The Divine Hunter

Roy made his way to the remaining crime scenes, though he found nothing. The killer was swift and made sure it left no traces behind. And it was torturing its victims before it went for the kill. Glowing mushrooms—that were only supposed to exist in dark caves—littered the scenes, and that narrowed the scope of Roy’s search down.

The young witcher sat down on a big, jutting boulder on the river shores and laid his map out. With his charcoal pencil, he marked all the twenty-five villages and crime scenes. And yet he didn’t see any possible places of hiding for the higher vampire nearby. His gaze was drawn to the northern area, where mountains were aplenty.

“The villagers have searched the nearby area. I need to go further and see if there are any caves around.”

He did a double-check of his gear and items. Most of the items were provided by Kalkstein, like vampire oil and top-quality black blood. Kalkstein also gave him three dimeritium bombs and three clay bombs, which were his newest invention. The bombs had an effect that could restrict the area of effect to a narrow radius. One of these contained enough punch to knock out a basilisk.

And Roy was also decked out with twenty splitting crossbow bolts made of dimeritium. These bolts had vampire oil in them. He also had a pair of sunglasses that could see through any invisibility skill, a ring that could release a powerful magical shield when activated, and a grey cape that could lessen the sounds he made while he was on the move.

With Heliotrop and Quen added into the fray, this combination could cover the sound of his footsteps and his body odor. Not even a higher vampire could notice him.

The last item he had was the most important of them all—a coffin covered in dozens of sealing magic circles. If Roy could capture the vampire, then he would put it into this coffin.

All of these items cost Kalkstein everything he had. He claimed he sold all his perfect creations just for this operation. And according to the contract, even if Roy were to fail, he could keep these items, provided that he did his very best in the mission.

Aerondight and Gwyhyr’s runes were all lit up. Roy could go in with his strongest attack anytime he wanted.

With slight confidence in his heart, he tucked all his items away into his inventory space and made his way to northern Vizima rural. Gryphon stayed behind to keep an eye on the knights, reporting their every move to Roy. If anything were to happen, Roy would summon Gryphon back or teleport back to it.

***

Roy leapt down to the ground. He charged full speed ahead like a stallion, grass flying into the air with every step he took. He was moving five times faster than regular humans. From afar, he looked like a phantom who would blink in and out of existence.

Through the plains he ran. Through the ravines he sprinted. Through the woods, the bushes, and the fallen trees he charged. Two hours later, he found himself in front of a dark cave standing within the clearing of a forest, the sun hanging over him.

The witcher tiptoed to the cave and turned his witcher senses on. The air was filled with colorful ribbons that gurgled and meandered like streams of water congregating within the cave. He sniffed the air. Most of the ribbons smelled like the blood of wild beasts, but Roy also caught the faint stench of rotten meat.

“Nope, not a higher vampire. Probably a necrophage.” Roy heaved a sigh of relief and looked into the cave again. “But that doesn’t mean I’m gonna let you live.”

The witcher didn’t use any oils or decoctions this time. He was planning to do some warm up for the eventual battle with the higher vampire. First, he cast Quen and Heliotrop over himself, then he slithered into the cave, sticking to the walls like a lizard.

Roy looked around. Stalactites hung from the ceiling, pointing at the spacious chamber. Piles of stones, cobwebs, moss, and mushrooms littered the place. Skeletal remains of little critters slept in the corners of the cave, and alongside them were mangled, rotten corpses.

Roy turned a corner one minute later and stopped in his tracks. He hid behind the jutting boulder and stared into the chamber. Dim lights shone on three humanoid monsters circling a pile of bones on all fours. One of them looked bigger than the others. It looked like hyenas surrounding a tiger.

The smaller monsters had skin as grey as corpses, and the stench of rotten meat surrounded them. Their limbs and back were covered with gigantic muscles, and their legs were pointed backward like dogs.

Their maws were black, sturdy, and extended to their ears. Within the maws were teeth as yellow as maggots. Their eyes were as black as the void, as if there was nothing but a demon within that shell of a body.

The biggest of the three monsters had black, hardened skin, and obsidian spikes jutted from its back. It walked slowly, its tongue lolled out like a dog, and growls that resembled the sound of metal grating against metal escaped its maw.

‘Alghoul

Age: Five years old

HP: 220

Strength: 20

Dexterity: 16

Constitution: 22

Perception: 8

Will: 6

Charisma: 2

Spirit: 5

Skills:

***

Roy spent his afternoon going through the caves in rural Vizima. He scoured the east and north region, but there were no signs of any glowing mushrooms or the higher vampire. And he didn’t run into any other monsters either.

There was a family of grizzly bears in a cave, but they didn’t attack Roy, so he spared them.

***

The sun eventually set, and night came. Roy set up camp on the big oak tree overseeing Hop Hamlet. He didn’t plan on making any moves during the night. Higher vampires might not fear the sun, but they still preferred night time more. If he were to run into the monster at night, Roy would have a lower chance of victory.

Gryphon had returned from its scouting mission, and with it were some interesting scenes. Right after Roy left, a gorgeous lady met up with Triss.

She was slim and petite, her hay-colored hair long and straight. She was wearing a pair of heels made of the hide of a horned dragon, and her dress was green and translucent. Triss was already scantily clad, but this woman was even more so.

“I see they’ll be trying to catch that werewolf.” And concern welled in Roy’s heart. Please don’t get that guy’s attention tomorrow, or you guys are gonna die.

***

Keira and Triss lived in a resplendent villa in the palace. The ladies were bathing in a gigantic wooden barrel made of cedar at the moment.

Keira splashed some water at Triss, who was clearly spacing out. “You’re spacing out, Triss. Did you take a liking to one of the knights? Finally decided to get into a relationship?” Keira scooped some water up and poured it down her chest, a big smile curling her lips. “So, you think Fritz will make a good partner? You like his courage, right?”

Triss shivered, ripples spreading across the water. She could never forget what she saw that afternoon. “As if.”

Fritz came back from relieving himself looking like a changed man. There was confidence in his eyes, and he cared not about the smell that came from him. Nor did he care about his colleagues’ mockery. He went to work without even cleaning himself, muttering something weird under his breath. Triss vaguely heard things like ‘true knighthood’ and ‘training.’

Since that moment onward, Triss vowed to never let Fritz go near her. Even if she wanted to date a knight, she’d want someone who could bring more value into her life.

She held the pendant hanging around her neck, her wet hair sticking to her glimmering, supple skin. “This isn’t about love. It’s about tomorrow’s operation. Wonder if we can catch the creature.”

“Why do you care so much, sweetie?” Keira leaned over, her chin touching the water’s surface. She raised her hand and held Triss’ chin. “This whole thing has nothing to do with us. We’re members of Temeria’s royal council. Our job is to solve any magic-related problems for Foltest, not play monster hunter in some dirty, backwater village.

“I can’t go with you every time. Yes, you’re being kind. I know you help the poor villagers during our hunt for the Lady of the Lake’s church, but that’s a job for witchers and the chancellor of security.” She waded through the water and sat down beside her companion, her arm wrapping around Triss’ shoulder. “If you really want to help, post a request at the town hall’s bulletin board.”

Keira stared into Triss’ eyes, caressing her red hair. “Remember what Tissaia told us? Don’t get adventurous. Don’t put ourselves in the way of danger.”

Triss pursed her lips, voicing her disapproval in silence. She did post a request, but for some reason, Vizima’s witchers didn’t take it. It was like they disappeared into thin air. She had to do it herself.

And Triss had a little wish of her own. This monotony in her life? She hated it. She wished for an adventure. Something different from everything she had done so far.

Suddenly, Keira chuckled and narrowed her eyes. “If you really want to help, you should make Foltest fall for you first. If you gain his favor, he might mobilize his troops and catch the monster for you.”

Triss raised her head and stared at Keira. She mocked, “You’re getting horny, aren’t you, Keira? You actually want to seduce the king?”

Keira touched the silver cross before her chest and smiled, a hue of crimson donning her cheeks. Without fear or fervor, she said, “Of course. I’m always ready to sleep with Foltest. He seems healthy, unlike most ministers. And certainly unlike most men.”

Keira stared outside the window with a feral desire in her eyes. “If he so wished it, I would be willing to carry his child. And he can rail me anywhere he wants. Anywhere. And then I shall have all the wealth I desire.”

Well, that’s exaggerating. Amused, Triss chuckled and smacked Keira’s hand. “Dream on, Keira ‘who-wants-to-be-pregnant’ Metz. First, we can’t get pregnant. And second, the king only has a third of your lifespan. If we can’t birth any descendants for him, we’re nothing but pretty toys he can abandon anytime.”

The light in Keira’s eyes dimmed. She leaned back and rubbed her belly, melancholy replacing the delight in her eyes earlier. A sigh escaped her lips. “I was joking. I know. We poor ladies have to depend on ourselves if we wanna live the best life we can.”

And then she clutched Triss’ hand. “But please, listen to me. Do not go after that monster.”

She pulled Triss into her embrace and patted her head. “Please, I don’t want to wake up one morning to find you dead or dismembered. I do not want to lose another friend.”

“Then help me out and get me some items,” Triss answered, her voice soft but filled with resolve.

A cloud of steam veiled them, but it didn’t stop their conversation from being overheard.

A cat hopped over the roof and disappeared into the night.

***

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