[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-black-online":3,"chapter-black-online-black-online-chapter-178":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Black Online",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1462771,1913,"Chapter 178: Player Hunter","black-online-chapter-178",178,"\u003Cp>The Harbormaster left after he finished collecting the fees and registered Fang Raon and Machary as visitors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shall we head out to the city?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Machary asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"From where?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Raon asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It does look like everyone is heading off those stairs over there. I guess we’ll just follow everybody else.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Machary pointed to the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There, a flight of stairs led up to a door that seemed to lead somewhere, but they then noticed a sign above the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Atlas City - This Way]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s go.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They went to the door, stepped through, and then walked down a corridor that just kept stretching and stretching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a while.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The people ahead of them finally reached the end of the corridor—another door was at the end—and they just stepped through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, Fang Raon and Machary heard the bustling of the city when the door was open, but when it closed, it turned quiet again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They reached the door, opened it, and stepped out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is the... Atlas City?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Raon whispered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were standing on a narrow street—Grow Bottom was the place’s name—and people that seemed to be from many different worlds passed by.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ragged and rich alike, but mostly poor ones, with holes in their clothes and wearied faces—begging for money or food on the side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The richfolk ignored them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Atlas City had always been separated into four categories of people—richfolk, playerfolk, mediumfolk, and poorfolk—and they were all also treated differently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shut the hell up, you piss of shit!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A young master of some rich family kicked down the beggar’s cup of coins—who kept pestering him about money—and his friends joined in to mock the beggar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Rickson, don’t run away!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that moment, a mother ran after her son—her son snatched the beggar’s cup—and was just laughing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My cup...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The beggar whispered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With an ugly look, the mother dragged her son away from the dirty beggar and also threw the cup away—worried that it might have some disease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What nice people.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Machary wryly smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Not that different from the real world.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Raon said, and wondered how the streets were so well-lit, and saw some street lamps lining up the streets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One was right next to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then saw some lamplighters in the distance, lighting up the lamps and heading off to their next destination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where should we go?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Machary asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re the expert of Atlas City. I expected you to know some place where we can go.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Raon said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm... I know Atlas City is basically separated into four sections, and this one is called Grow Bottom—where poorfolk reside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mediumfolk reside over at Stormmarket. Richfolk reside in Highgarden. And then, playerfolk reside over at Shadow District.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I guess we can go to Shadow District.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Machary said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Raon nodded and let him take the lead, but even Machary didn’t know where it was, so he kept asking directions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The difference between the places was significant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grow Bottom was a dirty place with narrow streets, unmaintained buildings, and cracked roads that were not safe to walk on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Homeless tents were scattered everywhere, and the smell of sewage lingered in the air. Poorfolk were living anywhere with shelter—even under cardboard boxes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stormmarket was different. It was a clean and well-maintained area with wide streets, modern buildings, and smooth roads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were so many restaurants and shops that one could find literally anything in there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was where mediumfolk lived at.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mediumfolk were people that were neither rich nor poor—just average in terms of wealth, but people looked happy there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Average wealth was good enough in Atlas City, and some families had over ten children as a result—because it was possible to raise that many children comfortably with an average income.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Highgarden was where richfolk lived. Clean streets, beautiful women and handsome men walking hand-in-hand on the streets, and buildings looking pure white.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were even flower boxes in the windows, streetside gardens, and parks with fountains that sang in the sunlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike other places, Highgarden was strictly restricted to richfolk. It had gates guarded by armed men, who only allowed those with the proper credentials to enter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And lastly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shadow District was a strange place, as it was a mix of Stormmarket and Highgarden—it was a place gifted to players.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rulers of Atlas City knew that players were different from locals such as them, and since the player base was growing rapidly in the city, they needed a place to locate them at.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They gave a little bit of territory from both Highgarden and Stormmarket—then called it Shadow District—and gave players complete control over the territory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh? This is the place, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Machary asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had arrived at Shadow District already, but there was something strange going on, as the streets were empty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Has everyone logged off already?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Raon asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t think so. There are a lot of players that play very late. I’ve also heard that Atlas City has a huge player base.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s strange for it to be so... quiet.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Machary frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They kept walking, trying to find anyone, and they saw that most of the buildings had closed curtains even.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Maybe someone is there.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Raon pointed at the tavern, which was at the corner of a crossroad, and went there with Machary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They stepped through the door, but the tavern was also empty, but it also seemed like there were people here recently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were still beer mugs on the tables, and the fireplace was still warm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hello, is everyone here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Machary asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one answered back except the chilly wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was rather windy because they were, after all, at the ocean, even though it didn’t feel like it since they were on this massive ship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ground below their feet was also extremely stable, as if they were standing on proper land.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hello?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Raon spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was really quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A basement door slammed open, and a disheveled-looking old man angrily looked at the two, grabbed their arms, and pulled them towards the basement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You morons!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He dragged them in and slammed the basement door shut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The hell?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Machary pulled out his katana and pointed it at the old man, who just scoffed at the sight of the sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Put that away, you little shit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man growled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What the hell are you doing pulling us over here like that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Machary asked with a frown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You two are so clueless that it makes my head fucking hurt. You almost killed us all, you dumbfucks!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man stomped down the stairs to the basement, and they followed behind him—they then saw something shocking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were about a dozen people hiding there—they were trying to be as quiet as possible—some even covered their mouths with their hands to quieten their breathing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’What is going on over here?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Raon frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All of them were players.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man went to sit down on a barrel—right next to his wife and daughter—who were also players such as him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This tavern was their family business, and it made more money for them than any real-life job would.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Can someone explain to me what the hell is going on?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Machary said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone glared at him and put their fingers to their lips and \"shh’d\" him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man motioned for the two young men, and they walked over to them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Player Hunter is out there...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man said with a serious expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Player Hunter? What the hell is that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Machary asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had changed his tone into a whisper, since nobody wanted to make much noise, and neither did he now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You clueless morons...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man rubbed his forehead and then said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kerr Gehram... Does that name ring a bell?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Machary’s expression turned serious as he obviously recognized the name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Judging by your look, it looks like you at least know him...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man scoffed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was someone that Fang Raon didn’t know, but it sounded like he was someone dangerous, so he kept listening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He is known as Player Hunter... a nickname given to him because of his hobby of hunting down players and killing them... Instead of trying to increase his percentage like others—fighting monsters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He fights players instead... and he never buys new weapons, always using what he loots from his victims.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Are you saying that he is here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Machary asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mmh... He arrived just a couple hours ago... Why do you think that the streets are so empty? Everyone that could have already logged off!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Isn’t this place Safe Zone? He can’t do anything in here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Raon said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You are definitely new here... Shadow District has no Safe Zone. Only Grow Bottom, Stormmarket, and Highgarden has...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We’ve been thinking about trying to run over to Stormmarket, but it’s risky, as we can get discovered by him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Can’t you log off?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Machary asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Kerr Gehram has already engulfed the entire Shadow District in a Combat Zone. It’s something only the strong ones can do...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Strong ones, just like Kerr Gehram, can control their Combat Zone—the size, et cetera—and he has already trapped us inside it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man said with a serious look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Machary and Fang Raon looked very serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that moment...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BANG!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They all heard the sound of the tavern’s front door slamming open, and they heard the creaking of wooden floor above them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone entered the tavern.\u003C\u002Fp>",1588,"2026-06-06T02:35:08.438Z",1,"novelbin.me","cf0546a26b52746483739ada5cb7e073c2f7945687ee0c22bd9f4a555b7354ec","black-online-chapter-179","black-online-chapter-177",270,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fblack-online-cover.jpg"]