The Big Hunt

-This is a matter of the utmost urgency! - A middle aged man smashed his fist against the large conference table, putting emphasis on his words. He was dressed in a bureaucratic-looking suit with an awful tie, his face was average and his graying hair combed over his ever receding hairline. He was talking to a group of equally dressed gentlemen on a conference room.

Behind him a map showed one of the western-most provinces of the People’s Republic of China. –We need to take decisive action, if not we might experience a dangerous invasion from inside our own country. - The man clicked on a remote control and new images replaced the ones in the screen. This time around monsters and creatures appeared, some blurry and some well defined.



This sudden change manage to get a couple of gasps in fear and awe, more likely a way to know who either didn’t read the information package before the meeting or maybe even who believed it and who didn’t. –This is the army that might destroy us if we don’t take care. We lack the resources to fight against them.-



From the middle of the table one of the youngest men in the conference room sneered rudely. –You think we will believe this idiocy, Minister Hou? - The impudent young official smirked as he continued talking. -I have assisted to the better colleges and I have never heard something about “mythical creatures”-

He looked around trying to gather the support of the others. –This is just like my father says a ploy of the western powers to distract us… smoke and mirrors.- The young official finished his speech looking at Minister Hou with an arrogant smile plastered on his face. –You must be getting old Minister; maybe you should step down and leave your position to newer and fresher talent.-

A chorus of laughter erupted in the room, only the older officials remained silent, while most of the young ones chuckles echoed in the wooden walls. The Minister Hou remained impassible, unaffected by the mockery. Finally when everyone stopped the aging politician looked at the room with barely contained anger and pressed a buzzer on the table.

The doors opened and a couple of workers brought in a stretcher carrying something covered with a blanket. They exchanged a couple of words with the Minister and moved with some effort through the room until they placed the stretcher over the table, just in front of the young officer that just talked. With that done they left after bowing to the Minister.

-Officer Ma, could you please remove the cloth? - The young officer was momentarily unnerved specially after seeing the strict face of the Minister, yet he shrugged his fears away. He uncovered the stretcher while staring at the minister and making another depreciative comment. –So, you bothered to get us a meal, it seems you can still be useful after all.-

Officer Ma expect to hear another chorus of laughter, thanks to his father influence he could share, or better put, leech his respect and authority, everybody loving him and his “witty” remarks. But instead of mocking laughs he only heard frightened whispers. He turned to face the table and instantly fell on his ass, crawling in reverse until he hit the wall. He was speechless.

-Smoke and mirrors you say…- Minister Hou was already standing next to the terrified young officer. The old politician grabbed Officer Ma from the jacket and pulled him up. With his other hand he clutched the back of his head and made him look at the table. –Do you see it Officer Ma? Where are the smoke and mirrors?-





Officer Ma tried to back out but the Minister slammed the side of his head against the table. –Can you smell the smoke? Do you see your reflection? Impudent brat, your kind will drag us down in the future, so stop talking and listen. - He released him and looked around with deadly seriousness. –Everybody in this room listen, this is what we will do!-



-We are laughably unequipped and outmanned to deal with this situation; we might lose the whole province and even get fines and economical restrictions if the situation goes out of hand. – He pressed the remote and showcased profiles of multiple individuals. –First of all we will have to keep a tight lease on the media; we cannot let this get out.-



All the media officers nodded and Hou continued. –I already got the authorization to hire private contractors to deal with the situation, your jobs will be to assist them and provide them with any information or resources related to the task of elimination. I will personally hold the briefing session on location when they arrive in a week.-



-Decisive and definitive action is what we will do to solve this crisis, but not only that, we will learn from the ones who come and we will replicate their methods to avoid needing their help again. For that purpose officers will be assigned to serve as guides and assistants for them. Once I brief them I’ll present the wages they will receive and express our rules about dealing with the issue.-

-We will overcome this obstacle, all for the success and fortune of our country.- The officers that not so long ago laughed at him were now cheering at the Minister as he left the room, planning to reach the meeting point and prepare everything for the Hunters he hired.

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1 week later, Sichuan Province, 20 miles away of the Piao Miao Zhao Mountains



The Minister Hou, leader of the meager Anti-Hidden World Ministry (Fan Yin Shi Sheng) of the People’s Republic of China, waited for the Mercenaries he hired on a building that was quickly erected for this meeting using modular pieces. It was an easily transportable command center somebody developed to lead initiatives against natural disasters and was fully equipped.

The aging Politician only could hope that the Hunters were as good as he was told, he also hoped they could cooperate as their work might be a bit too much for only one of them. He checked the instruments he acquired through a private enterprise that worked mostly with the Hidden World, Garyuu Overseas Trading. At least 300 hundreds of blips, representing creatures, were on the screen.

Soon they would arrive, he hoped it wasn't too late…

Alexander steps off the plan and looks around to study the beauty of China. He stands there for a few minutes, completely still, just examining his surrounds. This was his first time in China, and he plans to enjoy it for as long as possible. Other passengers give him both looks and have quick remarks about him to themselves, but no one tries to interact with him. To them, he was a stranger and a tourist, who is suffering from both a physical and mental disorder. But in Alexander's perspective, he sees himself as a newborn stepping into unfamiliar territory, and he was fascinated by it.

After a while, Alexander begins to move around, only to stop and stare at certain stores, objects, and people. Everywhere he went, he caused some level of anxiety for people with his presence alone, yet no one confronted him about it. Alexander eventually gets a means of transportation from a taxi driver. During the entire trip, the Taxi Driver makes no attempts to converse with his passenger, and every once in a while he would check his rear view mirror to see Alexander starting back at him in the reflection. When they finally arrive at his destination, the taxi driver didn't even wait for his money, before accelerating as fast as possible away from his most recent client.

Alexander stares at the car as it leaves from his sight and he continues to watch the spot where he could last see the vehicle's image before it disappears into the greater horizon. It takes a few minutes for the disfigured man to continue to make his way to the building for his next job. When he enters, he looks around to spot the man in charge of his next assignment. After a little effort of searching, he finally enters a meeting room to spot an older looking gentlemen. Alexander studies the man, he had the look of a politician to him, while at the same time carrying a hard edge about him.

Alexander doesn't say a word to the man, he simply walks up to him and stares at him with a smile, which Alex was trying to appear friendly, but to anyone else, he just looks like a creepy looking man with a creepy looking smile on his face. He continues to smile at his employer. Waiting for the man to response to his presence.

Eve sprawled across a row of first class seats, fast asleep. Ordinarily she would have just used a teleport scroll, but the Chinese government had offered her a first class ride, and who was she to refuse? She had started to regret the choice after she had failed to seduce her stewardess and ran out of batteries in her DS. She doubted her stun gun was going to recharge that. Everything from the gadgets she fiddled with, to her oversized coat, to the drool that came down her chin as she took up an entire row, she had made quite the impression of being a perfect example of a consumerist whore to the staff. They were glad when the plane touched down and she stretched like no human could. "Ugghhh. Malcolm, cancel my... Oh, we're there?" She sprung to her feet like she weighed as little as the cat she stretched like and strode for the door. They crew was glad to see her go.

Eve yawned and stretched again, but she wasn't as tired as she let on. She had just taken more sleep than necessary for a week. In reality, she was making sure every joint moved properly and every little weapon still lurked within her. Yep, all operational. Her cannon in one arm, the blade in the other, the array of guns in her chest, the three grenades and materials to make more beneath it. She was ready to go. The epitome of nonchalant, she wandered in the direction of the shoddy building in the distance she guessed was her destination from the map she had been provided with. Within a half hour, she entered to find a large and mostly vacant lobby, the man feature being a strange man. He had a variety of odd features, the most prominent of which were his bug eyes, massive and staring on his face. He must be another hunter. She was always welcome to a team. She slid up next to him, dominating the space with her own size and the spread of the coat. "Hey. You here for the whole shoot things get money job too?"

Falken Degiraz and Garo Takayama couldn’t stand each other. Their personalities, their styles, their modus operandi and their weapons of choice made them clash every single time they talked or even met. The Dual Wielding Angel of Death and the Legendary Japanese Hunter hated each other with burning intensity.

Falken was an amoral mercenary with high tech so intrinsically part of his modus operandi that even his body was more machine than man. He liked high caliber weapons and assassinations jobs on humans, he liked to fight on urban environments and his arsenal depended on a satellite connection that lately was flimsy to say the least.

Garo was an old school Archer and Hunter, master of a single style instead of proficient in many. He liked silence and stealth, preferred natural hunting grounds over cities. Garo was a hunter of beasts, not of men. He could craft a bow and arrows from anything he could find and with more proficiency than any master bow-maker.

Having them share a plane was not only a bad idea… it was a potential aerial disaster the like the world has never seen before. The pair left Inazuma on a private jet belonging to said institution, truthfully they school didn’t knew about Garo taking the job, as the Archer told them he was taking on his students, Barnaby Talons on an out of school excursion.

Unluckily he had Falken as a tag-along, since the Mercenary’s inhuman hearing, all thanks to his bionic enhancements, overheard the conversation Garo was having with the Chinese Official that contacted him. Thus the Veteran Archer didn’t have any other option that accepting Falken’s request of tagging along under the battle-cry of “I want to cap some motherfuckers”.

Barnaby Talons was the best way to move undetected, the young student was a prodigy when it came to piloting any kind of aerial craft and with the “excursion” Garo could cover up his involvement on this mission, something he was doing to pay up an old debt he had with the leader of this initiative, Minister Hou.

-Are we there yet fucking old man? - Falken said on a childish voice, trying to piss off Garo, even resorting to kicking the back of the Archer seat.

-For the love of the Gods Falken, shut the hell up or I’ll throw you out the cargo door. - Garo turned around looking at the Mercenary with ill-intent clearly reflected on his eyes.

-Okay old timer, don’t get your arrows ruffled. - Falken reclined on the seat as Barnaby informed them about their current status.

-We are about to reach our destination, could you please go to the cargo bay? - The Aerial Ace asked them politely and Garo stood up, making a gesture for Falken to follow him.

-C’mon Mr. Mercenary, we are about to arrive. - Garo picked his gear from one of the empty chairs and started equipping as Falken lazily stood up and stretched.

-Inazuma should really get a bit more of money on their equipment, this seats are killing my back.- Falken moved to the Cargo Bay followed by Garo. –So, when are we landing? - He asked, curious about which airport they would use.

The Old Archer didn’t reply to Falken, instead he checked some screens and finally talked after a while, without even looking at the Mercenary. –Could you fetch one of the scanning tools in the back Degiraz? I need to check this panel.-



-Tsk, anything else Master? - Falken mockingly imitated a butler as he walked to the back of the plane, right besides the cargo door. He couldn’t find anything so he turned to face Garo and discovered that the Archer wasn’t there. –Old timer? Where the fuck are you hiding? –

Even with bionic enhancements to his senses Falken couldn’t detect Garo, if the Veteran Archer didn’t want to be found. A bit frustrated the Mercenary shouted. –Whatever you’re planning it won’t work Fossil Master!-



-I told you to shut your mouth boy…- The cargo bay door opened and Falken, out of instinct, looked behind, that was a huge mistake. Garo used one of the security ropes in the ceiling to swin down and kick the mercenary out of the plane.



The Old Archer looked at the Mercenary as he fell towards the ground–And I told you I would kick you out… I’m a man of my word. - Garo pressed his commlink and talked to Barnaby. –Mr. Talons, remember the plan, you must go to the coordinates I gave you until I request for your help, that being a quick extraction using the cable or landing nearby the rendezvous point.-



-Got it sir, have a good hunt.- After hearing that the Archer jumped behind Falken, with a parachute already strapped on his back. A newer, less bulky model some of the Equipment and Gear Club in Inazuma designed. He might not like technological advancements, but even Garo would admit the reusable parachute was an amazing feat of inventive minds.

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300 mts below Garo and counting…

-Well played old man! Damnit! - Falken insulted and praised Garo as the wind roared on his ears. He aligned himself on a more aerodynamic position and his nanites reacted to the situation doing some minor adjustments, like reinforcing his inner ear and creating goggles over his eyes.

If he was still using his old arsenal his only choice to avoid turning into street pizza would be a high caliber weapon that created some sort of controlled stream so he could shoot it downwards and slow his descent enough to survive the fall.

Thankfully his new set of tools and weapons was a bit more versatile, even if he sacrificed firepower to achieve that. The only problem was that he had a daily limit on his Hyper-Space Arsenal access, as his original one was destroyed months ago and now he was renting one to a crazy Techno-Wizard.

It worked fine during the first three months, but seemingly that was a free trial and now the damn thing had a limited amount of downloads each day, pretty shady business practices. So he only could pull out 5 items a day and re-upload the same amount. He had to pay an exorbitant amount of many to use a premium version of it and truthfully Falken had such opinion of himself that he didn’t even think of paying.

-Damn that old man to hell, I’ll have to use one charge. - He muttered to himself as his implants accessed the inventory of the Arsenal and summoned the Tsukuba Flight Harness. A green light surrounded him, small green cubes like a swarm covered his body and when they stopped shining the Mercenary was equipped with a highly advanced, and experimental, multidirectional jetpack.

With surprising ease the Mercenary managed to descend to the ground as every jet was controlled by the powerful mainframe attached to his brain. He saw Garo landing a way later and walked towards him with a smug smile. –You’re a good old timer, you’re a shifty old bastard.-

Falken’s expression changed. –But do that again and I’ll show you pain you cannot imagine.- Garo maintained the glare with equal intensity and replied.–Boy, you haven’t seen pain and horror as I saw back in the day… you would soil your bionic pants.- The Mercenary and the Archer kept glaring until they broke the tension with a sinister dual fit of laughter.

The laughs stopped as suddenly as they started when both tried to jump the other with a combat knife, only to be interrupted by a Chinese Officer, Officer Ma that we already met before, with shivering voice.

-E….eh… Sorry are you Mr. Takayama? - Garo and Falken stopped their attack and turned around. The Archer replied. –Yes, yes I am.-

-Minister Hou is awaiting you in the HQ, could you and your…friend?… Follow me?- Garo rudely snort. –Not my friend, just an annoying pest.- Falken tried to retort but Garo shut him up –A pest I’m sure will be professional and don’t cause troubles.- The Mercenary nodded begrudgingly and followed the Officer Ma alongside Garo.

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Minister Hou looked at Alexander with caution, he heard pretty sinister things happened to the prey this strange man hunted and even a man of his political power understood that there are individuals who are too dangerous to enrage. Trying to muster his diplomatic bones he extended his hand and stretched Alexander’s

-Welcome to Sichuan Mr. Stevenson, I’m glad you considered our offer and took this job, the situation is dire.- Hou added without rushing, delivering the lines with great poise. –We will wait for the other three to arrive and I’ll…- The Politician looked at Eve as she arrived.

-Oh, we already have one here, Ms. Eve I presume, care to join us here? - Hou seemed like a nice affable kind of guy. And as he invited her to join Garo and Falken arrived on the HQ.

Hou swiftly changed his tune and added talking to the 4 hunters. –Please introduce yourselves and share a bit about your expertise, you might end up working together and I think a small bit of networking could be useful.-

With that invitation Hou expected them to talk about their strengths and weaknesses, so they could start thinking how to group up during the hunt, if they planned to do it like that.

Alexander doesn't break eye contact with Minister Hou, and when he shakes his hand, his smile somehow increases in both size and creepiness. The man doesn't say a word to the Minister for a few moments, and never lets go of his hand until Eve shows up. Alex doesn't bother to response to Eve either, he just remains still and continues to stare at the Minister with a bizarre glint in his eyes. His eyes were not giving off any hostile signs of any kind, but they still warranted a sort of caution from his gaze. As if the his eyes were invading the Minister's personal space too much.

Alexander doesn't even break his stone like stasis for even a fraction of a second. He continues his awkward and disturbing fixation on the minister's very being, even after he asks them to speak about themselves. Who knows how long it will be before Alexander stops examining the minister's appearance and character. Yet, in what felt like an unbearable amount of time to deal with Alexander's maladroit focus of attention, he finally speaks:

"Hello Minister."

If people thought that Alexander's appearance and mannerism was eerie, then his voice should come with no surprise when compared to his physical characteristics. His voice was ghoulishly strong, but not too powerful and frightening a noise, yet it still carried a hint of danger to it. This was also Alexander's best attempt of trying sound as pleasant as possible as well. This was a voice so unnerving, normal people would prefer not to talk to Alex if they can avoid it out of fear for their safety.

Eve looked at Anderson with even more interest. There was no fear in her eyes as they looked him over very thoroughly. Strange posture, weird eyes, hellish voice... was he some sort of undead? If so, she wasn't sure what kind. Could ghouls talk? Death knights did, but weren't they really big skeleton guys? She had talked to Huntsman about Chinese monsters, not undead ones. She kept a mental note to study him more later as she turned to the Minister. She flared her coat and bowed slightly. "Ms. Harper if you don't mind."

She immediately glanced back to check out the newcomers. One, a grizzled old man, she studied for a moment as well. Spiky grey hair, scarred face- this was a veteran, an old soldier judging by the militaristic haircut. All in all, very straightforward and competent looking among the motley crew that surrounded him. And the last one... that eye. She wanted a better look at the beautiful little bit of machinery. All here were very much of interest, all to be studied closely. She stroked her chin for a moment as mulled over the group. A big smile broke out on her face. They were going to be just fine in there, so long as they didn't kill each other.

Giving the Minister her attention once more, she was delighted to share. "Eve Harper, leader of the Wild Hunt, rising star in the monster hunting business. Personal specialization in takedown of single high-risk targets at mid range, but my current lineup is set for numbers, as I'm told we have trouble with. Also, a proven leader." With the last sentence, she glanced around, or rather down, at everybody in the room to make sure they got her message. At 2 full meters tall, she was easily the tallest person in the room, and her coat made her look all the bigger. She radiated dominance. Hopefully the others would have the wisdom to pick up on it.

Garo sat on a chair relaxing his muscles as he listen the others talk. He had heard some rumors about Eve and the Wild Hunt, but he never expected her being so young… maybe it was one of those Hidden World things, immortality, retarded aging. Garo might lie out loud about not wanting something like it, as he knows, deep down his body isn’t moving as it used to do before. The archer knew he was getting old.

When Eve finished Falken took the word with a smug smile on his face and a fierce light on his eyes, one of them even shining red. –I’m Falken Degiraz, I don’t do autographs so don’t bother.- Even if it seemed arrogant the Dual Barreled Angel of Death did have an outstanding reputation in the Mercenary world, known for his efficiency rate and his merciless modus operandi.



-I’m good at killing stuff, short, middle, long range, just give me a target and I’ll destroy him and for an extra fee I might even track his family, his pets and his first grade school teacher and murder them as well.- He looked around the room with an arrogant air of superiority. –And I work alone, I don’t need a bunch of amateurs cramping my style.-



Garo sighed and stood as it was his turn to talk. –My name is Garo Takayama, former JHWAB Military Branch Agent, currently serving as a Teacher in the Internationally Famous Inazuma Gakuen in Japan. My weapon of choice is the bow and my specialty is silent tracking and hunting, I have experience working with groups and I don’t mind others leading.- He respectfully bowed to Eve as he added that.

Falken was looking around as Garo spoke and he fixated his eyes on Alexander. –Yo Quasimodo, get your ugly head out of Notre Dame and bring me a beer.- He then noticed, thanks to his enhanced senses, that the servants in the HQ used matching clothes so he smirked and added. –Unless you’re a hunter, in that case start talking freak show, I get restless when I don’t kill something from time to time.-



Truly Falken was only insulting Alexander to cover his insecurities, as much as he disliked to admit to himself he had a begrudging respect for Garo and as the Archer did he heard rumors about the Wild Hunt and honestly, the rumors scared him, not even a cybernetics enhanced super soldier wants to match killing intent with rumored Eldritch Abominations. Bullying Alexander was a way to reassure himself.

Alexander doesn't even makes the smallest notation that he was bothered by the comments from behind him and chooses to ignore the words, for he wasn't done with his conversation with the Minister, and because the words had no value to him. Alexander simply contunes to speak in a somewhat sinister tone of voice even though he tries his hardest to sound as nonlethal as possible:

"What can you tell me about the targets, Minister?"

It wasn't that Alex didin't care for working togther or getting to know others. But rather his priorities demanded him to learn about his opponents first, addional information would come next, but first things first, he needed to learn about his prey as much as possible. That was one of the best ways he can imporve his chances of coming out of this mission successful. The benifits of building teamwork can be established latter, if Alex decides to even work with the others. His intial opinions on all of them was very incomplete, for Alex has been giving the Minister most of his attention, yet he wasn't blind to the behavior of the others.

So far, the only person who can be a truly worthy companion was the old archer, he seems to be the most experience, and most respectful one. Thus, making him a reliable and valuable asset. Besides, the archer's record was as good as it gets in the Hidden World. Perhaps he is pasted his prime, but that does't matter if he is as half as good as Alex's instincts are telling him.

As for the cyborg man with the bully like attitude and comments, Alex could see him being useful as a decoy/tank, but depending on the prey they are facing, this could either be good or bad. Best to continue to further study his use after learning more about the monsters that they will be facing.

And finally the gigantic woman... She could potential be the biggest liability in this mission... he needed to keep an eye on her for further analysis.

Eve cocked her head at Falken and grinned. "Is there a reason I'd want one?" She turned to Garo to give him a decently respectful half bow. "Your experience is a boon to the team." She kept her voice free of anything but light cheer, as usual. Without turning away from the two men before her, she nodded in response to Alex's request. "I also want to know what we're up against. I did some research coming here, but my source is spotty at best." Huntsman still hadn't fully translated his stupid book, and she couldn't read it at all. Any information she had to gather through Huntsman was unreliable at best.

-Yes, is better than we start with the briefing, the less time it takes the better.- Minister Hou used a remote control to lower a screen from the ceiling. The images started to form quickly showcasing 4 distinct photos, all with different types of blurring.

-To our knowledge there are 4 main types of creatures you might encounter inside the mountains. We gathered all the information we could from the our old archives, so take this information with caution.- He used a pointer to highlight one of them, a picture of what seemed to a tall humanoid covered in fur.



-This is a Yemen, humanoid creatures with primitive culture that tend to move in packs. They aren’t adverse to eating humans and their reproduction rate is astounding. - He changed the image into a satellite heat signature scan that showed many points together.

-They have some sort of tribal society and are a dangerous majority in the Mountains, they are much stronger than a regular human, around the strength of big apes or even higher. The little intel we got through drones indicates they live in caves and are adept climbers, so be careful when traversing ravines, they could jump from above. - Hou returned to the first screen with the four images



The Minister changed the focus to another image, this time around some kind of Chimera-like creature, mixed between a lion, a dragon and an eagle. –This is a Bixie, they live atop the mountains and swoop down, they already decimated the cattle population in this region, and there are even sightings in India. They fly fast, have razor sharp teeth and from what we already experience take anti-tank fire as if it was grains of rice.-



-They tend to hunt on their own, but are really dangerous.- Hou once again changed the image this time showing what strikingly resembled a Chinese Dragon.



-These are Fubai Long, our specialist thought they were regular dragons… I can’t believe I’m saying that line, so they tried to make pacific contact.- New images showed the researchers torn to pieces. –The Fubai Long are the corrupted and feral cousins of the normally wise and amicable Long. They can reach speeds of mach 2 and the stream of energy left behind their trails corrupts and erodes organic life.-



-There are only a handful of them as they are territorial and constantly fight each other. They nest inside waterfalls, lakes or rivers and they own the airspace, we are having difficulties on keeping them in the mountains, but they always home back after hunting. - Hou seemed more distraught with each passing moment.



The fourth and last picture showed a creature akin of a deer, only much larger and with white fur and three horns. –Finally we have a small yet fearsome community of Kirin. These creatures are pacific but will attack if provoked. The only member of the scout squad we sent said that they all got paralyzed when the creature saw them, some sort of psychic pulse.-

-If you see the screen you will see the wages you will get for each confirmed kill.-

• Yemen: 10000 American Dollars per head

• Bixie: 500000 American Dollars per head

• Fubai Long: 1000000 American Dollars per head

• Kirin: 100000000 American Dollars Captured Alive

-Any questions?- Hou asked to them, hoping that the exposition served to inform and entice them.

Alex finally, yet slowly, removes his eyes from the Minster and focuses on the images on the screen. "Minister, what caused all these creatures to become so active?" Alexander studies each species and memorizes all the information for each of them, while making a plan to face each one with the information he gain. "And, why do you want the Kirin captured alive?" Alex slowly turns his head to once more face the Minister. Looking at him with a faint smile on his face and one of his eyes twitching, waiting to hear the answers to his questions.

Eve's eyes widened just slightly at the offer. 10,000 was the cheapest? And there were whole tribes of them? She wasn't normally into killing sapient beings on a whim, but just one was more then she sometimes made in several hunts. Enough for a new employee. Or to fund her special project. No! She was the moral mercenary! They only died if she determined it was necessary. She glanced about for allies in this. Only Garo seemed likely to take her side, and maybe Falken. Alexander seemed... off. She wasn't sure he was all there. Undead were usually beyond morals.

"Same question as the ghoul, but with one addition- why do anything to the Kirin if they're normally peaceful? I hear they're endangered."

-The Party desires a Kirin for… political reasons, still is just an optional wage. - Hou talked with a hint of disgust, as he didn’t like the idea of harming the Kirin. –The main issue here are the Yemen, Bixie and Fubai Long. - The Minister changed the screen once again showing a new image, this one much blurrier than the others.



-Replying to Mr. Stevenson’s question we only have this evidence, but our specialists, or at least the ones we still have…- The Old Minister wanted to sigh, but he kept his composure. –Indicate that this creature might be the focus on this increased activity. - The image showed some kind of really large bird, covered in crimson feathers leaving a stream of fire behind it.



-This creature holds a very peculiar energy signature, almost unique, at least according to some private Hidden World academics we hired to do a survey of the region. - Some graphs showcased an enormous amount of energy, so great and dense that it stopped the instruments from detecting the center.- According to them the creature would rank at least, on a Oni 1 category using the JHWAB scale.-

Garo, who had been silent up until now stood up looking at Hou with blazing eyes. The Veteran Archer had to make use of all his willpower to not punch the Minister. –Are you insane Hou? 4 Hunters for an Oni 1 threat? Is the Party insane? - Garo walked forward as he talked, his face was one of incredible anger.



-Taka….Garo, this is everything I could get from them, the Party doesn’t want to show weakness to the foreigners, so we are limited to a small group. We don’t want you to deal with the mysterious bird, we only want you and the others to reduce the population so we can get some time and explore alternatives. - The Minister tried to calm Garo.



-You have a ticking bomb in your country and you’re playing politics…- The Old Archer spat on the floor. – If this was any other situation I would leave in this instant and try to convince them. - He glanced at the other hunters. –To leave as well… but this is just too damn big to ignore.- Garo once again looked at the rest and decided to explain the real situation, something Hou wasn’t doing.

-I don’t want to enforce any opinion on you youngsters, but the situation here is a bit more serious that what we had been told. So pay attention-Garo pinched his nose in frustration. –What we have here has a name, some Hidden World Specialist from Europe gave it a name many years ago. - The Archer kept explaining. –This is a called an “Aquelarre” the original world means Meeting of Witches, but in the Hidden World is a bit more complicated.-



-In an Aquelarre a single very powerful Yokai, almost in the level of minor deities, takes a “Domain” a terrain to call home.- Garo took the control from the hands of the Minister and turned back the images until he found the satellite image. –The influence of the creature is like bait for other creatures, think it like a feudal lord and vassals, they live in the land, pay tribute and hear its call.-

-Even if we kill hundreds… or even thousands of the creatures inside the “Domain” it’s all meaningless if we don’t topple down the Focus, usually referred as “Idol” when it comes to Aquelarre situations. - Garo turned off the screen. –I know most of you work for money, I even did works for money on my day, but this time around we need to think a beyond ourselves, or half of China will be overrun with creatures before the start of next year.-



Falken clapped sarcastically and cheered. –Well done all timer! Spoken like a true teacher, giving class must be your true calling, which explains why you suck as a hunter.- Garo looked at him with barely contained rage and tried to speak, but was cut by Falken. –You forgot something important, why the heck the Chinese wants a Kirin for their zoo, if they know the "Aquelarre stuff"?-

Falken’s words hit Garo like a sledgehammer. The Old Archer lost the control over his rage and roared as he charged towards Hou, trying to pin him against a wall.

Alexander makes a few gestures with his hand, and his super thine wires went to work, creating a wire net, which surrounds Minister Hou's immediate area from every direction and from multiple angels, before Garo could get a chance to tackle the man. Normally, the wires were so thine, thiner than even a spider's thread, that a normal person could not even see it with the naked eye. Yet, this time, Alex decides to make the wires noticeable by moving them in such a way that the light reflects off of them, thus making their presence known. Yet, just in case the old archer kept charging, Alex grabs the man's arm to stop him from running into the wires. Alex looks at the man with a large and ghostly smile on his face. Alex was trying to look as friendly as possible, but he never can pull off a kind looking face.

"Don't be so quick to anger. That clouds judgment."



Alexander then keeps his eyes on the other Hunters, and begins to speak to Minister Hou, "You, know. I tend not to attack my employer, but if someone like Garo is trying to attack you, while then..." The wires surrounding Minister Hou suddenly move inward, until they were wrapping around the minister at various joints and vital areas, "...I really hate to repeat myself, but I'll ask once more. Why are you trying to capture the Kirin alive?" asked Alex in a truly threatening tone of voice as if a demon, or the devil himself, was asking the question.



Alex, then draws his wires back into his gloves, freeing the Minister and lets go of Garo's arm at the same time. He proceeds to walk to a window, while looking at Minister Hou. As Alex makes his way to the window, he continues to talk, but this time to Garo, "Can you at least wait until he answers my question, I'm quite curiosity to hear the truth here. Afterwards, I don't care if you kill him. I didn't come here for profit." Alex reaches the window and looks outside, trying to find his prey, "I came here to put down some monsters."

Eve helped Alexander in defending the Minister, sliding in front of him and leveling an arm that flew into tendrils, revealing layered metal that unfolded and was pulled into the shape of a cannon. "Okay, I'm lost. What's the big deal here? Can a Kirin cause this Aquelarre effect? Also, if these two start causing trouble, how much are their bodies worth to you?" Her voice kept the same calm cheer as always, like she was asking how much a lamp she liked cost at a garage sale.

It was indecipherable whether she was joking or entirely serious, especially since her eyes didn't meet those of the involved parties. They looked past the disputing parties to Falken with an inscrutable expression. Nobody could tell what she thought about him from her face, mostly because she couldn't figure it out either. What was his stake in antagonizing Garo? What did he know? His flippant demeanor at the very least amused her, but there seemed to be little underneath, and he didn't seem to have the team's best interests in mind. So in the end, all that came of it was a wink as she turned her gaze to the others gathered before and in front of her. "So, who wants to talk first? Mr. Boomkill doesn't want to be the first to speak up."

-Don’t speak of being quick to anger if you don’t know what this bastard’s government is planning to do.- Garo smashed his fist on the table, he knew this might be pointless , considering the audience he had, but he was willing to, at least, try to get some sense into their heads. –They want the damn Kirin so they can have the “Mandate of Heavens”. - The Old Archer glared at the Minister. –Isn’t that right old…tsk…friend?-

Falken smugly smiled as he leaned against a wall with both arms crossed. He knew the situation before coming, but getting Garo riled up was too amusing to ruin it by informing the Veteran Archer during the journey. The Infamous Mercenary knew, even if he didn’t care much, about the Chinese situation and was frankly surprised when he heard Garo, getting this job. From that point onward he found out about it thanks to his contacts sending messages directly to his mainframe.

Hou, with a sorrowful expression, sat on the chair in the head of the table, giving his back to them as he talked. –I didn’t want this to go like this… I told them it was stupid, but they left me no choice.- Garo, much calmer than before, turned the chair around. –How so Hou? Did they buy out your convictions with money?-

Hou grabbed the Old Archer from the jacket, and almost at the verge of crying he shouted. –Because they got my family, Damnit! - Hou fell on the chair, suddenly exhausted after that explosion of emotion. With weakened voice he added. –They want the Kirin so it can grant them the power to control the Hidden World Creatures of China like an Army… They want to break the rules and conquer Asia… at least a faction in the government wants to do it…-

The Old Archer was left speechless as the Minister turned again in the chair, too ashamed to face the mercenaries.

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As this meeting full of revelations happened deep inside the mountains, in a valley hidden by a ring of rocky peaks a multitude of Yemen were prostrated in the ground chanting. These creatures share some resemblance with monkey, only that larger and more human-like, akin to a “Yeti” or a “Bigfoot”

Their grotesque clawed hands going up and down in a series of creepy rituals as in the center of the circular valley, standing over a burnt out twisted tree a majestic creature with crimson feathers that seemed to be on fire looked down on them. Around the creature multicolor streams of light orbited like moons around a planet.

Their guttural tongue barely allowed them to talk, but their chants sounded like –Lig Guag… Lig Guag… Lig Guag… Lig Guag…- In an ever increasing sinister crescendo.

The creature cried to the heavens, as a single beam of sunlight pierced through grey clouds bathing it on its light. The Beast of the Crimson Wings perceived the incoming danger, as its domain slowly and steadily increased it could feel the emotions of anybody in the range…even hear they thoughts.

Knowing that danger was coming its way the Crimson Winged Legend cried one more time a war-cry for the creatures on its domain. The HQ was about to be attacked.

Alex doesn't move from his spot for a while. He just thinks over the information that he has just learned about. Trying to picture what would happen if they were to fail, then he pictures what would happen if they somehow succeed. Either way, the result was going to be hell. Alex continues to ponder what should his next move be. If he faces this by himself, he would most likely fail, no... there was no chance for him to succeed by himself, yet even if all four of them were too corporate with perfect teamwork, could they even pull this job off?

What should be the goal at this moment? To kill as many creatures as possible? That would only slow down this problem not solve it, and should the Chinese gain the mandate of Heavens, it would result in a power struggle the world has not experience before. Hidden world organizations would come in and try to stop it, but it might not be enough to stop the chaos that would be created.

As Alex was trying to figure out his next move, he suddenly hears a sound, was it his imagination or was that a war-cry? Alex pays even more attention to his surrounding, and he could feel it in the air. His instincts were telling him that a battle will soon erupt, and he needed to be prepared. Alex begins to make even more gestures with his hands, preparing for the worst case scenario. Alex looks around the room very slowly, trying to see if anyone else noticed the sound, or perhaps could sense the approaching danger. Alex would need to be careful where he set the wires as to avoid preventing anyone's ability to protect themselves and potentially each other.

Eve gave a moment's pause at the news. This was... disturbing. She had never had such a conflict of morals and money. So much money, but for this cause... The war raged strong in her heart, pounding away louder than her cannon. Her cannon lowered in indecision as her gaze dropped. And then in an instant, the smile was back and her head was high. "One billion for the bird's body. Split between us. Along with whatever other costs we rack up from the grunts, which I assure you we'll take plenty of. But no kirin. You negotiate with your bosses, or I'll remind you..." Her face folded away, even her upper jaw splitting in two and peeling back in toothy tentacles. Beneath was a metal skull, all too human eyes staring from inhuman sockets, blades like fangs sticking from the bottom. "Iam also a Hidden World monster."

-I already told you I don’t want to do this… they got my family…- Hou standed up looking at Eve with sorrowful eyes. –Don’t you understand? I tried to tell them this was a bad idea… but they have my family…- The Minister turned around looking through the window. This was the image of a broken and defeated man, somebody against the ropes.

The Veteran Archer moved towards him, placing his hand on the Minister shoulder trying to comfort his old friend. –I didn’t know that Hou, I’ll try to do something about…- Garo stopped talking as he squinted through the window. The Ex JHWAB agent muttered a curse as he grabbed how and started pulling him towards the back of the room.

From the far end of the room, Falken who was mesmerized with Eve’s transfiguration suddenly shifted his attention to the same direction as Garo. A smile was plastered on his face as he walked towards the center of the room with long confident strides.

–Thanks God for this, I was getting tired…- He kicked the table in the middle of the room creating a makeshift cover. –of talking…- The mercenary summoned one of his weapons through a portal, a massive shotgun-like hand cannon with two vertical barrels.-POLITICS!!- He cocked his gun (The Kazuraba Triumphant Shotgun) while aiming towards the window with his bionic eye shining eerily.

-Everybody get down! - Garo roared an order as he pushed Hou into one of the room besides the conference lobby. Now, much closer a horde of Yemen, with their horrible jagged fangs and feral eyes was charging towards the large window of the HQ. The Old Archer readied his bow with a 5 arrow multiple shot, all of them reinforced with a thin layer of Ki.

Behind the Yemen a couple of massive Bixie roared, as if they were directing the horde. The monsters in the frontline, carrying horrible bone clubs broke through the glass with their sheer numbers and inhuman strength, exploding into the room like a wave of fur, teeth and bad intentions.

Alex quickly gets down and moves to the side of the wall. He keeps his eyes on the window, waiting for the monsters to break through, and if they do, they will have a pretty good chance of walking right into Alex's wires, and if not, then Alex can always adjust. In this space, their numbers wouldn't really matter that much. In fact, Alex could probably even take down multiple takes at once with this setting, yet Alex isn't the type of guy who kills right away like this usually, and would prefer to takes his time with his kills. Plus with people here, he will have to be careful to not accidentally cut them when he adjusted, along with making sure that they don't run into any of his wires as well.

Alex refrains from taking the first attack, for now, he will simply have to trust the people's skills around him, and adjust to their rhythm. The monsters then busted through the glass, and the wires went to work, which would cut cleanly through any creature, that was as hard as steel, or even decently harder than steel, like a hot knife through butter. Most of the wires were place to avoid being in the way of the others, so a lot of the creatures coming in would probably be able to avoid the wires by dumb luck and probability, but would then be in the line of sight for the other hunters to attack, and should anything happen, Alex would simply change the wires to the moments and decisions of the others.

Eve winked at the staring Falken as her face came back together. "I might just let the kirin slip away. I'm clumsy like that. No fingers on this hand and all." She waved her cannon arm. "I don't think they'll blame you for my incompetence. And neither will I so long as I'm otherwise compensated." She was ready to browbeat the others into her plan when they all started staring out the windows. She read the situation in an instant and spun with Falken, walking alongside him as he marched down the room, matching his stride.

She gave her own gleeful grin as Falken kicked the table. The way he moved, pulling that awesome shotgun from nowhere- his snark and playing about was hiding a professional. Just like her. She knew this was the sort of man she either drug onto the table and fucked or killed in a brutal conflict when their dance of masks ended. "Hey Falken! If you liked my face, just look at my chest!" What appeared to be a normal and clothed woman's chest split into more tendrils than her face. Beneath was a metal chest like a knight's armor with a dozen small holes above breast height, and one larger one below. The top holes all had the barrel of a small gun sticking through. The lower hole, sitting just where her right breast was a moment ago, was just a hole.

She took account of her surroundings. She didn't want to fire off her cannon in such a crowded room, but a grenade she could toss. The larger hole spat one out, a little red ball with a pin. She only had one of these on her and no resources to make another. It was experimental. Special. And now was a very good time to use it. She pulled the pin and hurtled it out the window into the mass of monsters outside. There was little noise other than a poisonous hiss, and a red mist flowed out. A corrosive mist, eating flesh faster than a starving Huntsman. She wasn't sure just how much it would hurt anything besides Yemen. Those who were in the center should die from inhaling large amounts and having their lungs vanish, but a Bixie's flapping wings should keep the majority from reaching it and anything stronger might just have hide too tough. And it didn't harm anything already in the room. Fortunately, this would. With a sound like an array of fireworks going off, every gun on Eve's chest fired into the front row of Yemen.

The Yemen exploded into the room with a unified roar, many falling apart before they even land on the room after jumping, thanks to Alexander’s masterful traps with wires. Still the sheer numbers push the corpses forward, forming a makeshift barrier of corpses. Some Yemen whine in pain like dogs as the wires didn’t kill them just maimed them.

The other hunters moved into action. Eve launched some kind of corrosive grenade that turned an almost every Yemen in the second wave into pulp and managed to affect even more. Garo picked on ones that managed to survive the onslaught of wires and gas. –Die in peace monsters! Take my arrows as a gift to whichever Hell you end up going!-

With amazing speed and ruthless efficiency the Veteran Archer launched several shoots of multiple arrows, surprisingly with altered trajectories, almost as if the projectiles were homing in the enemies. A simple feat for a Master Archer of his caliber, and his calm and serene face showcased the discipline required for this level.

-Not bad old man, but you never trade power for speed when it comes to hordes.- The Infamous Mercenary jumped over the table with an elegant roll and faced up to some of the Yemen, covered in the slimy remains of the ones that melted. –Come at my bros! - Falken opened his arms inviting them to move closer.

The beast like creatures launched an offensive. Falken kicked the first, sinking his heel into the monster flat and animalist nose. The disgusting CRACK! Put a smile on the Mercenary’s face as he followed it up with a single shot of his dual barrel shotgun. The Kazuraba Triumphant Shotgun launched orange pellets, like drops of molten metal at high temperature.

10 Yemen were incinerated in the act and others received several burns. With the shotgun over his shoulder, ignoring the next wave he turned to face Eve. –Nice weapons Missy, do those came with the original package or did you visit a very disturbed surgeon? - The Mercenary smugly grinned as more Yemen, surprisingly few after the violent counter attack.

A group of four charged towards Minister Hou and Garo. 10 went directly towards Falken and Eve, two more rushed towards Alexander. In the back there was only a single Bixie, as the other seemingly took flight and most assuredly was waiting for the right moment to swoop in and bring the pain with it.

Alex was playing close attention to his fellow hunters, making sure that he wasn't in their way. As he was focusing on adjusting his traps, he notices two of them coming after him. Alex takes several steps back, while bending one finger in a special motion, which cuts all the wires coming from that one finger. Alex's wires were so small, and he was so skilled, that he was able to fit and use 10 different extremely sharp and thine wires coming from a single finger from his wired glove. Alex then points his newly fresh finger at his approaching enemies, and begins to make a few quick gestures with his one finger, which was different from the rest of his fingers movements.

The wires launch forward from the fresh finger, and aims at the monster's legs, arms, and neck. The wires wrap around the creatures bodies and other wires in such a way, that after this point, every time the limps of the beast would move, the wires would would move extremely fast in proportion to the speed and force that their limbs would generate. The faster and more powerful the limbs are, the more it would increase the speed and the tightness of the wires, which was going to make the wires much more sharper than usual, especially the wires around the neck as Alex made that the focal point of where wires are connected to each other.

A normal human taking a normal step would generate enough speed and force for the wire network, that the wires would cut off the target's neck from their shoulders in one clean motion as soon as the foot moves forward, while greatly damaging the muscles of their bodies at the same time. This technique is design to stop the movements of certain enemies, as the design of this technique comes from the fact that if the target doesn't move, the wires do not move either, so Alex can use this to stop enemies, yet should they try something, the wires would go into affect because the slightest movements would cause the wires to move. Yet, it was also design to make Alex's foes, their own worst enemy. This move requires a thread per a target area, which was perfect in this case that only two of them decide to target him, since he was able to use five wires on each one.

Alex prepares a backup plan should this fail, but he continues to make his next moves. Being sure he was not going to hit anyone fighting alongside with him, or at the very least not against him, He recalls his other ninety wires back to his glove, causing them to move all around the room, which could severely cut anyone down anyone, or anything, in the wires' way. Once the wires return to Alex, he begins to lay out other traps with one hand and all the wires from that hand, while he keeps the other glove and its wires ready just in cause. The problem now with a giant corpse barrier, is that using his wires was going to be a lot harder the second time around. Yet he should be able to cut through the flesh with only slight difficult. The real issue was the angles Alex was now limited to because he could only cut through so much flesh before the wires would become inaccurate or useless.

Still, Alex was;t worries as he now recognizes everyone's abilities in term of combat, yet he was still unsure if they could really complete the impossible task ahead of them if they are able to survive this battle.

Eve counted in her head. At least 14 Yemen died to her corrosive grenade. She was keeping careful track. Note to self- corrosive grenades are love. Corrosive grenades are life. Make more in the future. "How about you don't call me Missy. Condescension gives my trigger finger an itchy rash. But as for the parts, I do all my surgery myself. It's easy when you're as flexible as me." She waved the tendrils that had less than a full minute before formed her forearm. "Now, five for me, five for you?" She waved her cannon at the approaching Yemen. She didn't wait for confirmation as she charged. Another grenade fell into intact hand as she rushed, and she attempted to shove it into the mouth of a Yemen before shoving it into two of its companions. A blade slid from the wrist of that free hand and she flicked her wrist at the neck of the first and in the same movement aimed to wrap her arms around the last and fire all the guns in her chest into his.

The Yemen charging in towards Alexander were reduced to mincemeat, his dextrous placement of wires re-routed the ferocity of their charge into their own bodies. One of them, who seemed sturdier, surely an Alpha Male of sorts, managed to advance a couple more of steps beyond the carnage left by the wires and impotently slashed the air in front of the Grotesque Hunter.

The Alpha Yemen crawled in the ground, now reduced to its head, chest and right arm, trying to reach Alexander, while leaving a trail of blood and entrails behind him. As the painful cries of the Yemen echoed in the room Garo, standing in the opposite side was shooting a barrage of arrows to the incoming enemies, trying to kill him and Hou.

-Stay behind me Hou, I’m going to take care of this.- The Veteran Archer released a multiple shot turning the two in front into needle-pins. The two remaining Yemen used their fallen comrades as meat shields to which Garo has an easy answer.

>--Kami Hohaba: Niju Kokusen (Divine Stride: Double Curve)-->

The Ex Agent of the JHWAB ran up the wall and jumped from the top, doing a mid-air back flip as he shot two arrows, twisting his whole body from legs to arms and giving that spin to the arrows. The projectiles pierced through the wind as they did a full curve, penetrating the Monsters in the back of their heads.

Garo landed over the edge of the table that Falken topple down to serve as makeshift cover. As he did, Eve and Falken were dealing with the Yemen while bantering.

Eve destroyed the Yemen she targeted with brutal efficiency, while Falken, always the showoff, charged into the cluster of monster to take them with a combination of CQC and pointblank gunmanship. –Ooooooooh excuse me princess…- He started talking as he slammed the butt of his weapon, caving in a Yemen face.

-I didn’t mean…- He continued talking as he rolled over the crouched Yemen and shot another in the gut. –To be so rude…- Falken avoided a slash by a hair width as he tripped the monster with a quick hit to the back of the knee. –But I’m going to do it anyway…- He used the downed Yemen to block another of them attacking, killing his meat shield.

He placed the gun on the shoulder of the Yemen shooting both the remaining ones. He walked to back to the first one, still on the floor bleeding from his ruined jaws and nostrils. –Because…- Falken grabbed the monster from the back of its head and with a quick twist he broke its neck. –I’m fucking awesome. - He left the monstrous being on the floor as he swiped one hand against the other.

-Still is good to know you’re flexible. - He winked at Eve. –I like my girls flexi…- Falken stopped his attempts of being charming as his enhanced senses allowed him to notice the incoming peril. –EVERYBODY TAKE COVER!- The Mercenary roared as he jumped to the side. The high durability reinforced plastic of the modular building caved in as the Bixie jumped into the room.

The second one was now in the air, waiting for its chance to attack.

Alex takes a casual step back to avoid the first slash of the Yemen, with the attack coming within inches of Alexander's smile. He always did enjoy seeing the monsters turn into chucks of meats from this technique. As the creature crawls in pain Alex stares at it for a moment, and slowly raises two fingers with each one pointing to the creatures eyes. Alex makes a small gesture and the wires from the two fingers fire out and twist around each other, making what appears to be a long twisting, yet single needle, which is design to increase the sharpness of the wires into a piercing attack. The sides were just as sharp as a single wire, yet this move was created to make the tip of this twisting needle into a much deadly weapon then the wires were normally. In fact, with every new wire twisted in this technique, would increase the sharpness of the tip by twice its normalcy of the wire by itself, which would be added to the sharpness of the other wires. With ten wires in each needle, the tips of both needles were now sharper than 20 times than the usually wires, which are already sharp enough to move through steel similar to a person's hand moving through still water. The needles aim for the eyes of the monster in front of him, and found their mark.

Once Alex was sure the creature was dead, he hears Falken warning. Suddenly a large mass crashes into the room with enough force to push Alex into the wall next to him, but Alex is able to balance enough of his weight on the wall to avoid being knocked on his ass from this new assault. At first, Alex thought that one of the creatures throw a boulder into the room, but Alex was somewhat surprise by what he saw in front of him. No, surprise wouldn't be the right word for Alex's current feelings. He was excited. He looks at the monster with a sense of pure curiosity. Alex smiles grows ever so slightly bigger, as this new foe peaks his interest. He stood staring at it for a while.

Eve gave all of her comrades an approving glance. Garo continued to be as competent as she she expected, Alex was gory and effective, and Falken was gloriously flashy. She opened her arms and let the Yemen she had hugged fall, blood slowly dripping from its mouth and the holes she had put in its chest. They were going to survive this just fine. She tried to wipe gore away from her chest's guns. Maybe it wasn't so wise to fire them while pushing the flesh of her enemy right into it. She was cleaning up with an elongate tongue and listening to Falken when the huge flying creature crashed in.

Shrapnel pelted her, cutting deep but leaving little real injury as it bounced off her endoskeleton. The actual creature was of more worry. Lionesque, especially in the head, but far larger than any lion had the right to be and carried aloft on massive wings. It could only be a Bixie. And from what she had been told, they could survive anti-tank fire. She glanced around for the others, but her eyes were caught up on Alex before she saw the others. He was just standing and staring at the thing. What kind of undead abomination was this guy?

It looked like she'd have to save the day with her less than anti-tank firepower. She lacked the agility and strength of her relatives due to the mass of the metal reducing her muscles, but she was still powerful enough for this. "You like flexible girls? Then you're going to love this." She lunged, landing on a smashed section of wall. From there, she had only a few short hops before she pounced once more to pass right under the Bixie's jaws. A tendril lashed out from the cluster at her elbow to wrap around the creature's neck, suddenly putting over 200 pounds of weight around it. Her cannon now pushed against its throat, she fired. Even with less firepower than supposedly necessary to kill it, this was still basically a punch to the throat at the very least. The force tore her free and hurtled her to the ground like a meteor right next to Falken. "And I think we can both agree that people with firepower are especially attractive. Now show me some of yours while I relocate my arm after that recoil."

The Bixie roar shattered the remaining intact windows of the Modular HQ, the creature similar to a giant lion with hawk wings and goat horns was of an imposing 5 mts of height and more than 5 tons of weight. Even for magical creatures that weight wouldn’t allow flight, so the Bixie didn’t do that exactly. Their powerful hind legs allowed them to take extremely high and long jumps and their massive and powerful wingspan allowed them to glide.

Eve was the first one to react, putting the Bixie on a headlock with a tendril and shot one of her cannons against the creature’s throat. As this happened Garo was moving an unconscious Hou to the next room, as the Minister was knocked out by the Bixie landing. The Archer just hoped nobody did something rash, even if the Minister briefed them his experience told him there could be more to these creatures than their natural abilities.

-Can’t show you mine, I’ll keep the big guns for the big fish…- Falken spoke as he ran towards the somewhat stunned monsters. –But who needs firepower when you’re as badass as me? - The Mercenary charged forward and at the last moment, just as the confused creature tried to bite him, Falken slid down the beast unloading his Shotgun blasts on the creature belly, usually a soft spot. The Mercenary stood up on the opposite side of the room with a smug smile.

It didn’t last…

His confidence turned into shock as he heard the pellets of his shotgun and Eve’s cannonball falling, inert, on the ground. Around the already thick mane and skin of the creature a vermillion aura, like mystic fire, started to form. This extra layer of protection helped the creature resist their point blank attacks. The Bixie roared once again, this time around shattering the walls as waves of energy chaotically surged from him.

Falken avoided one but was hit by another that changed directions too fast. The Mercenary was launched through one of the reinforced polymer walls –God damn it! - While he cursed. Two of these energy pulses moved erratically on a path that would make them collide against Alexander’s general direction. Towards Eve the Bixie itself charged, now covered with his red aura, moving like a crazed freight train, aiming a powerful lunge at the Shape shifting Huntress.

The second Bixie still glided in circles over them, using the warm breeze coming from the mountains as an updraft force.

Alex gets violently thrown into the wall, which is facing his back, with enough force that Alex's body engraves its own shape into the wall. Yet, right before, Alex was able to move his wires in time to wrap himself to cut the wall behind him, when the impact happen. He also moves the wires behind the creature during the same time, and attach them to the creature legs, allowing the creature's massive weight to assist Alex, by supporting him against the force of his own energy impulse. Still, he was not in the best shape after receiving that attack. Alex grabs one of the sides of the miniature hole, that his own body made with the hep of the creature's attack and his own wires, and slowly pulls himself out of the wall to face the creature.

While Alex is pulling himself out, blood begins to drop from several places at the top of his head. Creating long streaks of deep red down his face, but Alex doesn't mind. He continues to stare at the creature around him with a ghoulish smile on his face. Alex watches as the creature charges at Eve, had Alex's previous wires not been messed up by the creature smashing the room, along with the piles of dead body, Alex might had a better shot at using his wires to use his hangman technique. Now, Alex was left with less choices to make.

Yet, he plans to help his fellow hunter as much as he can. Alex commands the wires connected to the ankles of the Bixie's leg, and the wires pull backwards. There was a total of 50 wires around the monster's leg. Each wire being strong to carry the full wight of a person with no problem regardless of where they were standing on, on the wire. But surly a creature this big won't be held back by the wires, but by aiming for its ankles, Alex was attempting to makes the creature stumble by using his own force against him to cause him to become unbalance. Yet, Eve was so close to the thing, that at best Alex might be able to slow it down by introducing some unbalance before it could reach Eve, and help her avoid the attack. On the other hand, if Eve counterattacks, Alex will simple continuing to pull the wire in the most beneficial direction in relation to Eve's moments, so as to allow Eve more of an advantage to both evade and counterstrike the creature if she was planning on doing so.

Alex pays close attention to the situation, and begins to move the wires from his back to his front, and spread across the room, to prepare for his next step.

Eve snickered as she pulled herself off the ground. "What was that about not needing firepower?" She called as she shrugged her shoulder back into place. Her smirk vanished like Falken's when the creature charged her. She took a step back, but she wasn't going to be running. This thing moved like train, and even uninjured she wasn't especially light on her feet. Oh, that was an idea. Feet. They split into heavy talons and dug into the ground as she crouched. Her cannon arm reformed into a true arm and she readied herself.

The being was large and fast, but had to be lighter than it looked to be a king of the air. She saw Alexander's wires making contact with the thing's ankle. That should help quite a bit. She saw the gaping jaws about to strike her and she just smiled. Just at the moment of impact, her hands grabbed the beast's mane and she twisted with her whole body's weight, seeking to use the monster's own momentum against it. The energy erupting from its body like a hot wind scorched away fingers and frayed the sleeves of her coat, but it didn't matter now. She only needed a second. "NOW! HELP ME!" She yelled to Alexander, hoping for him to use his wires to assist in hurtling the beast to the ground.

Falken stood up from the pile of wreckage left by his body. Parts of his face and chest were missing, revealing his cybernetic parts out in the open, giving him a distinctive Terminator-esque vibe. The Infamous Mercenary right eye shone with a sinister crimson gleam as, with a metallic sound, he popped his neck with evident frustration and started walking towards the Bixie.

His shotgun was still functional and as he walked towards the main conference room of the Modular HQ he reloaded it and just as he entered he cocked it. –Missed me you bloody beast?- Falken lacked any of his usual smugness or cockiness, he was clearly pissed and thirsty for some blood. Luckily Eve and Alexander’s combo were giving him an opening.



Their combined efforts managed to knock the creature off balance and forced it to stop rampaging. That lost killer instinct also meant that the sudden apparition of a Vermillion Cloak of energy was over, making the Bixie a bit more vulnerable than before. The Infamous Mercenary, pragmatic as he was, wouldn’t lose such chance so he attacked. –Let’s have some fun Chinese bastard-



Falken shot the side of the creature with the Kazuraba Triumphant shotgun, spewing incandescent fragments into the Bixie. Still, even without the Vermillion Cloak, the pellets only managed to draw blood, only superficial wounds. The Dual Wielding Angel of Death got closer; jumping over a slow claw the Bixie threw his way and shot again. –Having fun yet you fucker?-



As he dished the pain, quite evident as the creature cried out with each shot, Falken regained some of his swagger and arrogance, alongside parts of his skin, recreated by his nanites (though the inner damage would take longer. –When I hit you, you say Grrrk- Falken used the unloaded weapon as a club hitting the fresh wounds making the creature grunt in pain. –Good boy.-



While Falken attacked one side, Garo used the time granted by Eve and Alexander to prepare an attack. The Veteran Archer knew that without more time to prepare the shot he wouldn’t pierce the tough hide of the creature, not to mention if it got its act together and summoned the Vermillion Cloak he wouldn’t be able to knick it.

Years of experience taught him something, when in doubt aim for the eyes, and so he did exactly that. –Help is on the way Harper-san.- He shouted as warning before unleashing his power shot.

>-- Ten no Ya Ryu: Aragami no Yari (Battle God Spear) -->

The arrow cruised swiftly from the room Garo moved the Minister to and flew right into one of the Bixie eyes. The blood splatter would surely reach Eve. Hopefully the wounded beast would be easy enough prey for the Leader of the Wild Hunt and the Grotesque Hunter.

Seeing his most recent opportunity present itself in front of him like this, the wires go immediately into work. Not wasting a fraction of a second, the wires threads around Alex's back begin to twist around each other until they form into a javelin.

*Wired Javelin explanation*

The light spear was similar to the twisting wire thread needle, due to the focus of the attack being a piercing one, and the increase to the potency of the wire's original sharpness, along with the fact that the wire thread javelin has a twisting design for its head and body. The wire spear variation also require 50 wire threads to make, rather than the needle, which can be made with any number of wire thread, but requires a lot less wired threads than the wired spear, yet this only increases the sharpness even more than the needle's design. The needle only increases the normal sharpness of a single wire by the amount of twisting wires added to each other, which is then multiple by two, when compared to the sharpness of a single wire thread by itself. The wire spear took it to the next level with its dangerous design. The Spear's sharpness was increase for every single wired added into it like the wire needle, but rather than be twice that amount, such as the needle, it was 4 times sharper at the tip. Already the tip of the spear, without being thrown, was 200 times sharper than a regular wire thread. This was the perhaps the best, yet weakest aspect of the spear. Unlike Alex's other attack, the spear didn't move with the same level of swiftness due to the extra weight, yet the spear itself only weighed a pound, since it was created from super thine wire threads, yet still this slowed down the speed by a good amount. Another thing, was the wire javelin was separated by the wire glove due to its design, which means that Alex had to throw it, rather than use the wire gloves to move it. But the benefit of the wire spear twisting design, also includes a twisting motion to further increase its already crazy sharpness at the tip and the sides of the wire spear once it has been thrown.

The faster the spear moves, the faster its rotation, the shaper the entire spear becomes, especially at the tip, which only further increases the already augmented sharpness of the wire spear even further. Alex discovered an interesting relating with the speed of the spear, which will increase the piercing affect of the wire spear. When throwing the wire thread javelin, the overall sharpness of the spear's tip will be added by its the original amount (200 times sharper than a single wire thread) if the spear was to travel at 100mph. Alex himself is able to throw the spear on average roughly above 200mph, hence the spear when combine with its speed, will allow the tip of the spear's sharpness to be slightly above 600 times the sharpness of a single original wire thread. The major downside to this technique, is again, that the spear is only moving at 200mph, which is a speed that is considerable slow in the Hidden World. In fact, Alex would normally never be able to hit anyone or anything with his spear, unless he already trapped their movements with his wires.

Then again, the ghoul looking man always wondered what would happen, if someone with super arm strength would throw his wire thread Javelin, rather than himself. The speed of the spear would be much faster than what Alex could throw it at, which will just make the spear even that much more deadly, when the tip becomes that much more sharper. He looks around to see who would be the best person to throw the wire javelin. Eve is too close to one of the creatures, but was already in a position to deal he finishing blow, he thought. And there was still the issue of the other one. Looking back, it seems the only reasonable person was the android.

Alex tosses the spear towards Falken with only a few words in his creepy voice, "Get ready to throw that." Alex then releases another 50 wire threads from his glove hand, which just made the spear, and they wrap the creatures arms this time. Hopefully, preventing the creature form being able to due anything to resist against Eve's next attack.

Eve finished fully knitting her body back into shape as Falken unloaded his ammo into the creature's hide before he began clubbing it. Good to see he was okay, even if she didn't like him simply clubbing the creature. Pointless pain was just that. She'd have to have a word with him. And then Garo's arrow struck true, blood and aqueous and vitreous humor splattering her body as it sunk deep. She didn't mind getting it on her coat- she had had far worse washed out before. In fact, it simply reinforced her interest in Garo. While her interest in Falken was personal, she was beginning to develop a professional one in Garo. She could afford a new employee, and out of anybody she had met, he was one of the best matches for her team.

She raised her left arm and rolled back her sleeve, letting the weapon within spring forth unimpeded. It was incredibly simple, resembling a small European sword, an elongate triangle of death. Its actual functionality was really just that, but being made from the same alloy as Eve's internal armor, it was sharper and more durable than mere steel, although plenty heavy and not invulnerable. She lunged forward, cocky grin spreading under blood and gel making her look like a madwoman. "There's no point in beating it like Falken. Instead of wasting time with petty cruelty, why not make yourself as useful as Garo?" She said as she came to the face of the beast. That ought to motivate him.



The Bixie staggered before her, unbalanced by her and Alex's own efforts and the combined assault of the others. It was vulnerable. And the same instinct that had gotten her injured just moments before once again sang, this time with even greater surity. Go for the throat. She ran under the beast's head and thrust upwards, aiming for the bottom of its jaw. Not quite the throat, but she wasn't done. She kept running, seeking to drag the blade all the way down to its tail and spill its innards upon the floor. And if the beast's contents ruined her coat where nothing else would, well, she already had a good replacement ready to skin.

While Alexander threw the Javelin over the Bixie so Falken could grab it, Garo watched Eve start her attack. The Veteran Archer noticed that the creature still had some fight and was aiming a claw to Eve’s unguarded back. He decided a proper course of action in a split second, a product of his years of experience that allowed him to do that kind of fast thinking.

He knew he couldn’t pierce the Bixie without preparation, at least not a vital point, but he knew that he could pierce through places in which the flesh was more flexible. So he aimed to the joint of the leg the Bixie was using. –Be careful Harper-san!- Garo shouted as he let go of the arrow, this time with a Omnyo charm of Tetsu (Iron) to increase its durability.

The reinforced projectile sunk deep into the articulation, locking it before it could reach Eve’s back. Meanwhile, as she opened a large wound under the Bixie Falken was standing on the sideline with the javelin on his hand. A quick scan from his sensors confirmed parts of the true nature of this composite weapon.

The Infamous Mercenary smiled as he knew exactly what to do with it. If you’re given a weapon this sharp the only thing to do is to execute a killing blow. But sometimes doing the “proper” thing wasn’t Falken’s style. For a moment he considered attacking the creature spine near the head to cut him from feeling the pain on its body and then shoot his head several times.

But considering Eve’s warning he decided that he would have other opportunities for revenge like finding wherever this creature had a nest or refuge and taking out its family. With that in mind he decided to attack. The Crimson Eye Killer jumped up to the ceiling and landed on it, using his nanites to magnetize the soles of his boots.

-Die you overgrown cat!- Falken shouted as he prepared to attack

From this position he launched the Javelin using his utmost capacity, reaching 5 Tons of strength and adding the gravity to the equation. The weapon, so expertly crafted by Alexander pierced through the skull of the Bixie as if it was piercing rotten fruit. A nauseating sound echoed inside the room as the brain almost imploded from the extremely powerful blow.

An equally horrid smell followed the sound as the friction from the spear had cooked the brain inside the skull. That added to Eve’s attack spilling the Bixie’s guts and all the corpses of the Yemen turned the room into a nightmarish hellhole. And in the midst of it, Falken landed besides the head of the creature (nailed to the ground) with a big dumb smile.

-There is no kill like overkill. - He commented as he looked down at the creature. Falken looked around satisfied with the carnage -This is the best job ever, ain’t it right? - He asked to nobody in particular as he holstered the Kazuraba Triumphant Shotgun on a harness latched to his back.

Garo, coming from the other room, spoke. –I think the other Bixie left. The Minister is out cold, the officers here will take care of the cleaning I spoke to them. - He looked at Eve, who he thought was the only one of sound mind in the group and asked. –So, what’s the plan Harper-san? Shall we go hunting?-

Alex refills his wired gloves's thread containers, as he slowly makes his way to the wire thread javelin. As he moves through the corpse filled room, he inhales in a relaxing manner a few times, somewhat enjoying the aroma of the place. A good number of seconds pass by, before the hunter arrives within arms reach of his javelin. His hand creeps ever so slowly towards the handle of the javelin, and once his hand touches the light spear, the man begins to pull the weapon out of the Bixie's head in slow motion.

Once the wire thread weapon was fully free from the skull of the monster, Alex closely examines the head. He knees down and places the javelin right next to his body, and starts to run his fingers all around the head and inside. Checking every angel possible. As the strange man studies the skull, he says, "Hey, Falken. How far do you think you can throw the spear with accuracy?" he asked in another devilish tone of voice even though Alex was trying to sound as polite as possible.

Eve shrugged heavy guts from her body as the Bixie crashed to the ground. She was absolutely soaked in blood from head to toe, coat and all. The nature of her clothing as a part of her was revealed in that not a drop of blood sunk into her white blouse. She glanced at Garo when he asked the question and nodded. "If we're all intact, I want to get moving as swiftly as possible, before that bird launches another assault. Next time it might get smarter and try a siege, and with the sort of army this thing could muster... I don't like our chances of getting out of that."

Eve turned and took a few sticky steps towards Falken and Alexander. "Good to see some teamwork, you two." She seemed genuinely pleased with them. She fished a cannonball and began loading it, letting out some annoyed grunts at her slick hands. "You're going to have to help me clean off later." She winked at Falken as she finally got the cannonball loaded and fumbled for a bag of gunpowder. This system was clumsy and outdated. She needed a new gun. To cover her embarrassment as sub-par reloading, she waved her bladed arm to Garo. "Garo... sama. You mentioned experience with tracking, yes? Could you lead for now? I want that bird quick, and you of all people are best suited to finding it."

Filled with sinister intent Falken smirked maliciously as he imagined what the Javelin could do. –I’m confident that I can throw that bad boy for at least 500 mts with enough accuracy to aim for the eye of a person.- The Mercenary smirk grew larger accompanied with the creaking of his metallic implants, still visible while his skin regenerated over it. –I can’t wait to do it Quasimodo.-

Garo holstered his bow behind his back and placed the arrows he was carrying on his hand into a small quiver. He saw in the distance the other Bixie flying into the mist covered peaks, surely to inform whatever was leading the Aquelarre of this defeat. The Veteran Archer heard Eve flirting with Falken and let out a half smile, as he knew that she would demolish Falken if he went out of line.

-I like your plan Harper-san, you can spare the honorifics with me, I have never done anything that makes me worthy of such honors.- A hint of sadness crossed his steely eyes. –I only excel at killing and hunting, not for food… not even the wildest of creatures deserves death, but somebody must draw a line in the sand and stand steady to any dangers that might want to cross it.- The Archer stopped talking and a moment silence started but was quickly shattered.

-Bu-hu old fart, crying and philosophizing don’t have a place in our line of work. - Falken mocked the Veteran Archer introspection and continued. – If we are splitting the hunting party to cover more ground I don’t want to be with Sir-Whine-a-Lot.- Garo sighed at the evident lack of wisdom Falken showcased and replied to Eve’s original question.

–Yes I can track anything anywhere. I can follow that Bixie to wherever it’s going or follow the tracks of the Yemen back to their point of origin.-He looked at Eve. –Is your choice Harper-san.-

"I see..." said the gruesome looking fellow, as he continues to study the head of the dead monster in front of him. Without taking his eyes from the creature, he asks Eve, "Eve...correct? How far do you suppose you can throw the javelin with precision?" Alex stops for a moment to look at her. Judging by her size, she probably could be another worthy thrower besides Falken.

He grabs the javelin next to him, and offers it to Eve to get a feel for it. In his mind, the wired thread hunter is thinking about the best way to handle the situation, yet at the same time he was inspired. Considering how strong Falken and Eve appear, they might be able to use a wire thread variation design, that was out of Alex's own capabilities. Especially, since they both seem to like get up close and personal to fight at times, the technique could be of some use to them. But, considering how much wire it would use up, Alex prefer to wait and see if they might need it or not. Still, he was hoping that he would get to see it go into use.

Eve shrugged and accepted the javelin, smearing it with blood. "I don't really throw things. I would be better off jabbing with my arm." She tossed it back into Alex's hands. She considered Garo for a minute. Would it be more fruitful to follow the Bixie or the trail of the Yemen? Would they have to split up? It seemed wisest. She smiled sweetly at Falken. "You don't want to go with Garo? That's fine, you don't have to. You an follow the trail of the Yemen, which shouldn't be too hard. Garo and I will track the Bixie back wherever it came from. See you later, honey." She kissed Falken on the cheek, lips purposefully shaped to leave a bloody imprint of themselves. And with that, she spun on her heel to stride over to Garo.

"Garo-sama, you sell yourself short." He had only shown himself to be more worthy of the term. "Sometimes a noble beast must die so innocents may live. And if we hunt for sport, we offer some creature a faster and more dignified death than it would otherwise get, starving because of over competition or dying of disease carried by a lowly insect." She gave him a smile too, not the sweet, girly one of flirtation that Falken received, but a real one. "Lead on. I would learn from you skills, sensei." She stepped respectfully back.

-sigh…. No honorifics Harper-san… no honorifics. - Garo sighed talking without much enthusiasm. He disliked the out of pure pragmatism, as in the field stupid things like honor could affect the instincts of self-preservation a hunter so desperately needs. The Old Archer looked at Alex. –Be careful Stevenson-san…- He then turned to Falken and shrugged his head. –You can die for all I care.-

Falken snorted mocking those words and said. –C’mon Quasimodo! Let’s bounce, I want to slaughter more monkeys. I’ll lead the way. - Falken started walking not caring if Alex was following him or not. The Infamous Mercenary popped his neck as he walked and summoned his 3 of 5 available items from the hired Hyperspace Arsenal. The Kadoya Surveillance Drones, a squad of ten small metallic spheres that served as his scouts.



Garo jumped over the broken window and started tracking. He could feel the wind on his tanned leathery skin; he could hear the distant flaps of wings and smell the musk in the air, as the wind came from the mountains in front of them. With expert precision his gaze found out his first clue, a lock of white fur. –Harper-san, the first step to track is find your target’s tell, just like a game of Poker. - He spoke without looking at Eve, while extending the lock of hair to her.



The Old Archer touched the ground with his fingertips, as he walked squatting over the grassy hills. He closed his eyes feeling the vibration through the ground. His callous hands were almost inhumanly steady as he tried to block out all distractions. –The second step is getting the target’s rhythm, even the strangest creatures in the Hidden World have it…- For a moment the Archer spoke with a deeper voice. –Maybe it’s even their souls, their spirit.-



Garo deeply inhaled and exhaled. His left hand, hanging on the side of his body started tapping the leather of his quiver following the rhythm. –Lastly you follow the rhythm and with those three basic things you can at least track basic creatures. - In a weird change of his usually grim demeanor Garo smiled. –Of course there are many more factors, but I cannot be teaching you all of them right now… I might be working as a teacher but right now…- His smile vanished.

-I’m a hunter.-



Garo gestured with his hand towards one of the last peaks that could be seen before the mist got to dense. –My best guess from this distance is that the creature is nesting in that peak.- He stood up and shook the grass and earth from his hands. –I’ll get a better read if we get closer.-

Alex stands up and studies Falken. He would have prefer to have gone with Garo, but his current companion did have some interesting aspects to him, that would make him a worthy partner. He seem to have an ability to draw the attention to himself with his fighting style and had the skills and body to handle the front lines. Alex couldn't possible ask for a better decoy and muscle. He begins to walk with a steady pace behind the android man. Not saying a single word at all to the man, and his footsteps being so quite, the headstrong man would probably need to turn around to make sure that his strange companion was following him, yet he doesn't bother.

Smiling to himself, Alexander begins to think about all the interesting ways and methods he was going to use to hunt these creatures. Either way, there was still the issue of the top dog monster, who is a threat way too massive for any single one of them to defeat by themselves, yet together maybe they will be able to somehow settle the issue now, before things get out of control. Still, he couldn't help but think that the last battle was a tad bit too easy for a creature that had an army under his control. Maybe it was just a simple scouting party, and that the real forces have yet to even assemble and organize. Flexing his fingers now, Alex starts to have a few more ideas, and starts wondering at some point, if he was overthinking all of this, or was on to something.

"Wow, he's not missing me at all." Eve remarked as Falken marched off. She was expecting him to be angry that she chose Garo over him for her team. She shook her head and paid attention to Garo, paying careful attention as he examined his surroundings. Unlike Huntsman, she didn't increase her sense of smell, focusing instead on sight. It had made her the inferior tracker-that she would admit. But what Garo was doing was something else entirely. She took the hair, examining it. There didn't seem to be anything to this. She closed her eyes and tried to feel what he was feeling, but she got nothing. She screwed them tighter and crouched. Just when she thought she had something going, she would once again lose focus. Finally, her eyes snapped open and she jumped to her feet.

"It's not easy to learn, is it?" She remarked to Garo. "For now, you lead. I'll keep trying when we've got more time." She kept a respectful tone. He knew more about this than she, and that's all there was to it. Honorifics or not, she would grant him what respect she could.

-So Quasimodo, what’s your story?- Falken asked as the Kadoya Drones flew around him, some serving as a 360 view ring and others going away in recon.–Were you a tailor that got attacked by monsters and swore vengeance? - The mercenary was clearly mocking his current comrade. –Did a monster do that? - He glanced Alex from head to toes. –And you want revenge for getting your face so horribly deformed?-

The Infamous Gun For Hire was bit pissed that he got stuck with Alexander instead of Eve. He was so pissed in fact that he missed some really evident stuff that one of his drones picked up. Something in the corner of the display moved, slithering through the air like some kind of flying snake. Falken didn’t picked it up as he was too busy insulting Alex. –No! I got it! You fell from Notre Dame and you ended like that… and the brain damage got you into this line of work.-

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Garo moved half crouched, like a predator on the prowl. Curiously his footsteps didn’t make a sound. Upon closer inspection, like the kind of inspection somebody with enhanced eyesight would be able to do, the reason for his silent strides was clear. On the sole of his boots the Cunning Archer placed an Omnyo Charm that nullified sound, thus he could chase his prey without worrying for a broken twig.

-It’s hard to learn but easy to master, as you start using it without even knowing…- He let out a grim smile. –You don’t know how useful it gets to track your cheating wife or your wayward son.- His smirk vanished as fast as it appeared and while he kept tracking he asked. –So what brought you here apart from the money? The thrill of the hunt? Some kind of honor code?- The Old Archer instantly realized he might be prying too much.

–You don’t need to answer, I just want to chit-chat if not I might get to synchronized with the creature wavelength and rhythm… it can be messy.-He clarified as he methodically advanced, not only picking the Bixie trail but others fainter ones in multiple directions.

Not saying a single word, or showing any interest in Falken's jokes, Alex remains silent. All he does is to hold a faint smile on his face as he looks forward, paying close attention the their surroundings with his senses, especially with his sense of hearing. As he walks besides the machine man, he starts to hear a unique sound, as if something was moving against the wind. Alex stops for a second and turns his ear in the direction of where he heard the sound. He continue to peak up various different noises, the loudest being the hunter next to him, which causes Alex to be unsure exactly where the noise was coming from.

Maybe the sound was just a bird flipping its wings... still the sound was causing him to be aware of the potential of an attack from above. Regardless, Alexander takes another step, and begins to follow the talkative man some more. After guessing so much about Alexander's background, he starts to wonder the same for Falken. "My story isn't interesting... at least when compared to an android killing machine I'm sure." He looks at his fellow hunter and gives him a creepy smile even though Alex was trying to show that he was joking around as well, just in his own way.

"I don't think I'll need to find a kid of mine." She tried to read the fur again. Still nothing. Stupid fur. She was drug back to Garo when he addressed her. "Well, it's kind of a long story... but put short, this is the closest I can get to my ideal." She seemed to get dreamy, eyes focusing in the distance. "The ideal soldier... the moral mercenary. Not fighting for loyalty, which can be misplaced so easily just by being born in the wrong place. Instead, paying for my life with money from my jobs, but restrained by my morals. I'll kill a manticore for a thousand dollars, but no amount of money would let me open fire on the defenseless and harmless." Focusing once again on Garo, she raised an eyebrow. "Oh, sounds bad? What happens then? You start acting like a Bixie? If that's the case, you'd better talk. How did you get into this job?"

-Do I have a robot face Quasimodo? - Accidentally Alex pushed one of many buttons Falken had. –Do I look like I obey three dumbass laws? - The Mercenary stopped looking around and turned to face the Grotesque Hunter, even his drones flew back to him and looked at Alex with their lenses locked on him. –Do you think I would say something as lame as “All those… moments… will be lost in time, like tears… in… rain. Time… to die…”?-



The Infamous Mercenary clenched his fist in anger, an emotion easily noticeable on his face as his right eye shone brightly with a red gleam. –I’m not a stupid android… I’m a bloody cyborg you haunted house reject! - Falken slowly took his shotgun out of his back holster –I have something you clearly don’t! - And cocked it. – I have a bloody brain inside my head! - Falken lifted his gun aiming it at Alex.

-I just realized that not only I like to work solo, but also if I off you here I’ll get more money…- The Mercenary was too pissed to care about his surroundings. Behind him, just turning around a large boulder one of the dreaded Fubai Long was floating 3 mts off the ground, with his disgusting alabaster fangs covered in bloodied spit, surely from another victim. –I might be covered in metal, but I’m still a man where it counts, a much more of a man that you Quasimodo!-



-After this mission is over I know what I’m going to do. - The Fubai Long was turning around in perfect charging position against Falken. –I’m going to go to Paris and fucking blow Notre Dame apart.- The Corrupted Dragon silently opened his fangs as the same kind of vermillion energy that covered the Bixie surrounded his long and slithering body with flames. –So when I kill your ugly ass you can meet up with the damn Gargoyles in fucking HELL!-



The Infamous Mercenary prepared to shoot at Alex almost pointblank but the Fubai Long attacked first closing his fangs around Falken in a tackle-like charge, lifting the Gun-for-Hire off the ground. Falken dropped his shotgun as he screamed. –FUCK THIS BLOODY COUNTRY!- while he was being steamrolled through the air towards one particularly large and sharp hillside.

Will Alexander rescue him or let will he let Falken get turned into Dragon’s Chow? Stay Tuned for mor-That’s almost too smart for somebody as young as you Harper-san. - Garo had an almost imperceptible smile. –Is a good realist goal, is better than the idiots who proclaim about justice and moral high ground.- As he kept advancing he replied to her next inquiry. –No, I don’t act like one, I lose track of my surroundings and that creates a problem. – He examined a track in the ground.

-A hunter that loses track of his surroundings is bound to become prey himself. - He stood up and smelled the air around him. –I will never be prey again, that’s why I’m a hunter. - He gestured Eve to follow him in silence towards the rocky side of one of the peaks. He whispered. –We’re close, but we have enough time for your last question.- The Old Archer expression turned bitter sweat.



-I inherited my school of archery from my father, we were borderline Hidden World material at best and we didn’t knew shit about it.- He started climbing the rocks using his combat knife as a makeshift climbing pickaxe. –After I became the master I was requested by some neighbors that I hunted a “bear” that was causing some damage to their sheeps.- Garo kept climbing and gesture Eve to follow.

-I tracked the creature for days until I realized it wasn’t a bear… well not a normal one.- Garo took a deep breath. –I was hunting a corrupted minor deity, or to be precise I was being lured by one. - The Old Archer sighed as he remembered the fine details. –I was too young and too cocky to realize that I was being lead to a trap.- The Archer suddenly stopped climbing as his hand almost slipped from a wet rock he tried to use to climb.



-I entered a sacred grove, with a massive tree in the middle. The Bear wanted to kill whatever called that place home and for that reason he ate, to get the strength needed to withstand the pressure of this place, that normally would stop him from entering as he was corrupted.- The Archer finally stopped climbing as he managed to reach a small terrace. –I got beaten to an inch of my life, no matter what I did my arrows didn’t pierce the corrupted hide.-



Garo extended his hand to help Eve climb if she needed and continued. –In desperation I grabbed one of the branches that fell from the tree, as my arrows were gone, and I used it as a makeshift one.- The Old Archer lightly passed his fingers over the scars in his face. –I killed it, but I go these to remember it…. A squad of the JHWAB found me and drafted me in after seeing my “success”- He said that last word bitterly as if he wasn’t proud of killing the corrupted deity.

Garo sighed heavily. –That’s how I got into this world… and now let’s not focus on my and let’s focus on the Bixie nest 20 mts over our head, I think it’s not alone anymore.-

Watching as the robot man was talking some more, Alex notices a creature charging at him. Not really caring about the safety of the threatening man in front of him, but more for his own protection, Alexander begins to move all his sharp wired threads towards the assaulting monster. The wires finish wrapping around the Fubai Long's neck and limps in another elaborate self destructing design by the time it took the Falken off his feet, where the creature will be the instrument of its own ruin. The wires around the creature was going to come together tighter and tighter in relation to the force that the beast generates, which will cause the thine thread wires to quickly and efficiently make their way through the skin and muscles of the violent beast's limps and neck as it continues to move forward. The more force the wild killing animal created with its own body through its own momentum, the greater the damage it would receive from the wires, in fact, Alex would't even be surprise if the ramping charge of the monster would come to an ultimate end before they reach the particularly large and sharp hillside.

Satisfied with his quick death trap, he continues to walk forward, expecting his efforts to either kill the monster before it could deal a fatal blow to Falken, or create an opportunity for the android to turn the tides, regardless, he did more than enough for a man, who was a split second away from shooting at him for point blank range. The gruesome hunter moves at the same pace as he was moving before. To a normal person and perhaps even to an endanger Falken, it would look like Alex didn't try to help the fellow hunter at all due to the fact the wires were so thine, that no normal person could hope to see what he did since the wires were skinner than a spider's thread. In Falken's case, he might be too distracted from being steamrolled, to be able to notice the moments of the super thine wires.

Eve beamed at the praise. "I have my morals. Like I said, innocents are off my radar. But you can't feed yourself working for free." She continued to follow him, tiring herself, but extending tendrils to push him anyway. "Don't bother, I can handle myself. And you did good, Garo. You saved whatever that sacred area was, and as much as I couldn't care less about the sacred, that seems to be a good thing. No shame there. Or is it the JHWAB that's bugging you? I might-" She stopped when he asked for quiet. "Not alone? Do you think it's the bird or something else?"

The Fubai Long thick black and oily scales were incredible durable, to the point that heavy artillery shells wouldn’t even be enough to pierce their hide in its natural state. Enhanced by the Vermillion Cloak the Corrupt Dragon steamrolled through the wires, forcing them out of its path, thanks to the energy emanating around him. The result? It’s charge against Falken unimpeded by Alex clever, yet fruitless trap.

The ivory fangs closed on the Mercenary’s flanks, piercing through his body with terrifying ease. Falken’s nanites reinforced skin wasn’t a match to the razor sharp teeth of the Dragon. The cybernetic skeleton was a much more apt opponent as the fangs just managed to lightly perforate it. One could think that was a defeat for the Dragon, but taking in account the hardness of the metallic parts of Falken it was quite a fit.

The initial attack wasn’t as bad as the follow up, as Falken got slammed against the rocky wall, the impact helping the fangs to pierce even deeper into his body. For the first time since the start of this adventure Falken seemed to be in real distress. –Bloody hell! Give me a hand you Seamstress Guild Reject!!!!- The Mercenary roared at Alex as he felt the claws piercing him were getting closer to something vital.

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-If you refer to the Bixie as a bird you’re going to have a bad time…- Garo knocked his knuckles against the cliff and placed his ear against it. His expression suddenly changed as he noticed his prior analysis was frightfully true. –Up there are, apart from the white furred one we chased, 2 young Bixies and 4 infant ones.- The Tracker repeated the knocking and once again heard the vibrations inside the stone.

-I’m guessing the young ones are half the size of the one we fought in the HQ and the infant ones are more or less the size of a Tiger or a very large dog. - Those weren’t exactly good news. –I don’t know much about the Bixie, but they seem to share similarities with Chimera, that I hunted once or twice. - He took of the locks of white fur and intensively watched it, trying to put his immense experience in this line of work to his service.



-I think the white one is some sort of patriarch or Alpha Male, even bigger than the one we fought, the two young ones are a couple and the infants their spawn. - Garo knocked the wall once again, repeating the same process.- Yes, I think I’m right, the White One is standing over higher ground, usually a sign of having authority over the others, and the rest are putting more weight on their front legs, possibly because some sort of ritual reverence.-

With the air of an expert Garo finished his dissertation. –I think the White one will keep moving to other peaks, my initial idea was wrong this isn’t its lair. - He turned to Eve and asked her. –Should we wait for the white one to leave and keep us guiding.- The Old Archer added. –Or we wait for it to leave so we can hunt the young couple and their spawn.- He finished with a strange, indecipherable expression. –What do we do Harper-san? We keep tracking or we start attacking?-

Alex continues to walk, not interested in the situation behind him, until he hears his thread wires being pushed aside by an energy wave emitted by the creature's body. That peaked the hunter's interest. He slowly turns around, looking at the creature. Seems like I'll have to aim for more vulnerable areas, he thought. The beast's skin was way too tough, well he could always use the Colt in this situation if worst comes to worst, he thought. He begins to walk towards the creatures, while another 100 wire threads emerge from his wired gloves.

The wires move towards the creature's head, all 100 wires thread, but at different times. This way, Alex was going to use a unique pattern of 5 different waves of wires attacks to avoid all his wires being push away by a single energy wave of the creature's attack. With this timing, by the time the creature pushes away the first wire wave, he would be able to attack with the same wires by the time the 5th wave moves for the foe. This technique was design to be a continues and relentless attempt of wrapping around his target. The wires aim this time was to wrap around the creatures eyes, preventing him from not only seeing, but hopefully, dealing a cutting force to the beast's eyes, will cause enough pain for the monster to let go of Falken.

"I meant the Phoenix. If it's not here, we should keep tracking the big one. The couple's a waste of our time in comparison." The fact that she simply didn't like killing baby animals went unspoken. She leaned her head back, but couldn't see the nest. "I'm going to try for a better position so I can get a look at the landscape. I might notice something you can't pick up." She dug her fingers into the cliff side and started to drag herself up. Her coat was heavy and made her noisy, but for some reason she kept it on. She'd go halfway up and take a look, then go from there based on what she saw.

Alexander cunning and ruthless strategy bore fruit as his wires took advantage of the shifting nature of the Vermillion Cloak. His strikes filtered through the intervals slashing the Dragon.

Even without the crimson energy covering it the scales withstood much of the attacks, to the Fubai Long the Grotesque Hunter’s wires felt more akin to whips, just causing an avalanche of painful wounds that started pouring slimy black blood to the ground.

The roar of pain from the Fubai Long allowed Falken more than enough time to dislodge his body from the Dragon’s fangs and jump down the hill, taking cover behind a large building.

–Huff…huff…huff- The Mercenary panted heavily as his nanites worked on overtime to heal his injuries. This self repair feature wasn’t perfect and after such damage he wouldn’t be able to fix everything, so he gave the mental order to his nanobots to prioritize vital areas, leaving any cosmetic repair in hold until returning to base

This choice made that Falken skin went into energy saving mode, turning paler and clearly showing a hexagonal pattern. From his hiding spot the Mercenary kept hearing the Fubai Long’s cries as blood poured from its eyes and around them. The tar-like substance was dripping in the ground leaving burn marks in the rocks, feeling the air with the nauseating smell of burning blood.

-Copying the old man tricks are we? - Falken tried to maintain his façade of cockiness by pointing out what he thought was the obvious precursor to Alex’s go-for-the-eyes tactic. –You got the right idea, but my little eyes in the sky are telling me otherwise. - The Dual Wielding Angel of Death obviously referred to his Kadoya Surveillance drones feeding him information about the Dragon.

-That fucking thing can smell us, he will go right at your ugly ass when it stops screaming… If I were you I would take some bloody cover.- As Falken shouted that the Fubai Long released a pulse of Vermillion Energy, pushing the wires away from it and charging towards Alex.

Without much way to accelerate, as well being careful as it lacked vision, the Fubai Long didn’t even clock the speed of sound, moving at best as fast as an sports car. Behind it a stream of dark smoke started eroding the ground and killing the vegetation.

“Even if the Dragon’s fangs don’t get you, its stream will shake you off balance, leaving you ready for its claws”

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As Eve was about to peek over the edge the White Bixie jumped away, slowly gliding into the mist. Atop the peak there was this family of 6 Bixie. The two young ones had shiny fur, glistening under the sun that reached only the mountain peaks of this region. Their spawn was happily munching on some food, surely provided by the visitor.

The young Bixie cubs were eating human farmers; the sound of cracking bones accompanied every bite, with the blood and organs spilling out of their awfully large and heavily fanged mouths. The sloshing sound of the meat rubbing the torn fabric of their simple clothes was the only thing that allowed an spectator to realize those were human remains, that and many scattered limbs, surely the product of a fighting between the cubs to get the biggest chunk.

-Are you done yet Harper-san?- Garo asked coldly, hardening his heart from the pain of people he couldn’t save. –I might lose the White Bixie if we are here for too much time.-

Alex has no worries what so ever when he sees the dangerous creature charging at him, Even knocking away his wires threads with that energy wave, does not even bother him at the slightest, since he was already using his wires in waves as to avoid this type of issue to begin with. Using a single wire thread, it wraps around a nearby tree, then using the wired glove mechanics, it pulls him out of the path of the beast as it just passes him by. The action look pretty similar to a grabbing hook in some ways. As Alexander avoids certain death, he is also careful to move in an angle to avoid the dark smoke. From there, he carefully uses a series of wire threads to create a rapid semi-transport system, which involves rapid pulling motions with his wires in quick bursts, to quickly move around the area until he reaches Falken's side. Meanwhile, during this, he uses his free hand to begin to make another one of his wire variation techniques.

Once next to the android, he opens his hand to reveal a wire thread ball with a few wire threads fuse together so tight, that it almost look like a solid ball, which was connecting to the wire threads from a single finger. This wire thread variation look very much like a yoyo and a ball of yarn combine. In fact, Alex throws the wire thread ball object down, only for it to come back up again just like a yoyo.

The wire ball thread has the special function, where it can be used very make like a ball and chain weapon, with the flexible of a yoyo, especially with its design to be able to quickly return to its user after being launch, and it was also can be use like a ballon mix together with a grenade, which is due to the fact that the wire thread ball can expand in an explosion like fashion, which transforms the shape of the wire thread ball into a wire thread sphere like object. The wire threads that make up the sphere, will be flexible enough to naturally change its shape in order move throughout the beast's body, such as through the throat, to travel to where most of its internal organs are located. The plan was that the force of the quick expansion will allow the wire threads to pierce and cut the beast from the inside of its mouth, and from there it will quickly continue to expand and travel to other vital areas. The best part about this ball, is that it can retract itself after it expands, so it returns to its wire thread ball shape in order to expand again into its wire thread sphere shape; and if he wanted, the wire thread ball can just continue to repeat this pattern over and over again, just as easy as a yoyo master can send his yoyo out and back again from the palm of his or her hand.

He looks back at the beast, expecting it to quickly attack. Needing to ensure this plan of his to work, he asks Flaken, "Can you get that thing to keep it's mouth open for a second?" Alex could tell that the skin of the beast was going too hard to cut through efficiently enough to deal any damage, if Alec could even cut the skin, and that the energy wave it can emit would prevent any elaborate wire traps to work. His new goal to take the monster down was simple. If his companion was strong enough to keep the mouth open long enough, he will be able to launch his wire ball into the inside of the beast's mouth. Even if the beast fires off an energy wave, he will be able to quickly maneuver the wire thread ball to adjust for the force and angle of the energy wave in such a way to swing the wire thread ball around and back to its exact target, so long as the beast doesn't hit the wired glove itself that controls the wire thread ball, it should be fine. Once inside the mouth, he hopes that the inside of the beast will be soft enough where his wire threads could deal deadly damage to the creature's insides.

Eve stared for a few seconds at the scene before her with no expression. She wanted to curse but kept utterly silent when the great white Bixie glided away, leaving just the family. Knowing she'd not be heard over the noise, she simply let go and dropped, falling past all the bloody prints that had marked her trail. She landed heavily next to Garo, seemingly unharmed despite the crash. "I can't see shit up there. Too much mist." She smiled faintly and pointed. "Come on, we'd better get going. You lead, I work by sight and that's useless here." Her face was oddly inscrutable as she spoke, and she kept moving without another word.

Falken glanced the sphere and quickly found out its utility, yet just like with the javelin, he couldn’t analyze how it was composed, surely some kind of secret technique Alexander had mastered before. He got the intended function of the ball and realized the Grotesque Hunter’s plan. Even as pissed as he was the Infamous Mercenary had to give credit to Alex… it was a great idea.

After hearing Alex request Falken looked at his shotgun with a hint of sadness. That quickly was replaced by his usual cocky smile. –I can give you ten seconds, but only because I have a copy of this gun and can lose it…- As he spoke the Dragon, that slowly turned around after its first charge was getting ready for a faster attack than before, this time around shattering the sound barrier.

The Infamous Mercenary stood in the open, right in the path of the Fubai Long’s flying lunge. Once again the corrupted lizard opened its massive fangs to close them down on Falken, but this time around he was already prepared to receive the attack. When the Fubai Long was close enough, with its jaws spread open to its fullest the deadly Gun for Hire sprung into action.

As the Fubai Long closed its very sharp and very dangerous fangs Falken jammed the Kazuraba Triumphant Shotgun vertically in-between the two approaching rows of teeth as he rolled to the side of the creature, getting partially slashed by the clawed legs in the process. As he rolled in the dry grass he shouted. –Come on Quasimodo! Dunk the fucking ball there!-

The Mercenary could only hope the Shotgun, which was already cracking, could hold the powerful jaws separated long enough

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Garo noticed the inner turmoil in Eve but didn’t say anything; he knew the expression she was using as he had done the same so many times in the past until he was past caring. Even if she seemed an abomination at least she had some Heart left. The Old Archer pierced the side of the mountain with one of his arrows, a special one with a thin yet resistant cable, usually he used it to climb up, but this time around he decided to use it for rappelling.

-I’m going down with this, use it if you need it. - With the confidence of an expert Garo started jumping down the hillside with short leaps as he used his heavily armored shooting hand to hold the wire. In matter of seconds he climbed down and let go at the last second rolling on the ground to diminish the impact. Even as trained as he was Garo always tried to avoid doing unnecessary stunts as he wasn’t a young man anymore.

The Archer waited patiently for Eve to get down the peak so he could keep moving, yet he heard something in the nearby mist that floated towards them like the ghostly embrace of the mountain. He hoped that his hearing was failing, as he heard the sound of a hoof clacking against stone, but as much as he tried to convince himself that the sound was on his head he could feel the presence on his bones.

He whispered hoping that Eve, wherever she was on the descent could hear him. –Harper-san… move as slowly as you can…-

Alex doesn't lose focus as the beast charges at the speed of sound, waiting patiently for his chance. He trusted the android's skills enough to believe in his ability to provide the opening that they will need for his plan to work. Like a classic stonewall, the machine man takes the impact head and places his gun right where it needs to be. Seeing his opportunity, Alexander throws the wired thread ball, making sure to adjust for whatever happens next, to ensure that the ball reach inside the beast's mouth. As the wire thread ball makes its way, he couldn't help but to think that his companion reminded him too much of one of his late teammates, with the exception that he talk a lot less than Falken. Still, he couldn't help but to smile a little more, for its been a while since the ugly looking hunter had a partner to help him in a fight like this.

Once the ball was inside the beast's inner mouth, the ball was going to expand and retract as many times as it will need until creature's insides were no more. If the beast's insides are soft like most organic beings. then this plan should work without too much difficulties.

Eve's mind was a ship lost at sea. Far too many thoughts right now. How could they stop the phoenix? Could she harmlessly relocate the Bixie? They seemed to be highly intellegent. Perhaps she could get Huntsman to attempt communication. How were Alex and Falken doing, and would she have to kill Falken for his attitude? He had definitely lost his shot at helping her get blood out of her little nooks and crannies for a his anti team player attitude. Speaking of that, a new teammate would be nice. With this pay, she could make up for a hole in her forces. Wait, crap, were they still getting paid? Cause if they weren't, China could lick-

She was snapped out of it when Garo offered her help climbing down. She snorted, reverting back to her usual flow of ego. She hopped off the ledge, landing casually on her feet with a crunch that was not her body but merely the gravel, legs barely bending. "Harper-san… move as slowly as you can…" Well shit. Stealth was never her forte. She was heavy as a bag of rocks. Rocks made out of metal. And she had just chosen the landing tactic of a meteor. She gave Garo a sheepish look and waved him ahead. Better he lead.

If the Fubai Long screamed in pain neither Falken nor Alex heard it, as the wire sphere blocked any sound as it slowly yet steadily brutally maimed the insides of the Dragon, Alexander’s assumption was correct, no matter how strong is the outside the inside is softer. Falken stopped rolling as saw his shotgun being split in half when the pain forced the Dragon to shut close it jaw. Still pieces of the broken weapon pierced the creature gums, increasing the pain, something that the Mercenary approved.

As he stood up he saw the Fubai Long charge finally stopping, quite suddenly, against one of the many steep hills that surrounded them. The impact carried such force the whole thing, about 150 mts away from them collapsed on the already mortally wounded dragon, finishing the job. Falken had a front seat row to it thanks to one of his drones following the action closely and smirked creepily as he watched the scene. –I might hate your guts Quasimodo…- He turned to face Alex.



-But I like your style Qua… no… Stevenson…- The Dual Wielding Grim Reaper smirked as he spoke. - You’ve got some moves and you aren’t afraid to use them. - It was rare for Falken to find somebody that seemed almost as sadistic as him. Even if Alexander pissed him off before the Infamous Mercenary just realized, thanks to this fight, that going solo this time around could be a bit too dangerous. And he needed a meat shield if things got hairy.



-So what do you think, do I track this fucking thing and we make some omelets if we find it’s eggs or do we keep going to kill some monkeys?-Falken asked hoping for the first but also not worried if they did the second first. As he asked he summoned his 4 of 5 possible weapons today, the Godai Pegasus Crossbow, a majestic golden high tech Railgun that threw high speed anti organic projectiles.

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Garo was a bit pissed at her absolute lack of finesse, but he was too experienced to let his emotions get the best of him and instead of shouting at Eve he decided to help. The Old Archer gestured for her to stay silent and in her place. He searched inside his jacket, a sound that normally would be unimportant, but in the current almost supernatural silence, brought by the mist, thicker than before, the faint rustling almost sounded like a drum solo.

With careful movements he placed an Omnyo Charm on each of her legs. The paper talismans instantly started up as he muttered a word (Mu) and suddenly every sound produced by Eve’s body was silenced. The Archer stood up and faced her, still silent, looking the Huntress right in the eyes. He, a bit flustered for having to do something like this because Eve surely didn’t knew the signs he used in the JHWAB, started gesticulating.

• First he pointed the direction from where they came from

• Then he pointed her and himself

• He mimicked a fight pose.

• Then he showed four fingers and with the other hand tapped the first and the second.

• Then he pointed up the cliff they just descended a tapped just his second finger

• Finally he pointed at the mist and tapped his fourth finger.

As he finished this strange attempt at non-verbal communication the sound from before, the hoof hitting the rocks, once again echoed mysteriously inside the mist. Far away from the sound of something crumbling could be faintly heard as Garo once again gestured for silence. Something very dangerous was inside the mist and if Eve was somewhat sensitive to powerful presences she should be feeling it as well.

Something was inside the mist… something very powerful…

Alex doesn't verbally respond at all to his companion question and continues to walk in the same path as the one that the Fubai Long went during its last charge before dying. His companion would understand that he wanted to go see the body of the fallen beast. He was interested in examining its skin, wondering if it was possible to use it somehow for his own gains somehow later. After walking a few steps forward towards the died creature's direction, Alex turns around only to reveal a creepy grin to Falken, even though he was just trying to show his companion an approving facial expression, but sadly his face wasn't design for that kinda look anymore after his first incident with the hidden world. He turns right back around very slowly, and begins to take a bunch of more steady pace steps towards his most recent kill.

As embarrassed as Eve was, she managed to attune herself to her surrounds again in time to notice just how quiet not only Garo but everything had become. There was something odd here. She was snapped out of her attempts to hear whatever it was Garo had heard when he bent to touch her legs. She barely resisted joking about what he was doing down there and instead just let him put the little stickers on her legs. She realized their effects not long after he activated them. Her steps were silent, crushing gravelly ground without noise. Wow, she needed these. She would put them on Huntsman, people's phones as a prank, annoying kids...

She watched Garo's finger movements carefully, then slowly blinked. There was something where they came from... something to fight? Or he wanted to go back up because the thing to fight in the mist? She thought it might be the later, and she didn't like it. She shook her head and walked forward, her chest opening up once more, showing off her array of guns and ready grenade dispenser. The mist was far less useful for hiding when it was full of bullets and shrapnel. She could hear the hoofs, and she was hunting them.

Even a soulless bastard as Falken could feel a creeping sensation on his skin when he saw Alexander’s grin. The Infamous Mercenary followed the Grotesque Hunter up to the wreckage of the hill, under which most of the Fubai Long’s body found its final resting place. Thankfully Alex idea wasn’t fruitless as a good 5 mts of tail weren’t covered by rocks.

The oily scales barely reflected the faint amount of light that could pass through the thick mist, almost as if the deep black coloration sucked the light itself from the air. –This could be used for some kick-ass stealth gear.- Falken slowly removed one of the scales, about the size half a meter long using his knife to cut it. It was surprisingly light and as they witnessed incredibly hard.

-Screw stealth, this could be a very good armor… in fact…- Falken removed his half destroyed advanced Kevlar vest and placed the scale over one of the ruined parts. His right finger started using some kind of molecular bonding agent, like super super glue, created by his nanites. He added the scale to his vest and repeated the process until he completely covered the front and back of his armor.

He kept taking scales, enough for 5 vests and still there were more than enough for Alexander to take… maybe even three times as many.

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Garo looked at Eve with shock and grabbed her wrist, giving a tug to force her back, it was like trying to pull from a truck, so the Old Archer, as fit as he was for his age, surely didn’t even register on The Huntress senses, even with him tugging with both hands using all the strength he could possibly muster.

Garo was distraught, he hoped that she had understood his signs; he meant to say that back there they fought against the Yemen and the Bixie (The first and second monsters introduced in the briefing.) He reinforced it by pointing at the peak and indicating once again the second and finally pointed at the mist and indicated his fourth finger, meaning the fourth in the briefing.

The hoof clacking inside the mist was from a Kirin, a divine creature of majestic nature with powers beyond a Bixie or even the mighty Fubai Long. A wrong move could be potentially catastrophic when facing this kind of creatures, that even if they sported human-like intelligence they still kept animal instincts.

Unluckily for Garo and Eve the events that transpired at least half a km from them with Falken and Alexander would affect them, as the sudden collapse of the hill the Fubai Long crashed into altered the wind currents inside the mountain range. A powerful gust of wind pierced through the nebulous veil of the fog and revealed the Kirin in all its majesty, right in front of Eve with her guns ready to fire.

It stood to 3 mts of height, with a weight of 1 ton. Silver fur glistened under the faint sunlight that managed to pass through the mist and a single branched horn sprouted from its head, glistening like a precious jewel. The hoofs were white as freshly fallen snow, just as its eyes. From the amount of hair in the chin and the sides of the snout one could think the creature was male.

The Kirin neighed and shook its head. A pillar of white light surged from him extending to cover the zone around it, getting both Eve, if she didn’t react, and Garo, who feels on his knees, inside of it. The light was the authority and regal presence of the Kirin being projected around him, forcing anybody with not the sufficient willpower to bow down to him with respect.

Looking at the scales of the fallen beast, the man standing next to Falken continues to keep a sinister looking smile on his face. He slowly takes the scales with the assistance of his wire threads and puts the scales into a massive wire thread suitcase, which Alex had made during the walk over. Yet, he needed to make another suitcase, as the first one cement full soon enough. Eventually, he finishes both of the cases and simple begins create oddly shape wire ballon, which he attaches to the tail. He doesn't explain why he does this to the android standing next to him, who was now cover in dragon scale armor.

When he finishes, Alexander picks up the two large suitcases, pack full of the incredible dragon scale and says, "Do me a favor and take as much as you reasonable can for me."

Eve stood still for a second when the mist cleared, her eyes meeting that of the Kirin. Blank white stared out with equal blankness, like she was nothing. Well this thing was begging to be shot. But perhaps she shouldn't. It seemed potentially peaceful. Then the light surged from it so that it seemed its eyes had swallowed her. She felt the compulsion to bow push her head down. The magnificence of the shining beast was overwhelming. She nearly folded at the knees before rage locked them. She would shake her head to clear it, but she was too busy staring into the beast's eyes in wonder that it had so nearly done that.

"You think you can make me bow?" She said in a bizarrely calm voice. Her cannon arm revealed itself once more in a splaying of tendrils. "I am the boss. Not you!" She lunged forth to push her cannon to its chest and fire, point blank. Violence was second nature to her, but this was special. This was a clash of authority. Of alphas. It was not her first brutal dance of this nature, and this time she was ready. She would show this beast exactly who was boss.

-Fuck no! Do you think I’m your bloody maid…- Falken suddenly stopped and thought to himself if Alexander was carrying the suitcases he wouldn’t be able to be of much use in a battle, he didn’t seem particularly sturdy or strong, at least not enough to carry the wire suitcases filled with scales, that even if they were light individual they could start to be quite a load if many were taken.

-Okay, but I’ll charge you the upload fee. - Falken grabbed both suitcases and summoned his rented hyperspace arsenal. Two green portals opened around his arms and he deposited the suitcases inside a temporary slot he tended to use for rations, or similar cargo. He even nimbly exchanged one of the suitcases for a couple of ration packages. He bought them in bulk in Inazuma, from a very peculiar chef who worked from a food cart.



The Infamous Mercenary extended one of the sealed containers with the high-end rations inside. –We should make a quick stop and have a bite, I don’t know if we will be able to take a breather again when we go in deeper. - Falken sat down and left the package for Alex over a boulder. Even with some time to regenerate the Dual Barreled God of Death wasn’t looking good, thankfully the rations had a high-caloric charge to help him recharge, at least partially his drained nanites.

-While we eat we can decide if we track the Dragon or the Monkeys. My drones will do a ring of security around us and warn me of any incoming danger. - Falken assured Alexander to avoid any questions about the security.

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The moment Eve moved forward, in defiance of the Kirin’s Mandate of Heaven, the majestic creature didn’t move. The Huntress released her cannons not knowing the calamity she was about to bring. Without even budging an inch or giving the minimum indication of evading the attack the Kirin received the bullets and projectiles that pierced deeply inside its hide.

The wound started bleeding, dripping shining drops of light from the entry point. Each droplet fell on the ground with a chime, and around the small puddle of light forming below the regal beast the vegetation started to sprout. An explosion of flowers and lush vegetation with bright colors followed each drop of the Kirin’s life force falling into the ground.

The chiming sound echoing around them, fading into what reminded of the mist.

Garo stood up from his prone position without his bow, which he released when the Mandate of Heaven hit him. If he wanted too the Old Archer might have resisted it, but he knew about the Kirin and about their myths, with that knowledge in mind he chooses his next, possibly… surely dangerous course of action.

The Veteran Hunter placed one of his Tetsu charms on his hands just as the Kirin’s eyes closed, the creature, with now a considerable pool of light under it, was still standing. Garo knew this was a bad idea, but he was too stunned to act in any other way. As the pool of life force started losing its shine, the brightness slowly fading, the Archer grabbed Eve from the lapel of her coat.

Without any warning or tell he launched a punch with all his might, but more than that he added his own spirit. Eve committed a crime to heinous to consider. Never a Kirin attacked somebody who didn’t deserve it, he thought that the Huntress would be less trigger happy than Falken, but seemingly Garo was mistaken.

Alex nods his head slowly, which was just his way to show gratitude for Falken taking his wire thread suitcases. He proceeds to sit down and open the container. He folds his hands together and silently give thanks for the food to both the man who served him, and to the food for giving him needed energy for the challenges ahead. Before he even picks up the food, he examines the food. Even smelling it a bit. Letting his imagination run wild, as he tries to picture the taste that this source of nutrition will have.

Nearly a minute goes by before Alexander finally reaches inside the container to pull out the food, which even the task of getting the food outside the box looked to be in slow motion. Soon the ugly hunter only a few inches away from his mouth and takes his first bite. During all these, he was also tying to figure out their next move. Debating about the advantages and disadvantages of going after each one. Still, regardless of which way they go, it won't change the end, he felt. if they don't put down the monster in charge, or at least slow it down enough for some major reinforcements, then whatever they do past this point will be pointless.

"How far can your sent your drones out to scout and collect informations?" he asks the android.

Eve cocked her head in confusion. It didn't even try to dodge? She watched the light pour from its body, noticing little stars sprinkled in the sea of blood already on her body. Her internalized iPod restarted the song and saved it for a later encounter. "Well, that was quick. Who knew-" She was stopped by the sudden jerk of the collar of her coat being yanked and the brain-rattling punch delivered by Garo. She stumbled back and fell down, staring up in disbelief. The cheek where she had been struck was caved in like a crushed can. "Garo... what... the fuck?" There was no anger, only bewilderment.

Falken looked around, as if he was measuring something with a glance. –With this mist I don’t think I can send them further than 150 mts, there is too much interference in the air… Wait…- The Mercenary’s eyes showed his surprise. –Damn it! I thought there was some kind of interference just from the mist and the mountains, but there is something else in the air… I can’t believe I didn’t notice it firsthand.-

Falken stood up now looking pretty alarmed. –I knew taking this job was a bad idea… I just knew it…- The Infamous Mercenary turned to Alex and proceeded to explain.



–Remember that when we fought the Bixie it also had some kind of energy, just like the dragon we just killed?- A small puddle of black liquid, a sample of his nanites appeared in Falken’s hand and he threw them upwards, turning them into a cloud.

The black cloud was suspended in the air for a moment, shimmering like the night sky, until it started to take a cube shape, losing its blackness.



–With these nanites you will see a fraction of the air around us as if you had my enhancements.- He explained to Alex while pointing at the now transparent grey cube floating besides him. At first it seemed like nothing was happening, but suddenly a faint glimmer of crimson light could be seen inside.



That glimmer multiplied finally showcasing many petal-like silhouettes made of this crimson energy, flying like specks of fire dragged by the wind. –This energy is all around us, and whatever is making it doesn’t want us in this bloody place. - Falken gritted his teeth in anger and then smirked. –I don’t bloody like when somebody or something tells me what to do… Should we go into the mountains and teach whoever is doing this not to mess with us-

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Garo stood inbetween Eve and the Kirin, his eyes blazing in anger. –Do you have the faintest idea what the hell did you just do? - The Archer clenched his fists as he tried to control the unbound wrath inside of him. It took Garo a lot of willpower not to punch her again. –Kirin’s are not only endangered species; they are one of the most benevolent creatures.- The Old Archer waved his hand towards the pool under the Kirin.

-Do you see that? Do you!?- Garo’s face was past anger, it was pure undiluted rage. –That is the life-force of a hundred forests and thousands of men and women who need those forests to live.- The Veteran Hunter took a couple of step forward, if he wasn’t so pissed this would be comically mismatched, considering how short he was in comparison. But what he lacked in height he compensated with fury.

-And for what!? For pride!? For not being able to lower your head in front of a minor deity of nature and civilization!? How big is your ego!?-Once again Garo had to stop himself from punching Eve again, not only for her sake, but for his, as no matter how durable the Tetsu charm made his hand, The Huntress’s face was like hitting concrete. –You may think you’re different from Falken, but you’re exactly the same missy, an arrogant trigger happy bastard!-



Thanks to the usage of the Mu charms their conversation didn’t have any sound outside a limited area, but Garo’s exalted state of mind made him sweat and that scent reached a nearby group of Yemen, but not regular ones like they fought back in the HQ. And these ones wouldn’t be pushovers