The Divine Hunter

Ginkgo trees shone under the moonlight like glinting canine teeth. Gusts of wind blew from the depths of the land, carrying the sorrowful cold of the northern realm.

In the woods stood a girl. She was tall and lithe, and her hair was black. Her cotton-padded jacket was thick and grey, and it was paired with a brown dress and an apron. In one hand, she held a torch, and in the other, a fat burlap sack covered in black powder.

She did not have the strength to haul it, and thus the girl dragged it across the ground.

“Where are you, Henri? I know you’re there! Come out!” The girl came to a halt under a tree, staring around like a curious marmot. Her beautiful face was red from the cold, and a hint of fear filled her violet eyes. Then she thumped her chest to cheer herself up.

“Sorry, Igsena. I just got here.” From the darkness, a burly man emerged, flames illuminating his green hair and comical jaw.

He stopped about five yards away from the girl, but his eyes never left her. There was an almost scary passion burning within them, and Igsena backed up to the tree out of fear.

“Didn’t think you’d show up.” Henri narrowed his eyes and put on the warmest smile he could muster. There was a shred of radish stuck between his yellowing teeth. “It’s the dead of a cold, cold night. And the woods are dark and dangerous. You’re braver than the other girls.”

“There’s no danger here. Home is ten minutes away, and the hunters have killed all the predators here. And you’re with me. There’s not gonna be any danger, unless you have something else in mind.”

The man’s face fell.

Igsena forced a smile and dragged the burlap sack ahead. “Stop your yammering and pay me. It’s freezing out here. Staying out for too long is gonna make me sick in the morning.”

“True.” The man nodded and approached her. He then whipped out a few yellow coins from his pocket. “Ten bizants for a sack of coal, right?”

“Wait, that’s not our deal!” A frown furrowed the woman’s brows, and she said shrilly, “It’s supposed to be twenty bizants for a sack! That’s only half the money! You lied to me!”

“I’d rather get my coal from your father at that price. No need for this deal.” The man shook his head and chuckled. “Please, Igsena, I had to work my ass off for two weeks to make twenty bizants. I can’t spend it all on a sack of coal. What am I going to eat then?”

“You’ve given yourself to that bastard from the mountains. You threw yourself at that mutant, so why can’t you do the same for us? We’re your neighbors.”

The men inched ever so closer to the woman. She backed up against the tree and opened her burlap sack. She whipped out a bunch of charcoal and hurled them at the men. “Don’t make me do this. Stop right there. I’m warning you. I have to pick ten vats of greens every day. Take one step closer and I’ll crush your balls.”

She gnashed her teeth and made a threat, but the fear in her eyes was unmistakable. She was single, and yet she had a sordid relationship with a witcher. If this went out, her reputation would be ruined, and her father would kill her.

“We’re not trying to force you or anything. Work with us, and nothing will happen. Refuse, and we might let your secret slip. Think about it, Igsena. I’m actually as good as any bard in poetry. And I can use my tongue well.” Henri leered. “How about some poetry?”

Winds of the night howled across the air, and two thuds tore through the night. A silhouette zipped past Igsena, and purple light appeared out of nowhere. And then her eyes went wide, and she covered her mouth.

As if they were possessed, the men who threatened to assault her gave each other a bear hug. So tight was their hug that anyone would think they were holding their lover in their embrace. And then they started to kiss. Violent and sloppy. That was how they kissed. And then they started tussling on the ground.

***

A muscular figure appeared beside the men. His hands were on his hips, and a pair of sunglasses hung from the bridge of his nose. His armor was greyish-brown, and two sword hilts protruded from his back.

Moonlight shone on him, revealing a handsome face. He quickly made a Sign in the air and calmed Igsena down.

For some reason, Igsena calmed down. She had a feeling this man could be trusted. “Wh-Who are you?”

“Don’t worry, Igsena. I’m a mutant. The kind these bastards were talking about. Call me Roy. I was just passing by, and I heard these idiots spewing shit, so I punished them a little. But don’t worry. They won’t die.” Roy smiled warmly and showed her his medallion. “They’re going to be doing it so much, sex won’t even register in their heads anymore. And then they’ll pass out for an hour. Now, let’s talk about that mutant they mentioned. I want to know who the guy is.”

Igsena looked away from the squirming men. A moment of hesitation later, she started speaking.

***

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