Bab 4: Ch 2 Bad Break
After delivering the body to the authorities I was paid out. A young soldier from the village adds the credits onto my scroll. "So where are you heading next huntsman?"
He looked like he wanted to say something.
" Did you have more work for me?" I ask pocketing my scroll.
"Unfortunately no." He replies "but I do have information you might want to hear about this particular Grimm." I am intrigued
"Out with it already"
"This isn't just a mutation. The heart on the back I mean. According to word of mouth around the settlement there have been more sightings of Grimm like this all around popping up more and more. Especially in Anima. And rumor is they're being coordinated"
That's actually very interesting. Are they rebranding? Wonder who their sponsor is.
"So you may receive missions or bounty's just like the one I gave you. Just a word of caution though. You might want to consider getting a team."
I'm good alone. Easier that way. My fighting style is very loner-ish. Though if they are being directed as the rumors say that's bad news for the world in general.
"Thanks for your concern but I'm fine. I'll be sure to look out for theses Grimm" I wave my goodbyes and leave him at his village. Thinking back now I think things went exactly as they should have.
Feeling a sense of relief as I contemplate going back to Vale but I'm curious as to the origins of these Grimm. I think on it. Whistling I call on a dear friend of mine. Cardinal. A red bird that favors this area. I've had him for a long time now. He's always there when I need him.
Cardinal descends and I write a note. This note is meant for Ozpin. The head Beacon Academy , a school for young huntsman and huntresses. And my adopted father. I could use my scroll but I feel he'd want this information as discreet as possible. I send Cardinal off and make my way to Mistral.
Upon arrival I already notice the difference in the air. Feels more natural here and yet filthy. I begin searching for information in nearby villages. Trying to find more information on these Grimm. After interviewing a few people from different villages I found that what the young soldier said was true. These Grimm are abundant here and they're very intelligent. Been giving the huntsman in this area a run for their money. Honestly the more I learn about them the scarier they seem to get. I decide to investigate further. Leaving a village I noticed a distinct smell in the area. I only get this scent when it's apparent there are a large concentration of Grimm in the area. I follow the scent of course as it'll more than likely lead to my prey. The Grimm with the hearts on them. Traveling down the road I see a lone boarbatusk. Boar like Grimm. Strong, fast, deadly. Their tusk will run you through. I've seen it happen. So I take out Kali and shoot it in the head. It falls over. Dead. I walk towards it and turn the body over. No heart. Too bad. Better keep looking.
"Help!" I hear a frantic scream. Yeah I kinda expected that. There is a settlement nearby and with the probable large concentration of Grimm. I should move quickly if I want to prevent any large number of casualties. Using aura control I fire forward at high speed. The young villagers come into view quickly down the road. They're surrounded by Grimm. Using Kali I fire out ice rounds and block of the villagers from the Grimm. I stand between them ready to battle.
"Who is that guys? Is he here to help?" A villager ask.
"It's..it's a huntsman!" Another answers
"Find cover." I tell them. "I'll deal with them" Four Grimm I count. Two bears and two boarbatusk. Not a friendly situation to be in but I can definitely handle this. Been killing these things since I was an academy student. Though every huntsman knows that one mistake can mean the end of their life no matter how skilled. Time to clean up.
I get to work running forward and slashing one of the bears across the chest and a rapid succession of jabs with kuro. It roars and I watch my six, seeing a boarbatusk charge me. I flip over it and allow it to slam into the bear but I see the other bear swing at me catching my side I block with kuro and as I'm sent to the ground I fire Kali hitting the bear twice in the chest and twice in the head. It falls. Body catches fire due to the dust rounds. I recover and reload Kali the last boarbatusk charges me and I flip over it stabbing it in the back. I guide its momentum to the first bear and jump off at the last second firing a lightning dust round. Charred from the electricity they both fall to the ground. I sense danger and quickly turn to see the last boarbatusk attack from behind. I roll out of the way and by chance see the heart shaped mark on its side. Bingo. I stab into its sides and shoot in the head. Now that all enemies are dead I realize I'm on the right path.
The villagers come out of hiding. I look at them as they approach sheathing my sword and holstering Kali.
"Are they all gone?" One ask
"What do you think?" I crossed my arms.
"They all look at each other. Oops I forgot I gotta actually be friendly. Not a people person I'm afraid. Let's start over
"Hey my name is Red. Im a professional huntsman looking for Grimm like that one over there." I point at the Grimm with the heart shaped symbol on its side.
"Those were the ones that attacked our village!" One of the young villagers exclaimed. "We had to run. The village Chief wanted to get us out and we did but..but" I get the picture.
"That way?" I pointed.
"They nodded. I call the mistral police and inform them of the situation. Then I leave the villagers after telling them to go to a close by settlement. I run as fast as I can to the village. According to the villagers this didn't happen too long ago. If I move swiftly enough I can make it. Upon moving down the road to the forest I come in contact with many Grimm. The number increased the closer I got to the village. It became apparent that I needed to skip them and make it to the village ASAP. I may not be able to save everyone but I can prevent the annihilation of the village as a whole.
I finally arrive to see Grimm swarming the village. Grimm of all kinds. The number was ludicrous but not too much for me to handle. I see villagers scrambling and running around. The more they panic the more aggressive the Grimm become. I see a young girl with an umbrella surrounded by the most of them. I rush to her first. I jump flipping and slashing the Grimm scattering them away from the girl. I see she holds an umbrella. She smiles at me.
"Thank you Stranger." She bows. Are you serious? And what's with that outfit? Never mind.
"Get out of here. I'll handle this." I unholster Kali and get to work. Moving swiftly I dispatch of many Grimm but it's wearing down my aura to utilize aura control for this long. It's time for me to stop holding back. I release my Semblance. Devine Flame. A white flame that burns all things good or evil. It's based on my psychology. If I deem one a friend it empowers or increase their aura. If an enemy then you will burn until nothing is left. There are only certain conditions in which my flame won't have affect or can be extinguished. But these Grimm do not have that capability. My sword is covered in the flames and I rush the Grimm. Each time a Grimm is cut and burns the closest enemy to touch the flame also burns. It's helpful when it comes to fighting large number of enemies. But-
I'm hit hard enough to crack my aura by a larger than normal bear Grimm. And then I'm sent flying into a building and it collapses around me. The thing about my semblance is I must maintain concentration in order to properly use it. If I don't then the flame can go out. But while concentrating on the flames my focused is shifted from the battle in a sense. It's hard to maintain but it's not impossible. As a huntsman no matter the cost I must protect mankind from the horrors of Grimm. Even if that cost is my life. And upon my very souls I will get up and fight until nothing is left! I jump out of the rubble. Blood leaks from my head and side. I use aura control to extend the reach of my flames and begin burning up the Grimm. I then speed up and proceed to destroy the Grimm at rapid succession. I cut, I shoot, I burn until none are left. My destiny to stand tall amongst the flames of my own creation. To wipe out any Grimm that stand before me.
I fall on my butt exhausted from the battle. Or at least that's what would've happened. I fell on someone. I turn and look up to see the weird girl from earlier. White belladonna dress with a sky blue corset and short skirt and ankle boots. Not something you see in this day and age. Much too bright honestly. Her smile was also bright and grey eyes filled with wonder. I almost smile back at her but I compose myself and say "thank you um.."
"Lace Daisy Wonder" she bows as her umbrella unfolds revealing a beautiful sky like design. She's a bit dramatic almost like an old colleague of mine here in Mistral. Hopefully I don't run into him. He's quite troublesome.
"Well it's a pleasure to meet you Lace." I sheath Kuro and holster Kali. "My name is Red Vermilion. Im a professional huntsman from Vale."
Her eyes lit up. "Oooh a huntsman!" Long pause. Her face nearly touched mine as she leaps forward "what's that?" I nearly fall over. This girl-
My senses picks up another dangerous presence. I turn around at the entrance of the village and see a large shadow approaching. Ah hell.
"Looks like trouble yes it does." Daisy still seeming perky folds her umbrella. I silently meditate using aura control to rebuild my aura. The shadow comes into view and we see a large man like Grimm with fur covering its whole body except the abdomen, the feet, and the hands. It Wells's a large grotesque looking club. It wears a mask with those glowing red eyes shining through. A large red shaped heart on its chest.
"The Red Queen" Lace speaks up. Red Queen?
"Is that what you call that thing?" I ask.
"No" she answers "Tis is merely a soldier I dare say."
Soldier my ass this thing looks like the boss of the smaller Grimm in this area. It doesn't look like an easy fight either.
"Lace get the hell out of here. I'll distract it while you get the other villagers to safety."
"No can do I dare say" Lace stands next to me unfolding her umbrella. "I shall lend this valiant warrior a hand" a dust round fires from the top of her umbrella hitting the creature. An explosion of lightning. Alright. Honestly I'll accept the help and complain later. Getting help from civilians is definitely a dent in my pride but every professional huntsman knows pride means nothing when facing death. Time for another bout. One I must survive.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone