Word count: 1214
Time: Approx. 10 mins

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[listener is running from a monster; trips and falls]

Keep your head down.

[speaker shoots an arrow and slays the monster]

You were lucky I was in the area. I thought the people around here knew better than to go wandering around the woods at night?

I suppose it’s nearly sunrise… not the best time to be wandering around, though.

So? What were your plans?

Were you trying to get wood for the morning? Or did you run out of food?

I’ve got some stuff here, so, if you need anything, you can take it.

***

…You don’t need any of it?

Then why were you risking your life against a Neverwolf? Those things are some of the most vicious beasts in the land.

I already told everyone they shouldn’t build a settlement here… but yet they went against my word, and only then did they realise they shouldn’t venture into the woods alone.

You know I’m the one who’s suppose to provide for you guys, right?

What, did you think it was your time to be a hero?

If that’s the case… I suggest you grow up. You clearly don’t have the skills for this line of work.

Come on. Get yourself back on your feet, and I’ll get you back to your family. There’s still a decent chunk of the woods to go before we’re back at your village, so stick close to me, okay?

***

What do you mean, you don’t live in the village? Where are you from?

If you’re not from around here… the only people dumb enough to live nearby are the villagers.

Everyone else has the common sense not to live near a Neverwolf settlement.

Are you actually a hero from the city? …A very poor one at that, but… though I suppose that’s not a surprise given the kind of lackluster talent the Akademiya raises.

If that’s so, I’ll still have to take you back to the village. There’s plenty of coach people around here.

Honestly, I think they took up the profession just so they could get away from here…

Mind you, there’s already people moving out, so… not long until everyone is gone. You won’t have to worry about coming out and defending these people.

***

Me?

[speaker chuckles]

Unlike these guys and your little buddies at the Akademiya, I’m more than trained for this kind of life. So just leave it to the pros, okay?

***

You’re not from the Akademiya either? Then where are you from?

…Are you some run-away? …Your family treat you bad?

I know some people you can stay with for a while if that’s the case.

Not that either?

***

You don’t know how you got here in the first place?

Huh… so you’re not from the capitol Elysia, and you’re not from the village Moongrove… where are you from then?

***

I… can’t say I’ve ever heard of that place…

I’d ask if it was a village, but… given that you managed to get into the words it would have to be a place nearby, and again, I’ve never heard of it… have you ever heard of Moongrove?

No?

…You’re definitely not from around here.

Are you closer to Elysia, then?

***

You’ve never heard of Elysia!?

Okay, this is starting to sound fishy – explain yourself.

***

Elysia is the capitol of our world. Even if you’re from a different country, you know the word ‘Elysia’.

…Least it bring you joy, or send a shiver down your spine…

***

Hmm. You really don’t know? …And you’re not lying either.

This is… exceedingly odd. Can you tell me more-

[speaker gasps]

Get down!

[speaker fires off an arrow, clicking their tongue]

Beasts all around… we’re screwed.

Look, we’re going to have to make a break for it, okay?

On the count of three, you run after me. One… two…

[speaker fires off an arrow]

THREE!

[speaker and listener run away from the pack of Neverwolves; speaker lets out a sigh of relief]

Alright… that should be far enough…

***

Hmm?

How could I tell they were there?

***

Well, I am a Hunter… I would be doing a disservice to my trade if I couldn’t tell there was a Neverwolf nearby.

…You… do know what a Hunter is, correct?

You don’t?

Wow, you really are out of the loop.

…At best…

Well, to fill you in, a ‘Hunter’ is someone who hunts. But specifically, we hunt ‘unnatural beasts’.

Those who have been infected by ‘Never’… the corpses of wolves, of bears, of foxes… of animals of all ferocities… those who have been corrupted once they enter the realm of death and become reanimated… ones who cannot be hunted by normal people…

It is my job as a Hunter to make sure that they don’t cause harm to anyone.

And you… even if you are not from this world, this means I have to protect you, too. As much as I have my reservations about protecting someone I can’t be certain about.

Well that’s the only explanation, isn’t it?

Unless you somehow survived under a rock all these years, there’s no way you would not know about Elysia.

Even the most strict of households would have had to have let Elysia slip.

And so, the only natural conclusion is that you are not from this world. Am I wrong?

***

Well for one, look at how I’m dressed, and look at how you’re dressed if you need any further proof.

Is my clothing style similar to yours? No it isn’t, is it?

And your speech patterns are different as well. I can tell you’re speaking my language, but… it’s a different way of speaking entirely.

I suppose whatever god must have placed you here decided to give you a translator. But one that’s… a bit too well done. Or not well done enough.

Either way, it’s noticeable to a Hunter such as myself that you aren’t speaking the way you should. Or at least the way someone from this world should.

***

You really wish to doubt me? Even after I saved your life?

Hmph… well if that’s the case, you can have all the fun you want fending for yourself. I won’t lend you a hand anymore.

***

…I didn’t expect you to grab on to my clothes like that.

That desperate for protection? …It’s a little cute.

Come on. I’m not the kind of heartless person that would abandon someone in need – I wouldn’t be in this kind of work if I was.

I’ll take you to the village. You do still need a place to stay. And my camp is right by the Neverwolf settlement… I doubt you want to be staying there, hmm?

That’s what I thought.

Don’t worry – I trust these people with my life. So you’ll be safe.

Just go with them for now, and get a good night’s… well, a good ‘day’s rest.

And then I’ll come by tomorrow in the afternoon… or, today in the afternoon? Haah… I will visit you later is what I’m trying to say.

Then we can try and figure out how to get you back to your own world, how does that sound?

***

Come on little prey, we have a few more miles to walk.