It was getting dark. The sun was slowly setting down behind the horizon. For everyone that traveled through roads and forests that would be a sign to set up a camp, lie down to sleep, so you could continue the journey from the morning. But not for me. Nice, cold night. Everything that lived in the day has settled down and predators raised from their lairs to look for their food.

You know, you could easily tell if you are a prey or predator, by your feelings. How do you feel at night? Uneasy? Do you want to get home as soon as possible? Looking behind your back every few steps?

Or refreshed? Excited and calm in very same time, having all your senses tickled by gentle night wind, seeing more, feeling more, sensing more? I have never felt as good as right now!

~ You may put fancy robes on

~ You may dance with the nobles

~ You may drink the finest wine

~ And you may sleep in the finest bed

~ But you will never hide, who you truly are

~ For your heart and soul

~ Both belong to the wild

Sins were laughing in my mind. And for the first time ever, I could have never agreed with them more. I have morphed a little, nothing much simply changed a little structure of my muscles and shifted a little structure of my body, I could have resembled some ghost-hound, partly bipedal, yet still preferred running on all four. Enthusiastic Kaito was running alongside me, more than just pleased with the little exercise that I gave him.

I strayed from the main route to travel through groves and copses. I am pretty sure that some village was nearby, but once again, nobody should travel at this hour…

Of course that someone is traveling at this hour. Someone stupid enough to even hum a song under her or his nose. Are you insane, little one? How would you hear if someone is stalking you if you are humming a BLOODY SONG?!

…

Let’s take a look. Just to see how real crazy idiots look like.

I quickly turned to the side and ran over bushes and near the trees, just to stop few dozen meters. On main path leading through the forest a lone girl holding a small basket, wearing… You must be shitting me. Red hood? Really? That’s a red-fucking-hood. I know that universes are permeating each other, but the number of references I get is bit crazy. So, now we have to wait for the big bad wolf, do we?

Here you are! Big indeed.

Moon Howler [Champion]Level13Hp[149/150]Sp[87/200]TittlesHungering one

Child eaterSkillsBite [Active] [Level 10]

Slash [Active] [Level 15]

Stalk [Passive] [Level 10]

Gluttony [Passive] [NA]

Is size all you have on your side? You are not big game at all. Almost unworthy of being hunted. But, there is a potential in you, little pup. Maybe I should let you dine? Who knows, maybe one day you could grow into something worthy of being killed? On the other hand…

GluttonyType[Lesser lycanthropy curse] A Curse casted by witch onto a villager she found being evil. No matter how much he would eat or drink his thirst and hunger were never to be satisfied

Each time he failed to fill his stomach by certain quantity of food, he would change into creature that would have greater possibility to feast.time since curse was casted8d11h24m11sTime since curse reached final form22h11m24s

In less than a day that cursed turned some useless villager into level 10 champion rank monster? Amusing! Wonderful! Maybe I would really let him be and hunt him down in that week as I would be getting back from the quest? How much more wonderful could he become?!

The wolf finally jumped from behind bushes and rushed at the girl. He wasn’t very quiet with his action, thus even little girl noticed his presence. She screamed and started running.

“COME BACK HERE YOU LITTLE WENCH!” The monster roared in a weird voice, sounding like ten men talking at the same time. So a beast, but still reasonable? Overwhelmed by hunger? That’s even better than proper lycanthropy curse, here, the cursed one can actually see part of him vanishing from his mind being replaced by the beast. And now I would love to meet the witch that cast it. Simply great.

The girl stumbled and fell on the ground. The wolf jumped in the air and was about to land on its prey. Yet girl clasped her hands and cried aloud. A small barrier surrounded her pushing creature away.

“YOU LITTLE WITCH-WHORE! YOU ARE ALL THE SAME! I WILL FEAST UPON YOUR BONES! I WILL DEVOUR YOUR FACE!”

Monster yelled scratching with its great paws a barrier. It wouldn’t last long. Maybe half of a minute, maybe a minute, yet with each strike of claws, a few seconds of barrier’s life were fading away.

“HELP! PLEASE! SOMEBODY!” she was crying loudly. But village was far, far away “SCREAM! SCREAM YOU LITTLE WHORE! SCREAM LIKE I WAS SCREAMING WHEN MY BODY TURNED! WHEN MY MIND WAS BEING EATEN BY THIS BEAST! SCREAM! SCREEEAM!”

Aaaand repressed little novice magician. Great. No, she won’t be able to defend herself. Maybe I should…

No.

But just maybe…

No.

Gisele wouldn’t like that. She is sick on that whole [Defending those who are defenseless] thing.

But Gisele is not here. She also would never hear about it.

You could gain something good by helping her…

Same if I won’t. Stronger meal after a week. It’s investment.

Yet, the monster may slaughter the whole village and move to another location. It would be harder to find him them.

But then the name of this monster would be known! Just imagine! The beast that killed entire village! Everyone would go hunting him down! Solider, hunters, adventurers, fame-seekers…. Eventually, someone may kill it! And you would be gone for almost a week. Almost a week when somebody else could kill it. Who knows?

Who could be strong enough to kill such a creature so quickly? The creature that will yet get stronger?

Gisele.

…

No, honestly. She would think of it as of some challenge and rush here in a blink.

That sounds totally like her.

Indeed. SO?

… I think I can do that.

Great.

But I am doing it only so nobody else would steal my meal!

Sure thing!

HEY! I am serious! It’s not like I was having a whole bloody inner conversation on my head just to find a reason to get involved, and…

Hey, stubborn me…

WHAT?!

The girl…

Ah, right, right…

Another strike of claws sends a barrier into shards. The big bad wolf opens its maw as it was about to bite a kid in one go, little girl shut her eyes and embraced her head with palms.

And then a loud crack could be heard. A mass of shadow jumped from the bushes on the other side or path, rushed at the monster and tackled it into another side of the road. The little girl opened her eyes still shivering and looked into the bushes where two masses were fighting each other. Blood gushed everywhere, painting bushes and trees around with red. Soon the sounds of growling, then snarling and finally squeaking stopped. A lone man raised over the corpse of the creature.

“Kid, what were you doing so late in the forest?” I asked with my backs still turned to the girl “I…I was de…delive..ring food a..and herbs to my grandma… t..thank you sir!” “Foolish girl. Don’t you know that forest is dangerous? Especially at night?” “B..but I rarely go back home this late! A..and I usually managed to avoid a wolf so…” “No. You are traveling this path at least twice a day, little one. And you have to be cautious all the time. Wolf, on the other hand, wolf needs to be lucky only once, girl. Do you understand?” “Y…yes sir.” “Now, go away. Run back home. The night is approaching. You have no idea what kind of creatures wakes up when the sun dies.” “W…what kind?” girl asked shyly “Creatures like me.” I turned around showing her my twisted, wild face. She saw it only for a moment, in last lights of sun hiding behind the horizon. “Which part didn’t you understand? Run.”

If she was afraid after encountering a wolf, then after looking in my eyes she was a step from dying of fear.

“So very mature of you. Scaring kids in the forest. What will you do next? Hide in the closet? Or under the bed?” Sebastian tried to lecture me about something, but he was actually chuckling. SEBASTIAN WAS LAUGHING! “The part with the bed wouldn’t be bad! Just imagine! If I would find a naughty kid in the city, I could have told him a story about a monster that speaks in rhyme and eats naughty boys, them I would find out where he lives, open window, get under the bed, and as soon as he would lie in bed, I would growl quietly and say [Bruises are blue, Blood is red, you left your window open… so I am under your bed], would be fun, don’t you think?” “That’s actually what I used to….” Hoooo? “I mean, It’s something that even lesser devils should be shamed doing! Below any kind of criticism!...” “I am not a devil… Would you mind giving me a tip or two?” “… only if you would promise to do them.”

My my, who would have thought that Sebastian can do something for the sole purpose of fun!

“Sebastian, you are best guardian devil anyone could have prayed for.” “… I am pretty sure that few would be delighted with Zazes instead of me.” “Hm? Maybe only horny teenagers. I won’t lie, she was great help few times… But you are simply amazing. Don’t deny it! Don’t hide behind fake humility!”

So he said nothing. Devil will be a devil, no matter how serious he poses to be, in the end, they love to be in the center of attention and fear or admiration.

The night was young. Jericho told that I should be traveling a day only because he thought I would make on my way a break or two. But I wouldn’t. I should reach my destination with first light.

The inn was located in a place that could be called [middle of nowhere], yet you have no idea how deceptive could this first thought be. Actually, it was located at the crossing of three main trading routes, so many merchants and travelers were staying here. Or should stay. The trading season should start in next month. So what is this merchant daughter doing here now?

Its nothing but my guess, but maybe she wants to a head-start? Maybe she hopes to hire carts and mercenaries cheaper by hiring before the season? Well, I wasn’t the one to worry about that. I am getting paid either way, plus getting affection points to my relationship with Jericho… that sounded waaay gayer that I imagined.

I entered the inn and moved inside. Indeed few people were sitting inside, mostly males, drinking slowly beer from their mugs. The mood here was at least creepy. Silent and dark

“Hey, innkeeper! What’s wrong? Someone died?” I asked half as joke

The man behind the counter only smiled sadly and denied with shake of his head

“Mr. Zariel, yes?” a blond girl asked smiling from the center of the room “Of course you are! There is no one who can fit such description in the world! Greet to meet you! I heard so many amazing things about you, that I almost can’t believe that you agreed to work for me!”

I sat in front of her.

“Pleasure is all mine… or so I would love to say if not the fact that I was pretty much forced by the old man to work for you.” I smiled “But, as you are guilty nothing, I will allow myself to focus my whole anger on master Jericho, so I could work with you in a pleasant manner. When do we head out?”

Something was wrong. Something was off. But I don’t know what… this silence bothers me more than it should. Behind the girl, two bulky men were standing. Probably mercenaries.

“Well, we were waiting just for you… but to be honest we thought you would appear bit later… if you could give us few minutes for preparations…” “Miss, you are the boss here. No need to rush things. Take as much time as you need. We still have lots of free time.” “Indeed, indeed. Well. Good to have you on our side!”

She stretched her hand for a shake. I answered same. Damn, she has pretty strong hands

“Quite a strong grip for a merchant girl you have…” “Yeah, we weren’t that rich from the start. From my youngest days, I was helping Papa. We couldn’t afford workers, so I and dad were the one moving cargo…”

Well, sounds reasonable but… damn! What is wrong!?

…

…

It is too damn quiet. I understand that someone may not be cheerful right from the morning… But NO ONE is talking to each another! Strong grip of female in front of me… sour smile on face of innkeeper – friend of Jericho… as if apologizing to me…

..

…..

……..

Now I see it, the way those guys sit… in pretty decent locations, cutting escapes routes.

And the starting quest was located on the eastern trade route, close to everywhere. Also, close to Holly kingdom

Fuck.

“Ok, you can start preparing your cargo, and I will do same with my equipment.” I said taking a bag off my backs “I will oil my knives.” I said moving to the door “I will be nice enough to not mess inside the inn! Consider it as my courtesy, old man!” I said to innkeeper raising my thumb and smiling. I have also nodded slightly in his direction.

But behind me, a blonde woman only nodded slightly with her head, giving a sign to another man in the room. Two have raised and stood between me and door. I looked in the direction of windows, but here also man was standing.

“Please, I did what you told me to do… so please…”

Innkeeper begged a blonde woman

“Fine. Release her.”

Her voice no longer sounded friendly. It was hard and firm. Voice of Commander on the battlefield.

From backroom, another man came pushing a woman around her 20tie. She runs quickly to the innkeeper.

“Susan, my flower, did they do something to you?”

A daughter. That’s why he was helping them. Great. They planned everything. They tracked people with a connection to Jericho and lured me out. Also… I would never imagine that they would get this deep into enemy territory! FUCK! I was careless.

But still. To corner me, is one thing, to defeat me, another.

“Please, we wish you no harm.” The woman said again gently “We only have to transport you. No blood needs to be shed.” “Is that so? Great! In such case, I will cooperate!” I said smiling “I doubt that…” “No! Honestly! You are about to bring my ass to the holy kingdom, as I presume, where I would be tortured for weeks, maybe months, and in the end, would be killed in front of the crowd! How could I not cooperate!? Really! I am completely honest! Just come… and see…”

My nails turned into claws. In my mind, I started a small chant.

Everyone brought their short swords. So, they didn’t even make the mistake of bringing a long weapon to the inn?! Fuck. They are good. They are really, really good! No those bastards from before running through the forest like blind fools in the dark…

Men from the sides approached me slowly, one of the brought collar made of white onyx. White onyx. The greatest enemy of mages. If they would put that on me, I would be pretty much as good as dead. I lowered my head a little, giving him better access to my head, almost inviting.

They stopped for a moment

“Something’s wrong?” I asked sweetly “It is the first time you saw someone that doesn’t want to fight so heavily outnumbered?”

Man started walking once again, and when they about to bind me…

I released the spell. Miasma, all around me. For the miasma itself to do some real damage it needs time, to mutate and corrupt its targets. But it wasn’t the purpose of the spell, right now it worked like a smoke screen. I memorized locations of warriors around me and morphed slightly. Sickles grew from my backs. All I had was few seconds, for I felt as the woman was already casting a light-based spell to cast my darkness away. But it was more than enough.

Slash, and pierce, and tear, and rip.

Everything lasted for no more than five seconds when the wave of light cast miasma away. Revealing me standing in the same place with blood on my hands surrounded by four bodies.

“Something’s wrong?” I asked once again “I am cooperating, am I not?” “You have just made everything far more complex, and more personal…” woman said with no anger bringing her blade from the sheath. “Personal? Sunshine, pardon me, but when someone proclaims that is about to partake in killing me, I usually take it personally from the very start.”

This woman irritates me more than should. She is about to fall dead from my hand… still, better know what am I dealing with. Appraisal!

Warning!

Target is stronger than user of [Appraisal], part of information shall not be revealed

Warning!

Target has [status-hiding] kind of protection skills/equipment, part of information shall not be revealed

Amelia ScarletLevel49Job and ClassPaladinHp???Sp???Mp???TitlesStrongest human of the world

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Chapter RSS About the author 2 Fictions 0 Posts 0 Threads Anuel Follow Author Saturday, July 1, 2017 5:08:10 PM

Bio: Some people want me to write with Style, some people want me to write with Passion, some people wish to see me using logic, yet I... I find madness to be much more alluring.

Srsl tho, I am kinda crazy, ya know?

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