Beast Hunters - Chapter 001: Shadows

Monster Hunter nodded once and stood up and waved towards everyone. They reached the stage and turns to face everyone on the main floor.

“What the… now we have people wearing in strange clothing. Can we really trust someone if we have no idea what they look like?” Excalik tips his hat. “Very strange…”

Monster Hunter taps the mic once before speaking. “Greetings, I’m called the Monster Hunter by my kin in Garden Town. As Bronson said, there were reports of vicious monsters that attack our town constantly: Goblins. Creatures that have harbors no regards to human life—they steal, kill and pillage anything they can get their hands on. They are dumb, but they are fast learners. Teach them once, and they will be able to replicate by memory. They are cunning and use sneak tactics to get the drop on you. They are capable of wielding magic—although they are weak in that department, letting your guard down around such is not recommended. They will use any exploitive means to drag their filthy blade against your neck. Their most sought out prize is the Red Flowers that surrounds our town. Bronson and I comb through the area and killing any Goblins in sight. However, we found out that the area was infested with radiation, so we had to prepared protective gear to get closer, as we believe that there is a Mutant behind their attacks. We didn’t have much success of finding their locations, due to the world suddenly ending on that day, but with more people, we can scuff them out of their holes and kill every single last of them.” 

Monster Hunter gripe onto the podium, nearly digging their fingers in the wood. “They have terrorized us for years despite my efforts to hunt them down. I could not save everyone that was taken nor killed by them. I hope… we put an end to them. Please, save my town from these vicious monsters, and I’ll be indebted to your cause.” 

Silence turned his head slightly towards Monster Hunter after their speech. He know the feeling of helplessness against the monsters.
 
"Well if those goblins are giving you a hard time, you can count on me and Elilinor to cut them up a bit," Blazrin said while jabbing a thumb on his chest. "Me and Elilinor make a pretty mean combo. I mean, she's the best partner I've ever had! Let us handle those goblins for you and we'll clean things up on no time!"

Blazrin sounded as confident as usual but he pondered on the thought of the goblins using magic.

"Errm, I'm not so good using or dealing with magic, so I don't know how I'll do against those magical goblins. Be real nice to have a spellcaster on our side..."
 
"We get full permission to kill 'em?! Finally!!" Eleanor cheered with a fist in the air. "Sign me the hell up! I won't miss out on the chance to mess up some brains!"

"Monsters raiding the town huh?... How can we say no?" Vala said, thinking. "But radiation sounds just as dangerous as the goblins... what to do..."

"Hey, hey! She can do magic stuff! Really well in fact!" Eleanor shouted, pointing at Vala across the table. "Can ya can ya can ya?!"

Vala sank down into her seat, blushing in embarrassment. "Y-yes...."

"Kay! Count 'em in too!"

"... I really hate that woman," Vala mumbled.

"Guess it's settled. Bronson can come with since he's been there before."

"Aye. Wouldn't want the lassies to get in any trouble neither. Why I didn't let me sisters out of me sight when I was startin' up the job. Even though that one's got teeth that could rip apart a good slab of mutton in one bite!" Bronson laughed loudly.

"They're so sharp I might bite a hole through my lip if I ain't careful!" Eleanor guffawed back.

"I wish I could come with, but with only one eye, I'm afraid I won't be a good lookout for you all." Valerie pointed to her eyepatch. "Maybe next time~"
 
“Uh, yeah, we’re in.” Excalik scratched his head after Eleanor’s outburst and deciding that they would come as well regardless of input. “Last time we fought a monster was a disgusting zombified dragon. We’ll give our best to liberate your town from these creatures.”
Monster Hunter nodded. “Thank you. I’ll be indebted to you.”

Silence stood up. “Based on that, the central mission is to kill all Goblins around Garden Town and eliminated the one that leads their pack. I expect a clean and successful mission without fail. Think of it as a test of your unity for your first mission. Since Bronson will be coming along, I don’t have any need to come. He is more than capable of ensuring your safety.” Silence said, still wondering about the response letter regarding on Mecha Samurai’s condition. He stills needs to be prepared. “Though, please make sure Eleanor and Blazrin aren’t causing, ahem, too much trouble.”

Deader nodded. “I agreed with Silence… it seems that you guys got things handled. I’ll sit this one out… still need to get use to getting around here.” 

“I, however, will come as well!” Jack pounded his chest. “Killing damn Goblins and finding that crazy mutant? Sounds like the time in my younger days, where we were trap in the Scorching Summit trying to find those valuable minerals, and I, with several daggers lunge on me back, carrying a bucket load of rocks with one hand and a sword on another—”

“Stories for later.” Silence sweated a bit. “You have all your mission. Gather your supplies and equipment and head off to Garden Town.” Silence said. “Don’t let us down.” 

Monster Hunter bowed to Valerie, Deader and Silence. “Thank you, Elites. I’ll owe you my life.” 

“Guess we’re going…” Excalik turns to Vala. “You better get that leather mask to protect you from that radiation.”
 
"Alright, time to fight those crazy monsters. We should get some masks to help us fight in that radiation. I wish Mecha was here, he would have no problem fighting those goblins." Blazrin smiled as he rose from his seat. "Right, make sure to pack the essentials, Elilinor, like extra snacks. The good news is that we got to team up with a bunch of new folk!"

Blazrin smiled at Excalik and Vala as he moved to the two and slicked his hair back in front of Vala. In his usual manner, he likes to be a little flirty to the girls.

"The name's Blazrin. If you ever need help, you can count on me and Elilinor. We're all a team here but if you ever feel like going out for dinner, I know a good place." He glanced at Excalik and held his hand out. "Pleasure to meet you, Bucko. Looks like we're gonna be working together for this mission, huh? I think you'd be more scared of Elilinor than the Goblins, she's got a wicked bite."
 
Excalik was feeling a bit agitated on how Blazrin approached Vala, slapping the axe-warrior’s hand away from him. “Listen partner. Don’t get too comfortable and keep your hands to yourself. And I ain’t your bucko—it’s Excalik. Best to remember that, Yack. Let’s get those masks and away from this Romeo.” The cowboy mummy storm off to get prepared for the mission.

Silence placed his hand over his face in embarrassment. “Uh, yeah, make sure you keep an eye on those two. They ain’t the sharpest tool in the shed, but fighting wise, they’re capable.” He told Jack and Bronson.
 
"Ohoho, I remember bein' like that meself," Bronson tried not to chuckle. "But I wasn't very good at pick-up lines. That and girls didn't like lads who took the dirty jobs like I did..."

Valerie sighed and rolled her eyes at him. "Don't forget the alcoholism."

"Oi! I'm sober now, don't bring my liver into this. At any rate, leave em to us, we'll bring 'em all back in one piece."
====
Vala watched Excalik leave for the equipment before staring back at Blazrin. The entire time, she had stayed silent until he said his piece. She raised her eyebrows and kept her seemingly permanent frown.

"... My name is Vala. I remember you both well from six months ago... but let's try to keep our socializing professional." Despite the first impression she got from him, she maintained politeness with a small curtsy before she turned the other way, following after Excalik and turning her nose up. "... and I prefer dinner alone."

"Heeheehee, looks like she's a tougher customer than the ponytail girl." Eleanor couldn't contain her mockery. "Well, we've got some packing to do, so you can think about girls afterwards! I wonder what kinda Mutant there might be?..." she said as she sauntered off to obtain her protectice gear. "I better get my knives too for good measure. Wouldn't want those little freaks getting close."
 
"Yikes, easy there guy..." Blazrin backed away from Excalik while being declined by Vala. "W-What's a 'Yack?'"

He followed Eleanor and took a hold of his trusty axe. It got a new handle since the old one was burnt to char after his spell against Negative. This handle was made completely out of steel and had magical properties, mostly to keep it from melting in case he decided to use his little magic skill. This time he had a little backpack he wore in case they need to carry extra supplies. He made sure to pack the first aid kit, just in case.

"If they get too close, just try to bite them, that'll be sure to get them running! Bet they wouldn't expect that, eh? We should get some extra masks, just in case. You can stuff them in my backpack along with your other stuff. Make sure to leave room for Vala and that Yack dude."
 
“Let see how  our first official mission as a unit goes.” Silence said. “This will be the testament of our strength in Desolate Lands, and perhaps, finally able to cause the Dalv Tribe to be cautious of their movements.

====

All the Hunters going on the mission to the Garden Town headed to the Weapons and Armory department to gather equipment.
Excalik did not need much replacement for his tools and weapons. His hat was still sharp as ever and gotten some new bandages to cover his body. Hopefully, they will not burst into flames if he tried to run faster than usual. Picking up several masks, giving them to Vala. “I wonder why Monsters aren’t affected by this kind of stuff…?” Excalik questions. “Lots of things that we don’t know about the world…” 

“Because Monsters have strong resistance to these types of radiation. Becoming a monster enables them to survive through the harshest of conditions, even radioactive infested areas, though there is a limit of how much they can take. If they bask in it, they will certainly die or received permanent damage.” Monster Hunter addressed Excalik’s questions as they picked up their tools for the mission. “And their resistance is what makes them dangerous. They can toss radioactive things at once without too much concern.” 

They picked up several more leather masks and gave it to Blazrin and Eleanor. “And yes, the more masks, the better. We do not know how far the rabbit hole goes. Best to be extra prepared. They usually sent out scouts to convey the area. So we need to smoke them out and kill them so they don’t alert the others.” Monster Hunter, prepared, headed towards the exit to start the mission.

“…. That one is intense, isn’t it?” Excalik said.
 
"I'd love nothing more than to dismantle the Dalv Tribe..." Valerie clenched her fists tightly around the scabbard of her sword, speaking with venom in her voice. "Break them up into little packs like the starved jackals they are until nothing remains of their parasitic empire."

=====

Eleanor nodded along, packing the masks into Blazrin's pack. "Welp, I guess I won't be biting anything, taking off that mask sounds like I might die. Do you think Monster Hunter is a robot too?! I thought they were a statue Valerie bought when I walked in."

"Somewhat, yes... the intimidating type," Vala replied, fishing out a few flammable vials from the drawers and a flint and steel. "Just in case we need to set a couple fire traps."

"Eeyup! I love me a good tripwire or two, I'll take some rope with us for a good rope trap or maybe if there's some underground systems we need to get into," Eleanor continued putting the items until the knapsack was fairly full. "That's about it since I'm carrying my knives and harpoon with me... should I pack sandwiches?"

"Do you intend to use it as bait?" Vala asked.

"No, it'll be ours to eat."

"Then don't. Unless you want them to smell it before they see us." Vala scolded.

Bronson slipped on his fixed-up coat and a pair of gloves whose forearm cuffs were lined with metal guards. His hunting axe was still able to use its trick mode, but the blade of the axe looked like there were rubies smelted into its crevices that gave it a distinct pattern of cooled magma. "Just finished this out in the workshop... can't wait to give it a whirl on their skulls!" He said with a menacing grin. "Let's roll!"
 
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