"Not happening," I said, voice final.
The man heaved a sigh. "Listen, I know you hear stories about how amazing of a job being a Hunter is, but let me tell you as a real professional Hunter— it’s not a fun job at all. When you’re out there, fighting Monsters, you’re putting your life in the line just to earn a little bit of gold. And these aren’t like your everyday animals, they’re ferocious beasts that can kill you in an instant."
There were a few murmurs of agreement coming from the Hunters in the room.
"For the last two weeks, a Chimera has been terrorizing the nearby towns and villages outside of Locke. Even with the increased security from both town guards and the Hunters Guild, it’s still out there right now, having killed two Hunters and dozens of innocent people. This is not a job for children. Please, never become a Hunter."
His eyebrows arched darkly over his eyes, as if he were repressing a grim memory. I saw the man’s expression. I glanced about the room, noticing the overcast looks on almost everybody’s faces. Then, I whispered.
"...Chimera."
The man blinked. "Did you say something?"
"I said: what towns have been getting attacked by this Chimera?"
"Oh, it’s just a bit to the northeast of here— wait, why do you want to know that? Where are you going?"
The man called out after me, but I ignored him; there was no point in talking anymore. Arguing with words solved very little when there was no evidence to back it up. So I was going to procure just the evidence I needed.
I headed out of the city of Locke, and to the towns in the northeast. The city’s gates did not close at night, so I was not worried about being locked out if I did try to return.
I stopped some guards before leaving, getting a more specific direction as to where the Chimera might have been. I was vague with it, of course; they would not have told me anything otherwise. After I followed the road they pointed me in for a few hours, I found myself in a village that looked like it provided the food to the city.
I asked some more questions there— once again, in a roundabout way so as to not raise any suspicion— before entering a forest where someone most recently disappeared two days ago. I wandered around for a few more hours, more lost than anything. Maybe I would not have found anything, or maybe I would have. Considering how things usually went for me, I believed that it would be the latter tonight; but on that same token, getting attacked by a Monster was not exactly considered good fortune. So when I finally saw something in the shadow of the night, I was not really sure whether to thank my luck, or curse it.
There was a glint of light, and I knew it was there. Just like the first time I was attacked by a Chimera, the Monster came out from between the bushes. It had lain low in waiting, so that despite being bigger than a lion, it remained stealthy.
I brought a hand up, and a magical barrier flashed into existence. The Chimera bounced off the blue shield, confused as to where it had come from. It backed up quickly, as I released the spell, drawing both weapons on my belt. A pistol and a dagger. And with that, I stood across from the Monster as it cautiously inspected me with its glowing eyes from afar.
So you’re that stupid dumb idiot Chimera that’s been terrorizing these people.
Just like last time, its goat head was mounted on a lion’s body. Its snake-like tail was thrashing wildly at its back, as it took a step forward, seemingly coming to the conclusion that I was not a threat. It was large. Bigger than any lion. But I thought it was smaller than the one I last saw. Or maybe I had just gotten bigger since then; that would have made more sense, considering kids my age grew quite a lot in a few months. And, speaking of growth…
The last time I fought a Chimera, I was completely overwhelmed, even with a pistol and with Adrian helping me. Sure, I ended up killing it in the end. But it did not feel like a victory. Not when I lost my arm, and would have lost my life if not for my mom.
Maybe it was a draw; that would have been the most fair assessment of the battle’s outcome. But still, I was not an impartial judge. To me, it felt as though I lost against the Chimera.
So it was finally time for the rematch. And this time, I thought to myself with a flip of my gray dagger, and a grin spreading across my hidden face. I’m not going to lose.
The Chimera bounded at me, lashing out with its tail. I managed to fire a single shot before the snakehead struck the ground where I was standing, but I had seen the attack coming. I was no longer there.
I dashed forward at the charging Monster. It bared its fangs at me in an arrogant smile. It was still over ten paces away. Even more, for a regular Human. But in one giant leap, it covered the distance in an instant.
I dodged the Chimera as it pounced at me. I leaned out of the way and took a big step to the right. I held my dagger out as the Chimera just barely missed me. Putting all my strength into this one swing, I slashed at the moving Monster.
I felt the blade connect. I was nearly knocked off balance just from the force of its pull alone. But I steadied myself. My dagger left a long
