye twitched. Then without warning—

WHAM!

He punched Ribbit in the arm.

"See that?! This is all your fault, you bottomless pit!"

"Oww!~" Ribbit howled, clutching his arm. "What did I do?!"

"What did you do? You scared away half our prey with your nervous farting, you walking gas leak!"

"I-I can't help it!" Ribbit whined. "It just happens when I'm stressed!"

"Yeah? Well, the rabbits sure as heck didn't appreciate it!" Garrett snapped. "One whiff of your stink bomb and they practically grew wings and flew outta there!"

Brek, who had been walking ahead, stopped mid-step and pinched the bridge of his nose, exhaling slowly.

"I seriously need a break before I completely lose the rest of my brain cells," he muttered under his breath.

Unfortunately for the Wolfkin, the roller-coaster ride of his day was far from over. Just as he stepped toward the doorway—

Sniff. Sniff.

"Wait!" Ribbit's head snapped to the side, his nostrils flaring as he took a sharp whiff of the air. His expression hardened, eyes narrowing like a predator locking onto its prey. "I know that scent. There's no mistaking it!"

Without a second thought, he barreled past Brek, shoving him aside without so much as a glance. Like a wild boar set loose, Ribbit charged into the building, his eyes gleaming with excitement, intent on glomping the silver-haired boy inside.

"HAXKS!" he bellowed, launching himself forward with all the grace of a desperate hog diving headfirst into a muddy watering hole.

Hands tucked into his pockets, Daisuke lazily lifted a single leg, letting Rabbit's face collide squarely with his boot, halting him mid-air. The boy comically slid down in a heap, his momentum utterly crushed.

Daisuke sighed, casting him a tired glance. "It's nice to see you, too," he muttered.

"Haxks?!" Garrett's eyes widened in disbelief. "This is insane! How did you even find us? I never thought we'd see you again so soon!"

"That's my line," Daisuke gestured, glancing at Casper and the other three boys. "I can't believe you guys made it all the way here from Wonderelle on your own."

Ribbit groaned, lifting his head from the floor, a glaring red footprint stamped across his face. "You said you were coming here, so we figured we'd follow. Plus, staying far from the village seemed like a good idea."

Daisuke nodded. "Can't argue with that."

"With that said," Garrett shrugged. "Once we got to Lunarel, we had no clue where to even start looking for you. One thing led to another, and, well... we ended up here."