Superstitions (Rewrite)

Chapter 4: The hunter

The Ghost Zone served its purpose of being a parallel world to the full extent. And to the unknowing people it was too unusual, maybe even terrific. What else could be said about the world which didn't have a sun whatsoever? More than that, it lacked the horizon line, because there wasn't any solid ground. Well, there was, but only in the form of chunks of land hanging in the air. Some were inhabited rocks, some were lush green valleys, they could be a raging infernal place or ice desert. But, unless you could fly like every denizen of that world, there was no way you could get from one chunk to another.

One island in particular was filled with jungles. And like the same kind of forests in Human World, they housed a lot of peculiar creatures, with interesting horns or pelts - true treasures for a person who knew their value. And the man getting through the wide leaves of tropical plants was just that kind of person.

He was wearing an armor, made from a thick metal. However, it didn't look like an armor, more like a shiny clothing on a buffed body, furthermore, combined plates were placed together, like if his very skin was made of steel. Also, there was a black sleeveless tunic on his chest. A belt with a letter 'S' in its center was holding his pants. Another belt was connected to the first one, while being wrapped around his shoulder. His 'armor's' head looked a bit like a skull, with two pupiless green eyes in eyesockets. His hair were green, and they looked like someone had set a campfire on the back of his head.

The man observed the wild animal from his spot in the bushes. The creature looked a bit like a tiger, but its fur was a constant swirl of black and green, which was precisely why the hunter wanted to get it. He couldn't just charge a blast, he needed something less noticeable. For example, a crossbow. It was loud when used, but before that it won't show his position. A small device came from beneath the metal plating. One shot should be enough, but he didn't want to damage the pelt. Since he already had the same animal's head, the man decided not to be exactly caring. He aimed and fired.

With a characteristic clanking sound the crossbow bolt flew into the creature, pierced its eye, killing it efficiently. The man smirked and came out of the bushes. He took out a hunting knife and prepared to get his trophy. The man kneeled, but before he could do anything, he heard a horse whine behind. The man raised his eyebrow and looked behind. He flinched slightly at the sight.

There was a knight in a heavy pitch black armor. He was riding a black steed, with a flaming green mane, which wore an armor made of dark metal and had blood red eyes. The knight's face was hidden under the helmet, but not because it was closed. His face was covered in shadows, with only two glowing green dots being seen through. The knight also wore something akin to a purple flaming cape and held a green wicked looking sword.

"Skulker the Hunter," he said in a loud booming voice.

"Fright Knight," Skulker said with a note of fear in his voice. "Wh-why are you here?"

"The King demands that you do an errand for him. According to your speciality, of course."

"Uhm...what?"

Fright Knight jumped off his infernal steed and approached the hunter.

"I'm not allowed to tell too much. Your task is simple, you get a permission to enter the Human World, in order to hunt down the person who dared to insult His Majesty."

"I hunt down animals, I'm not a 'Bounty' hunter."

"Are you defying the King's will?"

Skulker visibly flinched at that words. "No, I am not. Just warning that this is not my speciality. It's an interesting experience, however."

"You will be paid accordingly if you succeed. The main condition is to capture him alive, or in whatever condition he is now. Wounds are of no concern."