High School of Demon Hunting

Chapter 1100: Chapter 162 Korma’s Plan

”Why did you have to choose today to go out? This is not a good day.”

The black cat stood on a horizontal branch of the Return Soul Poplar, staring down with its big, amber eyes—repeating the question it had just asked, its tone particularly unfriendly: ”And who is she? Why is she here?”

Under the Return Soul Poplar, apart from the black cat’s contractual partner, Korma, there was also a witch wearing a mask.

A black cloak, trousers, and a shirt, with a belt adorned with a string of amulets and a thick Law book.

Even though the masked witch’s face was not visible, just by her attire alone, Zheng Qing could easily determine that the person standing before him was Elena— not to mention the familiar scent she carried. It hadn’t even been half an hour since they parted in Flying Garden.

Zheng Qing felt that the bad premonition he had earlier had become reality.

It had been over a week since he spied on Elena and Korma’s secret meeting during the Anti-Magic Festival, and since he followed them to the meeting with the Rat Immortal.

During this time, Zheng Qing had also observed Elena discreetly and found that she continued her routine: discreetly attending classes, missing them discreetly, and discreetly going on dates with him, never once hinting that she sought his help.

On the contrary, this morning, she had specifically visited Flying Garden to ask if he needed any materials that she could help gather.

This silly girl.

The black cat brooded, twitching its whiskers, considering whether to call off today’s slightly aggressive adventure.

Korma had a ready answer for the black cat’s questions.

”I’ve explained this many times: the weather is good today, no bugs biting, fewer monsters! Why not choose today to go into the forest? You’re always busy, busy, busy. A week has gone by, and you haven’t even done one search. Do you plan to delay until I graduate from school and must leave Buji Island?”

”Don’t be like a little girl, nagging and over-cautious with a plethora of superstitious thoughts—always thinking that on the Ghost Festival and Mid-Yuan Festival, ghosts run amok... Let me tell you, at First University, there’s an abundance of everything except ghosts. The school’s lab has an insatiable demand for wild ghosts and mysterious memes—if we really encounter one or two, it could pay for an entire semester’s living expenses.”

”As for this young lady, she is one of my partners.”

At this point, Korma patted the Gypsy witch on the shoulder, smiled and waved to the black cat: ”Because you previously requested to finish the search by one o’clock in the afternoon, I had to add an extra hand... so as not to fail the planned schedule.”

”Don’t worry, I’ve already signed the relevant Silence Contract.”

Regarding Korma’s last assurance, Zheng Qing naturally believed him. Since the contract he had previously signed with Korma included such a clause. If Korma hadn’t managed everything properly, he wouldn’t have been able to bring Elena before him.

But this did nothing to alleviate the black cat’s irritation and unease.

”And what about the Big Mouse?” The black cat swished its tail angrily, flicking a Return Soul Poplar seed that had just clung to its back onto the ground: ”Why didn’t it come today?”

The Return Soul Poplar seed, similar to a caterpillar, was swiped away; it curled into a ball mid-air, hitting the ground and rolling away, coming to a stop nearly at the witch’s toes.

Korma flicked up a few leaves with the tip of his boot to bury the seed, then answered nonchalantly: ”Big Mouse? Who told you he was coming today? He only appeared as a witness between us that day; why should he bother with such trifles? Moreover, do you think it’s appropriate to trouble that old man with such matters?!”

”How can this be a trivial matter!”

Zheng Qing gasped, nearly falling off the branch.

”This is different from what you said before!” The black cat’s form suddenly swelled in size, its eyes glaring fiercely at the witch below the tree, creating an overwhelming pressure.

The Gypsy witch was clearly startled by the black cat’s actions, uttering a small exclamation of surprise.

The black cat flicked its tail and shrunk back to its original size.

”Yo yo, quite frightening indeed.” Korma yawned, puffing his cheeks and stretching his arms nonchalantly, ”What did I say earlier? Did I mention that Big Mouse would be coming?”

The black cat’s expression fell.

Indeed, neither in the previous contract nor in prior communications had the Witch ever promised that the Rat Immortal would take part in this matter. It was merely his own presumption, his own mental addition to the situation.

The black cat paced anxiously back and forth on the branch.

Although Korma’s explanation was somewhat reckless, it was not without reason. According to the contract, he was definitely supposed to assist in the search of the Secret Realm; if he didn’t do it, and she did, he would be the one suspected of breaching the contract. Moreover, the situation in the forest today seemed not so dangerous.

When Zheng Qing had slipped out through one of the school’s hidden passages earlier, he had noticed this. Because on his way, he hadn’t encountered any strange creatures—the most dangerous were two red bean frogs stacked on top of each other, blowing bubbles. The amphibians were highly poisonous but moved slowly and didn’t seem to be very perceptive. The black cat just needed to be careful to avoid them and there would be no serious issue.

Beyond that, the Silent Forest today was quieter than any other time Zheng Qing had witnessed before.

Whether it was last year’s winter hunt, the later trip to Silent River, or the previous spring outings, in Zheng Qing’s memory, they all seemed somewhat noisy. Only today did he vaguely grasp several true meanings of ’silence’.

With these thoughts, the black cat finally stopped pacing and looked down from the tree.

”So what do you plan to do?” he asked roughly, ”The forest is so vast, how do you intend to start the search?”

Hearing the black cat relent, Korma’s face broke into a smile, ”Didn’t you say that the ’Alpha’ hunting area had abnormalities during the last winter hunt? I’ve also done some minor work... Today, we’ll first go to the Alpha hunting area and visit the Mouse-Wolves living there, to hear if they’ve noticed anything unusual.”

Hearing the witch’s suggestion, Zheng Qing immediately thought of a certain White Weasel and the fat mouse crouching on the White Weasel’s head.

As expected, the witch’s next words confirmed his thoughts.

”Actually, this is also advice given to us by Big Mouse,” Korma seemed to trust their ally, ”He said he’s quite familiar with the leader of those Mouse-Wolves...”

Fei Rui still in contact with the Rat Immortal? Zheng Qing was intrigued by this information.

Regarding the hamster that had squatted in his home for more than a decade, he had always harbored a strange vigilance and curiosity—but on the other hand, if Fei Rui really had any ill intentions toward him, there had been plenty of opportunities to deal with him over those years.