The sun blazed overhead, a relentless orb in the cerulean sky. Jaxith, clad in his somber attire – a midnight-blue coat, ebony pants, and a shirt of the same hue concealed beneath – rode his steed into the bustling town of Orstone. A formidable black blade, sheathed and nearly four and a half feet long, its three-inch wide edge gleaming ominously, was strapped to his back.

Despite its size, Orstone was a hive of activity, even more so than the quaint village of Lumina. This constant clamor was one of the reasons Jaxith preferred the tranquility of village life, though he knew he could amass greater wealth in a town or city. Yet, peace and quiet were his ultimate desires.

Jaxith dismounted and led his horse by the reins into the stable, pausing for a moment to survey the stalls and their equine occupants before his contemplation was interrupted by a voice.

“How may I assist you, sir?” inquired a middle-aged man standing beside Jaxith.

“You must be Mr. Desmond,” Jaxith replied, his gaze steady.

“Indeed, do we have the pleasure of prior acquaintance, or has my reputation preceded me?” Desmond asked politely.

“Actually, I’m here on behalf of Mr. Albes from Lumina. He mentioned that you were a friend and would care for his steed during my stay,” Jaxith explained.

“Of course, Albes is a dear friend. Leave your horse to me, a friend of Albes is a friend of mine. Now, tell me, good sir, what is your name?” Desmond asked warmly, leading the horse into a stall.

“Jaxith,” he replied calmly.

“Ah, Jaxith. I should have recognized you by the sword at your back. Albes has spoken highly of you. It’s an honor to meet you in person,” Desmond said, closing the stall door and extending his hand to shake Jaxith’s.

“A man who performs good deeds for their own sake is a rarity in these times, young man,” Desmond remarked politely.

“Thank you, Mr. Desmond. I’m merely fulfilling my duty,” Jaxith replied.

“Then you must be fulfilling it exceptionally well to garner such praise. Which brings me to another question, if you’ll indulge me. I don’t mean to be impertinent, but what brings a renowned monster hunter like yourself to a town like Orstone? I haven’t heard of any formidable creatures lurking nearby that would require your personal attention. In other words, I suspect you’re not here on a professional matter. Perhaps I can be of assistance, as I said, a friend of Albes is a friend of mine. Please, don’t hesitate to ask,” Desmond offered politely.

“Not at all, Mr. Desmond. And yes, I’m not here on business,” Jaxith replied with a smile.

“I told you. So, how can I help?” Desmond asked politely.

“Actually, I’m taking a brief respite to clear my mind. You could say I’m a tourist,” Jaxith explained.

“A bustling beautiful city like Arlyn, the capital, would have been a better choice. Of course, you’re more than welcome in Orstone, Jaxith, but even if it’s superior to a village like Lumina, a city would offer a more serene retreat, especially considering the recent unrest here,” Desmond said gravely.

“That’s rather peculiar, Mr. Desmond. What happened?” Jaxith inquired curiously.

“A brazen hybrid thief had the audacity to break into the mayor’s mansion three days ago and abscond with a valuable item. Since then, Orstone has been turned upside down by the guards, who have scoured every corner for the culprit, yet there's been no sign of her," Desmond explained gravely.

Jaxith’s eyes narrowed, his curiosity piqued. “So this hybrid girl has caused quite a stir, I suppose. But didn’t the mayor or the guards notice any distinctive features that could aid their search?” he asked innocently.

“They say she has piercing blue demonic eyes, a sight that’s impossible to forget. I can’t fathom how anyone could be infatuated with a hybrid, let alone a full-blooded demon, and then produce offspring. It’s truly unimaginable,” Desmond said with disgust.

“Regardless, Mr. Desmond, it seems she’s painted herself into a corner. Sooner or later, she’ll meet her downfall. In any case, thank you for the update on the town’s situation. However, I must be on my way. Three days of travel can be quite tiring,” Jaxith said calmly.

“Of course, Jaxith. There’s an inn three streets ahead. They offer rooms for rest and meals to satisfy your hunger. Your bag appears rather empty,” Desmond observed.

“Indeed, I’ve nearly depleted my provisions. Excuse me, Mr. Desmond,” Jaxith replied politely before turning to leave the stable. As he walked away, he pondered his predicament. He had barely set foot in Orstone when he discovered his target was a thief who had robbed the mayor!

His next step was to identify her usual haunts. Jaxith headed for the inn, hoping to gather some clues. As it’s well-known, criminals often divulge information while imbibing in such establishments.

“You’re absolutely insane, I leave for a goddamn week and return to find you’ve robbed the mayor himself! Unbelievable, Irene, just give me one reasonable explanation for your reckless actions,” thundered a dark-haired, middle-aged man, his harsh features etched with fury. Flen and Leo stood by Irene’s side, their presence a stark contrast to the tense atmosphere. They were in a cavernous basement, a subterranean expanse as vast as several houses conjoined.

“I told you, Michael, it was a simple bet between Leo and me,” Irene retorted, her tone dripping with insolence.

“That’s not a reasonable explanation, Irene. For the great God’s sake, did you consider the ramifications of your actions? Look outside, guards are scouring the city for you. And this isn’t just about you; it puts everyone here at risk. We’re a family, and we don’t jeopardize each other for a childish, pointless wager,” Michael roared, his anger palpable.

“There’s no need for all this yelling, Michael. Don’t worry, everything’s fine,” Irene declared, her tone brazen, as if she’d committed no wrong.

“Fine for now, Irene, but what will you do if the guards descend through that trapdoor, trapping us all? Huh? What then? Will you use one of your petty magic tricks to flee, leaving everyone else to either perish or rot in a prison cell? Is that your grand plan, young lady? The Shadow Seekers thieves guild are like family, but time and again, despite your considerable abilities, you make one careless mistake after another, justifying your recklessness by claiming we’re still good,” Michael thundered, his anger so intense that another thief had to intervene to calm him.

Irene glared at Michael, her eyes flashing with fury, before storming off towards a ladder at the back.

“Hey, Irene, where are you going?” Leo asked, concern etched on his face.

“It doesn’t matter. Seems like Michael here sees me as a liability to the Shadow Seekers. And please, I don’t want anyone following me,” Irene retorted before ascending the ladder and disappearing through a trapdoor above.

Leo made a move to follow her, but Michael’s stern voice halted him.

“Leave her. She’ll cool down on her own. Probably go to the local market and pilfer a few people to boost her ego. Ah, that girl is driving me mad, but she has a good heart. That’s why I have to be harsh on her in situations like this,” Michael explained to Leo, who was still worried about Irene, especially given the city’s current state of heightened security.

In the tavern, Jaxith, a man of keen observation, scrutinized the diverse clientele, seeking any potential informant or adversary before his meal arrived.

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“The finest cut of meat in town, just as you requested,” the innkeeper declared, his voice carrying a hint of pride. “Desmond is a good man, so I wanted to offer the best for a friend of his.”

“I appreciate your generosity,” Jaxith replied, his gaze fixed on two figures seated at the far end of the room. “But I’m also curious about those two.”

The Innkeeper's expression turned cautious. “With that imposing sword, you seem eager for trouble. They’re likely members of the Shadow Seekers, a notorious guild of thieves. The infamous hybrid that robbed the mayor is likely one of them.”

Jaxith nodded, his suspicions confirmed. “That explains their isolation and hushed conversation. The girl’s actions have undoubtedly put them in a precarious position, making them targets for the entire city of Orstone.”

Jaxith’s keen senses allowed him to eavesdrop on their conversation from a distance, filtering out the ambient noise of the bustling tavern. Focusing intently, he isolated their voices, revealing a wealth of information. This was a mere glimpse of his extraordinary abilities.

“Indeed, a reasonable assumption,” the innkeeper replied. “I must attend to some business now. It’s been a pleasure having you here.”

“The pleasure is mine,” Jaxith responded with a polite smile. His gaze returned to the two men, and the smile faded. He had the information he sought.

“The hybrid, Irene, had recently clashed with her master, Michael. She was currently believed to be in the local market.” Jaxith thought, his expression hardening. “It seems I have a destination.”

“I demand a thorough explanation for this girl’s continued freedom!” the mayor thundered, his voice echoing through the tranquil garden.

“Mr. Mayor, we are conducting an exhaustive search of Orstone. She will inevitably make a misstep, and escape is impossible. The town gates are heavily fortified, every individual is scrutinized, and all carriages are inspected meticulously,” explained the officer, a distinguished one named Ronald, he was wearing a red official suit different than the other soldiers around, and also, there was a small praying hands logo over his left chest side.

“An exhaustive search, you say? The ring she stole, a sacred heirloom of the Holstone family, passed down through generations, was brazenly taken from beneath your very noses! Fifty guards, and you were all outwitted like a pack of children!” The mayor's fury was palpable, silencing the guards.

“Officer, given her absence, she must be concealed within a secure haven,” the mayor asserted.

“We’ve explored every conceivable hiding place, Mr. Mayor,” Officer Ronald replied.

“Then perhaps she’s sheltered in a location unknown to us. Could she be affiliated with the enigmatic Shadow Seekers, that mysterious guild we’ve been hearing rumors about? Perhaps it’s time to redouble our efforts to uncover their lair,” the mayor suggested. A flicker of recognition dawned in the officer’s eyes, indicating that the mayor’s proposition had struck a chord.

At this bustling hour, the local market was a hive of activity. Jaxith, perched on a central bench, observed the throng of pedestrians, his keen eye scanning for any aberrant behavior. He knew she wasn’t the only thief prowling the market; in fact, it was a common hunting ground for her kind. This made him hopeful that his young target would emerge, but if not, it will pose a challenge. Without knowledge of her specific hideout, the search will be arduous. The market's vast expanse further complicated the matters, as she could be anywhere within its labyrinthine confines. However, vision was not his only weapon.

Time had waned before Jaxith’s keen sense of smell detected a unique, demonic scent. His olfactory acuity was as sharp as his hearing. The scent, emanating from his right, led him down a side street. Jaxith moved with the deliberate pace of a predator stalking its prey, his hands casually nestled in his pockets. This subtle difference distinguished him from ordinary monster slayers, who often viewed monsters as the hunters, capable of swift and deadly attacks. To Jaxith, however, monsters were the hunted, and he was the master of the chase.

As he reached the end of the street, he encountered another throng of people. The demonic scent intensified from the left corner. He subtly shifted his gaze towards a nearby store, using it as a vantage point to observe the area without drawing attention. His target was undoubtedly cunning, having broken into and escaped the mayor’s mansion, remaining undetected for three days. He knew that if she sensed surveillance, she would remain motionless. Nevertheless, he was certain of her presence. Demon hybrids were exceedingly rare, making it highly improbable that another existed in the small town of Orstone.

Finally, she made the move he had been anticipating. A hooded figure, emerging from the crowd, hastily slipped something into her pocket. The demonic scent began to dissipate from the crowd as a man’s cry echoed through the market: “My coin purse! I’ve been robbed!” This confirmed Jaxith’s suspicions.

He began his pursuit, the young girl was weaving through the labyrinthine alleys to evade any potential tail. However, she had not anticipated that her tracker relied on her demonic scent, not just looking at her. While she was undoubtedly clever, her ability to shake off trained pursuers was limited, especially against a highly skilled tracker like Jaxith.

Irene, now aware of the pursuit, quickened her pace through the maze of alleyways. She knew she had to stop her stalker to ensure a safe return to her hideout. Choosing a secluded alley, she abruptly turned, revealing the silhouette of a figure at its end, the hilt of a sheathed sword faintly visible.

“Stop! Why are you following me? And don’t even think of lying, you wouldn’t want to cross someone like me,” Irene threatened, her hood still drawn.

“At last, a chance to speak with you,” Jaxith replied calmly, inching closer.

Without hesitation, Irene unsheathed her dagger, retreating two steps to maintain distance. “Back off, or I won’t hesitate,” she warned, her voice laced with menace. Yet, Jaxith remained undeterred, continuing his advance.

Irene’s fear began to grow. She realized that a mere dagger was no match for a formidable figure like him carrying a sword like that, especially with those piercing red eyes. Desperate, she resorted to her final tactic. With a swift motion, she pulled down her hood, revealing her identity.

“Retreat. I’m a demon hybrid, and one step closer, I’ll incinerate you,” Irene threatened, her serious expression meant to intimidate.

“I know who you are, even your name. And you can’t burn me, you would have used that ability to escape the town,” Jaxith replied calmly, halting his advance. He didn’t want to frighten her further.

“The only ones who could know my identity are Holstone’s men or Lance’s. If you’re one of the former, you’re as good as dead. But if you’re one of the latter, prove it,” Irene demanded, her tone serious.

“I assure you, I’m not one of the mayor’s men. If I were, your entire guild would have been imprisoned by now. As for the other, I truly don’t know who he is,” Jaxith calmly explained.

“You’re lying. No one should know about me,” Irene insisted, growing increasingly worried. His fearless demeanor and apparent knowledge of her and her guild were unsettling.

“I believe I can assist you. I understand the perilous predicament you find yourself in. Though I am merely an ordinary monster slayer, I possess the necessary skills to get you out of this dire situation,” Jaxith offered, striving to soothe her. He couldn’t, however, disclose his dream about her; she would undoubtedly dismiss it as fantasy. Even Jaxith himself was baffled by the inexplicable origin of that dream.

“Fog shelter!” Irene exclaimed, activating her stealth spell that enveloped the alley in a dense fog. Jaxith remained motionless as the mist dissipated, revealing her absence. A sigh of despondency escaped his lips.

“It seems I have no choice but to track her by scent, and if fortune favors me, she will lead me directly to their lair,” Jaxith mused, gazing into the distance.

Irene fled at breakneck speed towards the outskirts of Orstone, her heart pounding in her chest. The jig was up; her cover had been compromised. She had to warn her comrades before the mayor’s guards descended upon their hideout. With every frantic step, the urgency grew.

Bursting into a secluded house on the outskirts of Orstone, she slammed the door shut. Gasping for breath, she took a moment to orient herself. A foul odor permeated the air, stirring a fresh wave of unease. The eerie silence was out of character; the usual bustle and chatter should have filled the hall. She hesitated, her mind racing. The trap door at the hall’s end led to their hideout, a place of relative safety. But the lack of activity was ominous. Surely, at least Michael or another comrade would be present, maintaining the façade of normalcy to give away any suspicions.

Irene crept down the hall, her voice a mere whisper. “Michael? Leo? Is anyone there? I think we’re in trouble.” Silence met her plea. The stench grew more pungent with each step, a nauseating blend of decay and violence.

She entered the hall, her scream stifled mid-air as she shut her mouth with her right hand. A macabre tableau unfolded before her. Blood, a sanguine tide, had seeped into every corner. Dismembered limbs were strewn across the floor, a grotesque mosaic. The walls were stained with the claret testament of a brutal massacre. Tears welled in her eyes as the horrifying reality sank in. Her only family, her friends, had been slaughtered like animals. Shock and terror held her captive, her body frozen in the face of such unspeakable horror. Just hours ago, they had been alive, laughing, planning. Now, they were reduced to a macabre display of carnage.

The trapdoor was creaked open at the end of the hall, Irene can easily understand that now the trapdoor is just a portal to a nightmare down there. Irene, still reeling from the carnage, barely registered the figure emerging from the shadows. A man of average height, his dark hair a stark contrast to his piercing black eyes, a jagged scar marring his face. He was a study in sinister elegance, clad in a sleek black leather coat, a sword sheathed at his hip. With a chilling nonchalance, he stepped into the heart of the macabre scene he had created.

“Good evening, young lady,” he drawled, his voice a chilling whisper. “I hope this little spectacle hasn’t unsettled you too much.”

Irene, frozen in terror, could only stare. Her mind, a whirlwind of fear and confusion, struggled to comprehend the horror unfolding before her.

“Now, let’s get down to business,” the man purred, his voice laced with a sinister calm. “My contract requires your cooperation, as my employer wants you alive. So, let’s make this quick and painless. I’ll simply send you to sleep.”

With a predatory glint in his eye, he advanced towards her. Irene, paralyzed by fear, could only retreat, tears streaming down her face. She had never felt such terror, such raw, primal fear. The man before her was a harbinger of a nightmare, a creature of the night, an assassin that she was completely at his mercy.