[Perspective: Katsu]

A swing of my blade, I removed the head of the Hobgoblin, keeping my promise. His death was quick, fast enough that he likely didn’t have time to register pain. I looked over to Amaya, she seemed to be doing fine, but that wound on her shoulder was quite bad. Even with an injury like that, someone like her would heal in just about six to seven hours.

There was one thing left to do here. And that was to search this camp for any evidence that could help me piece everything together. So far, I only knew that the ones responsible are a faction of Hobgoblins known as the hellbringers. Lead by a supposed strong warrior, Killken. Strong or not, I'll get to him eventually.

My eardrums shook at the sound of a loud, scarce roar. The suddenly, an incredibly powerful blow struck my back. I tumbled across the dirt, before stumbling back on balance.

“Gah....” What the hell just hit me.

My eyes looked up, only to see a very tall, muscular red creature. A hobgoblin. But unlike any that I’ve seen. And I’ve seen hundreds of monsters.

“And, what are you exactly?” I asked the creature.

By how stupid it looked, I half expected it to not understand words, but it answered me in a loud, anger-filled tone.

“Human. Let me educate you today. I am the finest example of experimentation. The very image of strength. Today, you die.”

“I see. A mutant, then.”

A mutant hobgoblin. That’s a first. But this pointed to something bigger. Something I'd have to investigate later. For now, it was time to do what I do best. Kill monsters.

“Alright. Show me what you got, big man.” I taunted. And it seemed to work effectively.

With every muscle in his body, he sprinted at me. Monster are always easier to fight when they make the first move.

As he approached, I leaped over him in backflip motion. As soon a sI tocuhed down behind him, I jumped on his back and stabbed my sword into it’s neck. The hobgoblin yelled out in rage, trying to throw me off, but I had a strong grip on him. I yanked my blade out and stabbed him in the neck again. Again, I yanked my sword out, but this time he got me. His hand grabbed the back of my coat and threw me across the dirt. I rolled myself back on my feet. There was just one issue, I dropped my sword. Blocking my path to it, a big angry mutant.

It’s a good thing I keep a spare weapon. I reached and pulled a dagger out of my boot, making sure to hold this one tightly.

His charge up for a powerful strike, swinging his arm at me. I leaned underneath, just out of his reach stabbing my dagger into his lower abdomen. Before I could get it back out, the mutant reached both of its arms and slammed them down at me. It was a close call, but I dived and rolled out of the way.

With a backhand motion, its fist bashed into my chest, throwing me back at least fifteen feet.

...That one hurt...Maybe I'm getting rusty.

I laid there for a second, before regaining my strength to stand. There was a new issue, my dagger was stuck in its abdomen. Now I'd have to resort to using my fists. With just raw strength, I’d struggle.

Enhancement: Strength

But I had much more than just strength.

This mutant laughed at me, “Is that all that you are capable of? Is this all a human can do?”

“Funny. I was going to ask you the same thing? Is that all you can do?”

To my success, I struck a nerve. In moments, he came charging directly at me, ready to rip my guts out if I let him. I wasn’t.

The mutant's giant, muscular hands reach out to grab me, but here’s where things turned in my favor.

[Time Slow]

Time around me slowed significantly, the only one who wasn’t affected by this was me.

I stepped around the mutants grasp and threw jap into his solar plexus, then another one into his floating rib. Natural he started to guard his body, leaving his face open. With the strongest hit I could muster, I threw an uppercut into his jaw, almost throwing him off balance. I followed up with a left jab into it’s to throat. It was clear that one hurt him.

But I left myself open and failed to see his hands reached out for me. Both of his hand grabbed my waist and has lifted me into the air.

“It’s over!” he tried to bring me close to his mouth. I assume he was going to bite my head off.

I kicked out both of my legs, caving in his teeth. A roar escaped his mouth, but I managed to get free and yank my dagger from his abdomen. With a powerful leap into the air, I raised my blade up high. Then with both hands, I brought it down, piercing the top of its skull.

The mutant's body froze in place, then slowly tilted over, crashing against the ground.

It was done. I retrieved both my dagger and swords and shot a glance in Amaya’s direction. Her eyes were wide open, like she wasn’t expecting me to win that one.

“Thanks for the help.”

“I... didn’t think you were going to need it.” she frowned.

If anything, it showed how highly she thought of me, the trust she had in my skill. But I was far from perfect. She’ll come to see that I am not invincible. I was far from it. I hate admit, without time to form a plan, I entirely fall apart in battle. And with unexpected factors like that mutant, it throws me off my focus. This fight was harder than it should’ve been.

“One the bright side, that was like something out of a movie.” Amaya giggled.

With that mutant out of the way, I continued with my original plan and searched that camp. I searched high and low, but the only thing I could find was a letter. One written to that hobgoblin I killed. The one who wore the insignia.

{To my trustworthy Soldier. You have one mission and I trust you will do it I have put you in charge of two camps, lead the hellbringers and cause as much chaos as possible. Why? You may be wondering. Don’t question it. As you know, we have joined forced with a very special somebody. We share the same goal of bringing this kingdom down. Remember why we do this. To rebuild this kingdom in our image. A place us hobgoblins can call home. Now, carry out your mission with everything have and you may be promoted to Chieftan this time.}

Two things I've learned from this.

1. These hellbringers have allied themselves with someone. I need to find out who. There’s a chance this may be the shadow orc. I’ll have to get to this later.

2. There was still another camp nearby. One that we had to find.

This information was just the tip of the iceberg. There were plenty more hellbringers roaming this kingdom, places that the military are unaware of. My hunt for the shadow orc just became a lot bigger.

One thing was for certain, I’d put an end to all of them.

Amaya and I headed back to camp, filling the other monsters in on what had happened, as what I’ve figured out. The hellbringers, their goal, and that mysterious ally of theirs.

Logan was quick to question why I didn’t bring him with us, yet alone tell him we had a lead. But given the fact there was another camp nearby, he snapped back on focus.

“This mission got a hell of a lot more complicated.” He grunted, turning his gaze to the horse tracks on this side of the village, “This is out only lead to where this camp might be. Doesn’t look too promising.”

Tracks smeared and covered by the wind; he was correct. This evidence was useless. As that is, there was a promising solution. Amaya.

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I gave a nod in her direction, “Do that thing.”

As clueless as ever, her head tilted, “Huh?? What thing?”

“Figuring out where these horse tracks lead. That thing.”

Amaya headed back to camp, I filled the other monster hunter in one what I discovered. The mutants, the hellbringers, their goal, and this mysterious ally of theirs.

Of course, the first thing the others did was question why I didn’t bring them with me. When all was said and done, that didn’t matter. Right now, we had to find this other camp.

“This whole mission just got complicated.” Logan grunted. He looked off in the direction of the smeared horse tracks., “These tracks are our only lead to where this other camp might be, but...”

But they were covered by the wind, rendering this lead useless. But we had a solution for this.

I gazed in Amaya’s direction.

“Do that thing?”

As clueless as ever she titled her head, “What thing?”

“The thing. Figure out where these tracks lead.”

“...Ohhhhhh. That thing. Got it.” she smiled smugly, “Oh, what would you do without me.”

To that, there was nothing to say. Amaya was useless at first, but she was beginning to prove herself. Without her here, we wouldn’t have gotten as far as we did today. Behind all of her bad traits, there was a small glint of potential. At her own pase, she was improving.

“She an expert at this kinda thing?” Logan asked, as the both of us watched Amaya inspecting the dirt.

“Apparently.” I replied.

In just a few seconds, she stood up and turned to face me, a smirk across her lips.

“Alrighty. I got it. Ready to lead the way”

Logan, as the other monster hunter, Jarred, grabbed their gear.

“Lead the way, kid.”

“I’m ready to go. Let’s hand these hobgoblins their own asses.”

With that, there was nothing else to be said. We set forward, Amaya leading the way effectively.

This time, I knew what they had in store for us. This time, we had a plan.

In as little as ten minutes, she stumbled across the camp. Just like the last, it had a tall wooden fence surrounding it, a singular watchtower with a hobgoblin that hadn't seen us yet.

The four of us took cover behind some trees while we discussed our plan of action.

“Don’t forget. They’ll have mutants with them.” I reminded them, “Their strength is enhanced and they're not easy to take down.”

“So... do we like charge the front gate?” Amaya asked, “Like we did before?”

“No. Amaya. That would be stupid.” Last time, that was our only option because we had already been spotted. This time, we had the element of surprise.

Before I could go on and explain the plan, Jarred took the bow n arrow off his back and aimed it at the watch-tower.

“First things first, we need that look out gone. Right?”

He pulled his arrow back, readying for the shot. If he missed, this would expose us and compromise any plan we had. I attempted to stop him. Before I could say a word, he released his arrow, sending it across the air, a slight whistle behind it.

The arrow stuck right through the hobgoblin’s head. Instant death, his body dropped like a bag of rocks. Luckily, it was quiet.

It was a reckless move from Jarred, but it worked. Still, it’s not something I’d like to see again. Ever again.

“Don’t. Do that again.”

“Okay, Okay...I’m sorry, sir. I won’t. You have my word.” he apologized. Yet, the grin he was trying to hide told me just how proud he was of that shot. A good shot indeed.

“Now, without Jarred doing anything else that can expose us, here’s what we're going to do.” I went on and handed Logan a small pouch, containing explosive gems, “You and Jarred take this to the back side of that camp then enter.”

The explosion will likely draw every hobgoblin in the camp towards them. But they’ll be able to hold their own for the time being. After they do their part, me and Amaya to get the front gate open and head in. This way, we’ll get the drop on any hobgoblins that are too distracted by them.

As for any mutants in there, I had something special in store for them.

“Sounds like a plan.” said Logan.

Him and Jarred wasted no time and began moving to the backside of the camp. They must’ve been eager to get this fight on. Being monster hunters, I would expect nothing less.

“Now we wait I guess.” said Amaya.

The wound on her shoulder was still bleeding, a little through the bandage on her. Not farfetched to assume it was painful for her. But she’d have hold out for now. to tough it out.

“When we go in there, use our last encounter with them as a reference. They're not like another monster. It’s like fighting another person. They’re smart and strategic. Don’t forget that.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. I did sort of underestimated them...”

And that’s how that wound happened.

And explosion shook the wind, dust and debris flew up from the far side of the camp. This was the signal. Me and Amaya sprinted for the front gate. It was meant to be opened from the inside only, but the two of us cut it apart with our blades and slid inside.

As planned, hobgoblins were rushing to the backside where the explosion happened, overlooking us coming through the front. One of them spotted us, but Amaya shoved her katana through its chest, taking it to the ground. One more stab to its face, that was one enemy down.

We pushed forward. Four others saw us and came at us in an organized formation. Two from up from, and two from the sides. I raised my blade to parry against an attack that was meant for my throat. A well place slash to the hobgoblins face caused to drop down to its knees. There wasn’t enough time to land the killing blow as another hob grabbed ahold of me, attempting to rustle me to the ground. My boot stomped down on its foot then I bashed the front of my helmet into its face. The hob staggered back giving, allowing me to be-head it with an effective slash.

I quickly turned my focus back to the other hob, trying to stand back up, killing it with a slit to its throat.

Amaya had already dealt with the other two, now couching down in pain from a cut on her hand.

“It’s painful...i think I’m gonnna die.” she cried.

I tugged her back on her feet, “You’re fine. We need to keep moving.”

More hobs surrounded us. With some fast footwork and a few attacks exchanged, we delt with them in a matter of seconds. Though I had to save Amaya from an axe that was about to stirke her in the back of the skull, she was fine.

We arrived to where Jarred and logan were, cutting down hobgoblins left and right. But they were struggling against a few formidable additions. The mutants.

Swinging their heavy, log-like arms around, logan and Jarred were doing their best not to get hit. They managed to bring the first one down by tag-teaming it. Jarred thrusted his sword through its chest, while Logan maneuvered around it and slid his blade through its neck. Its body dropped with a great thud.

One down, there were still four other mutants. More than I expected there to be. But it changed nothing, the plan to take them down still remained the same.

An attack got through; a punch sent Jarred to the ground. Next, Logan was sent tumbling. I sprang into action and tossed a smoke bomb up ahead. The smoke spread out, covering everyone’s view, but it gave them time to retreat.

“Get out of there.” I yelled.

Logan help Jarred off the floor and they left through the same way they came in. Now, it was my turn to fight. The good thing about this smoke was that I was the only one who could see through it, thanks to a spell embedded in my helmet.

Koff..koff...

Amyas tumbled around, bumping into the things.

“Koff koff...I can’t see a thing. What the freak Katsu...”

“That’s the point. Just stay right there, Amaya.”

Even with the smoke, there was no doubt these mutants still pose a challenge. But I had a better idea than fighting them head on. I sprinted around, extending my arm to touch every area of ground I could. When I was done, I hid behind a tent as the smoke cleared. And when it did, all of the mutants set their sights on Amaya.

“Katsu?” she looked left and right, but I was nowhere in sight to here, “Where did you go?!! I’m not fighting these things alone. No way. Count me ouuuutttt.”

The mutants charge at her full speed, but they all froze up. Their muscles tensed up, each of stood frozen in pain, electricity emitting from the ground, surging through their bodies.

I wasn’t too heavy on magic-use, but I admit, there are a few spells worth holding onto.

What I did was set a trap using magic. When they walked over any area I touched, the trap would activate and start begin producing electricity, setting off all other nearby traps in a chain reaction.

I waited till all the electicty faded, leaving the mutants on their knees, weakened and unable to defend themselved. That’s when I walked out.

“Alright, Amaya. Help me finish them off while they can’t move.”

“Where were you???? I thought you just up and left me behind...” she looked like she wanted to half scream at me.

But that was something she wouldn’t have to worry about. Leaving people behind was one thing I was greatly against.

We went around, decapitated the mutants one by one, till there were none left. Till our bladed were painted with red, till this camp was nothing but a scene of scatted, dead hobgoblins. As far as we could see.

“Damn. You made quick work of that.” said Jarred’s voice.

Him and Logan came back around to check on us.

“Those were some tough, bastards. Hard to damage them.” said logan. He looked around before suggesting to search for any evidence.

That was already the plan.

The four of us split up, searching all areas of the camp. However, nothing important turned up. Just weapons, more weapons and food.

That’s when I heard Amaya call my name from the other side of the camp.

“Katsu. I found something.”

I made my way over, to find her looking down at a crate. Inside were explosives. A mix of easily detonatable crystals and dynamite.

“...that could’ve done some damage. A lot.” said Amaya, “What do you think they were planning to do with all of this?”

Their goal was to wreak havoc. It’s only obvious that they were planning to blow stuff up. The contents of the crate didn’t matter to me. The crate itself, did. On the side of the crate, was a small symbol. A familiar symbol of three claw marks.

“This.” I gestured at the logo. “Look familiar?”

“Wait...isn’t that?”

It was the logo of a criminal organization. An organization Known as The Claws. We ran into one of their leaders a few months back. Seems like they were involved in this somehow.

What was their role in all of this? I didn’t know yet. But it was clear that they’re lending out supplies to the hellbringers.

“What does this mean?” Amaya asked.

It means I need to have a word with these ‘Claws’ I’ll find out what their motive is.

Amaya, Jarred, Logan, and me, began our way back to village. On the way, Amaya ended up tripping over some branch, spraining her ankle. This was very typical of her.

I ended up having to carry her over my back the rest of the way.