[Elizabeth’s PoV]
We failed. Cerberus’s Domain nearly crushed us, as I looked around the members of the supposedly elite squad, I wondered about what will happen now. No one was at fault, no one could have predicted that the mutated dungeon would be so massive, we lacked supplies mostly, but the monsters in there were crazy. Numerous cases of monsters mutating to Elite or Champion class, we even had one become a Guardian class monster. We don’t know much about mutations, whether it was the monsters themselves triggering it or the System. The little knowledge we have is that mutations for monsters can be triggered due to certain conditions, however we have no idea what these conditions are, we’ve seen it happen because of killing one type of monster, or leaving a monster alive too long, this one triggers a lot in the breeding facilities in Crater and we’re conscripted to bring back humanoid monsters back to make up for the loss. Sighing, I lean back and look at the report I was writing on the way back to Crater.
Out of the thirteen humans and three hybrids that the Elite squad had, three humans and a hybrid died. Two others suffered crippling injuries, one lost an arm the other a leg, and the rest of us only suffered mild injuries. I grit my teeth and think about the frustrations I felt during this journey. The tactician for this squad did a lousy job with planning, thinking they could clear it without a clear plan. The members in the squad barely spoke to me or each other, all working independently with no clear direction. Perhaps the biggest frustration was their treatment of the hybrids and realising the truth of what my fathers research produced. They were completely mindless, not moving unless ordered to, they would fight if given the command and without regard for their lives, but to walk or even eat and drink they had to be commanded to do so.
Glancing up at a hybrid closest to me, I see their dull, lifeless eyes staring right ahead as we walk. They didn’t listen to my commands, only a select few of those in the Elite squad were recognised as their master. As I continue to write the report and walk, we soon arrive. Storing my ink and quills away into a pouch on my belt, I roll up the report papers and head to the courthouse. Walking in and walking up to the receptionist, I pass on the report. Smiling as she accepts it she asks me how we fared. Pursuing my lips, I explain briefly of our loss and subsequent retreat.
Shaking her head with a sigh, she makes a comment. “I see, and just yesterday we received bad news from our hunting squad as well. Those hybrids Gerald let loose? Well, rumour has it one used magic and together they killed two of the hunters!” Stunned at the casual mention of this news, I wondered what the implication of this would be. We’ve had hybrids escape before, but most wound up being found either dead or near exhausted. Never has any hybrids managed to not only escape, but become strong enough to kill humans at or above level 13! This could be good news, it meant hybrids might be better given treatment if they have some strong allies.
“I shouldn’t say more my dear, I’ll share one more little secret with you. The council is recruiting people to hunt the hybrids down. They plan to go after them soon, but isn’t it exciting! We never get to hear news like this often.”
Nodding, I understood what she meant. Majority of people in Crater never left the city, with most being level 1 up to 3. Excluding the guards and rich Houses who’d pay for their sons to tag along on an expedition, citizens would never get experience unless they were to tag along. Sometimes there are cases of citizens who make equipment getting experience when forging or weaving but it’s not common nor easy to replicate. Even if it was possible, levels are useless to those who crafted equipment anyway, they didn’t fight. The citizens did know one thing, fear for the monsters and fear that the hybrids would become monsters.
“I need to update my level. I managed to get enough experience during this expedition to get to level 18.”
“That is wonderful! Level 18 at your age, aren’t you only 23 this year? I’ll update your information and pass it onto the council. Only two more levels and you can apply for a noble title!”
Smiling, I reply with “That does sound nice, but I don’t think that lifestyle would suit me with my image. I don’t even have a House anymore.”
Thanking the receptionist, I leave and head home. A bath, whisky, and a book, at the same time. That’s what I needed. Arriving at home, lighting the fire under my bathtub and just as I pour some water in, I hear a knock at my door. Sighing, I’m tempted to just pretend I’m not at home, but remembering we would have been announced upon returning, I leave the bath to heat up hoping this person wouldn’t take long. Opening my door, I see a hooded figure and on his cloak is the symbol of the council with a picture of a letter under it. A messenger of the council is visiting me personally?
“Miss Elizabeth, I have brought a message from the council, I wish for a moment of your time. It will take some time to explain my visit today, do you mind if I come in?”
‘If I turn you down and ask you to leave I’d likely be thrown into a cell for a few weeks!’ Forcing a smile and bowing with my hand on my chest, I reply “Of course, if my Lords have a message it is my duty to fulfil it.” Stepping aside, the messenger walks in. “Before we begin, may I be excused for a moment to extinguish my bath’s fire?” Asking this, the messenger nodded. After putting out the fire, I invite the messenger to sit down at the table, and offering a cup of water, sit down with him.
“Miss Elizabeth, I have come to inform you that you will no longer be working with the Elite Squad for the time being. You are now being assigned to a new squad, and your new mission is to hunt down three hybrids that have been deemed a threat to our city. They have received equipment, likely from a quest reward, and one of the hybrids has shown to know magic, specifically wind magic.”
Shocked at this invitation, I started to wonder why I was being recruited. Was I not deemed as a hybrid sympathiser? Speaking after drinking, the messenger continued.
“Yesterday the hunting squad returned with Gerald. Gerald was granted freedom for this one mission of executing the escaped hybrids, however due to his failure and with the hybrids being deemed a threat, it has been decided he will be executed within the next week. They were found in a rocky terrain upstream from the river close to the road of Hound Hell, seemingly living in a cave there. The hunting squad suffered two losses to the hybrids, with two being level 14 and the magic wielder being level 13. As you are one of the few level 18s available, even more so with the loss of three members of the Elite Squad, we have determined you will be a valuable asset.”
Trying to not show my anger on my face at being forced to hunt hybrids that just wanted a chance of being free, I asked the question I already knew the answer to, but needed to confirm.
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“Who are the three hybrids?”
“You are familiar with the three. From your batch, they are Numbers 8, 14 and 32.”
‘Gray, Sally and Alisha if my memory serves me well. Did Gray not fall in battle?’ Thinking of the violet haired youth that was under me, a scene flashes in my mind of the moment he and his opponent stabbed each other and fell. Happy he managed to survive, I remember the reality of the situation, I was being told to hunt not only him but the two girls that possibly saved him.
“You will have three weeks to prepare. While we would like to head out as soon as possible, due to the injuries sustained by the Elite Squad, who will be joining the hunt, as well as recruitment for the hunt, we have decided to delay it to ensure the hybrids are executed.”
So that’s what it’s come to then. All for the sake of humanity they’ll kill off hybrids that gained their freedom. Nodding to the messenger, he gets up and bows before leaving. Still sitting at the table, I consider what I’ve been told. Again, I’m being told to kill hybrids like it’s pulling weeds out. I think of what I can do to change the minds of the council to change from killing to making peace. I knew it would be fruitless, and just like everything else I’ve tried it would land on deaf ears, no one cares for the lives of hybrids. If we leave things like how they are, nothing will change, if we show them compassion…
Flashing past me is the memory of watching Number 14, Sally, turn and look at us with such hatred and bloodlust while trying to save Number 32, Alisha. I keep seeing this scene everytime I think about hybrids recently. Is there nothing I can do? Even if I became a noble, I would be laughed at, or even just outright killed. If I can’t do anything in Crater…
Sitting up and frowning, I consider my option carefully. If I can’t change anything in Crater, maybe I could join the rogue hybrids and help them instead. I could show them not all humans are bad and possibly stop them massacring Crater as revenge, and help teach them things to survive. With my level I can also protect them. They wouldn’t know of things like Stats that the System gives at 15, or all the changes to the System that occur at level 20. On the flip side, the moment I leave Crater’s walls, I would be considered a traitor and designated as a kill on sight. Not only that, but it could bring the hybrids more trouble…no, that’s not a problem, the council is already moving to eliminate them with an overwhelming force. The only concern was if they enlisted the nobles' help or not. While not all of them are level 20, since you just need to be of noble blood to be a noble, it’s possible they’ll request their help.
Making my mind up, somewhat impulsively, I grab my bag and empty it. Looking around, I grab some textbooks with basic knowledge on cooking and weaving, a few bottles of whisky for myself and consider what else to take with me. Grabbing all the coins I have on me and in the house in a pouch, I leave the house and stop by the market. Finding a farmer, I buy seeds for fruits, vegetables and wheat. While I’m there, I also get some clothing of multiple sizes, basic fabrics, a weaving kit and medical supplies. Buying another bag to fit all of this into, I go through everything I can think of and make one more stop. Arriving at an acquaintance's house, I knock and wait for a reply.
“Elizabeth, how rare to see you. What do you want?” Opening the door and looking annoyed upon seeing me is Ellie.
“Nice to see you too Ellie. I want to buy a detailed map from you of Crater, its surroundings and as much of the explored areas as possible, including dimensional and external dungeons, fresh water sources and danger areas of monsters above level 20.”
Frowning, Ellie looks down at my bags and asks me “Off on a trip or something? Why do you need such a detailed map.”
“I’ve been recruited by the council to hunt hybrids deemed as threats, I’m currently assessing potential locations they could move to to hide and making preparations in advance.” Saying a half truth, I quickly give her an excuse. Glaring once more at me, she nods and walks inside. Coming back out with a large scroll, she holds out an empty hand.
“300 gold coins, take it or leave it.”
‘That’s triple the normal price!’ Complaining in my mind, I dig out and count 300 coins. Handing it to her as she puts the coins into another pouch, she hands me the map and slams the door closed. This is how I’m usually treated, so while I’m not bothered by the attitude, it further solidified my decision. Looking up, I see there is about 2 hours of daylight left, I can make it. Checking the map and finding the rocky terrain near the river the messenger informed me about, I headed down towards the slums.
Passing the guard booth, the guard doesn’t bother stopping me or asking questions, they don’t care what we do in the slums. Moving quickly and trying to resist helping the hybrids I pass by, I finally arrive at a particular wall with a hole. Climbing through, I look back at Crater. Once I step through here there would be no turning back. Nodding once again, I turn and start running out, trying to move out of sight of anyone who might be watching, moving towards the rocky terrain hoping to meet the hybrids, and perhaps bring them change.
[???’s PoV]
Watching Elizabeth move through the hole in the wall and move quickly away from Crater, I retreat back into the shadows and move back to my master's house. Without anyone noticing me, I quickly arrive at the courthouse and move downstairs to my masters chambers. Arriving and knocking, a simple “Enter” enters my ears and I quickly move in.
“My Lady, I have returned and successfully carried out your orders.”
“Report.”
“Yes, My Lady. After relaying the information to Elizabeth, she remained in her house for twenty minutes. Afterwards, she rushed out and purchased a large amount of supplies and a detailed map. With those supplies, she left Crater via one of the holes in the slums.”
“Very good. You seem unsatisfied with this mission.”
“My Lady, sending Elizabeth to the hybrids only offers them more protection. Surely that makes things more complicated.”
“You’re not thinking of the bigger picture. The hybrids are strong, one of them knows magic. The possibility of them becoming a calamity is high. Three weeks to prepare a hunting squad, meanwhile the hybrids aren’t afraid to kill monsters themselves for experience, they will level fast. The nobles don’t care, they won’t help, they’re confident enough to protect themselves and won’t help Crater. Selfish idiots think they could defend against so many hybrids. Sending Elizabeth may be an opportunity, if she is successful in earning their trust and teaches them compassion for humans, then maybe the hybrids will only want to kill their old handlers.”
“My Lady, would that mean you intend to make Elizabeth insurance in case the hunting team fails?”
“Correct. If the hunting team is successful, who is going to miss someone who goes around asking to treat filth better?”
“My Lady, one last question, should we delay Gerald’s execution? He was Numbers 14 and 32’s handler. If we could give him to them if they come for humanity, maybe it’ll satisfy them.”
“Very well, take him from the holding cells and throw him into the underground prison. Don’t tell anyone, we’ll leave him as a last resort to satisfy those hybrids.”
Nodding, I turned to leave to complete my mission, knowing that there was a shift happening in Crater, and only a select few knew the extent of what could come.