To Be a Hero Is to Die For Our Sins

by A.Al 9

Bell wanted to be a hero. The world is cursed, twisted, and ugly. Greed and envy consume, and wraith and pride hold sway. From this world to the next, all is tainted. And, as two lands collide into a terrible collage, any peace Orario had known will be swept away in blood. For a hunter is truly the catalyst of all wrong. Even still, Bell wanted to be a hero.

3. Second Day: Mermaid Blood

Second Day: Mermaid Blood

---

Isa couldn't tell how long they had been in the dungeon, but it had to have been, at the very least, the entire night. He didn't have any sort of clock on him, but he could feel the day go by, both through the intuitive awareness that people have over time, and his own fatigue.

Over the hours, they had descended in their expedition, four more floors since they had made their encounter with the dead adventurers. Nothing out of the norm again occurred, except, for the odd abundance of Monsters.

Isa wondered just how strange it was to think that, in the home of monsters, where they are most common, it could be said that it was odd that there were so many of them. It is as if he walked into a farm, looked about, and determined the number of cattle to be an odd amount. How was he to know how many animals should be grazing on a farm? He had lived in Orario all his life, without a clue to the world outside the city. It was truly an oddity.

If anything, he should be thankful, rather than confused, for more animals on a farm, at least. More animals meant more food, more cows meant more milk, more chickens meant more eggs, and more monsters meant more Valis.

Isa kept along without any question about why there were so many monsters.

However, there was still a reason.

"Hey, Hanzeer." Matt spoke with a queer pitch.

"What?" The pig-faced man named Hanzeer said, annoyance clear in his voice.

"We've been here for a long while, and I'm getting tired, we should head back up."

Hanzeer turned to look at Matt and spat towards the ground. "Let me see your bag."

Matt walked forward and handed him a large sack with which he had collected all the monster stones they had gathered from all the monsters they killed, Isa thought that it must've held at least a few hundred thousand Valis.

Hanzeer opened the bag and looked through it, he only examined the contents for a minute, before closing it. Isa, if he wanted to, could've laughed. It was impossible for someone to effectively count all of them, even his own guess was nothing more than just a feeling. Why had he even bothered to look?

"Ya, this is enough for now. I'm gonna be eating good..." Hanzeer trailed off, caressing the rough sack.

"Don't forget our share," Isa spoke out.

Hanzeer snapped his head toward Isa and spat on the ground once again. "You'll get what you deserve."

The response was held in the air, and the trio remained standing where they were.

"Alright," Hanzeer said, licking his lips, "Let's leave."

It had taken them a bit of time, but they eventually came across a set of stairs that lead to the higher floor. They had come across no one along the way, and even now at the stairs, there wasn't anyone on them. Even in the quietest of times, there would always be another adventurer that could come across.

They had begun ascending the stairs.

"You there!" A man shouted from behind them.

All three of them stopped on the stairs and turned around to see the man who had shouted. He was still at a distance, his form uncertain, but he approached in a walk. With each step he took, Isa saw more and more about his appearance. His clothing was silver in color and torn all around, and he had a fuzzy narrowed hat on his head.

"What do you want?" Hanzeer shouted.

The man didn't respond and only continued to walk forward. Hanzeer himself began to walk down the stairs, and stop at its base, with Matt and Isa following behind.

The man now stood a few feet away from them and stopped. From the closeness, Isa could see the man's older features. His face was wrinkled and his hair was gray, alongside that, he had a band of cloth wrapped on the right side of his face blocking his eye.

His weapons, however, caught his attention. In one hand he had a strange spiked contraction, in the other, he gripped a metal cylinder.

"So? You better have a damn good reason for stopping us."

Isa thought that he could've just kept walking.

"You all…" The stranger spoke, his voice echoed throughout the entire dungeon, projecting every corner. "Hunters are you? Or rather, adventurers."

"No shit, what the hell else would we be?"

"I see, and you kill the monsters found in this dungeon, for those stones, yes? That is what the others of your lot told me."

"Of course we do. Hey, if you're gonna start begging for some monster stones then you better get lost." Hanzeer's anger was evident in his voice.

"No." He pointed his strange metal cylinder in his left hand at Hanzeer. "Leave this place."

"What?"

"Begone from here, leave at peace the beasts that dwell here, kill them no longer. They bring you no harm, don't bring them harm." The old man said.

Isa gave no reaction, however, Hanzeer was visibly angered.

Hazneer visibly shook in anger, "What the hell are you talking about?"

"Leave," The man said, with much more force and intent than last time.

It was Matt who spoke up next. "That's fine." He said uncaringly toward the man's request. "We were just about to leave anyway, right Hanzeer?"

As Matt asked that, a moment of silence filled the cavern.

"No." Hanzeer responded.

"No?" The old man questioned.

"You think you can just come over to me, and tell me what we can and can't do? If I wanna kill a few monsters, then who the hell are you to ask me not to?" Hanzeer, his anger growing, began to approach the man. As he did, he began violently swinging his arm in the air, almost threatening to attack the man should he reach him.

"I apologize." The old man said

"Damn right you should be sorry-"

The old man lifted the strange metal cylinder in his left hand directly and Hanzer, "I am not asking you. This is your final warning, you adventures, as stubborn as you are. You shall leave, or else." The old man said.

Hanzeer stopped in his tracks, Isa couldn't see from behind him, but he was certain Hanzeer was astonished at the man's show of clear intent. The thing he held was, without doubt, a weapon, one that was capable of killing, there is no other reason why he would've held it up in such a manner. Which only meant one thing.

"Wait-wait-wait!" It was Matt who shouted. "Hey man, they are just monsters, y'know? Dumb creatures, they aren't actually alive. If we kill them, we need the money, that's why right? No need to go crazy."

The old man continued to hold the weapon in his left hand up, and said nothing.

"Hey, Matt," Hanzeer called out to the man behind him.

"Ya?"

"Kill this old bastard."

"What?!"

This was how it was going to play out then, Isa thought, with one of them dead. Was Hanzeer's pride so hurt that he couldn't just let it go? Or maybe was it that he wanted to rob whoever lost the fight? Isa didn't know, and truthfully, Isa didn't care.

Hanzeer turned around to Matt, "Look at this guy, he's clearly gone senile. Not to mention the fact that he is probably one of those monster-lovers, dirty kind of people he is. He deserves to die."

"But-"

"Just do it!"

Matt stopped, his meagerness in full display, and drew the skinny sword he used from his holster.

"Look old guy, I... I'm not actually gonna kill ya, ok? I just need you to back off." He remained still for a point, all eyes fixated on him. Isa wondered if this was the first time in Matt's life that he was the center of attention.

Matt took a step forward.

Then his head flung in the opposite direction, and he took a step back.

Bang. That was what Isa heard, so loud and ungodly, he had to physically recoil. His hands went up to his ears, his face tightened into a cringing scorn, and he coiled over on his stomach.

The loud blast echoed throughout the entire dungeon, so loud that people on the other floors might have been able to hear it.

The ringing continued in Isa's ear, but he managed to straighten himself and look to see what happened.

First, he saw Hanzeer, toppled over and sitting on the floor, having been forced off his feet by the sound.

Then he noticed the old man, stoic and impassive as the moment when they first saw him, and the smoke that poured out of the metal cylinder.

Then he saw Matt, laying a foot away from where he once stood, dead on the ground. The entire top part of his skull, from his upper lip, was cleared away from his face.

Isa watched as blood spurted like a fountain from the man's open throat, and the tongue lolled around before falling back and hanging in the air. Matt's body twitched and gagged in seizure for a few seconds, before finally settling down.

The echo finally cleared, and the only sound that could be heard was the dripping of blood onto the floor.

What drew Isa's attention back to the old man was a small click, and saw he had raised the metal cylinder into the air and filled it with something, before pointing it at them again. How ironic, Isa thought, that such a small click could come from the same thing as such a loud bang.

The old man settled the gun, "Who's next?"

"Hold the hell on!" Hanzeer screamed and jumped back onto his feet, noticing how the old man clearly made him his next target. "L-Look man, I was just kidding with ya, aye? Do you think I'm crazy or something? Of course, I wasn't gonna do anything over you just asking us to leave. Right?"

He got no response.

"Wait! By the gods please don't kill me! Here!" Hanzeer threw the bag of monster gems he still held onto his person towards the old man.

The old man grabbed the bag in the air.

"There's a bunch of monster gems in there! Hundreds of thousands of Valis, let me live and it's all yours-"

He was interrupted by the sound of monster gems smashing against the floor, as the old man threw the bag onto the ground.

"I don't want your money."

"Shit..." Hanzeer muttered.

"Shit... shit-shit-shit. Shit. Shit. Shit!-SHIT!" Hanzeer yelled out with growing panic and fear, his congested voice becoming ever more apparent and annoying.

Isa doubted it was his voice alone that made the old man aim his weapon toward Hanzeer's head, but it definitely wasn't unnoticed.

In response to seeing this, Hanzeer began to sprint back up the stairs.

The old man followed him with his aim.

Hanzeer passed right by Isa, and Isa saw the old man prepare to fire the same thing he had killed Matt with-

Isa suddenly felt a massive weight push against his back, forcing him to fall onto the ground.

Hanzeer has just shoved him.

"Kill this idiot! Not me!" Hanzeer shouted. He began to scream violently and incoherently as he ran all the way up the stairs, and probably shouted all the way home.

The old man did not fire his weapon.

Isa pushed off the ground and looked over his shoulder to see Hanzeer disappearing from sight.

He straightened his head, right before it was met with the cool feel of metal. The old man had walked toward him and pointed the metallic cylinder straight at his forehead, its frame pushing against his skin.

"Sorry about this." The old man said, "Even I didn't expect him to do that, caught me by damn surprise."

Isa did nothing but stare at the man.

"I thought you adventurers were like us hunters, but now I see that isn't entirely true."

The old man pushed the cylinder against Isa, causing the flesh around it to go red and Isa's head to be forced up.

At such a close distance, Isa could see that weapon had a trigger under it, where the old man currently held his finger, threatening to press it down.

So this is how he dies, then? In the dungeon? It would be sad if it wasn't so expected.

Isa's face portrayed no expression toward his demise, instead, his eyes just looked into the old man's one free eye, as he prepared for death.

A second went by, then two, then more. Nothing came.

The old man recited his weapon from the man's head, bringing it back to his hips.

A sigh then came from his lips, "I suppose I didn't ask you if you were going to take me up on my offer, I just thought to let that pig-of-a-man speak for all of you."

The man turned away from Isa and began to walk away, "Leave and never return, you know what will happen if you don't." He walked by the bag that Hanzeer had thrown at him, picked it up, and threw it toward Isa. "And take these gems, I have no use for them."

The old man continued to walk away, as Isa stood onto his feet, grabbed the bag, and made his way up the stairs.

The old man, Djura, chuckled a dry laugh to himself as he heard it all happening, not bothering to look back. At least one spared, he thought. How many of these 'Adventurers' had he killed? He lost track after the first hundred or so. Very few ever took him up on his offer to leave, even after he started killing them, some sort of un-Godly drive kept them going.

He killed one, and the other ran like a child. The third, however? Strange man he was, faced with death, he showed no reaction. He hadn't even said anything at all.

Djura felt almost sorry for him, his eyes weren't something he was unfamiliar with, they were accepting of the world around him, complacent.

Djura shook his head and he continued to walk, nonsense, he was getting dragged back into a mess he wanted nothing to do with.

When he first arrived in this cavern, he had no idea where he was, suddenly from his tower in old Yharnam to inside this cave filled with so-called 'monsters'. After some violent confrontations with locals, he learned that this place is called The Dungeon, made up of many floors, and the one he was on was the 25th floor. He also learned that people came here to kill monsters because their government told them to and that they would be paid for it.

A story Djura knew well.

So, he did what he had always done, and killed those who sought to attack the monsters. He knew what they were, monsters, no playing around with the idea. He wasn't some child or a mad fool. These creatures were not the same beasts that plagued his home. However, that would not stop him, for he also knew better than to condemn any living creature without purpose. Even if they did attack him on sight.

Djura looked around and decided he would make one more round on this floor, then he would head up to the next and clear that one out, he also still needed to figure out more about the outside world.

What is this land called, what exactly is this dungeon, and what did all those people mean when they said 'gods'?

However, most important of all was one question he had been searching for an answer to long before he came here.

He wanted proof, or even just a hint, that he was right. That these creatures, these beasts he chose to protect, had a shred of humanity left in them. That his slaughtering was not in vain, as it always had been before.

That is what he truly wanted.

.

---

.

Haruhime was sent hurtling through the wooden door, slamming into the wall adjacent.

The door itself came flying off its hinges and landed on the floor, leaving a loud thud to travel throughout the manor.

"Beast!" Yamamura yelled, his teeth baring, as he stepped out to the hall and stood over the now unconscious Renard as blood trickled from the back of her head onto the wall.

He raised his foot high, ready to stomp into the beast's head.

"Haruhime!"

From his left, he saw another woman arrive, shouting the name of the beast he was about to kill. She was dressed in a purple gown he thought looked greatly like something he would see in his homeland.

The new arrival sprinted forward, unsheathing a katana from its hilt.

Yamamura's eyes slightly widened, as he side-stepped a slash the woman had made at him.

He grabbed her wrist which held the blade.

"What are you doing?" He questioned the girl, pointing toward the beast on the ground. "Can't you see what she is? I'm trying to help you."

"All I can see is that Lily was right about you, we should've never left some man like you in!" She responded with anger and attempted to pull her wrist out of his hold.

However, she could not budge the man, not an inch.

"I see..." Yamamura trailed off.

The girl looked at him, a mixture of confusion, fear, and anger evident in her eyes.

"I completely understand now, haha! How foolish of me." Yamamura laughed, "All of you." His grip tightened, and he heard a sickening crack as her girl's wrist was broken. Her face contorted and her eyes closed shut.

He yanked her forward, "All of you have gone mad!" He threw the girl by her wrist into the wall on the left. The wall on the right. Finally, the floor in front of him. She yelped in pain with every hit.

Each impact left the stone interior broken.

Well, Yamamura chuckled, not as broken as the girl's bones anyway.

No need to feel sympathy for the beastly and insane.

"Foul fiends." Yamamura watched the girl, basking in her groans of pain, cheerful at his victory. The blood of a hunter of the church felled all those who oppose.

He reached down to the floor and grabbed the katana the girl had dropped during his assault and held it close to her throat.

"You attacked me truly believing that you had a chance? You are a fool, and I have the good blood of the Church running through me, Noble, honorable, blood."

The girl glared at him with frustration. "You... hurt... Haruhime." She struggled to speak. It helped not when Yamamura slapped her across the face in frustration.

"Even at the edge of death, you still worry about a beast more than yourself? There is truly no saving your kind." Yamamura lifted the Katana and prepared to bring it down on her.

Then he felt a massive weight push against his back, and he was sent forward.

Turning around with such wrath that his foot scraped against the floor, he saw that it was the white-haired boy, Bell, who had attacked him. He had kicked him in the back and now stood over the other two girls.

"Mikoto, Haruhime!" He shouted the names of the girls in a frantic panic, looking over their injuries.

"Mr. Cranel..." The girl, Mikoto, whispered, and her head fell back to the floor. It seemed all the fight left in her died when she saw the boy arrive.

The boy bent down on his knee, "What happened-"

He was interrupted when he was forced to dodge a katana thrown directly at his head.

He flung his head back and with such speed, it left him momentarily dazed. He looked over to where the Katana landed with a thud, and then looked to where it was sent from, seeing Yamamura, his arm outstretched, his face seething.

"I should've known." Yamamura said, "You all seemed just a little too pleased with your lives, just a little too uncaring, just a little too happy. I suppose madness does come with a bit of euphoria."

"Y-Yamamura!" The white-haired boy shouted, "Why are you doing this? Goddess Hestia said-"

"'Goddess' he says! Ha! Everything is coming together perfectly. Thank the Church I was able to realize it, lest you managed to actually do any harm to me." The man interrupted Bell.

Before Bell could question the man on what he meant, he heard a shout.

"Bell!" A red-haired man ran up to the boy from behind.

Damn, more of them, Yamamura thought. The girls were weak, however, this boy's blow left him hurting far more than he expected, and this new man seemed to have a rather large weapon strapped to his back. No, he shouldn't fight him here, not in unfamiliar territory, and most certainly not without his weapon.

His weapon, that's it! He needs to find his weapon and make his way out of this madhouse.

Turning, Yamamura sprinted in the opposite direction, determined to scour quickly for his blade.

"Bell, chase after him, I'll take care of these two."

"R-right!"

Bell stood and ran after Yamamura.

As he turned the corner, Welf yelled, "Don't get hurt!"

However, if Bell had heard him, he didn't give a response.

Yamamura did hear the man, with how loudly she shouted. Oh indeed, he would hurt this boy, all those who defied the Church deserve to be hurt.

The hunter ran through the building, passing identical hallways, with no indication of where he was nor an exit. Yet, he did see the boy nearing him with every passing second. Just how fast was he?

He needed to act fast before the boy caught up to him, and so turning another corner, he made to act.

Bell saw the man turn and upped his pace, he couldn't let him out of his sight, what if he made his way to Lily or Hestia-"

His thoughts were interrupted as he turned a corner, as Yamamura stood right around it, and in a quick motion, delivered a punch to Bell's gut. Bell boiled over at impact, saliva spitting from his mouth and onto Yamamura, as the hunter basked in the boy's widened eyes. Before he had time to react, the hunter grabbed him by the head and threw him into a nearby door, breaking it, and sending him into the room.

Yamamura smiled, before continuing through the home. That hadn't killed him boy, not by a long shot, the hunter could feel it, but it certainly bought him time.

It was in that extra time given, that Yamamura managed to find a staircase leading to a lower floor, and made his way down it, finding himself in what seemed to be a living area. He strode across every corner of the room, throwing over couches and tables, cleaning closets and cabinets, with complete disregard towards anything other than finding his weapon.

He entered a kitchen, and there lying atop some measly counter, he found it. Were they fools? Did they not recognize the magnitude of the weapon he carried on his person, the weapon he crafted in the Church, so little that they just placed it carelessly on some table? Have they lost their sense as well as their minds?

He gripped the hilt tightly and held it close to his face, and bathed in its glory

First, he looked at its perfect shine, the metal it was made out of remained uncracked after the many years he used it. The only stain that could be found was the blood of the first beast he had ever slain. Then he gracefully rubbed his finger over the side of the blade, cool and invigorating, as it always is.

His weapon, his Yamamura, the weapon he named after himself. This was the blade he personally saw smithed, the blade the Church and League gave to him, to carry out their will. The blade with which he used to hunt down the terrible beasts. He remembers, when he first named it, his fellow League members were confused by his choice, confused by giving it his first name.

Yes. This weapon was truly dear to him.

"Yamamura!" He heard the boy chasing him yell from another room.

He delayed long enough, he needed to escape. The hunter looked around but found no possible exit, so he came up with another plan.

Yamamura braced, and hurled himself through a nearby window, big enough to fit his form, shattering it, and landing on the grass just outside. A sharp sting enveloped his body, yet he paid it no heed.

He rose back to his feet and was nearly taken aback by the open world. How long had he been in captivity, away from the sky, that the sight of the sun could bewitch him in such a way? The air on his face, cooling his head, the fresh grass he felt on his bare feet, it was nearly intoxicating. And the sun, oh, the sun. Its warmth, its glow, is blinding light! It reminded him of someone he once loved. He felt, for a moment, at peace.

He inhaled deeply and looked around. He stood in a large plain field of grass, which was surrounded by fences at a distance, which seemed to all be at the center of a town. Perfect.

He ran with a fever towards the fence, only taking a few seconds to reach them, with his weapon leaving cuts in the grass as he let it drag behind him from his hip. With a single heave, he jumped and climbed over the fence.

He landed on the other side, a concrete sidewalk, and took a moment to look back at his old prison disgusted as a mansion.

A truly close call that was, thank God he had managed to escape that asylum.

He spat in the direction of the building.

"Are you alright Mister.?"

Yamamura nearly jumped, and for a moment almost unsheeted his blade, yet he managed to stop himself. Quickly looking over to his right, he saw a girl, who looked like they couldn't have been over just ten years old, staring at him worriedly.

"I'm fine, little girl." He assured, "I am a hunter, I have nothing to fear. You, on the other hand, should leave. The people who live in this mansion are crazy. They house beasts."

The girl tilted her head, "The Hestia Familia?"

Yamamura nodded his head, "Whatever they call themselves, they aren't sane."

"If you say so, Mister... But are you ok? You look to be hurt."

"Don't you worry, I'm fine-"

Yet, at that moment, he stopped himself. From the faintest tickling in his ears, he heard almost microscopically a faint whoosh. The sound of something brushing against the air. His eyes peered to where he heard it, directly from behind the little girl, and what he saw made his blood churn.

A tail. a beast.

Yamamura grinned.

"Mister?"

"I'm perfectly fine. In fact..."

The girl smiled at his statement. She hadn't the smallest time to react then, as Yamamura lifted his katana high into the air, and brought it down upon her.

"I'm doing great!"

.

---

.

It was a typical morning for the elven waitress at the Hostess of Fertility.

Quiet and relatively peaceful, almost completely desolate of any customers. The uneventfulness of a morning was something she had come to expect.

It was the later hours of the day when the sun neared its set when the rowdiness began, for it was during that time when adventurers would return from the dungeon, with a haul of Valis, and come to spend it drinking and partying at the overpriced Tavern that is the Hostess.

In the mornings, however, the patrons who did pass by were of less unrefined traits. They were regular people, looking to eat breakfast or meet with other people. Friends met with friends, business people discussed business, and those individuals who preferred to spend their time alone did just that.

It was the final group, with which Ryuu Lion was able to empathize most, as she quietly swept the floor.

The elf could appreciate her environment, she had no problem with her more jovial and excitable customers or her fellow co-workers and residents of the tavern, but she always enjoyed her own company.

Speaking of, it was only her and another woman, a cat-Demi human named Anya, who were currently on shift in the dining area. She would sweep the floors until someone came in, then tend to them, while Ahnya cleaned out tables.

All was well, nothing was unusual.

That was, until an odd old man walked through the swung-open doors.

Ryuu had greeted the old man and walked him to a table, as she did everyone else, where he sat alone. Yet, unexpectedly when she took his order, he asked for nothing but, 'You're strongest alcohol'. Who would be drinking at such a time, she thought, especially demanding a drink like that?

When she brought it to him, he drank it all down in a matter of minutes, then ordered another one.

It was while he was drinking his second beer, at a much slower pace, that Ryuu was staring at him from a distance, absentmindedly sweeping the floor. Who was he?

She scrutinized the man's appearance, it was undeniable, he was suspicious looking from head to toe.

He was old, very old, if she had to guess then she would say he was probably in his late 60s. If not older. His face was wrinkled, his hair and long beard were gray, and from what she could garner of his eyes, they looked very worn.

That all said, not even considering his outfit, completely foreign in its nature. She had never seen someone wear such odd attire, it almost looked fancy in a way, if not for how ragged and damaged it was.

Of course, if that was all there was to be said about him, then Ryuu could have disregarded him as nothing more than the frail old man he appeared to be.

However, all assumptions were thrown out, when she took into consideration the large antlers and furry scalp which he wore atop his head.

The old man seemingly did not consider in the slightest just the way he looked, and he freely continued to drink. The few other customers there were looking at him oddly, whispering about him, some even leaving from their discomfort.

Ryuu felt concerned about him as much as she was annoyed.

Was he an adventurer? That would explain the monstrous antlers, however, he looked much too weak. Even now she could see his arms shaking and his head drooping, his senility was apparent. A small breeze would be enough to knock him over. The alcohol he was undoubtedly playing into that fact as well.

The old man finished his drink and set it on the table.

"Hey... Lady with the long ears," The old man sounds to the air, not even bothering to look in her direction.

He was very disrespectful as well, Ryuu thought.

She set her broom down and walked towards his table, "What can I do for you, honorable patron." She said with a blank tone.

"Ya, ya. Let me get another drink, same kind." He pressed his palm into his eyes roughly as he said that.

"Forgive me, patron, but I don't believe it would be a good idea for you to drink more." Ryuu said.

"Hmm?" The old man tilted his head back and looked at the elf.

Ryuu walked closer to him, perhaps his hearing had gone from him as well, "Someone of your age drinking so much is very dangerous, at such an early time in the day is ill-advised as well. You are also worrying the other customers."

The old man sighed, "You... Can a man... not even get a drink when he wants a drink?"

Ryuu shook her head, "I believe you have had your fair share."

The old man scoffed, remained silent for a moment, then spoke, "Alright... let me... let me just get one more drink. After that, I'll leave. Is that alright with you? Damn girl."

The elf contemplated what he asked, then nodded her head, "One more drink for you then, honorable patron, then I will hand you your bill-"

"Hold onya !" A woman shouted from behind the elf. Anya suddenly walked forward from wherever she once was and interrupted Ryuu, slamming her hands on the table. She looked confused at her, and she could see the old man was surprised as well.

"Please, refrain from shouting so much so early Anya, you might terribly affect our patron," Ryuu said.

"He'll be fine. More importantly, you knyow about the rules Ryuu~."

"What? I think I'm aware of our rules."

"Then nyou would knyow, after more than two drinks, the customer has to pay in advance," Anya said, looking at the old man.

Ryuu stared blankly at the cat-girl, she knew such a rule did not exist.

The old man stared at her as well, his eyes clouded for a moment, then shook his head with frustration, "Is that so?"

"Yep!" Ayna approached him, getting extremely close. "Some people can get very drunk after just two drinks, then they think they can just leave without paying-nya. We have no mercy for someone who dines and runs off." She smiled enthusiastically.

He coughed into his shoulder, grumbled something, then reached into his pocket. He then set a small bag pulled of jingling Valis on the counter, and from what Ryuu could see, it was most likely more than what he owed.

"Is... Is this enough?"

"Sure is!" Ayna said, grabbing the small bag without bothering to look inside it. She began to walk away.

Ryuu stopped her and whispered into her ear, "What are you doing?" She questioned.

"Come on Ryuu," Ayna responded in a hushed tone, "This guy looks super poor-nya. If you don't nya-watch out for his kind, they won't pay."

Ayna winked at Ryuu and skipped off.

Ryuu looked at her as she left, sighed, and turned back to the man, "I apologize for my co-worker." She slightly bowed her head at him, with her arms crossed in front of her.

The man looked confused at her action, but waved his hand off at her, "Eh... No matter. That girl with the odd ears, and the weird way of talking... Never mind about that, get me one more drink, that's all I want."

Ryuu inhaled, "Right away." She walked to the kitchen and came out with another pint of alcohol. She set it on his table, and he took the cup and began to drink from it.

Seeing he was satisfied, Ryuu returned to her broom and continued to sweep the floor.

The man was strange, but what was she to do about it? He would soon leave, and hopefully not return after that, and she could return to the peaceful silence she appreciated. She hoped to learn about the strange man's foreign appearance, but if the opportunity never arrived then it couldn't be helped.

Quietness enveloped the Hostess of Fertility, and Ryuu finished sweeping the floor.

Then, a man came rushing through the door. The frantic gasping drew the attention of everyone, including Ryuu, as the man cowered behind a table.

Ryuu walked up to him.

"P-please, you have to let me stay here." The man, a Demi-human, begged.

"What's going on?" Ryuu asked.

"There-there is some man, crazy psycho, going around, k-killing people! Killing Demi-humans, elves, he nearly killed me with his damn sword." The weapon grasped his head.

People had begun to stand from their seats, and even the old man settled in drink and listened to what the man had to say.

"Who?" Ryuu narrowed her eyes.

The man panted, "I-I don't know. Some lunatic in eastern clothes using a Katana. He is crazy I tell you! Shouting nonsense about some Church and blood, and killing beasts!"

"Is that so?" Well, if the man wanted to seek refuge here he could, under such circumstances then it was fine. She could leave it up to the Ganesha Familia to deal with whatever is going on, for she still had to work.

From her side, she heard Ahyna approach. "Nya- You seem hurt, how did nyou escape?"

Indeed the man was cut, a long laceration swept across his arm, yet it was clearly not very deep.

"I would have died too! But thank the gods, the Little Rookie came and fought him off, oh thank that hero." The man's fearful voice turned into glee as he told of what happened.

Ryuu's eyes widened, then she closed them, and shook her head. Why is it always him that gets into these troubles?

"Nya? That little Bell? It seems like Ryuu's boy toy is in trouble again."

"Stop speaking nonsense, he is Syr's beloved."

"Well, whatever nyou say. I can guess you are going to go help him. I'll tell Mama Mia what's going on." Anya said.

"Thank you." Not even bothering to confirm what she said, then she addressed the cut-up man, "Where did this happen?"

The man pointed to his left, "Just a few blocks that way! You should be careful, the Little Rookie is level four, and he was having trouble dealing with him."

Ryuu hummed in acknowledgment and determinedly made her way to where Bell was.

So focused she was, that she did not notice the old man with the large antlers's glare, nor did she hear his mumbles.

.

---

.

The sound of two blades crashing into each other filled the streets.

"Please stop!"

"Silence! Madman!"

Bell jumped back, creating some feet of distance between him and Yamamura.

The man was covered in blood, red staining the ground everywhere he went as it dripped from his clothes and blade. It was so abundant that some of it had even gotten onto Bell during their clash, forcing him to wipe his face from it.

In the short time it took him to wipe his face, Yamamura quickly closed the distance and jabbed his weapon toward Bell. Startled, Bell barely managed to bring his own weapon, the Hestia Knife, to deflect it.

The two steels crashed against each other, screeching as they pushed back and forth, the poor little knife struggling to overcome the lengthy katana.

"Foolish boy, do you truly think your little knife can kill anything?" Yamamura yelled, "I have killed countless beasts with my Yamamura, their blood taints the blade, you are lacking."

Quickly, the hunter drew back his weapon, and whilst the boy was still recovering, swung it horizontally toward Bell's neck. Bell swung his head barely, narrowly missing its tip, yet because of his sudden motion, he had yet to recover his knife into a proper position. Yamamura, seeing this, jabbed his weapon and Bell, forcing the boy to dodge it, but not before it deeply grazed his shoulder.

Bell yelped from pain and jumped back, he paid it no heed, however, as he looked around him to make sure no one else was close to them and saw how the street was mostly empty.

He had chased Yamamura through the city, forced to watch as he cut down attacked people before he finally managed to catch up to him here, where Yamamura finally met him.

He didn't want anyone else to come up in the battle, hoping to the gods he could still solve their conflict peacefully.

Yet the blood that fell from his shoulder told otherwise of the possibility, still.

"Why are you doing this!?" Bell shouted.

"You ask that question again boy, has my ignoring it thus far not been enough to show you my response? No point in discussing with the crazy."

He was stubborn, they both were. Bell refused to accept his silence, and Yamamura refused to listen. There was nowhere else for them to go, except straight at one another.

Yamamura rushed toward Bell, and Bell gripped tightly as his blade, and as the hunter reached him he once again brought his katana up, then down upon the rabbit.

However, just as their weapons were about to hit, Yamamura drew it back. Bell only had a moment to raise his guard, when a fist collided with his jaw, sending him stumbling backward, yet remaining firm in his footing. The boy's mouth stung.

Yamamura jabbed at him again with his closed left hand, yet this time Bell raised his right hand up to block it. They collided, and neither of them moved for a moment after, yet Bell's hand vibrated silently at the shock of the blow.

Yamamura drew back his hand and slashed at Bell again with his Katana, and Bell dodged. Another came from the right, then the left. Then a dozen more. And a dozen more, Bell dodged, knowing that he couldn't continue to take blows directly. He could only be thankful to the Hestia knife that he was even able to stop those initial strikes, as any lesser blade would have broken under the weight of the hunter.

Yet, then a question sprang to Bell's mind, just how strong was he? What level was he at? At the very least a high level four, yet facing him, Bell felt it was more like a level five. This confused him more, as Hestia had told him the man didn't say he was a part of any Familia, so where did his strength come from? Bell could only assume he was lying at the time. And another matter, his Katana, to be able to take on the Hestia Knife in such a manner, a blade crafted by the gods themselves, what could it possibly be made of?

Yamamura jumped forward, thrusting his katana at Bell, the blow as lethal as the last. This time, however, Bell did not dodge, nor did he try to block it. The rabbit quickly sheathed his knife, and right as the blade neared his chest, he reached forward and grabbed at its hilt with both his hands.

The hunter, caught in surprise, nearly had the weapon torn from his hands as Bell tightened his grip on the hilt and pulled. Quickly relapsing, the hunter pulled back, as the two of them struggled over the blade.

Each of them pulled with all their might, and Yamamura tightened his feet, planting them into the ground. He was determined to not give an inch. Of course, neither was Bell, but now, a serious factor came into play, one that the rabbit had no way of overcoming, not even with his falna.

There height difference. For as Bell was below average in terms of height, the hunter stood a magnificent six foot. So, Yamamura pulled up as well as toward him, as the boy nearly was pulled off the ground. Bell held onto as tight as he could, his eyes squeezing from the stress, which meant he could not have seen Yamamura raising his knee from the ground and jamming it into his chest.

Bell let out a gasp, as the hunter repeated the motion three more times, and Bell finally let go. Yet Yamamura would not leave him off that easily, for as his hands fell from the hilt, he grabbed his right arm with his free hand, and threw him to the ground. Bell tumbled, back first, bleeding as rocks and other sharp objections protrusions pierced into him, before finally settling a few feet from where he once stood.

As he looked up, his head spun from the sudden movement, and all he could clearly make out was Yamamura, now in front of him. The hunter waited only for a moment, the smirk on his face clear, before raising his katana for what would be the final time. He would raise it high into the heavens, to bring with it such weight so that the insane man before him would not even have a chance of being able to stop it.

Bell knew, at this moment, if he didn't do anything he would be killed. His blood would splatter on the ground, his mind would leave him and ascend to the heavens, and all his desires and dreams would be meaningless. As he tried to move his body, he knew it would resist for a second, still reeling, and it would be that second that would spell his fate.

Yamamura slammed his weapon down.

"Firebolt!" Bell raised his hand at Yamamura and shouted.

Suddenly, so suddenly that the hunter didn't even have time to blink, a thunderbolt of pure fire sprang from the boy's open palm and blasted directly onto his chest.

"Gkya!" Yamamura shouted, and was coiled backward, nearly falling over.

"Ah. Damn! Fire, fire! Damnit!" Yamamura groaned in pain, and he patted his clothes, which were slightly inflamed with cinder.

Bell used the chance to get back on his feet and approach Yamamura.

"Please, I don't wanna fight you."

Yamamura glared at the boy, his eyes heavily dilated. "You..." He gasped out, "You aren't just a dirty beast-lover."

Bell's face turned sour at his declaration.

"You... you're a god damned Devil!" The hunter, with a new fury, charged at Bell. Determined with a burning passion to kill the boy.

Like a rabid animal, that was what Bell would describe the man in his current state, and for the first time, he was frightened by it.

Bell shakingly raised his knife to defend himself, and just as Yamamura's blade was to be upon him-

From his left, a wooden staff was thrown over his shoulder and hit Yamamura directly in the nose. Yamamura was flung back and to the floor, and the wooden staff fell right in front of Bell with a thud, pushing the dust aside as it hit the ground.

Before Bell could look over to see who had intervened in their fight, Ryuu Lion walked into his vision and picked up the staff.

"Ms. Ryuu!" Bell yelled with joy, "Thank you for coming."

"No need to thank me Mr. Cranel." Ryuu said, her cold eyes glaring at him, "However, if you could stop getting yourself into vicarious situations such as these, I imagine, it would greatly please Syr."

Now was not the time nor the place for Bell to be distracted by such a comment, yet even still, he rubbed his face from its growing red hue, "Sorry..."

Ryuu shook her head, "Who is this man?" She pointed toward the hunter, who began to stand from the floor.

The rabbit shook off his embarrassment and gained a heavy expression in his eye, "His name is Yamamura, I found him hitting his head on a wall, and brought him back to my Familia. He seemed kind, but then, he randomly started lashing out."

Ryuu held up her hand to the boy, "You let a murderer into your Familia home?"

"He isn't well!" Bell shouted, "I don't know, but there has to be something wrong with him, I don't know if he is being forced into his actions, or maybe he hit his head too hard, or... I just don't know. But I have to help him somehow."

Ryuu scoffed at Bell, then turned to look at the man the rabbit spoke so passionately for, who now stood at his full height, and her mouth fell when he saw his appearance.

His mouth was open, saliva falling from his lips. His hair was disheveled, its once brown color darkened with blood.

And his eyes.

Ryuu had fought the worst of Evilus, murderers, rapists, and scum of all varieties and traits. She had seen the worst that humanity had to offer.

Yet, in those eyes, she saw something she had never seen before.

The pupils were nearly all gone, and the white of his eyes had turned a vile dark yellow. At the center was a green... stain. Like a cloud, it almost covered the entirety of his eyes. On his left eye, a drop of blood was covering it, yet it was almost like he didn't seem to care about it.

She didn't know how to describe it, however, one word came to mind.

Drunk. The man looked drunk.

Ryuu gripped tightly at her staff, she knew what she had to do. She had to kill this man.

"Ryuu," Bell said, noticing her stiffened body.

Ryuu turned her gaze to the boy.

"Please, help me, help him," Bell begged.

Ryuu's widened eyes finally fell, and she sighed heavily with them closed.

"I see, Mr. Cranel. I forgot just how foolish you can be."

Bell looked like a kicked puppy.

"However," She gripped her staff, "I will try." She turned to the man, ignoring Bell's now smiling face.

"You," The hunter finally spoke, "You bitch!" Yamamura shouted, rubbing blood that fell from his nose.

"Look at you, filthy beast, with those disgusting ears." He spat in her direction, "That pretty face is wasted on a creature like you."

Ryuu was all but flattered.

"Yes, how disgusting. I bet it was you who seduced the boy, got him to become such a pathetic beast-lover, am I right?"

"What?" Bell questioned.

"I understand the effects a woman's beauty can have on a boy, I know of the sweetness of a woman's touch. Intoxicating." Yamamura insisted, holding a fist to his chest. "I can see how it would have overcome someone as weak as you."

"Enough!" Ryuu shouted, "Either concede now and drop your weapon, or I will not hold back."

To that, Yamamura laughed, "I," He held his arms wide, "I am an honorable Hunter of the Church, member of the league, I am not intimidated by some foul imitation in life, I have the good blood in me!" His laughter died down, and he raised his weapon to a stance and charged forward.

Ryuu glanced back at Bell, and made her move, meeting the hunter's advance, with Bell trailing behind.

The three of them would continue their deadly conflict.

.

---

.

Panting and panicked footsteps pulsated throughout the streets of the red-light district. Theresa, an Amazoness, gritted her teeth as she ran. Her bare feet ached with each stop she took, and she forced her legs to continue on.

Her heartbeat rose, and her long black hair flung to and fro on her face, nearly getting into her mouth and obscuring her equally black eyes. As her head pounded, she nearly thought to stop but dissuaded such intrusive thoughts. She had to run, or else, she would die.

It was paradoxical, in a way, what was happening to her.

Dawn in the red-light district had long since broken, the moon went from sight, and all there was was the pure radiance of the sun. It lit up every corner of every street, and in every home beams of light shined, illuminating the dark. For everyone everywhere, now was the perfect time to go about the day, to live life.

Yet, now, the red-light district seemed more than any other time of day, like a ghost town.

For, unlike every other ounce of the city, unlike every other place in the world, in the red-light district, it was during the night when the city came alive. People came out for late-night parties, gorging themselves on gluttonous things of bread and wine, casinos flung open their doors, profiting off the excess of those of wealth and greed, and women of the night approached and escorted men, playing into their lusts. Acts of sin and debauchery, that is what came alive, during the night.

Thus, when the day broke, all the lesser qualities of humans faded away. All manners of people retreated to their usual lives, nothing that would be found in the red-light district, so of course, there would be no one around currently.

Theresa knew this, unquestionably so, which played reason as to why she forced herself to run now. If she didn't save herself, then no one ever would, such was the way of life.

The Amazoness woman, unknowing as to where to go, went from street to street without rhyme or reason. Never even bothering to turn around to see if she had escaped her chaser, for believing so would be nothing more than a childish dream, and she knew better.

Eventually, of course, when she turned a corner, she was met with a dead end. Around her were closed homes, left and right, with no possible way to get into them. In front of her, was a large stone wall, it looked almost fake, in its heavy contrast between its damp grey stone, and the brown dirty wood which surrounded it. Like as if it hadn't existed before Theresa had turned the corner, and was placed there by the gods, only to mock her. The Amazoness had to hold back the desire to yell at it.

Her eyes darted around, left, right, center, and up, looking for a possible escape. Nothing. The wall was smooth, impossible to climb over, and she doubted she could climb over the buildings. So then, she would do the only thing she thought to do, no matter how foolish or futile it was.

Sprinting to the nearest door, she slammed against it, before pushing off and banging her hands on It.

"P-Please," She could barely form words, her lungs feel inflamed, and her heart only seemed to beat faster, "Please, help me! Let me in!" She begged.

Theresa could almost laugh at herself, at how pathetic she was now, continuing to bang on the door. No one would come, she knew, and of course, no one did. Maybe there wasn't anyone home, and this building was just abandoned like many others, or maybe someone was home and didn't want to open the door for her. Whatever it was, it made no difference, no one was going to help her. She would keep banging on the door, not even bothering to go the next house over, for if anyone was there, they would have already made themselves known.

Theresa lifted her hand up and prepared to slam it against the wooden door once again-

But was stopped, as she felt a hand grab at the top of her hair, and pull her back. She felt her head strain, all the hair on her scalp fell under tension, and pain spiked from her skull all throughout her body. She reached toward the back of her head with both her hands, trying to ease the pain.

"Damn bitch!" A man, the man who had been chasing her, and the man who now assaulted her, yelled. He yanked back with great strength, and from the hair, Theresa nearly tumbled to the floor, only being held up by her contorting scalp. The man proceeded to shake her head about, using only his right hand, and Theresa screamed in torment at every second.

Finally, after what felt like an unceasing amount of time, the man threw the Amazoness to the ground. For a brief moment, she felt relief at the agony of her hair being pulled finally ceased, yet that soon died, as she lay there on her back, and she felt a boot land on her head.

"Running away like that, you whore, you should've just stayed in your place when I told you to." The man said above her.

"S-stop-"

"S-S-Stop, that seems like all you can say." With that, he pressed down, forcing the Amazoness's head deeper into the gravel.

It pricked into her cheek, and compressed her jaw, forcing her tongue out of her mouth. The tongue stained the grain, and she cringed at the taste of the rocks beneath her, yet she could not do anything to stop it. For if she tried to bring her tongue back, then her ever-closing teeth would risk biting it off entirely.

Finally, the man lifted his foot-

Theresa attempted to raise her head-

Then the man dropped his foot and ran her into the ground once more.

Tears began to trickle from Theresa, as the agony she felt became more and more unbearable. Despite her eyes being shut, she could feel him plant his foot on her side, and force her to lie on her back, perhaps to get a full view of her in her suffering.

She opened her eyes and caught a glimpse of her attacker, the man whom she spent the night with a few weeks prior.

The man grabbed her by the throat and yanked Theresa to her feet, then proceeded to push her against a nearby wall. The Amazoness wanted to say something, yet the futility of doing so overwhelmed her, and she kept her mouth shut. Even if she did want to say something, the growing tightness of the man's hand across his neck clammed her ability to speak.

The man continued to hold her down by the throat with his left hand, and swung his right hand back, "You had this coming, damn whore," He rammed it into her, directly in the stomach.

She tried to cough, yet as her saliva attempted to exit her mouth, they were stopped by the man's grip and were forced down into her lungs, choking her out even further. Before she even had time to process such events, the man repeated his action, hitting her once again in the stomach.

Then again, and again, and, finally, for a third time. As he prepared to punch her stomach a fourth time, the desire to cough from Theresa grew so greatly that her lungs managed to push through the man's tight grip, and finally expelled air and saliva.

Some of which, landed directly at the man's face. He made a disgusting sound, and flinched, bringing both his hands up to his face to wipe off the liquid which covered it.

Theresa took a desperately needed grasp and rubbed her damaged throat.

Her attacker snapped his head back, and glared a fury toward her, "You! You fucking bitch!" He proceeded to slap her across the cheek, and back onto the floor. Yet, this time, as Theresa slammed into the floor, her arm bent in such a way that forced all her weight onto her, and a snap could be heard echoing throughout the street.

The Amazoness yelled in pain.

"Shut up!" The man yelled back, and she stomped his foot on her already abused throat, and pressed down, forcing her silence.

"Damnit all, you're gonna make me kill you at this point!" He lifted his boot, "If you'd just stay quiet and listened to me from the start, I would have to be doing this," He kicked her in the stomach, pushing her against the wall, "This is all your fault."

With that final statement, the man stopped his assault and merely looked at her for a minute. Then, grabbing her by the shoulder, and from her prone position, sat her up against the stone wall.

"Meh, you'll be fine, and if you die, it doesn't really make a difference."

Theresa could give no response.

The man scoffed, and spat at her face, "Fine then, braindead slut, ain't no one gonna even care if you die." He turned and began to walk away, pausing for a moment. It seemed whatever he wanted to do to the Amazoness was done.

Now, all that was left was silence, as Theresa lay alone in the dead-end alleyway. She tried to think, yet felt her head get lighter and lighter with each attempt, with her thoughts escaping from her mind. All she could hear was her own heavy breathing, all she could feel, her hands and legs so numb, was the blood that fell from her head.

The Amazoness tried to move her body, yet, like as though she was floating in the air, it wouldn't budge. It was clear to her now, that she was dying, she knew her fate. Somehow, if she could, Theresa wished she could laugh. It would be sad, if it wasn't so predictable an end...

This is just what happens in this part of the city, this is just what happens to people like her. Those who lived life in peace, she envied them, and those gods.

She bet the gods lived luxury and lavishness, alongside their members. She wasn't old, but remembered, not too long ago, a time when Orario was a much better place. More than fifteen years ago, when there weren't as many gods in the city, when they didn't run everything.

When the upper crust didn't feed off the backs of the lower people, all for their own personal enjoyment.

Well, feel free to laugh at her all they want, for she was now dying.

She could feel it, her very soul, and how weak it was. For a moment, she wished she could cry out for help, she wished she could cry at all, yet a voice nor tears would allow themselves out. No one could save her.

It was then, seconds from death, that she managed to make out the sound of footsteps approaching her.

A part of her wanted to fear it, worried that it was the man back for more, yet a greater part of her felt nothing. Who cared, at this point?

With her head falling down, all she could make out through her blurred vision was the legs of whoever was coming. As whoever it was getting near her, she could vaguely see that they were wearing some sort of white dress, yet any other descriptives her mind failed to comprehend.

The Amazoness tried to speak, her lips hung open quivering, and she tried to beg for help.

Then, before she could even let out a breath, the person placed a finger over her lips, closing them. It was cool, like ice, and it soothed Theresa's swollen and red skin. It was the only thing that gave her relief, and if she could, she would have leaned into it.

"You need not speak." The woman's voice, to anyone else, would have seemed emotionless and without expression, yet, Theresa found it to be the most beautiful thing she had ever heard, like an angel.

Then, the Amazoness could see just barely, the woman holding something in her hand. It was red, a deep, blood red. Then, she saw the woman bring whatever she was holding to her thigh.

Then, a sharp, acute pain shot through Theresa's entire body, and she shook violently.

"You need not suffer any longer."

It was those words Theresa heard last, as her consciousness finally left her, and the world turned black. The last thing she could see was the woman's pale white skin.

.

---

.

The hunter Yamamura's battle continued, yet with each passing minute, he became more and more frustrated.

Ryuu ran forward, silent and efficient, and used her momentum to thrust her staff into Yamamura's face. The hunter side-stepped, completely avoiding the blow. In response, Ryuu rounded back her staff, swinging the opposite end of the staff over her shoulder and hitting Yamamura in the throat.

He coughed and staggered back.

Then, the elf turned and reeled her staff back, high behind her, and brought it down with great force. He rose his katana to block it,

Then, just as they were about to meet, Ryuu stopped her attack, confusing Yamamura for a moment. It was this small window, when Ryuu lifted her foot, kicked it into the ground, and shot a rock into his face.

The debris smeared against his eyes, forcing them shut. What he felt next was a barrage from the staff into his chest and gut.

Forcing his eyes to open his eyes, his vision returning to him, he swung and the elf, which she quickly avoided by jumping back. Not even a hint of dust or dirt was disheveled with her footwork, not when she jumped, or when she landed.

Graceful and elegant, Yamamura couldn't deny how skilled she was, and he glared hatefully at the elf. However, he had to once again close his right eye, as a stream of blood fell onto it from where the rock hit him.

He quickly rubbed the blood away.

"Do you yield? You are clearly outmatched."

"Silence! Vile, disgusting beast! Sooner would I yield to a pig than I would ever yield to you!"

"If that is the case,"

She swung again.

But, almost instantly, Yamamura dodged. Ryuu blinked, and the man was behind her, dumbfounded by the man's sudden burst of speed. She tried to turn to defend herself, but before she had even begun, she felt his cold steel cut against her side.

Ryuu winced in pain. She only had a moment to recover before the man retracted his katana from her side and swung it for her throat. Using both hands, Ryuu attempted to shield herself from the blow, yet when they did come together, Yamamura only continued to try and push through her defense.

The elf felt her arms strain, and she struggled to even move her feet. If she could, she would've long since dodged out of the way, yet the man before her applied so much strength against her, that it forced her feet to tense upon the ground. Unable to bend her muscles, her feet pushed against the dirt, locking her into position.

Yes, Ryuu may far out-speed the man before her, but in terms of raw power, he clearly held the advantage. And it seemed to Ryuu, oddly, that that was true more so now than when she first entered the fight.

The blade pushed further into Ryuu's form, and began to prick at her hand, cutting her smooth skin. If this went on, her whole arm would come off, and the elf's face tightened.

Then, right as the elf was about to be overpowered, Yamamura shouted in agony, and Ryuu saw a knife embedded into his shoulder. Bell quickly redrew the knife from his body, and blood sprayed from the open wound, over both Yamamura and Ryuu.

The hunter lost the grip on his hands, and Ryuu jumped back.

"You bastard!" Yamamura shouted.

"I-I..." Bell found no response, the blood of the man dirtying his hands. He hadn't wanted this to happen, but he was becoming a serious threat to both of them.

"I had thought you were like a devil, but no, seems like you are nothing but a rat! A plague-ridden rat! Scum! As low as dirt!"

Bell frantically shook his head, "Look, please just stop, we don't need to be fighting-"

"Don't you dare," Ryuu spoke out, her viscous voice going against her flat expression, "Speak such crude words to Mr. Cranel. You are a murderer, a madman, speaking nonsense, Bell is a far better man than you could ever hope to be."

"Ms. Ryuu!" Bell looked hurt, "Please don't-"

"Wretched beast!" He pointed his katana at her, "I have come across all manner of foulness and vermin in my decades as a hunter, yet never before have I been so thoroughly disgusted as I am now. Truly, some sort of twisted love affair between a beast and a man, how un-Godly."

He brought his weapon back and raised it into a guard, his feet planted into the ground and his shoulders up.

"So be it, come then, appalling things, try and kill me." He stood between the two adventurers and raised his guard. Bell waited for his attack, but the hunter remained standing.

"Mr. Cranel," Ryuu said, her face showing clear disappointment, despite its blank expression, "It seems this man is waiting for us to attack, quite foolish."

Bell glanced at her, uncertain of what to do.

"Perhaps we should just leave him here, perhaps he will just faint from starvation, with convictions as ridiculous as his." Ryuu offered, noticing Bell's inability to act.

Yamamura laughed, "You try to fool me even now beast? I know your lust for blood even outweighs your lust for that disgusting rabbit, it won't allow you to leave."

Ryuu, for the first time, showed a hint of anger. His eyes narrowed, her eyebrowed curled, and Bell could see the grip she had on her staff tighten.

"Mr. Cranel, take his attention away for a minute, while I prepare my attack."

"W-What?" Bell sputtered out, however, before he could give an answer, Ryuu had already begun her run.

Yamamura, too, stared at the Elf, "Well, can't say I'm surprised." Yamamura said, turning to Bell, "This is what happens when you elope with a dirty beast."

Bell raised his knife, and shakingly, approached the man. All he could do was put this faith in Ryuu, to both take the man down and not kill him.

The rabbit carefully walked toward the hunter, his Hestia Knife held out in front of him. When he was within a foot of the hunter, he swiftly and weakly jabbed the knife out, to which Yamamura easily deflected away. Bell snapped back his hand, and made another weak to swipe, which was met with the same fate.

For Bell, he simply did not wish to hurt him, something deep in his mind told him it would be wrong.

Bell then tackled the hunter. Yamamura tightened and stopped his momentum, to which Bell raised his knife, seemingly about to strike Yamamura again.

The hunter prepared for it, and as Bell got within an inch of him, then-.

Bell stopped himself, raised his other hand, and yelled, "Firebolt!"

Yamamura's eyes rose in shock, as a wave of electrification and fire embraced him once again. However, even while his clothes were burning and his senses were peaking, he moved.

It was Bell's turn to be surprised, the man's extraordinary endurance was not something Bell was prepared for, and he was punished for it.

It was that moment of lapse that Yamamura took advantage of, and once again thrust his Katana at Bell. Bell tried to side-step, but it still managed to drive deeply into his side, leaving his clothes cut and his body bleeding.

Bell yelled in pain and grasped his side. Forcing his eyes up, he saw Yamamura patting down his clothes with a giddy smile.

"Yes," Yamamura said, "You are far too weak."

Bell kept a hand at his hip, where the cut was made, and spoke, "Please, we don't have to fight."

"I can see why you want that, you would clearly lose. I don't know what sort of drive you get your power from, that odd black magic that can produce fire from your fingertips, but I know it is nothing compared to what I have." He sighed with satisfaction, "Thank the good blood for that."

"What are you talking about?!" Bell shouted, a voice so loud even Yamamura was caught off guard by it, "Goddess Hestia said you were very kind when you talked to her, she even wanted you to join our Familia, you said you didn't have a falna!"

"You're... What?"

"I don't know who you are, but I'm begging you, please stop. I can help you-"

"Silence!" Yamamura shouted, "You're 'goddess' you're 'familia', you're 'falna', you speak crazy talk."

He continued, "I understand, yes, I completely see, you are mad. There is not a doubt in my mind about your insanity. Yet, even now, you continue to baffle me. Goddess Hestia? Who the hell is that? That short lady? Does being short dictate that one can be considered a literal God?"

Yamamura spat, "If anything, she might just be the devil! That is more likely than her being a God. Or perhaps she is some poltergeist, making deals with people for their souls and mind, that would explain how you get that witchcraft. All those are more likely, no, compared to your claims that might as well be fact!"

"What are you talking about?"

"You lost fool, the gods!" He pointed to the sky, "They aren't real! I once believed in the gods boy, I once prayed at their statues and gave my thanks to them, but then it was all taken away. They've done nothing boy, they aren't real."

His resentful, wrathful, and frenzied face, then slowly transformed into a cruel and wicked smile. "Do you want to know what's real, boy? The blood, there is no denying the Church's good blood."

"What blood are you talking about? What Church?"

"'What blood' he says, 'What Church'. The healing blood! The miracle to mankind, a true God! And..."

Yamamura paused, and glared at Bell, "And the enemy of you beasts."

The Hunter of the Church charged at Bell, yet, this time, he moved so hastily that the rabbit could barely make him out as he moved.

Yamamura was about to reach Bell, his form open and his blade extended, his own life and safety completely foregone. The hunter no longer cared for himself, all that mattered was killing this heretic.

Bell, at that moment, was frozen.

He froze in shock, in fear, in desperation, like a dear. Yet, he also froze in denial. He could feel the true malcontent oozing from Yamamura, something he had never seen before. He had fought against killers, monsters, and all sorts of truly terrible things. Yet now, when faced with this Hunter, he couldn't understand, and a desperate far of him wished it wasn't actually real.

So he froze.

Yamamura extended his weapon out, and it came an inch to Bell's face, one more second and it would pierce his head.

"Luminous Wind!"

Then, a thunderous roar echoed through the empty street, and Yamamura was hit by a wind that sent him flying through the air. Spinning as he did, he traveled dozens of feet back, pushing up dirt under him, then finally coming to a stop when he hit and collapsed in a stone building.

Where he once was, Ryuu now stood, panting and sweat dripping down her face. A blue hue collared her weapon, before fading off.

Bell remained still, his eyes wide, "So strong..." He whispered.

The Elf ignored his comment, "Apologies Mr. Cranel, I didn't mean to leave you for such a long time, but it was necessary to prepare my magic. I hope you weren't too injured."

Bell shook his head, "I-I'm fine, more importantly, what about him?" Bell looked over to where Yamamura landed.

"Oh yes, him. He was about to do something truly regrettable to you, so I attacked without hesitation, but then, perhaps I should've tried to hold back a little."

Ryuu walked towards Yamamura, "Please, remain here Mr. Cranel, for your own safety."

She stood in front of the man and pointed her staff at him, "Be thankful for Mr. Cranel, for if it was not his desire, you would have ended up far worse than you are now."

Yamamura said nothing, as he slanted against the wall, blood coming out of his mouth and nose. He still held his katana in his hand, but it was clear that his right hand was broken.

No, broken would be too mundane a word, his entire hand from the shoulder down was shattered. It hung further down his body, growing red and swollen by the second, twitching. Of course, the bone popping off of his elbow, which in itself was fractured, was also something to note.

"You are beaten, surrender yourself."

Yamamura did not react, rather, his mouth still hung agape, and his eyes were closed tight.

When Ryuu only heard groaning, she turned back to Bell, "It seems he is unable to respond, taking him to a hospital would be the best course of action."

"Alright..." Bell responded.

Ryuu hummed a response and looked at Yamamura.

Then, to the shock of both her and Bell, they stared at him, in his devastated form, as he stood to his feet.

The hunter attempted to prop himself up with his katana, yet his hand couldn't manage it, and he nearly fell over. His shakingly legs, his moans of pain, and the blood that only seemed to stream further and faster than when he was against the wall. He was hurting.

Ryuu quickly raised her weapon, preparing for another attack, however, he did not move. Taking a closer look at him, Ryuu could see that just standing alone was taking all he had left. His arms hung at his side, and he held onto his katana with only the tips of his fingers, leading to drag on the ground. His breathing was heavy, and his eyes were half shut, the man was barely conscious.

"You can still stand? A showing of your endurance, or perhaps your stubbornness. Stay down." She lowered her weapon.

Then, out of the corner of Ryuu's eyes, she saw Yamamura reach into the side of his clothes and grab something.

What happened next only took a second.

Ryuu saw him, and for a moment, wondered what he could've possibly taken. He was beaten, his body in disarray, even the strongest of potions couldn't heal him now. She then saw a blood-red liquid, stuck in a vial, and figured that it was indeed a potion. Strange, she thought, potions aren't normally red.

She was going to kick it out of his hand when he brought it up to his lips. However, he never did.

What Ryuu saw next, was him taking the vial, a syringe she could see, and jabbing it into his thigh. His body jolted.

The elf, for a moment, wondered just what he was doing.

Then her eyes widened, "He has Mermaid blood!" She shouted, and before Bell could respond, the elf was already upon him. She aimed directly for his head, in complete disregard to the fact that it might kill him, and hit him on the side twice, and once directly on the head.

She raised her staff once more-

It was stopped when Yamamura shot out his hand and gripped it tightly. Ryuu's eyes looked up to his face, and she saw, to her horror, that all the wounds he had built up, any fatigue he bore, were completely gone. It looked as though he hadn't fought at all. She frantically tried to take her staff back, but he overpowered her. She had only a moment to jump back when Yamamura slashed at her, forcing her to leave her staff in his hands.

When she landed she looked over to him, then back at Bell, "Damnit!" Ryuu cursed, "Bell, get out of here, I'll hold him back."

"No, I can't leave now." Bell insisted.

"You must go!"

"I-"

"Enough!"

Yamamura shouted, with a blood-curdling cry. "I have had enough! Of you, daring to challenge the Church!" He lifted his katana up from his healed hand and turned the blade toward himself. "You will all be killed! So help me God!"

Both Bell and Ryuu prepared themselves for whatever he would do next, expecting him to charge at either one of them, or maybe take something else out of his clothes to use. Whatever it was, they had to see it coming.

Yet neither of them could have possibly foreseen his actions, as he brought his katana down, and stabbed himself in the chest.

Ryuu and Bell walked backward, equally as stupefied at the unprecedented display of self-harm.

The katana hung through his body for a few seconds, before being violently ripped out, spraying blood all over the floor and into the air. From his chest, a small spark could be seen illuminating for a moment, before he then raised his weapon to a stance, holding it up, and pointing at Bell.

Bell saw all this, and in the next moment, before he could blink, Yamamura moved. In the next moment, Yamamura was right in front of Bell, a fume of dust following his trail, and knocking Ryuu to the floor as he passed her. The rabbit too nearly fell back at the sudden appearance, and the hunter held the katana up, directly into Bell's eye. The stain of the fresh blood shone off the blood, silver and melancholic, the sun arcing a gleam of light bright enough that it nearly blinded him.

Bell raised his hands, yet he feared that now, he would not be able to hold him back. Yamamura had proven already that his strength was greater than Bell's, and it only seemed to be growing along with the hunter's speed. How would he be able to hold it back in his tired state?

The rabbit had no time to think of a response, as the weapon came to him.

Bell braced.

Then, it stopped, but a few centimeters from his face. Yamamura had extended his entire body out, from feet to hand, but he ended up short of connecting.

That's two times he was about to die from a stab to the head today, Bell thought, he would have to thank Goddess Hestia for the luck.

That was short-lived, however, as he saw a spark appear from Yamamura's blade. Then in the next moment-

Fire.

Fire spewed forth from the katana, with a blood-like tint blowing in Bell's direction. It flew past his raised hands, as fast as the wind, faster than he could react, and hit him directly in the side of the face.

The rabbit's head flung back, and Bell yelled out a petrifying scream.

"AAAAAH!"

"Mr. Cranel!"

He boiled over his waist, both his hands going to his damaged face, and nearly collapsed. Yet forcing himself to look up, he saw Yamamura continue his attack on him.

The hunter had brought his weapon low, and arched up, aiming to slice the boy in half bottom to top. Bell, in pure fight or flight, tried to block it with his free hand, nothing but instinct to survive pushed him.

The katana cut through his hand, tearing first through his index finger, then cutting his middle finger, before finally reaching his knuckles, where it then tore through his entire palm, splitting it into two pieces.

Bell's hold shoulder was flung up, and his entire frame was exposed. His right hand was still at his side, and his left hand was high over his head, with the cut portion flying away.

Bell's mind, for a moment, left him. Then, the very next sensation he felt was heat, a burning heat that spread throughout his entire body. In the next, he felt cold.

He felt the cold steel of Yamamura's blade, as it was buried deep in his chest, piercing the side of his heart.

Bell's eyes widened, and looked at Yamamura, and saw his eyes. They were wide as well, but not in shock, but rather, joy. The hunter's lips were in a smile, his teeth showing.

"Wha-" Bell tried to speak, but his throat quickly filled, and blood spewed from his lips.

Yamamura slowly drew the blade back and allowed the boy to fall onto the ground.

"Pathetic." He said.

He looked at the boy for not but a second, before quickly turning and blocking a punch sent from Ryuu.

"Now you then!" He shouted, a chuckle escaping with his declaration.

However, Ryuu heard not a word, her face growing entirely with anger. She saw red.

Enough was enough, she was going to kill this man.

She punched him in the head.

Yamamura grabbed the fist before it connected.

Ryuu swung her leg, trying to sweep his own feet out from under him.

Yamamura merely held his foot planted, and when Ryuu hit his heel, he didn't budge an inch.

Yamamura laughed to himself. Look at her! Stupid beast, now that your lover is dead, you have lost your entire self. Now all your terribleness is in full display!

"Foolishness too, to think you have a chance."

Ryuu could not stop him, and he punched her across the face with the hilt of his blade. Another blow came, this time to her gut, and she coughed. Then a third blow, right on her chin, forcing it closed.

With one last heave, Yamamura grabbed the head of the Elf, and squeezed it tightly. Ryuu brought both her hands up to try and free herself, but to no avail, the man's grip only tightened.

Then, he lifted her up by a few inches into the air and slammed her head first into the ground.

Where her head made contact, a small indent in the dirt now lay, with blood splattering about. Her body went limp.

Yamamura let go of her head and stood up, admiring his work. He thought he had killed her with that, however, looking at her now, she was very much alive. Badly wounded, but from her hate-filled eyes, she still had consciousness.

"Alive are you? Well, that's just fine. No, better than fine. I get to tear you limb from limb, and enjoy destroying that beautiful body you have fabricated for yourself, maybe then your true nature will be on full display." He spread his arms, "What did you say when I was in your position? 'Surrender', right? I'm afraid I won't give you that courtesy."

Ryuu hacked out a cough, struggling to even come up with a response.

The hunter laughed and stepped on her chest, "Now, let's get started-"

He was interrupted when he coughed. Yamamura brought his free hand up and saw a great amount of blood drawing out. He held his hand to his mouth, and muttered, "Damn, more hurt than I thought..."

He got off her and reached into his side, grabbing another vial, "N-no..." Ryuu tried to protest with a raspy voice, raising her arm, only for it to fall back down.

He lifted it and made to stick it into his thigh.

This is the end, Ryuu thought, she would die having failed to uphold anything to any of the people she cared about. Not Alice, not Syr, and most certainly not Bell. She would die a failure.

It would be sad, if it weren't so predictable.

For the moment he jabbed that mermaid blood into him, it was all over-

Only for a mace, from behind Yamamura, spiky and heavy, slammed into his hand.

Ryuu saw as his left hand was destroyed and the vial along with it, all turn into push which stained his pants,

Yamamura yelled, and blindly swung behind him to the new assailant, only for whoever it was to duck under his katana and slam that very mace into his chin.

The hunter tripped backward and nearly fell over.

Ryuu looked, with both shock and relief, at the stranger who had just saved her life.

Then, somehow, her eyes widened further when she did see the stranger.

The stranger's clothes were foreign, dirtied with age, and his mace hung from his hand dripping blood. He had a furry cloak covering his head, and shoulders which nearly blocked out his entire face.

All of this would not in of itself be notable, but, what stood out the most, was the giant monstrous antlers that he wore atop his head.

It was the very man who Ryuu had served drinks too earlier, before coming to Bell's aid, just how did he get here? However, then she saw something that made her doubt that fact. The stranger's face and hair. His hair was brown, a far cry from the grayness of age that would've been expected, and his face, while he shouldn't see all of it, was clearly free of wrinkles, being much smoother and youthful than one could expect from an old man.

This stranger was clearly much younger than the old man she saw, yet their clothes, and those undoubted antlers, were all the same. Just who was he?

Yamamura quickly returned his balance, "You-"

He never got the chance to finish, as the stranger launched himself at Yamamura.

He was fast, they both were, yet Ryuu could tell that the stranger was out-pacing the hunter.

Yamamura fought desperately on the defense. His attempt to heal himself being prevented left him bleeding out from his chest, and with only one hand, as his left hand was smashed and broken.

The hunter tried to strike at the stranger- only for the stranger to dodge it and retaliate.

"You bastard-" The hunter was interrupted by the stranger bashing his face into him.

Ryuu watched, eyes gaped, as the hunter's jaw nearly cleaved off. She knew that was the beginning of the end.

The hunter wildly flailed, completely missing the stranger, instead, the stranger purposefully intercepted the blade with his wrist, grabbing the hilt. They struggled briefly over the katana, until the stranger lifted his mace into the air, and brought it down on the hunter's hand.

A crack filled the air, and the katana clattered to the ground.

The hunter opened his mouth, to yell in anger, or in agony, Ryuu could not tell. Yet he never had the chance, as the stranger slammed his mace into the hunter's back. The hunter gasped, air jetting out of his lungs.

Then, for the first time, the stranger spoke. Directed at Yamamura, he said in a whisper barely audible to Ryuu, "You blood-drunk fool."

Yamamura's eyes darted to the stranger, but could not prepare himself for the next strike, which hit against the back of his legs, right behind the knee.

Ryuu watched, eyes gaped, as the hunter's right left was torn off. She watched it fly in the air, pivot, and fall to the ground. Then she watched Yamamura fall with it.

Yamamura tried to scream in pain, but with a final act, the stranger raised his mace into the hair, above his shoulders, and slammed the mace directly into the hunter's chest.

He stopped moving.

Then, all that was left, was silence. This hunter, Yamamura, had managed to best both herself and Bell, Ryuu thought, albeit with mermaid blood. He had to easily be level five, that alone was unprecedented, where could such a high level have come from? He couldn't be Evilus, she had fought against their kind, and this man was clearly not one of them. So who is he? And where did he come from?

Then, of course, was the stranger with the large antlers on his head, both of them. One old, one young. One frail, and one seemingly able to beat a level five without struggle. Where did they come from? What was their connection?

As Ryuu looked up at the stranger, she saw him glare at the hunter beneath him, and blood began to pool at his boot. His eyes were obscured by his fur hood, yet Ryuu was certain she could feel his animosity radiating off him.

Then, quickly, he lifted his head. His and Ryuu's eyes met for a brief moment, her cool blue with his tired black.

Then, just as quickly as the stranger came, he turned and walked away.

Ryuu watched him, disappearing into the distance. For a moment, she wanted to chase after him and get the answers she desired, however-

Ryuu, with the last bit of her strength, forced herself to her feet and ran to the fallen rabbit.

She fell to her knees and cradled his head, "Mr. Cranel, Bell, Bell! Look at me!" She shouted at the boy.

Bell's eyes opened only halfway, and his pupils were glossed over, "Ms. Ryuu?"

"Don't talk, for the gods' sake, keep your energy," Ryuu said.

She took a deep breath, "Noah Heal" A glow overtook them, and she attempted to heal the rabbit.

However, it was clear.

"Noah Heal"

It would not be enough

"Noah Heal, Noah Heal! Noah-"

Bell coughed a lump of blood up, splattering onto her face, causing her to flinch. She brought her hands to her face to wipe it away, but only stained it more with the blood that was on her hands.

Then, she fully took in what was before her, almost endless blood seemingly spilling from Bell. It created a pool on the ground, getting over Ryuu's clothes, and surrounding them. He was bleeding out rapidly.

Bell Cranel was dying, and there was not a thing she could do about it.

"N-Noah Heal!" She chanted once again, voice straining. Bell's eyes finally closed, and his breathing slowed to a crawl. His head fell to the side.

Ryuu tried to stand to grab Bell's head but slipped on the wet blood.

"Damnit!" She yelled vainly.

This blood, why, why did he have to bleed out? Why did the gods make it so that morals needed to rely on it? Why was it that they were so limited? Why was it that she was so limited? She couldn't heal him, it was impossible, she didn't have enough. Even then, years ago, she couldn't destroy Evilus entirely. Her body gave out on her.

"Noah Hea-"

Like then, her body was giving out on her. She felt Nauseous, exhausted, and close to mind down. And all the same, Bell Cranel bled freely. This, damn, blood.

Then, as if by miracle, Ryuu had an epiphany.

Blood. The Mermaid blood!

Ryuu stood and sprinted with all her might to the fallen Hunter, who lay not too far from them. She reached his body within seconds, and searched him, ignoring his baited and heavy breathing.

She searched at every corner of his garb until he found a pouch at his side that jingled with metal. She reached into it and found it contained only a single vial of the pressure Mermaid blood.

She returned to Bell's side and held the vial close to him. She questioned what to do, normally Mermaid blood was applied directly to wounds, but she saw the man injecting it into him from his thigh.

She held the needle close to him, preparing to stab it into him. All she could do was pray that she did it right, and pray that it was not too late.

She pressed, and the needle skewered his vein, and the blood pushed into him.

Bell jolted, his entire body spasming for a moment, before resting.

Ryuu watched, eyes gaping, at what happened next.

Bell's body began to heal entirely. The cut to his shoulder healed, his torn hand returned, and the hole in his chest was covered. His paling cheeks were whelmed with red, and his eyes shot open.

Next, he shot up, gasping for air. With panic, he looked around, before settling his gaze on Ryuu.

"Ms. Ryuu..."

"Bell, thank-" She was stopped by the choking of her throat. Only now did she realize just how close to tears she had become, unable to handle the feeling of his death, gods only know what would have happened if he did die.

Ryuu tried to reach out to touch him.

Bell stood to both his feet, panic enveloping his face, and nearly knocked over Ryuu.

"Bell? What's-"

Before she could finish, he had already started running. She looked over his shoulder and saw who he ran to.

Bell fell to his knees and looked over Yamamura's body, just as Ryuu had done to him.

However, for Yamamura, it was far too late.

"What a nice day..."

"Yamamura..." Bell didn't know what to say. "Your blood!" He shouted, "Where is it? I'll heal you with it-"

"There is no more..." Ryuu interrupted. "I used the last one on you."

Bell looked at Ryuu, with an expression so hurt, not even she could stand to stare at it, and averted her eyes.

He looked back at Yamamura, as the hunter continued to speak.

"What do you think, dear? How about..." Yamamura spoke with a haze, lost in someplace far away from where he was now, "How about we go and enjoy the sun?" He tried to raise a hand, yet with one cut off and the other broken, he could only barely raise his chest. "You don't need to worry about anything, I won't let anything hurt."

Yamamura's entire body went limp, and his breathing stopped.

"I won't..."

Bell Cranel watched, as Yamamura died right in front of him.

.

---

.

"W-Wait! Please, I won't hurt any monsters anymore, I'm sorry! Don't-"

The woman, an adventurer, never had the chance to finish her desperate begging, as her head was blown off her shoulders.

Djura watched her body fall to the floor, before reaching over to his gun and reloading.

Hours now, he had been at this, and he was certain. Every adventurer in this part of the dungeon was dead. These 'middle' floors, somewhere between twenty-one and twenty-five, he believed. Or at least, that is what the adventurers he questioned said, before killing them.

Apparently, only stronger adventurers get this deep, that the monsters here would kill anyone who was a low 'level', whatever that meant he still wasn't sure.

It didn't matter, if these were the people who were considered powerful, then he didn't mind at all. They all fell to one bullet of his pistol.

He walked over to the woman's corpse, and thoroughly searched her body and belongings. He found weapons, gems, strange bottles filled with liquid, what he could only assume was some kind of medicine, and other provisions of such nature. He found these things on most adventures, unfortunately, they weren't what he was looking for.

No, what he desired was gunpowder. It was a rarity, but oftentimes, the people who had almost comically large sacks upon their backs had some, even if only a little. Or more likely, that had a form of explosive, which he could easily dissect.

He stood and walked over to another adventurer, the only person accompanying the woman he just murdered, that fit that very description. He reached into the adventurer's large bag and looked around.

There we go, he thought, and he found a small pouch filled with the black chemical.

However, particularly oddly, he found some people who had a large amount of dynamite on them. A small group of around a dozen or so went around placing them all over the walls of the dungeon, for what reason he could not ascertain, considering they were trying to remain hidden spoke wondrously for how ethical their actions were, however. Djura did not care for such actions in themselves, however, he was certain that the explosions the dynamite could cause would harm many monsters, so he wasted not a moment in killing all of them.

He managed to get a great deal of gunpowder from it all, so he was thankful for that.

Now, no one else was down here, so he decided to go further up the dungeon. He had a place in mind, somewhere he heard adventurers speak of.

Rivira, a town located in the dungeon, on the eighteenth floor. It was a strong house for adventurers to rest and recover, A Mecca for the very people Djura desired to see gone, so that is where he would go next.

Djura found himself in front of a familiar set of stairs, one that accompanied every ascent he made. This, he knew, was the last for this aquatic area, and above was a forest. A place where his... methods he wished to employ would thrive with much more success than down here.

He began to walk toward the stairs.

However, he stopped, when he heard a familiar sound. That of a woman singing.

Djura stopped and sighed. This was a common occurrence recently, every once in a while this strange singing would begin, and go on for a short time, as if performing an actual song, although it was not in any language, then stop.

At first, it was nice, pleasant even. However, after the first dozen or so times, it began to annoy him.

There, it stopped, thank God. He could only hope that whoever or whatever was singing wouldn't follow him to the higher levels.

Then, just as he was about to reach the stairs-

"Hello!"

Djura snapped around, twisting his entire body back, and waved his gun across his view. From left to right, he quickly and precisely scanned every possible spot someone could have spoken from, though he did take extra time with his left.

Nothing, across the rocky wet cavern, there didn't seem to be a single person who could've said anything to him. This was alarming, considering that maybe whoever it was managed to completely evade him, or perhaps he simply heard something that wasn't there?

Djura slowly lowered his gun back to his side, he was getting far too old now, he knew that, but was his mind truly beginning to play tricks on him? He turned back around.

"Hey!"

This time, when Djura turned, he did so slowly. Yes, he clearly heard it coming from his left, and so, he methodically looked over to what was there. A pond, a deep pond, but still a body of water no one would simply be at.

However, now that he looked more carefully, from a distance, he could see someone. Or, rather as Djura began to approach the person, he realized that they were far from that.

It took a minute or so for him to get close enough, yet with each step, he grew more confused about what he saw. Another monster, that was certain, yet at the same time, it looked human. The entire upper part of its body was that of a girl, with long hair green flowing to her waist, with skin an odd blue and her ears elongated.

Then there was her lower half. It was, well, a fish fin. Scaly and brittle, it flowed down the small rock she sat upon, and the fin lightly brushed the water.

The powderkeg hunter was taken aback by just how human it seemed, by all means, if he only saw the top portion of her, he would have no reason to assume otherwise.

Then, he spoke, "You are very human looking, aren't ya?"

The fish woman was silent, her eyes gleaming at him, almost dazzling.

"No matter, it seems you are a beast, all the same, can't speak at all. At least you aren't attacking me." He whispered to himself, dejected and cynical.

"Well, you wouldn't have happened to see who called out to me, would you? Or who had been making that insufferable singing, have you?" He asked with sarcasm.

He got no verbal response, but the fish woman's eyes narrowed, almost hurt. However, the change went unnoticed, as Djura waved his hand in front of him.

"You are quite the sight, really, and to think, people try to hunt you without a care in the world. Truly cruel." He paused, "Well, that would be a bit too hypocritical for me to say, but I don't think you know what I'm even talking about, so it doesn't matter." Then, Djura laughed to himself, "Still talking to this thing, aren't you, Djura? Has age really made you this senile?" He shook his head, "You have things that still need to be done."

He turned to leave.

"You think my singing is insufferable?"

And, for the third time, Djura turned, faster than he ever did before.

"What... What do you..." He found no response, the monster had spoken clearly.

"My singing... I practice very hard on it, I want it to be the best!" The fish woman said, lifting her head to meet his eyes, "So... So if it's bad, please let me know."

Now, it was uncharacteristic for someone as old and serious as Djura to look at something with an expression like that of a fish, Djura knew this, yet he couldn't help himself. What was this thing even talking about?

"Well?" The monster spoke.

"'Well' what?" Djura mirrored her question, shaking his head in disbelief.

"What's insufferable about it!" The monster shouted, her lips pouting.

The hunter almost tripped over his own feet, and he hastily spoke, "Insufferable... Well. Well, I'm not sure." He chuckled quietly, "It's just that, to be blunt, you kept singing the same thing. Over and over again, it was good the first few times, but you have to change it, or else it just gets annoying."

The fish woman nodded her head the entire time, adding small hums of confirmation, "I understand, thank you for telling me, human!"

Djura stared for a moment and said, "No problem." Then, he fell flatly on the ground, set his weapons to the ground, and rubbed his forehead.

"What's wrong?"

"Oh, nothing, just, need a moment to think is all." Indeed, he was Astonished.

A moment to think, really, that's all he needed. So, monsters, at least here, can talk. Or just some of them, that was another possibility. Was is related to her human-like appearance? So far, every other monster down here was very grotesque and unnatural in design or resembled some kind of animal, none even looked remotely close to a human. So was it that, which allowed her to speak?

Djura smiled to himself.

"What are you so smiley for? I wanna smile too!"

"Nothing you would need to worry about, just glad I finally got some confirmation on something, that's all."

"Is that so? I'm glad about that too!"

Then, the fish-woman jumped off the rock she sat on and fell into the water. Djura perked up to see where she had gone, and saw her swimming toward him. When she reached where the water met rock, she rose from the water, and dragged herself partly onto the ground.

"What are you-"

She reached out her hand, now looking at him face to face. "I'm Marie!"

Djura's eyes widened slightly, realizing what she was doing, and leaned forward. He slowly brought out his own hand to grab hers.

"They call me Djura."

For a moment, their hands remained still, grabbed onto each other. Djura felt the woman's thumb rub against his palm, feeling his skin, but made no comment about it, as he began to shake her hand.

To that, the fish woman tilted her head.

"Is something the matter?" Asked Djura.

"What is this? Why are you moving my hand up and down?"

"Why? Well, we're shaking hands right now, introducing ourselves to each other, you gotta shake hands."

"Is it?

Djura chuckled, "Yes, it is."

"I see, I only saw people grabbing each other's hands, I didn't know."

"Well, now you know."

"Ya, thank you! Djura! You're very kind, and your name is really cool!"

"My name? Can't say I ever heard someone say that, but thank you."

"Please, Please! Tell me more about you, I wanna know." The monster insisted.

"Me? I'm not sure if there is anything worth saying about me. I guess I can say I'm a hunter? An ex-hunter, actually. Not sure you would know what that means though."

"I see! That's very cool.!"

Djura smiled once again, "What about you? Anything to say, what is it like, being a monster?"

"Oh, well umm. It's... fun? Ya, it's fun! I like swimming around, I also like singing, and watching people. Humans are fun to watch. But, sometimes, they do try and hurt me, then I have to run away, and I can't watch them anymore."

Djura nodded his head, "That is unfortunate."

"'Unfortunate?' Well, it wasn't nice, anytime anyone sees me, they just try to go after me for my blood."

"You're blood?"

"Ya, Mermaid blood can heal, so everyone wants it?"

"Blood that can heal you say? Well, haha, you don't need to worry about that from me. I've long since disassociated myself with any sort of healing blood."

"Dissas-Dissasco..." She rapidly shook her head, "That's good, thank you."

"It's no problem to me, if anything I should be-"

"Oh!" He was interrupted by her shout, "Also! Also, I'm fourteen."

"You're... fourteen? Years old?"

"Yes!"

That explained a fair bit, Djura thought, especially regarding her behavior. This monster, Marie, is indeed very childish. He almost found it endearing. Still, wasn't this just a bit too naive and pure?

"What about you?"

"What about me?"

"How old are you?"

Djura's smile dropped, "I'm," He exhaled, "I'm old, a lot older than you it seems."

"Really?"

"Really."

"I see! Then you're... What did the people call them? Oh! You're a grandpa!"

"Ha!" Djura loudly laughed, filling the cavern, he reached up and grabbed his hat, and held it to his chest. "I know I'm old, but still, that isn't bloody easy to hear."

"Are you?"

He shook his head, "No, I am not anyone's grandparent."

"I see. Since you aren't anyone's... Then!"

Marie pushed off the ground, and nearly beached herself on the rock, getting closer to Djura.

"That means you can be my grandpa!"

"You're what?"

"Grandpa!"

The hunter was more confused now than ever about the girl's behavior. Just what was wrong with her? Even children knew better than she did.

"Grandpa-grandpa-grandpa!"

"Listen, Marie." He held his hands out, calming the girl. "You can call me whatever you like, but you shouldn't go around talking to people all willy-nilly like.

The girl's face drooped, and her hands fell to her sides, "I know, but, I wanted to talk to you." Her eyes glared at him, gleaming.

"Still, I could've been one of the people trying to take your blood, I could be trying to kill you right now."

"Like you killed those people?"

Djura paused, "Like I killed those people."

"But. But you protected the monsters, you don't like to harm us, right?"

"That is right, you..." He struggled to find the word, "Creatures, deserve to live, that I know now without a doubt."

"I see."

Then, a silence overtook them for a few seconds, before Marie spoke up once again.

"Grandpa?"

The hunter sighed, "Yes?"

"You are a very kind person, aren't you?"

To that, Djura took on an expression Marie had never seen before.

Did she... Did she say something wrong? But it was true! Grandpa was a very kind man! For one, he was the only person who didn't attack her on sight, which made him one hundred times kinder than anyone else. And he was a hoo- a hoo-... Whatever he called it, that sounded very cool! Most of all, he protected them, they monsters. She knew her brethren were mindless, they often even attacked her, but that didn't mean she felt sympathy at seeing them die.

He helped her, he helped them, and he was very kind. So then, why did he look like that?

What did she do?

"I think I've stalled here long enough," Djura said, putting his hat back on, grabbing his weapons, and standing, "I must be taking my leave, there is much I need to do, thank you for the conversation."

"Wait, why must you go?"

Instead of answering, he had already begun to walk away, his face hidden from the mermaid.

"W-Wait! Please, you-you still owe me!"

That caught Djura's attention, he didn't turn around, but he did stop. "Owe you?"

"Y-ya! My singing, you said you liked it, and since I did something good to you, you have to do something good for me, that's how people do it, r-right?" She said, her voice growing with uncertainty with each word.

Djura turned, a dozen or so feet away from her, and acknowledged. "Look, Marie. It's been an interesting talk we've had, but just pretend you never met me, can you do that?"

"P-please! I really just..." She trailed off.

The hunter groaned with frustration, and signed, "What? What is it girl, go on, and ask."

The mermaid's eyes gleamed, would he really listen to her? "You-You are very strong, right grandpa? You killed all those adventurers in an instant, using that weird loud magic, you have to be very strong."

Djura's head tilted slightly, "I guess... Compared to these people, I have a fair bit on them."

"Well then, grandpa, I-I..." Tears formed to surface in her eyes, "I want to see the Sun!"

"The... Sun?"

"Yes! I-I've never had the chance... I can't walk, and I would be attacked by the adventurers, but the others... they said the Sun, they said it was the most stunning thing in the world! That not even the most beautiful pearl could outshine it."

"That is... quite the request."

"I would want nothing more! Just to see the Sun, once, then-" She choked, "Then it would be okay if I stayed in this dungeon, until the day I died for good, alone. If I got to see the Sun."

The cold hunter watched, as the mermaid girl began to cry, and for a moment, he stifled.

"That's all I want..."

"Alright."

"Al-Alright'? So then you'll...?"

"I'll see what I can do, maybe when I can clear this dungeon out of people, I can take you up to the surface, there can't be that many of them, right?"

Marie's face was frozen, tears still streaming down her eyes. This old man, who at first looked scary, was the kindest in the world. She knew that without a doubt.

"But," He held up his hand, and Marie physically recoiled at it, "I have to take care of everything first, like the village on the higher floors, until then, you will have to wait."

"T-that's fine, I'm used to being alone for a long time."

"That's good."

"But first, you have to promise!"

"Promise?"

"Yes-" She wiped her dying tears from her face, "Yes, if you promise, then I know you will come back!"

Djura rubbed his forward forehead once again, "So be it, I prom-"

The hunter's voice hitched, almost as if to regurgitate.

He looked down at Marie, and said, "I promise."

"Yes!" She shouted, waving her arms around. "Thank you! Grandpa, you are the best!"

With that, she jumped back into the water, and Djura watched as she swam away, breaching and diving back into the water. She eventually shot her hand at, "Goodbye Grandpa!"

Djura waved at her, "Bye..." He stood there until she eventually disappeared from sight.

The old hunter stood still for a few minutes, before turning and walking back to the stairs.

She said that he was... kind.

Such nonsense.

Who was he, an ex-hunter of the Church, to be called kind? Stupid, stupid child, had she not seen how easily he killed those adventurers? Had she not admitted to being attacked? How easy it would've been for him to kill her, a single bullet while she wasn't looking, and her blood would be staining the water.

Her... healing blood.

What a strange world he found himself in. Where children with fish fins exist and had healing blood, that lived in a dungeon deep underground in a lake in a cavern. Then, even then, have hopes and dreams. To see the Sun. Truly childish.

There was nothing good to be seen up there, nothing but corruption and monsters, like him.

A promise, such a fickle thing. Who was he to make a promise, has he lived in a world where such things matter? In Yharnam, such things wouldn't even be considered a reality. No, the only thing that was real in Yharnam was greed, hubris, and sin.

And that vile, retched Church, and their heinous blood. They were responsible for the scourge, it was they who caused all the suffering they experienced, everything was their fault! And he burned old Yharnam to the ground for the Church's sins, blinded by the light.

That was decades ago, yet he remembers it like it was yesterday, when he was given charge of the Powderkeg hunters. Laurence, the Vicar of the Church, personally came to him. And with his sly, snake-like tongue, convinced him to head that terrible act.

So then, how, now, can he make a promise to a young child?

Djura finally reached the steps and began to ascend them.

That young girl was foolish, but to make such a promise, showed he was a fool among fools. He should've just said no, he should've just walked away, and he shouldn't have been blinded by what his heart told him was right.

He continued to ascend.

A promise, to take her to the surface, was he drunk? Had he finally lost his mind over all the years? Has the loneliness finally overcome him? To make such a promise, to make any promise in Yharnam, nothing would be more foolish. It was ridiculous, it was nonsense, it was madness! Truly, pure, madness!

"And yet..."

And yet, a single thought lingered in his mind... What if he did uphold his promise to her? What would be so wrong with that? What would be so wrong, about not wanting a child to cry?

Then, he reached the top of the stairs, and his ascend stopped.

Everything, that is what would be wrong.

The hunter entered a green lush forest, with trees and foliage, perfect for his firearms.

He couldn't heed the girl's desires, for it went against his own goal, the reason why he was collecting as much Gunpowder as he was, the reason and only reason why he wanted to go to the surface himself.

Djura could only take in his new surroundings for a few seconds, before he quickly spotted another group of adventurers, and began walking toward them.

This dungeon, it lay under a great tower called Babel, which apparently breached into the very clouds. If this was true, that meant it was larger than anything ever seen in his homeland, if this was true, then it would carry with it millions of tons of stone and other material.

If this was true, then it would be the final piece of the puzzle he needed.

He would use all the gunpowder he had to build as many explosives as he could, and with them, blow the tower to kingdom come.

He would bury this dungeon under millions of tons of rocks, so that no adventurer or monster could ever intervene in each other's existence, separate for good, able to live in peace.

For that cause, it didn't matter if he broke a promise.

For that cause, it didn't matter how many people he killed.

"You there!" He shouted toward the Adventurers and cocked his gun.

For that cause, he would be a hunter once again.

.

---

.

Theresa awoke in a cold sweat.

She shot up from her prone position, and frantically looked at her surroundings. She was... In a room? All around her were wooden walls, damaged, but still standing. As she felt underneath her, she realized she was also laying on a bed.

Her heart continued to beat swiftly but slowed as she regained coherence.

She was... Attacked. Nearly dead, and someone, a woman, saved her life? Who? At the very least, whoever saved her must have brought her to their home, that would explain where she was.

Nervous, she called out, "Hello? Is anyone there?"

A door separated her from the rest of the home, yet she hoped her voice was enough to reach anyone outside. She felt uncertain if she should leave. Uncertain, and afraid.

Thankfully, she didn't need to, as the door soon opened. Theresa saw a woman, the same one who had rescued her, walk through. The woman was dressed in a large white gown, which was stained with dirt, and that nearly covered her eyes. Those gray eyes. They looked still, emotionless, which reflected her ashen flowing hair.

Her lips were pink, and her skin was pure pale, as she held her hands to her side.

Theresa wasn't sure why, but she thought the woman looked incredibly pretty.

"Hello, you are finally awake, I see." The woman said.

"H-hello... You are the one who saved me, right?"

"That is correct, are you feeling ill?"

"No..."

"Any mental issues? Is your mind still sound?"

"I-I think so."

"That is good, it seems your injuries were purely physical, the blood worked fully then."

"Um... Thank you, for saving me."

"Of course."

Theresa waited for the woman to say anything more, but she didn't.

The Amazoness fiddled in place, "So... How long have I been... asleep?"

"Only a few hours, it's late evening."

"That's good."

"Indeed."

"Ya... Is this your home?"

The woman took a second to respond.

"Yes."

"It's... Nice."

"Not truly, It's quite run down."

"Oh, -oh well, it's nicer than any home I've slept in."

"Is that so?"

"Y-ya."

"I see."

Silence overtook them. This woman... was quite difficult to talk to, wasn't she?

"Well, thank you for saving me."

"You already said that."

"I-I know, I'm just really grateful, no one else would've ever come to help me. Yet you did."

"Of course, I would help you anywhere, why wouldn't I?"

"Why wouldn't you? No one in these parts helps each other, It's a complete free for all."

"Is that so?"

"Ya..."

"I see, I'm sorry, I'm new to this place, and I'm not quite sure where I am."

"A newcomer to Orario? Well, you're in the red-light district."

"The red-light district you say? That explains it."

"Explain what?"

"Why you are dressed in such revealing clothing, you are a whore."

She gagged.

The pale woman tilted her head, "Is that not what you are? I'm sorry if I am incorrect."

Theresa tried to look for some sort of hint to the woman having said that in an insulting or derogatory manner, yet she said that statement and subsequent apology with the same voice as she said everything else, flat.

The Amazoness whimpered, "No, you're right, I'm... A prostitute."

"I see, I was correct then."

"Just... Don't call me that, alright?"

The pale woman looked confused, "Is something the matter with it? Is that why that man was attacking you?"

"I don't... No, forget it. Just please don't call me that."

"What do you wish for me to call you then?"

"My name, Theresa, call me by my name."

"I see, Ms. Theresa-"

"No Miss, just Theresa."

"Just Theresa, then."

"Thanks..."

A silence, one more awkward than the last, befell them both. Theresa could feel her own face heat up, it hurt her to be called a whore by the woman, but she couldn't understand why. She had been called much worse countless times, and never before had it offended her. She knew how the world worked, and what people thought of her, yet when this woman, who saved her life for no reason, said it... It was different.

She didn't know why, nor did she know why she was so aggressive about it.

"Sorry for being so-"

"If you are well rested," The woman cut off Theresa, "Then you may leave freely, I won't hold you here."

"Hold on, I still haven't thanked you, for saving my life."

"On the contrary, you have thanked me twice now."

"No! I mean, really thank you. You saved my life."

"As you have told me."

"You healed me, with... Mermaid Blood, right?"

"Mermaid?"

"Ya, that red blood you gave me, that must have cost you a lot."

"You are mistaken."

"How?"

"That was not this Mermaid Blood you speak of."

"What was it then?"

"It is my blood."

Theresa gagged.

"My blood is capable of healing, blessed by God and the Church."

"The what?"

"The Church of the Healing Blood, I suppose no one in this land knows about it."

The Church of what now? Theresa was as confused as she was sickened by the idea, what was she talking about?

Then she had a realization. That explains it, she thought, this woman was talking about some Familia, and she must have a skill that lets her blood heal. Quite the odd way of putting it, but it made sense.

Still, it didn't make her feel any less squeamish about the idea of having the woman's blood in her.

"Even if it didn't cost anything, I owe you my life, there has to be something I can do to repay that."

"If you insist, I am in need of financial support."

"I... I don't have any money myself."

"I see."

Theresa could feel her cheeks turn red under the woman's expressionless gaze.

"Well, I suppose there is one other thing."

"What? I'll do anything!"

"Anything? That is quite a bit... I'm looking to... Help more people. Yes, I wish to spread the healing of my blood, to those ill and dying, such as yourself. I have gone through the streets, yet that is far too inefficient. If you could tell people about myself and help me deal with them, that would be splendid."

"S-Sure! Anything."

"I'm glad. Also, if you wish, you may sleep in one of these rooms. This building, large as it is, is mostly empty of all but me. If you are as poor as you claim, you may remain."

"You're letting me stay here?"

"I am."

"T-thank you, you really are extremely kind, helping someone as lowly as me..."

Then, for the first time, Theresa saw her smile.

"For the Healing Church, all are to be helped."

"That's a really good principle, I think, this Healing Church thing you talk about must be amazing."

"It is."

"Well," Theresa mimicked having a drink in her hands, "Here's to the Healing Church, haha."

The woman's smile grew.

"To the healing Church."

"B-by the way, I never caught your name."

"My name? It's..." The pale woman trailed off.

"Is something the matter?"

"No, nothing. Well, I suppose for now you may just call me..."

"Amelia."

Wow, Theresa thought, what a beautiful name.

.

---

.

Evening faded, as the once dawning sun only now peaked over the horizon, making way for the moon.

In these late times, the Guild Hall, home of the guild, found its last opening hours. Almost all the adventurers, who once lined up throughout the building, reaching as far as outside the doors, were gone. All of them had come, with their large bags and sacks of monster stones, and exchanged them for Valis.

That is what most adventurers came to the Guild Hall for, with any other reason being things like Familia transfers or Falna updates.

Eina Tulle pitied her colleagues who had the former job, as they were always the busiest and had to deal with some truly odd people.

Eina, a half-elf, worked as a receptionist at the front desk of the guild. As such, her job was more the ladder, people who wanted some sort of updates about their status as an adventurer, people who were looking to register as an adventurer, or people just looking for some advice on how to be an adventurer, all came to her.

It was a heavy task, trying to handle so many people, especially those who were under her personal care. She had to oversee people who were fools thinking that the monsters in the dungeon were nothing to worry over, people who seemed downright suicidal in their views about adventuring, and some people who didn't at all care about the topic at hand, and merely came to the guild to hit on her.

Yes, she pitied the people who had to work at the Valis exchange, yet in a way, she also envied them.

Like now, since all the adventurers were already gone, those working at the Valis exchange got to sit around, leisurely passing the rest of the day. While she on the other hand-

"This is bullshit!"

The man in front of her, who shouted out obscenities, slammed his fist on the desk.

"Please, Mr. Adventurer," Eina said, her voice acting apologetic, "I'm sure there is no reason to get angry."

"No! This isn't fair. I worked hard for this Valis, I did!" Saying that, the adventurer lifted a sack that jingled with what Eina could only assume was the aforementioned Valis, "I had to kill a million monsters for those gems, and this is all I get? This is bullshit!"

Maybe, if you actually killed a fraction of that which you claimed to have killed, then you wouldn't be complaining, Eina thought. Of course, she didn't say any of that, yet behind her smiling face and cheerful eyes, she held hidden scorn.

"I apologize, Mr. Adventurer, it is truly regrettable that you feel dissatisfied with the sum you have been given for what is undoubtedly a hard day's work."

"You're damn right about that!"

"If you wish to leave a complaint, may I direct you to our public relations office, where you can write a letter regarding your issues."

The adventurer groaned, "I don't want to leave a damn complaint, I just want my Valis! Why can't you get that through your head!"

Despite the insult, Eina only continued to smile, "I apologize, Mr. Adventurer, there is nothing I can do here about your exchange of Valis, if you feel like you've been given an unfair amount, then I strongly suggest you leave a formal complaint to our-"

"Oh, just shut up!" The adventurer shouted, "Dumb, useless guild, how the hell do they expect me to feed my family with this?" He said, pointing to the small bag of Valis.

"I apologize, Mr. Adventurer, if-"

"Just-" The adventurer interrupted her, "Just forget it." He finished and began to walk away toward the exit, but not before mumbling, "Stupid Elf."

"Come again, Mr. Adventurer!" Eina said, waving and smiling.

The adventurer finally left through the door, and silence overtook the Guild Hall. Eina looked around, noticing that it was only her coworkers left, and slumped into her chair.

She took off her glasses and rubbed the bridge of her nose, mumbling, "Damn asshole..."

"Woah there, Eina, I never knew you had it in you to curse."

"M-Misha!" Eina jumped, surprised and embarrassed, "Sorry, I didn't mean-"

"Haha! Don't worry about it, Eina," Misha said, the pink-haired woman taking a seat next to her, "Those adventurers can be a bunch of fucking assholes, am I right?"

The half-elf sighed, before putting her glasses back on her nose, "I wouldn't put it so crudely..."

"Did you just call that one guy an asshole, though?" Misha said, pointing her finger to the door.

Eina sighed once again and distracted herself by looking at some papers, before saying, "I wouldn't call them all that..."

"Oh?"

"There are some kind adventurers," Eina explained.

"No, no, of course. All those, ahem, 'nice' adventurers, sure. Wait! I know who you're talking about."

"Who I'm talking about?"

"Ya, what was that kid's name, with the white hair? Bell-something?"

"Bell Cranel?"

"That's him, the little rookie, the guy who fought that black Minotaur a while back. I remember reading about him on the paper, a real hero, they called him."

"I guess, Bell really is something special."

"Sure is, especially to you, I bet."

"W-what are you talking about now?" Eina stuttered.

"Come on Eina, I know you miss your favorite boy-toy, cute and strong. Well, that's a man any woman could settle for."

The half-elf blushed, before sighing and turning her head, looking into some papers. Misha tried to call out her name, but Eina ignored her.

"Hey, I'm just kidding with ya, Eina. Here," Eina saw as a cup was placed in front of her, "I got us both some water, gotta stay hydrated, if you feint on the job you might just get fired."

Eina giggled a little at the remark and lifted the cup to sip from it.

"I can hear the boss now," Misha continued, sliding her chair closer to Eina, "He'd say 'What do you think you doing, slacking off?'" She waved her arms around and deepened her voice, "'No sleeping till you're off the clock'! Then he'd kick you, not knowing you were already dead! Or maybe he would know, and just not care!"

Eina nearly spit out her water, trying not to laugh and Misha's crass joke, "You should-," She coughed, "You shouldn't insult the boss like that, Misha."

"Eh, it's whatever, what the boss don't know won't hurt him, speaking of which." Misha reached into the pocket of her pants.

Looking over, Eina couldn't make out exactly what Misha had tucked away, but as she saw her put her hand over her mouth and start chewing, she could only assume what it was.

"You know the rule, Misha, you can't eat at the counter."

"Screw that rule, if we gotta sit here for twelve hours, then we should be able to eat a little. I'm starving!" Misha shouted as she continued to chew at the food she had.

Eina once again sighed, and leaned over the desk, resting her cheek on the palm of her hand. As she did, she closed her eyes and lost herself in thought and fantasies, particularly, one of a white-haired rabbit. As she did, she absentmindedly rubbed the outer rip of the cup, twirling her finger.

Yet, as her thoughts lingered, she was forced back to reality as she heard the door opening. Looking up, she saw a group of people walking in, and groaned.

"Now who are these lot?" Misha asked.

"I'm not sure, they don't look like adventurers." Eina responded.

And indeed, none of them had the appearance of an adventurer. While adventurers oftentimes would be found with dirty armor and ruff expressions, this group of four were dressed in much finer clothes. Not exactly suits and ties, but still a far cry from what any adventurer would wear.

The group walked to the reception counter, and Eina stood from her seat and forced a smile onto her face.

"Hello." She greeted the group as they now stood before her, "My name is Eina Tulle, how may I assist you today on your visit to the guild." She watched silently, as a woman at the front of the group set her hand on the counter, and spoke.

"Yes, Hello, Ms. Tulle, was it? I and my associates are with the Orario journalists-"

Dear gods, have mercy on her, and it was almost closing time...

Eina grinned harder, trying to ignore the soft chuckling of Misha to her side.

"And we would like to ask Mr. Royman some questions."

"I apologize Ms. Reporter, but Mr. Royman is not free at the moment, if you'd like to address some issue or file a complaint, I would direct you to our public relations office-"

Before she could finish, Eina felt a small tug at the side of her shirt and saw Misha pulling at it. Confused, she told the woman before her, "One moment please," and leaned into Misha, where the pink-haired woman spoke into her long ears.

"Eina, I don't know if you know this, but Dick isn't here."

"What?" Eina said, trying to hide her stunned face. Richard, the public relations manager, and loyal employee of the guild for as long as Eina had worked there, had never missed a day before in all his career, as far as she could tell.

"Do you know why?" Eina whispered.

"Your guess is as good as mine, I thought that guy never even slept, maybe the world is coming to an end and we haven't noticed yet."

The half-elf ignored her comment and returned to the group, "I apologize, Ms. Reporter, but it seems our public relations office is closed for today, I would suggest you return tomorrow."

The woman shook her head, "I need to have some questions answered, for the good of the people of Orario, surely there is someone around here I can talk to."

"I apologize, Ms. Reporter, but as I've said, Mr. Roymon is out for the day, so-"

Just as Eina was about to finish, all heads turned to the sound of a door opening, and from it, everyone saw the fat elf, head of the guild, Royman Mardeel walked through.

The reporter glared at Eina.

"I apologize, Ms. Reporter, it seems Mr. Roymon has returned to the guild. However, I do not believe he wishes to answer any questions at this time."

Yet, instead of a response, Eina watched silently, as rather than give any response, the woman just continued to stare daggers into her as she walked toward Royman. As the group left her counter, she finally dropped her forced smile, her cheeks cooling, and sat in her chair.

"A-"

"Assholes." Misha said, "Really, all the people who walk in here are assholes."

Eina wished she could disagree.

Meanwhile, Royman pressed a napkin to his face, wiping away sweat. He had little patience, having to deal with the constant stress and having to run what is essentially the largest industry in the entire world. He could feel his suit compress against his skin as he breathed, and he pulled at his collar, visibly exhausted from the long day he just had.

This fact did not stop the reporter.

"Excuse me, Mr. Royman."

"W-Wha-"

Royman turned, his face exacerbated, unprepared for them.

"We need to ask you some questions Mr. Royman."

"L-look, I have no time to answer-"

"Mr. Royman, what does the guild think of the growing inflation of Valis? Do you intend on offering more Valis to your employees? Or will you continue to underpay them?"

The reporter asked the question aggressively, and those behind her took out some papers to write down his response, but Royman gave no answer.

"Mr. Royman, people say that the Guild is still fifteen years behind in terms of mentality and working standards, what do you have to say about those claims?"

Royman once again gave no answer, and just continued to pat his sweating face.

"Mr. Royman, you have been working with the guild for many decades, with you being over 150 years of age, people are saying that you are far too old to be trusted to handle such an important facet of Orario, and claim you are senile and decrepit, what say you about-"

"If!" Royman shouted, stopping the reporter, "If you have any questions to ask the guild, please go visit the public relations office, as I am-"

"Mr. Royman, we have been told your public relations office is closed at the moment."

Then, the fat elf's eyes widened, as he mumbled, "Oh shit..." That was right, Richard hadn't shown up to work today, just where the hell was that man? Royman could not be expected, nor bothered, to actually have to deal with these reporters. That is why he hired him in the first place!

Then, as if answered by the gods, everyone heard as the front entrance was opened.

"I apologize," Eina shouted at the counter, "But we are closing, I suggest you return tomorrow should you need anything."

Yet, even as she said that, the man who walked in only continued to stride toward Royman.

"Mr. Royman?" The newcomer said

Royman audible cleared his throat with a rasp, "Look, I don't have time for anyone right now, I am far too busy to be dealing with-"

"Mr. Royman, I am here from the Ganesha Familia."

To that, Royman perked up, his eyes shooting, as he walked toward the man. He got close to the Ganesha Familia member so that no one else could hear the conversation, and the two proceeded to whisper.

"What do you think that is about?" Misha asked.

"I'm not sure," Eina responded, "What terribly timing for Mr. Royman, for them to come when those reporters were present, no doubt this is going to be all over the paper tomorrow."

Misha nodded her head in agreement, and they both stared at Royman and the Ganesha member speaking.

Everyone waited quietly, wondering what was being said. Was it some police report? Some urgent matter that the Ganesha Familia wanted Royman to address? Or maybe the two groups were in collusion, some form of corruption or another, that would be a great story for the reporters.

No one could've predicted what was actually being said, as Royman's eyes widened, and his mouth fell open.

"Are you certain?" The fat elf whispered a bit too loudly.

"Yes." The Ganesha member affirmed.

What Royman had just heard, was that Richard, his public relations manager, was dead. Killed last night in what they said was apparently a home burglary gone wrong.

With that, the Ganesha member bowed his head to Royman, and walked away, leaving the Guild.

"What do you think he told the Boss-man?"

"I can't say for certain..."

"Well, whatever it was, it couldn't be good. Boss-man looks like he just shit himself."

And indeed, at least mentally, Royman was panicking. How would he get these reporters off his back without causing trouble? He couldn't just throw them out, that would be far too heated a solution. He could lie, but that was too risky, he couldn't be caught contradicting himself.

With PR, it was easy, if they said something wrong, then it could be blamed on the individual. Make some sort of public apology or claim that the individual's views did not represent the Guild's, then just fire them. Simple. However, if he, the head of the Guild, said something wrong, all hell would break loose. There would be no talking his way out of it, everyone would want his head, and the Guild would come under fire...

Not to mention, Royman did not want to incur the wrath of Ouranos.

He looked around, trying to find someone who could take them off his hands.

First, his glance went to the team leader, who was sitting at a small desk in a corner. What was his name again? Royman couldn't remember. He was a decent employee, but he never really did anything worth noting, the team leader would most likely just crack under the pressure.

Then, he looked at the Pink-haired girl named Misha, who sat behind the front desk. Royman watched as she drank from a cup of water, trying to hide the obvious food she had been eating. No, she wouldn't do either.

Finally, he saw the half-elf woman named Eina, and made a decision.

Everyone watched as Royman, for lack of better terms, jogged to the receptionist's desk. His meaty thighs and heavy stomach slobbered out as he did.

"Mr. Royman!" Eina said, "What can I help you with, sir?"

"Eina," Royman called, walking behind the desk and wrapping his fat arm around the half-elf's shoulder.

Eina tensed.

"Hey, Eina, I need to talk to you about something, in private."

"W-what is it sir?"

"Just- just following me." He proclaimed, standing her from the seat, and leading her further back behind the reception desk, so that no one could hear them.

"Eina, I've... Well, I've noticed the amount of work you put in."

The half-elf looked nervous.

"I see it all I do, and, I do not mean to say it lightly or without care, I have come to a new decision about your employment here."

Eina's eyes quivered, and her anxiety grew.

"Indeed, I have decided that you will no longer be working as a receptionist or advisor, I have decided-"

"Please-Mr. Royman- Please don't fire-me, I-really-need-this-job, I won't-be-able-to-afford-my rent- and I'll-be-forced out-and-"

"I've decided to promote you!"

A moment of silence befell the guild, and Eina was left flabbergasted, as she tried to ignore the sound of Misha behind her, spitting out her drink.

"T-t-thank..."

"No need to thank me! I promote my hard-working employees, you are by far deserving of it. Beginning effective immediately you will now be working as our head of public relations! Isn't that great, pay is good too." He finished with a wink.

She sputtered for a moment, then said, "Public relations? But... I don't believe I'm qualified-"

"Tha~t's great to hear. Now, if you could deal with these reporters, I have some... paperwork, yes, lots of paperwork I need to take care of. Good luck!"

Before she could interject, Royman had already sprinted away to some door, and left the main hall, leaving Eina alone. She hesitantly turned and saw the group of reporters had walked back to the reception desk, and were waiting for her to address them.

She walked to the desk, "Um, Hello?"

"Ms. Tulle," The lady at the front said, "What does the guild plan on doing about the inflation rates of Valis?" As if uncaring about what just occurred, like it were normal procedure, the woman asked a question.

"I-inflation, you say? Well, we-, um, we..." Eina glanced over to her coworker, looking for some support, and saw Misha turned away, still stuffing her face with good.

"We... we indeed are... analyzing what the current inflation rates are... and based on those numbers, which... we have a team of specialists and economics looking at... we will balance accordingly our salaries and monster gem exchange rates. You can expect those changes to come... soo~nish?"

She watched with bated breath, as all the reporters began writing in their papers, presumably every word she said. After a minute or so, another report stepped up.

"Ms. Tulle, there have been rumors of disappearances and murders happening during the night. They say that low-level adventurers are being targeted, as well as their families. From poor to rich neighborhoods? What does the guild say of this?"

"Oh, well, that is terrible-"

"There have also been rumors that the guild as well as the Ganesha Familia are working to cover them up, claiming that Evilus was behind it, and that they don't want the people to know because it would cause a panic. What does the Guild say about that?"

"E-Evilus? No-no way. Evilus was destroyed years ago, there is no way it was them. All those rumors are absurd, impossible, and probably just people trying to stir up trouble. And for the Guild and the Ganesha Familia, we have been working together for nearly a decade to ensure peace in Orario and the upholding of the law, this is obviously such an instance. Write that down, why don't you?"

The reporters did just that.

"Ms. Tulle, another question."

Eina sighed.

"What is the guild's comment on the recent rampaging of a madman in the streets, that happened early today?"

"The... the what?"

The report continued, "According to eye-witness testimony, a man dressed in eastern clothing wielding a katana was seen attacking demi-humans and elves. All the while, yelling about them being 'beasts', and that he was going to purge them in the name of the 'Church', as well as something about blood, which we can only assume is Mermaid blood. What is the guild's take on what happened? Can it only be interpreted that referencing a sort of church was him talking about a Familia?"

"I don't think that can be immediately assumed."

"Well, other eye-witness reports also claim that the man was seen fighting the Little Rookie, a level four adventurer of the Hestia Familia, and claimed he was beating the adventurer. Where could this presumably first-class adventurer have come from, if not from Evilus?"

"W-what did you say? Bell was fighting a first-class adventurer?"

"Bell?" The reporter who asked the question wondered.

"No, enough! No more questions!" Eina shouted, waving her arms. "The Guild Hall is closed! You will have to come by tomorrow if you want to ask more."

"B-but we still have things we need to ask."

"I don't care! Either you leave this instant or I call security to throw you out!"

As soon as she said that, the group of reporters quickly scurried away, haphazardly making their way to the exit, and leaving.

Silence returned to the Guild Hall, and Eina slumped into her chair.

She inhaled and prepared to speak,

"Assholes?" Misha said before she had the chance.

"Annoying." Eina insisted,

Misha shrugged her shoulders, "Oh well, what can you do about reporters? Speaking of which, didn't one of them mention the Little Rookie?"

Eina sighed deeply.

"Trouble in paradise, is it?

"I don't know why Bell keeps doing these things, I tell him to be careful, and he just doesn't, first he takes on a level seven black minotaur, then he gets into a fight with some insane lunatic who is also a first-class adventurer. Really, what is wrong with him?"

Misha once again shrugged her shoulders, "It seems you got a hard catch to reel in, but hey, I guess that's just what happens when you fancy someone like the Little Rookie. Them hero types always got their thorns."

Grabbing her forehead with both her hands, Eina tried to soothe her rapidly growing headache.

What was wrong with that boy? Why couldn't he just listen to her? It made her heart throb whenever she heard of anything bad happening to him, which seemed like every other week!

The next time she saw him, next time, she would give him a piece of her mind.

Eina thought of all the things she wanted to tell Bell, as she stared off out the window, into the setting sun.

.

---

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Night, pitch as black, a truly dreadful time to be alive.

A waxing moon hung high, reflecting the sun's light, and casting melancholic shadows all throughout the city of the gods.

It was a time of fear, a time of terror, a time of uncertainty.

Most of all, however, it was a time when the red-light district came to life. And, at a large, comparably lavish building to the ruined street that surrounded it, a party was being held. Dozens of people, men, women, and all those between found themselves living passionately.

Some came for a lively night, looking to meet up with an escort, who were eager to find youthful men, intoxicated on alcohol, and with heavy pockets.

Some came just to lavish in sin, as Amazonesses, Demi-humans, and even the odd elf partied together.

In the large building, everyone had a smile on their face, whether it be for classic happiness, lust, and desire, or just trying to put on a pretty face, everyone seemed to be in a rather positive move.

Everyone, except Aisha Belka, who scowled her way from room to room. Following behind her was a friend and fellow Amazoness, Samira, who said, "Come on, Aisha, you don't have to be so worried."

"Of course, I have to be worried, god damnit Samira." Aisha scolded, "Why in the gods' name would you think to host a large party at such a time? While all this shit is happening?"

Samira clicked her tongue, and laughed, "What's happening Aisha? I think you are just being paranoid."

"Paranoid? All the killings during the nights, all the disappearances? They might not be in the news, but you and I can see clearly that the Guild is just covering it up."

"Blah-blah killing and disappearances, come on, if we shut down business every time someone was murdered in these parts, hell, we'd never open."

"I'm not joking Samira."

"I'm not joking either, besides, half of us here are trained adventurers, who could possibly pull up that could actually be a threat? What, do you think the Freya Familia is gonna show up again?"

The taller Amazoness shook her head, "It doesn't have to be those monsters, it could be any psycho. We aren't with Ishtar anymore, we don't have that protection, we have to protect each other, I've told you this."

Samira's expression grew sour, "I know, and I've told you that we have to make a living, and everyone's longing to relieve some stress. You should too, Aisha, drop that frown and down a few drinks with us, get with some guy, like before. Nowadays all you do is patrol the place."

"You know I can't, I'm the highest level in this damn district, if I'm not making sure no one gets stabbed during the night, then who will? Like here."

"Don't worry about it, Aisha." Samira insisted, "You can go on ahead and leave if you want, that's fine with us, I'll watch the place."

Aisha pondered for a moment, then spoke, "Fine, whatever, it's not like I can do anything about it now, everyone is already here. But, just make sure, if you do take someone to bed, be safe. From what I've heard, there's been this illness going around, making people cough up blood."

Samira winced, "That sounds awful."

"I imagine it is, I'm not sure what is spreading it, but you can't take too many chances. If someone even looks sick, throw their sorry ass out, got that?"

"Gottcha Aisha."

"Good."

With that, Aisha lingered for a few minutes longer, looking over everyone, before silently leaving. Samira watched her as she did.

Then, from her side, a man spoke to Samira, "What's wrong with Aisha?"

"She's just worried over nothing, you know how she is these days, ever since Haruhime left."

"Forget her, come on Samira, let's go have some fun."

The man wrapped his hand over the Amazoness, and they both walked off to join the bulk of the party.

That is how the night continued, people leaving, but mostly, people joining. What seemed like an unending stream of sinners walked through the front door, looking for fun. It was them that kept the festivities going, for hours.

As the night churned, and all the outdoors turned pitch black, the only light was from the house. By now, at least a hundred people attended, and a hundred people had left.

At the front door, once again, stood Samira. Her eyes tired, and her body slowed, she had been with many men already, but also took to what was essentially acting as a bouncer at any time. The only reason she was still able to stay up was due to her falna.

She leaned against a wall, her eyes closed, getting lost in the chattering white noise.

Then, she heard the front door open and opened her eyes. She made to greet whoever walked in.

"Hey-"

Her voice hitched.

The man who stood in the doorway remained still, and she saw his... fiendish appearance.

He was tall, far taller than Samira or anyone else here, at least seven feet. He could barely stand at the door. He bore a heavy black coat that fell down to his legs, and had a black circular cap. His shoulders were broad, his chest held high, and his gray hair and beard flung around messily.

He stood silent, shrouded in the darkness behind her, and for some reason, perhaps by her own primal instincts or her experience as an adventurer, all her body screamed at her to not be near him.

He looked like death itself, more terrifying than any monster.

However, she wouldn't listen, she couldn't, if this man was as dangerous as he seemed to be, then it only meant further on how she had to remain.

"What-" Her breath hitched once again, "What do you want?"

The man did not give an answer, and instead, slowly moved his head from left to right, as if examining everyone.

"Hey Jack, down here. I asked you what you want?"

The man sniffed the air, and his face crunched in disgust.

"Look at you, those clothes look far too rich, what the hell does some aristocrat what in a place like this? No, we don't want people like you here, if you want to go busy yourself then there are plenty of women out on the street, ain't no one here for you-"

"I'm married."

As the man finally spoke, Samira flinched. His voice was deep and breathy as if he hadn't spoken in years.

And, hidden and subtle, almost unnoticeable, Samira could feel a hint of malcontent.

She forced her to speak, sweat beginning to form from her hair, "W-well, that's all the more reason for you to get the hell out of here, beat it!" She shouted.

The man acknowledged her not, and proceeded to stomp his way through the door, forcing himself past Samira. With each step, his massive body left a thump.

"You deaf? You ain't wanted here!"

Now, from her yelling, everyone had noticed the commotion.

"Hey Samira," Someone commented, "Who is this guy?"

"Ya," Another person said, "Don't let him in if he is trouble."

Everyone made comments, and Samira felt ever pressured to do something.

She pushed her way forward and stood in the tall man's way.

"I'm giving you one more chance, I'm a level three, and if I got to, I will throw you out, got that?"

The man stopped and finally looked Samira in the eyes, his brown cold eyes boring into her.

"I see now..." He said, his voice low, "This place..." He reached into his coat.

"It's a perfect place for beasts like you to breed."

Samira's only had a fraction of a second to react, as an axe flew from his coat, and threatened to take her head off. If she had been any lower a level, any slower, it would've done just that, but she managed to raise both her hands to stop it from hitting.

That did not stop it from cutting both her arms off, however, as blood shot out from her stumped elbows, and she flew into a wall.

Stillness. And then, panic.

Everyone was running.

It was a perfect environment, to be picked off one by one.

The man dressed in black, axe in hand, leaped forward, to the closest person near him. A man, no... a beast, with a furry tail and furry ears. With ease, he swung his axe and cleaved the man's head in two from the ears down. Blood and brain matter jumped to the woman next to him, and only her eyes could move before she too met a similar fate. Her entire body was split in half at the waist on immediate contact with the axe.

The man dressed in black was quickly enveloped with blood, yet that didn't deter him, and he made his next target. Another group of beasts.

With such a speed, that a boom echoed through the house, and tables and chairs were flipped over, the man dressed in black wasted no time in slamming his elbow into the back of the head of one beast, and the beast's skull caved as it fell to the ground. Another beast was killed when the man in black thrust his axe straight into its face, splitting it like a seam.

The massacre went on.

And people tried to escape.

"This way!" A man, a demi-human, shouted, "There is an exit in the back!"

A group of people flooded through a door, trying to make it to what would seem like a haven.

The back door stood closed, waiting to be opened

The demi-human ran at the front of the group, getting to the door first, and swung it free, "Over here! Get-"

He never had the chance to finish, as everyone looked on, as from behind him from the dark, a silver gleam shone.

And in the next second, a small throwing knife pierced his throat.

The demi-human grasped at the knife, unable to speak, trying to stop his profuse bleeding. Everyone watched frozen, as he stumbled, coughed, and fell to the floor, dead.

From the doorway, another man came from the darkness, dressed in similar clothes to the man in black, but he was much shorter, and his clothes were a dark yellow. In one hand, a saw-like cleaver, and in the other, a handful of knives.

People tried to run.

Then, five knives were flung into the air.

The first pierced a man in his eye.

The second went through a woman's neck.

The third hit a woman's forehead.

The four into a man's hung-open mouth, sticking out from the other end.

And the last, hitting a woman in the heel, sending her to the floor.

Everyone else ran.

As the man in yellow stepped into the out, he heard the woman who had survived his barrage weeping. He walked to her.

"Please, Please, don't-"

The man in yellow stabbed her in the head with his saw-like cleaver as soon as he got to her, and continued his way to those who got out.

What were mere minutes, to the poor souls of the house, felt like hours. More and more screams filled every crevice of the home, and no one had managed to escape. Every door was blocked, and, if anyone tried to jump through a window, a small throwing knife would soon hit them in the back of the head.

In the main, largest room of the house, the man in black's slaughter persisted. Bodies, dismembered and brutalized, scattered the ground, streaks of blood painted the walls, and the air itself seemed to turn red.

Yanking his axe out of a beast on the floor, he looked over to a group of vile creatures, hanging to a wall in fear. It seemed they hit a dead end, and none of them dared to try to fight him.

One beast stepped up, however, and with shaking hands, held what seemed like a sword, in front of him.

The man in black waited for a moment, to see if the beast would make any attempt to attack, but when he realized just how docile it was, he decided to move first.

With his left hand, the man grabbed his blunderbuss from his side, already loaded, and pointed at the group.

The beast in the front didn't even know what hit him, as pellets of lead and metal roared from the gun, hitting every single person who clung to the wall, and serrating their corpses out and about. Intestines hung freely, meat and skin flung about, and even more blood filled the air.

What a sight.

The man in black turned to see another beast trying to run, he would not allow it.

The man in black loaded his blunderbuss once again and pointed at its escaping form.

Only for a throwing knife to hit the back of its head, and for it to fall over dead.

The man in black looked over, and exiting a room, he saw the man in yellow.

A house, once filled with screams of terror, now remained silent. And, as not a single groan or moan could be heard, it was unquestionable.

Everyone was dead.

The man in black sniffed the air, "Did you get all the ones that tried to run?"

The man in yellow grunted.

"Good. These beasts, lavishing in sin, lust, and liquor, seem far worse than the ones back in Yharnam."

The man in yellow grunted.

The man in black looked at the bodies on the floor, "Some of them barely look like beasts, you could almost bloody confuse them... And what about those women with dark skin? I'm not even sure if that is a trait of beasthood."

The man in yellow said nothing.

"Oh, it doesn't matter, if they were mingling with beasts then they were mad all the same."

The man in yellow grunted.

The man in black sniffed the air once again, "About time we leave, being in here makes me sick."

The two men began to walk to the front entrance, longing for some fresh air, before they were stopped by the sound of painful moaning.

Both of them looked over, and leaning against a wall, was a dark-skinned woman with both her arms cut off.

The man in black scoffed, "It seemed you did miss one, Henryk, your age is finally getting to you."

The man in yellow looked at the man in black, and spoke, "Not much younger than me, Gascoigne."

Gascoigne, a hunter of the Church, walked toward the dark-skinned woman.

"You- You fucking monsters, you killed them-"

The large hunter grabbed her by the throat, and squeezed, intending on snapping it.

The dark-skin girl's face turned red, her veins began to pop, and her body shook violently.

"Wait." Henryk said, and Gascoigne's grip on the dark-skinned girl loosened, "Ask her questions, she seems saner."

The larger hunter paused to think, before addressing the beast in front of him, "Alright then, you, beast, why were you gathered here? What are you vile things planning."

The dark-skinned girl gritted her teeth, and spat in the face of the murderer in front of her, "Fuck you."

Gascoigne wiped the spit off his face, before adding, "Listen, beast, I'll offer you this. If you answer me, I'll let you go, how does that sound? Sure, you don't have yer' arms, but that ain't ever stopped a beast before, right? Now answer me this instead, what is this land, that accepts beasts like you so openly?"

The dark-skinned girl took a shaky yet seething breath, clenching her teeth, "Orario."

"Orario?" He looked down at his partner, who shook his head, "Never heard of it, no matter. What about this place? What was happening here? Why such a gathering of degenerates?"

"A-a party, that was it, then you fuckers... Aisha is gonna kill you freaks!"

"I haven't the slightest clue who this 'Aisha' is, but I'm certain we'll be fine against her. Now then, one last thing. You... beasts, I've heard others of your kind, speaking of such things like 'gods', as if they were real and walking about with man. Why is that? Is it some sort of metaphor? Or are they just delusional?"

"The... the gods? Of course, they are here, Orario is the city of the gods! You lot... You both really are crazy!"

The beast began to squirm under his grip, as if trying to fight back against it.

"I see, such madness is common thought, that would explain much. Well then, I promised I would let you go."

The dark-skinned woman, for a moment, widened her eyes. Was he truly going to spare her? If they could, she could warn Aisha and the others about these monsters, or she could go tell the guild!

She was answered, when Gascoigne, in an instant, tightened his grip as hard as he could, and crushed the beast's throat.

He let her body fall to the ground.

"It seems like this whole city needs to be cleansed, isn't that right Henryk? We are going to have some busy nights."

The old hunter grunted, before slowly saying, "I'm getting far too old for this."

"What's another ten years of a good hunt? The blood will keep you young."

"Perhaps."

With that, the two hunters of the Church exited the place of massacre and entered into the darkness of the night.

Eager to continue the hunt.

.

.

---

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Author's note

Hello.

I'm not sure how to start this, but I'll just dive right into it.

Quite the long chapter, 28000 words is nothing to scoff at. Originally, I only intended for this chapter to be 16000 words, but as time went on, I had hit that goal having only finished 6 out of the intended 10 scenes. Here's to hoping anyone actually has the patience to sit down and read it all without skipping. What do you all think about the long chapter?

Speaking of, two things happened to me that prevented me from getting work done on it for two weeks. The week after I posted the first chapter, I got a cold, two weeks later, I caught strep throat, which hurt like hell. I'm certain it's a curse really, as soon as you start to write fanfiction, everything that could distract you in life will. Who knows, next my house is gonna flood.

Ominous omens aside, I have a few things to ask, if that's alright with you. First, most importantly, is the characterization of the characters in the story.

For the bloodborne characters, most of them have non-existent personalities, so I have free reign with them. For the Danmachi characters, however, we know much more of them, so I am wondering if you feel like I did you all well.

Also, on a side note, did anyone else see that review left by Walrus999? What a flatterer. Thanks to everyone who did leave reviews, they are always fun to read and keep me motivated.

Another thing is descriptive in combat scenes. I've never been one to write more action-based narration, so this is the first time in a story where I've had to focus on it so heavily, which makes sense, considering the stories being crossed over. What do you think of it? Are they stale and repetitive, do they get the point across? I'd love to know.

Final note, how is the grammar? Sitting here, after weeks of work, with a 28000-word behemoth in front of me, it is very daunting to have to spend hours after it is all finished, sifting through every sentence to make sure it all makes sense. Miss-spellings, punctuation errors, or just even some words accidentally left in are bound to be found. So, I hope they aren't so intrusive as to ruin the experience, but if they are, please do let me know.

Anyway, I've kept you long enough, I'm sure you are tired of reading if you have made it this far. Leave a review of what you thought, and I'll try to make the story as best I can to meet your expectations.

Yours Truly.

A.A