Demon Hunters

The Forsaken Village I

"Hey, you know, that waitress..."

"The one who looks to be old enough to be your mother?"

"No, no. The younger brunette. You know, that stacked one," Marco said, cupping his hands against his chest.

The older demon hunter sitting across the table sighed.

"What about her?"

"I think I'll sleep by her side tonight," Marco said, smirking.

"I do not think that will happen."

"Oh, ye of little faith."

Marco turned his attention back toward his mug and finished it in one big gulp. He wiped off the foam and surveyed the room. The inn they were dining at was quite shabby compared to what he had grown used to, yet he almost preferred it to the ones he had frequented while working in various larger cities. After all, wasn't this exactly the change of scenery he had pined for? The demon hunter sitting on the other side of the table finished his meal and pulled his bandana back to cover up his face, staring at Marco with an evaluating gaze.

"I don't think you really understand what the world is like outside city walls. Look around you. You are not welcome here."

Marco shrugged his shoulders dismissively. There was truth to the words. Almost every patron of the establishment was glaring daggers at the duo. However, this didn't discourage Marco. In fact, he cockily kicked up his legs and rested them on the oaken table.

"Hey! Barkeep! Next round is on me!" he yelled.

The barkeeper didn't react to his words, and unlike he had hoped, his words did not improve the mood. In fact, he could've sworn that the looks of the locals got even more hostile. Marco felt his cheeks redden.

"What you're doing is not wise. I suggest that you pay up and leave as soon as possible," the other demon hunter remarked, counting the coins he was laying on the table. "Besides, need I remind you that lust is a sin and a grave one at that?"

Marco groaned and crossed his arms.

"Look, we got paid pretty well for our last job, so why not share the wealth? Besides, us demon hunters could stand to improve our public perception. And as for the 'sin' business: how many priests do you think I've seen engaging in, let's just say, risqué behaviour?"

"It is not that simple."

"Florian, you only think like that because you are stuck in the old ways. If you didn't act and look like a demon hunter you would have an easier time of it," Marco retorted.

Indeed, the man looked just like a stereotypical demon hunter, donning a long coat and a hood. In addition, most of his face was hidden by a bandana – though this was due to the fact that his face had been horribly scarred during his initiation ritual, which is why the man avoided showing his face to anyone except other demon hunters. Marco, meanwhile, had no such scarring. By most standards, he would've been considered handsome – a fact he didn't shy away from flaunting. His sturdy build, blonde hair, and piercing blue eyes made for a sight that helped people overcome their fear of demon hunters.

"I'm not talking about your face, you know, just the rest of your attire," Marco quickly added, for fear of offending the older demon hunter.

To his relief, however, Florian only sighed.

"I understand what you mean. Still, you must understand that things are different in the city. There, we are mere curiosities or even fascinating mysterious figures. However, out here we are a bad omen – the appearance of a demon hunter in a village rarely ends well for anyone."