A Witch That Is Good at Hunting

Chapter 8: They Saw the Devil (3)

“M-Master!”

Vigo had shoved Nike into the mansion without asking the boy’s opinion.

Even if Nike was still under suspicion, leaving him alone like that was inhumane in Rowen’s eyes.

Her suspicion that Nike might be a witch was one thing, but she wrestled with whether this violated the rules of the Order or the principles of human decency.

“What is it?”

“I-I still don't fully trust that brat…! But this is not right!”

Rowen still suspected Nike. If he could use magic, that meant he was a witch.

And witches were evil. That was unchanging law, without exception.

It was far more reasonable to assume he was an experiment or deception of witches than to believe he was some unprecedented male witch.

She was prepared to cut him down if necessary. If she sensed even a hint of betrayal, she had vowed not to hesitate.

But Vigo was colder than she was.

So cold that he had thrown a child straight into a deathtrap.

“What are you saying? Are you worried that he’ll die?”

“Of course!?”

“I think the opposite.”

“What?”

Vigo smiled wickedly with a cigarette between his lips.

“Instead of worrying, I look forward to seeing how much he will rampage. My head already aches thinking how much pay I will owe him.”

“Huh? What are you even saying… ow!”

Vigo suddenly flicked her forehead.

“And did you forget? We agreed to confirm whether he is an ally or enemy. If he is an ally, he will fight earnestly.”

“But we said we would watch his behavior during the fight, didn’t we!? To kill him immediately if he- ”

Vigo shook his head, lighting another cigarette.

“No.”

That was not enough.

“If we leave him in there, he will kill it and come back out.”

“…?”

“Whether he is an ally or enemy… honestly, I don't care.”

A brutal smile twisted across his scarred face.

“Even if he is an enemy, I will put a collar on him and use him as a hunting dog. That is my plan.”

“What do you- ”

Rowen was struck speechless.

It was a thought befitting the greatest hunter who had survived for decades. The kind of idea ordinary people could never imagine.

While she stood with a bitter face, Vigo jerked his chin.

“If you are so worried, then go in and help him.”

“Kgh…”

She hesitated. Vigo grabbed the doorknob, ready to open it for her.

Shing. Rowen drew her sword stick and stepped forward.

Her eyes were resolute.

“Open it.”

If a hunter cast aside morality and justice, what separated them from witches?

Revealing Nike’s true nature was her duty. Executing him herself, if necessary, was her resolve.

Keeping an enemy at one’s side was a violation she could never tolerate.

Seeing her unwavering conviction, Vigo opened the door wide.

— Grrrrrrr!

Rot stench and a monstrous snarl rushed over Rowen’s face as the door swung open, her hair blown back by the foul wind.

There stood a headless white dog.

The pale beast was massive. It looked less like it had been decapitated than that its body was so tall its head scraped off against the ceiling.

“Hgh…!”

Rowen gasped at the overwhelming sight. She quickly changed her mind about helping.

“G-Good luck, Nike!”

“Ooh!”

Their eyes met, and Rowen forced a smile to cheer him on.

Nike raised his fist as if in thanks.

Thud.

This time Rowen shut the door herself.

“…Phew.”

Vigo chuckled beside her, so hard the ash nearly fell into his mouth.

Shame flooded her.

‘Insane. What have I done?’

She covered her face with both hands.

Never had she felt so humiliated like this. To shove a child inside and then shut the door like a coward.

All her vows just now had snuffed out like a candle before fear.

Three years of being a hunter, yet still witches and familiars were terrors too great to overcome.

At the sight of them, any human naturally thought first of fear and flight, not battle.

It was only this master of hers and that boy shouting “Ooh!” who were abnormal.

"Don't worry, Rowen. That bastard won’t die.”

“How do you know that…”

“Well…”

Vigo exhaled smoke.

“Just instinct.”

“Ugh, arghhh! Seriously! Am I an idiot!?”

What kind of adult says things like that!

Mortified, Rowen jumped to her feet. She kicked the door open again, clutching a potion to overcome her fear.

The old door creaked wide, foul air pouring out. But this time she did not grimace.

She froze instead, with her eyes wide.

“Wha…?”

The enormous terrifying familiar was gone, its body blown apart completely.

* * *

Grrrrr!

The white dog growled, signaling a fight was coming.

It was threatening. Any ordinary human would collapse and give up at the sight.

But to Nike, it was just a big puppy barking.

“Effort! Rich!”

Nike cleared his mind.

Well in truth, he had never been thinking at all.

He did not feel fear or anger at being thrown inside alone.

If he killed this dog, he would earn money. If he became rich, he could eat delicious meat and bread.

The meat and bread were tasty.

That was all he thought about.

— Grrrrr!

The white dog lowered itself, ready to lunge for his throat.

Nike crouched low as well, staring straight at it.

His stance was sloppy. There was no sign of any clever tactic against a monster.

The white dog judged him by instinct, and became certain it could kill him.

“Grrr! Woof! Bark bark!”

To the beast, the boy’s shouting was as empty as a toy dog yapping.

But then, Nike slowly began to change.

One eye turned red. His pupils stretched to slits, and for a moment the familiar faltered.

On top of that, his veins swelled along his limbs, muscles bulging unnaturally. It was hard to tell if he was still human or already a beast.

— Grrr!

Thud, thud!

The enraged white dog charged down the stairs.

Tatata! Nike also charged forward on all fours.

As the distance closed, Nike’s red eyes tracked the beast leaping at him.

From its severed neck lashed out strange tendrils, whipping toward him.

Snap!

Nike kicked off the floor and leapt into the air.

The tendrils whipped to coil around him.

Clack!

He seized one with his left hand, wrapping it around his arm, then wrenched it back before the beast could react.

His small body slingshotted forward, straight to the dog.

— Grr?

“Woof!”

In that instant, Nike’s red eye gleamed. His right hand was empty.

Splat-!

The white dog exploded midair.

Skilled techniques and traps were for human hunters who lacked overwhelming strength.

Swaaaash!

Nike landed first, and blood rained down on his head.

Innards and corpse chunks crashed like a storm behind him.

Amid the rain of blood, the ashen boy roared.

“Slaughter—!”

* * *

“Wh… Whaaaa?”

Rowen was speechless. Stunned.

Nike had killed the familiar.

When she opened the door, its body had been scattered to pieces.

It was a familiar of a witch who had survived a hundred years. Their strength was beyond words.

Normally, two full squads of hunters were required to bring one down safely.

But that monster… Nike had killed it with ease.

There was not even a struggle, nor a brawl. In the briefest instant, without a scratch, he had finished it.

It was hardly even a hunt. More like the one-sided slaughter he had shouted about.

Compared to her, who had run at first sight from fear, the contrast was too brutal.

‘I… I’m…’

Lost in turmoil, Rowen barely noticed Vigo snuffing his cigarette and stepping beside her.

“Hehe. We really found ourselves a jackpot.”

“Just what is that child…?”

Vigo wanted to ask that himself. He shrugged at her question.

“Whatever he is, he is far beyond expectations. Do you not agree, Rowen?”

“I… I am not sure…”

Worry overrode everything for her.

She still believed in the possibility of that monstrous kid being a witch. Or if not, then what else could he be?

He could turn on them at any moment. So why was her master so calm?

She couldn’t understand.

Neither the boy called Nike. Nor the sly master beside her.

‘I cannot let my guard down. At least I must stay cautious.’

Rowen swallowed and steeled herself. She would not be fooled and slain like her comrades of the past.

“Wow, Nike. That was truly impressive! You really are made to be a witch hunter!”

“Hunt. Pay!”

“Yes yes. And you never forget your wages.”

Admitting that he deserved a raised pay after that, Vigo turned to the white dog’s corpse.

‘No trace of magic. He just tore it apart with brute strength?’

No hunter had ever done such a thing. Nike had no weapon either.

‘He didn’t use magic…? Really? What is he?’

Vigo looked back. The boy only smiled cheerfully.

He seemed to feel nothing about what he had just killed. Most hunters would brag about such an achievement for life.

‘And most importantly, he shows no fear at all…’

He had not feared the monster. Instead, the monster had feared him.

A burning thrill coursed through Vigo.

This hunting dog called Nike pleased him more and more.

As Vigo was about to compliment him more, it happened.

Both Vigo and Nike lifted their heads at the same time, with both their eyes fixed on the same spot.

― !

The air trembled.

Hearts pounded, and breath quickened.

It was the warning that hunters felt only when death loomed.

“Master.”

Rowen lowered her voice, tense as she stood by him.

Hunters only reacted this way to one thing.

The source of all evil in the world.

“…Yes. It’s a witch.”

The witch was coming.