I’ve had a long day but when I arrived at my next target, it got worse.

The Hunters plains, my home, are an arid wasteland full of bandits, raiders, monsters and corruption.

It has been a long time since I dreaded my next encounter to this extent. I was more relaxed when fighting Dragons.

My next target is located in a small apothecary that doubles as the sheriff's office, selling high quality wares and offering quests to [Bounty Hunters], it’s decorated with a lot of plants and a small altar to the God of Death in the office.

Although my target is immature, she is the best sheriff I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing, a hardworking person that genuinely believes that everyone has good at their core.

Last I remember her, she broke her mothers Gem Tuner and begged me to repair it with tears in her eyes, afraid of her mothers punishment. Her Mom would never have punished her for it but I just couldn’t refuse her tearful face.

Now, her blonde hair has turned silver from the stress and age, her once youthful energy replaced by unspoken wisdom and a sense of humour that would have most people blush. I might be to blame for some of it although it might be her way of coping with her job.

I wait for her to close up the shop. She puts a small magical bell on the counter for anyone to use if they need her as the sheriff or if there is a medical emergency. Even in her sleep, she keeps an open ear for her people.

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

Once she settled into her bed with a cup of Chamomile tea and her favourite Book, I slowly close her door, creaking from a lack of maintenance.

“So you came.” She says, closing the book on her lap.

“Indeed.” I reply, coming out of the shadows and throwing my crimson cowl back, revealing my pale face to her. “It’s been a while.”

She smiles at me, a sweet smile tinged with a hint of regret. “You haven’t aged a day, dear.”

I remain silent, I was never good at social interactions and she knows it. How should I even respond to that? “It’s time. Any last wishes?”

“Since when are you this merciful?” She asks with a chuckle, “Not a last wish but you still owe me a story.”

I sit down on the edge of her bed with an amiable grin, “What story will it be, ‘A Hydrathistles tale’?”

She puts the book in question onto her nightstand and shakes her head before answering “No, No. I would like to hear your story one last time but first, let me make some tea.”

I put a hand on her shoulder as she tries to stand up, keeping her sat down as I pull out my flask. “I’ve got my own.”

“Is that the flask Mom gifted you?” she asks.

“The very same. It even saved my life once but we’ll get to that in a bit.” I take a moment to gather my thoughts before starting, “I’ll start it when everything got interesting, my childhood was depressing but boring and it’ll clear up sooner rather than later. I assume you want the full version?”

She nods and settles into her bed, ready for one last story.

"It all started to pick up ten years after the System spread, I had just started taking bounties instead of just running away, determined to use the Skills the system gave everyone so I could be truly free without needing to be constantly on the run..." I started, readying myself for a long story.