26 Prey x Hunter x You're the Illusory Beast

The unexpected encounter with the Phantom Troupe member and his evident interest in Mokona did not overly affect Kurama’s mood. His experience in the Hunter world was entirely different from the one in the Home Tutor world. Here, he had not immediately met a protagonist he already liked and formed a deep friendship, nor had he lost the majority of his demon power, forcing him to act cautiously and conservatively. Now, Kurama could largely ignore external dangers and was unconcerned about what kind of waves he might stir up in this world. Even if he realized he might encounter some trouble ahead, he truly didn’t take it to heart—

Ultimately, he was still, at his core, that demon fox from the Demon Realm who acted as he pleased, especially now that the constraints of friendship and family had faded, making him even more reckless. As long as circumstances allowed, he would never choose to compromise himself.

Kurama stayed in Setoland for nearly half a month, sorting through all the intelligence he had obtained from Old Byrne and acclimating to the customs of the world. On a sunny afternoon, he shouldered a simple backpack, cradled Mokona in his arms, and boarded a luxurious passenger ship bound for another continent to the north.

The summer afternoon sky was clear and cloudless. The deep blue sea mirrored the vast, pristine heavens, and the wind stirred beautiful ripples across the water. Seabirds occasionally soared through the sky, and distant islands emerged faintly on the horizon—a scene so breathtaking it could intoxicate anyone.

Kurama sat under a sunshade on the deck, dressed in loose, comfortable resort attire. He picked up a chilled, red berry and gently placed it in Mokona’s plump little mouth, his smile tender and indulgent. Nearby, women of all ages, overtly and covertly watching him, blushed and felt their hearts race.

Yet the demon fox seemed entirely oblivious.

“Mokona, are you happy?”

Kurama softly stroked the little creature’s ear as he asked.

Mokona beamed with satisfaction. "Mokona is very happy, Kurama. Don’t worry."

The demon fox paused, then poked Mokona’s soft belly. “Hmm? You’ve seen through my thoughts again?”

The white puffball smiled mischievously, “Of course! Mokona is the most considerate!”

Kurama didn’t mind the little one’s clever twist of words. Leaning back lazily on his sun lounger, Kurama squinted at the island fading from view at the edge of the horizon—

He wished the Troupe’s brain a pleasant stay there. (smile)

Of course, Kurama knew the Troupe member hadn’t given up monitoring him. On the very first night after Kurama settled in Setoland, the doll-faced number two of the Phantom Troupe, with maximum charm, checked into the same inn as Kurama.

Kurama wasn’t surprised that the man found him so quickly—after all, he was a skilled hacker and intelligence agent. If he couldn’t manage such a minor task, Kurama would have found it odd.

Kurama didn’t care what the Troupe member was plotting, or rather… he had already figured out the entire plan. The demon realm dandelions and Wave-Seeing Eyes hidden in the Troupe member’s room were Kurama’s best little helpers. No matter what technology or Nen abilities were used, these creatures’ life energy was so insignificant, not even comparable to the residual energy in wooden decorations, that they went completely unnoticed.

Thanks to these little spies, Kurama learned that the Troupe member had already reported his and Mokona’s presence to the Phantom Troupe’s leader, Chrollo.

Now, the demon fox’s curiosity was piqued, as the one truly interested in Mokona turned out to be Chrollo. Although neither the Troupe member nor Chrollo revealed much in their conversations, Kurama sensed Chrollo’s genuine concern about Mokona.

Originally, Chrollo intended to rush over and meet up with the Troupe member, but after hearing about Kurama’s mysterious ability to see through Nen’s concealment, he calmed down quickly and, together with the Troupe member, devised a plan so foolproof that even Kurama found it flawless.

Afterward, they split up. The Troupe member was tasked with keeping close watch on Kurama, while Chrollo summoned several Troupe members needed for their scheme. Both sides took action—the spiders began weaving their web.

Kurama was not the least bit surprised by this turn of events.

However—

Who was the prey and who was the hunter? That was not for the Troupe to decide.

When he boarded the cruise ship, Kurama knew the Troupe member had followed him on board—an important part of the Troupe’s plan, but also of Kurama’s.

The passenger ship would pass several small islands, barely larger than a park, along the way. Kurama had researched this beforehand. Now, those islands became the perfect destination for the Troupe member—thanks to the highest-grade hallucinogenic plants and the sea vine’s teleportation abilities, the Troupe’s brain was likely sleeping soundly on one of those islands.

As for Kurama—

He avoided the lively crowds on the ship, unfurled a demon realm floating leaf plant from his back, and, with the help of another species able to briefly create a cloaking optical effect, Kurama leisurely flew with Mokona to a port a thousand miles away from his original destination.

***

Unlike the accidental tumble into the Luminomi jungle when he first arrived, the Sidis Forest was located in the central region of the Eulobian continent—a true death zone, rated the highest danger level, where even licensed Hunters were advised not to enter lightly.

Kurama had chosen this place as his destination.

Rumor had it that one of the seven greatest beauties of the Hunter world—a rare bird species with crystal feather bones, numbering just over two hundred in the world—had a sizeable colony hidden deep in this forest.

Compared to unknown relics and treasures, Kurama thought the seven beauties, personally acknowledged by the author, were far more likely to impress Yuko. Moreover, with clear targets, Kurama could easily gather information without the hassle of exploring ancient ruins.

Mokona wholeheartedly supported Kurama’s plan. Since entering the forest, thanks to Kurama’s deliberately released, powerful aura, not a single magical beast dared provoke them.

Kurama and Mokona strolled through the forest as if it were their backyard. Since Old Byrne’s intelligence only pointed to the forest without specifying a location, they could only search slowly—but fortunately, Kurama had his own dandelions as scouts.

However, this forest dwarfed Luminomi, and the crystal-feathered birds, hunted by humans for generations, were extremely alert, rarely appearing in observable spots. This undoubtedly made Kurama’s search more difficult.

After a whole day, he and Mokona found nothing.

Neither of them were particularly disappointed—they had anticipated such circumstances before coming.

Cheerfully, they pitched their tent and set up a full outdoor barbecue kit, choosing a campsite by a small lake, and started a lively barbecue party.

***

Under the night sky, Mokona’s joyful smile helped Kurama relax. So, when a wild-looking humanoid suddenly dropped from the sky, carrying the corpse of a giant wild boar on his shoulder, Kurama didn’t immediately attack.

He simply watched quietly as the man’s excessively bright smile lit up his rugged, dust-covered yet still familiar and handsome face, unsure for a moment how to describe his feelings.

But the next words out of the man’s mouth nearly ignited Kurama’s fury—

“Hey! This little fellow is so cute! Where did you find it… huh?!”

The black-haired man’s attention had been focused on Mokona, but when he turned to Kurama, his expression shifted to one of confusion and bewilderment.

“You don’t feel like a human… Boy, are you a magical beast too?”

“………………＝＝＋”

Kurama finally couldn’t hold back and lashed out with a whip.

Meanwhile, as Kurama and the stranger had their chance encounter in the forest, on the distant continent, on the island Kurama had left behind, Chrollo, accompanied by Machi, Pakunoda, and Feitan, responded to the Troupe member’s call for help.

“Kurama… huh…”

Watching the Troupe’s brain sulking in a corner, drawing circles in frustration, the handsome, black-haired man curled his lips, a glint of interest in his eyes—

Their first exchange had truly been a surprising gift.

He lifted his head, gaze drifting as if piercing the heavens, landing far, far away at the side of the red-haired demon fox…

Author’s note: And so the first encounter between the Troupe and Kurama is resolved…

Ahem, this isn’t laziness on my part, but rather it fits Kurama’s style! Direct confrontations are troublesome and messy; slipping away and leaving troubles behind while giving them a taste of their own medicine—this is exactly what the demon fox enjoys! [covers face]

Though, whether this will further pique the leader’s interest remains to be seen (though it clearly has, hasn’t it?), Kurama doesn’t care for now, since he has new encounters and troubles ahead~ [for some reason feeling very cheerful, cupping my face~]

Next, this chapter’s illustration features Chrollo, who finally makes a proper appearance but still hasn’t met Kurama face-to-face—

………………………

…Alright, I admit I was joking, don’t hit me! Here, the next image is the real leader—

[cupping face] He truly looks more beautiful with the bandages—down with the slicked-back hair! And did anyone notice, when zoomed in, the earrings look really odd? The base and their position on the ear… Leader, how did you even put them on? [puzzled]

Lastly, here’s the usual preview for the next chapter: Interact x See Through x Proposal. Who is the black-haired man who met Kurama in the forest, and what sparks will fly between them? What does “see through” mean, and who is proposing to whom? Please look forward to the next chapter of “Demon Fox Kurama”: Interact x See Through x Proposal!

ps. Thank you, Afternoon Time, for the landmine =3= rolling onward, please add to your favorites=w= I’m very well-behaved and easy to support→