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Author's guide:
This is narration
This is a character's thoughts
"This is a character speaking"
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Forgive my trash writing skills pls
-000192[Ren]
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On the cold, rainy night of June 17, 1789, the sky wept as if it mourned some unseen tragedy. The wet cobblestone streets of Eichenheim shimmered in the soft ethereal glow of the city's gas lamps.
While most people sought refuge within the warm comfort of their homes to avoid catching an illness, a solitary man walked through the rain with a somber countenance. The misty drizzle clung to his long black coat, causing it to glisten like silver in the gentle radiance of the streetlamps. Every step he took resounded, echoing off the cobblestones as he advanced.
The lone man tightly clutched his cane, heavily decorated with ornate designs with his right hand, all the while using his left to secure his hat against the brisk wind that threatened to whisk it away. He moved with purpose, his footsteps ringing with each measured stride as he headed toward a chapel known as St. Erina in the city's residential district.
Just on the chapel's outskirts, he spots several other men, all in black and wielding similar cane swords to him. He approaches them...
"Hey", he calls out to one of the men.
"Sir Ijin", the man responded.
"Is it still inside?", Ijin asked
"The ghoul is still most certainly inside"
Ijin looks to the chapel's doors and then looks back to the man he is talking to.
"All of you, stay here, if I don't come out in an half an hour, call for back up", Ijin said
"Yes sir", The man responded as Ijin ran up to the doors of the chapel.
Upon arriving at the chapel's wooden doors, Ijin attempted to open them but discovered that they were locked. Faced with this obstacle, he took a step back, briefly considering his options. Then, with unwavering determination, he confronted the doors once more, unleashing a forceful spinning back kick that removed them from their latches.
As Ijin stepped inside, the pungent stench of blood assailed his senses. Proceeding further, he reached the chapel's nave, only to confront a harrowing scene. At the altar, a thin, emaciated humanoid figure, resembling a grotesque skeleton due to its lack of flesh, feasted upon the lifeless body of a clergyman sprawled on the ground. The creature, apathetic to its surroundings, tore at the clergyman's flesh, consuming it without remorse.
The eerie quiet of the chapel was suddenly shattered by the violence that had unfolded within. The intruder's arrival did not go unnoticed. The thin humanoid, possessed of four malevolent red eyes, pivoted its attention toward the intruder with a palpable sense of bloodlust.
The creature's reaction was immediate; it erupted into a frenzied fit of rage and unleashed an earsplitting screech that could have induced bleeding in the ears of any who heard it. The creature's appearance was nightmarish, resembling the ghouls from ancient folktales. Its tantrum ceased as swiftly as it had begun, only to be replaced by an intense and primal fury. With a single-minded desire to kill, it charged menacingly toward the man who had intruded on its grisly meal.
Ijin, a model of composure and calm, did not cower in the face of this nightmarish foe. Instead, he stood his ground, firm and patient. He clutched the handle of his cane in his right hand, using his left hand to grasp the middle section.
As the frenzied ghoul drew near, the man executed a practiced and swift upward cut, revealing his cane to be a silver sword, severing the ghoul's left arm. The creature, caught off guard, staggered backward and collapsed to the ground, screeching loudly as the silver blade inflicted a fiery agony upon its wounds. The ghoul's regenerative capabilities began their work, but before the limb could fully reattach, the man swiftly closed the distance, seeking to end the fight.
Yet, just as the lethal strike was about to find its mark, the ghoul managed to strike back, its legs striking Ijin's face. This unexpected blow sent him stumbling back, bruising the his face and creating enough distance for the creature to regain its footing.
Recovering from his momentary setback, Ijin closed the gap once more, launching a flurry of strikes with his sword. The ghoul, surprisingly agile, managed to evade most of the attacks, retaliating with a flurry of its own. Ijin struggled to avoid the creature's blows, his movements hampered by the disparity in speed.
In a critical moment, Ijin executed an upward cut that found its target, landing a blow to the ghoul's head. The creature staggered, it's screeches echoing through the chapel. Ijin swiftly distanced himself from the wounded ghoul, catching his breath during this brief respite.
As the ghoul regained its senses, it charged again, venting its wrath. Ijin, calm and resolute, reached into a pocket of his coat with his left hand. As the ghoul closed in, he produced a pistol and fired, the shot striking the creature near its chest, narrowly missing its heart.
Ijin swiftly followed this gunshot with a horizontal slash that severed the ghoul's head from its body, plunging it into momentary blindness. The ghoul, robbed of its vision, screeched in agony and flailed violently, yet this violent outburst was short-lived. The man's silver sword pierced the ghoul's heart, silencing it once and for all.
The chapel, once more, descended into silence. Ijin approached the lifeless clergyman on the floor, a solemn and respectful demeanor overcoming him. With a gentle touch of his left hand, he closed the clergyman's eyes. For a few moments, he remained beside the lifeless body, lost in contemplation.
Then, his gaze shifted to the sculpted figure of a god gracing the chapel's altar. He found himself wondering:
In a world so replete with horror, does such a benevolent deity even exist?
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Relentless Slaughter
Chapter 1: And so, as the sun set...
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The morning of June 18, 1789, found Ijin seated at a café known as 'The Gray Feather' in the bustling commercial district of Eichenheim. With his coffee cup in hand, he perused the newspaper's headline, which declared in stark terms:
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Clergyman Slaughtered by horrific Ghoul Anomaly
Yesterday, Father Synto Colm was Slaughtered by a Ghoul type Anomaly.
At around midday yesterday, Ghoul type Anomaly barged through the glass windows of St. Erina chapel and killed the 54 year old pastor. Fortunately no one else was caught up in the ghoul's violence.
Synto Colm's brothers in the St. Erina chapel are pleading for donations.
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Abruptly, he felt a tap on his shoulder and turned to find a young woman with fiery red hair and hazel eyes.
"Ijin, you look like you've seen better days," the woman remarked, her tone tinged with surprise.
"Rheanna, didn't expect to see you here," the man replied in a subdued tone.
Rheanna settled into the chair opposite him. "Is that seriously all you're going to say after not seeing me for four months?"
"Well, what was I supposed to say?" the man inquired, a faint grin tugging at his lips as he continued to sip his coffee.
"I suppose I shouldn't have expected a warmer welcome," Rheanna replied, lightly poking her index finger against Ijin's forehead.
"What do you want, Rheanna?" Ijin asked, resting his head on his hand.
"Well, I'm a bit worried about you. Johan said he heared you got hit in the face by a ghoul last night."
"You're worried about me? That's a first."
"Yeah, you see, I've had a change of heart during my four months away. I'm no longer the devil you once thought I was, Ijin."
A chuckle escaped Ijin's lips. "I also heared that you tried to use your sword. Why didn't you just shoot the ghoul right away?"
"Silver bullets are getting pretty expensive these days. I thought I'd try to save my money."
"Ijin, you know you'll meet your end with that mindset."
"And your approach of using up hundreds of bullets is the reason you're broke," Ijin teased, a mischievous smile dancing across his face.
"That's not true; I'm not broke," Rheanna responded with a cheeky grin, averting her gaze from Ijin.
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"Sure, I believe you", Ijin said sarcastically.
The two continued their conversation, sipping coffee and discussing the four months during which Rheanna had been absent. Amid their banter, Rheanna broached the topic of a potential bounty.
"Have you heard about the Anomaly in the industrial district?" Rheanna asked, her head resting on her hands.
"I might have heard about it in passing," Ijin replied.
"I'm quite interested in the job and was wondering if you'd like to join me."
"You know I prefer to work alone"
"Oh come on, just this once"
"Fine... what's it about?"
"They say it's a Major Deformity that looks like a smiling human face."
"A human face?"
"Yes, and it's estimated to be danger level 8."
"You want the two of us to hunt down a level 8 Major Deformity? That's a death sentence."
"Well, it's not just the two of us. I have some other Black Hearts who are willing to join us. And having you, the skilled Black Heart hunter Ijin Yu, would certainly boost their morale. Am I right?"
"What's the reward?" Ijin inquired.
"The reward is 10,000 Helix in total, with eight hunters, including you and me, so each of us will get 1,250 Helix."
"I'm interested. Where's the location of the hunt?" Ijin asked, a note of determination in his voice.
"The abandoned steel factory on Epsilon Street. Be there at 1:30 Post Meridiem."
"Sure," Ijin agreed as he drained the last of his coffee.
Rheanna glanced at her timepiece, then looked back at Ijin. "Well, Ijin, I've got places to be. See you later."
Rheanna bid her farewell to Ijin at the cafe, departing to attend to her own pressing matters...
...
At 1:25 P.M. on June 18, 1789, Ijin Yu arrived at the abandoned metal factory on Epsilon Street. As he stepped onto the scene, he spotted seven Black Heart hunters gathered near the entrance, with Rheanna among them.
"Ijin! There you are!" Rheanna exclaimed, beckoning him closer.
Rheanna took Ijin by the hand and led him to a somewhat open area where the other six Black Heart hunters were waiting.
"Everyone, this is Ijin Yu, and he'll be joining us on the hunt."
"Ijin Yu, the hunter who put an end to the Solderheim Massacre?" a young man in the back wearing a fedora inquired, his eyes fixed on Ijin.
"Yes, that's the one," Rheanna confirmed with a smile.
The group of six hunters conversed among themselves briefly before Rheanna introduced Ijin to the members of the hunting party.
She gestured toward a tall man at the back, who held an MK.1 Lewis machine gun. The experienced hunter appeared to be almost in his forties, with dark hair and deep brown eyes. He presented a formidable and menacing figure. "This is Alan Wake, an accomplished and experienced hunter with over 20 years of experience."
"Your Lewis gun seems like it would require many silver bullets," Ijin commented.
"I don't use silver bullets, sir Ijin. I rely on standard ammunition," Alan replied.
"How do you deal with Anomalies then? Only silver bullets can pierce their hearts, even if you shred them with your Lewis gun, they'll just regenerate," the young man in the fedora queried.
"I serve as support; I'm not typically the one to land the killing blow," Alan explained.
The man with the fedora nodded in acknowledgment. Rheanna turned her attention to the next hunter, a young woman with dark hair and fox-like brown eyes much like Ijin's, she was equipped with a grenade launcher and wore an all black attire which appeared to be from an land in the far east. "This is Kanako Ayanokoji," Rheanna introduced. "She's relatively new but very reliable."
"I'm Kanako Ayanokoji, pleased to meet you, sir Ijin," the young woman chimed in, her demeanor composed, almost soldier-like.
"Kanako is new, but she's trustworthy," Rheanna added.
Rheanna pointed out another hunter, a towering and burly man, dressed in armor reminiscent of medieval knights. He carried a massive great sword. "This is Frederick Grant; he's not only strong but also dependable," Rheanna informed Ijin. The man remained silent, his arms crossed in a stoic posture.
Rheanna directed attention to another hunter, a man cloaked in secrecy, perched atop a pole. His features were concealed by a cloak, and he held a bow and a quiver filled with silver arrows. "Meet Henry Jaeger; he's our sharpshooter," Rheanna said. Henry raised a hand in greeting.
Another hunter, their body enshrouded in bandages, made it challenging to determine their gender. They held a silver-tipped spear. "This is Kitsune. Kitsune can't speak due to an incident with an anomaly in their childhood, but Kitsune is one of the most skilled hunters I know in close-quarters combat."
"Lastly," Rheanna introduced, "we have him." She pointed toward the young man in the fedora. He possessed long blonde hair and deep blue eyes, and he carried a cane sword similar to Ijin's. His gaze was fixed upon Ijin with an air of pride as Rheanna presented him. "This is David White; he's skilled in blade combat. In a spar, he once took on four hunters simultaneously and emerged victorious."
"Although," Rheanna whispered to Ijin, "he's still new and a bit reckless."
Ijin observed David, who only tipped his fedora in acknowledgment.
"Now that we've introduced ourselves, what do we know about this beast aside from the basic info given by the witnesses?" Ijin asked assertively, taking control of the hunting party.
The group gathered around Ijin and Rheanna, ready to strategize for the hunt.
David spoke up, handing a piece of paper to Ijin. "Here's the report by a hunter who encountered the beast a few hours ago." The report contained valuable information:
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The Anomaly reffered to as 'The Smiling Deformity' is around 9 feet in height. It appears to be a human head with a smiling face, the part where the hair is supposed to be is replaced by countless tentacles that it uses to move. Be warned, it will try to grab you. The Anomaly has an intense bloodlust and is extremely aggressive. Close quarters combat is not recommended. It also has the ability to scale walls so be mindful of your surroundings.
Estimated Danger level: 8
-Hunter K.
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Ijin took a moment to absorb the information and handed the report back to David. He then sat down on a nearby pillar, deep in thought. After a brief silence, he revealed the plan he had formulated for the party.
Rheanna, Ijin and the other hunters engaged in a brief conversation. They discussed their plans and strategies for the upcoming hunt, forming a plan of action.
"Once we locate the Deformity...", Ijin began, taking charge of the situation, "Rheanna, Alan, Kanako, and Henry will open fire on the creature until it's weakened."
"While they're doing that," he directed his focus toward the other melee combatants, "the rest of us will ensure that its tentacles don't pose a threat."
"Once the anomaly is incapacitated," Ijin continued, "all of us will work together to destroy its heart. Are we clear?"
The group responded in unison, "Yes!"
"Then let's commence the hunt," Ijin declared, leading the way into the abandoned factory, the rest of the hunting party following behind.
Inside the factory, an eerie atmosphere prevailed. The sound of water dripping from the ceiling created a pervasive sense of unease, as the group of hunters ventured deeper, believing it to be the Deformity's salivary secretions.
For half an hour, they scoured the factory, but nothing revealed the presence of their quarry. It appeared as if the Deformity had abandoned its lair or taken refuge elsewhere. Still, they persisted in their search, wary that the creature might be lurking elsewhere.
Amid their quest, Fredrick noticed peculiar droplets falling from the ceiling. A closer examination revealed that the liquid was not water but a red substance resembling blood. His gaze lifted upward, and he raised the alarm.
"It's above us!"
The group, alerted to the danger, looked skyward to discover a human face affixed to the ceiling, engaged in a horrifying feast upon the body of a fallen Black Heart hunter. Ijin unsheathed his sword, his eyes locked with the grotesque creature's.
It really is like a human face
"Disperse!" Ijin ordered, and the hunters scattered.
The Deformity descended from its macabre perch, causing sand and dust to swirl through the air. Once the dust settled, Ijin stood firm before the grinning monstrosity, a mere three feet away from its malevolent visage. The creature seemed amused, its eyes locking onto Ijin's, just as Kanako fired a grenade into the back of its head.
The Deformity screeched, its flesh sizzling from the silver shrapnel embedded within. Ijin used this opportunity to distance himself from the creature, and Rheanna unloaded her Thompson submachine gun into its face. Alan joined the onslaught with his Lewis gun, and Henry rained silver arrows onto its eyes, causing them to sizzle.
The creature thrashed about, flailing its tentacles wildly, wreaking havoc as debris scattered. Ijin took the initiative, slashing at its tentacles to contain the chaos. The other melee combatants followed his lead, and David, in particular, attacked with a fervor that bordered on recrecklessness.
Fredrick looked at the young hunter and thought to himself: That idiot is gonna get himself killed
"David, step back slightly; you'll get hurt," Fredrick warned the young man.
"Focus on your own fight, old man. I can handle myself!" David retorted.
The Deformity's aggression surged, and it charged toward Rheanna. In response, Ijin dashed to her side and shoved her out of harm's way.
The creature thrashed, raged, and charged, almost as if it reveled in chaos. It launched its tentacles in every direction, sending rubble flying. The melee combatants, including David, attempted to hack at its tentacles and hinder its movement.
Despite a resolute effort, the Deformity managed to grab David with its tentacles after only a brief struggle. Though David severed the grip of one tentacle, his inexperience left him vulnerable. Fredrick noticed David's predicament and hurried to his aid.
"David!, Fredrick!, get to a safer distance, both of you!" Ijin ordered, taking command of the situation.
Once David and Fredrick had retreated, Kanako unleashed another grenade, immobilizing the Deformity and causing it to collapse to the ground, where it screamed in agony.
"Cut it down!" Rheanna shouted, drawing her silver machete.
All of the Black Heart hunters, armed with melee weapons, descended upon the creature, hacking away at its tentacles relentlessly. David attacked with ferocity, while Fredrick urged him to be cautious.
The creature's wails filled the air as they carved into its form. Each hunter searched for the heart, which was eventually discovered near the creature's upper head. It was Fredrick who landed the killing blow, ending the Deformity's reign of terror.
The collective sigh of relief echoed through the hunters. They gathered the pieces of the Deformity's heart and proceeded to the Black Heart Hunter offices to claim their 10,000 Helix reward.
...
Inside the Black Heart organization's office, the seven hunters patiently waited as Rheanna completed the required paperwork.
"David, please be more careful next time," Fredrick advised the young man.
"That was a one-time thing!" David protested.
"With your carelessnes, I doubt it will be" Kanako remarked.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Ijin excused himself from the room and climbed to the rooftop, where he encountered a familiar face.
"Ijin?" an elderly man with white hair called out.
"Johan, good to see you," Ijin greeted.
"How have you been today?" Johan inquired.
"I've been doing alright," Ijin replied.
"I see. By the way, Rheanna is back. Did you know?"
"Yeah, actually we just hunted a level 8 anomaly together," Ijin revealed.
"Good job, as expected of Ijin, the Black Blade."
Ijin's lips curved in a smirk. "Well, Ijin, I've got to run. I have some paperwork to handle."
"See you, Johan," Ijin said as the elder man descended the stairs.
Alone on the rooftop, Ijin gazed at the sunset, its warm hues casting a comforting glow, and the city's chaotic streets below.
"Yo," a voice called out, and Ijin turned to see Rheanna approaching.
"Hello, Rheanna."
"Hello, Ijin."
Rheanna handed him an envelope filled with money. "Here's your cut, by the way."
"Thank you, Rheanna."
She smiled and glanced at the setting sun. "Nice sunset, isn't it?"
Ijin nodded, his gaze shifting to the streets below. "Yes, it is. It's been my only friend ever since you disappeared."
"Ehhh?" Rheanna feigned surprise, her playful tone evident.
"You actually missed me while I was away?" Rheanna teased, her voice laced with surprise.
"I suppose I did," Ijin admitted.
"The city felt a bit emptier without you."
"Heh," Rheanna chuckled.
"You know, Iji—"
Their conversation was abruptly disrupted by the sound of gunshots and frantic screams to the south. Ijin and Rheanna turned their attention to the streets below.
And then, their eyes met a scene of horror and despair. Anomalies, not one but many, roamed the streets. Police officers and Black Heart hunters alike fought to contain the carnage, but it was chaos. Innocent bystanders faced the nightmare as the anomalies, with an insatiable hunger, began to feast upon those who had been going about their daily lives.
Rheanna Haight and Ijin Yu could only watch...
Eichenheim was about to go through a crisis...
And so, as the sun set...
So did the city of Eichenheim...
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Relentless Slaughter
Chapter 1: And so, as the sun set...
Chapter end
To be continued