62. Bounty Hunters
The gray-brown stone walls of the tunnel turned blurred around as I hurried my way out of the cave. I wasnt sure why I was rushing I didnt know what I was running into. But that Demon the Devil told that Daniel and Rachel were in trouble.
So, I moved. Impelled by my desires to save my companions, my feet quickly pushed off the ground and propelled forward.
I turned a corner, then another corner, and I finally found myself entering the outside world; light blinded my vision montarily, but I quickly acclimated to what I was seeing. To what I was hearing.
There was fighting. The Devil had been right. Soone was attacking my companions. No not soone, soones.
Multiple shadow figures darted out of the trees, leaping around and at Daniel. He blocked their attacks, swinging wildly back at his attackers to keep them back. His sword shone for a mont and a blade of white light shot out, slicing one of his attackers in half.
He stumbled, panting from whatever energy that Skill took out of him. In that mont, a [Rogue] kicked him from behind. Losing his balance, Daniel fell to the ground and dropped his weapon. Rachel scread and rushed to his side, but the [Rogue] was already on him.
The [Rogue] a masked figure dressed in a dark hooded robe raised a double bladed dagger
And pounced on him from behind. I tore into him with [Fire Strike] after [Fire Strike]. My claws dug into his skin as I bit and scratched him. He struggled, trying to push off, but he was too weak.
I knocked away his haladie and pinned both his arms down. I opened my mouth wide and aid for his neck. But [Deadly Instincts] told not to go for the kill. Instead, I kicked myself off the ground and bounded away back to Daniel and Rachel. Not too soon after, a hail of ice spears rained down where I had been, killing the [Rogue] without so much of a scream.
Defeated [Harkening Hunter - Lvl. 53]!
Less experience is awarded for defeating an enemy with the help of others!
They dont care about their companions? It reminded of the horned Demon the one who attacked Haec and I back when we were still Infant Demons. Not wild or mindless, but calculating.
Salvos!
Rachel ran up to and hugged my leg; she did not even hesitate despite seeing outside of my Mortal Form. Daniel lurched up, holding his longsword with one hand and grasping his shoulder with another.
Whats going on? Who are these people?
Bounty hunters. And from the looks of it, theyre the Harrowed Vindicators.
The Harrowed Vindicators?
I cocked my head. A [Mage] landed next to the dead [Rogue] and a [Warrior] walked up behind her with a saber in hand. Another appeared behind us an [Archer] but he did nothing but stand there. They all wore dark hooded robes with a sigil of a red hand on it, but their faces were obscured. Cloak of Shadows?
Before Daniel could respond, the [Mage] pointed a finger at the [Rogue] and he stood up. I blinked and the Human man hissed.
[Necromancer]! Salvos take care of her!
Sure!
I bounded after the [Mage] but a glint caught my eye. A volley of glowing arrows ca flying at the [Archer] loosed bolt after bolt. I weaved through the incoming projectiles, hopping and leaping before clashing with the [Warrior].
The arrows halted as I heard a loud grunt co from Daniel. But I couldnt turn around, suddenly flanked by an undead [Rogue]. The [Warrior] and undead [Rogue] lashed out at but I burst into flas.
The [Warrior] simply stumbled back, however the undead [Rogue] screeched. Huh, it doesnt like fire. I sent a scorching wave at the undead [Rogue]. The [Mage] spoke a quick word and the ground before the [Rogue] shot up, protecting it from the attack.
In that mont, I threw myself onto the [Warrior] with the saber. He thrusted his blade forward, striking my shoulder. My Ring of Lesser Protection had been depleted, so it pierced through my skin with little resistance. And if that wasnt painful enough, I felt another five cuts appear on my body in places he didnt even co close to touching. A Skill?
I lashed back at him, but he nimbly stepped away from the attack. His saber began to glow red and he swung it, sending a blade of red energy in my direction. Now a spell?
I dodged the attack and avoided a lightning bolt from the [Mage]. The [Rogue] was now locked in combat with Daniel, alongside the injured [Archer]. If Daniel can hurt them, I can too!
I swung and missed the [Warrior] as he backed up. I stupidly lashed out one more ti, but he quickly countered it with a stab and I moved out of the way from the slow attack.
Wha
[Self Haste].
I grabbed his arm mid strike and clawed his face, tearing off his hood. The [Warrior] convulsed as I chomped down on his neck. He was dead before the [Mage] could react.
A [Warrior] should be strong and durable, not fast and using magic.
Defeated [Arcane Spellsword - Lvl. 48]!
Experience is awarded for defeating an enemy!
I turned my attention to the [Mage] now. She spoke a single word and the undead [Rogue] ca back to her side. I expected the two of them to attack . But instead, she spun around and began attacking Daniel while her minion charged .
He had been fast I saw him sneak up on Daniel from behind when I first burst out of the cave. But as an undead he no longer had any Skills.
It took a few monts to finish off the undead [Rogue] before I continued on to the [Mage] the [Necromancer]. Daniel finally struck down the [Archer], turning his attention to her as well.
The two of us surrounded her all her companions now dead. She glanced between us, then spoke the first word since she first appeared.
Oh my. A [Hero] and a Demon working together. How ironic.
A [Hero]?
I cocked my head and I heard Rachel gasp. Daniel grit his teeth and aid his sword at her.
What do you want from , bounty hunter? If the Elutra Kingdom sent you, go back and tell them I would rather die than go back there.
The Elutra Kingdom?
The [Mage] cackled.
No, we were not sent to bring you anywhere. We were sent to kill you.
The Human mans eyes widened. He slowly lowered his sword and worked his jaw.
...what? Why would they
Dont you understand? We werent sent by your summoners! We were sent by those you were summoned to fight against! And we will never stop coming until our contract is complete!
The [Mage] brought two hands up and I readied for whatever magic she had. What I wasnt prepared for however, was the [Mage] combusting into green flas. I ran forward to strike her down in case it was a trick. But the notification resounded in my head as her clothes flopped to the ground and burned.
Defeated [Reanimated Harkening Hunter - Lvl. 53]!
Less experience is awarded for defeating a reanimated enemy!
Defeated [Necromancer - Lvl. 61]!
More experience is awarded for defeating an enemy at least 10 levels above you!
Less experience is awarded for defeating an enemy with the help of others!
General Skill [Basic Mana Manipulation] Level Up!
[Racial Skill: Mortal Form - Lvl. 1] -> [Racial Skill: Mortal Form - Lvl. 2]!
Experience is awarded for the leveling of a General Skill!
Subspecies [Midday Changeling] Level Up!
[Midday Changeling Lvl. 50] -> [Midday Changeling Lvl. 51]
Gained 5 Stat Points and 3 Skill Points!
I scowled and kicked the ashen remains of the [Necromancer].
She killed herself so we would get less experience!
I shook my head, turning back to Daniel.
Can you believe that
I paused mid step, realizing how Rachel was staring at the Human man. At the dark look on his face. The girl squeaked.
Mr Daniel are you really a [Hero]?
I
He glanced down at Rachel, then up at . Sighing, he nodded.
Salvos. I never wanted to tell you this, but I am a [Hero].
The little girl gasped again, and I stared at him. He slowly averted his gaze as I opened my mouth.
Uh I knew that?
...
Wait, what? For real?
For real!
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