This Story is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Copyright (c) 2021 by Yshomatsu
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this story or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. The following is meant for Adults only, if you are under the age of 18 leave now.
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Patreon voted Bonus Pairing #1 Vampiress vs Hunter
Thunder vibrated the wooden building as Han Helbringer strolled through its doors. The rain would start soon, he imagined, though the clouds above looked darker than the black abyss. This might be one of those storms that lingered, causing destruction across the land.
The man kept his buffalo hide duster pulled tightly, covering his six-shooter at his hip and keeping his gaze low under his ten-gallon hat. The room went quiet when he entered. All eyes were on him.
Han hated this part of the job. Walking into a room full of the competition. He knew they were all sizing him up. However, he had no choice. This was how the monster bounty hunting guild founder wanted it. All the hunters hanging out in the same bar. Han didn't understand why in, all honesty. Maybe the old wolf just liked the company. Reminded him of home, perhaps.
The wolf claimed to be from another world. Here against his will.
Helbringer strolled towards the far side of the room. A low rumble met his ears that he could have mistaken for thunder if he didn't know any better.
"Paragon, that was quite the job you pulled. I'm impressed," the voice proclaimed, using Han's guild name. No one shared their real names.
Han looked up, piercing blue eyes locking on the man he sought, or rather wolf. Sitting at a table with a full mug of ale was Fenris himself, the founder of their little band of bounty and monster hunters. Everyone assumed it wasn't his real name but with him, you never knew.
After the demon, Meridiana had been banished Fenris had thrived. The werewolf longed to return to his world but alas didn't know how to. Instead, he made the best of his situation by gathering people with skills he could train and mold. Before long he had formed a guild of bounty hunters. Their goal to track down and deal with the succubus' daughters.
Over time, some of their prey had joined their ranks. Most of them just whored themselves out. Han didn't like it, but to each their own. To be allowed to 'feed' without harming innocent people.
The wolf slid a bag of coins across the table. Payment for resolving his 'bounty' as it were.
"What made you decide to let her live?" Fenris asked, baring teeth in a smile. Han held back a shiver as those sharp eyes stared him down. It felt like the wolf could see right into his soul.
"Her innocent victims weren't dead. Just held against their will. Wouldn't have been an honorable kill."
"Good lad, you're one of my favorites for a reason. Don't tell these other mongrels," the wolf said with a laugh, knowing all eyes were on them.
"You say that to each of us that complete a job," Han replied, bored of simply being there. He stepped forward and retrieved his payment. The bag felt heavier in his hands. Bounties paid more to bring them back alive.
Despite liking fenris, he didn't like being around so many people and creatures he didn't know. It simply wasn't the type of profession you spent time getting to know your peers. Each were out for themselves and would gladly stab you in the back for their own gains. Han (Paragon to Fenris)was no different in that regard.
"Perhaps, perhaps. Sit, have a drink."
"I want my next job," Han spoke softly, glancing around the room. It seemed each time he returned there were more monster-girls hanging on hunter's arms. Even he had begun to save a few of their kind. Was he going soft or were they adapting to the times? Learning that certain behavior signed their death warrants.
"You look like you could use a break. Perhaps I could..." Fenris gestured to a slim woman at the bar. She was an Orc by the look of her green skin, pointed ears and small tusks sticking out from between her lips.
"I just want my next job."
"Heh, alright," the wolf huffed, "ever been to Travercraig?" He flicked his wrist with claws sharp as talons. The Orcish woman returned to the bar with a frown.
"No, but I know of it."
"There have been reports of townsfolk going missing. The usual. Go there and sort it out. Rescue the folk if you can. Bring back the culprit dead or alive as always."
"Right," Han nodded and turned to leave. The wolf paid more when it turned out to be one of Meridiana's creations. Human bandits and outlaws barely kept you fed. Monster-girls and the supernatural on the other hand, paid handsomely.
"Maybe someday you'll slow down to enjoy life. One never knows when they'll meet their match. Would hate to lose one of my best because you got greedy."
"People are always in need. It would be dishonorable to go on leave and let them suffer," he replied, tipping the brim of his hat and turning. Or lounge out at the bar while the innocent suffers, he thought to himself, giving another hunter a grimace instead of a smile.
"Indeed, safe travels Paragon."
Helbringer stepped outside and took a deep breath. He hated spending time in there. It always seemed to be the same faces hanging around getting familiar with the ladies. Did they even hunt anymore?
Guess it made sense in a depraved way. The women were captured after harming the innocent. Fenris let them live and in turn they 'fed' off the hunters in a controlled environment. Han had a suspicion that the act was addictive.
The ladies appeared to have regulars just like at a brothel. Paragon refused to allow himself to join the growing ranks of regulars. He preferred the company of normal women, or none at all. The job kept him busy, traveling around the known world. Just the way he liked it.
He opened the coin purse and pocketed a few coins, closing the purse. After a quick stop, he'd be back on the road.
The next door he opened greeted him with a blast of hot air. Han grimaced, wishing he had left his leather duster outside.
"Ah Helbringer, welcome back!" A large man called out from his forge. "I've got that special order completed if you've got the," the greasy man paused, catching the coin bag tossed at him. "That'll do nicely. Good on ya lad, set your eyes upon your new sword."
The blacksmith pointed to a display case at the fore of the shop. Han bent down and retrieved the silver katana. It felt perfectly balanced in his hands.
"To your liking. lad?"
"Oh, yes. Very much so, thank you, Roger."
"Glad to hear it. She'll treat you right out there."
After a bit of small talk, the monster hunter returned to his trusty steed. It would take him several days to reach Travercraig.
Han only needed to do a few more jobs to fully upgrade his kit. The next one he wanted would be adding armored plates to the lining of his leather duster. He hoped this job would turn out to be one of the demon's spawn. The sword had cost him the whole bounty. Minus the extra for bringing the target back alive.
~*~
On the road, he had the nagging feeling that the storm clouds were following him. He kept looking back as he traveled. The clouds were gaining on him. He pressed on, hoping for the best.
Then his luck ran out. He spent several hours in a down pour before giving up and seeking shelter. The hunter found an entrance to a cave. Han spent the night leaning against his trusted steed, his soaked duster drying off to the side.
The next morning, Paragon arrived at the small town known as Travercraig. It didn't look like much. Simple, with all their main buildings on one street. The homes were spread out around the main hub.
Han strolled down the muddy street, easing his horse towards a resting post right next to some water and hay. The town was kind enough to build an overhang over the area. Not many places did that for the horses.
The dark sky didn't look like it would be clearing up. Black, angry clouds hovered above like a bad omen.
With his steed tied to the post, he headed into the tavern--modest building with a bar and a few tables. The two patrons stopped their conversation to stare at the new arrival.
Han tipped his hat at them and walked over to the barkeep.
"Evening sir, I'd like a drinkand some information," he tossed a coin the man.
"What kind of information?" The skinny man asked as he poured a glass of ale.
"Thank you," Han took a gulp and sighed. A cold drink after traveling always hit the spot. "I'm here about the missing people. Anything you know will be of help?"
"Oh, I had lost hope that anyone would care about us." The barkeep replied, shoulders slumping. "Three of our young ladies went missing right after their coming-of-age day. Sweet girls, I dare not think about what was done to them."
"How much time passed between each disappearance?"
"About a month or two between each one."
The man drew a crude map of the town, making notes of each girl's last known location. Han noticed right away a possible pattern. A half circle at the edge of town.
"What is this lone building here?" He pointed to a square the man had drawn just outside of town.
"That's the old count's manor. It's been abandoned since before I was a kid. No one goes there."
"So, no one looked there for the young women?"
"Not a chance. Anyone foolish enough to venture there never returns."
Han tried his best to refrain from rolling his eyes. Sounded like a clear case. The women were at the manor, dead or alive. Part of him ached for a good fight. The last job had been rather lack luster. Innocent people were returned to their homes and the monster-girl was handed over for rehabilitation.
No doubt he'd be seeing her at the hunter's cabin on his next visit. If any of the other hunters had taken that job, they may not have resisted her charms. She had been a crafty minx. Han just didn't mix business with pleasure. Made things complicated. He didn't like complicated.
"Well, I'll start by visiting each location you say the women were spotted last, go from there." He tossed another coin, "Some provisions to go please."
"Right away, sir," the barkeep nodded before fetching some food.
Paragon returned to his horse. He hurried to each location. Hoping to find anything he could before the rain caught up with him.
Each location had been as he expected. Absolutely no sign of a struggle. Or anything at all that lead him to believe someone had been taken.
Perhaps they had all ventured closer to the manor before the creature struck. He grabbed his pistol, spinning it before checking. Fully loaded and ready. Back to his holster. He slid off his horse.
"Better sit this one out girl. Don't know what we're up against." The horse leaned down for some grass as if not hearing him. Han rubbed behind her ears, "That's my girl, I'll be back."
The hunter kept to the shadows, creeping from tree to tree. Without the sun shining through, he had to be extra careful. His prey might already be stalking him.
The sky lit up with a flash. Thunder crashed, making his ears ring. Rain started a few seconds later. Han cursed under his breath. It would be much harder to find any tracks now.
