Demon Hunters

Consequences IV

"You a demon hunter, miss?" the bartender asked.

He was a bearded giant with heavily tattooed arms, and the size of his muscles suggested that this was the man to stop any fights before they threatened to damage the establishment – with violence if necessary. Though she was certain she was faster, Lucretia was getting tired. She wasn't all too certain that she would be able to handle this man, let alone the rest of the drunkards. Discreetly, she peeked backward. She wasn't that far from the door and could possibly escape without issue. Then again, her target was just there, mere steps away from her. Lucretia steeled herself – she wasn't about to let this man go after what he had done.

"Sure am," she responded, careful not to let her voice tremble. "And despite how I look, I assure you, my sword will hurt all the same!"

The bartender huffed and looked at the wounded man, whose face was distorted by pain.

"And what about you, then? You a cultist?"

"What does it matter? Listen, I have money on me," he panted.

He slapped his pocket with his free hand and a metallic jingle could be heard.

"Well, I suppose that does it," the bartender declared, hopping over the table.

As the giant's feet landed with a distinctly loud thump, Lucretia prepared herself. She couldn't help the slight tremor that had taken over her hands. She was so close – was she really going to die in such a stupid way? However, much to her surprise, the bartender grabbed the wounded cultist by the neck and smashed him on the ground face first.

"What the hell?!" the cultist sputtered, spitting out blood and teeth.

"Well, you see, my daughter was kidnapped a week ago. One day, she simply didn't come home – and as it turned out, a local cult had taken her and intended to use her as a sacrifice for their depraved rites. Yet no one knew where they were hiding."

Wait, does this mean...? Lucretia thought, surprised by the sudden turn of events.

"I'm sure you can imagine how overjoyed I was when she suddenly turned up, wrapped in filthy rags. Apparently, a raid had taken place. She remarked that one of her saviours was a young, female demon hunter."

"Look, I'm not from this city, so I don't know anything about..." Lucretia's opponent stammered, starting to panic.

"Perhaps... Or perhaps not. Still, just the fact alone that you're a demon-worshipper is enough for me. I've been itching for a way to pay back the suffering my daughter had to endure."

He turned to look at Lucretia with a surprisingly soft expression.

"Thank you. Really, just... thank you."

Lucretia could feel her cheeks redden as she sheathed her sword.

"No need to thank me. It is our job, after all."

"Well, humbleness is a virtue, I seem to recall."

The bartender glanced at the man he had pinned, and his expression sharpened.

"However, I will insist on keeping the man here. Both myself and a few other customers have had 'experiences' with the cult, so to speak – they tend to focus their kidnapping efforts on those who live in the poor part of the city. And this man will pay for what they have done."

"Listen, like I said, I'm not from around here! I have nothing to do with the kidnappings!"

The bartender twisted the man's arm, eliciting a cry of pain.