High School of Demon Hunting

Chapter 2024: Chapter 245: Ghouls

The ghoul is a very traditional and classic magical creature in the wizard world, found in many wizard communities and even among commoners.

In the traditional sense, ghouls—such as the Europa Ghoul and the Arab Ghoul—have dog-like cheeks, massive fangs, a skinny physique, and a pungent odor. Some powerful ghouls even possess simple shape-shifting abilities, allowing them to transform into hyenas or similar creatures.

This is a magical creature that, although it appears evil, is not particularly dangerous.

This becomes more understandable from another perspective; if they were truly dangerous, they wouldn’t have to survive by eating the corpses of other creatures or even carrion. Their terrifying aspect is more due to their morbid habit of constantly interacting with death, making them susceptible to the aura of death, which gives them a horrifying appearance.

Ghouls are not very intelligent, communal, and enjoy lurking in dark and damp corners. If they can’t find corpses, they will hunt spiders, moths, and frogs for food. Old-school wizards often keep ghouls near their residences to intimidate and expel commoners who inadvertently approach their homes.

Distinct from traditional ghouls, although still nocturnal scavengers of human-like form, the ghouls in the Dreamland, due to the presence of the Ghoul King Mordicana and the Abyss Lord Nodens, have evolved into a more advanced form of magical creatures—they have religious organizations, can use an odd-sounding language composed of simple words, and move freely between the graveyards of Dreamland and the real world, even cooperating with Nightmares to form armies and execute complex tactics.

These subtle yet significant changes make the ghouls of Dreamland appear more ’human’.

More importantly, there is ample research evidence indicating that through certain evil magic rituals, commoners and ordinary wizards alike can transform into these ghouls—in a sense, similar to the corrupt behavior of a witch demon.

Therefore, the relationship between the wizard world and the ghouls has always been cold.

Consequently, ghouls—without a doubt—fall into the category of black magic creatures, somewhere between witch demons and fishmen. They are evil enough, yet not dangerous to the extent of demons.

This special status makes them one of the best ’sparring partners’ for young wizards in training.

The ghoul currently appearing in front of the Absolution Hunting Team is a standard Dreamland Ghoul—it walks upright on two legs, with its body slightly leaning forward, its gelatinous skin reflecting a bronze-like luster under the gloomy sky. Its elongated dog-like ears make it look like a distant relative of goblins or fairies, but its sharp teeth and claws make it appear more menacing.

While Blue Bird and Dylan attacked the ghoul with a strangulation formation, the remaining three hunters of the Absolution Hunting Team cautiously formed the Little Three Talents Formation, continuously casting detection magic to search for traces of other prey.

But to Zheng Qing’s surprise, within the magic detection range, no second ghoul was found.

”What’s going on here?”

Zheng Qing knitted his brows, puzzled: ”We have five people... even at a first-year level, they wouldn’t just send one ghoul!”

In the midst of speaking, the ghoul in the distance hit the ground, having been easily pierced in the heart by Blue Bird’s sword. The entire process was effortless, like a picnic.

This gave Zheng Qing a feeling akin to having gathered strength for so long, only to punch into cotton.

”Everything has its gradual progression,” in contrast, the usually impatient Zhang Ji Xin unexpectedly remained very calm: ”Perhaps this stage in the Hunt is designed to help us adapt... worst-case scenario, if killing just one ghoul qualifies us for the finals, it’s not a loss.”

”That kind of scenario is impossible.” Zheng Qing immediately shook his head in denial.

Dylan made a gesture to the back, using a Binding Spell to tie up the dead ghoul, pulling it back. Blue Bird, meanwhile, patrolled the perimeter, maintaining a certain level of alertness.

”Why are we dragging it back?” Zheng Qing scrutinized the grotesque carcass in the dirt and quipped, ”Are you planning to collect some of the moss from its skin?”

Living in dark environments long-term, a patchy moss grows on a ghoul’s skin. This moss, acquired in graveyards during their foraging, has excellent healing properties for corpse-related ailments and similar symptoms, making it one of the few valuable magic materials from a ghoul’s body.

If Xin Fat Man were here, collecting the moss would barely make sense, but Zheng Qing didn’t think Dylan, of Moonlight Nobles heritage, had such a need.

”Just in case.” Mister Blood Werewolf cautiously answered but offered no further explanation.

The captain of the Absolution Hunting Team raised an eyebrow.

Just then, Xiao Xiao, who had been keeping an eye on their surroundings, suddenly spoke up:

”Here they come!”

The crystal ball he held rose with a faint aura, and within that light, two ghouls could be clearly seen crawling with four limbs, rushing towards the Absolution Hunting Team like hunting wild dogs.

This time, without Zheng Qing’s urging, Blue Bird, always on the perimeter, directed the flying sword to pierce the hearts of the two ghouls, then Dylan summoned vines to drag back the two trophies.

Moments later, the third wave of ghoul attacks arrived, this time consisting of four ghouls.

Then eight.

And then sixteen.

After five waves of attacks, the initial ease on Zheng Qing’s face was completely gone. In front of the Absolution Hunting Team piled over thirty ghoul corpses, forming a small mound, scattered chaotically.

”According to this pattern, we can hypothesize that each time we defeat ghouls, our opponents will exponentially increase, meaning it won’t be long before we’ll face hordes of ghouls.”

The Absolution Diviner summarized: ”... so when the puppet man said the longer we hold out, the greater the chance of victory, that’s what it meant... other hunting teams should also be facing the same situation.”

”I’d rather they all appear at once.” Dylan sighed, looking at his trophies.

”What if we stretch out the response time?” Zheng Qing had a flash of inspiration and immediately suggested: ”If we leisurely deal with the next wave...eh, the next wave should be thirty-two ghouls... stretch it out for an hour or so... wouldn’t that count as holding out for a long time?”

Dylan looked at the young cost student with admiration, patting him on the shoulder: ”No wonder you’re the captain, and I’m just a temp... such shameless plans don’t come easily to people.”

Zheng Qing felt his cheeks slightly warm, chuckled dryly: ”What do you think?”

”We can give it a try,” Xiao Xiao adjusted his glasses: ”But I don’t think the school would leave such a big loophole in the rules... there aren’t that many idiots in the Student Council.”

”That’s not necessarily true... foolish rules are often made by smart people.”

Zhang Ji Xin, rarely, added a few insightful remarks: ”Because they are too smart, they forget that most of the world is populated by fools, so they create rules that suit smart people rather than fools... and then those rules appear very foolish to the majority.”