In the corridors where synapses pulsed, she stopped to witness its lustrous architecture. A marriage of sounds and pictures, each merging detail impossible to decipher with the naked eye. This one segment captivated her particularly; what a fine distraction it proved to be.


    “–Monae! There’s two gentlemen at the front!”


    And immediately, she was evicted from the grounds.


    “Ah, yes! I''ll be right there!”


    A barmaid, standing at an unusual height for her sex, ran with a broom in hand behind the counter. Two men, giddy and giggling, waltzed towards the stools, sitting beside each other with corrosive laughter.


    “Hello! How may I help you?”


    Monae asked the two gentlemen, hoping to catch their attention, but neither budged. Why were they here, she wondered under a nervous smile, when they were clearly already drunk?


    The two men eventually noticed the silent barista. One of them slapped their hand on the countertop, giving a slurred request. She had a notepad and pen, but Monae couldn''t write it down, so she spoke.


    “C-Can you repeat that? I couldn''t hear you.”


    The man twitched his eyebrow. He made his request, slower this time, which Monae could still not understand. However, the look on that man''s face warned of escalating tensions. Thus, despite the empty page, she turned around and grabbed a bottle.


    She''d seen these customers before. They weren''t uncommon faces, but that didn''t mean she knew them. She didn''t know much about anyone, really. Nobody pegged her as a conversationalist.


    Most people came here for whiskey. Others came for beer. Tequila was a popular choice amongst the louder folk, but these two men looked reserved. She knew Adletcat was all the rage, but she always found it funny smelling, so she elected against it. Ultimately, doing her best to decipher the man’s grumbles, she thought ale would do the trick. She got a bottle and poured each man a shot, smoothly sliding it towards them.


    The men, still entrenched in their talk, didn''t even notice the drink. Monae sighed and picked up her broom, leaving the counter to sweep. Right as she passed through the swinging door, her manager walked up, a face as stern as steel.


    “Heh? Did you serve them?”


    “Yes sir. They, seem a bit troubled.”


    “Yeah. Keep an eye on ‘em. Don''t want ‘em thrashing the place.”


    “Yes sir.”


    The manager returned to the back while Monae continued with her duties. She let out a lengthy sigh, thankful for zero reprimands. For a moment, things ran well. Though their cluttering gibber jabber annoyed her, eventually, it became the perfect white noise. Menial distractions were the lifeblood of her waking moments.


    That was until it became more than menial.


    “Eh? The fuck?”


    In the first legible sentence she heard, the man yelled with an offended tone. She looked up and saw him lifting the glass, looking at it as if it were exotic, then promptly smashing it on the counter.


    The man stood up from his stool and eyed Monae. His friend held onto one of his hands, enough to hold him back, but that didn''t stop the ensuing onslaught.


    “Were you– huck –the one who served this?”


    “Y-Yes, sorry, did I–”


    “This ain''t, fuckin whiskey! I asked for whiskey! The hell are you giving me ale for? Are you trying to play me for a damn fool!?”


    The man tried to take a few steps ahead, still held back by the chains of his friend. Monae looked at them with a sweaty face, unsure of what to do.


    “U-Uh, I''m sorry, I didn''t hear–”


    “Buuuullshit! I said it twice! Twice, damn it!”


    The man flung his free fists forward, trying to land a swing on Monae. She was clearly out of range, and in attempting to reach her, the man almost toppled his friend with him. But, even at such a range, even with a shackle on the aggressor, she couldn''t find it in her to speak back.


    And so, she held the broom, letting out a tired, pained sigh, and planted her forehead on the hilt.


    “What''s going on here!?”


    The manager barged in, a natural occurrence following the commotion, and saw the sight of the belligerent man. He heard his violent professions, heard to whom they were directed to, and shifted his gaze to her. His poisoned glare conveyed it all.


    But first, of course, he had to take care of the problem.


    “Get the hell out,” he yelled, eclipsing the rancor of the man. The two tipsy pests stood there, dumbfounded from his volume, until his ragged finger pointed to the exit. The angry man snarled, nearly lunged at the manager, but his friend stopped him with an arm around his neck. “Let''s go,” he muttered, and the two waddled away with the manager trailing them. For their disturbance, they only got a warning.


    The manager slammed the doors and stayed, as if in thought, or maybe irritation, or recuperation. The bar, empty again, found silence floating in its air, still and murky as it was. She looked to her feet and continued with her sweeping, but she wasn''t afforded such an easy escape.


    “That was our only customer so far. We''ve already been open for a few hours. Nights aren''t so busy anymore, and the two didn''t even pay off the drink.”


    “...”


    The man turned around and pinched his nose. Monae continued sweeping as he spoke.


    “Don''t you have anything to say?”


    “...I couldn''t hear him, he was slurring his–”


    “You should''ve just asked what he was saying! What''s worse, talking to a retarded alcoholic or making him mad he isn''t getting his drink!?”


    Monae didn''t respond, nor did she look up at him. The man let out a laborious sigh, clasping his head with his hands.


    “Jesus. Jesus, lady, do you have any idea what situation you''re in? If we don’t get customenrs–”


    “I-I know. We''ll be in a lot of trouble.”


    “You''re lucky they didn''t break anything. You''re too damn lucky.”


    The manager put his hands in his pocket and trodded to the back. He stopped short of exiting the room, waiting until Monae continued her work.


    “Tonight, you''ll be making another delivery. I''ll hand you the address soon. Alright?”


    “...”


    “Alright?”


    “Yeah. I''ll get it done, sir.”


    “Good. The roof over your head depends on it.”


    “I know. Thank you.”


    The manager then made his exit, and in the quiet room, Monae paraded in her mind.


    It wasn''t the first time she had such an incident, far from it. She discovered a lot about herself working this job. She was clumsy, or maybe she was a terrible talker.


    “...”


    The veins in her arms pushed against her skin. The broom nearly snapped under the pressure. Again, she almost compromised herself.


    Her manager was far too kind.


    She soothed her temples and let out a sigh. She would''ve taken a drink herself if it wasn''t merchandise. Having a gun pointed at your head would often make it ache.


    Once the sweeping was done, she waited by the counter, eyeing the motionless door. Her manager swung by later and told her she was on break. She could hardly use it to get around. She wasn''t known in the town, after all. Or liked. But another moment of this stuffy air would''ve driven her insane.


    Since alcohol wasn''t an option, she relied on her typical alternative. She left the bar and moved no further past the building parameters. Against the wall, gazing at a listless sky, taking out a pack of cigarettes by routine. Her body lost the strength to lean, so she sunk to the ground like an aging rose.


    Head between her knees, arms on top of her caps, she wondered what would be in store for her next. Would she err yet again and finally be evicted, or would she–


    “YOU!”


    An unusual voice sprung from her front, causing her to jolt with a yelp. Her startled expression eased when she saw who spoke, and quickly morphed into one of confusion.


    A… penguin?


    “You… you reek.”


    “I– Wha?”


    Her cheeks turned rosy from shame. How could she possibly smell? Her hygiene was pristine!


    “Your smell is strong, pungent, unusual. No human would have it, no human could have it.”


    This penguin, who tapped his beak as he spoke, immediately revealed himself to her. This was a verbal Familiar, one with a strong nose and a snoopy attitude. She thought to stop him, but couldn''t. Looking left and right, nobody was in range of hearing him.


    “The scent that floats your form… ah, even your eyes reveal as much. Their pupils are slits, not round.”


    But if he kept going on like this–


    “W-Wait, don''t say it out loud!”


    “So indeed, you are keeping it a secret. But why?”


    The penguin leaned forward, squinting his eyes to scan her face. She backed her head up until it hit the wall.


    “It’s remarkable. The first of your kind I ever did meet, and you show yourself to be so meek? No, forgive me, remarkable? It’s rather pathetic.”


    “...Uh.”


    “I refuse to let you act this way. Stand proud, coward! You market yourself to be so feeble!? Hide behind scales, not skin, you– Mph!”


    The babbling penguin was abruptly interrupted by the clasping hand of a pointy-chinned man. He held his grip tight under the penguin’s flailing, holding him at his side like a duffel bag.


    “Excuse my partner, miss. He can be a bit of a challenge sometimes.”


    “I… N-No worries!”


    The man tipped a hat of air and made his exit. Monae watched him move far away before she sighed, thankful that her secret hadn’t been so suddenly spilled.


    As for the man, once a minute of walking had come and gone, he released the penguin and stared at it with crossed arms.


    “Christ, man. I lose track of you for one second, and you go around harassing people?”


    “Harassment? Lavish imbecile! I was doing that fiend a favor! Goodness, I can’t stand cowards like her.”


    “What the hell are you talking about?”


    Pendgy waved his comments away with a sneer.


    “Forget it. You’ve upset me too much for an answer.”


    “Puah, so be it. I’ll keep up our search.”


    “Our search? You’re only doing this for yourself.”


    Pendy looked down at Vin from his head, who took a few dozen steps before making any reply.


    “You’re real sure of yourself, Pendgy. It’s pissing me off. Do you have any idea what you and I need to kill a Soul Emperor?”


    Pendgy didn’t respond, which only strengthened the bulge of Vin’s veins.


    “Whatever it is, we don’t have it. You and I need to train, simple as that. I’m nowhere near the level to fight a Soul Emperor, and you’d be crazy to think you aren’t either.


    “I am near the level to fight a Soul Emperor. Please, all I need is just to find one.”


    Vin rolled his eyes and spun his brain, but he knew better than to respond in irritation. By now, he figured out how to play this penguin’s ridiculous games, though it took great restraint to abide by their rules.


    “Why not extend your lead, Mr. Penguin? You wouldn’t settle for just a close victory, surely?


    “Of course not. If it isn’t an onslaught, then it may as well be meaningless. I never stated I wouldn’t be participating.”


    And yet, it seemed that Vin could never win.


    “You’ve been prattling about drilling, but have yet to tell me how we would do so. Go on, elucidate me.”


    “I was explaining it to you, but you– nevermind. We’re going to take up hunting missions.”


    Pendgy raised an eyebrow.


    “What, taking down stray pigs and wolves? You jest.”


    “No, not animals. We’ll be hunting Familiars. Accursed, specifically.”


    Perking at the familiar term, Pendgy began running scenarios in his head.


    “Are they really so prevalent?”


    “You’d be surprised. Prevalent enough that I can make a living. It’s the one thing I’m good at.”


    “Eh?”


    As Vin scouted the surroundings, Pendgy struggled to put two and two together.


    “I work in teams. I’m good at pinning them down, but I’ve never dealt the killing blows.”


    “Ah, of course. That was obvious.”


    “I’m real lucky; since you’re not a person, I won’t need to split the profits.”


    Finishing his explanation, Vin continued to scour the environment. Pendgy lost track of time long before the man found his target, and he was sure to let him know when he did.


    “There we are!”


    However, Pendgy had to admit his expectations were lamentably high. Vin didn’t locate a building, or a sophisticated station that advertised its services. No, Vin’s smile and merry attitude based themselves on a derelict job board. Even then, the man looked more happy once seeing its state.


    “Neat, they’re usually way worse.”


    “Goodness, what kind of raffish job do you work?”


    “I think your standards are too demanding.”


    “How rich.”


    Rolling his eyes, Vin ignored the penguin’s pestering and scanned the board for any work. It was filled to the brim with assignments, far more than he expected. He wondered if he wound up in the wrong place but the header spelled “ACURSED HUNTER” as clearly as it could. It must’ve just been an unfortunate town.


    “Though it’s missing one ‘c’... Alright, let’s take this one.”


    He tore a page off with a high number. The contract was splotched with needless formalities, with the only important details at the bottom: the target, the pay, the location, and the address of the receiver.


    The job itself was posted by the city– odd, Vin thought, as citizens were more than happy to pay for such services. But he didn’t question it past that. There must''ve either been a shortage of hunters, or a surplus of Accursed.


    Either way, the job was taken. A stray footnote instructed to visit the town hall before departing, and since Vin had no interest in getting cheated, he made sure to march over there with as stern a face he could muster.


    “You seem enthusiastic,” Pendgy exclaimed, breaking Vin’s focus, “I''ve never seen you so eager to earn a dollar.”


    “You''ve only seen me try doing so once. Besides, I know this profession in and out. I can tell when people try to pull fast ones on me.”


    “Hmph. And here I thought this was merely for training. You are an ignoble hypocrite.”


    “Hey! A hypocrite? What am I backpedaling on?”


    “...Fair. Though your attitude infuriates me.”


    Vin looked up at him, tapping his head with a finger, "Money''s the blood of the human world.”


    The rest of the trip happened in silence. Upon his arrival, Vin noticed the destitute state of the building. Not so much due to a lack of care, but due to the very framework and outline of the structure. He had difficulty even putting his foot in, afraid of being caught up in its inevitable collapse.


    But alas, it had to be done. Once he entered he went to the nearest available counter, slamming the contract on the table.


    “Hi. It said to consult the town hall. Here I am.”


    The lady, busy with paperwork, looked up from her duties with a surprised expression. She took a moment to gather herself, fixing her glasses.


    Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.


    “Y-You''re here for a hunter job?”


    “Sure am. Can I go do it?”


    “Oh, well… sorry, I just don''t recognize you. Are you new?”


    “Yeah, I got on this island very recently.”


    “Is that your Familiar, up on your head?”


    Vin looked up to a cross-armed Pendgy, who somehow didn''t hit himself on the doorframe whilst entering.


    “Forget about that. Am I good for the job?”


    “Well, uhm… since you''re new, you must not be with the law. Do you have a license?”


    “–? A license? Oh, God damn it.”


    It was just his luck that this town would require that.


    “And I guess hunting Accursed without one is illegal?”


    “I… yes, it is against city law here.”


    “Well, that''s unfortunate. I don''t have a license, and even if I did, it wouldn''t be one you''d accept.”


    Still, despite these concessions, Vin didn''t turn to exit. The man’s lips curved up, subtly so that the woman didn''t notice.


    “I can direct you to another office, you could get a–”


    “I don''t have time for that, and I bet your small town doesn''t either.”


    She slightly cocked her head, looking at the man with hesitation.


    “I''ll strike a deal with you, or whoever your boss is. There are dozens of untaken jobs on the board out there; I know your city is short-staffed, desperate. You need hands that can handle the havoc.”


    No interruption. Vin continued.


    “I’ll take the job at 80, even 70 percent, as long as I get immunity. I don''t need all the money, but I still want a cut. It''d only be fair. I''ll do the rest of the proceedings as listed. Deal?”


    “...”


    The woman pinched her temples and gave Vin a frustrated look. She gazed at him with contesting eyes, putting him through a trial of sincerity. Eventually, she sighed.


    “I''ll talk to the mayor about it. Please wait here.”


    The lady left her desk to enter another room, and Vin stood with his back perched against the wall, desiring retribution with his smug whistles.


    “The architecture of this place is fascinating,” Pendgy started, “my head pushed through a handle by your mere movement.”


    “...”


    “It isn''t the only building of its kind. Many others are shoddily made. Why is that, I wonder?”


    “Who knows, they could be incompetent.”


    “And yet they choose to create rather than refine their skills? I don’t like these humans.”


    “You don’t like any humans.”


    “Ha! Indeed.”


    The lady knocked on the glass to get Vin’s attention. He turned and saw a man beside her, taking glances with lowered lenses.


    “You’re not bullshitting us, are you?”


    Vin raised his hands and tilted his head.


    “I''ve got nothing to hide. I mean it. My offers on the table.”


    “...Seventy-percent.”


    “Works for me.”


    The man pinched his nose, clearly laboring the thought.


    “Fine. Here, take this map. It lists all sectors the posting names.”


    Vin grabbed the offered map and gandered it before tucking it away.


    “The day’s still new. I''ll get it done before the evening.”


    Though he cast a doubtful look, the manager was relieved by Vin’s assurance. He left the building and opened the map, taking his feet to his destination.


    –


    –


    –


    Mystique and magnetism, imbibed by the woods. Whatever land or location, the forest is where all Accursed and their hunters met; out to the races, inching every sliver of blood they could draw from their pray. Did Accursed ever eat their failed killers, like hunters did to theirs? Vin had yet to see a hunter’s corpse. Of course, he’d never make one of himself.


    “There''s great pressure beneath your skin. Don''t tell me you''re feeling frightened?”


    Vin found a kind of sanctity in the hunt. A special relationship between Accursed and their hunters, where the former would let them go by their peace until the strike of the fatal bell. But Pendgy''s manners didn''t fit into this mold. He waddled too proudly, too loudly, demanding the very sun direct all its beams unto his ‘divine’ form.


    There were many things Vin could tolerate, but this penguin constantly tested his limits.


    “Why are you so snoopy? Are you upset I put you down from my head?”


    “Hardly. I''m merely tired of your sluggish approach.”


    Vin moved from his barked cover, scouting the woods before continuing.


    “Look at yourself. Absurd. Too prim, too excessive, too unwarranted. You remind me of a child playing with their siblings.”


    “If that was the case, then I''d be bleeding on the ground. This isn''t a game, though. Our lives are at stake here, and we have much to gain for doing good.”


    “Our lives aren''t at stake. You wouldn''t be in such a profession if you didn''t have a high rate of success.”


    “The complacent can never conquer.”


    That comment bulged a vein in Pendgy’s head, but the penguin found it senseless to argue. To his chagrin, he let Vin scamper to the woods like a tiger in pursuit. The man took so long that Pendgy’s waddling was enough to catch up.


    “Do you see anything?”


    “You? Asking me? Aren''t you an expert scout?”


    “Shut up. Do you see anything?”


    Rolling his eyes,


    “No, I''ve yet to spot a beast. These woods are too thin for me to miss one, so do not doubt my capabilities for a moment.”


    “I wasn''t doubting you, Jesus. What about the map?”


    “Hmm? Oh yes.”


    Its complete lack of weight made Pendgy forget he was even carrying it. He took the map by his side and opened it up, squinting his eyes.


    “I cannot read this.”


    “Huh? But you said you could.”


    “...A mere miscalculation. Rather, it''s the Russian dialect that I''m familiar with.”


    Vin clicked his tongue with a chuckling exhale.


    “You would know Russian, snow lover. Here, give it.”


    Vin snatched it from Pendgy''s flippers. He took a quick glance and pointed at their course. Though still overly cautious, Vin caught on that the complete silence meant nothing could be nearby. The target was explicitly described as gargantuan, after all, so unless it was a relative standard, he''d find it before it would find him.


    Pendgy didn''t see it that way, though.


    “At last, you''ve come to your senses. You need only to put more spunk in your posture.”


    *You truly only march to your drum, don''t you?”


    “I''m not sure what you mean. Is that really so wrong?”


    Vin didn''t need to even put a finger on his chin to answer.


    “Of course. You have no sense of propriety; it''s either your way or no way, or if it''s not your way, you''ll torture the other party to get it damn near close.”


    “Hah! And you think thats a criticism? Fool, my way is always the right way.”


    There was no verbal response from Vin, just a deep grimace and a focused face.


    “I’d kill all people who think like you, if I could.”


    “I''d like to see you try killing me. That would make for an exciting evening.”


    “Nonsense. I’m not a caveman.”


    The two traversed in silence momentarily.


    “I''ll give you one thing, though: nobody killed a Soul Emperor by being sneaky. Just don''t you dare make a ruckus.”


    Vin could feel the beam of Pendgy’s smirk behind him. He didn''t turn to look. But Vin had a perfect, rational retaliation. As he was lagging behind, he picked Pendgy up and held him by his side.


    And so they went for the next hour, occasionally stopping for rest or checks, creeping closer to their destination. Vin kept his ears perked, but still, failed to hear any rustling or movement. Pendgy''s snoring was an undeniable hurdle, but he had quickly grown accustomed. They moved and moved and moved, and at some point, Vin found it difficult to keep his senses sharp.


    Until–


    “--Did you hear that?”


    “--Huah? For what reason do you wake me?”


    Shaking the penguin like a rattle, Vin borrowed his ears for confirmation. He cupped one of his own, listening with bated breath. When a dozen seconds passed with silence, he sighed in disappointment, giving Pendgy a glare of matching animosity.


    “You have such little consideration for slumbering giants.”


    “I’m surprised you managed to stay asleep so long. Forgive me, though, and carry on with your–”


    **CRASH**


    That time, even with their drowsy selves, the noise was heard loud and clear. Vin immediately took cover behind a tree, spectating from the sides to pinpoint the noise’s origin. His immediate scan had no results, so he swiftly moved between cover, recycling the motions until he stumbled on a result.


    He heard distant rustling, faint in volume but grand in its vibrations. Its intensity grew until it suddenly started slowing down. By then, Vin identified the cause of the booming.


    “We found our target, Pendgy. Ready to pull your weight?”


    “I’ve been doing so for my entire time with you. Don’t make light of me.”


    Happy with his response, Vin turned the corner and scanned the environs. Not too distant, what was roughly thirty meters away, was what looked to be an overgrown coyote, limping to a stop to lay and pant. Its backside faced the duo, diagonal– a blatant blindspot to exploit. Vin took out his knife, spinning it into an unsheathed blade, and prowled toward his target. The coyote’s rumbling panting grew louder, the air around it so steamz it made Vin sweat from his pores. The beast’s body discharged overwhelming heat; clearly, it had just ran a marathon. And from his furtive position, Vin was compelled to ask:


    Just why was it in that state in the first place?


    **THUD**


    Soon, Vin found his answer. From a literal blindside, a staggering stone soared toward his target, making a fragging impact that sent the beast rolling. Vin had to take cover from the debris, narrowly avoiding a chipped arm from a swift duck.


    “Goodness! What was that!?”


    Pendgy voiced his disbelief before Vin could catch his bearings. The man quickly got to his feet with his arms in a fighting pose, eyeing the catastrophe that had just unfolded. The Coyote was badly injured– one of its legs were clearly broken –but still, the beast had strength to snarl and snap. It ran toward a target Vin couldn’t see, though another mysterious object quickly impeded its barrage.


    Or rather, an animal.


    A gigantic beetle emerged from the trees, and though it was half its size, it tustled with the coyote like its opponent was a puppy. The beast was quickly flipped onto its back, but the beetle didn’t continue fighting despite its advantage. Rather, a new beast, a wolf around the size of a car, swapped places, ripping at the coyote’s neck until the grass was stained red. Meanwhile, the beetle kept it pinned, and the duo continued their cooperation until the coyote stopped twitching. The whole ordeal lasted two minutes.


    “...”


    “...”


    Pendgy and Vin exchanged looks, the former looking disappointed, while the latter was shocked. However, as the situation wrapped itself around Vin’s head, he quickly realized what had transpired. And having done that, his shock morphed into a bulging vein.


    “Those are Familiars. Someone just took our game.”


    Indeed, not long after the kill was confirmed, a quartet of jacketed men emerged from the woods, admiring their success. Vin began to strut toward them, and his scrunching footsteps caught the attention of their tallest. The man’s jacket was smaller than the rest, but his curly hair, lavish shirt and baggy jeans indicated a differentiator from the crowd. If he didn’t look so shaggy, Vin would’ve had no trouble calling him the leader.


    Though, of course, since hunters weren’t known for their fashion, he would be spot-on to make that call. The giant wolf, wearing streams of cloth that rolled in the air, hopped beside the man. He wore a concerned look, though Vin couldn’t pinpoint the reason why. He approached Vin with a casual gait, speaking as he moved.


    “Hey! What are you doing here? I thought these woods were restricted, haha!”


    His demeanor disgusted Vin. It was rehearsed, propped up for unexpected audiences. He dealt with many hunters like that, and he even thought of training himself before. Finding bystanders during such dangerous battles necessitated a disarming attitude.


    However, that kind of front only served to put Vin more on edge, and once the jacketed man realized that, he changed his mannerism immediately.


    “Say, that penguin beside you– you’re a hunter too, aren’t you?”


    “This one is sharp. Your colleague, human?”


    “Gah? And he can talk!?”


    Vin lightly kicked Pendgy in the shin, and though it infuriated him, it sent a clear signal to shut up. Vin took a few steps forward, walking ahead of the man and toward the corpse, Pendgy in tow. The jacketed man followed too, but with a hesitant strut, unsure of Vin’s intentions. Once the man made it a few feet behind Vin, he began to speak.


    “That was quick work,” he said, hiding his face, “you took him down the minute I saw him.”


    “Why, thank you. It''s difficult work, what we hunters do, so having a team helps ease the load.”


    “Tell me about it. My name is Vin. Yours?”


    Vin swerved his torso to face the man, extending his left arm for a shake. He took it after a moment of contemplation.


    “Rocky. Nice to meet you.”


    Though Rocky took the hand with a gleaming smile, Vin felt the young sweat on his palm. His shake was solid, but too jittery to call firm. It was a short exchange yet enough had happened for Vin to draw good conclusions. He turned back to the body of the coyote and sighed.


    “I guess you''ll be hauling this back to the town.”


    “Correct. Peter’s beetle makes cargo a walk in the park, so we should have it back by an hour. Impressive, isn''t it?”


    “Impressive indeed. Well, if you have it under control, then I''ll take my leave.”


    Vin turned around, hands firmly embedded into his coats pockets. Right as he moved past Rocky, he gave him another glance.


    “Do you guys meet up anywhere regularly? I was just wondering, in case either of us need back up.”


    There was a shift in his eyes when Vin made that suggestion.


    “Don''t worry, we’re perfectly capable of handling things by ourselves.”


    Vin made a performative frown.


    “Won''t tell me even if it''s just to chat?”


    Rocky sighed and rubbed his hair, tussling with an idea before ultimately complying.


    “Well, if you need to know, there''s a bar in the town we like to go to. It''s usually empty, and we don''t really have a schedule, so-”


    “Don''t worry,” he spoke with a light chuckle, “I''ll find a way. That''s just what we hunters do, isn''t it?”


    “...Sure.”


    Vin walked away while waving, and Pendgy, who was kicking his nose up, soon waddled as well. Rocky glared at the departing Vin for a moment before calmly returning to the task at hand. The four jacketed men combined their efforts to lift the coyote– a feat so great, Vin could hear it from his distance.


    But he paid little attention to the business of the hunters. He dug deeper into his coat pocket and pulled out a paper; his contract.


    –


    –


    –


    Vin kept a firm gaze on that paper for what felt like the entire walk back. By then, he had already entertained his suspicion, promoting it to a mast of doubt by which to think. Vin had grown so engrossed, that he forgot about his partner, who he noted as being unusually nondisruptive. He turned to the penguin and immediately had a light heart attack. It wasn''t so much because of Pendgy''s state, but because he was only a few meters behind.


    After noticing the result of what could only be atypical speed– or maybe the kind of belly sliding penguins always did in those photographs –he saw the penguin to be deep in thought. Vin found it only right to be his cutter.


    “You look stressed from all your thinking. What''s on your mind?”


    “Oh, me? No, I''m not thinking. Or rather, every attempt thus far to place a thought on the podium, ended in dissatisfaction in their brevity. I''m not thinking so much as I am pondering.”


    “...”


    “I''m sure you noticed it as well. Despite your face, you aren''t an oaf.”


    “Do you mean the four guys?”


    “No, I speak of that overgrown coyote.”


    The mention of the Accursed grabbed Vin''s attention. He didn''t notice anything strange with it, but Pendgy was, admittedly, possessing a hawkish eye.


    “I’ve never seen a beast of its size. It hadn''t intimidated me, but my surprise was unsuppressed. Why was a beast of such great proportions here?”


    “–? Really? The size wasn''t that surprising. I''ve seen several Accursed bigger than that.”


    “No, you fool, you fail to see my point. Those woods couldn''t have possibly supported such a beast. None of the wild life I''ve seen, predator or prey, could satiate it.”


    Vin flicked his finger against his chin, mulling over Pendgy''s words.


    “You make a point. Hardly any Accursed find themselves contracting with people, and that one definitely didn’t. It was completely wild, like you.”


    “But unlike me, a couple stray fish couldn''t possibly satisfy it. Unless it was a bizarre aberration that fed on something like trees. But it didn''t have the teeth for that.”


    “So you think it''s invasive? Not impossible, the phenomenon isn’t unrecorded.”


    “Perhaps, or maybe its Ascension was spontaneous. Either way, it''s awfully lucky that it was exterminated quickly. It might''ve died a dog''s death otherwise.”


    “I never would''ve expected that from you,” said Vin, which prompted a rancorous glare from the penguin, “but since you''ve mentioned luck… I do agree that it''s quite a convenient situation. A little too convenient.”


    “I see. Well, tell me, what''s your hunch?”


    “I''ll tell you soon. First, we have a place to visit.”


    –


    –


    –


    Knock knock knock, returned the door, as Vin banged his knuckles against its wooden body. What am I doing, he thought, for this wasn''t a private room.


    Vin opened the entrance to the building, finding it empty and unmanned, save a single woman behind a counter whose head was glued to it. She clearly wasn''t conscious, and truthfully, Vin had no interest in waking her. No thanks to his abject disappointment at seeing the empty contents of the room. Nevertheless, he took a seat and rested his cheek on his fist. Pendgy stood on the cushion across from him.


    “Well, we''re here now. Spit it. And what''s with that glum look on your face?”


    Vin tapped his fingers on the table, annoyed at Pendgy''s justified pestering. He let out a sigh, taking one last look around the area before speaking.


    “I was hoping we''d catch those thugs here, see if they were up to anything. I doubt it, though. That woman wouldn''t just be sleeping if that was the case.”


    Vin switched the fist his cheek rested.


    “I guess they just like this place.”


    “You are blabbering aplenty, but spitting nothing but drivel.”


    “C''mon, you always have a good read on people. I''m suspicious of those guys we ran into. I think it might be subterfuge.”


    Pendgy made circles with his fin to urge Vin to continue. He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out the conclusive evidence; it was the sheet he took from the board that morning.


    “I double checked the board before we got here, and unless those hooligans have wheels for legs, there''s no way they could''ve gotten there before us. This was the only listing on that board. Nothing else even mentioned a Coyote.”


    “I see your destination. The groundwork for a conspiracy is indeed present.”


    “They have some kind of insider knowledge. Something backing them in their hunts. At best, a tipper, at worst, a supplier. Either way, it''s pissing me off.”


    Pendgy began to cackle.


    “Hah! I never expected envy to suit you!”


    “--!? Piss off! I''m not jealous, I''m indignant. Not just for myself, but the plight on the profession these bastards are.”


    “Oh, really? What makes you so sure of their guilt? What if it''s just a coincidence?”


    “...”


    To his surprise, Pendgy had mentioned a factor Vin failed to consider. The man looked blankly for a moment, and then another, struggling to make a response.


    “It''s just not likely. Too many things are fishy for–”


    “The only fishy thing is your possession of the contract, and their lack of it. But think for a moment, fool; that Coyote was gargantuan, big enough that it would catch the attention of any astute individual, let alone four.”


    “T-That’s… but it just doesn''t add up…”


    Pendgy slammed the table with his fins, forcing Vin''s attention as he stood atop it.


    “Enough of this. Even if you''re correct, I have no interest in going in your tow yet again while you have piddling infighting with your peers. We are not here for you to feel vindicated!”


    Pendgy pointed a flipper at Vin, shutting his curtailed reply.


    “We''re here to sharpen our skills, to improve our combat expertise, to take down a foe far greater than a handful of low-lifes! You love to preach about mutual exchange; how does a stubborn pursuit against alleged crooks fit that criteria?”


    “...”


    Vin made stutters and quiet gasps, but no concrete word came from his mouth. Eventually, he clicked his tongue and looked away.


    “Precisely. Now, let''s make haste! This joint’s downtrodden architecture is peeving me.”


    Pendgy hopped off of the table, leading the charge to the exit. Vin stuck his hands in his pocket and followed, refusing to lift his head to look at that bastard.


    The day had grown old, but hunting wasn''t out of the question. A chase at night could''ve been exactly what Vin needed; those thugs wouldn''t shave precious sleep for their scheme now, would they?


    Though, considering the entirety of today''s happening, maybe shaving sleep wasn''t in anyone''s best interest.


    –


    –


    –


    In the corridors where synapses pulsed, a twirling haze paraded on the premises. It had intruded long ago, to the point where its sole resident couldn''t remember a day without it. Only her immediate surroundings in sight, she ventured through it whilst clutching her shoulders, shielding her chest from forces unseen.


    But one day, behind the wanderer of the fog, a hapless daisy bloomed in the hall. Its scent was extraordinary, oppressive, adamant, so fierce in its prying that the fumes caressed the hairs in her nostrils. She didn''t see what encircled it, or even the stem of that pungent flower; its white petals glowed to pierce the mist.


    Where had that flower sprung, on what soil did it grow, to where it could resist this noxious embrace? She moved toward it, to pluck it, to see if she could borrow some of that radiance. Keep it within her clutch, within reach of her body, to where she could see it and let it keep her safe.


    Right as she extended her hand, deep into the purple haze to bridge the gap, right as its soft lighted touched her shriveling fingers–


    “–Monae! Up, up!”


    “...Wuah?”


    She was shaken out from the premises, the culprit a man whose face she''d grown too complacent seeing. After a rub of her eyes and a yawn with a stretch, the state of affairs had reentered her mind.


    “Oh, hey Mike. Is it already time?”


    “Huh? Yeah, but that doesn''t matter– you were sleeping on the job!”


    “I… uhm…”


    She had retort. She nervously chuckled while scratching her chin.


    “You’re lucky nobody came in. Only expected that Tuesdays would be so empty. Well, who cares, here.”


    Mike handed her a slip of paper. Its contents were entirely within her expectations; a target in the woods, though this time, it was of a more formidable size.


    “Aww, you''re making me kill this?”


    The illustration was that of a squirrel. She knew it was just a drawing, but the artist made it too convincing.


    “You know it''s not me getting these for you.”


    Monae’s elated face deflated at his comment.


    “Yeah. I know.”


    “The good news is that it isn''t too late, and the target isn''t too strong, just fast. You''ll have plenty of time for bed.”


    “I''ll get it done quick then. Bye-bye.”


    She squished the paper and stuffed it in her pocket, taking off her apron. She didn''t have a particular set of clothes for this, but her loaned shirt and pants were sturdy, so they''d survive the bout.


    She didn''t want to look pretty doing this anyway.