1448, Hunderpublik
The city is surrounded by a large stone wall, with many tall towers and homes scattered throughout. In the centre of the city is located a large castle overlooking the city.
In the town square, a gaunt figure walks to the podium located on top of the scaffolding before clearing his voice and beginning his speech.
Speaker:
Via declaration from the Emperor of the Hunderpublik, I shall now read out the royal statement on the global state of affairs:
The world has fallen to a mysterious plague bearing many names…
…the great suffering, the fangs, simply the plague, but the most common name is Lycanthropy.
Lycanthropy is a vicious disease spread through bites from infected, and it has only been recorded as affecting humans.
The disease causes those infected to lose their minds, and causes their bodies to distort into horrible and inhuman forms.
The crowd of gathered citizens begin to panic and talk amongst themselves before the speaker interrupts them
Speaker:
Stay at ease, in the face of these new beasts known as the "Infected," a new profession has arisen.
It is not one that is full of heroic exploits or grand applause, instead it is a cold, lonely job known only as a Hunter.
May we pray on these poor unfortunate souls, that one day, we might return to the peace we once knew.
In a rural town far from the capital, a bar is filled to the brim with hunters, sitting alone at the bar is a girl in her early 20s, with a longsword strapped on her back
Liv:
(Ha, fools)
(I can't understand why they're all drinking their money away, are they really that confident for tonight's hunt?)
(I understand that it's a half moon, but still, they should exercise a bit more caution.)
(I mean come on, I'd expect this from rookies, but I know some of you are veterans! You have no excuse!)
The doors burst open as a small boy in a white robe stands in front of them. The boy's appearance is striking as he has red eyes, and white hair.
After a few moments of silence, the hunters continue to drink
Liv:
(Huh, white hair…where have I heard of that before?)
(He looks a little young to be a hunter, but I guess considering how big tonight's hunt is supposed to be, we'll need all the help we can get.)
The boy notices that Liv was staring at him and makes his way over
Hunde:
Hi, I'm Hunde! I just turned 16, how about you?
Liv:
(16? He looks like he's 10…)
Uh, hi, I'm Liv, I'm 21–
Hunde:
Nice to meet you Liv!
Are you a hunter too?
Liv:
Uh, yeah, how about–
Hunde:
That's so cool!
I was a bit worried, because everyone here was so big and old, but I'm glad you at least don't seem scary!
How long have you been a hunter?
What are you drinking?
Hey, hey Liv!
Liv:
(I've been fighting Infected for years now, but I can't keep up with this kid…)
(His mouth is going a mile a minute, besides, I've got a lot of questions for him myself.)
(It's like when hunting, you can't let the other one get control of how things go, you need to take initiative–)
Starker:
Woah, slow down there, squirt.
You're asking too many questions at once, that's not the way to a lady's heart, isn't that right, Liv?
Starker winks awkwardly at her
Liv looks disgusted at him
Liv:
Drop dead, Starker.
Starker:
Ouch, your tongue is as sharp as ever.
You know, my offer still stands.
Wouldn't it be great to stand beside a man as great as myself?
The feeling of superiority knowing you were my bride?
Liv:
I'd rather be bitten by an Infected than be seen as "your woman"
Starker:
Tch, fine, I've tried talking for too long, maybe we can persuade you with some force–
Starker reaches towards Liv, however before she can grab her sword, Hunde grabs Starker's wrist
Hunde:
I don't think she likes that, sir.
Starker:
Fucking brat, what the hell do you think you're doing?
Hunde:
She doesn't like it, you should stop this before I get serious.
Starker:
Don't make me laugh, before you get serious?
How about before I get serious!
Starker with his free hand goes to crush Hunde, but Hunde catches that too
Before Starker or anyone else can even react, Hunde slams him into the floor
Starker:
Ugh…
Without looking up, Hunde addresses the rest of the crowd
Hunde:
Well? Are you gonna come at me or just keep pointing your weapons at me?
The whole crowd flinches back
Man 1:
W-what the hell did you do to Starker!
There's no way a punk like you could take him down all by yourself!
Hunde:
Want to try me?
Hunde glares at the group as they all begin to shake.
Someone places a hand on Hunde's shoulder
Liv:
Ok, that's enough.
Thanks, uh…
Hunde
Hunde!
Liv:
Right, I appreciate it, but we can't have you hurting too many hunters, otherwise we can't do tonight's hunt.
Hunde glares at the hunters again before smiling
Hunde:
Alright!
Liv:
Great, in that case, let's go get ready.
Hunde
Just give me a second!
Hunde crouches down in front of Starker
Hunde:
If you ever think about messing with my friends again, just remember what happened today, alright?
Hunde walks out the building to join Liv
Hunter
Damn brat, thinking he can talk to the boss like that, we outta teach him his place!
Starker:
Wait!
Don't go after him…
Whatever you do, don't cross that boy!
(I'm not sure how, but he's stronger than me despite being half my size!)
(Not only that, he also releases a huge amount of pressure just from one glance!)
(I'm scared to think what could happen if we were to make him any more mad!)
As the saying goes, it's best to let sleeping dogs lie.
Outside, Liv is walking in silence as Hunde is following her
Liv:
…
Liv looks behind her and sees Hunde with a big smile on his face
Liv:
So, uh…
Hunde:
Hunde!
Liv:
Right, Hunde, how long are you planning on following me?
Hunde:
What do you mean?
Aren't we going to the Hunt?
Liv:
Ugh, I did say that, didn't I?
(Why'd I have to help Starker?)
(I should've just let him deal with the kid instead!)
(I don't want to be stuck babysitting during the Hunt, otherwise, how will I be able to make a name for myself?)
Hunde:
Why'd you decide to become a hunter?
Liv:
Me?
Well, if I had to say, it would be for the pay.
Hunde:
Really?
Liv:
That's right, hunters can make a lot of money.
People generally don't want to be putting their lives on the line or killing Infected, so it's the only way they can convince people to enlist.
Not to mention, the more your notoriety grows, the higher your pay gets!
There are four ranks for hunters: no-star, which is the majority of hunters, then after that it goes single-star, double-star, and triple-star.
Once you reach those higher ranks, it means you've established yourself as a notable figure in the region and have contributed in some way to the preservation and prosperity of humanity. Some triple stars are even known to become nobles!
Of course, you don't have to hunt only infected, some people prefer hunting criminals, or they might become bodyguards for the elite.
What drives all hunters is the same after all: we all have a dream and will do anything to achieve it.
Hunde:
Wow, that's really cool!
Do you have a dream too, Liv?
Liv:
Eh?
Well, I mean, I do, but it's not exactly the kind of thing you share with a person you just met…
It's nothing personal, I just don't know you well enough.
Hunde:
Don't worry, I completely understand.
Sometimes, there are just things you just don't want to talk about…
Hunde starts to look more solemn, as he buries his face in his cloak
Liv:
Uh, right, well, what about you, Hunde?
Do you have a dream?
Hunde:
I do!
My dream is to one day be able to cure every infected person!
Liv:
Woah…
That's quite the dream you have…
In the century since the start of the Lycanthropy pandemic, I think you're the first person I've ever met who still thinks it's possible to cure them.
Hunde:
I mean, there has to be a way to cure them, right?
They were human at some point, and it's just a disease after all, so it shouldn't be impossible!
Just like how some people have better immune systems, I'm sure there's a way for people to be cured of Lycanthropy too!
Liv:
Ok then, just some friendly advice, but be careful who you say that around.
Hunde:
Why?
Liv:
It's just, referring to Infected as human is a bit of a touchy subject area, for hunters and civilians both…
See, hunters need to be able to separate Infected from humans in order to kill them without a guilty consciousness, whereas for regular humans, it's possible a loved one was once turned into an Infected, so they don't like to think that relative is somewhere attacking and killing innocent people.
So it's best if you just call them Infect–
Hunde:
But that's exactly why we need to investigate it!
Think about how many lives we could save if we could cure Lycanthropy!
Civilians wouldn't need to worry about being attacked, Infected wouldn't be killed by Hunters, and Hunters wouldn't need to risk themselves in fighting against Infected!
I don't know why everyone laughs at the idea, I'm just trying to help people…
Liv:
(This kid, I thought he was pretty dumb at first, it was like a child seeing the world for the first time, but he seems way smarter than I gave him credit for!)
Sigh, don't worry, I won't laugh at you…
It's sweet that you want to save people, but until then, I have a question for you.
Hunde:
What is it?
Liv:
How exactly do you plan on fighting?
Hunde:
What do you mean?
Liv:
Well, where's your weapon?
Hunde:
What do you mean?
Liv takes a deep breath before stopping and squatting down to Hunde's level
Liv:
So, I have a sword, right?
Hunde:
Uh huh.
Liv:
I use this to fight Infected, right?
Hunde:
Uh huh.
Liv:
What weapon do you use?
Hunde:
Oh, I just use my fists!
Liv:
…
I'm sorry, you just use your what?
Hunde:
I just punch 'em until I win!
Liv:
C'mon, there's no way your fists could be strong enough to do–
Hunde punches the tree next to him and it topples in half
Liv is awestruck as Hunde looks at her with curiosity
Hunde:
Can't everyone do this?
Liv:
Of course not!
Most of us need a weapon made from silver to even stand a chance against those things!
Hunde:
Oh, sorry...
Liv:
Don't apologize, it's fine.
Whatever, with strength like that, you should be safe no matter what we go up against.
Anyways, we're here.
In front of the duo, there's a small clearing with various hunters all gathered around a campfire.
Hunter
Oh, Liv, nice to see you again.
Liv:
Likewise, Carl.
Carl:
Who's this?
You bring your kid with you?
While looking up at Carl, Hunde puts up his hood to hide his face
Liv:
What? Of course not, he's a new–
Hunde:
We're friends!
Liv:
Well, friends is a strong word, he helped me, so I showed him the way here.
Carl:
Oh cool, so he's a new hunter.
Uh, where's his weapon?
Hunde:
Don't need one.
Carl:
Ha ha, no, no, you need a–
Liv:
Trust me, he doesn't need one.
Carl:
O-ok then…
Starker and his cronies arrive at the campfire, before flinching at the sight of Hunde
Hunde snickers to himself as Liv looks towards the figure next to the campfire
Hunde:
Who's that?
Carl:
She's responsible for officially announcing the start and the end of the Hunt. We call those people "givers."
She'll also check everyone's Hunting licence before we start so people are rewarded accordingly for their participation in the Hunt.
Hunde:
Hunting…licence…?
Carl:
That's right, it's standard issue.
You can't effectively hunt without one.
The only people who don't use licences are illegal hunters, and are considered criminals by the Empire.
Hunde:
O-oh…I-I see…
G-good thing I definitely have one of those!
N-no problemo…
Hunde is sweating and shaking violently
Carl:
Haha, don't worry, another hunter can act as your mentor, which means you're able to hunt with them.
Though, with that said, I'd suggest getting your own licence soon, because it's not a guarantee that there will always be someone willing to be your mentor for a hunt.
Hunde:
Oh phew…
Giver
Hello and welcome hunters to tonight's Hunt!
The crowd of hunters roars to life with cheers from the hunters
Giver:
As always, we pray for the safety of everyone involved and the containment of the Infected.
As you can tell, tonight's hunt is larger than usual, and that is because we believe there might be an alpha among the Infected tonight.
The hunters began to murmur among themselves about the new revelations
Hunde:
What's an alpha?
Liv:
Infected tend to be territorial and only will act on their own, however, sometimes on half or full moons, an "alpha" will emerge, which is strong enough to command other infected and organise them.
These Infected show a heightened intelligence, as well as enhanced strength.
So that explains all the single stars I've been seeing in the crowd.
They must've specially requested strong hunters in the area to come and hunt it.
3 hunters are shown, each having a distinct appearance among the faceless hunters
Giver:
Everyone, please come up and show your licence to one of the givers before entering the woods.
Hunde, Liv, and Carl make it towards a giver
Carl:
Well, good luck on your hunt!
I'll see you afterwards!
Liv:
Yeah, see you on the other side, Carl.
Giver:
Hello miss, would you please show me your licence?
Liv:
Here, oh, and the kid is with me.
I'm his mentor for this hunt.
Giver:
Understood, Liv Freundliche.
Hunde:
Uh, do all licences have their full names on them?
Liv:
Of course they do, anyways, now we're in the woods.
Be on guard, there's no telling where Infected might come from.
Now, I'm going to look for the alpha, if you want, you're free to join, otherwise, you can just wander and do what you want while we're here, they'll sound a horn once the givers don't sense any more Infected in the woods.
Hunde:
I want to see what an alpha looks like, so I'll go with you!
Liv:
Alright, just make sure you don't slow me down!
The two rush deeper into the woods, it's not long before they're brought face to face with an Infected, feasting on a hunter
Liv:
Careful, if we're going to kill it, now's the best time, it's distracted.
Just watch.
Liv decapitates the Infected with one clean swing, killing it.
Hunde walks towards the body, he sees the corpse is one of the Single Stars Liv pointed out
Hunde is shocked as the Hunter grabs onto his leg
Hunter:
...K-kill me…
Hunde jumps back in fear
Liv:
Poor man, I guess being a Single Star doesn't mean you're always gonna win against Infected.
Liv raises her sword
Hunde:
Wait, what are you doing!?
Liv:
What does it look like I'm doing?
I'm going to put him out of his misery before he becomes an infected.
Hunde:
But…but…how can you just kill another human?!
He's still able to talk if only slightly!
Doesn't the fact he's able to speak mean he's still alive!?
Liv:
Hunde, you're young and new to this.
Think about this logically, this man is dying.
That is an irrefutable statement.
The only choice in this situation is whether he gets to die as a human, or if he dies as a bloodthirsty monster, killing and feasting upon his countrymen.
That's why he begged you to kill him.
Infected are known to be able to heal from non-lethal attacks, even if it takes time.
If we leave him long enough for him to become infected, then he'll just recover and start eating innocent people.
If you want to be a hunter, you need to understand something, emotions are important, but the instant you start the hunt, you need to shut them off.
It's kill or be killed, where we hunt the Infected, and the Infected hunt us.
If you can't understand that, then you have no place being a Hunter, understood?
Hunde begins to tear up as he gets frustrated with Liv
Hunde:
I thought you were a good person, but I see how it is…
Enjoy your hunt!
Hunde dashes into the forest, leaving Liv and the dying man alone
Liv:
(Tsk, what does a little kid like that know?)
(I'm a good person, I'm just doing what's best for everyone.)
Hunter:
Agh!
The hunter begins to start convulsing as his body starts to warp and change
Liv:
Shit, I took too long sparing him!
Sorry I was too late!
Liv delivers a clean strike, slicing the Infected's head off in one go
Liv wipes the blood off her sword before she looks down at the body and notices a blood stained star pin
Liv:
(I should take this back to the Giver, I'm sure she'll be able to return it to family or a friend.)
As Liv turns around, she hears a branch snap behind her
Hunde is off on his own in the middle of the woods
Hunde:
Ugh, why did I go and say that?
I know she was right…
It's better to stop someone before they become Infected, otherwise we'll be hunting forever…
I just wish there was some way to stop them from getting infected entirely!
There has to be a way, I just know it!
Alright, sitting here and moping won't do anything!
First things first, I need to apologize to Liv!
Hunde jumps up with newfound determination as he gets an ominous feeling and turns back towards where he came from
Hunde:
Liv…?
Hunde sprints back, just in time to see Liv unconscious, disarmed as a large monster faintly resembling a cross between a human and wolf about to eat her
Hunde:
Liv!
The monster turns to face Hunde, it's eyes showing no sign of intelligence, only its feral desires to feed being visible as it bares its fangs towards Hunde
Hunde:
You…are you the Alpha they were talking about?
How dare you do that to my friend!
I'll make sure you regret it…
Hunde tears his white cloak off of him, revealing a large scar across his entire back
The monster turns towards Hunde, as Hunde bares his sharp teeth and starts generating a suffocating amount of Pressure, causing the monster to whimper at the mere sight of him
Hunde's body starts to morph…
Liv wakes up in a cold sweat the next morning at the base camp, surrounded by nurses, as well as Carl watching over her
Carl:
Oh good, you're finally awake!
We were all so worried we'd need to spare you!
Liv looks around her, confused and trying to get her bearings
Liv:
W-wait, what?
Where am I?
What happened?
One minute I was in the forest, the Alpha caught me off guard, and then…I woke up here and it's morning?
Carl:
It was like a scene from a nightmare…
One of the Single Stars noticed a spike in pressure, and when he went to investigate, he found the Alpha mauled to death, with you and the boy unconscious.
The Givers want to ask the two of you some questions that might lead to what could have killed the Alpha.
Liv:
Hunde came back?
Carl:
Apparently, they found his body lying between yours and the Alpha's carcass.
Liv turns to see Hunde, who seems to be in a peaceful sleep, curled up in his cloak
Carl:
Really though, don't scare me like that!
It was a pretty brutal hunt, overall, I have to say this was a pretty successful hunt, wouldn't you agree?
Liv:
Yeah…
It's definitely one I won't forget
Liv's eyes are focussed on the sleeping Hunde