The chaos inside the warehouse continued unabated, with over a dozen semi-mechanical monkeys dyed white frantically leaping between the massive storage racks.

High-frequency buzzing sounds emitted from their crystal lenses filled the air with anger and confusion, transforming the building into a noisy prison.

The look of appreciation on Sergeant William's face made Lin Jie realize he had already achieved results far exceeding expectations in his first major test.

"Marcus, guard the entrance, don't let a single one escape. Sergeant William, let's fall back and maintain distance for observation. It's not yet time for harvesting." Lin Jie issued commands calmly, not letting the excellent "target practice" situation before him cloud his judgment.

His goal had never been simple elimination—he wanted to understand these unknown creatures.

The population size, behavioral patterns, and the greater secrets behind these beings held far more value than merely killing a few small monsters.

He pulled out the Freelance Hunter Manual from his chest pocket. This booklet produced by I.A.R.C. was far more important than it appeared.

The first half contained rules and regulations, while the second half was a concise, portable summary of the Black Book.

It only included information on all confirmed "Alert-class" UMA by the association, along with key characteristics of a few common "Town-class" UMA.

Though far less comprehensive and detailed than Karl's diary, for a newcomer, this summary was a precious lifesaving guide.

By the light of the carbide lamp, Lin Jie rapidly flipped through the manual.

His fingers brushed past pages filled with sketches of various peculiar creatures—from the "forest spirits" that lured people astray in European woods to the "water ghosts" that dragged fishing boats underwater in South Asian rivers. He quickly identified a target based on the key characteristics of the creatures before him:

"Body shape similar to apes," "group behavior," "special fascination with metals and industrial creations," "possessing extraordinary climbing and stealth abilities."

A page in the manual featured an exquisite copperplate engraving depicting a creature almost identical to what he was seeing.

It was crouched on the valve of a complex steam engine, happily unscrewing a bolt with claws made of brass articulated limbs.

Below the illustration was detailed information about this species.

[UMA Code: C-077]

[Official Name: Gremlin/Alternate Names: Mechanical Dwarf, Industrial Thief]

[Threat Level: Alert-class]

[Species Overview: A type of spirit-class UMA originating from the Black Forest region during the early Industrial Revolution. Gremlins display religiously fanatical obsession with human mechanical creations, particularly devices centered around brass, steel, and steam.

They do not feed on flesh and blood but instead subsist on absorbing "aetheric reverberations" generated by mechanical operation. They are natural artisans and saboteurs, instinctively stealing various industrial components and raw materials to construct massive, chaotic, yet practically useless "mechanical shrines" deep underground (typically in abandoned mines or urban sewer systems).]

[Behavioral Characteristics: Typical swarm creatures with a strict social structure led by the largest and most intelligent "Artisan Chieftain." They are agile, with extremely sensitive hearing and vision (to light changes), excelling at stealth movement through complex environments. Individual combat capability is weak, with limited physical damage from claws and teeth, but their primary threat lies in their unique "curse" ability.]

[Special Ability: Mechanical Curse. The mere presence of Gremlins generates a negative "aetheric field" interference around precision mechanical devices.

Areas they inhabit long-term see significantly increased rates of firearm jams, steam engine valve failures, and clock stoppages. When enraged, this curse ability actively intensifies, potentially rendering a shooter's weapon instantly inoperable.]

[Weaknesses and Expulsion Methods: Gremlins intensely despise 'stable' and 'harmonious' order. Continuous, rhythmic sounds, such as metronome 'ticks' or steadily operating music boxes, cause persistent mental disruption, making them agitated and confused. They also fear pure, intense flames, though simple expulsion rarely eradicates their colonies.]

When Lin Jie finished reading the entire page, all previous mysteries instantly resolved themselves.

He finally understood why only seemingly low-value industrial materials had been stolen—they were the sacred items these "Gremlins" needed for nest-building.

He also understood why the night watchmen had mysteriously disappeared—they likely stumbled upon these creatures' "procurement" activities, got overwhelmed by the numerous Gremlins, then dragged into their underground nests, with predictable outcomes.

As for the warehouse doors and windows remaining intact, it was because these small creatures possessed extraordinary stealth and climbing abilities, disdaining conventional destructive methods.

More importantly, the description of the "Mechanical Curse" sent chills down Lin Jie's spine.

He immediately shouted toward William, who was raising his Colt revolver with keen interest, apparently seeking firing angles: "Sergeant William, holster your gun! Don't fire yet!"

William froze at the command, looking at him with confusion.

Lin Jie quickly moved to his side, pointed to the section about the "Mechanical Curse" in the manual, and rapidly explained: "These creatures can disable firearms when enraged! Firing now could render our weapons useless. If they swarm us, we're finished!"

Hearing this unbelievable information, William's expression turned grave.

As a veteran who entrusted his life to his weapon, he understood better than anyone what "weapon malfunction" meant on the battlefield.

Though skeptical of this unheard-of "curse" ability, out of trust in the association's materials, he slowly lowered his gun.

"You're saying we just watch them run around like this?" Marcus asked impatiently from the side.

"Of course not." A confident smile curled at the corner of Lin Jie's mouth as his gaze turned toward the old-fashioned pendulum clock still dutifully ticking on the warehouse office wall.

"The manual says they despise 'stable' and 'harmonious' order. Continuous, rhythmic sounds can mentally disrupt them."

A targeted strategy quickly formed in his mind.

"Sergeant William, Mr. Marcus, what we'll do next isn't hunting, but herding." Lin Jie's voice brimmed with confidence. "We'll transform this chaos into a migration directed toward where we want them to go."

He began detailing his plan.

They needed to create various monotonous, rhythmic noises, pressuring the Gremlin swarm from all directions while leaving only one "quiet exit" leading toward the underground drainage channel, forcing them to actively retreat to their nest.

This approach would avoid weapon damage risks from direct combat while allowing them to follow the trail to locate the main nest, creating an opportunity to capture the crucial "Artisan Chieftain" and obtain higher-value spoils.

Listening to Lin Jie's plan, William could no longer conceal the admiration in his eyes.

After obtaining critical intelligence, this young man wasn't thinking like ordinary newcomers who only considered how to exploit weaknesses for reckless hunting.

He was considering how to maximize benefits, minimize risks, and elevate a simple expulsion operation into a more valuable "nest-finding mission."

This calm, utilitarian tactical thinking with broad strategic vision had completely transcended the category of a "newcomer."

In the brutal hunting game of the inner world, brute courage and strength were certainly important.

But the wisdom to see through the game and set the rules was the truly rare and priceless decisive force.