"Good Hunter," Eve watched as the Huntress opened the storage chest near the door, "is something wrong?"
"Not at all, Eve," the Huntress shook her head while rummaging through the box, "I'm just grabbing equipment for an excursion I joined."
The Doll walked over to the Huntress' side, kneeling down to look her in the eyes, "Then you have found success in your endeavors outside the Workshop?"
The Huntress nodded while lifting a molotov from the chest, "Indeed. A group of bounty hunters was scouting for a new member, and their leader came to me. I introduced myself to the group and they told me about the current job we've got. Rescuing someone from a pack of werewolves. How many blood vials do you think I should take?"
"'Never underestimate any opponent you encounter'. Following Ghernam's advice has kept you alive and well thus far," Eve replied while straightening her skirt.
"Technically, I taught myself that after I died to the same ambush five times in a row," the Huntress smiled at the memory of the First Hunter, her mentor, "You're right, though. Just because it's been easy so far, doesn't mean it will be forever. Twenty it is."
The Doll's head tilted in wonder as she beheld the Huntress' face, "Good Hunter. Your spirits seem brighter than they once were."
"Really?" The Huntress shrugged while counting the number of quicksilver bullets left in her bag, "I suppose I'm just excited. Fighting alongside others after so long is a wonderful prospect. Comrades I can work with, succeed with, and connect with have been in short supply. It's nice to experience it again."
Her eyes scanned the inside of the chest before settling on a few brown, glass bottles. She reached for the sedatives, grabbing five and placing them into one of the six pockets close to her hands, "Their names are Jet, Sentinel, and Blitz. Those aren't their real names, plainly, but I don't expect them to give me that level of trust straightaway. I am a stranger after all. However, I did manage to gain some more knowledge on the workings of the Waking World thanks to them."
"Truly?" Eve tilted her head questioningly.
The Huntress nodded, placing a hand on her chin as she started to speak, "They were completely stunned when I showed them the Burial Blade. None of them had ever seen anything like it, meaning this land has no Workshop or equal smith working. They haven't mass-produced gunpowder weapons either, judging by the reactions Evelyn elicited."
She brushed away some stray hair that fell into her eyes, "That part is understandable, because they have something that Yharnam didn't; Magic. Specifically, they can draw on powers similar to the Arcane without the use of trinkets or fetishes as we did, and are not limited to only using the power of the Stars. Summoning the power of the natural elements, physical augmentation, and more is within their grasp. My observations have lead me to conclude it is not as powerful as the Arcane but its versatility makes up the difference. Ah!"
The Huntress withdrew the Hand Lantern from the chest and clipped it to her hip. "Just in case," she said while adjusting her body to sit more comfortably, "Sentinel told me all this. He's a mage, meaning he has more Mana than most people and can use magic more often. Mana, or Spirit Energy, is something all the humans in the Waking World have. It's their life force in a way where if someone runs out of Mana, then they're a sitting duck for the monsters who feed on that Spirit Energy."
"These monsters," Eve began, "how are they different from the Beasts?"
"They don't hunger for Blood for one thing," the Huntress' eyes narrowed as she remembered what Blitz had told her about the monsters, "Instead they eat the Spirit Energy of humans using their...sexual fluids. Males are a favorite due to how they produce an almost limitless amount of Mana at all times." She shook her head in disgust and anger. The Beasts and Kin were terrifying to be sure, but at least they merely killed you. They never purposely left you alive to violate you until your mind broke, turning you into nothing more than a sex puppet, "Women, on the other hand, draw Mana from the environment. This puts them at risk as the monsters will find ways to coat them with corrupted Mana, turning them into another monster. Which leads me to the most important thing I learned from the group."
She double-checked her inventory, before grabbing the lid of the chest and closing it with both hands. She stood up and spoke without looking at Eve, "The humans are losing this war."
----------------------------------------
"This way, quietly," the Huntress crouched low to the ground, holding up her right hand. She waves it forward before setting off deeper into the foliage in front of her. The sound of three sets of footsteps followed closely behind her. Jet and Sentinel soon came up on her left and right side. Jet's crossbow was empty, but his hands gripped the weapon with a deftness and grace that only experience and practice can bring. He wore a brown leather gambeson with matching pants, a quiver of bolts strapped to his back. Posture relaxed but eyes sharp, he scanned the forest for any sign of a threat. He spotted the Huntress observing him and sent a wiry smile her way. She chose not to react and turned to Sentinel.
The large man had his head towards the ground, eyes closed while he muttered something under his breath. He wore heavy white and red cloth robes that covered his immense frame. His grayish brows furrowed, his lips curled up in frustration, then he scoffed before opening his eyes.
"Any luck there, Sen?" Jet looks over at the old Mage while stepping over an ant mound.
"What do you think?" Sen shook his head, "Divination's been getting harder and harder for me everyday. In a few years I won't even be able to see the Mana in the air anymore."
"Don't count yourself out yet, Old Man," Jet waved at the Huntress, "Besides, Hunt's been doing well leading us so far."
The Huntress shrugged, slight chagrin at the nickname they gave her, "Anyone experienced with tracking down an animal could follow their trail. Look here," the Huntress held up a hand while kneeling down to the ground. She dusted a few stray leaves out of the way, revealing multiple footprints in the shape of wolf claws. She examined the dirt with discerning eyes, "These tracks are still fresh. We're getting closer."
"Good," the sound of metal shifting around made the Huntress ease to the left as Blitz marched to the front of the group, "Let's get this job over with."
"No need to be hasty, Blitz," Jet said while moving to catch up with the girl.
"Say that when you're the one carrying the heavy equipment, Jet," Jet flinched as Blitz lifted the tower shield and heavy lance she carried. She rolled her eyes as Jet focused his towards the ground.
The Huntress squinted her eyes at Blitz as Sentinel made to catch up with her. She was the smallest of the group, her thin body making her look younger than she really was. Her fair white skin, flexible body, baby-like face, and pink, curly hair, didn't help to prove otherwise. A stark contrast with the equipment she carried. Her shield, wide and tall as Sentinel, was only matched by the heavy lance she wielded. It would give a well-trained knight trouble, yet Blitz handled it like it was second nature. The crimson gambeson she wore went down to her waist, and was clearly better maintained than Jet's. To the Huntress, Blitz represented the proverb that "looks can be deceiving".
There was just one issue.
The Huntress' frowned as she walked up to Blitz's side, her eyes focused on Blitz' completely unprotected legs. A single, thigh length, pink skirt barely covered anything at all. Her only other articles of clothing were her two, brown traveling shoes. Other than that, she had nothing to protect anything below her waist. On top of this, she had two buttons in her gambeson unbuttoned. Which wouldn't be a problem if the open area wasn't the center of her chest. Which, to the Huntress, was a weakness any dangerous enemy would not hesitate to exploit.
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Blitz's light gray eyes moved upwards to meet the Huntress' gaze. Her voice did little to mask her annoyance, "Didn't your parents teach you that it's rude to stare, Hunt? If you've got something to say, say it."
"Why don't you have on any leggings?" the Huntress cut straight to the heart of the matter, "Nor completely button up your armor? Leaving even a single part of your body uncovered could lead to serious injury during a battle."
The Huntress did expect to get a strange look or two from Blitz for asking the question. What she didn't expect was for Blitz, Jet, and Sentinel to stop moving and look at her as if she had grown a second head. She shrugged at them in response, pointing out how it was a valid question.
Blitz stabbed her lance into the ground and leaned against it, "Let me try to answer not just your question, but whatever reasons you might have for them. First, I can move around better like this," she hopped from foot to foot to emphasize. "Second, I like the cool breeze on my legs," a hand waved at the indicated appendages. "Third, if I button up all the way I can't breathe. Fourth, and this is the important one, cause armor doesn't do shit against monsters."
"The first three aren't answers, they are excuses," the Huntress didn't let up, "personal taste and comfort is secondary during battle, and useless when it concerns the safety of the entire group. For the fourth, I have faced monsters before. They do not seem to carry anything that can do serious damage to protective clothing."
Blitz's face turned from an annoyed stare to an angry frown. Sentinel's palm hit his face as Jet looked between the two women with a worried look. Blitz sneered, "Listen here, rookie. Just because Sen and I spent the time to teach you how things work around here, don't go thinking you get to tell me how I do my job. Actually," Blitz stood up and walked forward until she was chest to chest with the tall woman, "where did you say you were from again? Because you sure don't act like someone who just found out what Mana was yesterday."
No emotions passed over the Huntress' face as she matched the girl's glare. It was unsurprising that Blitz was the most suspicious of her. Sentinel had called her the band's "babysitter" for how she handled most of the logistical aspects of their operation. They didn't want it to be the case, but Sentinel was getting along in his years and Jet's upbringing didn't allow him much time for a formal education. Which meant it was up to Blitz to be the pragmatic one of the group.
In some aspects a blessing. In others a curse.
The Huntress knew this all too well.
Neither woman moved an inch, each waiting for the other to blink first. It took Jet literally stepping between the two of them to stop the conflict, "Now, now, ladies. Calm down. We are on a mission here. Hunt, why don't you and Sen go find our target? Me and Blitz will catch up."
The Huntress and Blitz shared one last look over the thin man's shoulder, before the Huntress turned away to follow Jet's suggestion. An argument at this point would only worsen the group's cohesion. Not to mention possibly reveal details she'd rather keep hidden.
The Huntress nodded with Sentinel as they set out to follow the tracks left by their quarry. Once they were far enough, Sentinel sighed while scratching the back of his neck, "Don't let Blitz get to you, Hunt. She'll come around soon enough."
"No," the Huntress shook her head, "she's right to be mistrusting. I am a stranger. I overstepped my bounds to criticize her choice in attire. I do not regret nor detract my statements, but I understand they were inappropriate. I must ask, however, why did she choose such a revealing outfit?"
"What do you mean?" Sen tilted his head in confusion.
"I mean why does she wear a skirt so short that it would reveal her undergarments while she fights, and allow enough of her breasts to show that it would hurt her during combat?" The Huntress felt she was pointing out the obvious, but the confusion on the large man's face didn't fade.
"Hmm" Sentinel placed a hand on his chin, "can't say I really understand what you're getting at, Hunt. Blitz always dresses like that, and she hasn't had trouble fighting so far."
The Huntress rolled her eyes, choosing to drop the subject matter as she was getting nowhere. She turned her gaze to the large man while pushing a stray branch out of her way, "If anything, you and Jet shouldn't be so trusting of me, Sentinel. We've barely spent more than a day together, yet he allowed you to go ahead of the group with me. Is he truly that careless?"
"Can't speak for Jet, but I suppose you're right about me," he shrugged, "But if we're going to work together then paranoia will only get in the way. Wouldn't be able to concentrate on casting spells if I'm constantly worrying about if you'll stab us in the back and run off with the loot."
"Correct, but foolish. We do not have to trust each other to fight together," the Huntress squinted as sunlight from a gap in the canopy temporarily blinded her. The darkness lasted just long enough to distract her from an exposed tree root. She felt her feet leave the ground as she tripped over it, preparing to roll right when she landed to minimize the damage.
Then a large, soft hand grabbed the back of her coat.
She blinked the darkness away as Sentinel set her down on her feet, "True. However, it certainly feels better, doesn't it?"
A memory resurfaced as she beheld Sentinel's smile. The face of Father Gascoigne replaced the old man's as her battle against the Cleric Beast flashed before her eyes. The warm, comforting grin he gave her as he blocked the Beast's massive fist before it crush the life out of her gave her the strength she needed to finish the fight. It was both her first true fight as a Hunter, and her first time working with a partner.
It was a wonderful experience.
And Yharnam, that blasted city, snatched it away.
But this world wasn't Yharnam.
She softened her expression, placed a hand on her hat and gazed up at Sentinel, a small smile hidden behind her bandana, "Yes. I suppose it does."
----------------------------------------
"Shit," Jet cursed under his breath as he brought his crossbow up to his eye. It was midday, the sun beginning to set behind the horizon. Thankfully, there was still enough light to let him examine the area where their quarry had been found. What he saw did not fill him with confidence.
He frowned while sucking his teeth, crouching down into the brush he was hiding in. Behind him were Sentinel, Blitz, and the Huntress. Sen had his staff in one hand with his eyes closed, while Blitz was polishing the tip of her lance with a handkerchief. The Huntress lied prone on the ground, her eyes shooting up to Jet's when he returned, "How many did you see?"
"Five, six, maybe seven?" Jet spat into a pile of leaves nearby, "Point is it's way more than I thought it would be. They set up camp on a small hill, with sentry positions set up along the bottom. The ones I saw were right there, laying on beds made of bundles of leaves. They've made to spread them out but not so far that big gaps formed between them. They've covered all the bases in terms of perimeter defense."
"Unsurprising," Blitz put the cloth into a pocket on her skirt, "me and Sen knew things would be like this before we got here. Any sign of our hostage?"
Jet shook his head, "None, but I saw a werewolf coming down from the top of the hill. She was walking kind of funny, and the sentry she relieved bolted right for the crest as soon as she showed up. Which means that..."
"That all our plans are shot to hell," Sentinel's expression was grim. He opened his eyes at Jet, "The only reasons we haven't been found yet are my magic dampening any sound we make, and the fact that we're downwind of the hill. The moment we get too close or go around we're through."
Jet squinted his eyes, tapping away at his crossbow in thought, "We could try to draw them away in groups, but they've been in this forest for a while. They'll turn the tables on us in a heartbeat if we try to fight them here."
"Waiting until nightfall isn't an option for obvious reasons," Blitz placed a fist on her forehead as she tried to think of a plan, "That leaves charging in like a bunch of morons. Which could work...if we don't get overrun." The three of them lapsed into silence as they all thought of multiple plans of action. However, they all fell apart the moment they factored in the numbers and strength of the werewolves. Soon, the bounty hunters started to earnestly contemplate giving up on the mission. It wasn't ideal but neither was getting captured by monsters and turned into sex puppets. What good would thirty thousand gold be to them then?
Jet was about to voice this exact thing, when the Huntress sat up from her position. When the group's attention was firmly on her, she spoke, "I have a suggestion; I act as a decoy."
Her comrades looked at each other, then at her.
"What?" they all said in unison.
The Huntress, unperturbed, continued, "If the enemy has an acute sense of smell, then it is just as much our advantage as theirs." She took out a throwing knife to draw her plan out in the dry grass beneath them, "I can move around to the back of the hill, where the wind will pick up my scent. The pack will smell it and come after me. At which point, I will cause enough damage to get them to pull their sentries away from this side of the hill. While they're all focused on me, you three will climb up the hill on this side, grab the target, then run away before they can react I'll either fight my way through to you, or go around and meet up with you later."
The Huntress gazed at the faces of her comrades. They were frowning in thought as they weighed her plan against their other options. The first to speak was Jet, who nodded his head, "Not a bad plan all things considered. However,...are you really okay with putting yourself in that much danger?"
Sentinel nodded, "He's right, Hunt. Don't go throwing your life away, thinking you need to prove something here."
The Huntress saw the old man's eyes flick to Blitz for a split-second. She held her hands out and shrugged, "I'm not out to prove anything. I am only ensuring that our mission is successful, and that we all get out with as few injuries as possible."
The two men couldn't think of a way to argue against her. Blitz spoke up, "You'll be on your own, and up against at least ten to twenty werewolves. You're sure you can handle it?"
She raised an eyebrow at the Huntress who only nodded in reply. The four of them stared at the drawing the Huntress had made, racking their minds for any other method they could try.
Finally, Sentinel and Blitz nodded towards Jet. The young leader glanced at the Huntress with a gleam in his eyes and a smile on his face, "Alright, Hunt. Let's see what you can do."