Hunt In Reverse

"What's this?" I relaxed my grip on the hilt of my blade. I already had an inkling...

Chloe's voice held a playful lilt, a hint of mischief dancing in her eyes. "A Vampire Hunter's badge."

"Vampire Hunter..." Memories of Rose Hightower stirred within me—her bravery, her gentleness, and that delicious steak she'd cooked. A warm, wistful feeling lingered.

"We track vampires across vast distances," Chloe's words snapped me out of my reminiscing. "We're affiliated with H.A.R.M., but we're a breed apart. We follow orders, not decrees—and we answer to no one, not even the Admiral himself."

Arnold Stark strode into the room, his face an impassive mask. With a casual flick of his wrist, he concealed the silver bell hanging at his waist.

They followed orders, but operated independently.

H.A.R.M. could assign them tasks, but how they carried them out was entirely up to them. Results were all that mattered.

They could choose to ignore an order entirely if they saw fit, or if they simply couldn't be bothered.

Even within their own ranks, where hierarchy was denoted by copper, silver, and gold bells, a Gold Bell Vampire Hunter couldn't order a Copper Bell around. They operated as equals, bound only by a shared purpose.

Such freedom was a testament to New Terra's absolute trust in the Vampire Hunters.

But joining their ranks was no easy feat. Becoming a colonel was merely the first step. One also needed to possess exceptional intelligence, an iron will, and unmatched strength.

"What's in it for me?" I asked, my gaze fixed on Chloe.

Arnold winced. Chloe, however, giggled, clutching her stomach as she flopped back in her chair. "Vampire Hunters have a direct line to the capital," she declared. "Anything you desire, as long as New Terra possesses it, we can get it for you. And..." she added with a mischievous grin, "no stuffy rules and regulations like H.A.R.M."

"We only care about two things." Chloe held up two fingers. "How many vampires can you track down? How many vampire heads can you collect?"

Arnold Stark shot an exasperated glance at his grandmother's antics. "You'll also have access to the most extensive intelligence network in Cascadia," he added. "Of course, you'll be expected to contribute as well."

Chloe shook the bell again. "You can leave messages anywhere with this," she explained. "Any other bell holder within range will receive it. You can exchange information across a hundred miles... Or," she added with a wink, "you could use it to woo unsuspecting maidens."

"You can also use it to store things," she added, "or as a makeshift weapon, in a pinch."

Chloe leaned forward, sliding the silver bell across the table. "Inside, you'll find aura-surpressing techniques, transformation methods, ways to sense and track vampires... and a little something I prepared especially for you. General Grant tells me you have a fondness for such things. So, Johnny, what do you say?"

A smile played on her lips, but there was a knowing glint in her eyes.

Arnold, too, watched me intently.

They'd laid out the benefits, but anyone with a lick of sense knew the risks involved in accepting that bell.

A Silver Bell Vampire Hunter held a position no less prestigious than a personal attendant colonel.

But their lives were worlds apart.

H.A.R.M. trod a cautious path, their every step measured and deliberate.

The Vampire Hunters, on the other hand, were a wild bunch, living on the edge, courting danger.

They had the skills to justify their arrogance, but they lived a life of constant risk, their hands perpetually stained with blood and grime.

"I'll take it," I said calmly, casually pocketing the bell as if it were a mere trinket.

… …

Chloe and Arnold exchanged a startled glance.

Such nonchalance... such casual acceptance...

If this young man wasn't a complete idiot, there could only be one explanation: his arrogance surpassed even Chloe's wildest expectations!

"Convinced yet? Quite a different reaction than yours, wouldn't you say?" Chloe teased, playfully swatting Arnold Stark's arm.

"Granny... ow!" Before he could finish, his grandmother's hand twisted painfully. He winced, falling silent.

It was true, he'd been excited, nervous even, when he'd received his bell. He'd had to summon all his courage. Nothing like the calm acceptance he'd just witnessed.

But then, he'd spent over a decade fighting for his life before becoming a Vampire Hunter. His grandmother, a Gold Bell Vampire Hunter herself, hadn't lifted a finger to help him.

Knowing his grandma, she'd probably just laugh at the news of his death, mocking his weakness. Perhaps she'd shed a tear or two, but those tears would be for herself, not for him.

This young kid had been with H.A.R.M. for less than a month, yet he already had Rose Hightower singing his praises and Skyler Grant favoring him. Perhaps it was simply a case of youthful ignorance, a newborn calf unafraid of the tiger.

"Johnny, just channel your essence into it," Chloe instructed. "When he's done with his errands, I'll have him show you the ropes. Learn those techniques inside as quickly as possible. It's embarrassing to be intimidated by a few brainless lizards. If you can't beat the old geezer, at least make sure you can outrun him. Give him a good slash across the forehead, a slap across his snout, and then lead him on a merry chase for three thousand miles. And while you're at it, circle back and slaughter his precious offspring. It's exhilarating! You should try it sometime."

Chloe hopped down from the chair, waving a cheerful farewell as she skipped out of the room. Arnold lingered for a moment, his gaze fixed on me, before turning and following his grandmother.

... ...

After walking some distance, he finally voiced his frustration. "Grandma, how is it fair that you just handed him a silver bell like that?"

"Here." Chloe held out her wrist, the exquisite golden bell dangling enticingly. "I'll trade you."

Arnold's eyes burned with longing as he gazed at the golden bell. In all of Cascadia, only three such bells existed, each representing power equal to a H.A.R.M. general.

Together, the twelve H.A.R.M. generals and three Gold Bell Vampire Hunters formed the pinnacle of power in Cascadia, second only to the Admiral—fifteen Harmonizing Crystal Realm experts in total.

But he quickly concealed his desire. "Perhaps when you're dead," he countered, "or if I started harmonizing..."

"Exactly," Chloe said, rolling her eyes. "What good is a silly bell? Can't I give him a position just as easily as Skyler Grant? True worth is measured in the number of vampires slain, the amount of essence and lifeblood collected, the treasures and techniques acquired."

"Does he have what it takes?" Arnold asked, his brow furrowed.

Chloe stopped, staring at her grandson as if he'd lost his mind. "Don't be ridiculous," she scoffed. "What could you possibly expect from a Wave Realmer? This is merely encouragement. Your role is tracking and slaying vampires—his is simply to grow strong enough to stay alive."

With that, they continued on their way.

… …

Within my new house, in the quiet courtyard.

I sat back down on the bed and retrieved the silver bell, my brow furrowed in confusion.

What was with my sudden streak of luck? I'd been minding my own business when those two appeared, offering me information, treasures, and a whole arsenal of useful techniques.

That girl's mischievous grin had put me on edge.

But the price... there was no price? Hunting vampires alone was already my plan.

"This is too good to be true," I mused.

I shook my head, then channeled my essence into the bell. It was like sinking into introspection.

A collection of manuals materialized before my eyes, each detailing a different technique.

And then, there it was: Chloe's little gift. A Crystal Realm Leviasaur core, pulsing with latent power.