Chapter 98: Phantom Assassin

The last day of Yan Moon.

Ji Xinghuo returned from outside the city early in the morning and found the bounty hall busier than usual with over a hundred bounty hunters lingering after receiving their rewards.

“Ji Xinghuo is here!”

Before even stepping into the hall, Ji Xinghuo heard someone shouting his name inside.

Bounty hunters in line saw him and made way for him to go directly to the counter to collect his bounty.

“Bounty 3.04 million, points 127.”

The staff quickly tallied up Ji Xinghuo’s bounty and handed him the cash.

Although the bounty hunters were well aware of Ji Xinghuo’s capabilities, they still marveled at how much money and points he had earned once again.

The office staff immediately updated the scoreboard, and Ji Xinghuo was still in the lead with a total of 1618 points for the month!

“That’s outrageous…”

Bounty hunters shook their heads.

The second-place Jing Ji and third-place Red Demon Aleksey had just surpassed a thousand points. Although they hadn’t yet turned in their loot today, it seemed almost certain.

“What was the highest single-month record before?” a bounty hunter asked.

“Seems like it was over four thousand points!”

A veteran bounty hunter responded, not very sure, “I think it was a record set over twenty years ago, still unbroken.”

“Twenty-one years ago, 4150 points.”

Another added, “The ‘Thousand Illusions Swordsman’ Li Xuan created it. At that time, he was a super Aberrant, newly advanced to an ‘Invisible Sword Guest.’ He came to Midpoint Fortress to hone his skills by hunting enemies. In one hot season, nine Star Realm months, he accumulated over 18,000 points.”

“I remember now, 4150 points isn’t just the record for Midpoint Fortress but also for all fortresses along the Star Realm Defense Line,” someone chimed in.

This was the first time Ji Xinghuo heard of this record.

However, the nickname ‘Thousand Illusions Swordsman’ resounded like thunder to him.

Three years ago, Li Xuan was promoted to Celestial Lord, becoming globally renowned and the thirteenth such Aberrant in the Asia-Pacific Community.

This ‘Thousand Illusions Swordsman’ also held a record as the youngest of the current 49 Celestial Lords worldwide, less than fifty years old, ranked 45th among them.

Ji Xinghuo wasn’t focused on breaking any records.

Other bounty hunters, however, were quite enthusiastic, one of them saying, “Brother Ji, you’re not far behind. Plus, you’ve been at Midpoint Fortress for only half a month. Give it a push, and you might just break the Thousand Illusions Swordsman’s record and make a name for yourself.”

“Yeah!”

“Half a month, over 1600 points; a month would be around 3200 points, not far from the record.”

The crowd buzzed with conversation.

“Li Xuan is a Celestial Lord; breaking his record isn’t easy,” someone suddenly voiced skepticism, “If Ji Xinghuo breaks the record, wouldn’t that mean he might also ascend to Celestial Lord status eventually? Do you believe that?”

The hall fell silent, and the bounty hunters exchanged looks.

They hadn’t thought about it that way.

If Ji Xinghuo really broke the record, wouldn’t it mean Ji Xinghuo’s prowess surpassed Li Xuan’s at his prime, and being so young, he too could rise to Celestial Lord status?

That would be a Celestial Lord!

Humanity had ventured into the Star Realm nearly two centuries ago, and including those deceased, there were fewer than seventy Celestial Lords in total.

If Ji Xinghuo became legendary, that would be probable.

But a Celestial Lord…

The bounty hunters present felt it was a long shot.

Li Xuan’s rise to Celestial Lord wasn’t just due to his hunting record on the Star Realm Defense Line, but also because of a slew of victories and accomplishments that showcased a one-in-a-billion, exceptional talent. The single-month point record was just a minor footnote in his legendary life.

“Celestial Lord is out of reach; it’s not something I should be considering now,” Ji Xinghuo said casually, smiling, “As for records, they’re not my pursuit.”

The atmosphere in the hall lightened once more.

“You’re still young, you could try.”

“Exactly.”

Ji Xinghuo shook his head repeatedly.

At that moment, another bounty hunter entered the hall. Someone quickly recognized him and called out, “Jing Ji is here.”

Ji Xinghuo turned to look. He had heard of Jing Ji since coming to Midpoint Fortress but had never met him.

Jing Ji had the typical appearance of a Shadow Blade.

He was about thirty years old with ordinary looks, clean-cut black hair, about six feet tall, wearing dark fitted leather armor with one long and one short weapon at his waist—a dagger and sheathed curved sword respectively, and a crossbow mounted on his back. His movements were light and swift, silent as he walked.

Ji Xinghuo had heard from others that Jing Ji was a super Aberrant.

Now seeing him, it was evident.

Furthermore, Jing Ji wasn’t just any Shadow Blade. His ability integration far exceeded that of typical Aberrants, having already advanced in job template and mastered some of the Illusionist’s abilities.

Shadow Blade combined with an Illusionist was famously known as the “Phantom Assassin”.

Come without shadow, go without a trace.

The Phantom Assassin was the most dreaded assassin.

Through etheric energy fluctuations, Ji Xinghuo surmised that all of Jing Ji’s equipment was extraordinary; each piece was a super-weapon.

Even his leather armor was super-gear.

Apart from weaponry and armor, Jing Ji wore two rings on his hands and battle boots that emitted invisible etheric fluctuations.

“Rich indeed!” Ji Xinghuo couldn’t help but inwardly exclaim. The luxury of his gear alone was likely worth hundreds of millions.

However, Jing Ji had been hunting enemies at Midpoint Fortress for several years, mostly ranking first in points. His bounty income alone was probably between two to three hundred million, making it no surprise he could afford such lavish gear.

Jing Ji wore a smile, greeting familiar bounty hunters as he walked.

It was clear he had good social relations.

Jing Ji reached the counter, submitted today’s loot, and quickly completed the transaction. His bounty and points were significantly higher than usual, nearly matching Ji Xinghuo’s for the day.

The staff updated the scoreboard; Jing Ji’s points broke past 1200, still ranking second.

He glanced at the rankings and shook his head.

Just then, someone whispered a reminder, and Jing Ji turned to look at Ji Xinghuo, quickly appraising him with surprise: “You are Ji Xinghuo? I’ve heard much about you.”

He approached with a smile and extended a hand.

“That’s me.” Ji Xinghuo shook his hand briefly then released it, nodding, “I’ve heard of Jing Ji since arriving at Midpoint Fortress, impressed.”

“Hahaha, they’re all just empty titles,” Jing Ji said heartily, clearly unbothered, “Currently, you’re the talk of Midpoint Fortress. Even Aleksey and I have been overshadowed by you. Truly, the waves behind drive the waves before, and I’m already the former.”

“Brother Jing is too modest. I just have the advantage of my profession.”

Ji Xinghuo did not underestimate this Phantom Assassin. Jing Ji’s ability to hunt for years at Midpoint Fortress without harm showed his strength.

The reason Jing Ji’s loot paled in comparison to his own was due to the difference in their professions.

Phantom Assassins excel at assassination, not head-on battle. They typically kill two or three enemies and then must withdraw; while he was an archer, relying on supreme range to eliminate entire patrol teams at once.

The different combat styles determined the efficiency of their hunts.

In a direct confrontation, it was hard to say who would win or lose.

Jing Ji glanced at the Dracon Hawk Bow on Ji Xinghuo’s back and shook his head: “Being able to hunt so many enemies is your skill, no need to be too humble.”

Ji Xinghuo offered no further modesty.

“Let’s have a drink after Aleksey comes and settles last month’s points,” Jing Ji invited.

Ji Xinghuo agreed with pleasure, “Sure.”

It wasn’t long before Red Demon Aleksey also arrived, almost as if they had planned ahead, arriving just minutes apart from Jing Ji.

Aleksey still wore a cold expression, submitted his loot, and collected his bounty.

Then his glance swept over Jing Ji.

He noticed Ji Xinghuo standing beside Jing Ji, staring for a few seconds, then asked in fluent Asia-Pacific Community language: “Ji Xinghuo?”

Ji Xinghuo nodded.

Upon confirmation, Aleksey said nothing more.

The bounty hall staff again updated the scoreboard, adding Aleksey’s points. He unexpectedly overtook Jing Ji by three points, rising to second place for the month.

However, he was still trailing Ji Xinghuo by more than four hundred points.

Jing Ji raised an eyebrow, somewhat displeased with the outcome.

Their wager was over the total points for the entire hot season, with just one month left. Currently, he was only ahead by 205 points, potentially risky.

Losing to Aleksey meant he had to publicly admit defeat and leave Midpoint Fortress.

As long as Aleksey remained, he couldn’t return.

Leaving Midpoint Fortress wasn’t much; there were dozens of fortresses along the Star Realm Defense Line where he could hunt the North Luo Master Clan.

But losing the wager would be too humiliating.

The two, one from the Asia-Pacific Community and the other from the American Federation, had their wager elevated by the outside world to a national level, surpassing individual glory.

“Please follow me, all three.”

A staff member from the bounty office came over, inviting Ji Xinghuo and the others into a meeting room.

A man in military attire was already waiting inside. He introduced himself as the director of the Midpoint Fortress bounty office; Jing Ji and Aleksey were both familiar with him, having met him many times.

“Here is this month’s reward list, please review it.”

Jing Ji took the list, asking, “Director Li, isn’t General Wang meeting with us?”

The top three in hero points each month received additional rewards and typically had a chance to meet the fortress commander, though these meetings weren’t fixed. Meeting the fortress commander usually meant access to better deals on weapons and equipment.

“General Wang has been busy with official duties recently and can’t make time.”

Director Li said solemnly, “The general asked me to tell you that next month’s point settlement will invite you, and the list will include a few precious pieces of equipment.”

Jing Ji’s eyes brightened, and he nodded, “Good.”

Ji Xinghuo listened to the conversation, browsing the list in his hands, which outlined the additional rewards for this month’s first-place finisher.

Firstly, five million in cash;

Next, a third-class Hero Medal. With this medal, he could receive preferential treatment in most countries on Earth. If a citizen of the Asia-Pacific Community, he could collect 15,000 Asia dollars monthly assistance directly deposited to his account, continuing until his death.

The citizen assistance money had increased five-fold!

Ji Xinghuo saw this benefit; if he had no further ambitions, based solely on this assistance money, he could comfortably coast through life.

Unfortunately, he wasn’t interested in just the money now.

When hunting enemies, a single silent arrow cost 15,000 Asia dollars, sometimes requiring five or six arrows during one battle.

A third-class Hero Medal was awarded only once per person; the assistance money didn’t accumulate, but the cash rewards were unlimited.

The list concluded with a weapons and equipment catalog, totaling several dozen items.

These weapons and equipment came from military research units and rarely made it to the public, generally of higher quality than many commercial products.

As the top scorer of the month, Ji Xinghuo could purchase one item from the list at an 80% discount.

Swords, spears, daggers, armor, bows, javelins were all available.

There were also decorative items like rings and necklaces.

Most of these weapons and equipment were super-powered one-stars, priced between 3 to 10 million. There were also two or three super-powered two-stars, but they weren’t suitable for him.

After carefully reviewing the information, Ji Xinghuo looked up at Director Li and said, “I’d like to purchase this item.”